WO2020216252A1

WO2020216252A1 - Washing machine

Info

Publication number: WO2020216252A1
Application number: PCT/CN2020/086139
Authority: WO
Inventors: 间宫春夫; 萩生田康一
Original assignee: 青岛海尔洗衣机有限公司; Aqua株式会社; 海尔智家股份有限公司
Priority date: 2019-04-25
Filing date: 2020-04-22
Publication date: 2020-10-29
Also published as: CN113748238B; JP2020178913A; JP7350252B2; CN113748238A

Abstract

A washing machine capable of sustaining the effect of multi-functional detergent in laundry. A microcomputer in the washing machine executes a washing operation in standard mode or special mode. In order to rinse laundry during the washing operation in standard mode, the microcomputer at least executes a water storage and rinsing process in which the laundry is rinsed when the water in a washing tub reaches a predetermined water level. In order to rinse the laundry during the washing operation in special mode, the microcomputer does not execute a water storage and rinsing process but repeatedly executes a spray and rinsing process in which the washing tub is rotated while supplying water to the washing tub. The cumulative amount of water supplied which serves as the amount of water supplied to the washing tub in order to rinse the laundry during the washing operation in special mode is less than the cumulative amount of water supplied which serves as the amount of water supplied to the washing tub for rinsing the laundry during the washing operation in standard mode.

Description

washing machine

Technical field

The invention relates to a washing machine.

Background technique

The washing machine described in Patent Document 1 described below has a standard mode and a water saving mode in the washing operation. In the standard mode, the cleaning process, the dehydration rinsing process, the water storage rinsing process, and the final dehydration process are executed in sequence. The dehydration rinsing process includes a water supply process of supplying water to the washing and dehydration tub to the extent that the laundry is saturated with water and a dehydration process following the water supply process. During the dehydration process, the motor rotates the washing and dehydration barrel at a high speed. In the water storage rinsing process, the laundry is rinsed in a state where water is stored in the washing and dehydrating tank to a predetermined water level. In the water saving mode, the washing process and multiple dehydration rinsing processes are executed in sequence, and the dehydration process in the final dehydration rinsing process doubles as the final dehydration process.

Through multi-functionalization, recent detergents not only have the original cleaning function of decomposing dirt, but also have an aroma function to impart a fragrance to the laundry, an antibacterial function to provide an antibacterial effect on the laundry, and the like. In the washing operation of the washing machine of Patent Document 1, the rinsing performance is emphasized in both the standard mode and the water-saving mode. Therefore, even if a multifunctional detergent is used, the additional components such as aromatic components and antibacterial components in the multifunctional detergent will be affected. Rinse off. Therefore, it is difficult to sustain the fragrance effect and antibacterial effect obtained by the additional components in the laundry after washing.

Prior art literature

Patent literature

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-123538

Summary of the invention

The problem to be solved by the invention

The present invention has been completed in view of the above background, and its object is to provide a washing machine capable of sustaining the effects of the multifunctional detergent in the laundry.

Solution to the problem

The present invention is a washing machine, including: a washing tub for containing laundry; a motor for rotating the washing tub; and an execution unit for supplying water to the washing tub, draining the washing tub, or controlling the motor The washing tub is rotated to perform the washing operation in the standard mode or the special mode. In order to rinse the laundry during the washing operation in the standard mode, the execution unit performs at least storing water in the washing tub In the water storage rinsing process of rinsing the laundry in the state of reaching a predetermined water level, in order to rinse the laundry during the washing operation in the special mode, the execution unit does not perform the water storage rinsing process but executes one side multiple times The spray rinsing process in which water is supplied to the washing tub while the washing tub is rotated is used as the cumulative water supply ratio of the amount of water supplied to the washing tub in order to rinse the laundry in the washing operation in the special mode as In order to rinse the laundry in the washing operation in the standard mode, the cumulative water supply amount of the amount of water supplied to the washing tub is small.

In addition, the present invention is characterized in that the single water supply amount, which is the amount of water supplied to the washing tub in each of the multiple times of the spray rinsing process in the washing operation in the special mode, is the same as the first Compared with the single water supply volume of the second spray rinsing process, the single water supply volume of the spray rinsing process after the second time is less.

In addition, the present invention is characterized in that the execution unit executes the spin-drying process immediately before each of the multiple spray rinsing processes in the washing operation in the special mode, and for the motor in the spin-drying process In terms of the maximum rotation speed, compared with the maximum rotation speed of the motor in the dehydration process immediately before the first spray rinsing process, the second and subsequent spray rinse processes in the dehydration process immediately before The maximum speed of the motor is low.

In addition, the present invention is characterized in that the execution unit executes the dehydration process immediately before each of the multiple spray rinsing processes in the washing operation in the special mode, and the execution unit is in the standard mode During the washing operation, the dehydration process is executed at a timing before the water storage rinsing process. For the entire washing operation, the dehydration process will start after the motor speed exceeds a predetermined value until the maximum speed is reached. As for the accumulated time of the value obtained by the accumulation of the time until the decrease, the accumulated time in the special mode is equal to or less than the accumulated time in the standard mode.

Invention effect

According to the present invention, the washing operation of the washing machine has a standard mode and a special mode. In the case of rinsing the laundry in the standard mode, a water storage rinsing process of rinsing the laundry in a state where water is stored in the washing tub to a predetermined water level is performed. When a multifunctional detergent is used, the additional components of the multifunctional detergent are diluted by the water stored in the washing tub during the water storage rinsing process, so the effect of the additional components in the laundry is difficult to sustain.

