JPH11164988A - Washing machine and shortening of hose for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shorten an extensible hose connected to a pump device for feeding bath water with ease and in a short time. SOLUTION: When a 'contracting' switch is pressurized and operated, a control circuit drives a pump motor so as to make the suction force of the pump device 1.15 kg/cm<2> to execute a hose shortening mode (S1 to S7). Then, the inside of the hose in a state where a cap is mounted becomes negative to shorten the hose. Then, a water level within a rotary tank is not elevated (NO at S5), the hose shortening mode is finished five minutes after the start of the energizing of the pump motor (S8, S9). When a water level within the rotary tank is elevated (YES at S5), the pump motor is stopped to buzz (S10, S11).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a washing machine having a bath water supply pump device for supplying water from a bathtub to a washing tub via a hose, and a method of shortening a hose of the washing machine.

[0002]

A recent washing machine has a pump device for supplying bath water and a bath water driven by the pump device so that washing can be performed using remaining hot water (bath water) in the bath. And a hose for supplying water from a bathtub to a washing tub of a washing machine. In this case, the hose is
After washing, they are removed and stored in another place.

However, the length of the hose for supplying bath water is relatively long, usually 5 m, for connecting the washing machine and the bathtub. Therefore, even if the hose is wound in a coil shape, for example, as is usually performed during storage, the hose is considerably bulky, so that there is a problem that a large space is required for storing the hose. The inventor of the present invention has proposed a washing machine provided with a hose having a bellows-like portion which is extendable and contractable and can maintain an extended state and a shortened state, and filed an application for the same (Japanese Patent Application No. 8-96581). .

However, in the structure of the earlier application, the shortening work is difficult to shorten the bellows-like portion of the hose at once, as compared with the hose extension work in which the hose is only extended while holding both ends of the hose, so that the hose is contracted little by little. I have to do it. Therefore, there is a new problem that workability is poor and work time is relatively long.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a washing machine and a hose shortening method for a washing machine, which can shorten an extendable hose connected to a pump device for supplying bath water easily and in a short time. is there.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a washing machine comprising: a hose which is extendable and contractible and is capable of holding its contracted and extended forms when contracted and extended; A bath device for supplying bath water to the washing tub through the hose provided in the main body,
Control means for controlling the driving of the pump device, comprising a closing member for closing the distal end of the hose, operating the pump device, and mounting the closing member on the distal end. It is characterized in that it has a function of shortening the hose in the extended form.

According to such a configuration, the hose can be shortened by driving the pump device with the closing member attached to the distal end of the hose. for that reason,
The work of shortening the hose can be performed in a short time and easily as compared with the related art in which the user shrinks little by little.

In this case, it is preferable that the control means can selectively execute a hose shortening mode in which the pump device operates at a high suction force and a bath water supply mode in which the pump device operates at a low suction force. (Invention of claim 2). The control means may be configured to execute the hose shortening mode by operating a specific operation means (the invention of claim 3).

Preferably, the control means executes the hose shortening mode for a set time (the invention of claim 4). According to such a configuration, even if the user forgets to end the hose shortening mode, the pump device is automatically stopped, so that a situation in which the pump device is driven forever can be avoided and the pump device can be protected. be able to.

[0010] Further, since the degree of extension of the hose varies depending on the distance to the bathtub, and the time required for the hose shortening operation varies, the hose shortening mode is configured so that it can be stopped arbitrarily within a set time. It is also good (the invention of claim 5).

When the hose shortening mode is executed while the hose is immersed in the bathtub by mistake, bath water is supplied to the washing tub, and the water level in the washing tub rises. Therefore, the washing machine according to claim 6 of the present invention includes a water level detection unit that detects a water level in the washing tub, and the control unit detects when the water level detection unit detects a rise in the water level during execution of the hose shortening mode. Is preferably configured to stop the pump device.

