WO2011010518A1

WO2011010518A1 - Washing machine

Info

Publication number: WO2011010518A1
Application number: PCT/JP2010/060258
Authority: WO
Inventors: 康宏久下
Original assignee: シャープ株式会社
Priority date: 2009-07-21
Filing date: 2010-06-17
Publication date: 2011-01-27
Also published as: JP2011019873A

Abstract

A washing machine which causes metallic ions to efficiently adhere to an object being cleaned. A washing machine (1) is provided with a washing tub (30), a motor (41) for rotating the washing tub (30), a main water supply valve (50a) for supplying water to the inside of the washing tub (30), an ion elution unit (100), and a control unit (82). The control unit (82) sequentially performs a washing step (S300), a rinsing step (S400), a dewatering step (S500), and an ion coating step (S600). In the rinsing step (S400), laundry which has been washed in the washing step (S300) is rinsed with a specified amount of water. The ion coating step (S600) includes: a first step in which metallic ion-containing water of an amount less than the specified amount of water is supplied to the laundry which has been dewatered in the dewatering step (S500); and a second step in which the washing tub (30) to which the metallic ion-containing water has been supplied in the first step is rotated at a rotational frequency at which the laundry soaks in the metallic ion-containing water when the washing tub (30) is rotated.

Description

Washing machine

The present invention generally relates to a washing machine, and more particularly to a washing machine that supplies water containing metal ions to an object to be cleaned.

When washing an object to be cleaned in a washing machine, it is often performed by adding a finishing substance to water, particularly rinse water. Recently, there is an increasing need for finishing treatments that impart antibacterial properties to laundry for the following reasons.

Laundry is preferably dried in the sun from a hygienic point of view. In recent years, however, the number of households that have nobody in the daytime has increased due to an increase in the employment rate of women and the advancement of nuclear families. In such a home, it must be dried indoors. Even in a home where someone is at home during the day, folding in the rain will dry the laundry indoors.

In the case of indoor drying, bacteria and fungi are more likely to propagate in the laundry than in the sun. This tendency is conspicuous when the laundry takes time to dry, such as at high humidity such as during the rainy season or at low temperatures. Depending on the breeding situation of bacteria and mold, the laundry may give off a strange odor.

In recent years, awareness of saving has increased, and many households reuse bath water after washing for washing. However, there is a problem that bacteria are increasing in the bath water left overnight, and these bacteria adhere to the laundry and propagate further, causing a strange odor.

For this reason, there is a strong demand for antibacterial treatment on fabrics in order to suppress the growth of bacteria and molds in households where daily indoors are forced to dry and households that reuse bath water for washing.

Recently, many garments are made of antibacterial, deodorant and antibacterial fibers. However, it is difficult to arrange all textile products in the home with those made of antibacterial and deodorant processed and antibacterial processed fibers. In addition, the antibacterial and deodorizing effects and the antibacterial effects decline as the clothes are washed.

Therefore, a washing machine capable of antibacterial treatment of laundry at every washing has been proposed. For example, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2004-105692 (Patent Document 1) describes a washing machine including an ion elution unit that elutes silver ions in water. In this washing machine, water having a silver ion concentration of 50 ppb or more is supplied to the washing tub to a set water level and used as rinse water. This washing machine is configured such that the contact between the laundry and silver ions is promoted by stirring the rinsing water containing silver ions.

In addition, JP 2007-244849 A (Patent Document 2) describes a washing machine that performs a washing course for washing a washing tub by centrifugal force using 10 L of silver ion water. This tank washing course can be carried out instead of the final dehydration process of a normal washing course in which the laundry is put in the washing tub. By carrying out the tank washing course in a state where the laundry is put in the washing tub, the silver ion water comes into contact with the laundry.

JP 2004-106992 A JP 2007-244849 A

However, in the washing machine described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-105692 (Patent Document 1), a specified amount of water determined to ensure the bath ratio of the laundry, that is, to secure the amount of water relative to the amount of laundry. On the other hand, silver ions are eluted so that the silver ion concentration is 50 to 100 ppb. Silver ion water having a concentration of 50 to 100 pbb is supplied to the washing tub for a specified amount of water and used as rinse water. Most of the specified amount of silver ion water is supplied into the washing tub in order to maintain the water level in the washing tub. Therefore, most of the silver ion water does not contribute much to the adhesion of silver ions to the laundry and flows out of the washing tub together with the drainage. However, since the cost of raw materials for products has risen due to the recent rise in metal prices, there is an urgent need to reduce the amount of metal used in product development.

On the other hand, in the washing machine described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-244849 (Patent Document 2), a washing course is carried out by putting laundry in a washing tub using a small amount of 10 L of silver ion water. The purpose of the tank cleaning course is to clean the tank with silver ion water. Therefore, silver ion water rises on the inner peripheral wall surface of the washing tub by centrifugal force, and the washing tub is rotated at a rotation speed that is drained to the outside of the washing tub through a hole formed in the upper portion of the washing tub. When the washing tub is thus rotated, most of the silver ion water is discharged from the washing tub by centrifugal force without adhering to the laundry.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to reduce the amount of metal ions used compared to the case of using water containing a specified amount of metal ions, and to efficiently attach metal ions to an object to be cleaned. Is to provide.

The washing machine according to the present invention includes a container, a drive unit, a water supply unit, a metal ion supply unit, and a control unit. The container accommodates the object to be cleaned. The drive unit rotates the container. The water supply unit supplies water to the inside of the container. The metal ion supply unit adds metal ions to the water supplied into the container by the water supply unit.

The control unit controls the drive unit, the water supply unit, and the metal ion supply unit so as to sequentially perform the washing process, the rinsing process, the dehydration process, and the ion supply process. In the washing process, the object to be washed is washed with water. In the rinsing process, the object to be cleaned washed in the washing process is rinsed with a specified amount of water corresponding to the amount of the object to be cleaned. In the dehydration process, the object to be cleaned rinsed in the rinsing process is dehydrated.

The ion supply process includes a first process and a second process. In the first step, the water to be cleaned that has been dehydrated in the dehydration step is supplied with water that contains metal ions having a smaller amount of water than the prescribed amount of water. In the second stroke, the container supplied with water containing metal ions in the first stroke is rotated at a rotation speed such that the object to be cleaned is immersed in water containing metal ions when the container rotates.

The object to be cleaned that has been washed with water in the washing process is rinsed with water in the rinsing process. Since the cleaning object is washed on the object to be cleaned in the washing process, the object to be cleaned is rinsed with a specified amount of water in the rinsing process. The specified amount of water is assumed to be sufficient to rinse the object to be cleaned. By doing in this way, the detergent etc. which have adhered to the to-be-cleaned object are removed. Subsequently, the object to be cleaned is dehydrated in the dehydration process.

