JP7398691B2 - drum type washing machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a drum type washing machine. Such a drum-type washing machine may be one that performs washing to drying continuously, or may be one that performs washing but does not perform drying.

Conventionally, in drum-type washing machines, a horizontal drum rotates in an outer tank filled with water to a predetermined water level, and the laundry is tumbled by a baffle installed inside the drum and slammed against the inner circumferential surface of the drum. The laundry is washed. At this time, the water stored in the outer tub permeates into the inside of the laundry, making the entire inside wet.

Patent Document 1 listed below describes a drum-type washing machine in which steam generated by a steam generator is injected into a drum so that laundry is quickly wetted.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-298614

There are some clothes in which it is undesirable for water to penetrate into the inside of the clothes. For example, in a down jacket, feathers are stuffed between the outer fabric and lining fabric, such as polyester, so if water penetrates inside and gets the entire feather wet, the feathers will harden and lose their fluffy feel. It's easy to get lost. Therefore, it is difficult to wash such clothes well using the conventional washing method using a drum-type washing machine.

Further, when washing clothes with dirt on or near the surface, in order to remove the dirt, it is sufficient that the water reaches at least the vicinity of the surface, and the water does not need to spread all over the interior. However, when conventional washing methods are used to wash such clothes, more water than necessary is used and water is likely to be wasted.

Therefore, it is conceivable to use steam to wash clothes in a way that removes dirt adhering to or near the surface of the clothes without collecting water in the outer tub as in the past.

As mentioned above, the drum type washing machine of Patent Document 1 is equipped with a steam generator. However, in this drum-type washing machine, the steam is jetted to quickly wet the clothes, and the pressure of the steam generated by the steam generator is lower than atmospheric pressure. Therefore, the force with which the injected steam hits the clothing is weak, and it is difficult to apply mechanical force to the clothing. Therefore, in the above-described drum-type washing machine, it is difficult to use the jetted steam to exert a cleaning power that removes dirt adhering to the surface or near the surface of clothing.

The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a drum-type washing machine that can effectively wash clothes using steam.

A drum-type washing machine according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an outer tub disposed in a housing, and a drum-type washing machine arranged in the outer tub and rotatable around a horizontal axis or a rotating shaft inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. a drum; a steam nozzle that injects high-pressure steam into the interior of the drum; a steam supply unit that supplies high-pressure steam to the steam nozzle; a detergent nozzle that injects detergent liquid into the drum; and the detergent nozzle. a detergent supply unit that supplies detergent liquid to the drum, a water nozzle that injects water into the inside of the drum, a water supply unit that supplies water to the water nozzle, a drive unit that drives the drum, and a drive unit that a control unit that controls operations of the steam supply unit, the detergent supply unit , and the water supply unit. Here, the control section performs a steam injection step of operating the steam supply section to inject high-pressure steam from the steam nozzle. Furthermore, before performing the steam injection step, the control section operates the detergent supply section to inject the detergent liquid from the detergent nozzle, and the water supply subsequent to the detergent liquid injection step. and a water injection step of operating the water nozzle to eject water from the water nozzle. Furthermore, the control section operates the drive section to rotate the drum in the steam injection step, the detergent liquid injection step, and the water injection step .

According to the above configuration, the steam injection step is performed and high-pressure steam is injected from the steam nozzle into the inside of the drum, so that the steam can be vigorously sprayed onto the clothes in the drum. As a result, it is possible to apply not only the force of lifting dirt due to the heat of the steam and moisture to the clothing in the drum, but also the mechanical force of the spraying of the steam, so that the dirt adhering to or near the surface of the clothing can be easily peeled off.

Furthermore, since a detergent liquid injection process is performed before the steam injection process, and the detergent liquid is injected from the detergent nozzle into the inside of the drum, the detergent can be impregnated on or near the surface of the clothes in the drum. As a result, when the steam injection step is performed, stains on clothing can be more effectively removed by the power of the detergent activated by the heat of the steam.

Furthermore, a water injection process is performed following the detergent liquid injection process, and water is injected from the water nozzle into the inside of the drum, making it possible to soak the surface of the clothes in the drum or near the surface with water. You can spread the detergent solution evenly over your clothes.
Furthermore, since the clothes are agitated by the rotation of the drum, the high-pressure steam, detergent liquid, and water can come into even contact with the clothes, making it difficult to wash them unevenly.

In the drum-type washing machine according to this aspect, the control section may be configured to perform the water jetting step subsequent to the steam jetting step.