On the other hand, the control means may be configured to switch to a bath water supply mode when the water level detection means detects a rise in the water level during execution of the hose shortening mode. Invention). According to such a configuration, it is effective in a case where the hose shortening mode is mistakenly executed when the bath water supply mode is considered to be executed. Further, even if water is supplied into the washing tub when the hose shortening mode is executed due to an erroneous operation, according to the above configuration, the water supplied into the washing tub does not need to be wasted.

[0013] When the closing member is formed in a cap shape for covering the tip of the hose, the tip of the hose can be reliably closed. This configuration is the most effective embodiment of the closing member.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for shortening a hose of a washing machine, the hose being configured to be extendable and contractable and capable of holding an extended state and a contracted state, and a tub provided on the washing machine body via the hose. And a pump device for supplying bath water for supplying water to the washing tub, wherein the hose is shortened by driving the pump device while closing the tip of the hose. Having.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a fully automatic washing machine (a washing machine for both dehydration) will be described below with reference to FIGS. First, FIG. 2 shows an entire configuration of a fully automatic washing machine according to the present invention. In FIG. 2, a washing machine main body 1 has a top cover 3
Is configured. An outer tub 4 is supported in the outer box 2 via an elastic suspension mechanism 5. In the outer tank 4,
A rotatable tub 6 serving as both a washing tub and a dehydrating tub is rotatably provided, and an agitator 7 is rotatably provided at an inner bottom of the rotatable tub 6.

A motor 8 and a drive mechanism 9 are arranged on the outer bottom of the outer tub 4. Although detailed explanation is omitted,
The driving mechanism 9 stops the rotating tub 6 during the washing operation and transmits the rotating force of the motor 8 only to the stirring body 7, and transmits the rotating force of the motor 8 to the rotating tub 6 and the stirring body 7 during the spin-drying operation. It is configured as follows.

A drain port 10 is provided on the bottom of the outer tub 4 on the right side in FIG. A drain hose 12 is connected to the drain port 10 via a drain valve 11. An air trap 13 for detecting a water level is provided in a portion adjacent to the drain port 10. The air trap 13 is provided with a water level sensor 1 such as a pressure sensor as a water level detecting means for detecting the water level in the rotary tank 6.
4 (shown only in FIG. 7) are connected via an air pipe 15.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, an electromagnetic water supply valve 16 and a pump device 17 for supplying bath water are provided at the rear of the top cover 3. The water supply valve 16
Is connected to a tap faucet 19 via a water supply hose 18. A hose 20 is detachably connected to a water inlet 17a (see FIG. 5) of the pump device 17,
The pump device 17 is connected to the washing machine main body 1 through the hose 20.
It is configured to suck water in a bathtub B of a bathroom away from the bathroom. Then, tap water and bath water discharged from the water outlet of the water supply valve 16 and the discharge port of the pump device 17 are configured to be supplied into the rotary tank 6 through the water supply device 36.

As shown in FIG. 4, the hose 20 is formed in a bellows shape except for both ends and a central portion. The hose 20 is configured so that the length of the hose 20 can be expanded or contracted by extending or compressing the bellows-like portion 20a. In this case, the hose 20 is configured to maintain the extended state when the bellows-like portion 20a is extended, and retain the contracted state when the bellows-shaped portion 20a is contracted.

At the tip of the hose 20, a water inlet 21 having a filter (not shown) disposed therein is attached. The water intake body 21 is provided with a hook 21
a, for example, the top cover 3 of the main body 1 of the washing machine.
It is configured to be able to be hooked and held in a hooking hole (not shown) formed on the side portion of. In addition, the water intake body 2
A plurality of water passage holes 21b are formed in the front end surface of the first unit. Further, a cap 22 serving as a closing means for closing the water passage hole 21b can be detachably attached to a distal end portion of the water intake body 21. In this case, for example, a plurality of fitting recesses 21 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the water intake body 21.
c, and a plurality of fitting projections 22a corresponding to these fitting recesses 21c are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the cap 22.

