JPH0956972A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the washing effect of a basket by suspending the supply of water at plural stages of water level lower than the final each water level at the time of supplying water in a basket washing course and stirring water staying in the basket for designated time in a washing machine having a basket washing course for washing the basket used for washing. SOLUTION: In the washing machine, if it is judged that 'basket washing course' is selected by a microcomputer 22, in the processes of 'water supply', 'soaking', 'main washing', 'dewatering of residual water', 'drainage', 'dewatering', 'water supply', 'rinsing', 'dewatering of residual water', 'drainage', and 'dewatering' in order, at the time of 'water supply', a water supply valve is opened to supply service water into a basket 4. At the time of water supply, the supply of water is suspended at plural stages of water levels lower than the final reach water level to stir water staying in the basket 4 for every designated time. Thus, the mechanical force of a wave is exerted to the basket 4 to obtain a satisfactory washing effect in the water surface part of the final reach water level and even in the lower parts.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a washing machine having a tub washing course.

[0002]

Conventionally, a washing machine having a tub washing course has been provided. This is to wash the tub that has been used for washing, and after supplying water to the specified water level in the tub, the water accumulated in the tub is agitated. However, with this, the effect of cleaning the tank was not sufficiently obtained.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and therefore an object thereof is to provide a washing machine which can sufficiently obtain a washing effect of a tub.

[0004]

In order to achieve the above object, in the washing machine of the present invention, firstly, at the time of water supply of the tub cleaning course, water supply is interrupted at a plurality of stages of water levels lower than the final water level reached. It is characterized in that the water accumulated in the mixing tank is stirred for a predetermined time.

Secondly, in the washing machine of the present invention, when the water is drained from the tub cleaning course, the drainage is interrupted at a plurality of stages of water levels lower than the final water level at the time of water supply, and stirring of the water remaining in the tub is predetermined. It is characterized in that it is done every hour.

Thirdly, in the washing machine of the present invention, when the bath cleaning course is set to use bath water, the water accumulated in the bath is continuously stirred from a predetermined water level lower than the final reaching water level. It is characterized by doing so.

Looking at the cleaning effect of the conventional tank,
It was found that the effect was small in general, but the effect was large on the water surface. When the cause of this was investigated, the following was revealed. That is, the cleaning effect of stirring the water accumulated in the tank when cleaning the tank is that the mechanical force of the stirred water acts on the tank to remove the dirt from the tank. The force is applied to the tank as the water in the tank is agitated and undulates. In short, since the force is an action of the waves, the effect is greater at the water surface portion.

Therefore, as in the case of the first means, when the water is supplied to the tank cleaning course, the water supply is interrupted at a plurality of stages of water levels lower than the final water level, and the water accumulated in the tank is stirred for a predetermined time. As a result, the mechanical force of the waves caused by stirring the water in the tank at each of the multiple stages reaches the tank, and not only the water surface part at the final reaching water level, but also the parts below it have sufficient cleaning effects. You will get it.

Further, like the second means, when draining the tank cleaning course, the drainage is interrupted at a plurality of stages of water levels lower than the final reaching water level at the time of water supply, and the water remaining in the tank is stirred for a predetermined time. Even if it is done, the mechanical force of the wave by stirring the water in the tank at each of the multiple stages reaches the tank,
Similar to the above, not only the water surface portion of the final reaching water level, but also the respective lower portions can obtain a sufficient cleaning effect.

However, when the bath water is used to wash the bath, the user generally uses a commercially available pump to supply the bath water, and the pump cannot be controlled by the washing machine. When supplying water to the tank cleaning course, it is not possible to interrupt the water supply at multiple water levels that are lower than the final water level reached. Therefore, as in the case of the third means, when water is supplied to the bath cleaning course in a setting that uses bath water, the water that has reached the final water level is reached by continuing to stir the water that has accumulated in the tank from a predetermined water level that is lower than the final water level. From below the water level, the mechanical force of the waves is continuously applied to the tank, and thus a sufficient cleaning effect can be obtained.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. First, FIG. 3 shows the overall structure of the washing machine. The tub 2 is supported by the elastic suspension mechanism 3 (only part of which is shown) in the outer box 1, and the tub 4 is placed in the tub 2. I have set up. The tub 2 and the tank 4 both have a bottomed cylindrical shape with a taper that gradually increases in diameter from the bottom to the top, of which the bottom of the tub 2 has a housing insertion port 5 formed at the center thereof. A drain port 6 is formed at the right corner of the peripheral portion in the drawing, and a drain hose 8 is connected to the drain port 6 via a drain valve 7.

