JPWO2013073140A1 - Drum washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The drum type washing machine of the present invention includes a rotating drum (4) formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, a water tank (3) containing the rotating drum (4), and a washing water in the water tank (3). The water circulation system (16) to be circulated by the circulation pump (20) through the circulation path (31) connected to), the motor (6) for driving the rotating drum (4), and the load on the circulation pump (20) are detected. And a control unit (22) for controlling at least one of a washing step and a rinsing step. When the motor (6) and the circulation pump (20) are driven, the control unit (22) detects the predetermined load fluctuation of the circulation pump (20) by the load detection unit (30). While stopping the drive, the function of the circulation pump (20) is stopped. Thereby, it can prevent that a bubble and air enter a circulation pump (20), and can suppress generation | occurrence | production of excessive foaming and noise.

Description

  The present invention relates to a drum type washing machine provided with means for circulating washing water.

  Conventionally, in order to improve the cleaning power, a drum type washing machine having a circulation function of circulating washing water in a water tank with a circulation pump has been disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  That is, the drum type washing machine includes a circulation pump as a drive source for injecting washing water into clothes in the water tank. The circulation pump is disposed in a circulation path through which the wash water circulates, and operates the circulation pump while maintaining a predetermined water level by the water level detection unit. Thereby, it is supposed that the to-be-processed object can be efficiently cleaned by increasing the contact between the to-be-processed object (laundry) and the washing water.

  However, in the case where most of the laundry put into the rotating drum is clothes with high water absorption, the water level of the washing water in the rotating drum is lowered due to water absorption of the clothes. At this time, the decrease in the water level of the washing water may be determined to be a fluctuation in the water level due to the driving of the circulation pump. Therefore, the operation of the circulation pump continues and bubbles and air enter the circulation pump. As a result, there is a problem that excessive foaming and noise occur due to the foam and air entering the circulation pump.

JP 2010-36016 A

  In order to solve the above problems, a drum-type washing machine of the present invention has a rotating drum formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, a water tank containing the rotating drum, and a circulation path connecting the washing water in the water tank to the water tank. At least one of a water circulation system circulated by a circulation pump, a water supply unit for supplying water into the rotary drum or the water tank, a motor for driving the rotary drum, a load detection unit for detecting the load of the circulation pump, and a washing step and a rinsing step. And a control unit for controlling one. And a control part has the structure which stops the function of a circulation pump while stopping a drive of a motor, when a load detection part detects the predetermined | prescribed load fluctuation | variation of a circulation pump at the time of the drive of a motor and a circulation pump.

  With this configuration, when the water level drops due to the rotation of the rotating drum or the driving operation of the circulation pump, even if bubbles or air enters the circulation pump via the circulation path, it is detected that the output of the circulation pump has dropped. it can.

  When the load detection unit detects a predetermined load fluctuation of the circulation pump, the circulation pump is stopped and the motor is stopped. Thereby, the influence on the water level fluctuation | variation by rotation of a rotating drum or the drive of a circulation pump is eliminated, and a water level can be recovered, and mixing of the bubble and air into a circulation pump via a circulation path can be suppressed. As a result, excessive foaming and noise in the circulation pump generated by the mixed bubbles and air can be suppressed.

1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic structure of a drum-type washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of a circulation pump of the drum type washing machine in the embodiment. FIG. 2B is a side view of the circulation pump of the drum type washing machine in the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of a load detection unit of the drum type washing machine in the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a time chart showing the operation of the drum type washing machine in the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a time chart showing the operation of the drum type washing machine in the second embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the present embodiment. In the following embodiments, the washing water includes the washing water in the washing step and the rinsing water in the rinsing step.

(Embodiment 1)
1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic structure of a drum-type washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the drum type washing machine of the present embodiment includes at least a water tank 3 that is swingably disposed inside a washing machine body 2 and a rotation that is rotatably disposed within the water tank 3. The drum 4 is composed of a motor 6 attached to the outside of the back surface of the water tank 3, a water supply system 7, a drainage system 8, a drying system 9, a water circulation system 16, and the like. The rotating drum 4 is rotationally driven by a motor 6. The drum type washing machine of the present embodiment is a so-called drum type washing machine having a function of executing at least a washing step, a rinsing step, a dehydrating step, and a drying step by automatic control according to mode setting and a control program. Is configured. At this time, the drying system 9 may be omitted.

  Further, the water supply system 7 supplies water into the water tank 3 at an appropriate time as indicated by a solid arrow A by opening and closing a water supply valve (not shown) constituted by an electromagnetic valve or the like. At this time, the detergent in the detergent container 7a is introduced into the water tank 3 in a timely manner using water supply.

  Further, the drainage system 8 drains the washing water by opening and closing the drain valve 19 along the path indicated by the one-dot chain line arrow B when necessary, for example, at the end of the washing step or at the end of the rinsing step. At this time, the washing water is drained out of the drum type washing machine along a path passing through the drainage filter 8b through the drain pipe 8a connected to the lower portion of the water tank 3. The drainage filter 8b is configured to collect lint and be removable from the outside.

  In addition, the water circulation system 16 drives the circulation pump 20 to return the washing water in the water tank 3 to the water tank 3 through the following route in a washing preparation step, a washing step, a rinsing step, and the like as necessary. Repeat the cycle. At this time, the water circulation system 16 is routed from the drain pipe 8a connected to the lower part of the water tank 3 to the drain filter 8b, the inflow side path 31a to the circulation pump 20 of the circulation path 31, the circulation pump 20, and the circulation of the circulation path 31. A discharge side path 31b from the pump 20 is configured. This prevents the detergent introduced into the water tank 3 from dissolving at an early stage and uneven clothing, thereby improving the functions of the washing step and the rinsing step.

  Further, the operation panel 21 is provided on the upper front side of the washing machine body 2, and a mode such as an operation course and various functions are selected by an input of an input setting unit of the operation panel 21. At this time, based on the input information on the operation panel 21, the control unit 22 displays the input information on the display unit on the operation panel 21 to notify the user. When the operation start is set by the input of the input setting unit of the operation panel 21, the control unit 22 receives data from the water level detection unit 40 that detects the water level in the water tank 3, and the drum type washing machine. Start driving. And the control part 22 controls operation | movement of the drain valve 19, a water supply valve, etc., and performs washing by driving | operations, such as a washing | cleaning step, a dehydration step, and a drying step.

  Further, the rotating drum 4 together with the water tank 3 has a rotation axis direction from the horizontal direction from the front side (opening / closing door 5 side) to the bottom side (motor 6 side), for example, an inclination angle θ = 20 ±. At 10 degrees, the rotary shaft 4a is inclined downward. At this time, the rotating shaft 4 a of the rotating drum 4 is directly connected to the shaft of the motor 6 provided on the back surface of the water tank 3. Thereby, compared with the case where the rotating shaft 4a of the rotating drum 4 is installed in the horizontal direction, even when the rotating drum 4 is installed at the same height, the water tank 3 and the opening of the rotating drum 4 are obliquely upward. As a result, the laundry can be easily put in and out of the rotating drum 4 without taking an unreasonable posture such as bending the user. Further, according to the inventor's experience, by setting the inclination angle θ to 20 ± 10 degrees, even if there is a difference in height from a child (excluding infants) to an adult, or a wheelchair user, laundry It is possible to obtain a state where the work of taking in and out is most easily performed. Furthermore, there is an advantage that a deep water storage state can be realized by inclining the rotating drum 4 even when the washing water supplied to the rotating drum 4 accumulated on the back side of the rotating drum 4 is small.