On the other hand, in the case of rinsing the laundry in the special mode, the water storage rinsing process is not performed, and the spray rinsing process of rotating the washing tub while supplying water to the washing tub is performed multiple times. In the spray rinsing process, compared with the water storage rinsing process, no water is stored in the washing tub, so the additional components of the multifunctional detergent are not easily diluted. Moreover, for the accumulated water supply amount related to the rinsing of the laundry, the accumulated water supply amount in the special mode is less than the accumulated water supply amount in the standard mode. Therefore, compared with the standard mode, the multifunctional detergent in the special mode Additional ingredients are more difficult to be diluted. Therefore, in the case of using a multifunctional detergent, by performing a washing operation in a special mode, the effect of the additional component of the multifunctional detergent in the laundry can be sustained.

In addition, according to the present invention, for the individual water supply volume of each spray rinsing process in the washing operation of the special mode, compared with the individual water supply volume of the first spray rinsing process, the second and subsequent spray rinsing processes The individual water supply is small. Therefore, in the first spray rinsing process, it can remove the components that should be removed by rinsing in the multifunctional detergent, that is, the cleaning component, and can suppress the multifunctional detergent during the second and subsequent spray rinsing processes. The additional ingredients are excessively diluted. As a result, the additional components of the multifunctional detergent are likely to remain in the laundry, and the effects obtained by the additional components of the multifunctional detergent can be sustained.

In addition, according to the present invention, the maximum rotation speed of the motor that rotates the washing tub during the spin-drying process immediately before each spray rinsing process in the washing operation of the special mode is the same as the one immediately before the first spray rinsing process. The maximum rotation speed of the motor during the dehydration process is lower than the maximum rotation speed of the motor during the dehydration process immediately before the second and subsequent spray rinsing process. As a result, compared with the case where the maximum rotation speed does not decrease during the second and subsequent spray rinsing process, the additional components of the multifunctional detergent become more likely to remain in the washing, so the additional components of the multifunctional detergent can be increased. The effect of the ingredients lasts.

In addition, according to the present invention, for the accumulated time obtained by accumulating the predetermined time in the spin-drying process during the entire washing operation, the accumulated time in the special mode is less than the accumulated time in the standard mode. As a result, in the special mode, the additional components of the multifunctional detergent are likely to remain in the laundry, and therefore, the effects obtained by the additional components of the multifunctional detergent can be sustained.

Description of the drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional right view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

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

Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing a control operation during a washing operation in a standard mode.

Fig. 4 is a time chart showing a part of the washing operation in the standard mode.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing a control operation during a washing operation in a special mode.

Fig. 6 is a time chart showing a part of the washing operation in the special mode.

Fig. 7 is a time chart showing a part of the washing operation in the special mode of the first modification.

Fig. 8 is a time chart showing a part of the washing operation in the special mode of the second modification.

Description of reference signs

1: washing machine; 4: washing tub; 6: motor; 30: microcomputer; Q: washing.

Detailed ways

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a schematic vertical sectional right side view of a washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The up-down direction in FIG. 1 is referred to as the up-down direction Z of the washing machine 1, and the left-right direction in FIG. 1 is referred to as the front-rear direction Y of the washing machine 1. First, the outline of the washing machine 1 will be described. In the vertical 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. Among the front-rear direction Y, the left side in FIG. 1 is referred to as the front side Y1, and the right side in FIG. 1 is referred to as the rear side Y2.

The washing machine 1 includes an integrated washer-dryer with a drying function. However, the washing machine 1 will be described below with an example of a washing machine that omits the drying function and only performs a washing operation. The washing machine 1 includes: a cabinet 2, an outer tub 3 contained in the cabinet 2, a washing tub 4 contained in the outer tub 3, a rotating wing 5 contained in the washing tub 4, and a washing tub 4 or a rotating wing 5 An electric motor 6 for rotating driving force and a transmission mechanism 7 for switching the transmission destination of the driving force generated by the motor 6.

The box 2 is made of metal, for example, and is formed in a box shape. The upper surface 2A of the box body 2 is formed obliquely with respect to the horizontal direction H so as to extend toward the rear side Y2 toward the upper side Z1, for example. An opening 8 for communicating the inside and outside of the box 2 is formed in the upper surface 2A. A door 9 that opens and closes the opening 8 is provided on the upper surface 2A. In the upper surface 2A, a region on the front side Y1 of the opening 8 is provided with an operation portion 10A composed of a switch or the like, and a display portion 10B composed of a liquid crystal panel or the like. The user can freely select washing conditions or instruct the washing machine 1 to start and stop the operation by operating the operation unit 10A. The information related to the washing operation is displayed visually on the display unit 10B. The operation unit 10A and the display unit 10B may be integrated by a touch panel or the like.

The outer tub 3 is made of resin, for example, and is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom. The outer tub 3 has: a generally cylindrical circumferential wall 3A arranged along an inclined direction K inclined to the front side Y1 with respect to the up-down direction Z; a bottom wall 3B that blocks the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 3A from the lower side Z2; and The ring-shaped annular wall 3C surrounds the end edge of the upper side Z1 of the circumferential wall 3A and protrudes toward the center of the circumferential wall 3A. The inclination direction K is not only inclined with respect to the vertical direction Z, but also inclined with respect to the horizontal direction H. The hollow portion of the circumferential wall 3A is exposed to the upper side Z1 from the inner side of the annular wall 3C. The bottom wall 3B is orthogonal to the inclination direction K and is formed in a disc shape extending obliquely with respect to the horizontal direction H, and a through hole 3D penetrating the bottom wall 3B is formed at the center of the bottom wall 3B.

