WO2024022338A1

WO2024022338A1 - Drum washing machine

Info

Publication number: WO2024022338A1
Application number: PCT/CN2023/109123
Authority: WO
Inventors: 田岛登; 八田聪
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: 2022-07-26
Filing date: 2023-07-25
Publication date: 2024-02-01
Also published as: JP2024016745A

Abstract

A drum washing machine capable of preventing a pouch-type detergent from being dissolved and retained in a door seal. The drum washing machine (1) is provided with: an outer tub (20) arranged in a machine body (10); an annular door seal (24) arranged between a delivery port (11) of the machine body (10) and an opening portion (20a) of the outer tub (20); a drum (23) arranged in the outer tub (20); a driving motor (30) for rotating the drum (23); a water supply apparatus (50) for supplying water into the outer tub (20); and a control portion. During cleaning, the control portion is used for supplying water into the outer tub (20) by means of the water supply apparatus (50); the drum (23) rotates at a first rotating speed by means of the driving motor (30) after water is supplied; after the drum (23) rotates at the first rotating speed, whether the pouch-type detergent put into the drum washing machine (1) is fully dissolved is determined; and when it is determined that the pouch-type detergent is not fully dissolved, the drum (23) rotates at a second rotating speed higher than the first rotating speed by means of the driving motor (30).

Description

drum washing machine

Technical field

The invention relates to a drum washing machine. This drum washing machine can either continuously wash from washing to drying, or wash without drying.

Background technique

In recent years, laundry gel balls (registered trademark), which are packet-type detergents having a structure in which detergent is enclosed in water-soluble packets, have begun to be used in washing machines.

Patent Document 1 describes a drum washing machine that is provided with a storage box for storing laundry pellets. When an operation for using the laundry pellets is performed, the laundry pellets in the storage box are automatically put into the drum washing machine. inside the drum. In this drum washing machine, after the weight of the laundry in the drum is measured, a number of laundry beads corresponding to the weight are put into the drum.

When the laundry beads are put into the drum, the laundry beads may be placed on the laundry. In such a state, when the drum rotates, the laundry beads may be pushed forward by the moving laundry and placed on the annular door gasket provided between the opening of the outer drum and the door. (door packing) part. In such a case, it is difficult for the water stored in the outer tube to come into contact with the laundry beads, so the laundry beads may not be fully dissolved and the detergent may not be fully supplied to the water in the outer tube.

It should be noted that when the laundry pellets are put into the drum after measuring the weight of the laundry, that is, the load, and the drum starts rotating after water is supplied to the outer drum, the above-mentioned problems may occur. On the other hand, unlike the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, when the drum washing machine does not have an automatic insertion function, the user may insert the laundry beads without waiting for the load measurement after inserting the laundry into the drum. In this case, the above-mentioned problem may also occur when the drum is rotated to measure the load.

existing technical documents

patent documents

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-119929

Contents of the invention

Problems to be solved by inventions

The present invention was made in view of the related technical problems, and its object is to provide a sachet-type detergent that can prevent the sachet-type detergent from dissolving and remaining on the door when using a sachet-type detergent having a structure in which the detergent is enclosed in a water-soluble sachet. Front load washing machine inside pad.

solutions to problems

The main aspect of the present invention relates to a drum washing machine that can use a packet-type detergent having a structure in which the detergent is enclosed in a water-soluble packet. The drum washing machine of this aspect includes: a box; an input port provided on the front surface of the box; a door covering the input port; an outer tube arranged in the box; and an opening provided in the outer tube. The front surface of the drum; an annular door pad located between the input port and the opening; a drum arranged in the outer drum to accommodate laundry; a drive motor to rotate the drum; a water supply device , supply water to the outer cylinder; and a control unit, perform a washing operation including a cleaning process, a rinsing process and a dehydration process. Wherein, during the cleaning process, the control part supplies water into the outer cylinder through the water supply device, and after the water supply, the driving motor rotates the drum at a first speed. After the drum rotates at the first rotation speed, it is determined whether the sachet-type detergent put into the drum washing machine is insufficiently dissolved. If it is determined that the sachet-type detergent is insufficiently dissolved, the drive is performed. The motor rotates the drum at a second rotational speed higher than the first rotational speed.