According to the above configuration, dirt peeled off from clothing in the steam injection process is easily removed from the clothing as it is washed away by water applied to the clothing. Therefore, dirt is less likely to re-adhere to clothing. Furthermore, since the clothes are cooled by the water, the temperature of the clothes is less likely to rise excessively, and damage to the clothes due to heat can be prevented.

In the case of the above configuration, the control unit may further be configured to repeatedly perform the steam injection step and the water injection step following the steam injection step.

With such a configuration, the time for each steam injection process can be shortened, so that the temperature of the clothing is less likely to rise excessively during the steam injection process, and damage to the clothing due to heat can be prevented.

Moreover, when set as the said structure, the structure further provided with the temperature detection part which detects the temperature correlated with the temperature of the laundry in the said drum may be taken. In this case, the control section adjusts the time of the water injection step following the steam injection step based on the temperature detected by the temperature detection section.

With such a configuration, it is possible to further prevent clothing from being damaged by heat.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a drum-type washing machine that can effectively wash clothes using steam.

The effects and significance of the present invention will become clearer from the description of the embodiments shown below. However, the following embodiments are merely one example of implementing the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to what is described in the following embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a drum-type washing machine according to an embodiment. FIG. 2A is a front sectional view of main parts showing the arrangement of the steam nozzle, water nozzle, and detergent nozzle to the outer tank according to the embodiment. FIG. 2(b) is a sectional view showing the structure of a steam nozzle according to the embodiment, and FIG. 2(c) is a sectional view showing the structure of a water nozzle and a detergent nozzle according to the embodiment. . FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a drum-type washing machine according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating control processing of the washing operation in the steam washing course according to the embodiment. FIGS. 5A and 5B are flowcharts showing control processing of the steam washing process and the steam rinsing process included in the washing operation of the steam washing course, respectively, according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control process for adjusting the second water supply time of the water injection process according to the temperature of the clothing heated in the steam injection process, according to Modification Example 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A drum-type washing machine without a drying function, which is an embodiment of the drum-type washing machine of the present invention, will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing the configuration of a drum type washing machine 1. As shown in FIG. FIG. 2A is a front sectional view of main parts showing the arrangement of the steam nozzle 51, water nozzle 52, and detergent nozzle 53 to the outer tank 20. FIG. 2(b) is a sectional view showing the structure of the steam nozzle 51, and FIG. 2(c) is a sectional view showing the structure of the water nozzle 52 and the detergent nozzle 53.

The drum type washing machine 1 includes a rectangular housing 10. A circular input port 11 into which laundry is input is formed in the center of the front surface of the casing 10. The input port 11 is covered by a door 12 that can be opened and closed.

Inside the housing 10, an outer tank 20 is elastically supported by a plurality of dampers 21 and springs 22. A drum 23 is rotatably arranged inside the outer tank 20. The drum 23 rotates around a horizontal axis. The drum 23 has a circular opening 23a on the front surface, and the outer tank 20 has a circular opening 20a in front of the opening 23a of the drum 23. The opening 20a of the outer tank 20 faces the input port 11, and both the input port 11 and the input port 11 are closed by a door 12. The peripheral edge 20b of the opening 20a of the outer tank 20 and the peripheral edge 11a of the input port 11 of the housing 10 are connected by an annular packing 24 made of an elastic material.

A large number of dehydration holes 23b are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the drum 23. Further, on the inner peripheral surface of the drum 23, an annular balancer 25 is provided near the opening 23a, and three baffles 26 are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Each baffle 26 has a substantially triangular prism shape, extends in the axial direction of the drum 23, and is hollow inside.

A drive motor 30 that generates torque to drive the drum 23 is disposed behind the outer tank 20 . The drive motor 30 is, for example, an outer rotor type DC brushless motor. During the washing process and the rinsing process, the drive motor 30 rotates the drum 23 at a rotation speed such that the centrifugal force applied to the laundry in the drum 23 is smaller than the gravity. On the other hand, during the dewatering process, the drive motor 30 rotates the drum 23 at a rotation speed at which the centrifugal force applied to the laundry in the drum 23 is much greater than the gravity. The drive motor 30 corresponds to the drive section of the present invention.

A drain port 20c is formed at the bottom of the outer tank 20. A drain valve 40 is provided at the drain port 20c. Drain valve 40 is connected to drain hose 41. When the drain valve 40 is opened, the water stored in the outer tank 20 is discharged to the outside of the machine through the drain hose 41.