For example, a box-shaped detergent container 12 is arranged on the upper side Z1 of the outer tub 3 in the box 2. A water supply port 12A is formed in the lower part of the detergent container 12, which communicates with the inside of the detergent container 12 and faces the outer tub 3 from the upper side Z1. Inside the detergent accommodating part 12, a detergent accommodating chamber 12B accommodating detergent and a softener accommodating chamber 12C accommodating a softener are divided. To the detergent storage chamber 12B, a water supply channel 13 connected to a water tap (not shown) is connected from the rear side Y2. The water from the faucet flows through the water supply path 13 and passes through the detergent storage chamber 12B, flows down from the water supply port 12A in a spray pattern as indicated by the broken line arrow, and is supplied into the outer tub 3. Thus, the detergent in the detergent storage chamber 12B is supplied into the outer tub 3 along with water. When there is no detergent in the detergent storage chamber 12B, only water is supplied into the outer tub 3. A water supply valve 14 opened and closed in order to start or stop water supply is provided in the middle of the water supply path 13.

The softener storage chamber 12C is connected to a branch path 15 branching from a portion of the water supply path 13 that is closer to the upstream side of the faucet than the water supply valve 14. A softener supply valve 16 that opens and closes in order to start or stop water supply is provided in the middle of the branch road 15. When the softener supply valve 16 is opened with the water supply valve 14 closed, the water from the faucet flows from the water supply path 13 into the branch path 15 and passes through the softener storage chamber 12C, and flows down from the water supply port 12A in a spray pattern to be supplied To the outer barrel 3. Thus, the softener in the softener storage chamber 12C is supplied into the outer tub 3 along with water. The water in the softener storage chamber 12C may directly reach the water supply port 12A without passing through the detergent storage chamber 12B, or may reach the water supply port 12A via the detergent storage chamber 12B.

The outer tub 3 is connected to a drainage passage 18 from the lower side Z2, and the water in the outer tub 3 is discharged from the drainage passage 18 to the outside of the machine. A drain valve 19 that opens and closes in order to start or stop draining water is provided in the middle of drain path 18. When the water supply valve 14 is opened with the drain valve 19 closed, water is stored in the outer tub 3.

The washing tub 4 is, for example, made of metal, has a central axis 20 extending in the oblique direction K, is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom that is slightly smaller than the outer tub 3, and can contain laundry Q inside. The washing tub 4 has a substantially cylindrical circumferential wall 4A arranged along the inclined direction K, and a bottom wall 4B that blocks the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 4A from the lower side Z2.

The inner circumferential surface of the circumferential wall 4A is the inner circumferential surface of the washing tub 4. The upper end portion of the inner peripheral surface of the circumferential wall 4A is an entrance 21 that exposes the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 4A to the upper side Z1. The inlet and outlet 21 is in a state of opposing the inner region of the annular wall 3C of the outer tub 3 from the lower side Z2 and communicating with the opening 8 of the box 2 from the lower side Z2. The user of the washing machine 1 takes out or puts the laundry Q into the washing tub 4 through the open opening 8 and the entrance 21.

The washing tub 4 is housed in the outer tub 3 coaxially, and is arranged obliquely with respect to the vertical direction Z and the horizontal direction H. The washing tub 4 in the state contained in the outer tub 3 can rotate around the central axis 20. A plurality of through holes (not shown) are formed in the circumferential wall 4A and the bottom wall 4B of the washing tub 4, and the water in the outer tub 3 can pass between the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 4 through the through holes. Therefore, the water level in the outer tub 3 is consistent with the water level in the washing tub 4. In addition, the water flowing out from the water supply port 12A of the detergent container 12 passes through the inlet and outlet 21 of the washing tub 4 and is directly supplied into the washing tub 4 from the upper side Z1.

The bottom wall 4B of the washing tub 4 is formed in the shape of a circular plate extending substantially in parallel with the bottom wall 3B of the outer tub 3 spaced apart on the upper side Z1, and the bottom wall 4B is formed with a through hole at the center of the circle that coincides with the central axis 20 The through hole 4C of the bottom wall 4B. The bottom wall 4B is provided with a tubular support shaft 22 that surrounds the through hole 4C and extends along the central axis 20 to the lower side Z2. The support shaft 22 is inserted through the through hole 3D of the bottom wall 3B of the outer tub 3, and the lower end of the support shaft 22 is located on the lower side Z2 than the bottom wall 3B.

The rotor blade 5 is a so-called pulsator, formed in a disk shape centered on the central axis 20, and is arranged concentrically with the washing tub 4 along the bottom wall 4B in the washing tub 4. The rotor blade 5 is provided with a plurality of blades 5A radially arranged on the upper surface facing the inlet and outlet 21 of the washing tub 4 from the lower side Z2. The rotating blade 5 is provided with a rotating shaft 23 extending from its center along the central axis 20 to the lower side Z2. The rotating shaft 23 is inserted through the hollow portion of the support shaft 22, and the lower end of the rotating shaft 23 is located on the lower side Z2 than the bottom wall 3B of the tub 3.

In this embodiment, the motor 6 is realized by an inverter motor. The motor 6 is arranged on the lower side Z2 of the tub 3 in the case 2. The motor 6 has an output shaft 24 that rotates around the central axis 20. The transmission mechanism 7 is interposed between the lower end of each of the support shaft 22 and the rotating shaft 23 and the upper end of the output shaft 24. The transmission mechanism 7 selectively transmits the driving force output by the motor 6 from the output shaft 24 to one or both of the support shaft 22 and the rotation shaft 23. As the transmission mechanism 7, a known transmission mechanism can be used.

When the driving force from the motor 6 is transmitted to the support shaft 22, the washing tub 4 rotates about the center axis 20. When the driving force from the motor 6 is transmitted to the rotating shaft 23, the rotating wing 5 rotates about the central axis 20. The rotation direction of the washing tub 4 and the rotating wing 5 is consistent with the circumferential direction X of the washing tub 4. The rotation direction of the output shaft 24 of the motor 6 can be changed. Therefore, the washing tub 4 and the rotating wing 5 can rotate not only in one direction of the circumferential direction X, but also in the other direction opposite to the one direction.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical structure of the washing machine 1. 2, the washing machine 1 includes a microcomputer 30 as an execution unit. The microcomputer 30 is composed of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc., and is arranged in the cabinet 2 (refer to the figure). 1).

