JPH07323180A - Full automatic washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent washing from being entwined in a washing process and a rinsing process. CONSTITUTION:In the washing process and rinsing process, a separator is rotated forward and backward in relatively long cycles (S2). At this time, the separator is rotated forward and backward in relatively short cycles (S4) after the operation time (t) of the washing machine exceeds a 1st time tTH (S3). Consequently, untwining streams which are piecemeal streams in opposite directions are generated. The piecemeal streams are generated at intervals of the 1st time tTH until the processes end (S6). The washing can, therefore, be untwined before being entwined tightly. Consequently, the burden on a user who hangs the washing out to dry is reducible. Further, unevenness and damage of the washing can be reduced. Further, a noise at drying time is reducible.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fully automatic washing machine capable of generating a so-called loosening water flow, or a fully automatic washing machine capable of performing so-called intermittent dewatering.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been used a fully automatic washing machine capable of automatically performing a series of washing operations including a washing step, a rinsing step and a dehydrating step. In such a fully automatic washing machine, generally, an outer tub for storing washing water, a washing tub / dehydration tub (hereinafter referred to as “inner tub”) that is installed in the outer tub and stores laundry such as clothes to be washed. )), A pulsator for agitating the laundry stored in the inner tub, and a motor for driving the inner tub and the pulsator.

In the above washing machine, normally, in the washing process and the rinsing process, only the pulsator is normally and reversely rotated in a relatively long cycle. However, in this case, since the water flow in one direction is generated for a relatively long time, the laundry stored in the inner tub may be entangled. Therefore,
In the above washing machine, in order to prevent the laundry contained in the inner tub from being entangled, a so-called loosening water flow is generated in the last few seconds of the washing and rinsing steps. Specifically, in the final few seconds of each step,
The pulsator rotates forward and reverse in a relatively short cycle. Therefore, water flows in opposite directions are generated in small increments, so that the laundry entangled in the inner tub can be untangled.

Further, in the above washing machine, so-called intermittent dehydration is usually performed in the dehydration step in order to prevent the laundry from being scraped off. That is, the number of rotations of the inner tank (hereinafter referred to as "dehydration number of rotations") is repeated by repeatedly turning the motor on and off.
It is increased while fluctuating up and down, and finally increased to a predetermined rotation speed (synchronous rotation speed). Then, after that, continuous dehydration is performed at the synchronous rotation speed.

The motor is turned on / off at a predetermined cycle. That is, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 6, after the motor is turned on for a certain time t1, the motor is turned off for a certain time t2, then the motor is turned on for the same time t1, and the motor is turned on for the same time t2. Is turned off. By repeating this several times, the dehydration rotation speed can be increased to the synchronous rotation speed.

[0006]

By the way, in the above washing machine, the loosening water flow is generated at the end of the washing step and the rinsing step, but the laundry actually reaches the end of the washing step and the rinsing step. In many cases, it has already been entangled. Therefore, when the loosening water flow is generated in such a state, it is almost impossible to loosen the entanglement. Therefore, it not only causes wrinkles, but also has to loosen the entanglement when hanging the laundry, which puts a burden on the user.

Further, when the laundry is entangled, the outside of the entanglement is directly contacted with the washing water, whereas the inside thereof is hardly contacted. As a result, the outside of the entanglement was washed too much, causing pain, and conversely, the inside of the entanglement had a problem that dirt was difficult to remove. Further, if the laundry operation proceeds while the laundry is entangled, the laundry is biased to a part of the inner tub in the dehydration process, and the vibration is increased to cause noise.

Further, in the above washing machine, as described above, intermittent dehydration is performed at a predetermined cycle. That is,
Intermittent dehydration is performed regardless of the amount of laundry. However, it is known that the spin-drying speed does not increase relatively easily when there is a large amount of laundry, and increases relatively quickly when there is a small amount of laundry. Therefore, in the above washing machine, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 6, the dehydration rotation speed passes through a vibration resonance point at which the inner tub resonates and the vibration is maximized, so that the inner tub becomes the outer tub. There was a problem that there was a lot of noise when hitting.

