WO2015184785A1

WO2015184785A1 - Washing machine

Info

Publication number: WO2015184785A1
Application number: PCT/CN2014/095756
Authority: WO
Inventors: 小松肇; 大西胜司
Original assignee: 海尔亚洲国际株式会社; 青岛海尔洗衣机有限公司
Priority date: 2014-06-03
Filing date: 2014-12-31
Publication date: 2015-12-10
Also published as: JP6415858B2; JP2015228917A

Abstract

Provided is a washing machine capable of circulating supply water to an outer groove and forcibly discharging water from the outer groove via a pump. The rolling tub-type washing machine (1) comprises: a rolling tub (22) rotating in the outer groove (20); a circulating and discharging pump (51) arranged below the outer groove (20); a first pipeline (52) connected to the bottom of the outer groove (20) and a suction inlet (51a) of the circulating and discharging pump (51); a second pipeline (54) connected to a discharge outlet (51b) of the circulating and discharging pump (51); a third pipeline (57) branching from the second pipeline (54) and extending upward; an outflow opening port (20c) enabling the water flowing through the third pipeline (57) to flow out into the outer groove (20); a discharge valve (56) arranged on the second pipeline (54) at a downstream side lower than the third pipeline (57); and a control part. The control part executes the first control processing by closing the discharge valve (56) enabling the circulating and discharging pump (51) to work, and executes the second control processing by opening the discharge valve (56) enabling the circulating and discharging pump (51) to work.

Description

washing machine

Technical field

The present invention relates to a drum type washing machine that performs washing in a horizontal axis type drum, and a washing machine such as a fully automatic washing machine that washes in a vertical axis type washing and dewatering tank.

Background technique

Conventionally, a drum type washing machine has been known which forms a circulation route between the bottom of the outer tank and the discharge port provided in the outer tank and arranges a circulation pump in the circulation route to supply the water stored in the outer tank to the circulation pump. In the discharge port, the supplied water is poured from the discharge port to the laundry in the drum (refer to Patent Document 1).

On the other hand, a drum type washing machine is known in which a drain pump is disposed in a drain path from an outer tank, and water in the outer tank is forcibly discharged to the outside of the machine by a drain pump (see Patent Document 2).

Prior art literature

Patent literature

Patent Document 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2010-036016

Patent Document 2: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2010-268939

Summary of the invention

Conventionally, it is difficult to arrange the circulation pump and the drain pump in parallel due to restrictions on manufacturing costs, restrictions on installation space, and the like, and it is difficult to realize a washing machine that supplies both the water in the outer tank and the forced drain in the outer tank.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a washing machine capable of supplying water to an outer tank and forcibly draining water from an outer tank by a single pump.

A washing machine according to a main aspect of the present invention includes: an outer tub; a washing tub that is rotatably disposed in the outer tub; a pump that is disposed at a position lower than the outer tub; a first flow path, and the The bottom of the outer tank is connected to the suction port of the pump, and the water discharged from the outer tank and sucked by the pump; the second flow path is connected to the discharge port of the pump, and the flow is discharged from the pump. a third flow path branching from the second flow path and extending upward; the flow outlet portion being disposed in the outer groove and connected to the third flow path to flow through the third flow path The water flows out into the outer tank; the drain valve is disposed on the second flow path on the downstream side of the branch point to the third flow path for closing or opening the second a flow path; and a control unit that controls the pump and the drain valve. Here, the control portion performs a first control process of closing the drain valve and operating the pump, and a second control process of opening the drain valve and operating the pump.

According to the above configuration, when the pump is operated in a state where the drain valve is closed, water in the outer tank is sucked into the pump through the first flow path, and water discharged from the pump passes through the second flow path and the third flow path from the flow. The outlet part flows out into the outer tank. That is, water is supplied to the inner tank by circulation through a pump.

