WO2017054761A1

WO2017054761A1 - Washing machine

Info

Publication number: WO2017054761A1
Application number: PCT/CN2016/100892
Authority: WO
Inventors: 西浦直人; 田中启之; 川口智也; 米田昌令; 荒井英行; 大西胜司
Original assignee: 青岛海尔洗衣机有限公司; 海尔亚洲株式会社
Priority date: 2015-09-30
Filing date: 2016-09-29
Publication date: 2017-04-06
Also published as: EP3358062A1; JP2017064079A; CN108138419B; CN108138419A; KR20180050758A; EP3358062A4; JP6780159B2; US20180282930A1

Abstract

Provided is a washing machine, which can enhance the washing effect when washing laundry in a washing drum by rotation of the washing drum having an axis extending longitudinally and detergent water. The washing machine (1) comprises: a washing drum (4) housed in an outer drum (3); an electric motor (5) that rotates the washing drum (4); a water tank (13) that receives detergent water mixed with detergent from the outer drum (3); a circulation path (11) for drawing the detergent water and injecting same into the washing drum (4) from an upper side (Z1); a pump (12) that pumps the detergent water in the water tank (13) into the circulation path (11) and enables same to rise in the circulation path (11); and a control part (30) that executes a washing operation comprising a water removal and rinsing process. In the water removal and rinsing process, a circulation treatment, a soaking treatment and a circulation treatment water removal treatment are repeated, wherein the circulation treatment is intended to circulate the detergent water in the water tank (13) between the washing drum (4) and the circulation path (11) and to pour same onto laundry (Q) in the washing drum (4); the soaking treatment is intended to soak the laundry (Q) in the washing drum (4) with the detergent water and return same to the water tank (13); and the water removal treatment is intended to rotate the washing drum (4) so as to remove the water in the laundry (Q) after the soaking treatment.

Description

washing machine

Technical field

The invention relates to a washing machine.

Background technique

In the drum type washing machine described in Patent Document 1 below, during the washing process, the squeezing washing process and the squeezing washing process after the smashing washing process are performed. In the stroke washing process, the forward rotation, the reverse rotation, and the pause of the drum-shaped rotating cylinder provided in the water cylinder are repeated, and the operation of lifting and lowering the laundry is repeated in the drum-shaped rotating cylinder. In the squeezing washing process, by rotating the drum-shaped washing tub at a higher speed than when the washing process is broken, the laundry is pressed by the centrifugal force to the inner surface of the drum-shaped washing tub, and the washing liquid in the washing liquid The small holes passing through the circumferential surface of the drum-shaped washing tub are extruded out of the drum-shaped washing tub. The drum type washing machine is provided with a water storage tank, and by transferring a part of the washing water to the water storage tank at the end of the beat washing process, the weight in the water tank is reduced, so that the vibration and noise in the water squeezing washing process can be reduced.

In the case where the laundry is washed by the rotation of the washing tub containing the laundry and the detergent water mixed with the detergent, the cleaning effect is always desired to be improved. In particular, unlike the drum type washing machine of Patent Document 1, for a vertical washing machine having a washing tub having a longitudinally extending axis, since the detergent water is biased to accumulate on the bottom side in the washing tub, there is a washing tub. The laundry has only the problem that the lower portion is impregnated with detergent water. Therefore, it is difficult to achieve an improvement in the cleaning effect by the detergent water.

Prior art literature

Patent literature

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 8-299658

Summary of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

The present invention has been made in view of the background, and an object thereof is to provide a washing machine capable of cleaning a laundry in a washing tub by using rotation of a washing tub having a longitudinally extending axis and detergent water. Improvement.

Solution to solve the problem

The washing machine of the present invention comprises: an outer tub capable of storing water; and a washing tub having a through hole for allowing water to flow between the washing tub and the outer tub and a longitudinally extending axis to receive the laundry and to be accommodated therein a motor that rotates the washing tub; a water tank that is connected to the outer tub, receives detergent water mixed with detergent from the outer tub; and a circulation path that draws detergent from the water tank Water is injected into the washing tub from the upper side; a pump takes the detergent water in the water tank into the circulation path and raises it in the circulation path; and executes the unit, including performing dehydration cleaning a washing operation of the process, the circulation cleaning process is repeated, a soaking process, and a dehydration process, wherein the circulation process is to drive the water in the water tank to the washing tub and the circulation by driving the pump Circulating between the roads and pouring them into the washing tub; the soaking treatment stops the driving of the pump after the circulating treatment and saturates the washing water in the washing tub and returns to the washing Said Box; dehydration treatment after the impregnation treatment is by driving the motor so that the washing tub is rotated so that the laundry is dehydrated.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the execution unit drives the motor to rotate the washing tub in at least one of the loop processes.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the water tank is formed with a vent hole, and the washing machine includes an exhaust pipe having an end portion connected to the vent hole and connected to the outer tub The other end of the upper part.

Further, the present invention is characterized by comprising: a water supply path for supplying water to the washing tub; and a detergent accommodating portion connected to the water supply path and containing detergent, the water supply path having a discharge port and passing through The detergent accommodating portion and the water flowing through the water supply path are discharged toward a position shifted from the laundry in the washing tub.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the circulation path includes: a main flow path having a spouting port from the upper side to the washing tub; and a branch flow path branched from the main flow path and connected to the outer tub or The water tank, the washing machine including a reversing valve to switch a flow of detergent water in the circulation path to the Mainstream road or the branch flow path.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that it includes a flow path connecting the outer tub and the water tank, and a valve that opens and closes the flow path, the execution unit closing the at least one of the soaking processes a valve that accumulates detergent water in the washing tub.

Effect of the invention

According to the invention, the washing machine contains laundry in a washing tub having a longitudinally extending axis. The water passing through the through-hole of the washing tub between the outer tub and the washing tub accumulates on both the outer tub and the washing tub. The water tank connected to the outer tub can receive the detergent water mixed with the detergent from the outer tub. The detergent water in the water tank is taken into the washing tub from the upper side after being taken up by the pump and rising in the circulation path.

The execution unit performs a washing operation including a dehydration washing process which repeats the circulation treatment, the soaking treatment after the circulation treatment, and the dehydration treatment after the impregnation treatment. As a circulation process, the execution unit drives the pump to circulate the detergent water in the water tank between the washing tub and the circulation path and to pour it into the laundry in the washing tub. As the soaking treatment, the execution unit stops the driving of the pump and saturates the detergent water in the washing tub and returns to the water tank. As the dehydration treatment, the execution unit rotates the washing tub by driving the motor to dehydrate the laundry.