Therefore, in order to solve this problem, it is conceivable to adopt the technique disclosed in, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 5-115667. That is, a rotation speed detecting means for detecting the rotation speed of the motor is newly provided, and as shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 6, when it is detected that the dehydration rotation speed has reached the rotation speed V1 lower than the vibration resonance point. Predetermined time t2
Then, the motor is turned off, the motor is turned on again, and when it is detected that the dehydration rotation speed reaches the rotation speed V2 higher than the vibration resonance point, the motor is turned off again for the predetermined time t2. After that, the motor is repeatedly turned on / off to increase the synchronous rotation speed. According to this, since the vibration resonance point is passed only once, noise can be reduced.

However, in this structure, since the rotation speed detecting means must be newly provided for intermittent dehydration, not only the number of assembling steps of the washing machine increases but also the cost increases. Then, the objective of this invention is providing the fully automatic washing machine which can solve the above-mentioned technical subject and can prevent twining of a laundry in a washing process and a rinsing process.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fully automatic washing machine capable of reducing noise and reducing costs.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, a fully automatic washing machine according to claim 1 is provided with a washing tub for accommodating the laundry, and the washing tub is rotatably mounted in a forward and reverse direction.
A fully automatic washing machine including a pulsator for stirring laundry contained in the washing tub and a motor for rotationally driving the washing tub and the pulsator, wherein the pulsator is used in a washing step and a rinsing step. To control the motor so that the motor rotates forward and backward in a relatively long cycle.
Each time the control means and the washing step and the rinsing step perform control by the first control means for a predetermined first time, the pulsator is moved relative to the control for the second time instead of the control by the first control means. Second control means for controlling the motor so as to rotate forward and reverse in a relatively short cycle.

A fully automatic washing machine according to a second aspect of the present invention further includes load amount detecting means for detecting a load amount of laundry stored in the washing tub, and the second control means has the load amount. The first time and the second time are changed according to the detection means. The fully automatic washing machine according to claim 3 is provided with a washing tub for accommodating the laundry, and is installed in the washing tub so as to rotate forward and backward so as to stir the laundry contained in the washing tub. A fully automatic washing machine including a pulsator, a washing tub and a motor for driving the pulsator to rotate, and a load amount detecting means for detecting a load amount of laundry stored in the washing tub, and a dehydrator. In the step, after increasing the rotation speed of the washing tub to a rotation speed lower than the vibration resonance point while intermittently rotating the motor for a number of times corresponding to the load quantity of the laundry detected by the load quantity detecting means. And a control means for linearly increasing the rotation speed to a predetermined rotation speed higher than the vibration resonance point.

Here, the vibration resonance point is the number of rotations at which the washing tub resonates to maximize the vibration. Further, in the fully automatic washing machine according to claim 4, the load amount detecting means is
It is characterized in that the load amount of the laundry is detected based on the variation of the current flowing through the motor when the motor is rotationally driven.

[0015]

In the structure according to claim 1, in the washing step and the rinsing step, every time the control by the first control means is performed for the first time, the pulsator rotates forward and backward in a relatively short cycle over the second time. The motor is controlled so that Therefore, in the washing tub, water flows in opposite directions are generated in small increments. That is, a so-called loosening water flow is generated every time a predetermined time elapses. Therefore, since the loosening water flow is generated before the laundry is entangled, the entanglement of the laundry is more effective than the conventional technique in which the loosening water flow is generated in the final few seconds of the washing process and the rinsing process. Can be prevented.

Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the first time and the second time are changed according to the load amount of the laundry, so that the laundry operation is performed according to the load amount of the laundry. You can Further, in the configuration according to claim 3, in the dehydration step, the rotational speed of the washing tub is increased to a rotational speed below the vibration resonance point while intermittently rotating and driving the motor a number of times corresponding to the load amount of the laundry. After that, it is linearly increased to a predetermined rotation speed higher than the vibration resonance point. That is, so-called intermittent dehydration is performed according to the load amount of the laundry.