In the outer tank 20, a steam nozzle 51, a water nozzle 52, and a detergent nozzle 53 are arranged in line above the peripheral edge 20b of the opening 20a. As shown in FIG. 2(a), the detergent nozzle 53 is arranged at the highest position of the peripheral edge 20b, the water nozzle 52 is arranged to the left of the detergent nozzle 53, and the steam nozzle 51 is arranged to the left of the water nozzle 52. Placed. Steam nozzle 51, water nozzle 52, and detergent nozzle 53 inject high-pressure steam, water, and detergent liquid into the interior of drum 23, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 2(b), the steam nozzle 51 consists of an elongated cylindrical tube body 100 whose middle portion is bent at an obtuse angle. The tube body 100 has a bending angle of about 120 degrees and an inner diameter of about 6 mm, for example. The opening at the proximal end of the tubular body 100 serves as an inlet 100a, and the opening at the distal end of the tubular body 100 serves as an injection port 100b.

Water nozzle 52 and detergent nozzle 53 have the same structure. As shown in FIG. 2(c), the water nozzle 52 and the detergent nozzle 53 are composed of a tubular body 100, which is the same as the steam nozzle 51, and a nozzle body 110 attached to an opening at the tip of the tubular body 100. The nozzle body 110 sprays the liquid in a mist form from the injection port 111 so that the spray pattern is circular and a filled cone with an even flow rate distribution. The inner diameter of the nozzle body 110 is, for example, about 1 mm.

As shown in FIG. 2(a), the steam nozzle 51, the water nozzle 52, and the detergent nozzle 53 have their proximal ends located outside the outer tank 20, and their distal ends penetrating the peripheral edge 20b and opening the opening 20a. It protrudes into the outer tank 20 toward the center. The steam nozzle 51, the water nozzle 52, and the detergent nozzle 53 have their injection ports 100b and 111 facing near the center of the drum 23.

Inside the housing 10, there is a steam supply unit 60 that supplies high-temperature and high-pressure steam to the steam nozzle 51, a water supply unit 70 that supplies water to the water nozzle 52, and a detergent supply unit that supplies detergent liquid to the detergent nozzle 53. A section 80 is provided.

The steam supply unit 60 includes a steam generation device 61 that generates high-temperature and high-pressure steam, a steam supply pipe 62 that guides the steam generated by the steam generation device 61 to the steam nozzle 51, and a system for supplying water to the steam generation device 61. A water supply pipe 63 and a first water supply valve 64 are included. The steam generation device 61 includes a boiler tank 65, a heater 66 disposed in the boiler tank 65, and a supply valve 67 that opens and closes a steam outlet 65a provided in the boiler tank 65. The steam supply pipe 62 has one end connected to the supply valve 67 and the other end connected to the inlet 100a of the steam nozzle 51. The water supply pipe 63 has one end connected to a water supply port 65b provided in the boiler tank 65, and the other end connected to the first water supply valve 64. The first water supply valve 64 has a water supply port S1 common to a second water supply valve and a third water supply valve, which will be described later. A water supply hose extending from a water faucet is connected to the water supply port S1.

When the first water supply valve 64 is opened, water from the water tap is supplied to the boiler tank 65 through the water supply pipe 63, and water is stored in the boiler tank 65. When a predetermined amount of water is stored in the boiler tank 65, the first water supply valve 64 is closed. The heater 66 operates, and the water in the boiler tank 65 is heated by the heater 66 . The water boils and steam is generated in the boiler tank 65. At this time, the supply valve 67 is closed, and the steam pressure within the boiler tank 65 increases as steam is generated. In this way, high temperature and high pressure steam is generated within the boiler tank 65.

When the supply valve 67 is opened, high pressure steam is discharged from the steam outlet 65a. In the steam generation device 61 of this embodiment, the maximum discharge pressure is, for example, about 0.4 MPa. Steam discharged from the steam outlet 65a passes through the steam supply pipe 62 to the steam nozzle 51, and is injected into the drum 23 from the injection port 100b of the steam nozzle 51 through the opening 23a. As shown in FIG. 2(a), the high temperature and high pressure steam injected from the steam nozzle 51 heads toward the center of the drum 23 while diffusing.

Note that the steam supply pipe 62 is covered with a heat insulating material (not shown), so that the steam sent to the steam nozzle 51 can easily be maintained at a high temperature.