  Further, the water tank 3 is provided along the vicinity of the rotary drum 4 with the same inclination as the rotary drum 4 in order to allow water supply to efficiently act on the laundry in the rotary drum 4.

  Further, the washing machine body 2 is provided with an opening / closing door 5 so that the opening 13 of the water tub 3 is sealed through a sealing material 14 attached to the rim of the opening / closing door 5 and the opening 13 of the water tub 3 is opened. Is provided.

  The behavior and effects of the rotating drum during the washing operation in the drum type washing machine of the present embodiment will be described below.

  First, the rotating drum 4 is driven in a forward / reverse arc rotation drive mode and a forward / reverse continuous rotation drive mode during a washing operation. Here, the forward / reverse arc rotation drive mode is a drive mode in which sudden forward arc rotation and sudden reverse arc rotation in which the rotating drum 4 is driven at more than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees are alternately repeated. Further, the forward / reverse continuous rotation drive mode refers to the continuous rotation of the rotating drum 4 at the rotational speed at which the laundry lifted by the rotation of the rotating drum 4 falls from the height where the weight of the rotating drum is superior. This is a repeated drive mode.

  In the cleaning step, or the cleaning step and the rinsing step, the forward / reverse arc rotation drive mode and the forward / reverse continuous rotation drive mode of the rotary drum 4 are alternately executed. Thereby, the laundry is lifted up to more than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees by the arc rotation and rapid braking of the rotating drum 4 at a rapid speed exceeding 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees. Also, due to the sudden braking at the final stage of lifting the laundry, the laundry is peeled off from the inner surface of the rotating drum 4 by the inertia and weight of the laundry, and the laundry is surely dropped to the side opposite to the lifting side by the weight of the laundry. be able to. As a result, a particularly high unraveling action (unraveling action) can be imparted to the laundry that is sufficiently swollen, including the washing water, loosened and slippery.

  In addition, the washing performance can be enhanced by exerting a mechanical action such as dropping on the laundry.

  In addition, the forward / reverse arc rotation drive mode that alternately repeats the forward and reverse sudden arc rotations in the forward and reverse directions of the arc rotation drive, the laundry lifting position and falling by the forward and reverse alternating sudden arc rotation drive. The position can be alternately switched between the left and right in each arc rotation drive. Therefore, it is possible to further enhance the action of solving the laundry while preventing the laundry from being entangled more effectively. Further, the cleaning performance can be improved by increasing the number of times that the mechanical action such as dropping is applied to the laundry.

  Moreover, the entanglement of the laundry which generate | occur | produces with advancing of a washing | cleaning step and a rinse step can be suppressed by a high unraveling effect | action. As a result, it is possible to continuously carry out effective tapping in the forward / reverse arc rotation mode, thereby enhancing the cleaning effect and the rinsing effect.

  In the forward / reverse arc rotation drive mode alone, tangling, twisting, wrinkles, etc. of the laundry can be reduced, but the laundry in the vertical direction of the laundry is difficult to change and the laundry at the bottom of the rotating drum 4 is difficult to move. Unevenness is likely to occur. Therefore, by using the forward / reverse arc rotation drive mode and the forward / reverse continuous rotation drive mode in combination, the position of the laundry in the vertical direction is changed. As a result, tangling, twisting, and wrinkling of the laundry in the forward / reverse continuous rotation drive mode can be reduced, and imbalance in imparting mechanical action to the laundry in the forward / reverse arc rotation drive mode can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to realize a firm hand-washing behavior while reducing tangling, twisting, and wrinkling of the laundry in the forward / reverse arc rotation drive mode. Furthermore, it is possible to realize an effective washing behavior against uniform and strong dirt by washing the laundry in the forward / reverse continuous rotation drive mode continuously and washing while reducing washing unevenness.

  Below, the water circulation system 16 in the drum type washing machine of this Embodiment is demonstrated using FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, referring FIG.

  FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the circulation pump of the drum type washing machine in the present embodiment. FIG. 2B is a side view of the circulation pump of the drum type washing machine in the present embodiment.

  First, as shown in FIG. 1, the circulation pump 20 is fixedly disposed on a base plate 2 a that is the bottom of the washing machine body 2.

  2A and 2B, the circulation pump 20 includes a resin pump casing 20b that houses an impeller 20a fitted on a resin mounting seat 35, and a metal motor casing of the circulation motor 20c. 20d. At this time, the opening side of the pump casing 20b is fitted to the mounting seat 35 so as to be in contact with and integrated with the bearing partition wall 20d1 at the front end of the motor casing 20d. Thereby, the impeller 20a is directly connected to the motor shaft 20e of the circulation motor 20c. And the circulation pump 20 is being fixed to the base plate 2a of the washing machine main body 2 with the bolt etc. via the attachment piece 35a of the attachment seat 35, for example.

  Moreover, the discharge side path | route 31b of the circulation path 31 connected to the drainage connection part 20g of the circulation pump 20 is the injection port 51 provided in the lowest part of the front end wall 3h around the opening 13 of the water tank 3, as shown in FIG. Connected from the outside. And as shown by the arrow a of FIG. 1, the wash water from the discharge side path | route 31b is provided between the back surface of the front end wall 3h of the water tank 3, and the surface of the front end wall 4b of the rotating drum 4 corresponding to the front end wall 3h. Spray. Thus, the wash water is discharged by the circulation pump 20 into the rotary drum 4 through the flow path 52 formed between the back surface of the front end wall 3 h of the water tank 3 and the front end wall 4 b of the rotary drum 4. On the other hand, the inflow connection 20f of the circulation pump 20 is connected to the inflow side path 31a of the circulation path 31, and the washing water in the water tank 3 is supplied to the circulation pump 20 via the drain pipe 8a provided in the lower part of the water tank 3. It is injected into the circulation pump 20 by driving.

  The circulation pump 20 of the water circulation system 16 configured as described above is controlled by a control unit 22 described below. At this time, the control unit 22 controls the circulation pump 20 by a current detection unit 30 that is a load detection unit that detects a change in the load of the circulation motor 20c, which will be described below with reference to FIG.

  Below, the control method of the circulation motor 20c of the circulation pump 20 is demonstrated using FIG. 3 and FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram illustrating a load detection unit of the drum type washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a time chart showing the operation of the drum type washing machine in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 22 measures the load fluctuation of the circulation motor 20c of the circulation pump 20 as a drive current value or drive power amount of the circulation motor 20c at the current detection unit 30 at least during the cleaning step. To do. At this time, as the current detection unit 30, an application of a control method for inverter control of the circulation motor 20c that is generally used in recent years is used. Hereinafter, the drive current value of the circulation motor 20c will be described as an example of the load fluctuation of the circulation motor 20c.

  Then, as described later with reference to FIG. 4, by comparing the load value W of the circulation motor 20c measured by the current detection unit 30 with the load value W0 of the circulation motor 20c in the initial stage of the cleaning step. The load fluctuation of the circulation motor 20c is detected. As the initial load value W0 of the circulation motor 20c, it is preferable to use a value obtained by time averaging when the rotation speed of the circulation motor 20c is in a steady state. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any device that can detect a load change may be used.