Through a plurality of cycles of treatment, the detergent water in the water tank is sufficiently poured into the laundry in the washing tub, and in the soaking treatment after each circulation treatment, the laundry is treated and soaked by a sufficient amount of detergent water. The same state. Thereby, the dirt is efficiently floated from the entire laundry. Further, in the dehydration treatment after each impregnation treatment, the dirt is squeezed out of the laundry with the detergent water by the centrifugal force accompanying the rotation of the washing tub. In the soaking treatment before the dehydration treatment, the detergent water in the outer tub and in the washing tub is returned to the water tank. Therefore, in the dehydration treatment, since the washing tub can be smoothly rotated to the target maximum number of revolutions without being hindered by the detergent water, the laundry can be efficiently dehydrated by the high-speed rotation of the washing tub and the dirt can be removed from the laundry.

As a result of the above, it is possible to achieve an improvement in the cleaning effect by the spin-drying process of the washing tub having the longitudinally extending axis and the dehydration washing process by the detergent water.

Further, according to the present invention, the execution unit drives the motor in at least one cycle process to rotate the washing tub. Thereby, the detergent water injected into the washing tub from the circulation path can be uniformly poured into the laundry in the washing tub over the entire area in the rotation direction of the washing tub. Therefore, the dehydration cleaning process can achieve the cleaning effect Further improvement.

Further, according to the present invention, when the washing water is returned to the water tank during the soaking treatment, since the air in the water tank runs out of the air vent to the outside of the water tank, the detergent water can smoothly flow into the water tank. The other end of the exhaust pipe whose one end is connected to the exhaust hole is connected to the upper portion of the outer tub. Thereby, even if the air bubbles in the water tank enter the exhaust pipe, they are introduced into the outer tub, so that it is possible to suppress the occurrence of air bubbles clogging the exhaust pipe. Further, since the other end portion of the exhaust pipe is connected to the upper portion of the outer tub, it is disposed at a position higher than the upper limit water level in the outer tub. Therefore, it is possible to prevent water in the outer tub from overflowing into the exhaust pipe.

Further, according to the present invention, the discharge port of the water supply path discharges the water with the detergent passing through the detergent accommodating portion toward the position where the laundry in the washing tub is staggered. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a situation in which the ultra-high concentration detergent before being dissolved in water adheres only to a part of the surface of the laundry, and the entire laundry cannot be uniformly washed.

Further, according to the present invention, the detergent water can be circulated between the washing tub and the circulation path by switching the flow of the detergent water in the circulation path to the main flow path. By switching the flow of the detergent water in the circulation path to the branch flow path, the detergent water in the circulation path does not reach the washing tub but enters the outer tub or the water tank through the branch flow path. Thereby, since the frequency of the detergent water flowing through the pump can be increased and the stirring of the detergent water by the pump can be promoted, the detergent can be efficiently dissolved in water to generate a high-concentration detergent water. Therefore, in the dehydration cleaning process, the cleaning effect can be further improved by the high concentration of detergent water.

Further, according to the present invention, in at least one soaking process, the executing unit closes a valve that opens and closes the flow path that connects the outer tub and the water tank, and accumulates the detergent water in the washing tub. Thereby, since the laundry can be efficiently treated in the same state as the immersion by the sufficient amount of detergent water accumulated in the washing tub, the washing effect can be further improved in the dehydration washing process.

DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the washing machine.

Fig. 3 is a flow chart showing the control operation during the dehydration cleaning process.

4 is a schematic view of a washing machine of a first modification.

Fig. 5 is a schematic view of a washing machine of a second modification.

Fig. 6 is a schematic view of a washing machine of a third modification.

Description of the reference numerals

1: washing machine; 3: outer tub; 3F: upper; 4: washing tub; 4E: through hole; 5: motor; 6: water supply road; 6B: spout; 8: detergent receiving portion 9C: upper side flow path; 11: circulation road; 11B: spout; 11D: main road; 11E: branch flow path; 12: pump; 13: water tank; 13A: vent hole; 22: second drain valve; 23: exhaust pipe; 23A: One end; 23B: the other end; 30: control part; 35: reversing valve; J: axis; Q: washing; Z1: upper side.

detailed description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The vertical direction in FIG. 1 is referred to as the vertical direction Z of the washing machine 1, and the left-right direction in FIG. 1 is referred to as the horizontal direction Y of the washing machine 1. The vertical direction Z coincides with the vertical direction, and the horizontal direction Y coincides with the horizontal direction. In the up and down direction Z, the upper side is referred to as the upper side Z1, and the lower side is referred to as the lower side Z2.

Although the washing machine 1 also includes a washing and drying machine having a drying function, the washing machine 1 will be described below by taking a washing machine that performs only the washing operation as an example. The washing machine 1 includes a casing 2 and an outer tub 3 disposed in the casing 2, a washing tub 4, a motor 5, a water supply path 6, a water supply valve 7, a detergent accommodating portion 8, a drain passage 9, a first drain valve 10, and a circulation Road 11, pump 12 and water tank 13.

The casing 2 is made of, for example, metal and formed in a box shape. An entrance 2B that connects the inside and the outside of the casing 2 is formed on the upper surface 2A of the casing 2. The upper surface 2A is provided with a door 14 that opens and closes the entrance and exit 2B, and a display operation unit 15 that is constituted by a switch, a liquid crystal panel, or the like. By operating the switch or the like of the display operation unit 15, the user can turn on/off the power of the washing machine 1, or set the mode of the washing operation freely, or issue an instruction to start or stop the washing operation of the washing machine 1. The information relating to the washing operation is visually displayed on the liquid crystal panel or the like of the display operation unit 15.

The outer tub 3 is made of, for example, a resin, and has a bottomed cylindrical shape, and is elastically supported by the casing 2 via an elastic supporting member (not shown) such as a so-called boom. Water can be stored in the outer tub 3. Virtual through the center of the outer tub 3 The straight line is the axis J of the outer tub 3. The axis J extends longitudinally in a direction that is slightly inclined with respect to the vertical direction or with respect to the vertical direction. The bottomed cylindrical outer tub 3 has a substantially cylindrical circumferential wall 3A disposed along the axis J, a disk-shaped bottom wall 3B that blocks the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 3A from the lower side Z2, and a circumferential wall The upper end edge of 3A is crimped and an annular annular wall 3C projecting toward the axis J side. The outer tub 3 is formed with a circular inlet and outlet 3D surrounded by the annular wall 3C and opposed to the inlet and outlet 2B of the casing 2 from the lower side Z2, and a through hole penetrating the center portion of the bottom wall 3B in the vertical direction Z. 3E.