The water supply section 70 includes a water supply pipe 71 and a second water supply valve 72. The water supply pipe 71 has one end connected to the second water supply valve 72 and the other end connected to the inlet 100a of the water nozzle 52.

When the second water supply valve 72 is opened, water from the water faucet passes through the water supply pipe 71 and reaches the water nozzle 52, and the inside of the drum 23 from the injection port 111 of the nozzle body 110 of the water nozzle 52 through the opening 23a. is sprayed on. As shown in FIG. 2(a), the water sprayed from the water nozzle 52 heads toward the center of the drum 23 while being diffused.

The detergent supply unit 80 includes a detergent box 81 in which detergent liquid is generated and stored, a detergent liquid supply pipe 82 and a supply pump 83 for guiding the detergent liquid in the detergent box 81 to the detergent nozzle 53, and a supply pump 83 for supplying water to the detergent box 81. It includes a water supply pipe 84 and a third water supply valve 85 for performing this. One end of the detergent liquid supply pipe 82 is connected to a drain port 81a provided in the detergent box 81, and the other end is connected to an inlet port 100a of the detergent nozzle 53. The supply pump 83 is provided in the middle of the detergent liquid supply pipe 82. The water supply pipe 84 has one end connected to a water supply port 81b provided in the detergent box 81, and the other end connected to a third water supply valve 85.

Powdered or liquid detergent is introduced into the detergent box 81 through an inlet (not shown) provided on the top surface of the detergent box 81 . The third water supply valve 85 is opened, and a predetermined amount of water is supplied into the detergent box 81 through the water supply pipe 84. Water and detergent are mixed in the detergent box 81 to produce detergent liquid. When the supply pump 83 operates, the detergent liquid in the detergent box 81 is sent to the detergent nozzle 53 through the detergent liquid supply pipe 82. The detergent liquid that has reached the detergent nozzle 53 is sprayed into the interior of the drum 23 from the injection port 111 of the nozzle body 110 of the detergent nozzle 53 through the opening 23a. As shown in FIG. 2(a), the detergent liquid sprayed from the detergent nozzle 53 heads toward the center of the drum 23 while being diffused.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the drum type washing machine 1. As shown in FIG.

In addition to the above-described configuration, the drum-type washing machine 1 includes a control section 201, a storage section 202, an operation section 203, a water level sensor 204, a temperature sensor 205, a motor drive section 206, a water supply drive section 207, a drainage drive section 208, and a heater drive section. section 209, a valve drive section 210, and a pump drive section 211.

The operation unit 203 includes a power button 203a, a start button 203b, and a course selection button 203c. The power button 203a is a button for turning on and off the power of the drum type washing machine 1. The start button 203b is a button for starting driving. The course selection button 203c is a button for selecting an arbitrary washing course from among a plurality of washing courses related to the washing operation. The operation unit 203 outputs an input signal to the control unit 201 according to the button operated by the user.

The water level sensor 204 detects the water level in the outer tank 20 and outputs a water level signal to the control unit 201 according to the detected water level. Temperature sensor 205 detects the temperature inside outer tank 20 and outputs a temperature signal according to the detected temperature to control unit 201.

Motor drive section 206 drives drive motor 30 according to a control signal from control section 201 . The motor drive unit 206 includes a rotation sensor that detects the rotation speed of the drive motor 30, an inverter circuit, etc., and adjusts drive power so that the drive motor 30 rotates at the rotation speed set by the control unit 201.

The water supply drive unit 207 drives the first water supply valve 64 , the second water supply valve 72 , and the third water supply valve 85 according to a control signal from the control unit 201 . Drain drive section 208 drives drain valve 40 according to a control signal from control section 201 .

Heater drive section 209 drives heater 66 according to a control signal from control section 201 . Valve drive section 210 drives supply valve 67 according to a control signal from control section 201 .

Pump driving section 211 drives supply pump 83 according to a control signal from control section 201 .

The storage unit 202 includes EEPROM, RAM, and the like. The storage unit 202 stores programs for executing washing operations of various washing courses. Furthermore, the storage unit 202 stores various parameters and various control flags used for executing these programs.

The control unit 201 operates a motor drive unit 206, a water supply drive unit 207, a drainage drive unit 208, according to a program stored in a storage unit 202 based on signals from an operation unit 203, a water level sensor 204, a temperature sensor 205, etc. The heater drive section 209, valve drive section 210, pump drive section 211, etc. are controlled. As a result, the control unit 201 controls the operations of the steam supply unit 60, the water supply unit 70, the detergent supply unit 80, and the drive motor 30 in the washing operation of the steam washing course described later.