On the other hand, the tank 4 has dehydration holes 10 as dehydration openings at the upper end where the balance ring 9 is attached, for example, in a horizontal row, and the water inlet 1 is provided at the center of the bottom.
1 is formed, and this water passage 11 is connected to the drainage port 6 by a water channel 12 which is provided in a watertight manner from the inside of the trough 2. A perforated cylindrical inner cover 13 is arranged on the inner peripheral side of the tank 4, and a bottom cover 14 and a stirring body 15 are arranged on the bottom of the tank 4.

Further, a drive mechanism 17 having a motor 16 as a main component is disposed on the outer lower portion of the trough 2, and a housing 1 incorporating a deceleration mechanism and a brake mechanism (not shown) for the drive mechanism 17 is built in.
The upper end of 8 is exposed from the housing insertion port 5 into the tub 2, the bottom of the tub 4 is attached to the dehydration shaft 19 which protrudes from the housing 18 and passes through the water passage 12, and the washing which protrudes from the dehydration shaft 19 is carried out. An agitator 15 is attached to the shaft 20.

With this construction, the tub 4 is rotated by the dewatering shaft 19 at the time of dewatering, and the centrifugal force of the tub 4 causes water containing water discharged from the laundry in the tub 4 to pass through the holes of the inner cover 13 to the outer peripheral surface of the inner cover 13. The water is fried through the gap between the inner peripheral surface of the tank 4 and shaken off from the dehydration hole 10. The agitator 15 is rotated by the washing shaft 20 in normal and reverse directions during washing.

On the other hand, a top cover 21 is mounted on the outer case 1, and a microcomputer 22 is provided inside the front part of the top cover 21. The microcomputer 22 functions as a control means. As shown in FIG. 4, various operation signals are input from a switch input section 23 including various operation switches, and a lid 24 (pivotally attached to the top cover 21 ( The lid opening / closing detection signal is input from the lid switch 25 for detecting the opening / closing of FIG. 3), and the water level detection signal is further detected by the water level sensor 26 for detecting the water level in the tank 4, and the rotation speed of the tank 4 is also detected. A rotation speed detection signal is input from the rotation speed sensor 27.

Based on these inputs and the control program stored in advance, the microcomputer 22 has a display unit 28 including various display elements and a tank 4.
A drive control signal is supplied to a water supply valve 29 for supplying tap water therein, the drain valve 7, and a drive circuit 30 for driving the motor 16.

Therefore, the operation of the function of the microcomputer 22 will be described below. As shown in FIG. 5, the microcomputer 22 determines whether or not the "tank cleaning course" is selected in step S1 after the operation is started. If it is determined in step S1 that the "tank cleaning course" is not selected, a course other than the "tank cleaning course" (for example, a standard laundry course)
Is executed (step S2), and if it is determined that the "tank cleaning course" has been selected, it is determined whether "use of bath water" has been selected (step S3). If it is determined in step S3 that "use of bath water" is not selected, the "tank cleaning course" for supplying tap water is executed (step S4), and "use of bath water" is selected. If it is determined that the bath water is being used, a "tank cleaning course" using bath water is executed (step S5).

FIG. 1 shows the contents of execution of the "tank cleaning course" of supplying the tap water. In the "tank cleaning course" that supplies tap water, "water supply", "preservation",
"Main wash", "Residual water dehydration", "Drainage", "Dewatering", "Water supply", "Rinse", "Residual water dehydration", "Drainage", "Dehydration"
Water supply valve 2 at the time of "water supply" in the process of having
9 is opened to supply tap water into the tank 4, and when the water level sensor 26 detects that the supplied tap water has reached the water level A shown in FIG. Is closed to stop the water supply, and in this state, the water accumulated in the tank 4 is stirred for 2 [minutes]. The stirring of the water accumulated in the tank 4 is performed by activating the motor 16 and driving the stirring member 15 to rotate intermittently by the driving mechanism 17. The driving mode in this case is 0.7 [sec]. It repeats the pattern of driving and then resting for 0.8 [seconds].

After that, the water supply valve 29 is opened to restart the supply of tap water into the tank 4, whereby the water level in the tank 4 reaches the water level B higher than the water level A described above. When detected by 26, the water supply valve 29 is similarly closed to interrupt the water supply, and in this state, the water accumulated in the tank 4 is stirred for 3 [minutes]. The drive mode of the stirring body 15 in this case is 1.0 [second] drive, and then 0.9.
[Second] The pattern of pause is repeated.