The washing machine 1 further includes a water level sensor 31, a rotation sensor 32 and a buzzer 33. The water level sensor 31, the rotation sensor 32, and the buzzer 33, as well as the above-mentioned operation unit 10A and display unit 10B are electrically connected to the microcomputer 30, respectively. The motor 6, the transmission mechanism 7, the water supply valve 14, the softener supply valve 16, and the drain valve 19 are electrically connected to the microcomputer 30 via a drive circuit 34, 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 microcomputer 30 in real time.

The rotation sensor 32 is a device that reads the rotation speed of the motor 6, strictly speaking, it is a device that reads the rotation speed of the output shaft 24 in the motor 6, and is composed of, for example, a plurality of Hall ICs (not shown). The rotation speed read by the rotation sensor 32 is input to the microcomputer 30 in real time. The microcomputer 30 controls the duty ratio of the voltage applied to the motor 6 based on the input rotation speed, and controls the rotation of the motor 6 so that the motor 6 rotates at a desired rotation speed. In this embodiment, the rotation speed of the motor 6 is the same as the rotation speed of the washing tub 4. In addition, the microcomputer 30 switches the rotation direction of the output shaft 24 of the motor 6.

As described above, when the user operates the operation unit 10A to select the washing conditions of the laundry Q, the microcomputer 30 accepts the selection. The microcomputer 30 displays necessary information on the display unit 10B in a manner that is visible to the user. The microcomputer 30 notifies the user of the start, end, etc. of the washing operation by generating a predetermined sound from the buzzer 33.

The microcomputer 30 controls the transmission mechanism 7 to switch the transmission destination of the driving force of the motor 6 to one or both of the support shaft 22 and the rotation shaft 23. The microcomputer 30 controls the opening and closing of the water supply valve 14, the softener supply valve 16, and the drain valve 19. Therefore, the microcomputer 30 can supply water to the washing tub 4 by opening the water supply valve 14, can supply softener to the washing tub 4 by opening the softener supply valve 16, and can perform draining of the washing tub 4 by opening the drain valve 19.

In the washing machine 1, the microcomputer 30 supplies water to the washing tub 4, performs drainage of the washing tub 4, or controls the rotation of the motor 6 to rotate the washing tub 4, thereby performing a washing operation. There are a standard mode and a special mode in the washing operation, and it is possible to select which of the standard mode and the special mode by the operation of the operation unit 10A by the user. The special mode is a mode suitable for the use of multifunctional detergents that have fragrance functions, antibacterial functions, etc. in addition to washing functions. The multifunctional detergent can be in the form of powder or liquid and placed in the detergent compartment 12B of the detergent compartment 12 at the beginning of the washing operation, or it can be in the form of encapsulating the cleaning ingredients, aroma ingredients and antibacterial ingredients in a slurry form For example, it is formed into a spherical shape and is directly put into the washing tub 4 instead of the detergent storage chamber 12B.

The washing operation in each mode includes: a washing process to wash the laundry Q in the washing tub 4; a rinsing process to rinse the laundry Q after the washing process; and a dehydration process to spin the laundry Q. The dehydration process is divided into a final dehydration process performed at the end of the washing operation and one or more intermediate dehydration processes performed before the final dehydration process. It should be noted that in the washing operation, only tap water may be used, or bath water may be used as needed. In addition, the presence or absence of the softener during the washing operation can be selected in advance by the operation of the operation unit 10A by the user.

The washing operation in the standard mode will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 3 and the time chart in FIG. 4. In the time chart of FIG. 4, the horizontal axis represents the elapsed time, and the vertical axis sequentially represents the rotation speed of the motor 6 (unit: rpm), the on/off state of the motor 6, and the on/off state of the water supply valve 14 from top to bottom. The open state and the on/off state of the drain valve 19. The descriptions on the horizontal axis and the vertical axis are similarly applied to each time chart after FIG. 6 described later.

As the washing operation starts, the microcomputer 30 detects the amount of laundry Q in the washing tub 4 as the load amount (step S1). Specifically, the microcomputer 30 detects the amount of load based on the fluctuation of the rotation speed of the motor 6 when the rotor 5 on which the laundry Q is placed is rotated. The microcomputer 30 displays the duration of the washing operation, the required amount of detergent, and the like corresponding to the detected load amount on the display unit 10B.

Next, the microcomputer 30 executes the cleaning process (step S2). During the cleaning process, the microcomputer 30 opens the water supply valve 14 with the drain valve 19 closed to supply water to the washing tub 4. When the water is stored in the washing tub 4 to a predetermined water level corresponding to the load, the microcomputer 30 closes the water supply valve 14 to stop the water supply, and drives the motor 6 for a predetermined time to rotate the washing tub 4 and the rotor 5. The laundry Q in the washing tub 4 is stirred by the rotating washing tub 4 and the blades 5A of the rotating blade 5, and the dirt is decomposed by the detergent put into the washing tub 4, thereby cleaning. After that, the microcomputer 30 stops the driving of the motor 6 and opens the drain valve 19. As a result, the water stored in the washing tub 4 is discharged from the drain passage 18 of the outer tub 3 to the outside of the machine. It should be noted that at the stage after the end of the washing process, the laundry Q is in a state of being soaked by detergent water as water in which detergent is dissolved.