The washing tub 4 is a bottomed cylindrical metal drum formed to be smaller than the outer tub 3, and can accommodate the laundry Q therein. The washing tub 4 is housed coaxially in the outer tub 3. Therefore, the axis of the washing tub 4 is the above-described axis J. The bottomed cylindrical washing tub 4 has a substantially cylindrical circumferential wall 4A disposed along the axis J, a disk-shaped bottom wall 4B that blocks the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 4A from the lower side Z2, and a circumferential wall The upper end edge of 4A is crimped and an annular annular wall 4C projecting toward the axis J side. The washing tub 4 is formed with a circular inlet/outlet 4D surrounded by the annular wall 4C and opposed to the inlet and outlet 3D of the outer tub 3 from the lower side Z2, and a plurality of through holes 4E penetrating the circumferential wall 4A and the bottom wall 4B.

When the door 14 is opened, since the inlet and outlet 2B, the inlet and outlet 3D, and the inlet and outlet 4D are exposed from the upper surface 2A of the casing 2 to the upper side Z1 in a state of being aligned in the vertical direction Z, the laundry Q can be taken out and washed through these inlets and outlets. Inside the bucket 4. The water in the outer tub 3 passes between the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 4 through the through hole 4E, and also accumulates in the washing tub 4. Therefore, the water level in the outer tub 3 coincides with the water level in the washing tub 4. At the center of the bottom wall 4B, a rotating shaft 17 projecting along the axis J to the lower side Z2 is provided. The rotating shaft 17 is inserted into the through hole 3E of the bottom wall 3B of the outer tub 3 from the upper side Z1.

The motor 5 is constituted by, for example, a variable frequency motor. The motor 5 is disposed in the casing 2 on the lower side Z2 of the outer tub 3, and is fixed to the bottom wall 3B of the outer tub 3 via a fixing member (not shown) or the like. The motor 5 has an output shaft 18 that rotates about an axis J. The output shaft 18 is coupled to the rotating shaft 17 of the washing tub 4. When the motor 5 is driven, the driving force generated by the motor 5 is transmitted from the rotating shaft 17 to the output shaft 18, and the washing tub 4 is rotated about the axis J by the driving force. It should be noted that a transmission mechanism (not shown) including a clutch or the like may be interposed between the rotating shaft 17 and the output shaft 18. Further, a pulsator (not shown) for agitating the stored laundry Q is provided in the washing tub 4, and the driving force of the motor 5 can be selectively transmitted from the transmission mechanism to the washing tub 4 and the pulsator. Or both parties. Further, in the present embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the number of revolutions of the motor 5 is the same as the number of revolutions of the washing tub 4 and the pulsator.

The water supply path 6 has an end portion 6A connected to a faucet (not shown) and a discharge port 6B formed therein. The flow path of the other end 6C. The other end portion 6C of the water supply path 6 penetrates the annular wall 3C of the outer tub 3 from the upper side Z1, and the discharge port 6B faces the lateral direction between the circumferential wall 3A of the outer tub 3 and the circumferential wall 4A of the washing tub 4 from the upper side Z1. The gap 19 on Y is arranged in a manner.

The water supply valve 7 is provided in the middle of the water supply path 6. The water supply path 6 is opened when the water supply valve 7 is opened. Thereby, the water from the faucet flows through the water supply path 6 and flows down from the discharge port 6B to the gap 19 as indicated by the thick solid arrow, and is accumulated in the outer tub 3. At this time, the discharge port 6B discharges the water flowing into the water supply path 6 toward the gap 19 between the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 4, that is, at a position shifted from the laundry Q in the washing tub 4. The water accumulated in the outer tub 3 passes through the through hole 4E of the washing tub 4 and is also accumulated in the washing tub 4. In this manner, when the water supply valve 7 is opened, the washing tub 4 is supplied with water from the water supply path 6. On the other hand, since the water supply path 6 is closed when the water supply valve 7 is closed, the water supply can be stopped.

The detergent accommodating portion 8 is formed in a box shape in which detergent is stored, and is connected to the middle of the water supply path 6. The internal space of the detergent accommodating portion 8 constitutes a midway portion of the water supply path 6. When the water supply valve 7 is opened to start the water supply, the water from the faucet passes through the detergent accommodating portion 8 and is supplied with detergent, and is supplied to the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 4 from the discharge port 6B after flowing into the water supply path 6. Thereby, the detergent water mixed with the detergent can be accumulated in the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 4.

The drain passage 9 has an end portion 9A that is connected to the bottom wall 3B of the outer tub 3 from the lower side Z2 at a position avoiding the through hole 3E, and is pulled out to the casing 2 at a position lower than the one end portion 9A. The flow path of the other end portion 9B.

The first drain valve 10 is provided in the middle of the drain path 9. The drain path 9 is opened when the first drain valve 10 is opened. Thereby, the detergent water accumulated in the outer cylinder 3 and the washing tub 4 is discharged to the outside of the machine through the drain path 9. In this manner, when the first drain valve 10 is closed while the drain is being performed, the drain passage 9 is closed, so that the drain can be stopped.

The circulation path 11 is a flow path having one end portion 11A in which the drain passage 9 is connected between the one end portion 9A and the first drain valve 10, and the other end portion 11C in which the water discharge port 11B is formed. The circulation path 11 is bent from the one end portion 11A in the lateral direction Y, and is bent, passes through the gap between the casing 2 and the outer tub 3, and extends toward the upper side Z1, and then is bent toward the axis J side to reach the other end portion 11C. The other end portion 11C is bent to the lower side Z2 directly above the entrance 3D of the outer tub 3, and the spouting port 11B is opened at the lower end of the other end portion 11C, and faces the inside of the washing tub 4 from the upper side Z1 from the entrance 4D of the washing tub 4. The pump 12 is a centrifugal pump or the like in which a rotating impeller (not shown) is incorporated, and is provided in the middle of the circulation path 11.

The water tank 13 is a hollow body having a capacity of, for example, about 30 L, and is disposed in the casing 2 in a space closer to the lower side Z2 than the outer tub 3. A water tank 13 is interposed between the connection portion of the end portion 11A of the drain passage 11 connected to the circulation path 11 and the one end portion 9A. The internal space of the water tank 13 constitutes a midway portion of the drainage path 9. The upper side flow path 9C of the drain path 9 from the one end portion 9A to the water tank 13 is a flow path that communicates between the outer tub 3 and the water tank 13, and extends from the bottom wall 3B of the outer tub 3 to the lower side Z2 and is connected to the upper side Z1. The top wall of the water tank 13. Thereby, the water tank 13 is connected to the outer tub 3 via the upper side flow path 9C. The upper drain channel 9C is provided with a second drain valve 22 that opens and closes the upper channel 9C.