  First, the load detection part which detects the load fluctuation | variation of the circulation motor 20c of the circulation pump 20 is demonstrated using FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the circulation motor 20 c is driven via the control unit 22 that controls the inverter circuit 27 based on signals from the AC power supply 25, the rectifier circuit 26, the inverter circuit 27, and the load detection unit 30. The rectifier circuit 26 converts AC power from the AC power supply 25 into DC power. Here, the rectifier circuit 26 includes a full-wave rectifier circuit 28 and a DC voltage doubler circuit. The DC voltage doubler circuit is configured by connecting capacitors 29a and 29b connected in series to the DC output terminal of the full-wave rectifier circuit 28 and the connection point of the capacitors 29a and 29b to one terminal of the input of the AC power supply. The voltage applied to the inverter circuit 27 is increased. The inverter circuit 27 converts the DC power converted by the rectifier circuit 26 into three-phase AC power and drives the circulation motor 20c. The current detection unit that is the load detection unit 30 is connected to the negative voltage side of the inverter circuit 27, and the current flowing through the lower arms of the U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase of the inverter circuit 27, for example, at both ends of the resistor It is detected by measuring the voltage. Thereby, the output current of the inverter circuit 27, that is, the drive current value that is the phase current supplied to the U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase of the circulating motor 20c can be detected.

  Then, the control unit 22 calculates the drive current value of the inverter circuit 27 based on the output signal of the current detection unit 30, applies a predetermined frequency and a predetermined voltage according to the set rotational speed, and drives the rotation of the circulation motor 20c. To control. At this time, according to the load of the circulation motor 20c, the circulation motor 20c is set by controlling the circulation motor 20c so that it becomes a drive current phase with respect to the output voltage output to each phase of the inverter circuit 27 or a reactive current. It can be rotationally driven at a synchronous speed (set rotational speed).

  That is, by using the current detection unit 30, it is possible to always detect the load state of the circulation motor 20c.

  Hereinafter, the operation when the rotary drum 4 and the circulation pump 20 are driven to execute the washing step will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG.

  First, the user puts the laundry into the rotating drum 4, operates the operation panel 21, and starts operation. Thereby, the control part 22 opens the solenoid valve of the water supply system 7, and the water used as washing water is supplied in the water tank 3.

  Next, when the water level detection unit 40 provided on the lower side of the back surface of the water tank 3 detects that the water has been supplied to a predetermined level, the control unit 22 closes the electromagnetic valve to stop the water supply, and the rotating drum 4 Start rotating. At this time, the circulation pump 20 is driven while rotating the rotary drum 4. Thereby, the contact time of the laundry and the washing water is increased, and the cleaning performance can be improved.

  However, the water level in the water tank 3 is lowered by the rotation of the rotating drum 4 and the driving of the circulation pump 20. In addition, the water level in the water tank 3 also decreases when the laundry in the rotating drum 4 has a lot of highly water-absorbing fibers such as cotton. Furthermore, if the water level of the washing water is too low due to the water absorption of the laundry clothes, the washing performance of the laundry is reduced.

  However, in the detection of the water level in the water tank 3 by the water level detection unit 40, the water level is lowered due to the rotation of the rotating drum 4 and the driving of the circulation pump 20, or the water level is lowered due to water absorption of clothes such as laundry. It is difficult to determine whether or not Therefore, when bubbles and air are mixed into the circulation path 31 and enter the circulation pump 20 in a state where the water level in the water tank 3 cannot be accurately detected, the output of circulating the wash water of the circulation pump 20 is reduced. Furthermore, if bubbles or air is mixed into the circulation pump 20, excessive circulation or noise may be generated by the circulation pump 20.

  On the other hand, when the circulation pump 20 is driven in a state where the amount of water in the water tank 3 is reduced and the water level is lowered, the circulation pump 20 is driven in a so-called air-filled state that operates while air is mixed therein.

  When the circulation pump 20 is driven in the air-filled state, the load on the circulation pump 20 is reduced as shown in FIG. 4, and the load on the circulation motor 20c is also reduced. That is, the state of the circulation pump 20 can be detected based on the fluctuation of the load of the circulation motor 20c.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the water level in the water tank is greatly reduced and air is mixed in, the air load of the circulation pump 20 is detected by utilizing the change in the load of the circulation motor 20c. .

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, a predetermined threshold value Wd is provided for the load of the circulating motor 20c detected by the load detection unit. Then, when the load of the circulation motor 20c becomes smaller than the predetermined threshold value Wd, and the load fluctuation A becomes (W0−Wd) or more with respect to the load value W0 of the circulation motor 20c in the steady state, the circulation pump 20 determines that air is present.

  When air current of the circulation pump 20 is detected as a load fluctuation of the circulation motor 20c by the current detection unit 30, the control unit 22 controls the rotation speed of the circulation motor 20c so as to stop the function of the circulation pump 20. . Specifically, the rotation of the circulation motor 20c is stopped, or the rotation is reduced to such an extent that the function as the circulation pump 20 cannot be obtained. Then, the function of the circulation pump 20 is stopped to prevent a drop in the water level in the water tank 3 and bubbles and air from entering the circulation path 31 and entering the circulation pump 20. Thereby, it is possible to suppress bubbles generated in the circulation pump 20 and excessive foaming due to air crushing and noise generated during crushing.

  Next, the control unit 22 stops driving the motor 6 and stops the rotation of the rotating drum 4.

  Next, the water level in the water tank 3 is detected by the water level detection unit 40 while the rotation of the rotating drum 4 is stopped and in a state where the driving of the circulation pump 20 is stopped and the water level is stabilized. And when the water level detection part 40 detects that it is more than a predetermined water level, the drive of the rotating drum 4 and the circulation pump 20 is started again. At this time, when the drop in the water level in the water tank 3 is caused by the rotation of the rotating drum 4 or the driving of the circulation pump 20, the clothes and the water tank 3 are stopped while the rotation of the rotating drum 4 and the circulation pump 20 are stopped. The washing water is reflected in the water level, and the water level in the water tank 3 is restored. Therefore, even if the circulation pump 20 is driven again, the water level is restored, so that bubbles and air are prevented from being mixed in the circulation path 31. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in output of the circulation pump 20, excessive foaming, and noise generated during crushing.

  On the other hand, when the water level detection unit 40 detects that the water level is less than the predetermined level, the control unit 22 determines that the water level in the water tank 3 has decreased due to water absorption of the laundry. Then, the control part 22 opens the solenoid valve of the water supply system 7, and supplies water to the predetermined water level in the water tank 3 again. Thereafter, the control unit 22 drives the motor 6 to rotate the rotating drum 4 and further drives the circulation pump 20. As a result, excessive foaming and noise caused by the circulation pump 20 can be suppressed, and the washing step can be executed without deteriorating the washing performance.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, by detecting a predetermined load fluctuation of the circulation motor 20c of the circulation pump 20 by the current detection unit 30, the circulation motor is always operated during the operation of the circulation pump 20. It becomes possible to detect the mixing of bubbles and air into the circulation pump 20 from the load fluctuation of 20c. As a result, the driving of the circulation pump 20 can be stopped, and excessive foaming due to crushing of bubbles and air mixed in the circulation pump 20 and noise generated during crushing can be suppressed.

  Moreover, by stopping the driving of the circulation pump 20, the washing water returns to the clothes and the water tank and is reflected in the water level in the water tank 3 so that the water level is recovered. Therefore, when the circulation pump 20 is started again, mixing of bubbles and air into the circulation path is suppressed. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in output of the circulation pump 20, excessive foaming, and noise generated when the air is crushed.