As shown in FIG. 5, the pump device 17 includes a pump section 23 having a pump chamber 23a, pump blades 23b, and the like, and a pump motor 24a for rotating the pump blades 23b. The motor unit 24 is connected via a connecting unit 25. The pump device 17 is fixed via a fixing band 27 in a support base 26 provided integrally with the top cover 3. At this time, rubber cushions 28a and 28b are interposed between the pump device 17 and the support base 26 and between the pump device 17 and the fixed band 27. Thus, the vibration generated during the operation of the pump device 17 is absorbed by the cushions 28a and 28b.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, an operation panel 29 is provided at the front of the top surface of the top cover 3, and a control circuit 30 as a control means is provided on the back side of the operation panel 29.
(See FIGS. 2 and 7). Operation panel 2
As shown in FIG. 6, the power switch 9 includes a power switch (normal push type) 31a, a start switch 31b also serving as a temporary stop switch, and various switches 31 for selecting a course and setting a washing water level. . Further, the operation panel 29 is provided with a display 32 for displaying a washing process, a water level, and the like.

FIG. 7 shows an outline of the electrical configuration by combining functional blocks. In FIG. 7, a control circuit 30 is composed of, for example, a microcomputer and has a function of controlling the entire washing operation.
M.

The control circuit 30 includes various switches 3
1. It is configured such that signals from a rotation sensor 33 for detecting the number of rotations of the water level sensor 14 and the motor 8 are input. Further, the control circuit 30 controls the display 3
2. The buzzer 34 is configured to be controlled. In addition, the control circuit 30 performs, based on the various input signals described above,
Pump motor 24a, water supply valve 1 according to control program
6, the drain valve 11 and the motor 8 are configured to be energized through a drive circuit 35.

In this case, when the "wash water pump" switch 31c is selected from the various switches 31, the control circuit 30 causes the pump device 17 to supply water during the detergent washing step and the rinsing step of each of the washing operations. Is operated to execute a bath water supply mode for supplying bath water into the rotary tub 6. When the "shrink" switch (momentary type) 31d of the various switches 31 is selected, the control circuit 30 operates the pump device 17 for a time set from the main routine for executing the washing operation, for example, for 5 minutes. This is configured to execute an interrupt routine of a hose shortening mode.

In particular, in this embodiment, the driving circuit 35
Has a configuration in which the rotation speed of the pump motor 24a can be changed by phase control (conduction angle control of an AC power supply). Then, the control circuit 30 controls the rotation speed of the pump motor 24a via the drive circuit 35 so that the suction force of the pump device 17 becomes, for example, about 0.4 kg / cm ² when the bath water supply mode is executed. At the time of executing the shortening mode, the suction force of the pump device 17 is, for example, about 1.15 kg /
It is configured to control the number of revolutions of the pump motor 24a to be cm ² . In addition, the suction force of the pump device 17 at the time of executing the hose shortening mode is equal to the water intake body 2.
When the cap 22 is mounted on the hose 1, the hose 20 can be shortened. In the present embodiment, the suction force of the pump device 17 during execution of the bath water supply mode is applied to the water intake body 21 by the cap 2.
The hose 20 is set so that the hose 20 cannot be shortened even if the hose 2 is mounted.

As will be described in detail later, in this embodiment, when the water level sensor 14 detects a rise in the water level during the execution of the hose shortening mode, the pump motor 24a is stopped to switch the hose shortening mode. At the same time, the buzzer 34 is sounded.

Next, the contents of the hose shortening mode will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In this case, hose 2
0 is assumed to be in a state of being stretched and immersed in the bathtub B, for example, when the washing operation in the bath water supply mode is executed.

First, prior to the execution of the hose shortening mode, the user takes out the hose 20 from the bathtub B and attaches the cap 22 to the water intake body 21. And "shrink"
By pressing the switch 31d, an interrupt routine of the hose shortening mode is started. Then, the control circuit 30 determines whether or not the power switch 31a is turned on, and if not, turns on the power (steps S1 and S2). Subsequently, the control circuit 30 executes the hose shortening mode by driving the pump motor 24a so that the suction force of the pump device 17 becomes 1.15 kg / cm ² (steps S3 and S4). As a result, the pressure inside the hose 20 gradually becomes negative, and the
Is gradually reduced.