After that, the water supply valve 29 is opened and the tank 4 is opened.
When the water level sensor 26 detects that the water level in the tank 4 has reached the water level C higher than the above-mentioned water level B by restarting the supply of tap water into the water supply valve 2,
9 is closed to stop the water supply, and in this state, the water accumulated in the tank 4 is stirred for 2 [minutes]. The drive mode of the stirring body 15 in this case is 1.3 [second] drive, and then 1.
It repeats the pattern of 0 [seconds] pause.

Then, the water supply valve 29 is opened to restart the supply of tap water into the tank 4, whereby the water level in the tank 4 has reached the final reaching water level D higher than the water level C described above. When detected by the water level sensor 26, the water supply valve 29
To close the water supply and finish the water supply.

The subsequent "putting" step is 20 minutes.
During the period, the mixture is agitated for 1 [minute] and then paused for 4 [minutes] to intermittently agitate.
The driving mode of the stirring body 15 at the time of stirring is 1.6 [seconds].
It repeats the pattern of driving and then resting for 0.9 [seconds].

In the subsequent "main washing" step, continuous stirring is performed for 3 [minutes], and the driving mode of the stirring body 15 at this time is 1.6 [seconds] driving as described above, and then 0 .9
[Second] The pattern of pause is repeated.

The subsequent "residual water dehydration" step is 50 [seconds].
In the interval, the tank 4 was rotationally driven for 5 [seconds], and then 1
It dehydrates intermittently in a mode that pauses for 0 [seconds], and the maximum rotation speed of the tank 4 at this time is 800 [rp].
m]. The "residual water dehydration" step is to clean the dehydration hole 10 portion of the tank 4 with the force of the dehydration.

In the subsequent "drainage" process, the drain valve 7 is opened to start draining from the inside of the tank 4 and
The reset water level R is lower than the previous water level A
The drain valve 7 is kept open for 1 [minute] after reaching (see FIG. 2).

In the subsequent "dewatering" step, the tank 4 is continuously rotated for 1 [minute], and the maximum rotation speed of the tank 4 at this time is kept at 800 [rpm] as described above.

Then, the subsequent "water supply" process is the same as the above-mentioned "water supply" process, the "rinsing" process is similar to the above-mentioned "main washing" process, and the "remaining water dehydration" process is the above-mentioned "remaining water dehydration". Similarly to the process, the “drainage” process is performed in the same manner as the above-mentioned “drainage” process, and the “dewatering” process is performed in the same manner as the above-mentioned “dehydration” process.

As described above, in the case of this construction, when water is supplied in the "tank cleaning course" for supplying tap water, the water supply is interrupted at each of the three water levels A, B, C lower than the final water level D, and the tank 4 The water accumulated in the tank is stirred for a predetermined period of time, whereby the mechanical force of the wave caused by stirring the water in the tank 4 at each of A, B, and C stages reaches the tank 4, thus , Not only the water surface of the final water level D,
A sufficient cleaning effect can be obtained in each of the lower parts.

When water is supplied to the "tank cleaning course", if the agitator 15 is driven to rotate for a long time at a low water level, the mechanical force exerts a strong force on a small amount of water and produces a large splashing sound of bashing. However, in the case of this configuration, the lower the water level, the more the driving of the stirring body 15 occurs.
By making the pause period short, it is possible to avoid the mechanical force due to the rotation of the stirring body 15 from exerting a strong force on a small amount of water, and thus it is possible to prevent the generation of a large water splash sound.

Further, the washing machine is most commonly used with about 70% of the maximum washing capacity, which is the water level of A, B and C, where B corresponds to it. Therefore, the tank 4 is most contaminated at the water level B. On the other hand, in the case of this configuration, the driving time of the stirring body 15 is set to be the longest at the stage of the normal use water level B where the contamination of the tank 4 is the largest, so that the tank 4
The stains can be removed efficiently, and a more sufficient cleaning effect can be obtained.

In contrast to the above, FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, in which not only the "washing" of the "tank washing course" but also the "draining", the final water level D at the time of water supply is supplied. Discontinue drainage at lower C, B, and A water levels, and tank 4
The figure shows the stirring of the water remaining inside in the same manner as described above. Even in this case, the same operation and effect as described above can be obtained.

FIG. 7 shows a third embodiment of the present invention.
At the time of water supply in the "tank cleaning course" that uses bath water, which is executed when it is determined that "use bath water" has been selected in step S3, the water level of A accumulates in the tank 4. It shows that the stirring of water is continued (the steps other than the "water supply" step are the same as those in the first embodiment or the second embodiment, and are not shown).