On the other hand, when the pump is operated with the drain valve open, the water in the outer tank is sucked into the pump through the first flow path, and the water discharged from the pump is discharged to the outside of the machine through the second flow path and the drain valve. That is, the water in the outer tank is forcibly discharged to the outside of the machine by the pump. At this time, by discharging the water in the second flow path to the outside of the machine, since the water supply pressure generated in the third flow path becomes low, the water is not drawn to the outflow port portion.

Thus, with the above configuration, it is possible to supply water to the inner tank and to forcibly drain the water from the outer tank by one pump.

In the washing machine of the present aspect, the diameter of the second flow path can be larger than the diameter of the third flow path.

According to the above configuration, the water supply pressure in the third flow path can be increased during the water circulation, so that the water smoothly circulates between the outer tank, the first flow path, the second flow path, and the third flow path, and when draining It can increase the drainage flow from the second flow path, thereby improving drainage performance.

In the washing machine of the present aspect, the control unit may be configured to open the drain valve before the pump is operated in the second control process, and to elapse a predetermined time from the opening of the drain valve Thereafter, the pump is operated.

According to the above configuration, since the pump operates after the water remaining in the third flow path is discharged by opening the drain valve, the water does not easily leak from the third flow path when a low water supply pressure is generated in the third flow path. Into the outer tank.

In the washing machine of the present aspect, the washing machine may further include: an ozone generating device that generates ozone; and a gas-liquid mixer that is disposed on the third flow path to acquire and mix ozone generated by the ozone generating device To the water flowing in the third flow path. In this case, the control unit causes the ozone generating device to operate together with the pump in the first control process.

According to the above configuration, by mixing ozone into the water flowing in the third flow path, water containing ozone, that is, ozone water can be produced. Thereby, it is possible to supply the ozone water to the outer tank by a pump and to forcibly discharge the water from the outer tank to the outside of the machine. Therefore, it can be sterilized by ozone water during washing and rinsing, and the cleaning performance can be improved, and drainage can be smoothly performed during drainage to improve drainage performance.

In the washing machine of the present aspect, the outflow port portion can be configured such that an outlet of water faces the washing tub, Water is sprayed from the outlet toward the washing tub.

With the above configuration, it is possible to use a pump to circulate water into the outer tank and to pour water from the outlet portion to the laundry, and to forcibly discharge the water from the outer tank. Therefore, at the time of washing and rinsing, the laundry can sufficiently contain water, improve the washing performance, and can smoothly drain water during drainage to improve drainage performance.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a washing machine which can supply water to and circulate from an outer tank by a pump.

The effects or significance of the present invention will be more apparent from the description of the embodiments shown below. However, the following embodiments are merely illustrative of the embodiments of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited by the following embodiments.

DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a drum type washing machine of a first embodiment.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion in the vicinity of a T-shaped duct of the first embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a drum type washing machine of the first embodiment.

4 is a flow chart showing a cleaning process in the first embodiment and a control process in the rinsing process.

Fig. 5 is a view showing a state in which water circulates between an outer tank and a circulating drainage unit in the sterilization rinsing of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a state in which water in the third duct is discharged to the outside of the machine by the preliminary drain, and a view showing a state in which the water in the outer tank is discharged to the outside of the machine by the main drain.

Fig. 7 is a side cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a drum type washing machine of a second embodiment.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of a portion in the vicinity of a T-shaped duct of the second embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a flow chart showing a cleaning process in the second embodiment and a control process in the rinsing process.

Fig. 10 is a view showing a state in which water is circulated between the outer tank and the circulating drainage unit in the washing or rinsing of the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a view showing a state in which water in the third duct is discharged to the outside of the machine by the preliminary drain, and a view showing a state in which the water in the outer tank is discharged to the outside of the machine by the main drain.

detailed description

Hereinafter, a drum type washing machine which is one embodiment of the washing machine of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, the drum type washing machine 1 of the first embodiment will be described.

FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing the structure of a drum type washing machine 1.