Next, in the first step of the ion supply step, water containing metal ions is supplied to the object to be cleaned. The water containing metal ions is supplied in an amount less than the specified amount. Therefore, as it is, the entire object to be cleaned is not sufficiently immersed in water containing metal ions.

In the second stroke of the ion supply stroke, the container is rotated. When the container is rotated, centrifugal force acts on the object to be cleaned and water containing metal ions contained in the container. Due to the centrifugal force, the water containing metal ions moves in the container and immerses the object to be cleaned. The container is rotated at a rotational speed such that the object to be cleaned is immersed in water containing metal ions when the container rotates. By rotating the container at such a rotational speed, the object to be cleaned housed in the container is immersed in water containing metal ions having a smaller amount of water than the prescribed amount of water. Metal ions adhere to the object to be cleaned soaked in water containing metal ions.

In addition, since the container is rotated at a rotation speed such that the object to be cleaned is immersed in water containing metal ions when the container rotates, for example, even if a container having a hole formed in the upper part of the container is used, Water containing metal ions is not discharged outside the container by centrifugal force.

By doing so, a washing machine capable of efficiently attaching metal ions to an object to be cleaned while suppressing the amount of metal ions used compared to the case of using water containing a specified amount of metal ions. Can be provided.

In the washing machine according to the present invention, in the first stroke, the control unit controls the drive unit, the water supply unit, and the metal ion supply unit so that water containing metal ions is supplied to the stationary container. It is preferable to do.

By doing so, the water level in the container can be detected easily and accurately, so that the supply amount of water containing metal ions can be controlled more accurately.

In the washing machine according to the present invention, in the first step, the control unit changes the amount of water containing metal ions based on the amount of the object to be cleaned, the control unit supplies the drive unit, the water supply unit, and the metal ion supply. It is preferable to control the part.

In the first step, for example, when the amount of the object to be cleaned contained in the container is large, the amount of water containing metal ions is increased, and the object to be cleaned is evenly immersed in the water containing metal ions. be able to.

In the washing machine according to the present invention, in the second step, the control unit includes the drive unit, the water supply unit, and the metal ion supply unit so as to change the rotation speed of the container based on the amount of the object to be cleaned. It is preferable to control.

When dewatering by rotating the container at high speed, the object to be cleaned may stick to the inner peripheral wall surface of the container after the dehydration process is completed. The height of the object to be cleaned from the bottom surface of the container increases as the amount of the object to be cleaned increases. Therefore, in the second stroke, for example, when the amount of the object to be cleaned is large, the number of rotations of the container is increased, and water containing metal ions is raised along the inner peripheral wall surface of the container by centrifugal force. By doing so, the object to be cleaned can be evenly immersed in water containing metal ions.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the amount of metal ions used compared to the case of using water containing a specified amount of metal ions, and to efficiently attach metal ions to the object to be cleaned. A washing machine can be provided.

It is a longitudinal section showing the whole washing machine composition concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is a longitudinal section showing a water supply mouth concerning an embodiment of the invention typically. It is a horizontal sectional view showing an ion elution unit concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is a vertical sectional view showing an ion elution unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure relevant to the control which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the drive circuit of the ion elution unit which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the whole washing process of the washing machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the whole washing process when performing an ion coat process in the washing machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the washing process of the washing machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the rinse process of the washing machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the dehydration process of the washing machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows in order the control processing which determines the time which supplies the 2nd target rotation speed and the water containing a metal ion in the ion coat process of the washing machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the ion coat process of the washing machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows another example of the ion coat process of the washing machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the washing machine 1 is a fully automatic type and includes an outer box 10. The outer box 10 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and is formed of metal or synthetic resin. The outer box 10 is opened at the top and bottom surfaces. An upper surface plate 11 made of synthetic resin is overlaid on the opening on the upper surface of the outer box 10 and fixed to the outer box 10 with screws.

In FIG. 1, the left side is the front of the washing machine 1, and the right side is the back of the washing machine 1. On the upper surface of the upper surface plate 11, a back panel 12 made of a synthetic resin is overlapped on the back side of the washing machine 1 in the same manner as the upper surface plate 11. The back panel 12 is fixed to the outer box 10 or the top plate 11 with screws. A synthetic resin base 13 is overlaid on the opening of the bottom surface of the outer box 10. The base 13 is fixed to the outer box 10 with screws. None of the screws described so far are shown.

At the four corners of the base 13,

legs

14a and 14b for supporting the outer box 10 on the floor are provided. The rear leg portion 14 b is a fixed leg integrally formed with the base 13. The front leg portion 14a is a screw leg of variable height, and the level of the washing machine 1 is adjusted by turning the leg portion 14a.

The upper surface plate 11 is formed with a laundry loading port 15 for loading laundry as a washing target into the washing tub 30 as a washing tub described later. The laundry input port 15 is covered with a lid 16 from above. The lid 16 is coupled to the upper surface plate 11 by a hinge portion 17 and is configured to rotate in a vertical plane.

Inside the outer box 10, a water tub 20 and a washing tub 30 that also serves as a dewatering tub are disposed. Both the water tub 20 and the washing tub 30 have the shape of a cylindrical cup having an upper surface opened. Each axis of the water tub 20 and the washing tub 30 extends vertically. It arrange | positions concentrically so that the water tank 20 may become an outer side and the washing tank 30 may become an inner side. The water tank 20 is suspended by a suspension member 21. Suspension members 21 are provided at a total of four locations in such a manner as to connect the lower outer surface of the water tank 20 and the inner corners of the outer box 10. The water tank 20 is supported by a suspension member 21 so that it can swing in a horizontal plane.

The washing tub 30 is formed so that the diameter of the inner wall surface increases toward the upper opening. In other words, the washing tub 30 has an inclined inner peripheral wall surface with a tapered shape that gradually spreads upward. The peripheral wall of the washing tub 30 does not have an opening for allowing liquid to pass therethrough except for the plurality of dewatering holes 31 arranged in an annular shape at the uppermost portion thereof. That is, the washing tub 30 is a so-called “no hole” type.

An annular balancer 32 is attached to the edge of the upper opening of the washing tub 30. The balancer 32 functions to suppress vibration when the laundry tub 30 is rotated at a high speed for dehydrating the laundry. On the inner bottom surface of the washing tub 30, a pulsator 33 for causing the washing water or the rinsing water to flow in the tub is disposed.