Now, the drum type washing machine 1 performs washing operations of various washing courses based on the operation of the operation unit 203 by the user.

The washing courses include a standard washing course. In the standard washing course, in the washing process, water containing detergent is stored in the outer tank 20 up to a predetermined water level according to the amount of clothes loaded in the drum 23, and the clothes soaked in the water are stored in the drum 23. Tumbling is caused by repeated forward and reverse rotations. Water containing detergent penetrates into the inside of the clothing, and dirt adhering to the surface and inside of the clothing is removed by the power of the detergent and the mechanical force of tumbling.

Note that when the water containing detergent is stored in the outer tank 20, the detergent liquid and water are sprayed from the detergent nozzle 53 and the water nozzle 52, respectively. Therefore, when water is supplied, the detergent liquid and water are likely to be splashed onto the clothes, so that when the water level in the outer tank 20 reaches a predetermined water level, the water containing the detergent is likely to permeate the entire inside of the clothes.

After the washing step, an intermediate dehydration step, a rinsing step and a final dehydration step are performed in sequence. Also in the rinsing process, the drum 23 rotates forward and backward while water is stored in the outer tank 20 up to a predetermined level, and the clothes are tumbled.

The washing courses include a steam washing course in addition to a standard washing course. The steam washing process uses steam to wash clothes such as town jackets that do not want the entire interior to get wet, or clothes that have dirt on or near the surface, without accumulating water to a predetermined water level in the outer tank 20. This is a washing cycle where the clothes are washed in a dry manner.

Hereinafter, the washing operation of the steam washing course will be explained in detail.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the control process of the washing operation in the steam washing course. FIGS. 5A and 5B are flowcharts showing the control processing of the steam washing process and the steam rinsing process included in the washing operation of the steam washing course, respectively.

When the start button 203b is pressed after the steam washing course is selected using the course selection button 203c, the washing operation of the steam washing course is started. Note that before the washing operation is started, clothing such as a down jacket is put into the drum 23, and detergent is put into the detergent box 81.

Referring to FIG. 4, when the washing operation is started, control unit 201 first performs a preparation process (S1). That is, the control unit 201 controls the first water supply valve 64 and the heater 66 of the steam supply unit 60 to generate high-temperature and high-pressure steam in the boiler tank 65. Further, the control unit 201 controls the third water supply valve 85 of the detergent supply unit 80 to generate detergent liquid in the detergent box 81. Once the production of high-pressure steam and detergent liquid is completed, the preparation process ends.

Note that the generation of steam in the steam generation device 61 under the control of the first water supply valve 64 and the heater 66 is continued until the steam rinsing process is completed and the final dehydration process begins. That is, when the amount of steam in the boiler tank 65 decreases, the heater 66 is operated, and when the amount of water in the boiler tank 65 decreases, the first water supply valve 64 is opened.

Next, the control unit 201 performs a steam cleaning process (S2).

Referring to FIG. 5A, in the steam washing process, the control unit 201 first performs a detergent liquid injection process (S101). That is, the control unit 201 operates the supply pump 83 of the detergent supply unit 80. As a result, the detergent liquid is supplied to the detergent nozzle 53, and the detergent liquid is sprayed from the detergent nozzle 53 into the inside of the drum 23. The spray amount of the detergent liquid is, for example, 0.5 L/min. Simultaneously with spraying the detergent liquid, the control unit 201 rotates the drive motor 30 alternately in the forward direction and in the reverse direction with a stop in between. The drum 23 repeats forward rotation and reverse rotation with stops in between, and the clothes inside the drum 23 are agitated. The rotation speed of the drum 23 is, for example, 30 rpm, which is lower than the rotation speed of the drum 23 in the washing step of the standard washing course. Thus, the clothes are slowly agitated. The sprayed detergent liquid evenly falls on the surface of the clothing, and the detergent liquid spreads over many areas on and near the surface. The detergent liquid injection process is performed for a predetermined detergent supply time, for example, one minute. When the detergent supply time has elapsed, the control unit 201 stops the supply pump 83.