The drum type washing machine 1 is provided with a casing 10 that constitutes an appearance. The front surface 10a of the casing 10 is inclined upward from the center portion, and an entrance 11 for laundry is formed on the inclined surface. The inlet port 11 is covered by the door body 12 that is opened and closed freely.

In the casing 10, the outer groove 20 is elastically supported by a plurality of dampers 21. The drum 22 is rotatably disposed in the outer tub 20. The drum 22 corresponds to the washing tub of the present invention. The outer tub 20 and the drum 22 are inclined so as to be lower in the horizontal direction and the rear surface side. Thereby, the drum 22 rotates centering on the inclination axis inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. The inclination angle of the outer tub 20 and the drum 22 may be about 10 to 20 degrees. The opening 20a of the front surface of the outer tub 20 and the opening 22a of the front surface of the drum 22 face the input port 11, and are closed by the door body 12 together with the input port 11. A plurality of dehydration holes 22b are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the drum 22. Further, three lifting ribs 23 are provided on the inner circumferential surface of the drum 22 at substantially equal intervals.

A drive motor 30 that generates torque of the drive drum 22 is disposed behind the outer tank 20. The drive motor 30 is, for example, an outer rotor type DC brushless motor. The drive motor 30 rotates the drum 22 at a rotational speed smaller than gravity by the centrifugal force of the laundry applied to the drum 22 during the washing process and the rinsing process. On the other hand, the drive motor 30 rotates the drum 22 at a rotational speed at which the centrifugal force of the laundry applied to the drum 22 becomes much larger than the gravity at the time of the dehydration process.

A detergent box 40 is disposed on the front upper portion of the casing 10. The detergent container 40a containing the detergent is freely housed in the detergent box 40 from the front. The detergent box 40 is connected to a water supply valve 41 disposed at a rear upper portion in the casing 10 via a water supply pipe 42. Further, the detergent box 40 is connected to the upper portion of the outer tub 20 through a water injection pipe 43. When the water supply valve 41 is opened, tap water is supplied from the faucet into the outer tub 20 through the water supply pipe 42, the detergent box 40, and the water injection pipe 43. At this time, the detergent contained in the detergent container 40a is pushed and supplied into the outer tub 20 by the water.

In the casing 10, a circulation drainage unit 50 is disposed in a space below and behind the outer tank 20.

The circulating drainage unit 50 includes a circulation/drainage pump 51, a first duct 52, a filtering device 53, a second duct 54, a T-shaped duct 55, a drain valve 56, and a third duct 57. Each of the first duct 52, the second duct 54, and the third duct 57 is formed of a resin pipe. The first duct 52, the second duct 54, and the third duct 57 correspond to the first flow path, the second flow path, and the third flow path of the present invention, respectively. The circulation/drain pump 51 corresponds to the pump of the present invention.

The circulation/drain pump 51 is, for example, a scroll pump, and is disposed at a position lower than the outer tank 20. First tube The duct 52 is connected to the drain port portion 20b formed at the bottom of the outer tub 20 and the suction port 51a of the circulation/drain pump 51. A filter device 53 is provided in the front lower portion of the casing 10 and in the middle of the first duct 52. The filter device 53 includes a lint filter 53a that can be taken out from the front. In the first duct 52, the water sucked by the circulation/drain pump 51 is discharged from the inside of the outer tank 20. The filtering device 53 intercepts the lint mixed into the water discharged from the outer tub 20 through the lint filter 53a.

The second duct 54 is connected to the discharge port 51b of the circulation/drainage pump 51 and the discharge port 13 provided at the lower portion of the rear surface of the casing 10. The second duct 54 is connected to the external drain pipe 70 at the discharge port 13. In the second duct 54, water discharged from the circulation/drainage pump 51 flows. The second duct 54 has a T-shaped duct 55 at a portion extending substantially horizontally from the discharge port 51b. The T-shaped duct 55 is composed of a main duct 55a extending in a substantially horizontal direction, and a branch duct 55b branched from the main duct 55a and extending in a substantially vertical direction. The duct 54a on the discharge port 51b side of the second duct 54 and the duct 54b on the discharge port 13 side of the second duct 54 are connected by the main duct 55a. The branch pipe 55b is connected to the third pipe 57.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion in the vicinity of the T-shaped pipe 55. As shown in FIG. 2, the diameter D1 of the second duct 54 is made larger than the diameter D2 of the third duct 57.