A drive unit 40 is mounted on the lower surface of the water tank 20. The drive unit 40 includes a motor 41, a clutch mechanism 42, and a brake mechanism 43 as a drive unit. A dewatering shaft 44 and a pulsator shaft 45 protrude upward from the center of the clutch mechanism 42 and the brake mechanism 43. The dewatering shaft 44 and the pulsator shaft 45 have a double shaft structure in which the dewatering shaft 44 is on the outside and the pulsator shaft 45 is on the inside. The dehydrating shaft 44 enters the water tub 20 and is connected to the washing tub 30 to support the washing tub 30. The pulsator shaft 45 further enters the washing tub 30 and is connected to the pulsator 33 to support the pulsator 33. Seal members for preventing water leakage are disposed between the dewatering shaft 44 and the water tank 20 and between the dewatering shaft 44 and the pulsator shaft 45, respectively.

In the space under the back panel 12, a water supply valve 50 that opens and closes electromagnetically is disposed. The water supply valve 50 has a connecting pipe 51 that penetrates the back panel 12 and protrudes upward. The connection pipe 51 is connected to a water supply hose (not shown) for supplying tap water such as tap water. Further, the water supply valve 50 has a water supply pipe 52. The tip of the water supply pipe 52 is connected to a container-like water supply port 53. The water supply port 53 is disposed at a position facing the inside of the washing tub 30.

As shown in FIG. 2, the container-shaped water supply port 53 has an upper surface opened, and the interior is divided into left and right parts and divided into two sections. In the water supply port 53 shown in FIG. 2, the left compartment is the detergent chamber 54, and the right compartment is the finishing agent chamber 55. The detergent chamber 54 is a preparation space for storing detergent. The finishing agent chamber 55 is a preparation space for storing a finishing agent for washing. A horizontally long water inlet 56 for pouring water into the washing tub 30 is provided on the front side of the bottom of the detergent chamber 54. The finishing agent chamber 55 is provided with a siphon unit 57.

The siphon unit 57 includes an inner tube 57a that rises vertically from the bottom surface of the finishing agent chamber 55, and a cap-shaped outer tube 57b that covers the inner tube 57a. A gap through which water passes is formed between the inner tube 57a and the outer tube 57b. The bottom of the inner pipe 57a opens toward the inside of the washing tub 30. The lower end of the outer tube 57b maintains a predetermined gap with the bottom surface of the finishing agent chamber 55, and this is the water inlet. When water is poured into the finishing agent chamber 55 to a level exceeding the upper end of the inner pipe 57a, a siphon action occurs, and the water in the finishing agent chamber 55 is sucked out of the finishing agent chamber 55 through the siphon portion 57, and the washing tub. Drop into 30.

The water supply valve 50 includes a main water supply valve 50a and a sub water supply valve 50b. The main water supply valve 50a is an example of a water supply unit. The connection pipe 51 (FIG. 1) is connected in common to both the main water supply valve 50a and the sub water supply valve 50b. The water supply pipe 52 includes a main water supply pipe 52a connected to the main water supply valve 50a and a sub water supply pipe 52b connected to the sub water supply valve 50b. In the main water supply pipe 52a, an ion elution unit 100 is disposed as a metal ion supply unit.

The main water supply pipe 52 a is connected to the detergent chamber 54, and the sub water supply pipe 52 b is connected to the finishing agent chamber 55. That is, the path through which water is supplied from the main water supply pipe 52a through the detergent chamber 54 to the washing tub 30 and the path from which water is supplied from the sub water supply pipe 52b through the finishing agent chamber 55 to the washing tub 30 are different. It is a system.

As shown in FIG. 1, a drain hose 60 for draining the water in the water tank 20 and the washing tank 30 out of the outer box 10 is attached to the bottom of the water tank 20. Water flows into the drain hose 60 from the drain pipe 61 and the drain pipe 62. The drain pipe 61 is connected to a location near the outer periphery of the bottom surface of the water tank 20. On the other hand, the drain pipe 62 is connected to a location near the center of the bottom surface of the water tank 20.

An annular partition wall 63 is fixed to the inner bottom surface of the water tank 20 so as to enclose the connection portion of the drain pipe 62 inside. An annular seal member 64 is attached to the upper part of the partition wall 63. An independent drainage space 66 is formed between the water tub 20 and the washing tub 30 by the seal member 64 coming into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the disk 65 fixed to the outer surface of the bottom of the washing tub 30. The drainage space 66 communicates with the inside of the washing tub 30 through a drainage port 67 formed at the bottom of the washing tub 30.

The drain pipe 62 is provided with a drain valve 68 that opens and closes electromagnetically. An air trap 69 is provided at a location on the upstream side of the drain valve 68 of the drain pipe 62. A pressure guiding tube 70 extends from the air trap 69. A water level switch 71 is connected to the upper end of the pressure guiding tube 70. The water level switch 71 is means for detecting the amount of water in the washing tub 30 or the water tub 20.

A control unit 80 is arranged on the front side of the outer box 10. The control unit 80 is placed under the top plate 11, receives an operation command from the user through the operation / display unit 81 provided on the top surface of the top plate 11, and receives the drive unit 40, the water supply valve 50, and the drain valve. An operation command is issued to 68. The control unit 80 issues a display command to the operation / display unit 81. The control unit 80 includes a drive circuit for the ion elution unit 100 described later.

2, the ion elution unit 100 is disposed in the middle of the main water supply pipe 52a, that is, between the main water supply valve 50a and the detergent chamber 54. Depending on the specifications of the product, it may be arranged in the middle of the sub water supply pipe 52b, that is, between the sub water supply valve 50b and the finishing agent chamber 55.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the ion elution unit 100 has a case 110 made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin, silicon, or rubber. A water inlet 111 is formed at one end of the case 110 and a water outlet 112 is formed at the other end. Inside the case 110, two plate-

like electrodes

113, 114 are arranged so as to be parallel to each other and at a predetermined interval. The

electrodes

113 and 114 are made of a metal that is a source of antibacterial metal ions, that is, silver, copper, zinc, or the like.

The

electrodes

113 and 114 are each provided with

terminals

115 and 116 at one end. It is preferable to integrate the electrode 113 and the terminal 115, and the electrode 114 and the terminal 116, respectively. When the electrode 113 and the terminal 115, and the electrode 114 and the terminal 116 cannot be integrated, respectively, the joint between the electrode and the terminal and the terminal portion in the case 110 are coated with a synthetic resin to cut off the contact with water, and the electric corrosion Keep from occurring. The

terminals

115 and 116 protrude out of the case 110 and are connected to a drive circuit in the control unit 80.

In the case 110, water flows in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the

electrodes

113 and 114. When a predetermined voltage is applied to the

electrodes

113 and 114 while water is present in the case 110, metal ions of the electrode constituent metal are eluted from the anode side of the

electrodes

113 and 114. The

electrodes

113 and 114 are, for example, silver plates having a size of about 2 cm × 5 cm and a thickness of about 1 mm, and are arranged at a distance of 5 mm. In the case of a silver electrode, a reaction of Ag → Ag ⁺ + e ⁻ occurs in the electrode on the anode side, and silver ions Ag ⁺ are eluted in water.