The lower end flow path 9D from the water tank 13 to the other end portion 9B of the drain passage 9 is connected to the bottom wall of the water tank 13 from the lower side Z2. The first drain valve 10 described above is provided in the lower side flow path 9D. In the lower side flow path 9D, the one end portion 11A of the circulation path 11 is connected to a portion between the first drain valve 10 and the water tank 13. It should be noted that the water tank 13 may be fixed to the outer tub 3 or may be fixed to the lower portion of the cabinet 2 . When the water tank 13 is fixed to the lower portion of the casing 2, at least the upper side flow path 9C of the drainage path 9 has flexibility so that the vibration of the outer tub 3 is not transmitted to the water tank 13 during the washing operation.

When both the first drain valve 10 and the second drain valve 22 are opened, the detergent water flowing out from the outer tub 3 to the drain passage 9 once passes through the water tank 13 and then reaches the other end portion 9B, and is discharged to the outside of the machine. On the other hand, when the first drain valve 10 is closed in a state where the second drain valve 22 is opened, the detergent water flowing out from the outer tub 3 to the upper side flow path 9C of the drain passage 9 is not discharged to the outside of the machine, but is It is received by the water tank 13 and accumulated in the water tank 13. As described above, since the water tank 13 is located closer to the lower side Z2 than the outer tub 3, the upper side flow path 9C extends from the bottom wall 3B of the outer tub 3 to the lower side Z2 and is connected to the top of the water tank 13 from the upper side Z1. The wall, therefore, the detergent water in the outer tub 3 smoothly flows into the water tank 13 by its own weight.

A vent hole 13A that communicates from the upper side Z1 into the water tank 13 is formed in the top wall of the water tank 13. In association with the vent hole 13A, the washing machine 1 includes an exhaust pipe 23. The exhaust pipe 23 has one end portion 23A connected to the exhaust hole 13A from the upper side Z1 and the other end portion 23B connected to the upper portion 3F of the outer tub 3 from the lateral direction Y, extending from the one end portion 23A toward the other end portion 23B to the upper side Z1. . The upper portion 3F refers to a portion of the circumferential wall 3A of the outer tub 3 that is closer to the upper side Z1 than the assumed upper limit water level in the outer tub 3.

When the detergent water in the outer tub 3 flows into the water tank 13, the air in the water tank 13 runs out of the air vent 13 from the vent hole 13A, so that the detergent water can smoothly flow into the water tank 13. Further, by connecting the other end portion 23B of the exhaust pipe 23 to the upper portion 3F of the outer tub 3, even if air bubbles in the water tank 13 enter the exhaust pipe 23, they are introduced into the outer tub 3, thereby suppressing the blockage of the air bubbles. The condition of the exhaust pipe 23 occur. Further, the other end portion 23B connected to the upper portion 3F of the outer tub 3 is disposed at a position higher than the upper limit water level in the outer tub 3. Therefore, it is possible to prevent water in the outer tub 3 from overflowing into the exhaust pipe 23.

The pump 12 is driven to suck the detergent water in the water tank 13 into the one end portion 11A of the circulation path 11 and to rise in the circulation path 11. Thereby, the detergent water is drawn from the inside of the water tank 13 into the circulation path 11, and is discharged from the water discharge port 11B of the other end portion 11C. The detergent water discharged from the spouting port 11B flows down to the inlet and outlet 4D of the washing tub 4 as indicated by a thick broken line arrow, and is injected into the washing tub 4 from the upper side Z1. When the pump 12 is continuously driven, the detergent water in the water tank 13 circulates between the washing tub 4 and the circulation path 11. The pump 12 is disposed in the lowermost portion of the space closer to the lower side Z2 than the outer tub 3 in the casing 2, that is, at a position lower than the water tank 13, so that the detergent water in the water tank 13 can be ingested without any residue. Inside the circulation road 11.

The washing machine 1 includes a control unit 30 as an execution unit. The control unit 30 is, for example, a microcomputer including a CPU, a memory unit such as an RQM or a RAM, and is disposed in the casing 2. Referring to Fig. 2, which is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the washing machine 1, the washing machine 1 further includes a water level sensor 31, a rotation sensor 32, and a timer 33 for timing. The water level sensor 31, the rotation sensor 32, and the timer 33, and the motor 5, the pump 12, the display operation unit 15, the water supply valve 7, the first drain valve 10, and the second drain valve 22 are electrically connected to the control unit 30, respectively.

The water level sensor 31 is a sensor that detects the water level of the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 4, and the detection result of the water level sensor 31 is input to the control unit 30 in real time. The rotation sensor 32 is a device that reads the number of revolutions of the motor 5, and is strictly a device that reads the number of revolutions of the output shaft 18 of the motor 5, for example, a Hall that outputs a pulse wave every time the output shaft 18 rotates by a predetermined rotation angle. The IC (not shown) is composed. The number of revolutions read by the rotation sensor 32 is input to the control unit 30 in real time. The control unit 30 controls the voltage applied to the motor 5 based on the number of revolutions input, and controls the duty ratio of the voltage applied to the motor 5 in detail, and drives the motor 5 to rotate at a desired number of revolutions. The control unit 30 also controls the driving of the pump 12.

As described above, when the user operates the display operation unit 15 to select an operation condition or the like of the washing operation, the control unit 30 receives the selection. The control unit 30 displays the information necessary for the user in a visual manner on the display operation unit 15. The control unit 30 controls opening and closing of each of the water supply valve 7, the first drain valve 10, and the second drain valve 22. Therefore, the control portion 30 can supply water to the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 4 by opening the water supply valve 7 in a state where at least the first drain valve 10 is closed, and can open the second drain valve by closing the first drain valve 10 Thus, water is stored in the water tank 13, and drainage of the outer tub 3, the washing tub 4, and the water tank 13 can be performed by opening the first drain valve 10 and the second drain valve 22.

Next, the washing operation performed by the washing machine 1 by the control unit 30 will be described. The washing operation includes a washing process consisting of an initial dehydration washing process and a formal washing process after the dehydrating washing process, a rinsing process after the washing process, and a dehydrating process. The dehydration cleaning process can be regarded as an independent process in the washing operation, or can be regarded as a part of the washing process as in the present embodiment. The dehydration process includes: a final dehydration process performed at the end of the washing operation; and an intermediate dehydration process performed after the washing process and the rinsing process.