In this case, in detail, from the water level A to the water level B, the drive mode of the stirring body 15 is driven for 0.7 [seconds], and then a pattern of resting for 0.8 [seconds] is repeated. From the water level B to the water level C, the driving mode of the stirring body 15 is driven for 1.0 [second], and then the pattern of resting for 0.9 [second] is repeated, and from the water level C to the water level D, the stirring body is moved. Drive 15 driving modes for 1.3 seconds,
After that, a pattern of resting for 1.0 [second] is repeated.

When the bath 4 is washed using bath water, the user generally uses a commercially available pump to supply the bath water, and therefore the pump cannot be controlled by the washing machine.
When water is supplied in the "tank cleaning course", it is not possible to interrupt the water supply at a water level lower than the final water level D reached.
Therefore, as described above, at the time of water supply in the "tank cleaning course" in which the bath water is used, by continuing to stir the water accumulated in the tank 4 from the water level A lower than the final water level D, the final The mechanical force of the wave is continuously applied to the tank 4 from the lower part than the reached water level D, and a sufficient cleaning effect can be obtained. Also in this case, the lower the water level is, the shorter the drive-pause cycle of the stirring body 15 is, so that a large water splashing noise can be prevented.

Further, if the water supply is stopped halfway when the bath water is supplied, the user may have a misunderstanding that the supply of the bath water has been completed, while the water supply is stopped. It is possible to avoid making the user misunderstand by performing without stopping on the way.

FIG. 8 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
The figure shows the case where water is supplied to the "tank cleaning course" in the setting that uses bath water without stirring until reaching the final water level D (the steps other than the "water supply" step are the first This is similar to the first or second embodiment, particularly the second embodiment, and is not shown). Even this one
It is possible to avoid making a mistake in the user.

The above three-stage water levels A, B, and C are shown as an example, and the water levels may be two stages less than that or four or more stages higher than that. In addition, the present invention is not limited only to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings, and particularly within a range not deviating from the gist, such as specific specifications of each step including the drive mode and drive time of the stirring body. Can be appropriately changed and implemented.

[0038]

The present invention is as described above.
The following effects are obtained. According to the washing machine of the first aspect, not only the water surface portion at the final reaching water level at the time of water supply of the tank washing course, but also the respective lower portions can sufficiently obtain the effect of washing the tank.

Also according to the washing machine of the second aspect, not only the water surface portion at the final reaching water level at the time of water supply of the tank washing course, but also each lower portion can sufficiently obtain the effect of washing the tank.

According to the washing machine of the third aspect, it is possible to prevent a large splashing sound of water. According to the washing machine of the fourth aspect, it is possible to efficiently remove stains in the tub according to the general usage of the tub, and to obtain a more sufficient cleaning effect.

According to the washing machine of the fifth aspect, in the tub washing course in which the bath water cannot be controlled or is difficult to control in the washing machine, not only the water surface portion at the final reaching water level but also that It is possible to sufficiently obtain the cleaning effect of the tank in each of the lower parts.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a stroke specification diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic vertical sectional view showing each water level in the tank.

[FIG. 3] Side view of the entire fracture

FIG. 4 is a schematic electrical configuration diagram.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation.

FIG. 6 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1, showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1, showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

4 is a tank, 15 is a stirring body, 16 is a motor, 17 is a drive mechanism, 22 is a microcomputer (control means), 26 is a water level sensor, and 29 is a water supply valve.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A tank cleaning course for cleaning a tank used for washing, wherein when the tank cleaning course is supplied with water,
A washing machine characterized in that the water supply is interrupted at each of a plurality of water levels lower than the final water level and the water accumulated in the tank is stirred for a predetermined time. 2. A tank cleaning course for cleaning a tank used for washing, wherein when the tank cleaning course is drained,
A washing machine characterized in that drainage is interrupted at each of a plurality of water levels lower than the final water level at the time of water supply, and the water remaining in the tank is stirred for a predetermined time. 3. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the drive mode of the agitator for agitating the water in the tub is set such that the drive-pause cycle becomes shorter as the water level becomes lower. 4. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the driving time of the stirring body for stirring the water in the tub is set such that the normally used water level is the longest. 5. A tank washing course for washing a tank used for washing, wherein when the bath cleaning course is set to use bath water, water is accumulated in the tank from a predetermined water level lower than the final reaching water level. A washing machine characterized in that it keeps stirring the water.