(Embodiment 2)
Hereinafter, the drum type washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a time chart showing the operation of the drum type washing machine in the second embodiment of the present invention.

  And as shown in FIG. 5, the drum type washing machine of this Embodiment stops the drive of a motor and the function of a circulation pump, and after a predetermined time passes, a water level detection part detects and controls a water level. This is different from the first embodiment. Since other configurations and operations are the same as those in the first embodiment, the configuration and operations in the first embodiment will be described. Thereby, erroneous detection can be prevented.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 5, first, the drum type washing machine of the present embodiment drives the load fluctuation value W of the circulation motor 20c by the load detection unit 30 while the rotary drum 4 and the circulation pump 20 are being driven. Detect with current value. When the load of the circulating motor 20c becomes smaller than the predetermined threshold Wd and the load detecting unit 30 detects the load fluctuation A that is equal to or greater than (W0−Wd) with respect to the load value W0 of the circulating motor 20c in the steady state. The function of the circulation pump 20 is stopped, that is, the rotation speed of the circulation pump 20 is reduced or stopped.

  Next, the control unit 22 stops driving the motor 6 and stops the rotation of the rotating drum 4.

  Next, in order to avoid erroneous detection of the load detection unit 30, after the function of the circulation pump 20 is stopped and a predetermined time t <b> 1 has elapsed, the control unit 22 detects the water level in the water tank 3 with the water level detection unit 40. . At this time, if the detected water level is equal to or lower than the predetermined water level, it is determined that the water level is lowered due to a large amount of water absorbed by the clothing due to the material or the like, and bubbles or air are mixed in the circulation path 31. In that case, the control unit 22 opens the electromagnetic valve of the water supply system 7 and supplies water up to a predetermined water level or supplies water for a predetermined time, and then executes the washing step again. Thereby, since the water level of the washing water is detected after a predetermined time t1 has elapsed since the circulation pump 20 was stopped, the water level in the water tank 3 can be accurately detected. As a result, an appropriate amount of water can be supplied in accordance with the amount of water absorbed by clothing depending on the material and the like, and the laundry can be washed with a stable and high detergency.

  In each of the above embodiments, the example in which the circulation pump is controlled by the load fluctuation of the circulation motor in the washing step has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, it may be executed in a rinsing step. Thereby, a rinse performance can further be improved.

  Moreover, although each said embodiment demonstrated the example which detects the load fluctuation | variation by the drive current value of a circulating motor by the load detection part, it is not restricted to this. For example, when driving with a drive method such as constant power consumption control using a circulation pump driven by inverter control, load fluctuations such as the drive power amount and rotation speed of the circulation motor are detected and controlled by the load detector. Also good. Thereby, the same effect is acquired.

  Moreover, although each said embodiment demonstrated the example which detects the three-phase drive current value of a circulation motor in a load detection part, it is not restricted to this. For example, the structure which detects the drive current value of 1 phase or 2 phases of the three phases of a circulation motor in a load detection part may be sufficient. Thereby, the structure of a load detection part can be simplified.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, the example in which the drive current value of the circulation motor is detected by the voltage across the resistor is described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is good also as a structure detected with the current sensor required in the case of inverter drive. Thereby, a cheap and compact load detection part is realizable.

  As described above, the drum-type washing machine of the present invention has a rotating drum formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, a water tank containing the rotating drum, and a circulation path that connects the washing water in the water tank to the water tank. At least one of a water circulation system that is circulated by a circulation pump, a water supply unit that supplies water into the rotary drum or the water tank, a motor that drives the rotary drum, a load detection unit that detects a load of the circulation pump, and a washing step and a rinsing step A control unit for controlling the two. And a control part has the structure which stops the function of a circulation pump while stopping a drive of a motor, when a load detection part detects the predetermined | prescribed load fluctuation | variation of a circulation pump at the time of the drive of a motor and a circulation pump.

  This configuration prevents the water level in the aquarium from lowering due to rotation of the rotating drum, driving of the circulation pump, water absorption of the laundry, etc., preventing bubbles and air from entering the circulation path and entering the circulation pump. it can. As a result, excessive foaming in the circulation pump generated by the mixed bubbles and air and noise generated when the air is crushed can be suppressed. Further, when the water level in the water tank is lowered, the washing water in the clothes and the water tank is reflected in the water level and recovered while the rotation drum is driven and the function of the circulation pump is stopped. Therefore, even if the circulation pump is started again, the water level is restored, so that bubbles and air are prevented from being mixed into the circulation path. Thereby, the fall of the output of the circulation pump resulting from an air bag etc. can be prevented, and the fall of the cleaning power of a drum type washing machine can be suppressed.

  The drum type washing machine of the present invention further includes a water level detection unit that detects the level of the washing water, and the control unit stops the drive of the motor and the function of the circulation pump, and then detects the water level detected by the water level detection unit. When the water level is equal to or lower than a predetermined water level, the circulation pump is driven after the water supply unit supplies water.

  With this configuration, even when the water level is lowered due to a large amount of water absorbed by clothing, the load detection unit and the water level detection unit can detect that water or foam has entered the circulation path and supply water. it can. Thereby, the output of the circulation pump is stabilized, and excessive foaming and noise generated during crushing can be suppressed. Furthermore, because the output of the circulation pump is stable, the washing water can be circulated stably and applied to the laundry. As a result, it is possible to realize a drum-type washing machine that can further improve the cleaning performance and the rinsing performance.

  Moreover, the load detection part of the drum type washing machine of this invention has the structure which detects the drive current value of the circulation motor of a circulation pump. With this configuration, particularly when an inverter-driven circulation pump is used, the load detection unit can be configured with a current sensor required for inverter driving. Therefore, an inexpensive load detector can be realized.

  Moreover, the load detection part of the drum type washing machine of this invention has the structure which detects the drive electric energy of the circulation motor of a circulation pump. With this configuration, in particular, it can be driven by a driving method such as constant electric energy control using a circulation pump driven by inverter control. As a result, it is easy to detect load fluctuations by the load detector, and the accuracy can be improved.

  The drum type washing machine of the present invention is useful in technical fields such as a drum type washing machine that suppresses a decrease in the output of the circulation pump and launders the laundry stored in the rotating drum with high cleaning performance.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 Washing machine main body 2a Base plate 3 Water tank 3h Front end wall 4 Rotating drum 4a Rotating shaft 4b Front end wall 5 Opening / closing door 6 Motor 7 Water supply system 7a Detergent storage part 8 Drainage system 8a Drainage pipe 8b Drainage filter 9 Drying system 13 Opening 14 Sealing material 16 Water circulation system 19 Drain valve 20 Circulation pump 20a Impeller 20b Pump casing 20c Circulation motor 20d Motor casing 20d1 Bearing partition 20e Motor shaft 20f Inflow connection 20g Drain connection 21 Operation panel 22 Control unit 25 AC power supply 26 Rectifier circuit 27 Inverter circuit 28 Full-wave rectifier circuit 29a Capacitor 30 Current detector (load detector)
31 Circulation path 31a Inflow side path 31b Discharge side path 35 Mounting seat 35a Mounting piece 40 Water level detection unit 51 Injection port 52 Flow path

  The present invention relates to a drum type washing machine provided with means for circulating washing water.