The control unit 30 detects the amount of the laundry Q in the washing tub 4 as the load amount before the start of the washing operation. The unit of the load amount is, for example, kg. As an example of the load amount detection, the control unit 30 can obtain the load amount based on the weight of the laundry Q detected by the weight sensor (not shown) included in the washing machine 1. Further, the amount of load may be detected based on fluctuations in the number of revolutions of the motor 5 when the washing tub 4 is stably rotated at a low speed. Further, when the pulsator is provided, the control unit 30 stops the driving of the motor 5 immediately after rotating the pulsator carrying the laundry Q for a predetermined period of time, thereby causing the motor 5 to rotate inertially, and measuring the motor 5 at this time. The amount of inertial rotation. The larger the load, the smaller the amount of inertia rotation of the motor 5 connected to the pulsator carrying the heavier laundry Q. The smaller the amount of load, the larger the amount of inertia rotation of the motor 5 connected to the pulsator carrying the lighter laundry Q. The control unit 30 detects the amount of load based on the magnitude of the number of revolutions.

The cycle soaking process will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 3. During the dewatering cleaning process, the first drain valve 10 is always in a closed state, and the second drain valve 22 is in principle always open. As the dehydration washing process starts, the control unit 30 causes the water supply valve 7 to open only for a predetermined period of time to supply water (step S1). As a result, the detergent water that has flowed out from the discharge port 6B of the water supply path 6 reaches the water tank 13 via the outer tub 3 and the upper side flow path 9C of the drain passage 9 and is stored in the water tank 13 .

Next, the control unit 30 performs the first loop processing (step S2). In the circulation processing, the control unit 30 drives the pump 12 to circulate the detergent water between the washing tub 4 and the circulation path 11, and at this time, the detergent water is poured from the spouting port 11B of the circulation path 11 to the washing tub. Washing Q within 4. The processing time of the loop processing, that is, the time for driving the pump 12 is, for example, about 15 seconds. In addition, the amount of the detergent water poured to the laundry Q in the first circulation treatment is about three times the weight of the laundry Q. For example, in the case of the laundry Q of 8 kg, it is about 24 L, which is large. Further, in the detergent water that has passed through the pump 12 in the circulation path 11, since the detergent is broken and refined by the impeller of the pump 12 and dissolved in the water, a high concentration of detergent water can be generated.

After the loop processing, the control unit 30 performs the first soaking process (step S3). In the soaking process, The control unit 30 stops the driving of the pump 12 and causes the detergent water to permeate the laundry Q in the washing tub 4. Specifically, the detergent water poured from the upper side Z1 to the laundry Q during the circulation treatment permeates the laundry Q by its own weight. Further, in the impregnation treatment, since the second drain valve 22 continues to be in an open state, the detergent water that has not penetrated into the laundry Q flows out from the through hole 4E of the washing tub 4 to the outer tub 3, and from the upper side of the drain passage 9. The flow path 9C returns to the water tank 13.

After the soaking process, the control unit 30 performs the first dehydration process (step S4). In the dehydration process, the control unit 30 drives the motor 5 to rotate the washing tub 4. Thereby, since the centrifugal force accompanying the rotation of the washing tub 4 acts on the laundry Q in the washing tub 4, the laundry Q is dehydrated.

Next, the control unit 30 performs the second round processing (step S5), and thereafter performs the second soaking process (step S6), and thereafter performs the second dehydration process (step S7). Further, in the dehydration treatment before the circulation treatment, the detergent water extruded from the laundry Q by dehydration is returned to the water tank 13 via the outer tub 3 and the upper side flow path 9C of the drain passage 9. Further, as described above, the detergent water is also returned from the washing tub 4 to the water tank 13 in the soaking treatment before the dehydration treatment. Therefore, at the start of the circulation process after the dehydration process, the detergent water is in a state of being accumulated in a large amount in the water tank 13. Therefore, at the time of the circulation processing, the circulation of the detergent water can be quickly started without the pump 12 being idling. Further, in the first cycle process, since the laundry Q before washing is in a state of being able to absorb a large amount of detergent water, the treatment time is set to be long, but since the second cycle process, The laundry Q is in a state in which a certain amount of detergent water has been absorbed, so the treatment time is set to be shorter than the processing time of the first circulation treatment. For the same reason, the processing time is set to be long in the first soaking process, but the processing time is set to be shorter than the processing time of the first soaking process from the second soaking process.

In the dehydration washing process, the control unit 30 repeats the circulation process (step S5), the permeation process (step S6), and the dehydration process (step S7) in this order until the dehydration process is performed a predetermined number of times (NO in step S8). "). As an example, the predetermined number of times described above is 25 times. In this case, the loop processing and the soaking processing are repeated a total of 25 times. In addition, as a criterion for the determination in the step S8, the time elapsed from the start of the water supply in the step S1 is not used, but the number of times of the dehydration treatment is used, because the dehydration treatment has not waited for washing due to the bias of the laundry Q or the like. The number of revolutions of the bucket 4 rises until the target maximum number of revolutions is interrupted.

By the plurality of circulation processes, the detergent water in the water tank 13 is sufficiently poured into the laundry Q in the washing tub 4, and in the soaking treatment after each circulation treatment, the laundry Q is treated by a sufficient amount of detergent water. It is in the same state as the immersion. Thereby, the dirt is efficiently floated from the entire laundry Q. Further, in the dehydration treatment after the respective permeation treatment, the dirt is pushed out from the laundry Q along with the detergent water by the centrifugal force accompanying the rotation of the washing tub 4. In the soaking treatment before the dehydration treatment, the detergent water in the outer tub 3 and in the washing tub 4 is returned to the water tank 13. Thereby, at the start of the dehydration process, the water level W in the outer tub 3 is lower than the bottom wall 4B of the washing tub 4 (refer to FIG. 1). Therefore, in the dehydration process, the washing tub 4 does not retract the detergent water in the outer tub 3, and therefore can smoothly rotate to the target maximum number of revolutions without being hindered by the bubbles generated by the detergent water or the detergent water. Further, the washing tub 4 in the dehydration treatment is lighter due to the removal of the detergent water, and thus the vibration accompanying the rotation of the washing tub 4 is lowered. Therefore, the laundry Q can be efficiently dehydrated by the high-speed rotation of the washing tub 4 and the dirt can be removed from the laundry Q. As a result of the above, the cleaning effect of the dehydration cleaning process by the rotation of the washing tub 4 and the detergent water is improved. Further, in the circulation process immediately after the dehydration treatment, a large amount of detergent water which has just returned to the water tank 13 can be used.