The third duct 57 extends upward from the branch duct 55b substantially along the rear surface of the outer tank 20, is folded back at the upper portion of the outer tank 20, and extends downward substantially along the rear surface of the outer tank 20. The outflow port portion 20c provided on the rear surface of the outer tub 20 is connected. The outflow port portion 20c allows the water flowing through the third duct 57 to flow out into the outer tub 20. A gas-liquid mixer 58 is provided in the middle of a portion extending downward from the third duct 57. The gas-liquid mixer 58 has an intake port 58a for acquiring ozone.

On the downstream side of the T-shaped pipe 55, that is, the pipe 54b of the second pipe 54 on the downstream side of the branching point of the third pipe 57, a drain valve 56 for closing or opening the second pipe 54 is provided. The drain valve 56 includes a valve body 56a and a regulator 56b. The adjuster 56b moves the valve body 56a between a closed position in which the second duct 54 is closed and an open position in which the second duct 54 is opened. The drain valve 56 is closed by moving to the closed position of the valve body 56a, and the drain valve 56 is opened by moving to the open position of the valve body 56a.

An ozone generating unit 60 is disposed above the outer tank 20. The ozone generating unit 60 includes an ozone generating device 61 and an air filter 62. The ozone generating device 61 is a discharge type ozone generating device that generates a discharge such as a corona discharge or a silent discharge between a pair of electrodes, and generates ozone between the pair of electrodes by the passing air. The air filter 62 removes dust and the like contained in the air introduced into the ozone generating device 61. The ozone generating device 61 is connected to the acquisition port 58a of the gas-liquid mixer 58 via the ozone supply pipe 63.

The gas-liquid mixer 58 includes a venturi tube through a negative pressure generated by water flowing through the venturi The ozone generated by the ozone generating device 61 is obtained from the acquisition port 58a. The obtained ozone is mixed in water flowing in the gas-liquid mixer 58, and ozone-mixed water, that is, ozone water, is supplied into the outer tank 20.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the drum type washing machine 1.

The drum type washing machine 1 includes a control unit 101, a storage unit 102, an operation unit 103, a water level sensor 104, and a door body locking device 105 in addition to the above configuration.

The operation unit 103 includes a power button 103a, a start button 103b, and a program selection button 103c. The power button 103a is a button for accessing and cutting off the power of the drum type washing machine 1. The start button 103b is a button for starting the operation. The program selection button 103c is a button for selecting an arbitrary operation program from among a plurality of operation programs of the washing operation. The operation unit 103 outputs an input signal corresponding to the button operated by the user to the control unit 101.

The water level sensor 104 detects the water level in the outer tank 20, and outputs a water level detection signal corresponding to the detected water level to the control unit 101.

The door lock device 105 performs locking and unlocking of the door body 12 based on a control signal from the control unit 101.

The storage unit 102 includes an EEPROM, a RAM, and the like. A program for executing a washing operation of various washing operation programs is stored in the storage unit 102. Further, various parameters or various control flags for execution of these programs are stored in the storage unit 102.

The control unit 101 controls the drive motor 30, the water supply valve 41, the drain valve 56, the circulation/drainage pump 51, the ozone generating device 61, and the program based on the signals stored in the storage unit 102 based on the respective signals from the operation unit 103, the water level sensor 104, and the like. Each load of the door locking device 105 or the like.