Next, the control unit 201 performs a water injection step (S102). That is, the control unit 201 opens the second water supply valve 72 of the water supply unit 70. As a result, water is supplied to the water nozzle 52, and water is sprayed from the water nozzle 52 into the inside of the drum 23. The amount of water sprayed is, for example, 1 L/min. At this time, the stirring of the clothes by the forward and reverse rotation of the drum 23 continues. The sprayed water evenly falls on the surface of the clothing, and the water spreads the detergent contained in the clothing, spreading the detergent to a wider area on and near the surface of the clothing.

The water injection process is performed for a predetermined first water supply time, for example, 5 seconds. When the first water supply time has elapsed, the control unit 201 closes the second water supply valve 72.

Next, the control unit 201 performs a steam injection process (S103). That is, the control unit 201 opens the supply valve 67 of the steam supply unit 60. As a result, high-temperature and high-pressure steam is supplied to the steam nozzle 51, and the high-temperature and high-pressure steam is injected from the steam nozzle 51 into the inside of the drum 23. The amount of steam injected is, for example, about 80 g/min. At this time, the stirring of the clothes by the forward and reverse rotation of the drum 23 continues. The steam is vigorously and evenly blown onto the surface of the clothing, and the dirt adhering to the surface or near the surface of the clothing is peeled off by the heat of the steam and the force of lifting the dirt due to moisture and the mechanical force of the spraying of the steam. In addition, the heat of the steam increases the temperature of the detergent liquid contained in the clothes, activating the detergent, and the power of the activated detergent is added to help remove stains.

The steam injection process is performed for a predetermined steam supply time, for example, 2 minutes. When the steam supply time has elapsed, the control unit 201 closes the supply valve 67.

Next, the control unit 201 performs the water injection process for a second water supply time that is longer than the first water supply time, for example, one minute (S104). The water sprayed from the water nozzle 52 evenly falls on the surface of the clothes, and the dirt peeled off from the clothes is washed away by the falling water and separated from the clothes. This makes it difficult for dirt to re-adhere to clothing. In addition, when the clothes are agitated, a force is applied to the clothes that presses against the inner peripheral surface of the drum 23, so this pressing effect makes it easier to drain water containing dirt from the clothes, removing dirt from the clothes. The removal effect is enhanced. Furthermore, since the sprayed water cools the clothing, the temperature of the clothing is less likely to rise excessively, and damage to the clothing due to heat can be prevented.

After that, the control unit 201 repeats the steam injection process in S103 and the water injection process in S104 a first number of times, for example, three times. By repeating the steam injection process and the water injection process in this way, the time for each steam injection process can be shortened. This makes it difficult for the temperature of the clothing to rise excessively during the steam injection process, thereby preventing damage to the clothing due to heat.

When the steam injection process and the water injection process are repeated the first number of times (S105: YES), the control unit 201 performs the stirring process (S106). That is, the control unit 201 continues to rotate the drum 23 in the forward and reverse directions for a predetermined stirring time, for example, one minute, so that more water containing dirt is discharged from the clothes due to the washing effect. Then, when the stirring process is completed, the control unit 201 stops the drive motor 30 and stops the drum 23.

Next, the control unit 201 performs a drainage process (S107). That is, the control unit 201 opens the drain valve 40. As a result, water is drained from the outer tank 20. When the drainage process is completed, the control unit 201 ends the steam washing process while keeping the drainage valve 40 open.

Returning to FIG. 4, when the steam washing process is completed, the control unit 201 performs an intermediate dehydration process (S3). That is, the control unit 201 drives the drive motor 30 to rotate the drum 23 in one direction at a high speed at a predetermined dewatering rotation speed. The centrifugal force forces the clothes against the inner peripheral surface of the drum 23 and dehydrates them.

The dehydration rotation speed in the intermediate dehydration step of the steam washing course is, for example, 400 rpm, which is lower than the dehydration rotation speed in the intermediate dehydration step of the standard washing course. As a result, even if the laundry is delicate, the fabric is less likely to be damaged. Furthermore, in the steam washing course, the amount of water contained in the clothes before the intermediate dehydration step is lower than in the standard washing course, so that adequate dehydration can be achieved even at a low spin speed.

When a predetermined dewatering time, for example, 1 minute has elapsed after reaching the dewatering rotation speed, the control unit 201 stops the drive motor 30 and stops the drum 23. Further, the control unit 201 closes the drain valve 40. In this way, the intermediate dehydration step is completed.

Next, the control unit 201 performs a steam rinsing process (S4).