Further, since the number of revolutions of the washing tub 4 is easily increased in the dehydration process, the power consumption of the motor 5 can be saved. Further, by repeatedly using the detergent water in the water tank 13 by the multiple cycle processing, it is possible to secure a sufficient amount of detergent water even if new detergent water is not generated every time the dehydration treatment is performed, thereby saving the detergent. And water. In addition, although the water tank 13 which is a member separately provided with the outer tub 3 is provided in order to collect the detergent water, for example, the recess may be provided in the bottom wall 3B of the outer tub 3, and washing may be performed in the later stage of the soaking process. The detergent water in the tub 4 returns to the recess. In the case where the water tank 13 is separately provided, the structure for connecting the rotating shaft 17 of the washing tub 4 and the output shaft 18 of the motor can be easily formed around the bottom wall 3B as compared with the case where such a recess is provided.

When the dehydration treatment is performed a predetermined number of times (YES in step S8), the dehydration washing process is completed, and the control unit 30 performs the next washing process. As the main washing process starts, the control unit 30 closes the second drain valve 22 while continuing to close the first drain valve 10, and opens the water supply valve 7, thereby additionally supplying water to the washing tub 4. At this time, the control unit 30 drives the pump 12 to transfer the detergent water of the water tank 13 to the washing tub 4 via the circulation path 11. Thereby, the detergent water is accumulated in the washing tub 4 to a water level higher than the water level of the detergent water accumulated by the water supply in step S1. As described above, by using the detergent water of the water tank 13 for water supply, the amount of water supplied from the water supply path 6 can be suppressed to be small.

In the main washing process, the control unit 30 drives the washing tub 4 in a state where detergent water is accumulated. The motor 5 rotates the washing tub 4 or rotates the above-described pulsator. Thereby, a water flow of the detergent water is generated in the washing tub 4, and the laundry Q is stirred. This water flow removes the dirt from the laundry Q by mechanical force such as friction or vibration applied to the laundry Q, or chemically decomposes the dirt by the detergent water, thereby performing the formal washing of the laundry Q.

In particular, since the laundry Q is in a state in which it is easily smeared by the dehydration washing process before the formal washing process, the formal washing process can exert a high cleaning effect. It is to be noted that, at the end of the washing operation, that is, at the end of the dehydration process, the control unit 30 opens both the first drain valve 10 and the second drain valve 22, thereby performing the outer tub 3, the washing tub 4, and the water tank 13 Drainage of components. Therefore, in principle, the water tank 13 is empty every time the washing operation is completed.

The control unit 30 may perform the first process of driving the motor 5 to rotate the washing tub 4 at a low speed of a predetermined number of revolutions or less at least in one cycle. The number of revolutions of the motor 5 when the washing tub 4 is rotated at a low speed is, for example, 50 rpm. In addition, the number of revolutions of the motor 5 when the washing tub 4 is rotated in the spin-drying process of the dehydration washing process is, for example, 200 rpm to 800 rpm, and the number of revolutions of the motor 5 when the washing tub 4 is rotated at a high speed during the dehydrating process is, for example, 600 rpm to 800 rpm. . By rotating the washing tub 4 at a low speed in the circulation processing, it is possible to suppress the deviation of the laundry Q in the washing tub 4 and the splashing of the detergent water in the washing tub 4 from the inlet and outlet 4D. Further, the control unit 30 may perform a second process of repeatedly controlling the intermittent rotation of the washing tub 4 by controlling the driving of the motor 5 in at least one cycle process. The intermittent rotation of the washing tub 4 means that the washing tub 4 is repeatedly stopped and rotated by repeatedly energizing and de-energizing the motor 5.

By the first process and the second process, the detergent water returned from the circulation path 11 into the washing tub 4 can be uniformly poured into the laundry Q in the washing tub 4 in the integrated region in the rotation direction of the washing tub 4. Therefore, the dehydration cleaning process can further improve the cleaning effect.

The control unit 30 may also perform a third process of stopping the washing tub 4 in the circulation process and driving the motor 5 to rotate the washing tub 4 only by a predetermined angle before starting the next cycle process in the dehydration washing process. Thereby, in a state where the washing tub 4 is stopped in the circulation process, the washing water can be concentratedly poured to one portion in the rotation direction of the washing tub 4 of the laundry Q. Further, the control unit 30 can rotate the washing tub 4 from the stop position in the previous circulation process a little before starting the next cycle process, so that the washing water can be poured into the laundry in the subsequent cycle process. The part of Q that is different from the part of the washing water that has been poured into the washing process. Further, the stop position in the previous loop processing is temporarily stored by the control unit 30. Thus, the detergent water Q is slightly changed by washing the detergent water. The position is repeated a plurality of times, and finally, a sufficient amount of detergent water can be uniformly poured into the laundry Q in the washing tub 4 in the integrated region in the rotation direction of the washing tub 4. Therefore, the cleaning effect by the detergent water can be further improved.

In the dehydration washing process, only one of the first to third treatments may be performed, or a plurality of treatments in the first to third treatments may be combined. For example, in the first to fifth cycle processes at the beginning of the dehydration washing process, only the first process may be performed, and from the sixth cycle process, only the third process may be performed. In this case, by the first to fifth cycle treatments, the detergent water can be uniformly poured into the entire laundry Q in the initial stage of the dehydration washing process, and a large amount of the washing liquid is started from the sixth cycle. The detergent water is poured to the portion of the laundry Q, whereby the cleaning effect of the portion of the laundry Q impregnated with the detergent water can be improved.

Further, the combination of the first to third processes can be arbitrarily set in accordance with the magnitude of the load amount of the laundry Q and the mode of the washing operation. For example, in the case of a mode in which the amount of laundry is small and the load is small, and the cotton which is easy to absorb water is washed, even if only a small amount of detergent water is uniformly poured onto the laundry Q, the detergent water easily permeates into the washing. The lower portion of the object Q thus increases the frequency of the first process and the second process, and reduces the frequency of the third process. On the other hand, in the case where the amount of the laundry Q is large and the load is large, and the thicker felt is washed, the detergent water is difficult because a large amount of detergent water is not poured to a part of the laundry Q. It infiltrates into the lower portion of the laundry Q, thus increasing the frequency of the third treatment, reducing the frequency of the first treatment and the second treatment.

The control portion 30 may open the water supply valve 7 in the step S1 of the circulation soaking process, and supply a part of the water supply amount of the entire washing process to the washing tub 4 to generate detergent water. Thereby, water saving of the entire washing operation can be achieved, and a high concentration of detergent water can be produced. Further, the water supply amount of the entire washing process is, for example, 60 L. In this case, the water supply amount of the circulation soaking process is set to about 1/3 to 1/2 of 60 L, for example, 20 L.