The microcomputer 30 executes the first dehydration process immediately after the washing process (step S3). The first dehydration process is called the first dehydration process. In the first dehydration process, the microcomputer 30 drives the motor 6 for a predetermined time while keeping the drain valve 19 open, so that the washing tub 4 and the rotary wing 5 rotate integrally.

To describe the dehydration process in detail, the microcomputer 30 accelerates the rotation speed of the motor 6 from 0 rpm to the first rotation speed of 120 rpm, and then stabilizes the rotation of the motor 6 at a low speed of 120 rpm. The first rotation speed is higher than the rotation speed (for example, 50 rpm to 60 rpm) at which the washing tub 4 generates lateral resonance, and is lower than the rotation speed (for example, 200 rpm to 220 rpm) at which the washing tub 4 generates longitudinal resonance. After stable rotation at 120 rpm, the microcomputer 30 accelerates the rotation speed of the motor 6 from 120 rpm to a second rotation speed of 240 rpm, and then stabilizes the rotation of the motor 6 at a low speed of 240 rpm. The second rotation speed is slightly higher than the rotation speed at which longitudinal resonance occurs. Then, the microcomputer 30 maintains the maximum rotation speed after accelerating the rotation speed of the motor 6 from 240 rpm to 800 rpm as the maximum rotation speed, thereby causing the motor 6 to rotate stably at a high speed.

In this way, the motor 6 is accelerated in stages during the dehydration process, and therefore, it is possible to prevent a problem that a large amount of water seeps out of the laundry Q at a time, which causes the drainage state of the drainage channel 18 to deteriorate or bubbles enter the drainage channel 18. Furthermore, the microcomputer 30 applies a brake to the rotation of the motor 6 to stop the rotation of the motor 6 at the end of the dehydration process. As the brake here, the microcomputer 30 may control the duty ratio to stop the rotation of the motor 6 in an emergency, or may additionally provide a brake device (not shown) and the microcomputer 30 may operate the brake device. This causes the rotation of the motor 6 to stop urgently.

The microcomputer 30 executes the spray rinsing process immediately after the first spin-drying process (step S4). During the spray rinsing process, the microcomputer 30 alternately turns on the motor 6 to drive it and turns off the motor 6 to stop, thereby causing the washing tub 4 to intermittently rotate in one direction at a very low speed. Specifically, the rotation speed of the motor 6 changes in a manner of alternately repeating an increase from 0 rpm to 30 rpm and a decrease from 30 rpm to 0 rpm.

Here, 30 rpm is an example. What is important is that the rotation speed of the motor 6 during the spray rinsing process is lower than the minimum rotation speed at which the washing tub 4 resonates. This minimum rotation speed differs according to the size of the washing tub 4, but in the case of the present embodiment, it is the rotation speed at which the washing tub 4 generates lateral resonance, which is the aforementioned 50 rpm to 60 rpm. Therefore, the washing tub 4 in the spray rinsing process rotates at a lower speed than the dehydration process. It should be noted that during the spray rinsing process, the washing tub 4 rotates but the rotating wings 5 are in a stationary state.

In addition, during the spray rinsing process, the microcomputer 30 alternately repeatedly turns on and opens the water supply valve 14 and turns off and closes the water supply valve 14 to thereby intermittently supply water to the washing tub 4. The timing of on/off of the water supply valve 14 coincides with the timing of on/off of the motor 6. Therefore, while the motor 6 is on, the water supply valve 14 is also on, and while the motor 6 is off, the water supply valve 14 is also off. During the spray rinsing process, the intermittent rotation of the washing tub 4 and the intermittent water supply are performed at the same timing. Therefore, while the washing tub 4 is rotating at an extremely low speed, water is poured from the water supply path 13 to the laundry Q in the washing tub 4. At this time, the water from the water supply path 13 is supplied to the laundry Q from the water supply port 12A of the detergent container 12 in the above-mentioned shower form. The supply of such spray-like water is also called "spray water supply". During the spray rinsing process, a small amount of water is supplied to the washing tub 4 to the extent that the laundry Q is soaked by water, and the drain valve 19 continues to be turned on after the first spin-drying process to be in an open state, so there is almost no supply to the washing tub 4 water storage. The first dehydration process and the spray rinsing process immediately thereafter constitute the first rinsing process in the standard mode. The first rinsing process is called the first rinsing process. It should be noted that, during the spray rinsing process, the washing tub 4 is not intermittently rotated by alternately repeating the on/off of the motor 6; instead, the motor 6 is turned on at 30 rpm. The low-speed continuous rotation, thereby causing the washing tub 4 to continuously rotate at a low speed, and intermittently supply water during the continuous rotation of the washing tub 4.

The microcomputer 30 executes the dehydration process substantially the same as step S3 immediately after the first rinsing process as the second dehydration process (step S5). Through the second dehydration process, the laundry Q in the washing tub 4 is centrifuged and dehydrated. As a result, the detergent water permeated into the laundry Q can be shaken off and removed together with the water supplied in the immediately preceding first shower rinsing process. The first dehydration process of step S3 is the same as the second dehydration process of step S5 in that the motor 6 is accelerated from 0 rpm to 120 rpm, 240 rpm, and 800 rpm in stages. However, in the first dehydration process and the second dehydration process, the time T from when the rotation speed of the motor 6 exceeds the prescribed value of 240 rpm until the maximum rotation speed of 800 rpm starts to decrease in one dehydration process is different. Specifically, the corresponding time T1 in the first dehydration process is longer than the corresponding time T2 in the second dehydration process (refer to FIG. 4). For example, the time T1 is 120 seconds, and the time T2 is 60 seconds.