After supplying the metal ions to the water, it is preferable to incline the bottom of the case 110 so that the downstream side is lowered so that the water does not accumulate in the case 110.

Next, the control-related configuration of the washing machine 1 (FIG. 1) will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the washing machine 1 includes a water level switch 71, an operation / display unit 81, a control unit 80, a motor 41, a water supply valve 50, and a drain valve 68 as a control-related configuration. . The control unit 80 includes a control unit 82 and a drive circuit 120. The water level switch 71 detects the water level in the washing tub 30 and transmits a signal to the control unit 82. When the user operates the operation / display unit 81, a signal is transmitted from the operation / display unit 81 to the control unit 82. The control unit 82 transmits a signal to the operation / display unit 81 to display information such as the remaining time of the washing process. The control part 82 transmits a control signal to the motor 41, and adjusts the rotation speed of the washing tub 30 (FIG. 1). The controller 82 transmits a control signal to the main water supply valve 50 a and the sub water supply valve 50 b of the water supply valve 50 to adjust the amount of water supplied into the washing tub 30. The controller 82 sends a control signal to the drain valve 68 to open and close the drain valve 68. The controller 82 transmits a control signal to the drive circuit 120 to adjust the amount of ions eluted in the water supplied into the washing tub 30. The control unit 82 controls the water supply valve 50 and the drive circuit 120, thereby adjusting the metal ion concentration of water including metal ions supplied into the washing tub 30.

As shown in FIG. 6, a transformer 122 is connected to a commercial power supply 121 in the drive circuit 120 of the ion elution unit 100 (FIG. 3). The transformer 122 steps down the voltage of 100V to a predetermined voltage. The output voltage of the transformer 122 is rectified by the full-wave rectifier circuit 123 and then made constant by the constant voltage circuit 124. A constant current circuit 125 is connected to the constant voltage circuit 124. The constant current circuit 125 operates so as to supply a constant current to the electrode driving circuit 150 described later regardless of a change in the resistance value in the electrode driving circuit 150.

A rectifier diode 126 is connected to the commercial power supply 121 in parallel with the transformer 122. The output voltage of the rectifier diode 126 is smoothed by the capacitor 127, made constant by the constant voltage circuit 128, and supplied to the microcomputer 130. The microcomputer 130 activates and controls the triac 129 connected between one end of the primary coil of the transformer 122 and the commercial power supply 121.

The electrode drive circuit 150 is configured by connecting NPN transistors Q1 to Q4, diodes D1 and D2, and resistors R1 to R7 as shown in FIG. The transistor Q1 and the diode D1 constitute a photocoupler 151, and the transistor Q2 and the diode D2 constitute a photocoupler 152. That is, the diodes D1 and D2 are photodiodes, and the transistors Q1 and Q2 are phototransistors.

For example, when a high level voltage is applied to the line L1 from the microcomputer 130 and a low level voltage or OFF (zero voltage) is applied to the line L2, the diode D2 is turned on, and the transistor Q2 is also turned on accordingly. When the transistor Q2 is turned on, current flows through the resistors R3, R4, and R7, a bias is applied to the base of the transistor Q3, and the transistor Q3 is turned on.

On the other hand, since the diode D1 is OFF at this time, the transistor Q1 is OFF and the transistor Q4 is also OFF. In this state, a current flows from the anode-side electrode 113 toward the cathode-side electrode 114. By doing so, the ion elution unit 100 generates a cation metal ion and an anion.

When a current in the same direction is passed through the ion elution unit 100 for a long time, the electrode 113 on the anode side in FIG. 6 is depleted, and impurities such as calcium in water scale on the electrode 114 on the cathode side. Stick as. Further, chlorides and sulfides of component metals of the electrode are generated on the electrode surface. Chloride and sulfide generated on the electrode surface cause performance degradation of the ion elution unit 100. Therefore, the drive circuit 120 is configured so that the electrode drive circuit 150 can be operated by reversing the polarity of the electrodes.

In reversing the polarity of the electrodes, the microcomputer 130 switches the control so that the voltages of the lines L1 and L2 are reversed and current flows through the

electrodes

113 and 114 in the reverse direction. When the voltages of the lines L1 and L2 are reversed, the transistors Q1 and Q4 are turned on and the transistors Q2 and Q3 are turned off. The microcomputer 130 has a counter function, and performs the above switching every time the counter reaches a predetermined count number.

When a change in the resistance in the electrode driving circuit 150, in particular, a change in the resistance of the

electrodes

113 and 114 causes a decrease in the value of the current flowing between the electrodes, the constant current circuit 125 increases its output voltage, To prevent the decrease. However, when the accumulated use time becomes longer, the ion elution unit 100 reaches the end of its life. When the ion elution unit 100 reaches the end of its life, the polarity of the electrode is reversed, or the time for a specific electrode is made longer than normal to switch to the electrode cleaning mode that forcibly removes impurities adhering to the electrode. Even if the output voltage of the constant current circuit 125 is increased, the current cannot be prevented from decreasing.

Therefore, the current flowing between the

electrodes

113 and 114 of the ion elution unit 100 is monitored by the voltage generated in the resistor R7, and when the current reaches a predetermined minimum current value, the current detection circuit 160 uses the minimum current value as a current detection means. Detect. Information that the current detection circuit 160 has detected the minimum current value is transmitted from the photodiode D3 constituting the photocoupler 163 to the microcomputer 130 via the phototransistor Q5. The microcomputer 130 drives the warning notification unit 131 as a notification unit via the line L3, and performs a predetermined warning notification. The warning notification unit 131 is disposed in the operation / display unit 81 or the control unit 80.

Further, for an accident such as a short circuit in the electrode drive circuit 150, a current detection circuit 161 is prepared as a current detection means for detecting that the current has exceeded a predetermined maximum current value. Based on the output of the current detection circuit 161, the microcomputer 130 drives the warning notification means 131. Further, when the output voltage of the constant current circuit 125 becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined minimum value, the voltage detection circuit 162 detects the output voltage. Similarly, the microcomputer 130 drives the warning notification means 131.

As an index that the antibacterial and deodorizing effect is recognized by silver ions, the bacteriostatic activity value (log increase / decrease value difference in the number of bacteria from the standard cloth) is 2.0 or more. In this embodiment, drive control of the main water supply valve 50a and the ion elution unit 100 is performed so that the silver ion concentration necessary for this is about 90 ppb.

Next, the operation of the washing machine 1 (FIG. 1) will be described.