In this way, during the circulation process, a high concentration of detergent water is generated with a small amount of detergent and water, and the detergent water is uniformly permeated by the pump 12 to the circulation treatment and the soaking treatment of the laundry Q, thereby It is possible to obtain the same cleaning effect as in the case of using a large amount of high-concentration detergent water for immersion. In addition, the high concentration here means a range of the concentration of 2 to 3 times, for example.

Further, the control unit 30 may store the detergent water in the washing tub 4 by closing the second drain valve 22 only for a predetermined period of time in at least one soaking process. Thereby, by the amount accumulated in the washing tub 4 The detergent water can efficiently treat the laundry Q to the same state as the immersion, so that the dehydration cleaning process can further improve the cleaning effect. In this case, all of the detergent water in the water tank 13 can be stored in the washing tub 4, whereby the state equivalent to the immersion can be further efficiently achieved. Further, in the soaking process in the case where the second drain valve 22 is closed, the second drain valve 22 is opened after the lapse of the above-described predetermined time, and the detergent water in the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 4 is returned to the water tank 13.

Further, as described above, when the water supply in the step S1 is performed, the discharge port 6B of the water supply path 6 discharges the water having the detergent passing through the detergent storage unit 8 toward the position where the laundry Q in the washing tub 4 is displaced. That is, when the water supply in the circulation soaking process is performed, the water of the detergent with the detergent containing portion 8 is supplied so as not to be directly hit on the laundry Q. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a situation in which the ultra-high concentration detergent before being dissolved in water adheres only to a part of the surface of the laundry Q, and the entire laundry Q cannot be uniformly washed.

The control unit 30 may change the processing time of each of the circulation processing, the saturation treatment, and the dehydration treatment according to the magnitude of the load amount of the laundry Q in the washing tub 4. Specifically, when the amount of the laundry Q is large and the load is large, since a large amount of detergent water needs to be poured into the laundry Q to permeate it, the control unit 30 usually treats the respective processing times of the circulation treatment and the saturation treatment. Set it longer. Further, since it takes time to dehydrate the laundry Q impregnated with a large amount of detergent water, the control unit 30 usually sets the treatment time of the dehydration treatment to be long. On the other hand, when the amount of the laundry Q is small and the load is small, the control unit 30 usually performs the cycle treatment because a small amount of detergent water is poured into the laundry Q to permeate it to obtain a sufficient cleaning effect. And the processing time for each of the soaking treatments is set to be short. Further, since the laundry Q impregnated with a small amount of detergent water can be dehydrated in a short time, the control unit 30 usually sets the treatment time of the dehydration treatment to be short. Thereby, the most suitable cyclic soaking process can be performed for each load amount. Therefore, the cleaning effect by the detergent water in the dehydration washing process can be further improved.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.

For example, in the washing operation, a circulation soaking process equivalent to omitting the dehydration treatment in the dehydration washing process may be performed before the dehydration washing process. In the circulation soaking process, the circulation process and the soaking process are repeated during the period from the start of the water supply to the lapse of the predetermined time. In this case, through In the high-concentration detergent water, the laundry Q is treated in the same state as the immersion, whereby the laundry is efficiently floated from the laundry Q, so that the laundry Q can be efficiently performed in the subsequent dehydration cleaning process. Cleaning. It should be noted that since the state of the detergent water has been generated at the stage before the dehydration washing process in the case where the circulation soaking process is carried out, the water supply of the step S1 in the dehydration washing process may be omitted, or When this water supply is performed, the water from the discharge port 6B of the water supply path 6 is directly poured to the laundry Q.

Further, it is also possible to omit the formal washing process in the washing operation and to carry out the rinsing process immediately after the dehydrating washing process. In the formal washing process, since the large mechanical force acts on the laundry Q, the laundry Q may be damaged or the laundry Q may be entangled, and it is difficult to take out after the washing operation. Through the dehydration cleaning process, the mechanical force that causes damage and entanglement is difficult to act on the laundry Q. Therefore, when the laundry Q is mainly washed by the dehydration washing process, the damage and entanglement of the laundry Q can be reduced. In this case, in the dehydration washing process, by repeating the circulation treatment and the impregnation treatment, the laundry Q can be treated in a state equivalent to the immersion with a sufficient amount of detergent water. Further, in the dehydration treatment, since the detergent water is in a state of returning to the water tank 13 in the previous impregnation treatment, the washing tub 4 can be rotated at a high speed without being hindered by the detergent water, and the dirt is discharged from the laundry Q. Remove. Therefore, even when the main washing process is omitted, a sufficient washing effect can be exhibited.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the one end portion 11A of the circulation path 11 is connected to the drain passage 9 (see FIG. 1), but may be directly connected to the lower end portion of the water tank 13.

4 is a schematic view of a washing machine 1 of a first modification. Fig. 5 is a schematic view of a washing machine 1 of a second modification. Fig. 6 is a schematic view of a washing machine 1 of a third modification. In FIGS. 4 to 6 , the same portions as those described in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

As a structure for supplying the detergent-laden water so as not to be directly hit on the laundry Q during the water supply in the step S1 in the dehydration washing process, as described above, the discharge port 6B of the water supply path 6 is as As indicated by the thick solid arrows in Fig. 1, the gap 19 toward the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 4 is discharged at a position shifted from the laundry Q in the washing tub 4. As a modification of this structure, a first modification and a second modification are exemplified.

In the first modification shown in FIG. 4, the water supply path 6 extends from the detergent accommodating portion 8 between the circumferential wall 3A of the outer tub 3 and the casing 2 and extends to the lower side Z2, and the other end portion 6C of the water supply path 6 It is connected to the lower end portion of the circumferential wall 3A. The water supply path 6 in this case is a flow path passing through the outer tub 3, and the other end portion 6C The discharge port 6B faces the lower end portion of the gap 19 between the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 4 from the lateral direction Y. On the other hand, the washing machine 1 of the first modification includes the branch path 25 branched from the water supply path 6 in the detergent accommodating portion 8. The branch path 25 is a flow path extending from the detergent accommodating portion 8 to the lower side Z2, and a water supply port 25A that faces the inlet and outlet 4D of the washing tub 4 from the upper side Z1 is provided at the lower end thereof. A water supply valve 26 is provided in the middle of the branch path 25. In the following description of the first modification, for convenience of explanation, the water supply valve 7 will be referred to as a first water supply valve 7, and the water supply valve 26 will be referred to as a second water supply valve 26. The opening and closing of the water supply valve 26 is controlled by the control unit 30.