Next, the microcomputer 30 executes the water supply process (step S6). Specifically, the microcomputer 30 opens the water supply valve 14 with the drain valve 19 closed to supply water to the washing tub 4. For example, when water is stored in the washing tub 4 to a predetermined water level where the laundry Q is located on the lower side Z2 of the water surface, the microcomputer 30 closes the water supply valve 14 to stop the water supply, thereby ending the water supply process.

The microcomputer 30 executes the water storage rinsing process immediately after the water supply process (step S7). Specifically, the microcomputer 30 drives the motor 6 for a predetermined time to rotate the rotor blade 5 in a state where the water in the washing tub 4 has been stored to a predetermined water level through the immediately preceding water supply process. In such a water storage rinsing process, the laundry Q in the washing tub 4 is immersed in water by being stirred by the blade 5A of the rotating wing 5, thereby being rinsed. During the water storage and rinsing process, the rotating wing 5 can also rotate in the same direction as one of the above-mentioned one direction or the other direction. However, in this embodiment, the rotating wing 5 is driven by the motor 6 intermittently. It is reversed by repeating forward and reverse rotation alternately at intervals of ~2 seconds. It should be noted that the washing tub 4 is in a static state during the water storage rinsing process. The second dehydration process of step S5, the water supply process of step S6, and the water storage rinsing process of step S7 constitute the second rinsing process in the standard mode. The second rinsing process is called the second rinsing process.

When the softener is selected in advance, the microcomputer 30 opens the softener supply valve 16 immediately before the water storage rinsing process, and puts the softener into the washing tub 4. In this case, in the water storage rinsing process, the softener penetrates the washing Q, and the washing Q is given softness and fragrance.

The microcomputer 30 stops the driving of the motor 6 at the end of the water storage rinsing process, thereby ending the second rinsing process. At the stage after the water storage rinsing process is completed, the laundry Q is in a completely rinsed state, and there is basically no detergent component in the laundry Q.

Next, the microcomputer 30 executes the final dehydration process (step S8). Specifically, the microcomputer 30 opens the drain valve 19 first. As a result, the water stored in the washing tub 4 is discharged from the drain passage 18 of the outer tub 3 to the outside of the machine. Then, the microcomputer 30 keeps the drain valve 19 open, and drives the motor 6 for a predetermined time to rotate the washing tub 4 and the rotary wing 5 integrally. The content of the final dehydration process is approximately the same as that of the first dehydration process and the second dehydration process, but the time for the motor 6 to rotate stably at the maximum rotation speed of 800 rpm in the final dehydration process is longer than the first dehydration process and the second dehydration process. As a result, in the final dehydration process, centrifugal force acts on the laundry Q in the washing tub 4 for a long time, so the laundry Q is formally dehydrated. The water seeping out from the laundry Q due to dehydration is discharged from the drain path 18 of the outer tub 3 to the outside of the machine. With the end of the final dehydration process, the washing operation in the standard mode ends.

As described above, in order to rinse the laundry Q in the washing operation in the standard mode, the microcomputer 30 performs at least the water storage rinsing process. In addition, the microcomputer 30 executes the dehydration process at the timing before the water storage rinsing process in the washing operation in the standard mode (steps S3, S5).

In the time chart of FIG. 4, below the horizontal axis, the individual water supply amount as the amount of water supplied by the microcomputer 30 to the washing tub 4 in each rinsing process is shown in each case when the load amount of the laundry Q is large or small. As an example, when the load of laundry Q is greater than a predetermined value, that is, when the water level is high, the single water supply amount (unit: L) is 7L in the first shower rinsing process of the first rinsing process. The water supply in the second rinsing process is 48L. In this case, the cumulative water supply amount, which is the amount of water supplied to the washing tub 4 during one washing operation by the microcomputer 30 in order to rinse the laundry Q, is 55 L (=7+48). In addition, when the load of the laundry Q is less than the specified value, that is, when the water level is low, the single water supply amount is 5L in the first spray rinsing process of the first rinsing process, and in the water supply process of the second rinsing process It is 30L, and the cumulative water supply amount in this case is 35L (=5+30).

Next, the washing operation in the special mode will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5 and the time chart of FIG. 6. Following the start of the washing operation in the special mode, the microcomputer 30 detects the load of the laundry Q in the same manner as in step S1 (step S11), and then performs the same washing process as in step S2 (step S12).

Next, the microcomputer 30 executes the same first dehydration process as step S3 (step S13) and executes the same shower rinsing process as step S4 (step S14). The spray rinsing process in step S14, that is, the first spray rinsing process in the special mode is called the first spray rinsing process. The first spin-drying process of step S13 and the first spray rinsing process of step S14 immediately thereafter constitute the first rinsing process in the special mode.

After the first rinsing process, the microcomputer 30 then executes the same dehydration process as step S13 (step S15) and executes the same spray rinsing process as step S14 (step S16). The dehydration process of step S15 is called the second dehydration process, and the spray rinsing process of step S16, that is, the second spray rinsing process in the special mode, is called the second spray rinsing process. The second spin-drying process of step S15 and the second spray rinsing process of step S16 immediately thereafter constitute a second rinsing process in the special mode. The first dehydration process of step S13 is the same as the second dehydration process of step S15 in that the motor 6 is accelerated from 0 rpm to 120 rpm, 240 rpm, and 800 rpm in stages. In addition, in the first dehydration process and the second dehydration process, the time T from when the rotation speed of the motor 6 exceeds the prescribed value of 240 rpm until the maximum rotation speed of 800 rpm starts to decrease is the same in each dehydration process. Specifically, the corresponding time T3 in the first dehydration process and the corresponding time T4 in the second dehydration process are both, for example, 60 seconds (refer to FIG. 6).