The user opens the lid 16 of the washing machine 1 and puts the laundry into the washing tub 30 from the laundry insertion port 15. The user puts the detergent into the detergent chamber 54 of the water supply port 53. If necessary, a finishing agent is put into the finishing agent chamber 55 of the water supply port 53. The finish may be added during the washing process.

After preparing the detergent, the user closes the lid 16 and operates the operation buttons of the operation / display unit 81 to select the washing conditions. Finally, press the start button.

First, the overall flow of the washing process will be described. In the flowchart of FIG. 7, the main body for determining each process is the control unit 82.

As shown in FIG. 7, in step S201, the control unit 82 confirms whether or not a reserved operation for starting washing at the set time has been selected. If the reserved operation is selected, the process proceeds to step S207. If the reserved operation is not selected, the process proceeds to step S202.

In step S207, the control unit 82 determines whether or not the operation start time has come. If it is the operation start time, the process proceeds to step S202. If it is not the operation start time, the process returns to step S207.

In step S202, the control unit 82 confirms whether or not the washing process is selected. If it is not selected to perform the washing process, the process immediately proceeds to step S203. If the washing process is selected, the process proceeds to step S300, and after the washing process is completed, the process proceeds to step S203. The details of the washing process in step S300 will be described later using the flowchart shown in FIG.

In step S203, the control unit 82 confirms whether or not to perform the rinsing process is selected. If the rinsing process is not selected, the process immediately proceeds to step S204. If performing the rinsing process is selected, the process proceeds to step S400, and after the rinsing process is completed, the process proceeds to step S204. The contents of the rinsing process in step S400 will be described later using the flowchart shown in FIG.

In step S204, the control unit 82 confirms whether or not the dehydration process is selected. If the dehydration process is not selected, the process immediately proceeds to step S205. If the dehydration process is selected, the process proceeds to step S500, and after the dehydration process is completed, the process proceeds to step S205. The contents of the dehydration process in step S500 will be described later using the flowchart shown in FIG.

In step S205, the control unit 82 confirms whether or not the ion coating process is selected. If it is not selected to perform the ion coating process, the process immediately proceeds to step S206. If it is selected to perform the ion coating process, the process proceeds to step S600, and after performing the ion coating process and the final dehydration process in step S700, the process proceeds to step S206. The contents of the ion coating process in step S600 will be described later using the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

In step S206, the termination process of the control unit 80, in particular, the arithmetic unit (microcomputer) constituting the control unit 82 included therein is automatically advanced according to the procedure. In addition, the end sound is notified that the washing process is completed. After all is finished, the washing machine 1 returns to a standby state in preparation for the next washing process.

As shown in FIG. 8, as an example of a washing process when performing an ion coating process, a washing process, a rinsing process, a dehydration process, an ion coating process, a final dehydration process, and an end process are performed in this order. The washing process and the rinsing process may be performed a plurality of times. The final dehydration process performed in step S700 is performed in the same manner as the dehydration process described later with reference to FIG.

Subsequently, each process of the washing process, the rinsing process, the dehydration process, and the ion coating process will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 14.

As shown in FIG. 9, in the washing process, the water level is detected in step S301. The water level detection is performed by taking the water level data in the washing tub 30 detected by the water level switch 71 into the control unit 82.

In step S302, the control unit 82 confirms whether or not to perform capacitive sensing. If it is not selected to perform capacitive sensing, the process immediately proceeds to step S303. If capacitive sensing is selected, the process proceeds to step S308, and capacitive sensing is performed. In this embodiment, it is assumed that capacitive sensing is performed when the ion coating process is performed.

In step S308, the amount of laundry is measured by the rotational load of the pulsator 33. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S303.

In step 303, water is supplied to the washing tub 30. The main water supply valve 50 a is opened, and water is poured into the washing tub 30 through the main water supply pipe 52 a and the water supply port 53. The detergent put in the detergent chamber 54 of the water supply port 53 is mixed with water and put into the washing tub 30. The drain valve 68 is closed. When the water level switch 71 detects the set water level, the main water supply valve 50a is closed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S304.

In step S304, a running-in operation is performed. The pulsator 33 rotates in reverse, stirs the laundry and water, and adjusts the laundry to water. By doing so, the laundry is sufficiently absorbed with water. In addition, the air trapped in various parts of the laundry is released. As a result of the running-in operation, when the water level detected by the water level switch 71 has decreased from the beginning, the process proceeds to step S305 to supply makeup water. In step S305, the main water supply valve 50a is opened, water is supplied into the washing tub 30, and the set water level is recovered.

In step S304, if the user has selected a washing course for performing “clothing sensing”, clothing sensing is carried out together with the running-in operation. In the cloth quality sensing, after performing the running-in operation, the water level change from the set water level is detected, and if the water level is lower than the specified value, the control unit 82 determines that the cloth quality is high in water absorption. .

After supplying water in step S305 and obtaining a stable set water level, the process proceeds to step S306. In step S306, the motor 41 rotates the pulsator 33 in a predetermined pattern according to the setting of the user. In this way, a main water flow for washing is formed in the washing tub 30. Laundry of laundry is performed by this main water flow. Since the dehydrating shaft 44 is braked by the brake mechanism 43, the washing tub 30 does not rotate even if the washing water and the laundry move.

After the laundry is washed by the main water flow for a predetermined period, the process proceeds to step S307. In step S307, the pulsator 33 reverses in small steps to loosen the laundry so that the laundry is distributed in a well-balanced manner in the washing tub 30. This is to prepare for the spin-drying of the washing tub 30.

Subsequently, the rinsing process will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 10, in the rinsing process, the dehydration process in step S500 is first performed. The dehydration process will be described later with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

After the dehydration process is completed, the process proceeds to step S401. In step S401, water is supplied to the washing tub 30. The main water supply valve 50a is opened, and water is supplied up to a specified amount of water. In this embodiment, the specified water amount is 45 L when the weight of the laundry obtained by capacity sensing is 6 kg or more, 37 L when it is 3 kg or more and less than 6 kg, 23 L when it is 1 kg or more and less than 3 kg, and 20 L when it is less than 1 kg. Suppose that

Next, the process proceeds to step S402. In step S402, the running-in operation is performed. In the running-in operation in step S402, the laundry attached to the washing tub 30 in the dehydration process in step S500 is peeled off, and is made to fit in water so that the laundry sufficiently absorbs water.

After step S402, the process proceeds to step S403. When the water level detected by the water level switch 71 has fallen from the beginning as a result of the running-in operation, the process proceeds to step S403 to supply makeup water. In step S403, the main water supply valve 50a is opened, water is supplied into the washing tub 30, and the set water level is recovered.