For example, the control unit determines whether the packet-type detergent is insufficiently dissolved based on the concentration of the detergent contained in the water in the outer tube. For example, the control unit detects the conductivity and turbidity of the water in the outer cylinder using a conductivity sensor and a turbidity sensor, and determines the detergent concentration based on the detected conductivity and turbidity.

According to the drum washing machine of this aspect, since the packet type detergent is placed on the door gasket, when insufficient dissolution of the packet type detergent occurs, the drum rotates at the second rotation speed, and the water in the outer drum is splashed A large amount of water will splash onto the small packet of detergent on the door gasket. This promotes the dissolution of the sachet-type detergent, thereby preventing the sachet-type detergent from dissolving and remaining in the door gasket.

In the drum washing machine of this aspect, the water supply device may include a water discharge part that discharges water toward the door. In this case, the following structure may be adopted: when it is determined that the packet type washing When the agent is insufficiently dissolved, the control unit rotates the drum at the second rotation speed and discharges water from the water discharge unit.

According to the above-mentioned structure, the water discharged from the water drain part and flowing down the door comes into contact with the packet type detergent when flowing into the outer tub and passing through the door gasket. As a result, more water is poured onto the sachet-type detergent, so the sachet-type detergent becomes more soluble. Therefore, it is possible to further prevent the sachet-type detergent from dissolving and remaining in the door gasket.

In the drum washing machine of this aspect, the following structure may be adopted: after rotating the drum at the second rotation speed, the control unit determines whether the packet-type detergent is insufficiently dissolved, and determines whether the packet-type detergent is dissolved based on the determination that the packet-type detergent is insufficiently dissolved. Insufficient dissolution of the detergent causes the notification unit to notify that the sachet-type detergent is insufficiently dissolved.

According to the above configuration, when the insufficient dissolution of the packet-type detergent is not eliminated even by rotating the drum at the second rotation speed, the user can be notified of the insufficient dissolution of the packet-type detergent. Thus, insufficient dissolution of the sachet-type detergent can be eliminated by moving the sachet-type detergent from the door gasket into the drum with the user's hands.

When the above-mentioned structure is adopted, a structure may also be adopted in which, after causing the notifying unit to notify the insufficient dissolution of the packet-type detergent, the control unit causes the drum to move at the speed of the drive motor. Rotate at a third rotation speed, and determine whether the water in the outer cylinder contains the detergent while the drum is rotating at the third rotation speed. If it is determined that the water in the outer cylinder does not contain the detergent. In this case, the notification unit is caused to notify that the packet type detergent has been forgotten.

When such a structure is adopted, the user can be notified that he or she has forgotten to put in the small packet type detergent. This allows the user to put the packet-type detergent into the drum washing machine and resume the washing operation.

The drum washing machine according to this aspect may be configured to further include an operation unit that accepts an operation for setting the use of the packet-type detergent. In this case, a configuration may be adopted in which, when setting is made to use the sachet-type detergent, the control unit determines whether the sachet-type detergent is insufficiently dissolved.

For example, the setting to use the small packet type detergent may be the setting of the operation mode using the small packet type detergent using the mode selection button, or the setting to use the small packet type detergent regardless of the operation mode. In the case of the latter setting, in addition to the operation mode using the mode selection button In addition to the setting operation, the setting operation for using the packet type detergent can also be performed using the operation button for the operation.

According to the above-described structure, it is possible to prevent invalid determination of whether the packet-type detergent is insufficiently dissolved when the packet-type detergent is not used.

Invention effect

According to the present invention, when using a packet-type detergent having a structure in which the detergent is enclosed in a water-soluble packet, it is possible to provide a drum washing machine that can prevent the packet-type detergent from dissolving and remaining in a door gasket.

The effects and significance of the present invention will become clearer from the description of the embodiments shown below. However, the following embodiments are merely examples of implementing the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the contents described in the following embodiments.