After the second rinsing process, the microcomputer 30 then executes the same dehydration process as step S15 (step S17) and executes the same spray rinsing process as step S14 (step S18). The dehydration process of step S17 is called a third dehydration process, and the spray rinsing process of step S18, that is, the third spray rinsing process in the special mode, is called a third spray rinsing process. The third dehydration process of step S17 and the third spray rinsing process of step S18 immediately thereafter constitute the third rinsing process in the special mode. The third dehydration process in step S17 has the same content as the second dehydration process in step S15. Therefore, regarding the aforementioned time T, the length of the corresponding time T4 in the second dehydration process and the corresponding time T5 in the third dehydration process is the same, for example, 60 seconds (refer to FIG. 6). The softener can also be put in the special mode. In this case, the microcomputer 30 opens the softener supply valve 16 and puts the softener into the washing tub 4, for example, immediately before the second spray rinsing process.

After the third rinsing process, the microcomputer 30 then executes the same final dehydration process as in step S8 (step S19). As the final dehydration process ends, the washing operation in the special mode ends.

As described above, in order to rinse the laundry Q during the washing operation in the special mode, the microcomputer 30 does not perform the water storage rinsing process in the standard mode (step S7) but performs the spray rinsing process several times (steps S14, S16, S18). ).

Below the horizontal axis in the time chart of FIG. 6, the individual water supply amounts in each rinsing process are shown in the same manner as the time chart of FIG. 4. The above-mentioned single water supply amount in the case of high water level is, for example, 12L in the first spray rinsing process of the first rinsing process, 12L in the second spray rinsing process of the second rinsing process, and 12L in the third rinsing process. During the third spray rinsing process, it is 12L. In other words, the individual water supply amount in each spray rinsing process is the same. The amount of individual water supply in the case of the aforementioned low water level is the same during each spray rinsing process, for example, 8L. In addition, the cumulative water supply volume at the high water level is 36L (=12+12+12), and the cumulative water supply volume at the low water level is 24L (=8+8+8).

Comparing the cumulative water supply amount of the high water level in the standard mode and the special mode, 36L, which is the cumulative water supply amount in the special mode, is less than 55L (refer to FIG. 4), which is the cumulative water supply amount in the standard mode. Similarly, when comparing the cumulative water supply volume at the low water level between the standard mode and the special mode, 24L, which is the cumulative water supply volume in the special mode, is less than 35L (see FIG. 4), which is the cumulative water supply volume in the standard mode. The cumulative water supply volume in the special mode is set to about 60% to 70% of the cumulative water supply volume in the standard mode.

When a multifunctional detergent is used, in the water storage rinsing process of the standard mode, the additional ingredients such as fragrance components and antibacterial components other than the washing components in the multifunctional detergent are diluted by the water stored in the washing tub 4 Therefore, the fragrance effect and antibacterial effect obtained by the additional components of the multifunctional detergent in the laundry Q are difficult to sustain. On the other hand, each spray rinsing process executed multiple times in the special mode does not store water compared to the water storage rinsing process, so the additional components of the multifunctional detergent are not easily diluted. Moreover, as described above, the cumulative water supply amount in the special mode is smaller than the cumulative water supply amount in the standard mode, and therefore, the additional components are less likely to be diluted in the special mode than in the standard mode. Therefore, in the case of using a multifunctional detergent, by executing a special mode of washing operation, the additional ingredients can effectively penetrate into the laundry Q and remain for a long time, and the aroma effect obtained by the additional ingredients in the laundry Q can be obtained. The antibacterial effect lasts. In this way, the special mode is a mode suitable for the washing operation of the multifunctional detergent.

If the value obtained by accumulating the above-mentioned time T during the entire washing operation is called the accumulated time, the accumulated time in the standard mode can be obtained by adding the above-mentioned time T1 and time T2 (refer to Figure 4) The accumulated time in the special mode can be obtained by adding the above-mentioned time T3, time T4, and time T5 (refer to FIG. 6). As described above, when the time T1 is 120 seconds and the time T2 is 60 seconds, the accumulated time in the standard mode is 180 seconds. As described above, when the times T3, T4, and T5 are each 60 seconds, the accumulated time in the special mode is 180 seconds. The accumulated time in the special mode is the same as the accumulated time in the standard mode. Alternatively, the accumulated time in the special mode may be set to be shorter than the accumulated time in the standard mode. When the accumulated time in the special mode like this is less than the accumulated time in the standard mode, in the special mode, the additional ingredients of the multifunctional detergent become easier to remain in the laundry Q than the standard mode, so the additional ingredients The obtained aroma and antibacterial effects continue.

As described above, it is assumed that the cumulative water supply amount in the special mode is less than the cumulative water supply amount in the standard mode. In the special mode, the following first modification and second modification can be given. Fig. 7 is a time chart of the washing operation in the special mode of the first modification. Fig. 8 is a time chart of the washing operation in the special mode of the second modification. Hereinafter, the differences between the main embodiment of the special mode and the first modification example and the second modification example explained in the time chart of FIG. 6 will be explained.

In the main embodiment, the individual water supply amount in each spray rinsing process is the same (refer to FIG. 6). In contrast, in the first modification example shown in FIG. 7, the individual water supply amount of the second spray rinsing process and the third spray rinsing process are smaller than the individual water supply amount in the first spray rinsing process. Specifically, in the case of a high water level, the individual water supply amount is 16L in the first spray rinsing process, 12L in the second spray rinsing process, and 8L in the third spray rinsing process, which gradually decreases. In addition, in the case of low water level, the single water supply amount is 10L in the first spray rinsing process, 8L in the second spray rinsing process, and 6L in the third spray rinsing process, which gradually decreases.