In the dehydration washing process of the first modification, the control unit 30 opens the first water supply valve 7 in a state where the second water supply valve 26 is closed while the water supply in step S1 is being performed. Thereby, the water from the faucet is supplied with detergent to the washing tub 4 after passing through the detergent accommodating portion 8 and flowing down to the water supply path 6, as indicated by a thick solid arrow, from the discharge port 6B. The bottom wall 4B is also close to the space 27 of the lower side Z2. At this time, the discharge port 6B discharges the water flowing through the guide flow path 29 toward the space 27, that is, at a position shifted from the laundry Q in the washing tub 4. Thereby, the water with the detergent is supplied so as not to be directly hit on the laundry Q. On the other hand, in the case of the water supply of the main washing process after the dehydration washing process, the control unit 30 opens the second water supply valve 26 in a state where the first water supply valve 7 is closed. Thereby, the water from the faucet is directly supplied into the washing tub 4 from the water supply port 25A through the branch path 25. In other words, the initial water supply is performed using the water supply path 6, and the subsequent water supply is performed using the branch path 25.

In the second modification shown in FIG. 5, the other end portion 6C of the water supply path 6 passes through the inlet and outlet 3D of the outer tub 3, and the discharge port 6B of the other end portion 6C faces the inlet and outlet 4D of the washing tub 4 from the upper side Z1. The washing machine 1 of the second modification is provided with a guide portion 28 inside the washing tub 4. The guide portion 28 is a water guide shape extending in the vertical direction Z from the upper end portion to the lower end portion of the circumferential wall 4A of the washing tub 4, and is formed in an arc shape convexly curved toward the axis J side in a plan view. . The guide portion 28 is fixed to the circumferential wall 4A so as to cover one portion on the circumference of the circumferential wall 4A from the side of the axis J. Thereby, a guide flow path 29 extending in the vertical direction Z is formed between the guide portion 28 and the circumferential wall 4A. The upper end portion of the guide portion 28 is a bowl-shaped receiving portion 28A that is formed to bulge toward the axis J side. The guiding flow path 29 is exposed from the receiving portion 28A to the upper side Z1. The discharge port 6B is disposed to face the receiving portion 28A from the upper side Z1.

In the dehydration washing process of the second modification, the control unit 30 opens the water supply valve 7 when the water supply in step S1 is performed. Thereby, the water from the faucet passes through the detergent accommodating portion 8, passes the detergent, passes through the water supply path 6, and falls from the discharge port 6B to the receiving portion 28A of the guide portion 28 as indicated by a thick solid arrow. The water received by the receiving portion 28A flows down in the guiding flow path 29, leaks from the through hole 4E of the washing tub 4 to the outside of the washing tub 4, and reaches the lower side Z2 in the outer tub 3 than the bottom wall 4B of the washing tub 4. Space 27. At this time, the discharge port 6B discharges the water flowing through the guide flow path 29 toward the guide portion 28, that is, at a position shifted from the laundry Q in the washing tub 4. Thereby, the water with the detergent is supplied so as not to be directly hit on the laundry Q.

In the third modification shown in FIG. 6, the circulation path 11 includes a main flow path 11D extending from the one end portion 11A to the other end portion 11C and having the spouting port 11B, and a branch flow path 11E branched from the main flow path 11D. Although the branch flow path 11E is connected to the lower end portion of the circumferential wall 3A of the outer tub 3 from the lateral direction Y in Fig. 6, it may be connected to the water tank 13 instead of the outer tub 3. A switching valve 35 is provided at a connection portion between the main flow path 11D and the branch flow path 11E. The switching valve 35 is a so-called three-way valve that is connected to both side portions of the main flow path 11D that sandwich the switching valve 35 and the branch flow path 11E. The switching valve 35 is controlled to open and close by the control unit 30, thereby switching the flow of the detergent water in the circulation path 11 to the main flow path 11D or the branch flow path 11E.

Therefore, the circulation process can circulate the detergent water between the washing tub 4 and the circulation path 11 by switching the flow of the detergent water in the circulation path 11 to the main flow path 11D. Further, by switching the flow of the detergent water in the circulation path 11 to the branch flow path 11E at a time point before the circulation process or the like, the detergent water in the circulation path 11 does not reach the washing tub 4 but directly via the branch flow. The road 11E enters the outer tub 3 or the water tank 13 with a shortcut. Thereby, since the frequency of the detergent water flowing through the pump 12 can be increased and the stirring of the detergent water by the impeller of the pump 12 can be promoted, the detergent can be efficiently dissolved in water to generate a high-concentration detergent water. Therefore, the dehydration cleaning process can further improve the cleaning effect by using a high concentration of detergent water.

Claims

A washing machine comprising:

The outer bucket can store water;

a washing tub having a through hole for extending water between the washing tub and the outer tub and a longitudinally extending axis, and accommodating the laundry and being accommodated in the outer tub;

a motor that rotates the washing tub;

a water tank, connected to the outer tub, receiving detergent water mixed with detergent from the outer tub;

a circulation path, draws detergent water from the water tank and injects it into the washing tub from the upper side;

Pumping the detergent water in the water tank into the circulation path and causing it to rise within the circulation path;

The execution unit performs a washing operation including a dehydration washing process, which repeatedly performs a circulation process, a soaking process, and a dehydration process, wherein the circulation process is to drive the detergent water in the water tank by driving the pump Circulating between the washing tub and the circulation path and pouring it into the washing tub; the soaking treatment is to stop the driving of the pump and the detergent water in the washing tub after the circulating treatment The laundry is saturated inside and returned to the water tank; the dehydration treatment is to spin the washing tub by driving the motor after the saturating treatment, thereby dehydrating the laundry.
The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein

The execution unit drives the motor to rotate the wash tub in at least one of the loop processes.
A washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein

a vent hole is formed in the water tank,

The washing machine includes an exhaust pipe having an end portion connected to the exhaust hole and another end portion connected to an upper portion of the outer tub.
The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein

Includes:

a water supply path for supplying water to the washing tub;

a detergent storage unit connected to the water supply path and containing detergent

The water supply path has a discharge port, and the water that has passed through the detergent storage unit and flows through the water supply path is discharged toward a position shifted by the laundry in the washing tub.
The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein

The circulation path includes: a main flow path having a spouting port from the upper side to the washing tub; and a branch flow path branched from the main flow path and connected to the outer tub or the water tank,

The washing machine includes a reversing valve that switches a flow of detergent water in the circulation path to the main flow path or the branch flow path.
The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein

include:

a flow path connecting the outer tub and the water tank;

a valve that opens and closes the flow path,

The execution unit closes the valve in at least one of the soaking processes, and accumulates detergent water in the washing tub.