  Conventionally, in order to improve the cleaning power, a drum type washing machine having a circulation function of circulating washing water in a water tank with a circulation pump has been disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  That is, the drum type washing machine includes a circulation pump as a drive source for injecting washing water into clothes in the water tank. The circulation pump is disposed in a circulation path through which the wash water circulates, and operates the circulation pump while maintaining a predetermined water level by the water level detection unit. Thereby, it is supposed that the to-be-processed object can be efficiently cleaned by increasing the contact between the to-be-processed object (laundry) and the washing water.

  However, in the case where most of the laundry put into the rotating drum is clothes with high water absorption, the water level of the washing water in the rotating drum is lowered due to water absorption of the clothes. At this time, the decrease in the water level of the washing water may be determined to be a fluctuation in the water level due to the driving of the circulation pump. Therefore, the operation of the circulation pump continues and bubbles and air enter the circulation pump. As a result, there is a problem that excessive foaming and noise occur due to the foam and air entering the circulation pump.

JP 2010-36016 A

  In order to solve the above problems, a drum-type washing machine of the present invention has a rotating drum formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, a water tank containing the rotating drum, and a circulation path connecting the washing water in the water tank to the water tank. At least one of a water circulation system circulated by a circulation pump, a water supply unit for supplying water into the rotary drum or the water tank, a motor for driving the rotary drum, a load detection unit for detecting the load of the circulation pump, and a washing step and a rinsing step. And a control unit for controlling one. And a control part has the structure which stops the function of a circulation pump while stopping a drive of a motor, when a load detection part detects the predetermined | prescribed load fluctuation | variation of a circulation pump at the time of the drive of a motor and a circulation pump.

  With this configuration, when the water level drops due to the rotation of the rotating drum or the driving operation of the circulation pump, even if bubbles or air enters the circulation pump via the circulation path, it is detected that the output of the circulation pump has dropped. it can.

  When the load detection unit detects a predetermined load fluctuation of the circulation pump, the circulation pump is stopped and the motor is stopped. Thereby, the influence on the water level fluctuation | variation by rotation of a rotating drum or the drive of a circulation pump is eliminated, and a water level can be recovered, and mixing of the bubble and air into a circulation pump via a circulation path can be suppressed. As a result, excessive foaming and noise in the circulation pump generated by the mixed bubbles and air can be suppressed.

1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic structure of a drum-type washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of a circulation pump of the drum type washing machine in the embodiment. FIG. 2B is a side view of the circulation pump of the drum type washing machine in the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of a load detection unit of the drum type washing machine in the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a time chart showing the operation of the drum type washing machine in the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a time chart showing the operation of the drum type washing machine in the second embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the present embodiment. In the following embodiments, the washing water includes the washing water in the washing step and the rinsing water in the rinsing step.

(Embodiment 1)
1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic structure of a drum-type washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the drum type washing machine of the present embodiment includes at least a water tank 3 that is swingably disposed inside a washing machine body 2 and a rotation that is rotatably disposed within the water tank 3. The drum 4 is composed of a motor 6 attached to the outside of the back surface of the water tank 3, a water supply system 7, a drainage system 8, a drying system 9, a water circulation system 16, and the like. The rotating drum 4 is rotationally driven by a motor 6. The drum type washing machine of the present embodiment is a so-called drum type washing machine having a function of executing at least a washing step, a rinsing step, a dehydrating step, and a drying step by automatic control according to mode setting and a control program. Is configured. At this time, the drying system 9 may be omitted.

  Further, the water supply system 7 supplies water into the water tank 3 at an appropriate time as indicated by a solid arrow A by opening and closing a water supply valve (not shown) constituted by an electromagnetic valve or the like. At this time, the detergent in the detergent container 7a is introduced into the water tank 3 in a timely manner using water supply.

  Further, the drainage system 8 drains the washing water by opening and closing the drain valve 19 along the path indicated by the one-dot chain line arrow B when necessary, for example, at the end of the washing step or at the end of the rinsing step. At this time, the washing water is drained out of the drum type washing machine along a path passing through the drainage filter 8b through the drain pipe 8a connected to the lower portion of the water tank 3. The drainage filter 8b is configured to collect lint and be removable from the outside.

  In addition, the water circulation system 16 drives the circulation pump 20 to return the washing water in the water tank 3 to the water tank 3 through the following route in a washing preparation step, a washing step, a rinsing step, and the like as necessary. Repeat the cycle. At this time, the water circulation system 16 is routed from the drain pipe 8a connected to the lower part of the water tank 3 to the drain filter 8b, the inflow side path 31a to the circulation pump 20 of the circulation path 31, the circulation pump 20, and the circulation of the circulation path 31. A discharge side path 31b from the pump 20 is configured. This prevents the detergent introduced into the water tank 3 from dissolving at an early stage and uneven clothing, thereby improving the functions of the washing step and the rinsing step.

  Further, the operation panel 21 is provided on the upper front side of the washing machine body 2, and a mode such as an operation course and various functions are selected by an input of an input setting unit of the operation panel 21. At this time, based on the input information on the operation panel 21, the control unit 22 displays the input information on the display unit on the operation panel 21 to notify the user. When the operation start is set by the input of the input setting unit of the operation panel 21, the control unit 22 receives data from the water level detection unit 40 that detects the water level in the water tank 3, and the drum type washing machine. Start driving. And the control part 22 controls operation | movement of the drain valve 19, a water supply valve, etc., and performs washing by driving | operations, such as a washing | cleaning step, a dehydration step, and a drying step.

  Further, the rotating drum 4 together with the water tank 3 has a rotation axis direction from the horizontal direction from the front side (opening / closing door 5 side) to the bottom side (motor 6 side), for example, an inclination angle θ = 20 ±. At 10 degrees, the rotary shaft 4a is inclined downward. At this time, the rotating shaft 4 a of the rotating drum 4 is directly connected to the shaft of the motor 6 provided on the back surface of the water tank 3. Thereby, compared with the case where the rotating shaft 4a of the rotating drum 4 is installed in the horizontal direction, even when the rotating drum 4 is installed at the same height, the water tank 3 and the opening of the rotating drum 4 are obliquely upward. As a result, the laundry can be easily put in and out of the rotating drum 4 without taking an unreasonable posture such as bending the user. Further, according to the inventor's experience, by setting the inclination angle θ to 20 ± 10 degrees, even if there is a difference in height from a child (excluding infants) to an adult, or a wheelchair user, laundry It is possible to obtain a state where the work of taking in and out is most easily performed. Furthermore, there is an advantage that a deep water storage state can be realized by inclining the rotating drum 4 even when the washing water supplied to the rotating drum 4 accumulated on the back side of the rotating drum 4 is small.

  Further, the water tank 3 is provided along the vicinity of the rotary drum 4 with the same inclination as the rotary drum 4 in order to allow water supply to efficiently act on the laundry in the rotary drum 4.

  Further, the washing machine body 2 is provided with an opening / closing door 5 so that the opening 13 of the water tub 3 is sealed through a sealing material 14 attached to the rim of the opening / closing door 5 and the opening 13 of the water tub 3 is opened. Is provided.

  The behavior and effects of the rotating drum during the washing operation in the drum type washing machine of the present embodiment will be described below.