As described above, according to the above construction, the intermittent dehydration is performed based on the load amount of the laundry.
The rotation speed of the washing tub passes through the vibration resonance point only once. Therefore, the generation of noise due to the vibration of the washing tub can be minimized. Further, in the structure according to the fourth aspect, since the load amount of the laundry is detected based on the variation of the current flowing through the motor, a hardware detecting means for detecting the load amount of the laundry is newly provided. No need. Therefore, the number of assembling steps can be reduced and the cost can be reduced.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the fully automatic washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. This washing machine is for automatically performing a series of washing operations including a washing step, a rinsing step, and a dehydrating step. The washing machine is elastically suspended in the washing machine main body 1 via a hanging rod 2 to wash water. An outer tub 3 for storing water, and an inner tub 5 rotatably mounted on the outer tub 3 via a rotary shaft 4 for accommodating laundry are provided. In this embodiment, the outer tub 3 and the inner tub 5 correspond to a washing tub.

The washing machine body 1 is formed in a box shape having an opening on the upper surface. An operation unit 6 including a course selection key and the like that can select various washing courses is provided on the protrusion on the rear portion of the upper surface. A drain port 7 is formed at the bottom of the outer tub 3. The drainage port 7 has a drainage channel 9 through a drainage valve 8.
The drainage channel 9 is connected to a bellows-shaped drainage hose 10 extending outside the washing machine body 1. The drain valve 8 is opened and closed by the solenoid 11. In particular,
When the solenoid 11 is excited, the drain valve 8 is opened, and when the solenoid 11 is demagnetized, the drain valve 8 is closed.

A water supply port 12 for supplying water to the outer tub 3 is formed in the upper part of the outer tub 3. The water supply port 12 is connected to an external water supply passage (not shown) via a water supply valve 13. The water supply valve 13 is opened and closed by a solenoid (not shown). Specifically, it is opened when the solenoid is excited, and closed when the solenoid is demagnetized. A large number of fine dehydration holes (not shown) are formed in the inner tank 5,
A pulsator 14 that stirs the wash water and the laundry is internally and rotatably supported in the inner tub 5 so as to rotate in the forward and reverse directions.

At the bottom of the washing machine body 1, there is arranged a mechanism portion 16 for transmitting the driving force from the motor 15 to the pulsator 14 and the inner tub 5. The driving force of the motor 15 is transmitted to the mechanism portion 16 from the small pulley 17 via the pulley belt 18 and the large pulley 19. In the mechanical section 16,
Inner shaft (not shown) during washing and rinsing processes
Is transmitted to the inner shaft and the rotating shaft 4 during the dehydration process. As a result, only the pulsator 14 rotates during the washing process and the rinsing process, and the inner tank 5 and the pulsator 14 rotate during the dehydrating process.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical construction of the portion of the above washing machine that is relevant to the present invention. The operation unit 6 and the motor 15 are connected to a microcomputer 30 for controlling the operation of each unit of the washing machine. Inside the microcomputer 30, there are provided a ROM 31 in which an operation program for a laundry operation for each laundry course that can be selected by the operation unit 6 is stored in advance, and a timer 32 for counting the operation time of the laundry operation.

The microcomputer 30 monitors the fluctuation of the current flowing through the motor 15, and detects the load amount f ₀ of the laundry based on the fluctuation of the current. Specifically, the load amount f ₀ of the laundry is detected by integrating the above variation for a certain period of time. In addition, the microcomputer 30 performs various controls based on the detected load amount f ₀ of the laundry. For example, the amount of water to be supplied, the washing process to be executed, the operating time of the rinsing process and the dehydrating process, the strength of the water flow to be generated in the wash water, etc. are determined by the load f ₀ of the laundry.

However, these controls are generally performed conventionally, and the characteristic control of the present embodiment is based on the detected load amount f ₀ of the laundry, and the intermittent dehydration described below is performed. For controlling the rotation of the motor 15 for the above, and the ROM
Operation program and timer 32 stored in 31
This is a control of the rotation of the motor 15 necessary for the generation of a loosening water flow, which will be described later, based on the operation time counted in (4).