Referring to FIG. 5(b), in the steam rinsing process, the control unit 201 first performs the water injection process for a third water supply time that is longer than the second water supply time, for example, 2 minutes (S201). The water sprayed from the water nozzle 52 evenly falls on the surface of the clothes, and the detergent contained in the clothes is removed from the clothes as it is washed away by the sprayed water. Furthermore, when the clothes are agitated, a force is applied to the clothes that presses against the inner circumferential surface of the drum 23, so water containing detergent is easily discharged from the clothes, thereby increasing the effect of rinsing the clothes.

Next, the control unit 201 performs a steam supply time and a steam injection process (S202). As the temperature of the clothes increases due to the heat of the steam, the detergent remaining on the clothes becomes more soluble in water, making it easier to be removed along with the water.

After that, the control unit 201 repeats the water injection process of S201 and the steam injection process of S202 a second time, for example, twice, and when it ends (S203: YES), performs the drainage process (S204). When the drainage process is completed, the steam rinsing process is completed.

Returning to FIG. 4, the control unit 201 repeats the intermediate dehydration process of S3 and the steam rinsing process of S4 twice, and when they are completed (S5: YES), performs the final dehydration process (S6). In the final dehydration step, dehydration is performed for a longer time than in the intermediate dehydration step. The dehydration rotation speed in the final dehydration step may be the same as or higher than the dehydration rotation speed in the intermediate dehydration step.

When the final dehydration step is completed, the washing operation of the steam washing course is completed.

<Effects of the embodiment>
According to this embodiment, a steam injection process is performed in the washing process, and high-pressure steam is injected into the drum 23 from the steam nozzle 51, so that the steam can be vigorously sprayed onto the clothes in the drum 23. . As a result, it is possible to apply not only the force of lifting dirt due to the heat of steam and moisture to the clothes in the drum 23, but also the mechanical force of blowing the steam, so that dirt adhering to or near the surface of the clothes can be easily removed. .

In addition, a detergent liquid injection process is performed before the steam injection process, and the detergent liquid is injected into the drum 23 from the detergent nozzle 53, so that the surface of the clothes in the drum 23 or the vicinity of the surface can be impregnated with detergent. can. As a result, when the steam injection step is performed, stains on clothing can be more effectively removed by the power of the detergent activated by the heat of the steam.

Further, a water jetting step is performed following the detergent liquid jetting step, and water is jetted into the drum 23 from the water nozzle 52, so that the surface or the vicinity of the surface of the clothes in the drum 23 can be impregnated with water. The water spreads the detergent solution, allowing the detergent solution to spread widely over the clothes.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, clothes can be washed successfully using steam.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the water injection process is performed following the steam injection process, and water is injected from the water nozzle 52 into the inside of the drum 23, so that dirt removed from clothing in the steam injection process is removed. , it can be easily removed from clothing by being washed away with water. Therefore, dirt is less likely to re-adhere to clothing. Furthermore, since the clothes are cooled by the water, the temperature of the clothes is less likely to rise excessively, and damage to the clothes due to heat can be prevented.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the steam injection process and the subsequent water injection process are repeatedly performed, so the time for each steam injection process can be shortened. This makes it difficult for the temperature of the clothing to rise excessively during the steam injection process, thereby preventing damage to the clothing due to heat.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the drum 23 rotates and the clothes are agitated in the steam injection process, the detergent liquid injection process, and the water injection process, so that high-pressure steam, detergent liquid, and water are evenly distributed over the clothes. It can be brought into contact with the skin without causing any uneven washing.

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

<Change example 1>
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control process for adjusting the second water supply time of the water injection process according to the temperature of the clothing heated in the steam injection process, according to Modification Example 1.

In this modified example, when the steam injection step is completed, the control process of FIG. 6 is performed, and the second water supply time in the water injection step of S104 following the steam injection step of S103 in FIG. 5(a) is determined.

Referring to FIG. 6, the control unit 201 detects the temperature inside the outer tank 20 using the temperature sensor 205 (S301). The temperature inside the outer tub 20 correlates with the temperature of the clothing heated in the steam injection process, and the higher the temperature of the clothing, the higher the temperature inside the outer tub 20. Note that the temperature sensor 205 corresponds to the temperature detection section of the present invention.

The control unit 201 determines whether the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 205 is lower than a predetermined threshold (S302). If the detected temperature is lower than the threshold (S302: YES), the temperature of the clothing is relatively low, so the control unit 201 sets the second water supply time to the first time, for example, 1 minute (S303). On the other hand, when the detected temperature is equal to or higher than the threshold (S302: NO), the temperature of the clothing is relatively high, so the control unit 201 sets the second water supply time to a second time longer than the first time, e.g. It is set to minutes and 30 seconds (S304).