The drum type washing machine 1 performs a washing operation of various operation programs based on a selection operation by the user via the program selection button 103c. In the washing operation, the washing process, the first intermediate dehydration process, the first rinsing process, the second intermediate dehydration process, the second rinsing process, and the final dehydration process are sequentially performed. In the second rinsing process, the sterilizing rinsing of the sterilizing of the laundry is carried out by rinsing the laundry with ozone water.

In the cleaning process and the rinsing process, the drum 22 becomes a specific gravity by the centrifugal force acting on the laundry in the drum 22 in a state where the water is stored in the outer tank 20 and is not stored at a predetermined set water level at the lower edge of the inlet port 11. The rotation speed of the small force is rotated right and left. The laundry in the drum 22 is lifted or dropped by the lifting ribs 23, thereby being knocked onto the inner circumferential surface of the drum 22. Thereby, the laundry is washed or rinsed.

During the intermediate dewatering process and the final dewatering process, the drum 22 is unidirectionally rotated with the centrifugal force acting on the laundry in the drum 22 being much greater than the rotational speed of gravity. Washing by centrifugal force Dehydration is performed by being pressed onto the inner peripheral surface of the drum 22.

The control process performed by the control unit 101 in the cleaning process and the rinsing process will be described in detail below.

The cleaning process includes a water supply process, a main cleaning process, and a drainage process including a water supply process, a main rinsing process, and a drainage process.

Fig. 4 is a flow chart showing the cleaning process and the control process in the rinsing process.

First, the water supply process is performed. The control unit 101 closes the drain valve 56 (S101), and then opens the water supply valve 41 (S102). When the water level detected by the water level sensor 104 reaches the set water level set according to the load amount or the like (S103: YES), the control unit 101 turns off the water supply valve 41 (S104). In this way, the water supply process is over.

Next, if it is a cleaning process, the main cleaning process is performed; if it is a rinsing process, the main rinsing process is performed.

The control unit 101 determines whether or not sterilization removal is performed in the course of this time (S105). If the current process is the main washing process or the main rinsing process of the first rinsing process, the control unit 101 determines that the sterilizing rinsing is not performed (S105: NO). When the sterilization washing is not performed, the control unit 101 rotates the drum 22 (S106). The circulation/drainage pump 51 and the ozone generator 61 do not operate. When the predetermined operation time has elapsed (S107: YES), the control unit 101 stops the drum 22 (S108).

On the other hand, if the current process is the main rinsing process of the second rinsing process, the control unit 101 determines to perform sterilizing rinsing (S105: YES). When the sterilization rinse is performed, the control unit 101 rotates the drum 22 and operates the circulation/drainage pump 51 and the ozone generator 61 (S109).

Fig. 5 is a view showing a state in which water circulates between the outer tank 20 and the circulating drainage unit 50 during sterilization washing. The water in the outer tank 20 is sucked into the circulation/drain pump 51 through the first duct 52. Since the drain valve 56 is closed, the water discharged from the circulation/drain pump 51 flows to the third duct 57 through the second duct 54 and the T-shaped duct 55. In the gas-liquid mixer 58, ozone generated by the ozone generating device 61 is mixed into water flowing in the third conduit 57 to generate ozone water. The generated ozone water flows out of the outflow port 20c into the outer tank 20. Thus, the ozone water circulates between the outer tank 20 and the circulating drainage unit 50. During the cycle, the concentration of ozone water slowly increases. The laundry in the drum 22 is rinsed and sterilized by ozone water.

When the predetermined operation time has elapsed (S110: YES), the control unit 101 stops the drum 22, the circulation/drainage pump 51, and the ozone generator 61 (S111).

In this way, the main cleaning process or the main rinsing process is ended.

Next, the drainage process is performed. The control unit 101 first opens the drain valve 56 (S112) to perform preliminary draining. Fig. 6(a) is a view showing a state in which water in the third duct 57 is discharged to the outside of the machine by preparatory drainage. Before the circulation/drain pump 51 is operated, since the water supply pressure is not applied to the third duct 57, the water remaining in the third duct 57 is discharged to the outside of the machine through the T-pipe 55 and the second duct 54. The control unit 101 determines whether or not a predetermined preliminary drain time has elapsed (S113). The preliminary drain time is, for example, a time required for discharging the water remaining in the third duct 57 substantially or entirely from the third duct 57.