As described above, in this embodiment, the microcomputer 30 functions as the first control means, the second control means, the control means and the load amount detection means. In addition to the above, as the load amount detecting means, for example, a spring provided on the hanging bar 2 that changes according to the load amount f ₀ of the laundry or a pressure sensor on the leg of the washing machine is used. May be provided to detect the load amount f ₀ of the laundry, and various other configurations can be applied.

FIG. 1 is a flow chart for explaining the driving process of the pulsator 14 during the washing process and the rinsing process in the above washing machine. When the start key is operated after an arbitrary washing course is selected on the operation unit 6, the microcomputer 30 reads the operation program of the selected washing course from the ROM 31, and the washing program is executed according to the read operation program. The operation is started. At the same time, the timer 32 starts counting the operating time t (step S1).

When the washing operation is started, in the microcomputer 30, the pulsator 14 has predetermined times t ₁ and t _{2 in the} forward and reverse directions with a pause time t ₀ (for example, t ₀ = 1 (sec)) therebetween. (For example, t ₁ = t ₂ = 3 (s
The rotation of the motor 15 is controlled so as to rotate periodically in (ec)). That is, pulsator 1 with a relatively long cycle
4 is rotated normally and reversely. As a result, the laundry stored in the inner tub 5 is agitated, and a water flow is generated in the washing water, so that the washing operation proceeds.

At the same time, in the microcomputer 30,
It is determined whether or not the operating time t counted by the timer 32 has passed the first time t _TH (for example, t _TH = 60 (sec)) (step S3). As a result, when it is determined that the operation time t has passed the first time t _TH , the so-called loosening water flow is generated in the microcomputer 30 (step S4).

[0029] That is, across the pulsator 14 forward and backward to the pause time t ₀ less downtime than t ₃ (e.g. _{t 3 = 0.5 (sec))} , respectively the predetermined time t _1, t _The rotation of the motor 15 is controlled so as to rotate periodically at predetermined times t ₄ and t ₅ (for example, t ₄ = t ₅ = 1 (sec)) shorter than ₂ . That is, the pulsator 14 is normally and reversely rotated in a relatively short cycle. as a result,
A so-called loosening water stream, which is a small stream of water in opposite directions, is generated. The generation of the loosening water flow is performed for the second time t ₆ (for example, t ₆ = 20 (sec)) (step S5).

When the generation of the loosening water flow is completed, the rotation of the motor 15 is controlled so that the pulsator 14 rotates forward and backward again at the relatively long cycle. Then, the operation time t counted by the timer 32 is the above step S
When it is determined in 3 again that the first time t _{TH has} elapsed, the loosening water flow is generated again. The driving process of the pulsator 14 as described above is performed during the washing process and the rinsing process (step S6).

It should be noted that each of the times t ₀ , t ₁ , t ₂ ,
_{t 3, t 4, t 5} , t 6, t TH may be changed in the rinsing step and washing step. Further, each time t ₀ , t ₁ ,
_{t 2, t 3, t 4} , t 5, t 6, t TH may be changed according to the load f ₀ of the laundry. As described above, according to the fully automatic washing machine, a so-called loosening water flow is generated every first time t _TH in the washing step and the rinsing step, so that the loosening can be performed before the laundry is entangled. it can. Therefore, the entanglement of the laundry can be effectively prevented as compared with the conventional technique in which the loosening water flow is generated in the last few seconds of the washing process and the rinsing process.

Therefore, when the laundry is dried, it is not necessary to loosen the entanglement, and the burden on the user can be reduced. In addition, since it is possible to wash each piece carefully, it is possible to reduce uneven washing and minimize the occurrence of pain. Furthermore, since the dehydration process is performed with the laundry loosened, vibration during dehydration is small and noise can be reduced. Figure 4
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a washing operation centered on a dehydration process in the fully automatic washing machine.