In this way, in the water injection step (S104) following the steam injection step (S103), water is injected from the water nozzle 52 onto the clothes in the drum 23 for the time set by the above control process.

As described above, according to the present modification, the higher the temperature of the clothing becomes in the steam injection process, the longer the time period of the subsequent water injection process becomes. Therefore, clothing is less likely to be damaged by heat.

<Other change examples>
In the embodiment described above, the detergent nozzle 53 is arranged at the highest position of the peripheral portion 20b, the water nozzle 52 is arranged to the left of the detergent nozzle 53, and the steam nozzle 51 is arranged to the left of the water nozzle 52. However, the steam nozzle 51, the water nozzle 52, and the detergent nozzle 53 may be placed in any position as long as they are lined up above the peripheral edge 20b of the opening 20a of the outer tank 20. They may be arranged in any order. However, if the detergent nozzle 53 is arranged at the highest position of the peripheral edge 20b as in the above embodiment, the detergent liquid will be spread evenly to the left and right sides of the drum 23, making it easier to apply it evenly to the clothes. , the most desirable.

Further, the configurations of the steam supply section 60, the water supply section 70, and the detergent supply section 80 are not limited to the configurations of the above embodiments. For example, the steam supply unit 60 may be configured without the water supply pipe 63 and the first water supply valve 64, so that the user manually replenishes water into the boiler tank 65 of the steam generation device 61. Further, for example, the water supply section 70 may be configured to be able to supply bath water pumped from a bathtub by a bath water pump to the water nozzle 52 in addition to or instead of water from a tap. Further, for example, the detergent supply unit 80 may be configured without the water supply pipe 84 and the third water supply valve 85, and may be configured such that the detergent liquid generated externally by the user is supplied into the detergent box 81.

Further, in the above embodiment, the drum type washing machine 1 is configured such that the drum 23 rotates around a horizontal axis. However, the drum-type washing machine 1 may be configured such that the drum 23 rotates around a rotation axis that is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction.

Further, although the drum-type washing machine 1 of the above embodiment does not have a drying function, the present invention can also be applied to a drum-type washing machine having a drying function, that is, a drum-type washer-dryer.

In addition, the embodiments of the present invention can be appropriately modified in various ways within the scope of the technical idea shown in the claims.

10 Housing
20 Outer tank
23 Drum
30 Drive motor (drive part)
51 Steam nozzle
52 Water nozzle
53 Detergent nozzle
60 Steam supply section
70 Water supply section
80 Detergent supply section
201 Control unit
205 Temperature sensor (temperature detection section)

Claims (4)

An outer tank placed inside the housing;
a drum disposed in the outer tank and rotatable around a horizontal axis or a rotation axis tilted with respect to the horizontal direction;
a steam nozzle that injects high-pressure steam into the drum;
a steam supply unit that supplies high-pressure steam to the steam nozzle;
a detergent nozzle that sprays a detergent liquid into the drum;
a detergent supply unit that supplies detergent liquid to the detergent nozzle;
a water nozzle that sprays water into the drum;
a water supply unit that supplies water to the water nozzle;
a drive unit for driving the drum;
a control unit that controls operations of the drive unit, the steam supply unit, the detergent supply unit, and the water supply unit,
The control unit includes:
performing a steam injection step of operating the steam supply unit to inject high-pressure steam from the steam nozzle;
Before performing the steam injection step, there is a detergent liquid injection step in which the detergent supply unit is operated to inject the detergent liquid from the detergent nozzle, and following the detergent liquid injection process, the water supply unit is operated to inject the water. a water injection step of injecting water from a nozzle;
In the steam injection step, the detergent liquid injection step, and the water injection step, operating the drive unit to rotate the drum;
A drum-type washing machine characterized by: The drum type washing machine according to claim 1,
The control unit performs the water injection step following the steam injection step,
A drum-type washing machine characterized by: The drum type washing machine according to claim 2,
The control unit repeatedly performs the steam injection step and the water injection step subsequent to the steam injection step.
A drum-type washing machine characterized by: The drum type washing machine according to claim 2 or 3,
further comprising a temperature detection unit that detects a temperature correlated to the temperature of the laundry in the drum,
The control section adjusts the time of the water injection step following the steam injection step based on the temperature detected by the temperature detection section.
A drum-type washing machine characterized by:

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