At this time, the control circuit 30 controls the water level sensor 1
4 to determine whether or not the water level in the rotary tank 6 has risen, and whether or not 5 minutes have elapsed since the start of energization of the pump motor 24a (steps S5 and S5).
6 and S7). After 5 minutes have elapsed (step S6)
YES), the pump motor 24a is stopped and the power is turned off (steps S8 and S9), and the interrupt routine in the hose shortening mode is ended. In addition, since the hose shortening operation is completed within 5 minutes from the start of energization of the pump motor 24a, the "shrink" switch 3
If 1d is turned on (YES in step S7), the pump motor 24a is stopped and the power is turned off (steps S8 and S9), and the interrupt routine in the hose shortening mode is ended. Thereafter, the user can clear the hose 20 in the shortened form by hooking the hook 21a into the hook hole of the washing machine main body 1.

On the other hand, if the user forgets to take out the hose 20 from the bathtub B, the bath water is supplied into the rotary tub 6, so that a rise in the water level is detected (YES in step S5). . Then, the control circuit 30 controls the pump motor 2
4a is stopped and the buzzer 34 is sounded for a certain period of time (steps S10 and S11), and the power is turned off (step S10).
9). Therefore, the user can know that an operation error has occurred.

According to this embodiment, since the hose 20 can be shortened by the pump device 17,
The hose 20 can be shortened more easily and in a shorter time than when the user shrinks the bellows-like portion 20a of the hose 20 little by little.

Incidentally, the suction force of the bath water supply pump device built in the conventional fully automatic washing machine can shorten the hose 20 even if the end of the hose 20 is closed with the cap 22 as described above. Did not. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the hose shortening operation by the pump device 17 is realized by configuring the hose shortening mode in which the pump device 17 is operated with a higher suction force than before. In the present embodiment, the vibration of the pump device 17 is absorbed by the cushions 28a and 28b as described above. Therefore, even if the pump device 17 is operated with a high suction force, an increase in noise can be suppressed as much as possible.

Further, in the bath water supply mode, the pump device 17 is operated with the same low suction power as in the prior art. Therefore, even if the hose 20 is closed by bath water passing through the inside of the hose 20,
Is not shortened.

In this embodiment, a "shrink" switch 31d for a dedicated interrupt routine for executing the hose shortening mode is provided separately from the main routine for executing the washing operation. Therefore, the hose shortening mode can be easily executed. Further, in the present embodiment, the pump device 17 is configured to stop when the rise in the water level is detected during the execution of the hose shortening mode. Therefore, continuation of the water supply operation due to erroneous operation can be prevented as much as possible. Further, the buzzer 34 sounds so that the user can immediately notice the erroneous operation. In this case, the hose shortening mode can be executed by attaching the cap 22 to the water intake body 21 and operating the "shrink" switch 31d.

Further, in this embodiment, the hose shortening mode is configured to be executed for only 5 minutes. Therefore, even if the user forgets that the hose shortening mode is being executed, the pump device 17 is automatically stopped after a predetermined time has elapsed. Therefore, the pump device 17
Can be prevented from continuing forever, and the pump motor 24a can be protected. Further, in this embodiment, when the work of shortening the hose 20 is completed within 5 minutes, the hose shortening mode can be ended by pressing the "shrink" switch 31d. Therefore, the pump device 17 is not operated unnecessarily.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a hose shortening operation according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is that at step S5,
If the water level has risen, the control circuit 30 changes the suction force of the pump device 17 to the suction force (0.4 kg / cm ² ) in the bath water supply mode and operates the pump device 17 (step S12). ). Then, in this case, the bath water supply mode is executed until the water level in the rotary tub 6 becomes, for example, "low water level" (step S13).

With this configuration, when bath water is supplied into the rotary tub 6 during execution of the hose shortening mode due to an erroneous operation, the water in the rotary tub 6 is not wasted by continuing the water supply operation. I'm done. In this case, in the next washing operation, the first water supply work is omitted, or
Water supply work time can be reduced.