  First, the rotating drum 4 is driven in a forward / reverse arc rotation drive mode and a forward / reverse continuous rotation drive mode during a washing operation. Here, the forward / reverse arc rotation drive mode is a drive mode in which sudden forward arc rotation and sudden reverse arc rotation in which the rotating drum 4 is driven at more than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees are alternately repeated. Further, the forward / reverse continuous rotation drive mode refers to the continuous rotation of the rotating drum 4 at the rotational speed at which the laundry lifted by the rotation of the rotating drum 4 falls from the height where the weight of the rotating drum is superior. This is a repeated drive mode.

  In the cleaning step, or the cleaning step and the rinsing step, the forward / reverse arc rotation drive mode and the forward / reverse continuous rotation drive mode of the rotary drum 4 are alternately executed. Thereby, the laundry is lifted up to more than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees by the arc rotation and rapid braking of the rotating drum 4 at a rapid speed exceeding 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees. Also, due to the sudden braking at the final stage of lifting the laundry, the laundry is peeled off from the inner surface of the rotating drum 4 by the inertia and weight of the laundry, and the laundry is surely dropped to the side opposite to the lifting side by the weight of the laundry. be able to. As a result, a particularly high unraveling action (unraveling action) can be imparted to the laundry that is sufficiently swollen, including the washing water, loosened and slippery.

  In addition, the washing performance can be enhanced by exerting a mechanical action such as dropping on the laundry.

  In addition, the forward / reverse arc rotation drive mode that alternately repeats the forward and reverse sudden arc rotations in the forward and reverse directions of the arc rotation drive, the laundry lifting position and falling by the forward and reverse alternating sudden arc rotation drive. The position can be alternately switched between the left and right in each arc rotation drive. Therefore, it is possible to further enhance the action of solving the laundry while preventing the laundry from being entangled more effectively. Further, the cleaning performance can be improved by increasing the number of times that the mechanical action such as dropping is applied to the laundry.

  Moreover, the entanglement of the laundry which generate | occur | produces with advancing of a washing | cleaning step and a rinse step can be suppressed by high unraveling action. As a result, it is possible to continuously carry out effective tapping in the forward / reverse arc rotation mode, thereby enhancing the cleaning effect and the rinsing effect.

  In the forward / reverse arc rotation drive mode alone, tangling, twisting, wrinkles, etc. of the laundry can be reduced, but the laundry in the vertical direction of the laundry is difficult to change and the laundry at the bottom of the rotating drum 4 is difficult to move. Unevenness is likely to occur. Therefore, by using the forward / reverse arc rotation drive mode and the forward / reverse continuous rotation drive mode in combination, the position of the laundry in the vertical direction is changed. As a result, tangling, twisting, and wrinkling of the laundry in the forward / reverse continuous rotation drive mode can be reduced, and imbalance in imparting mechanical action to the laundry in the forward / reverse arc rotation drive mode can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to realize a firm hand-washing behavior while reducing tangling, twisting, and wrinkling of the laundry in the forward / reverse arc rotation drive mode. Furthermore, it is possible to realize an effective washing behavior against uniform and strong dirt by washing the laundry in the forward / reverse continuous rotation drive mode continuously and washing while reducing washing unevenness.

  Below, the water circulation system 16 in the drum type washing machine of this Embodiment is demonstrated using FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, referring FIG.

  FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the circulation pump of the drum type washing machine in the present embodiment. FIG. 2B is a side view of the circulation pump of the drum type washing machine in the present embodiment.

  First, as shown in FIG. 1, the circulation pump 20 is fixedly disposed on a base plate 2 a that is the bottom of the washing machine body 2.

  2A and 2B, the circulation pump 20 includes a resin pump casing 20b that houses an impeller 20a fitted on a resin mounting seat 35, and a metal motor casing of the circulation motor 20c. 20d. At this time, the opening side of the pump casing 20b is fitted to the mounting seat 35 so as to be in contact with and integrated with the bearing partition wall 20d1 at the front end of the motor casing 20d. Thereby, the impeller 20a is directly connected to the motor shaft 20e of the circulation motor 20c. And the circulation pump 20 is being fixed to the base plate 2a of the washing machine main body 2 with the bolt etc. via the attachment piece 35a of the attachment seat 35, for example.

  Moreover, the discharge side path | route 31b of the circulation path 31 connected to the drainage connection part 20g of the circulation pump 20 is the injection port 51 provided in the lowest part of the front end wall 3h around the opening 13 of the water tank 3, as shown in FIG. Connected from the outside. And as shown by the arrow a of FIG. 1, the wash water from the discharge side path | route 31b is provided between the back surface of the front end wall 3h of the water tank 3, and the surface of the front end wall 4b of the rotating drum 4 corresponding to the front end wall 3h. Spray. Thus, the wash water is discharged by the circulation pump 20 into the rotary drum 4 through the flow path 52 formed between the back surface of the front end wall 3 h of the water tank 3 and the front end wall 4 b of the rotary drum 4. On the other hand, the inflow connection 20f of the circulation pump 20 is connected to the inflow side path 31a of the circulation path 31, and the washing water in the water tank 3 is supplied to the circulation pump 20 via the drain pipe 8a provided in the lower part of the water tank 3. It is injected into the circulation pump 20 by driving.

  The circulation pump 20 of the water circulation system 16 configured as described above is controlled by a control unit 22 described below. At this time, the control unit 22 controls the circulation pump 20 by a current detection unit 30 that is a load detection unit that detects a change in the load of the circulation motor 20c, which will be described below with reference to FIG.

  Below, the control method of the circulation motor 20c of the circulation pump 20 is demonstrated using FIG. 3 and FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram illustrating a load detection unit of the drum type washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a time chart showing the operation of the drum type washing machine in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 22 measures the load fluctuation of the circulation motor 20c of the circulation pump 20 as a drive current value or drive power amount of the circulation motor 20c at the current detection unit 30 at least during the cleaning step. To do. At this time, as the current detection unit 30, an application of a control method for inverter control of the circulation motor 20c that is generally used in recent years is used. Hereinafter, the drive current value of the circulation motor 20c will be described as an example of the load fluctuation of the circulation motor 20c.

  Then, as described later with reference to FIG. 4, by comparing the load value W of the circulation motor 20c measured by the current detection unit 30 with the load value W0 of the circulation motor 20c in the initial stage of the cleaning step. The load fluctuation of the circulation motor 20c is detected. As the initial load value W0 of the circulation motor 20c, it is preferable to use a value obtained by time averaging when the rotation speed of the circulation motor 20c is in a steady state. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any device that can detect a load change may be used.

  First, the load detection part which detects the load fluctuation | variation of the circulation motor 20c of the circulation pump 20 is demonstrated using FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the circulation motor 20 c is driven via the control unit 22 that controls the inverter circuit 27 based on signals from the AC power supply 25, the rectifier circuit 26, the inverter circuit 27, and the load detection unit 30. The rectifier circuit 26 converts AC power from the AC power supply 25 into DC power. Here, the rectifier circuit 26 includes a full-wave rectifier circuit 28 and a DC voltage doubler circuit. The DC voltage doubler circuit is configured by connecting capacitors 29a and 29b connected in series to the DC output terminal of the full-wave rectifier circuit 28 and the connection point of the capacitors 29a and 29b to one terminal of the input of the AC power supply. The voltage applied to the inverter circuit 27 is increased. The inverter circuit 27 converts the DC power converted by the rectifier circuit 26 into three-phase AC power and drives the circulation motor 20c. The current detection unit that is the load detection unit 30 is connected to the negative voltage side of the inverter circuit 27, and the current flowing through the lower arms of the U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase of the inverter circuit 27, for example, at both ends of the resistor It is detected by measuring the voltage. Thereby, the output current of the inverter circuit 27, that is, the drive current value that is the phase current supplied to the U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase of the circulating motor 20c can be detected.