After supplying water in step S403 and obtaining a stable set water level, the process proceeds to step S404. In step S404, the motor 41 rotates the pulsator 33 in a predetermined pattern according to the setting of the user. In this way, a main water flow for washing is formed in the washing tub 30. Laundry of laundry is performed by this main water flow. Since the dehydrating shaft 44 is braked by the brake mechanism 43, the washing tub 30 does not rotate even if the washing water and the laundry move.

After the laundry is washed by the main water flow for a predetermined period, the process proceeds to step S405. In step S405, the pulsator 33 reverses in small increments to loosen the laundry so that the laundry is distributed in a well-balanced manner in the washing tub 30. This is to prepare for the spin-drying of the washing tub 30.

In the above description, it is assumed that “rinse rinsing” is performed in which the rinse water is stored in the washing tub 30, but “water rinsing” in which new water is constantly replenished, or the washing tub 30 is slowed down. You may perform "shower rinse" which pours water into the laundry from the water supply port 53, rotating.

Subsequently, the content of the dehydration process will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG. First, in step S501, the drain valve 68 is opened. Washing water in the washing tub 30 is drained through the drain space 66. The drain valve 68 remains open during the dehydration process.

When most of the washing water is removed from the laundry, the clutch mechanism 42 and the brake mechanism 43 are switched. The switching timing of the clutch mechanism 42 and the brake mechanism 43 may be before the start of drainage or at the same time as drainage.

Next, in step S502, low speed dehydration is performed. The low speed dewatering is performed by the motor 41 rotating the dewatering shaft 44. As the motor 41 rotates the dewatering shaft 44, the washing tub 30 is dewatered. The pulsator 33 is also rotated together with the washing tub 30.

In step S503, high-speed dehydration is performed. High speed dewatering is performed by increasing the rotation speed of the dewatering shaft 44 by the motor 41. When the washing tub 30 is rotated at a high speed, the laundry is pressed against the inner peripheral wall of the washing tub 30 by centrifugal force. The washing water contained in the laundry is also collected on the inner surface of the peripheral wall of the washing tub 30 by centrifugal force. Since the washing tub 30 spreads upward in a tapered shape, the washing water that receives the centrifugal force rises along the inner surface of the washing tub 30. The washing water is discharged from the dewatering hole 31 when it reaches the upper end of the washing tub 30. The washing water leaving the dewatering hole 31 is struck on the inner surface of the water tank 20 and flows down to the bottom of the water tank 20 along the inner surface of the water tank 20. Then, it is discharged out of the outer box 10 through the drain pipe 61 and the drain hose 60 subsequent thereto.

In step S504, the controller 82 cuts off the power to the motor 41 and performs a stop process.

Next, the contents of the ion coating process will be described using the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

When performing the ion coating process, first, based on the result of the capacitive sensing performed in step S308 of the washing process of FIG. 9, the second target rotation speed (Rh) and water containing metal ions (metal ions) A predetermined time (L) for supplying water into the washing tub 30 is determined.

As shown in FIG. 12, in step S601, the control unit 82 determines whether the weight of the laundry stored in the washing tub 30 is 6 kg or more. If the weight of the laundry accommodated in the washing tub 30 is 6 kg or more, the process proceeds to step S602. If the weight of the laundry accommodated in the washing tub 30 is less than 6 kg, the process proceeds to step S603.

In step S602, the second target rotational speed of the washing machine 30 in the ion coating process is set to 300 rpm. Further, data rh4 corresponding to the rotation speed of 300 rpm is substituted for the variable Rh that determines the second target rotation speed. At the same time, the data 14 corresponding to 1 minute 50 seconds is substituted into the variable L for determining the drive time of the main water supply valve 50a and the drive circuit 120. By doing so, 27 L of water containing metal ions is supplied into the washing tub 30.

In step S603, the controller 82 determines whether the weight of the laundry stored in the washing tub 30 is 3 kg or more. If the weight of the laundry accommodated in the washing tub 30 is 3 kg or more, the process proceeds to step S604. If the weight of the laundry accommodated in the washing tub 30 is less than 3 kg, the process proceeds to step S605.

In step S604, the second target rotational speed of the washing tub 30 in the ion coating process is set to 250 rpm. Further, data rh3 corresponding to the rotational speed of 250 rpm is substituted for the variable Rh for determining the second target rotational speed. At the same time, the data 13 corresponding to 1 minute 30 seconds is substituted into the variable L that determines the drive time of the main water supply valve 50a and the drive circuit 120. By doing so, 22 L of water containing metal ions is supplied into the washing tub 30.

In step S605, the control unit 82 determines whether the weight of the laundry stored in the washing tub 30 is 1 kg or more. If the weight of the laundry accommodated in the washing tub 30 is 1 kg or more, the process proceeds to step S606. If the weight of the laundry accommodated in the washing tub 30 is less than 1 kg, the process proceeds to step S607.

In step S606, the second target rotational speed of the washing tub 30 in the ion coating process is set to 200 rpm. Further, data rh2 corresponding to the rotation speed of 200 rpm is substituted for the variable Rh that determines the second target rotation speed. At the same time, the data 12 corresponding to 1 minute 00 seconds is substituted into the variable L that determines the drive time of the main water supply valve 50a and the drive circuit 120. By doing so, 14 L of water containing metal ions is supplied into the washing tub 30.

In step S607, the second target rotational speed of the washing tub 30 in the ion coating process is set to 200 rpm. Further, data rh1 corresponding to the rotation speed of 200 rpm is substituted for the variable Rh that determines the second target rotation speed. At the same time, data l1 corresponding to 50 seconds is substituted into a variable L that determines the drive time of the main water supply valve 50a and the drive circuit 120. By doing so, 12 L of water containing metal ions is supplied into the washing tub 30.

In addition, about the supply amount of the water containing the above-mentioned metal ion, it is the value calculated on the basis of about 14 L / min which is the amount of water supply in a general household.

Table 1 shows that the amount of clothing accommodated in the washing tub 30 is 6 kg or more, 3 kg or more, less than 6 kg, 1 kg or more, less than 3 kg, or less than 1 kg, the specified water amount, and the first and second rotational speeds. 5 is a table showing the time for supplying water containing metal ions to the washing tub 30 and the amount of water containing metal ions supplied to the washing tub 30.

As shown in Table 1, the water containing metal ions supplied to the washing tub 30 in the ion coating process is less than the specified amount of water, and is about 60% of the specified amount of water.

Next, control processing in the ion coating process will be described.

As shown in FIG. 13, in the ion coating process, in step S611, the first target rotational speed (RI) of the washing tub 30 is set, and the controller 82 drives the motor 41. As the first target rotational speed (RI), 200 rpm is set in this embodiment. The first target rotational speed (RI) is generated when water supplied into the washing tub 30 hits the rotating washing tub 30 when supplying water containing metal ions while the washing tub 30 is rotating. The rotation speed is set so that the water splash sound does not become annoying.