Further, when executing the washing operation in the bath water supply mode, it is conceivable that the "shrink" switch 31d is pressed by mistake. Even in such a case, the above configuration is effective.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above and shown in the drawings, and the following modifications or extensions are possible. When the rise in the water level is detected during the execution of the hose shortening mode, if the laundry is not stored in the rotating tub 6, the pump device 17 is stopped,
When it is detected that the laundry is stored in the rotating tub 6, the washing tub may be switched to the bath water supply mode to execute the washing operation. In this case, the presence or absence of the laundry in the rotating tub 5 may be configured to be detected by, for example, a weight sensor.

When the hose shortening mode is executed, the hook 21a of the water inlet 21 of the hose 20 is preferably hooked on the hook hole of the washing machine body 1. By doing so, at the end of the hose shortening mode, the hose 20 is hooked and held along the side surface of the washing machine main body 1.

The closing means for closing the end of the hose 20 includes:
Not only the detachable cap 27 but also, for example, the water intake body 2
1 may be provided with a sliding lid. If the dedicated cap 27 is lost, the entire water intake body 21 may be covered with a vinyl bag or closed by a user as a countermeasure.

[0043]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A hose configured to be extendable and contractable and capable of holding its contracted and expanded forms when contracted and extended, and a bath provided in the washing machine main body to supply water in a bathtub to the washing tub via the hose. In a washing machine provided with a pump device for supplying water and control means for controlling the driving of the pump device, a closing member for closing a distal end portion of the hose is provided, and the pump device is provided with a closing member at the distal end portion. Since the hose which is attached and is configured to be in the elongated form can be shortened, the hose shortening operation can be performed easily and in a short time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a hose shortening mode showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical side view of a fully automatic washing machine.

FIG. 3 shows a washing machine together with a bathtub.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a hose, a water intake body, and a cap.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the pump device shown with the top cover removed.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of an operation panel.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an electrical configuration.

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

[Explanation of symbols]

In the figure, 1 is a washing machine main body, 6 is a rotating tub (washing tub), 14 is a water level sensor (water level detecting means), 17 is a pump device, 20
Indicates a hose, 22 indicates a cap (closing means), 30 indicates a control circuit (control means), and 31d indicates a "shrink" switch (operating means).

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A hose configured to be stretchable and capable of holding its contracted and extended forms when contracted and extended, and provided in a washing machine main body to wash water in a bathtub through the hose. A washing machine comprising a pump device for supplying bath water to be supplied to a tub, and control means for controlling driving of the pump device, comprising: a closing member for closing a distal end portion of the hose, and operating the pump device. A washing machine having a function of shortening a hose in a stretched state in which the closing member is attached to a distal end portion. 2. The control means is configured to selectively execute a hose shortening mode in which the pump device is operated with a high suction force and a bath water supply mode in which the pump device is operated with a low suction force. The washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: 3. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the control means executes the hose shortening mode by operating a specific operation means. 4. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the control means executes the hose shortening mode for a set time. 5. The washing machine according to claim 4, wherein the control means can arbitrarily stop the hose shortening mode within a set time. 6. A water level detecting means for detecting a water level in a washing tub, wherein the control means stops the pump device when the water level detecting means detects a rise in the water level during execution of a hose shortening mode. The washing machine according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that: 7. A water level detecting means for detecting a water level in the washing tub, wherein the control means switches to a bath water supply mode when the water level detecting means detects a rise in the water level during execution of the hose shortening mode. The washing machine according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein: 8. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the closing member has a shape of a cap that covers a distal end portion of the hose. 9. A hose configured to be extendable and contractable and capable of maintaining an extended state and a contracted state, and a bath water supply for supplying bath water to the washing tub via the hose provided in the washing machine main body. In a washing machine equipped with a pump device,
A hose shortening method for a washing machine, wherein the hose is shortened by driving the pump device while closing a tip of the hose.