  Then, the control unit 22 calculates the drive current value of the inverter circuit 27 based on the output signal of the current detection unit 30, applies a predetermined frequency and a predetermined voltage according to the set rotational speed, and drives the rotation of the circulation motor 20c. To control. At this time, according to the load of the circulation motor 20c, the circulation motor 20c is set by controlling the circulation motor 20c so that it becomes a drive current phase with respect to the output voltage output to each phase of the inverter circuit 27 or a reactive current. It can be rotationally driven at a synchronous speed (set rotational speed).

  That is, by using the current detection unit 30, it is possible to always detect the load state of the circulation motor 20c.

  Hereinafter, the operation when the rotary drum 4 and the circulation pump 20 are driven to execute the washing step will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG.

  First, the user puts the laundry into the rotating drum 4, operates the operation panel 21, and starts operation. Thereby, the control part 22 opens the solenoid valve of the water supply system 7, and the water used as washing water is supplied in the water tank 3.

  Next, when the water level detection unit 40 provided on the lower side of the back surface of the water tank 3 detects that the water has been supplied to a predetermined level, the control unit 22 closes the electromagnetic valve to stop the water supply, and the rotating drum 4 Start rotating. At this time, the circulation pump 20 is driven while rotating the rotary drum 4. Thereby, the contact time of the laundry and the washing water is increased, and the cleaning performance can be improved.

  However, the water level in the water tank 3 is lowered by the rotation of the rotating drum 4 and the driving of the circulation pump 20. In addition, the water level in the water tank 3 also decreases when the laundry in the rotating drum 4 has a lot of highly water-absorbing fibers such as cotton. Furthermore, if the water level of the washing water is too low due to the water absorption of the laundry clothes, the washing performance of the laundry is reduced.

  However, in the detection of the water level in the water tank 3 by the water level detection unit 40, the water level is lowered due to the rotation of the rotating drum 4 and the driving of the circulation pump 20, or the water level is lowered due to water absorption of clothes such as laundry. It is difficult to determine whether or not Therefore, when bubbles and air are mixed into the circulation path 31 and enter the circulation pump 20 in a state where the water level in the water tank 3 cannot be accurately detected, the output of circulating the wash water of the circulation pump 20 is reduced. Furthermore, if bubbles or air is mixed into the circulation pump 20, excessive circulation or noise may be generated by the circulation pump 20.

  On the other hand, when the circulation pump 20 is driven in a state where the amount of water in the water tank 3 is reduced and the water level is lowered, the circulation pump 20 is driven in a so-called air-filled state that operates while air is mixed therein.

  When the circulation pump 20 is driven in the air-filled state, the load on the circulation pump 20 is reduced as shown in FIG. 4, and the load on the circulation motor 20c is also reduced. That is, the state of the circulation pump 20 can be detected based on the fluctuation of the load of the circulation motor 20c.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the water level in the water tank is greatly reduced and air is mixed in, the air load of the circulation pump 20 is detected by utilizing the change in the load of the circulation motor 20c. .

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, a predetermined threshold value Wd is provided for the load of the circulating motor 20c detected by the load detection unit. Then, when the load of the circulation motor 20c becomes smaller than the predetermined threshold value Wd, and the load fluctuation A becomes (W0−Wd) or more with respect to the load value W0 of the circulation motor 20c in the steady state, the circulation pump 20 determines that air is present.

  When air current of the circulation pump 20 is detected as a load fluctuation of the circulation motor 20c by the current detection unit 30, the control unit 22 controls the rotation speed of the circulation motor 20c so as to stop the function of the circulation pump 20. . Specifically, the rotation of the circulation motor 20c is stopped, or the rotation is reduced to such an extent that the function as the circulation pump 20 cannot be obtained. Then, the function of the circulation pump 20 is stopped to prevent a drop in the water level in the water tank 3 and bubbles and air from entering the circulation path 31 and entering the circulation pump 20. Thereby, it is possible to suppress bubbles generated in the circulation pump 20 and excessive foaming due to air crushing and noise generated during crushing.

  Next, the control unit 22 stops driving the motor 6 and stops the rotation of the rotating drum 4.

  Next, the water level in the water tank 3 is detected by the water level detection unit 40 while the rotation of the rotating drum 4 is stopped and in a state where the driving of the circulation pump 20 is stopped and the water level is stabilized. And when the water level detection part 40 detects that it is more than a predetermined water level, the drive of the rotating drum 4 and the circulation pump 20 is started again. At this time, when the drop in the water level in the water tank 3 is caused by the rotation of the rotating drum 4 or the driving of the circulation pump 20, the clothes and the water tank 3 are stopped while the rotation of the rotating drum 4 and the circulation pump 20 are stopped. The washing water is reflected in the water level, and the water level in the water tank 3 is restored. Therefore, even if the circulation pump 20 is driven again, the water level is restored, so that bubbles and air are prevented from being mixed in the circulation path 31. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in output of the circulation pump 20, excessive foaming, and noise generated during crushing.

  On the other hand, when the water level detection unit 40 detects that the water level is less than the predetermined level, the control unit 22 determines that the water level in the water tank 3 has decreased due to water absorption of the laundry. Then, the control part 22 opens the solenoid valve of the water supply system 7, and supplies water to the predetermined water level in the water tank 3 again. Thereafter, the control unit 22 drives the motor 6 to rotate the rotating drum 4 and further drives the circulation pump 20. As a result, excessive foaming and noise caused by the circulation pump 20 can be suppressed, and the washing step can be executed without deteriorating the washing performance.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, by detecting a predetermined load fluctuation of the circulation motor 20c of the circulation pump 20 by the current detection unit 30, the circulation motor is always operated during the operation of the circulation pump 20. It becomes possible to detect the mixing of bubbles and air into the circulation pump 20 from the load fluctuation of 20c. As a result, the driving of the circulation pump 20 can be stopped, and excessive foaming due to crushing of bubbles and air mixed in the circulation pump 20 and noise generated during crushing can be suppressed.

  Moreover, by stopping the driving of the circulation pump 20, the washing water returns to the clothes and the water tank and is reflected in the water level in the water tank 3 so that the water level is recovered. Therefore, when the circulation pump 20 is started again, mixing of bubbles and air into the circulation path is suppressed. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in output of the circulation pump 20, excessive foaming, and noise generated when the air is crushed.

(Embodiment 2)
Hereinafter, the drum type washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a time chart showing the operation of the drum type washing machine in the second embodiment of the present invention.

  And as shown in FIG. 5, the drum type washing machine of this Embodiment stops the drive of a motor and the function of a circulation pump, and after a predetermined time passes, a water level detection part detects and controls a water level. This is different from the first embodiment. Since other configurations and operations are the same as those in the first embodiment, the configuration and operations in the first embodiment will be described. Thereby, erroneous detection can be prevented.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 5, first, the drum type washing machine of the present embodiment drives the load fluctuation value W of the circulation motor 20c by the load detection unit 30 while the rotary drum 4 and the circulation pump 20 are being driven. Detect with current value. When the load of the circulating motor 20c becomes smaller than the predetermined threshold Wd and the load detecting unit 30 detects the load fluctuation A that is equal to or greater than (W0−Wd) with respect to the load value W0 of the circulating motor 20c in the steady state. The function of the circulation pump 20 is stopped, that is, the rotation speed of the circulation pump 20 is reduced or stopped.