In step S612, the control unit 82 determines whether the rotation speed of the washing tub 30 has reached 200 rpm, which is the first target rotation speed (RI). If the rotation speed of the washing tub 30 is not less than the first target rotation speed (RI), that is, not less than 200 rpm, the process proceeds to step S613. If the rotation speed of the washing tub 30 is not equal to or higher than the first target rotation speed (RI), the process returns to step S612.

In step S613, the control unit 82 transmits a control signal to the main water supply valve 50a and the drive circuit 120 in the water supply valve 50, the main water supply valve 50a is opened, and the ion elution unit 100 is driven by the drive circuit 120. The washing tub 30 is supplied with water containing metal ions.

In step S614, the control unit 82. It is determined whether or not a predetermined time (L) has elapsed since the main water supply valve 50a was opened and the ion elution unit 100 was driven. If the predetermined time (L) has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S615. If the predetermined time (L) has not elapsed, the process returns to step S614. The predetermined time (L) is a time determined according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In step S614, the control unit 82 checks whether the time (L) has elapsed. If the time (L) has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S615. If the time (L) has not elapsed, the process returns to step S614.

In step S615, the control unit 82 transmits a control signal to the main water supply valve 50a and the drive circuit 120, closes the main water supply valve 50a, and stops the operation of the ion elution unit 100 by the drive circuit 120. The main water supply valve 50a is closed and the driving of the ion elution unit 100 is stopped, whereby the supply of water containing metal ions into the washing tub 30 is stopped.

The process from step S613 to step S615 is an example of a first process.

In step S616, data (rh4 to rh1) determined according to the amount of clothes in the capacity sensing is set as the second target rotation number data (variable Rh) in the rotation control of the washing tub 30. Thereby, the rotation of the washing tub 30 is controlled toward the second target rotation speed. The second target rotation speed (Rh) is a rotation speed determined according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In step S617, the controller 82 determines whether or not the rotation speed of the washing tub 30 has reached the second target rotation speed (Rh). If the rotation speed of the washing tub 30 is equal to or higher than the second target rotation speed (Rh), the process proceeds to step S618. If the rotation speed of the washing tub 30 is not equal to or greater than the second target rotation speed (Rh), the process returns to step S617. When the rotation speed of the washing tub 30 reaches the second target rotation speed, the laundry tub 30 is rotated in a state where the laundry is immersed in water containing metal ions.

In step S618, the controller 82 determines whether or not a predetermined immersion time has elapsed after the rotation speed of the washing tub 30 has reached the second target rotation speed. In order to sufficiently adhere the metal ions to the laundry, the immersion time is desirably 5 minutes or more. If the predetermined immersion time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S618. If the predetermined immersion time has elapsed, the ion coating process is terminated.

The process from step S616 to step S618 is an example of a second process.

Then, the process proceeds to the final dehydration process shown in FIG.

As described above, in the ion coating process, the laundry is immersed in metal ion water (water containing metal ions) at a water amount of about 60% with respect to the specified water amount used in the rinse process of the laundry. Can be attached to the laundry.

For example, silver ions are metal ions that can obtain an antibacterial and deodorizing effect. In the ion coating process, by making the amount of water for attaching metal ions to the laundry 60% of the specified amount of water, the elution amount of silver ions necessary to secure the ion concentration is about 60% of the conventional amount. Become. By doing this. The size of the plate-

like electrodes

113 and 114 mounted in the ion elution unit 100 can be reduced to about 60%.

In this embodiment, the washing machine has been described using a so-called vertical washing machine having a “no hole” tub, but the washing machine may be another washing machine such as a horizontal washing machine. Good.

As described above, the washing machine 1 includes the washing tub 30, the motor 41, the main water supply valve 50a, the ion elution unit 100, and the control unit 82. The washing tub 30 stores the laundry. The motor 41 rotates the washing tub 30. The main water supply valve 50 a supplies water to the inside of the washing tub 30. The ion elution unit 100 adds metal ions to the water supplied into the washing tub 30 by the main water supply valve 50a.

The control unit 82 controls the motor 41, the main water supply valve 50a, and the ion elution unit 100 so as to sequentially perform a washing process, a rinsing process, a dehydration process, and an ion coating process. In the washing process, the laundry is washed with water. In the rinsing process, the laundry washed in the washing process is rinsed with a specified amount of water corresponding to the amount of laundry. In the dehydration process, the laundry rinsed in the rinse process is dehydrated.

The ion coating process includes a first process and a second process. In the first step, water containing metal ions having a smaller amount of water than the specified amount is supplied to the laundry dehydrated in the dehydration step. In the second stroke, the laundry tub 30 supplied with water containing metal ions in the first stroke is rotated at a rotational speed such that the laundry is immersed in the water containing metal ions when the laundry tub 30 rotates. Let

The laundry washed with water in the washing process is rinsed with water in the rinsing process. Since the detergent or the like is attached to the laundry washed in the washing process, the laundry is rinsed with a specified amount of water in the rinsing process. The specified amount of water is assumed to be sufficient to rinse the laundry. By doing in this way, the detergent etc. which have adhered to the laundry are removed. Subsequently, the laundry is dehydrated in the dehydration process.

Next, in the first process of the ion coating process, the laundry is supplied with water containing metal ions. The water containing metal ions is supplied in an amount less than the specified amount. Therefore, as it is, the entire laundry is not sufficiently immersed in water containing metal ions.

In the second process of the ion coating process, the washing tub 30 is rotated. When the washing tub 30 is rotated, centrifugal force acts on the laundry contained in the washing tub 30 and the water containing metal ions. The water containing metal ions moves in the washing tub 30 by the centrifugal force, soaking the laundry. The washing tub 30 is rotated at a rotation speed such that the laundry is immersed in water containing metal ions when the washing tub 30 rotates. When the washing tub 30 is rotated at such a rotational speed, the laundry accommodated in the washing tub 30 is immersed in water containing metal ions having a smaller amount of water than the prescribed amount of water. Metal ions adhere to the laundry soaked in water containing metal ions.

Further, since the laundry tub 30 is rotated at a rotational speed such that the laundry is immersed in water containing metal ions when the laundry tub 30 is rotated, for example, a laundry tub having a hole formed in the upper portion of the laundry tub 30. Even if 30 is used, water containing metal ions is not discharged to the outside of the washing tub 30 by centrifugal force.

By doing in this way, the washing machine 1 which suppresses the usage-amount of a metal ion compared with the case where the water containing a normal amount of metal ion is used, and can make a metal ion adhere to a laundry efficiently. Can be provided.