In other words, in the first modification, it is set that the individual water supply amount of the spray rinsing process after the second time is smaller than the individual water supply amount of the first spray rinsing process. Even in such a first modification, the cumulative water supply amount in the special mode can be made smaller than the cumulative water supply amount in the standard mode. In addition, in the first modification, in the first spray rinsing process, the component that should be removed by rinsing in the multifunctional detergent, that is, the cleaning component, can be removed. In the second and subsequent spray rinsing processes, It can prevent the additional components of the multifunctional detergent from being excessively diluted. As a result, the additional components of the multifunctional detergent in the laundry Q are likely to remain, and therefore the aroma effect and antibacterial effect obtained by the additional components can be sustained. It should be noted that although the individual water supply amount in the third spray rinsing process in the time chart of FIG. 7 is smaller than the individual water supply amount in the second spray rinsing process, their individual water supply amounts may also be the same.

The microcomputer 30 executes the dehydration process immediately before each process of the multiple spray rinsing processes in the washing operation of the special mode. In the main embodiment and the first modification, the maximum rotation speed of the motor 6 during each dehydration process is also 800 rpm. In contrast, in the second modified example shown in FIG. 8, the maximum rotation speed of the motor 6 in the first dehydration process is 800 rpm, but the maximum rotation speed of the motor 6 in the second dehydration process is lower than that of the first dehydration process. At 600 rpm, the maximum rotation speed of the motor 6 in the third dehydration process is lower than 400 rpm in the second dehydration process.

That is, in the second modification, for the maximum rotation speed of the motor 6 during the spin-drying process, compared with the first spin-rinsing process immediately before the first spray-rinsing process, the second and subsequent spray rinsing processes The maximum rotation speed of the motor 6 in the dehydration process immediately before the process, that is, the second dehydration process and the third dehydration process, is low. As a result, compared with the case where the maximum rotation speed does not decrease during the second and subsequent spray rinsing processes, the additional components of the multifunctional detergent in the laundry Q become more likely to remain, so the additional components can be obtained The aroma and antibacterial effect lasts. It should be noted that although the maximum rotation speed of the motor 6 in the third dehydration process in the time chart of FIG. 8 is lower than the maximum rotation speed of the motor 6 in the second dehydration process, their maximum rotation speeds may also be the same.

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

For example, the main embodiment, the first modification, and the second modification described above may be appropriately combined for the special mode.

In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the spray rinsing process is executed three times in the special mode, but the number of times the spray rinsing process is executed in the special mode may be changed arbitrarily as long as it is two or more times. On the other hand, the shower rinsing process can also be omitted during the washing operation in the standard mode (step S4).

In addition, in each of the standard mode and the special mode, the microcomputer 30 can also shorten the low-speed dehydration time in each intermediate dehydration process after the second dehydration process to be shorter than the low-speed dehydration time in the first dehydration process. In the above-mentioned time charts, the low-speed dehydration time during the rotation of the motor 6 from 0 rpm to 240 rpm in each intermediate dehydration process after the second dehydration process is shortened to be shorter than the low-speed dehydration time of the first dehydration process.

Generally speaking, when the dehydration is normally started in the first dehydration process, in the spray rinsing process immediately after the first dehydration process, the laundry Q is evenly dispersed in the washing tub 4, therefore, in the following In the low-speed dehydration time of the intermediate dehydration process, compared with the low-speed dehydration time of the first dehydration process, the bias of the laundry Q in the washing tub 4 is less. Therefore, in the intermediate dehydration process after the second dehydration process, even if the low-speed dehydration time at the start of the dehydration is shortened to be shorter than that of the first dehydration process, the rotation speed of the motor 6 will rise steadily, so that the laundry can be effectively treated. Dehydration is performed and the time of the entire washing operation process can be shortened.

In addition, although the central axis 20 of the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 4 in the washing machine 1 is arranged to extend in the oblique direction K, it does not matter if they are arranged vertically so as to extend in the vertical direction Z.

Claims

A washing machine, characterized in that it comprises:

Washing bucket, containing washing;

A motor to rotate the washing tub; and

An execution unit for supplying water to the washing tub, or performing drainage of the washing tub, or controlling the rotation of the motor to rotate the washing tub to perform the washing operation in the standard mode or the special mode,

In order to rinse the laundry in the washing operation in the standard mode, the execution unit at least executes a water storage rinsing process of rinsing the laundry in a state where water is stored in the washing tub to a predetermined water level,

In order to rinse the laundry during the washing operation in the special mode, the execution unit does not perform the water storage rinsing process, but repeatedly performs spray rinsing of rotating the washing tub while supplying water to the washing tub. process,

The cumulative water supply ratio, which is the amount of water supplied to the washing tub for rinsing the laundry in the special mode, is used to rinse the laundry in the standard mode. The cumulative amount of water supplied by the washing tub is small.
The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein:

For the individual water supply amount, which is the amount of water supplied to the washing tub in each of the multiple spray rinsing processes in the washing operation in the special mode, is the same as the individual water supply of the first spray rinsing process Compared with the quantity, the water supply quantity of the spray rinsing process after the second time is less.
The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that:

The execution unit executes the dehydration process immediately before each of the multiple spray rinsing processes in the washing operation of the special mode,

For the maximum rotation speed of the motor during the dehydration process, compared with the maximum rotation speed of the motor during the dehydration process immediately before the first spray rinsing process, the second and subsequent spray rinsing processes The maximum speed of the motor during the dehydration process immediately before is low.
The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein:

The execution unit executes the dehydration process immediately before each of the multiple spray rinsing processes in the washing operation of the special mode,

The execution unit executes the dehydration process at a timing before the water storage rinsing process in the washing operation in the standard mode,

For the cumulative time, which is a value obtained by integrating the time during the spin-drying process from when the rotation speed of the motor exceeds a predetermined value until the maximum rotation speed starts to decrease, the special mode The accumulated time below is less than the accumulated time in the standard mode.