When the preliminary drain time has elapsed (S113: YES), the control unit 101 operates the circulation/drain pump 51 (S114) to perform main drain. Fig. 6(b) is a view showing a state in which water in the outer tub 20 is discharged to the outside of the machine by the main drain. When the circulation/drainage pump 51 is operated, the water in the outer tank 20 is sucked into the circulation/drainage pump 51 through the first duct 52. Since the drain valve 56 is open, the water discharged from the circulation/drain pump 51 is discharged to the outside of the machine through the second duct 54 and the drain valve 56. Thus, the water in the outer tank 20 is forcibly discharged by the circulation/drain pump 51. At this time, the water passing through the second duct 54 is discharged to the outside of the machine, and since the water supply pressure generated in the third duct 57 becomes low, the water is not drawn to the outflow port portion 20c. In particular, when the third duct 57 is lifted to the upper portion of the outer tub 20 as shown in the present embodiment, even if the discharge pressure of the circulation/drain pump 51 is increased, it is difficult to draw water into the outflow port. 20c.

The control unit 101 determines whether or not the drainage has ended (S115). For example, after the water level in the outer tank 20 reaches the lower limit water level measurable by the water level sensor 104, the control unit 101 determines that the drain has been completed when a predetermined time has elapsed. When the control unit 101 determines that the drain has been completed (S115: YES), the circulation/drain pump 51 is stopped (S116).

In this way, the drainage process is ended and the cleaning process or the rinsing process is ended.

As described above, the drum type washing machine 1 of the present embodiment has been described. The drum type washing machine 1 of the present embodiment has the above-described configuration and can achieve the following operational effects.

That is, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to use the circulation/drain pump 51 to circulate the inside of the outer tank 20 with ozone water, and to forcibly discharge the water from the outer tank 20 to the outside of the machine. Thereby, ozone can be sterilized during rinsing, the cleaning performance can be improved, and drainage can be smoothly performed during drainage to improve drainage performance.

Further, according to the present embodiment, in the case where the drain valve 56 cannot be opened due to a failure or the like during the draining process, the water discharged from the outer tub 20 is returned to the outer tub 20 only through the third duct 59, and does not have the first In the case of the three-pipe 59 structure, there is no case where excessive pressure is applied to the second pipe 54. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a partial tube in the second duct 54 due to excessive pressure generation. There is a situation in which the road is detached or damaged, and water is leaked to the outside of the machine.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the diameter D1 of the second duct 54 is made larger than the diameter D2 of the third duct 59. Thereby, in the case where the circulating drainage unit 50 is constituted in a limited arrangement space in the casing 10, the water supply pressure in the third duct 59 can be raised during the water circulation, and the water can be in the outer tank 20 and the circulating drainage unit 50. The circulation is smoothly circulated, and the drainage flow from the second duct 54 can be increased when draining, and the drainage performance can be further improved.

Further, when the circulation/drain pump 51 is immediately operated after the drain valve 56 is opened, since a large amount of water remains in the third duct 57, the water is easily passed through the low water supply pressure generated in the third duct 57. Leakage from the third conduit 57 into the outer tank 20. In this regard, according to the present embodiment, since the water remaining in the third duct 59 is discharged by the preliminary drainage, the circulation/drainage pump 51 operates, so that when the low water supply pressure is generated in the third duct 59, the water does not flow. It is easy to leak from the third duct 59 into the outer tank 20.

Next, the drum type washing machine 1 of the second embodiment will be described.

Fig. 7 is a side cross-sectional view showing the structure of the drum type washing machine 1.