When the start key is operated after the laundry is loaded into the inner tub 5 and an arbitrary laundry course is selected by the operation section 6, the microcomputer 30 causes the operation program of the selected laundry course to be executed. While being read from the ROM 31, the load amount f ₀ of the laundry is detected based on the variation of the motor current (step P1). The detected load f ₀ of the laundry is R in the microcomputer 30.
It is held in AM. Then, according to the operation program read from the ROM 31, the washing process and the rinsing process including the control of the pulsator 14 for generating the loosening water flow described in FIG. 1 are performed (step P2).

The washing and rinsing steps are
Instead of the washing process and the rinsing process including the control of FIG. 1, a normal washing process and a rinsing process that do not generate a loosening water flow may be performed. When the washing process and the rinsing process are completed (step P3), the microcomputer 30
Then, the dehydration process is executed according to the load amount f ₀ of the laundry.

More specifically, in the microcomputer 30, the load amount f ₀ of the laundry stored in the RAM is read, and first, the read load amount f ₀ of the laundry is relatively read. It is determined whether or not it is larger (step P4). As a result, when it is determined that the load f ₀ of the laundry is relatively large, intermittent dehydration is performed a predetermined number of times (for example, 4 times) in advance (step P).
5).

That is, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 5, for example, the motor 15 is energized for a predetermined time t ₇ (for example, t ₇ = 6 (sec)) to increase the rotation speed of the motor 15 and then to the motor 15. Is stopped and the rotation speed of the motor 15 is decreased. As a result, the rotation speed of the inner tub 5 (hereinafter referred to as "dehydration speed") is the predetermined time t ₇ to rise, then the tank 5 for rotating only by inertia, dehydration rotation speed decreases.
Next, when a predetermined time t ₈ (for example, t ₈ = 4 (sec)) has elapsed after the power supply to the motor 15 was stopped, the motor 15 is powered again to change the rotation speed of the motor 15 for a predetermined time t ₇ . After the temperature is raised for a while, the power supply to the motor 15 is stopped and the rotation speed of the motor 15 is lowered. Such operation is repeated four times.

The number of times of the intermittent dehydration is determined so that the rotation speed of the dehydration does not reach the vibration resonance point even once during the intermittent dehydration. The above-mentioned vibration resonance point is the spin-drying speed at which the inner tank 5 resonates to maximize the vibration. When the intermittent dehydration is completed, the microcomputer 1 causes the microcomputer 1 to linearly increase the dehydration rotation speed to the synchronous rotation speed.
The number of rotations of 5 is increased. Then, when the dehydration rotation speed rises to the synchronous rotation speed, thereafter, the dehydration is continuously performed at the synchronous rotation speed (step P6).

As a result of the determination in step P4, if it is determined that the load amount f ₀ of the laundry is not relatively large, then it is determined whether or not the load amount f ₀ of the laundry is medium. (Step P7). As a result, when it is determined that the load f ₀ of the laundry is medium, intermittent dehydration is performed for a predetermined number of medium times (for example, 3 times) (step P).
8). That is, the motor 1 described above with reference to FIG.
The rotation control of 5 is repeated 3 times. FIG. 5 shows a time-dependent change in the number of rotations of dehydration when performing moderate intermittent dehydration. Then, in the same manner as described above, the dehydration rotation speed is increased to the synchronous rotation speed, and then the continuous dehydration is performed (step P6).

If it is determined in step P7 that the load amount f ₀ of the laundry is not medium, the load amount f ₀ of the laundry can be determined to be relatively small. Intermittent dehydration is performed relatively few times (for example, once) (step P9). That is, the rotation control of the motor 15 described above with reference to FIG. 5 is performed once. Fig. 5 shows the time change of the spin-drying speed when performing a small number of intermittent spins.
Is indicated by a chain double-dashed line. Then, in the same manner as described above, the dehydration rotation speed is increased to the synchronous rotation speed, and then the continuous dehydration is performed (step P6).

The dehydration process is executed as described above, and when the dehydration process is completed (step P10), the washing operation is completed. As described above, according to the fully automatic washing machine, since the intermittent dewatering is performed the number of times corresponding to the load amount f ₀ of the laundry, the dewatering rotation speed passes the vibration resonance point only once.
Therefore, the generation of noise due to the inner tank 5 hitting the outer tank 3 can be minimized. Therefore, the washing machine can be quiet.