  Next, the control unit 22 stops driving the motor 6 and stops the rotation of the rotating drum 4.

  Next, in order to avoid erroneous detection of the load detection unit 30, after the function of the circulation pump 20 is stopped and a predetermined time t <b> 1 has elapsed, the control unit 22 detects the water level in the water tank 3 with the water level detection unit 40. . At this time, if the detected water level is equal to or lower than the predetermined water level, it is determined that the water level is lowered due to a large amount of water absorbed by the clothing due to the material or the like, and bubbles or air are mixed in the circulation path 31. In that case, the control unit 22 opens the electromagnetic valve of the water supply system 7 and supplies water up to a predetermined water level or supplies water for a predetermined time, and then executes the washing step again. Thereby, since the water level of the washing water is detected after a predetermined time t1 has elapsed since the circulation pump 20 was stopped, the water level in the water tank 3 can be accurately detected. As a result, an appropriate amount of water can be supplied in accordance with the amount of water absorbed by clothing depending on the material and the like, and the laundry can be washed with a stable and high detergency.

  In each of the above embodiments, the example in which the circulation pump is controlled by the load fluctuation of the circulation motor in the washing step has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, it may be executed in a rinsing step. Thereby, a rinse performance can further be improved.

  Moreover, although each said embodiment demonstrated the example which detects the load fluctuation | variation by the drive current value of a circulating motor by the load detection part, it is not restricted to this. For example, when driving with a drive method such as constant power consumption control using a circulation pump driven by inverter control, load fluctuations such as the drive power amount and rotation speed of the circulation motor are detected and controlled by the load detector. Also good. Thereby, the same effect is acquired.

  Moreover, although each said embodiment demonstrated the example which detects the three-phase drive current value of a circulation motor in a load detection part, it is not restricted to this. For example, the structure which detects the drive current value of 1 phase or 2 phases of the three phases of a circulation motor in a load detection part may be sufficient. Thereby, the structure of a load detection part can be simplified.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, the example in which the drive current value of the circulation motor is detected by the voltage across the resistor is described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is good also as a structure detected with the current sensor required in the case of inverter drive. Thereby, a cheap and compact load detection part is realizable.

  As described above, the drum-type washing machine of the present invention has a rotating drum formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, a water tank containing the rotating drum, and a circulation path that connects the washing water in the water tank to the water tank. At least one of a water circulation system that is circulated by a circulation pump, a water supply unit that supplies water into the rotary drum or the water tank, a motor that drives the rotary drum, a load detection unit that detects a load of the circulation pump, and a washing step and a rinsing step A control unit for controlling the two. And a control part has the structure which stops the function of a circulation pump while stopping a drive of a motor, when a load detection part detects the predetermined | prescribed load fluctuation | variation of a circulation pump at the time of the drive of a motor and a circulation pump.

  This configuration prevents the water level in the aquarium from lowering due to rotation of the rotating drum, driving of the circulation pump, water absorption of the laundry, etc., preventing bubbles and air from entering the circulation path and entering the circulation pump. it can. As a result, excessive foaming in the circulation pump generated by the mixed bubbles and air and noise generated when the air is crushed can be suppressed. Further, when the water level in the water tank is lowered, the washing water in the clothes and the water tank is reflected in the water level and recovered while the rotation drum is driven and the function of the circulation pump is stopped. Therefore, even if the circulation pump is started again, the water level is restored, so that bubbles and air are prevented from being mixed into the circulation path. Thereby, the fall of the output of the circulation pump resulting from an air bag etc. can be prevented, and the fall of the cleaning power of a drum type washing machine can be suppressed.

  The drum type washing machine of the present invention further includes a water level detection unit that detects the level of the washing water, and the control unit stops the drive of the motor and the function of the circulation pump, and then detects the water level detected by the water level detection unit. When the water level is equal to or lower than a predetermined water level, the circulation pump is driven after the water supply unit supplies water.

  With this configuration, even when the water level is lowered due to a large amount of water absorbed by clothing, the load detection unit and the water level detection unit can detect that water or foam has entered the circulation path and supply water. it can. Thereby, the output of the circulation pump is stabilized, and excessive foaming and noise generated during crushing can be suppressed. Furthermore, because the output of the circulation pump is stable, the washing water can be circulated stably and applied to the laundry. As a result, it is possible to realize a drum-type washing machine that can further improve the cleaning performance and the rinsing performance.

  Moreover, the load detection part of the drum type washing machine of this invention has the structure which detects the drive current value of the circulation motor of a circulation pump. With this configuration, particularly when an inverter-driven circulation pump is used, the load detection unit can be configured with a current sensor required for inverter driving. Therefore, an inexpensive load detector can be realized.

  Moreover, the load detection part of the drum type washing machine of this invention has the structure which detects the drive electric energy of the circulation motor of a circulation pump. With this configuration, in particular, it can be driven by a driving method such as constant electric energy control using a circulation pump driven by inverter control. As a result, it is easy to detect load fluctuations by the load detector, and the accuracy can be improved.

  The drum type washing machine of the present invention is useful in technical fields such as a drum type washing machine that suppresses a decrease in the output of the circulation pump and launders the laundry stored in the rotating drum with high cleaning performance.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 Washing machine main body 2a Base plate 3 Water tank 3h Front end wall 4 Rotating drum 4a Rotating shaft 4b Front end wall 5 Opening / closing door 6 Motor 7 Water supply system 7a Detergent storage part 8 Drainage system 8a Drainage pipe 8b Drainage filter 9 Drying system 13 Opening 14 Sealing material 16 Water circulation system 19 Drain valve 20 Circulation pump 20a Impeller 20b Pump casing 20c Circulation motor 20d Motor casing 20d1 Bearing partition 20e Motor shaft 20f Inflow connection 20g Drain connection 21 Operation panel 22 Control unit 25 AC power supply 26 Rectifier circuit 27 Inverter circuit 28 Full-wave rectifier circuit 29a Capacitor 30 Current detector (load detector)
31 Circulation path 31a Inflow side path 31b Discharge side path 35 Mounting seat 35a Mounting piece 40 Water level detection unit 51 Injection port 52 Flow path

Claims (4)

A rotating drum formed into a bottomed cylindrical shape;
A water tank containing the rotating drum;
A water circulation system for circulating the wash water in the water tank by a circulation pump through a circulation path connected to the water tank;
A water supply unit for supplying water into the rotating drum or the water tank;
A motor for driving the rotating drum;
A load detector for detecting the load of the circulation pump;
A controller that controls at least one of the washing step and the rinsing step,
The control unit stops driving the motor and stops the function of the circulation pump when the load detection unit detects a predetermined load fluctuation of the circulation pump when the motor and the circulation pump are driven. Drum type washing machine. A water level detection unit for detecting the level of the washing water,
The control unit stops driving the motor and the function of the circulation pump, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, when the water level detected by the water level detection unit is below a predetermined water level,
The drum type washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the circulation pump is driven after water is supplied by the water supply unit. The drum type washing machine according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the load detection unit detects a drive current value of a circulation motor of the circulation pump. The drum type washing machine according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the load detection unit detects a driving electric energy of a circulation motor of the circulation pump.

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