In the drum type washing machine 1 of the present embodiment, the shower nozzle 24 is provided at the front upper portion in the outer tub 20 so that its outlet faces the inside of the drum 22, thereby replacing the outflow port portion 20c. Further, in the drum type washing machine 1 of the present embodiment, the circulation drain unit 50 is provided with a third duct 59 instead of the third duct 57 configured to acquire ozone by the gas-liquid mixer 58. The third duct 59 extends upward from the branch duct 55b of the T-shaped duct 55 so as to extend substantially along the rear surface of the outer tank 20, and then extends forward along the outer peripheral surface of the outer tank 20, and the shower nozzle 24 connections. The third duct 59 is made of a resin pipe. Further, in the drum type washing machine 1 of the present embodiment, the ozone generating unit 60 is not provided.

The shower nozzle 24 sprinkles water from the third duct 59 from the upper side of the drum 22 to the laundry in the drum 22. The shower nozzle 24 corresponds to the outflow port portion of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a portion in the vicinity of the T-shaped duct 55. As shown in FIG. 8, the diameter D1 of the second duct 54 is made larger than the diameter D3 of the third duct 59.

The other structure of the drum type washing machine 1 of the present embodiment is the same as that of the drum type washing machine 1 of the first embodiment.

In the drum type washing machine 1 of the present embodiment, the sterilization and rinsing using ozone water is not performed, and the circulation/drainage pump 51 operates in all the washing processes and the two rinsing processes. Thus, the outer slot The water in 20 is sent to the shower nozzle 24, and water is poured from the outlet of the shower nozzle 24 toward the laundry in the drum 22.

Fig. 9 is a flow chart showing the cleaning process and the control process in the rinsing process.

The control processing of steps S101 to S104 of the water supply process and the control processing of steps S112 to S116 of the drainage process are the same as those of the first embodiment.

In the main washing process or the main rinsing process, the control unit 101 rotates the drum 22 and operates the circulation/drain pump 51 (S121).

Fig. 10 is a view showing a state in which water is circulated between the outer tank 20 and the circulating drainage unit 50 during washing or rinsing.

The water in the outer tank 20 is sucked into the circulation/drain pump 51 through the first duct 52. Since the drain valve 56 is closed, the water discharged from the circulation/drain pump 51 flows through the second duct 54 and the T-shaped duct 55 to the third duct 59 to reach the shower nozzle 24. Water is poured from the shower nozzle 24 to the laundry in the drum 22. Thereby, the detergent-containing water for washing or the water for rinsing can be sufficiently contained in the laundry.

Fig. 11 (a) is a view showing a state in which water in the third duct 59 is discharged to the outside of the machine by preparatory drainage. Fig. 11 (b) is a view showing a state in which water in the outer tub 20 is discharged to the outside of the machine by the main drain.

As shown in Fig. 11 (a), the water remaining in the third duct 59 at the time of preliminary drainage is discharged to the outside of the machine through the T-shaped duct 55 and the second duct 54. Further, as shown in Fig. 11(b), the water in the outer tank 20 is discharged to the outside of the machine through the first duct 52 and the second duct 54 while the main drain is being operated by the circulation/drain pump 51.

That is, according to the present embodiment, water can be circulated into the outer tub 20 by the circulation/drain pump 51, water can be poured from the shower nozzle 24 to the laundry, and water can be forcibly discharged from the outer tub 20. Thereby, at the time of washing and rinsing, the laundry can be sufficiently contained with water, the washing performance can be improved, and drainage can be smoothly performed during drainage to improve drainage performance.

Further, according to the present embodiment, in the case where the drain valve 56 cannot be opened due to a failure or the like during the draining process, the water discharged from the outer tub 20 is returned to the outer tub 20 only through the third duct 59, and does not have the third. In the case of the structure of the duct 59, there is no case where excessive pressure is applied to the second duct 54. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of detachment or breakage in a part of the duct of the second duct 54 due to the generation of excessive pressure, and the occurrence of water leakage to the outside of the machine.