Further, the load f of the laundry required for the intermittent dehydration
_{Since 0} is detected by a method that has been conventionally used for other purposes, it is not necessary to newly provide a load amount sensor and, of course, the conventional rotational speed detecting means is also unnecessary.
Therefore, the number of assembling steps can be reduced and the cost can be reduced. Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various design changes can be made within the scope described in the claims. Is.

[0042]

As described above, according to the fully automatic washing machine of the first aspect, in the washing process and the rinsing process, the first
Since the so-called loosening water flow is generated every time, it is possible to effectively reduce the entanglement of the laundry as compared with the conventional technique in which the loosening water flow is generated in the last few seconds of the washing process and the rinsing process. Therefore, when drying the laundry, there is no need to loosen the entanglement, and the burden on the user can be reduced. In addition, since it is possible to wash each piece carefully, it is possible to reduce uneven washing and minimize the occurrence of pain. Furthermore, since the dehydration process can be performed with the laundry unraveled, vibration during dehydration is small and noise can be reduced.

Further, according to the fully automatic washing machine of the second aspect, since the washing operation can be performed according to the load amount of the laundry, the laundry after washing can have a good finish. According to the fully automatic washing machine of claim 3,
In the dehydration process, so-called intermittent dehydration is performed according to the load amount of the laundry, so the rotation speed of the washing tub passes only once through the vibration resonance point, which is the rotation speed at which the washing tub resonates and the vibration becomes maximum. . Therefore, noise caused by the vibration of the washing tub can be minimized. Therefore, the washing machine can be quiet.

Further, according to the fully automatic washing machine of the fourth aspect, since the load amount of the laundry is detected based on the variation of the current flowing through the motor, the hardware for detecting the load amount of the laundry is detected. It is not necessary to newly provide an effective detection means. Therefore, the number of assembling steps can be reduced and the cost can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart for explaining drive control of a pulsator during a washing process and a rinsing process in a fully automatic washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the fully automatic washing machine.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a portion of the fully automatic washing machine related to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a washing operation centered on a dehydration step in the fully automatic washing machine.

FIG. 5 is a graph for specifically explaining intermittent dehydration.

FIG. 6 is a graph for explaining conventional intermittent dehydration.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Washing machine body 3 Outer tub 5 Inner tub 14 Pulsator 15 Motor 30 Microcomputer 31 ROM 32 Timer

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A washing tub for accommodating laundry, a pulsator which is internally and rotatably installed in the washing tub and which stirs the laundry accommodated in the washing tub, the washing tub, and A fully automatic washing machine including a motor for rotationally driving a pulsator, comprising: first control means for controlling the motor so that the pulsator rotates forward and backward in a relatively long cycle in a washing step and a rinsing step. In the washing step and the rinsing step, every time the control by the first control means is performed for a predetermined first time, the pulsator is relatively short for a predetermined second time instead of the control by the first control means. A fully automatic washing machine comprising: a second control unit that controls a motor so as to rotate forward and reverse in a cycle. 2. A load amount detecting means for detecting a load amount of laundry stored in the laundry tub, wherein the second control means is responsive to the load amount detecting means for the first time and The fully automatic washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the second time is changed. 3. A washing tub for accommodating laundry, a pulsator which is internally and rotatably installed in the washing tub, and which stirs the laundry contained in the washing tub, the washing tub, and A fully automatic washing machine including a motor for rotationally driving a pulsator, comprising: a load amount detecting means for detecting a load amount of laundry stored in the washing tub; and a load amount detecting means in a dehydration step. After increasing the rotation speed of the washing tub to a rotation speed lower than the vibration resonance point while intermittently rotating the motor for a number of times corresponding to the load amount of the laundry detected by A fully automatic washing machine comprising: a control means for linearly increasing the rotation speed to a predetermined number. 4. The load amount detecting means is for detecting the load amount of laundry based on a variation of a current flowing through the motor when the motor is rotationally driven. The fully automatic washing machine according to Item 2 or 3.