Further, in the washing machine 1, in the first stroke, the controller 82 causes the motor 41, the main water supply valve 50a, and the ion elution unit 100 to change the amount of water containing metal ions based on the amount of laundry. And control.

In the first step, for example, when the amount of laundry stored in the washing tub 30 is large, the amount of water containing metal ions is increased so that the laundry is evenly immersed in water containing metal ions. it can.

In addition, in the second process, the controller 82 controls the motor 41, the main water supply valve 50a, the ion elution unit 100, and the like so as to change the rotation speed of the washing tub 30 based on the amount of laundry. To control.

When dewatering by rotating the washing tub 30 at high speed, the laundry may stick to the inner peripheral wall surface of the washing tub 30 after the dehydration process is completed. The height of the laundry from the bottom surface of the washing tub 30 increases as the amount of laundry increases. Therefore, in the second stroke, for example, when the amount of laundry is large, the number of rotations of the washing tub 30 is increased, and water containing metal ions is raised along the inner peripheral wall surface of the washing tub 30 by centrifugal force. . By doing in this way, a laundry can be immersed uniformly in the water containing a metal ion.

Further, in the ion coating process, water containing metal ions may be supplied to the washing tub 30 before the washing tub 30 is rotated at the first target rotation speed.

As shown in FIG. 14, as another example of the ion coating process, in step S621, the control unit 82 transmits a control signal to the main water supply valve 50a and the drive circuit 120 in the water supply valve 50, and the main water supply valve 50a. Is opened, and the ion elution unit 100 is driven by the drive circuit 120. The washing tub 30 is supplied with water containing metal ions. At this time, the washing tub 30 is not yet rotated and is stationary.

In step S622, the controller 82 determines whether or not a predetermined time (L) has elapsed since the main water supply valve 50a was opened and the ion elution unit 100 was driven. If the predetermined time (L) has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S623. If the predetermined time (L) has not elapsed, the process returns to step S622. The predetermined time (L) is a time determined according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In step S623, the control unit 82 transmits a control signal to the main water supply valve 50a and the drive circuit 120, closes the main water supply valve 50a, and stops the operation of the ion elution unit 100 by the drive circuit 120. The main water supply valve 50a is closed and the driving of the ion elution unit 100 is stopped, whereby the supply of water containing metal ions into the washing tub 30 is stopped.

The process from step S621 to step S623 is an example of the first process.

Next, in step S624, the first target rotational speed (RI) of the washing tub 30 is set, and the controller 82 drives the motor 41. As the first target rotational speed (RI), 200 rpm is set in this embodiment.

In step S625, the control unit 82 determines whether or not the rotation speed of the washing tub 30 has reached the first target rotation speed (RI) of 200 rpm. If the rotation speed of the washing tub 30 is not less than the first target rotation speed (RI), that is, not less than 200 rpm, the process proceeds to step S626. If the rotation speed of the washing tub 30 is not equal to or higher than the first target rotation speed (RI), the process returns to step S625.

In step S626, data (rh4 to rh1) determined according to the amount of clothes in the capacity sensing is set as the second target rotation speed data (variable Rh) in the rotation control of the washing tub 30. Thereby, the rotation of the washing tub 30 is controlled toward the second target rotation speed. The second target rotation speed (Rh) is a rotation speed determined according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In step S627, the controller 82 determines whether or not the rotational speed of the washing tub 30 has reached the second target rotational speed (Rh). If the rotation speed of the washing tub 30 is equal to or higher than the second target rotation speed (Rh), the process proceeds to step S628. If the rotation speed of the washing tub 30 is not equal to or greater than the second target rotation speed (Rh), the process returns to step S627. When the rotation speed of the washing tub 30 reaches the second target rotation speed, the laundry tub 30 is rotated in a state where the laundry is immersed in water containing metal ions.

In step S628, the controller 82 determines whether or not a predetermined immersion time has elapsed after the rotation speed of the washing tub 30 has reached the second target rotation speed. In order to sufficiently adhere the metal ions to the laundry, the immersion time is desirably 5 minutes or more. If the predetermined immersion time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S628. If the predetermined immersion time has elapsed, the ion coating process is terminated.

The process from step S624 to step S628 is an example of a second process.

Then, the process proceeds to the final dehydration process shown in FIG.

As described above, in the washing machine 1, the controller 82 drives the motor 41 and the main water supply valve 50a so that water containing metal ions is supplied to the stationary washing tub 30 in the first stroke. The circuit 120 may be controlled.

By doing in this way, the water level in the washing tub 30 can be detected easily and accurately, so that the supply amount of water containing metal ions can be controlled more accurately.

It should be considered that the embodiments disclosed above are illustrative and non-restrictive in every respect. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above embodiment but by the scope of claims, and includes all modifications and variations within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims.

1: washing machine, 30: washing tub, 41: motor, 50a: main water supply valve, 82: control unit, 100: ion elution unit.

Claims

A container (30) for containing an object to be cleaned;
A drive unit (41) for rotating the container (30);
A water supply unit (50a) for supplying water into the container (30);
A metal ion supply unit (100) for adding metal ions to water supplied into the container (30) by the water supply unit (50a);
A control unit (82) for controlling the drive unit (41), the water supply unit (50a), and the metal ion supply unit (100);
The control unit (82)
A washing step (S300) of washing the object to be washed with water;
A rinsing step (S400) in which the object to be cleaned washed in the washing step (S300) is rinsed with a specified amount of water corresponding to the amount of the object to be cleaned;
A dehydrating step (S500) for dehydrating the object to be cleaned rinsed in the rinsing step (S400);
An ion supply process (S600) including the first process and the second process is performed in order,
In the first step, the water to be cleaned dehydrated in the dehydration step (S500) is supplied with water containing metal ions having a water amount smaller than the specified water amount,
In the second step, the container (30) to which the water containing metal ions is supplied in the first step, the water to be cleaned containing the metal ions when the container (30) rotates. A washing machine (1) that controls the drive unit (41), the water supply unit (50a), and the metal ion supply unit (100) so as to rotate at a rotation speed enough to immerse in the water.
In the first stroke, the control unit (82) and the water supply unit (50a) are configured so that water containing metal ions is supplied to the stationary vessel (30). And the metal ion supply unit (100),
The washing machine according to claim 1.
In the first step, the control unit (82) changes the amount of water containing metal ions based on the amount of the object to be cleaned, so that the control unit (82) and the water supply unit (50a). And the metal ion supply unit (100),
The washing machine according to claim 1.
In the second stroke, the control unit (82) changes the driving unit (41) and the water supply unit (50a) so as to change the rotation speed of the container (30) based on the amount of the object to be cleaned. ) And the metal ion supply unit (100),
The washing machine (1) according to claim 1.