Further, with the present embodiment, the diameter D1 of the second duct 54 is made to be larger than the mouth of the third duct 59. The diameter D3 is large. Thereby, in the case where the circulating drainage unit 50 is constituted in a limited arrangement space in the casing 10, the water supply pressure in the third duct 59 can be raised during the water circulation, and the water can be in the outer tank 20 and the circulating drainage unit 50. The circulation is smoothly circulated, and the drainage flow from the second duct 54 can be increased when draining, so that the drainage performance can be further improved.

Further, according to the present embodiment, since the water remaining in the third duct 59 is discharged by the preliminary drainage, the circulation/drainage pump 51 operates, so that when the low water supply pressure is generated in the third duct 59, the water is not easily removed. The third duct 59 leaks into the outer tank 20.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and the like, and various modifications other than the above may be made in the embodiment of the present invention.

For example, in the second embodiment described above, the gas-liquid mixer 58 of the above-described first embodiment is provided in the middle of the third duct 59 and the ozone generating unit 60 of the above-described first embodiment is disposed above the outer tank 20 to generate ozone. The ozone provided by unit 60 can also be mixed by the gas-liquid mixer 58 to the water flowing in the third conduit 59. If so, ozone water can be poured from the shower nozzle 24 to the laundry to sterilize the laundry. In this case, the laundry can be sufficiently contained with ozone water, thereby improving the sterilization effect.

Further, in the first embodiment described above, the ozone water is circulated in the outer tank 20 during the second rinsing process, but may be performed in the outer tank 20 during the first rinsing process or the cleaning process. Ozone water is provided in a loop.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the drum type washing machine, and can be used for a fully automatic washing machine that washes laundry in a vertical axis type washing and dewatering tank. Further, the present invention can also be applied to a drum type washing machine having a drying function, that is, a drum type washing and drying machine, and a fully automatic washing machine having a drying function, that is, a fully automatic washing and drying machine.

Further, the embodiments of the present invention can be variously modified as appropriate within the scope of the spirit of the claims.

Description of the reference numerals

20: outer tank; 20c: outflow port; 22: drum (washing tank); 24: shower nozzle (flow outlet); 50: circulating drainage unit; 51: circulation and drainage pump (pump); 52: first pipeline (first flow path); 54: second pipe (second flow path); 56: drain valve; 57: third pipe (third flow path); 58: gas-liquid mixer; 59: third pipe (third Flow path); 61: ozone generating device; 101: control unit.

Claims

A washing machine characterized by comprising:

Outer groove

a washing tank disposed in the outer tank in a rotatable manner;

a pump disposed at a position lower than the outer groove;

a first flow path connected to a bottom of the outer tank and a suction port of the pump to flow water discharged from the outer tank and sucked by the pump;

a second flow path connected to the discharge port of the pump to flow water discharged from the pump;

a third flow path branching from the second flow path and extending upward;

a flow outlet portion is disposed in the outer tank and connected to the third flow path, so that water flowing through the third flow path flows out into the outer groove;

a drain valve disposed on the second flow path on a downstream side of a branch point to the third flow path for closing or opening the second flow path;

a control unit that controls the pump and the drain valve,

The control portion performs a first control process of closing the drain valve and operating the pump, and a second control process of opening the drain valve and operating the pump.
A washing machine according to claim 1, wherein

The diameter of the second flow path is larger than the diameter of the third flow path.
A washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that

The control unit opens the drain valve before the pump is operated in the second control process, and operates the pump after a predetermined time elapses from the opening of the drain valve.
The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising:

An ozone generating device that produces ozone;

a gas-liquid mixer disposed on the third flow path, acquiring ozone generated by the ozone generating device and mixing it into water flowing in the third flow path,

The control unit causes the ozone generating device to operate together with the pump in the first control process.
A washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that

The outlet of the water at the outflow port faces the inside of the washing tub, and water is sprayed from the outlet toward the washing tub.