Description of drawings

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

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the structure of the drum washing machine according to the embodiment.

3 is a flowchart showing the control operation of the control unit executed during the cleaning process in the packet detergent mode according to the embodiment.

In FIG. 4 , (a) to (d) are diagrams for explaining the cleaning process in the packet type detergent mode according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the control operation of the control unit executed during the cleaning process in the packet-type detergent mode according to Modification 1. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the control operation of the control unit executed during the cleaning process in the small packet detergent mode according to Modification 2. FIG.

Explanation of reference signs
1: drum washing machine; 10: box; 11: input port; 12: door; 20: outer tube; 20a: opening;
23: roller; 24: door gasket; 30: drive motor; 50: water supply device; 180: door water supply nozzle (put Water Department); 201: Control Department; 203: Operation Department; 204: Display Department (Notification Department).

Detailed ways

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

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

The drum washing machine 1 includes a square box 10 . A circular insertion opening 11 into which laundry is inserted is formed on the front surface of the box 10 . The input port 11 is covered with a freely openable and closable door 12 .

The outer cylinder 20 is arranged inside the box 10 . The outer cylinder 20 is elastically supported by a plurality of dampers 21 and springs 22 . Inside the outer cylinder 20, a horizontal axis type drum 23 is disposed rotatably. The drum 23 rotates around a horizontal axis. The drum 23 has a circular opening 23a on its front surface.

The outer cylinder 20 has a circular opening 20a in front of the opening 23a of the drum 23. The peripheral edge portion of the opening 20a of the outer cylinder 20 and the peripheral edge portion of the insertion port 11 of the box body 10 are connected by an annular door gasket 24 made of an elastic material. The peripheral surface of the closed door 12 is in contact with the door gasket 24, and the space between the input port 11 and the door 12 is water-sealed.

A plurality of dewatering holes 23b are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the drum 23. In addition, three lifting ribs 25 having a substantially triangular prism shape are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the drum 23 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

The drive motor 30 which generates the torque for rotating the drum 23 is arrange|positioned behind the outer cylinder 20. The drive motor 30 is, for example, an outer rotor type DC (direct current) brushless motor. The drive motor 30 rotates the drum 23 at a rotation speed at which the centrifugal force exerted on the laundry in the drum 23 is less than gravity and the laundry tumbling during the washing process and the rinsing process. On the other hand, during the dehydration process, the driving motor 30 rotates the drum 23 at such a speed that the centrifugal force exerted on the laundry in the drum 23 is much greater than gravity and the laundry adheres to the inner peripheral surface of the drum 23 .

A drain opening 20b is formed at the bottom of the outer tube 20 . The drain port 20b is connected to a drain part 40 that drains water from the inside of the outer cylinder 20. The drain part 40 is composed of a drain valve 41, a drain hose 42, and a drain filter 43. The drain port 20b is connected to the drain filter 43. The drain valve 41 is provided downstream of the drain filter 43 and includes, for example, a valve and a torque motor that opens and closes the valve. The drain valve 41 is connected to the drain hose 42 . When the drain valve 41 is opened, the water stored in the outer cylinder 20 passes through the drain port 20b and the drain filter 43 And the drainage hose 42 is discharged to the outside of the machine. Foreign matter such as lint is captured by the drain filter 43 .

A water supply device 50 is arranged in the upper part of the box 10 . The water supply device 50 supplies water into the outer cylinder 20 . In addition, the water supply device 50 has a function of automatically putting liquid detergent and liquid softener into the outer tub 20 .

The water supply device 50 includes a water supply valve unit 51 , a water filling unit 52 , and a nozzle unit 53 .

The water supply valve unit 51 includes a water supply valve 110, a first water supply hose 120, and a second water supply hose 130. The water supply valve 110 has a first valve 111 and a second valve 112 . The water supply port 113 of the water supply valve 110 is connected to the faucet via a connecting hose (not shown).

The inlet of the first water supply hose 120 is connected to the first valve 111 , and the inlet of the second water supply hose 130 is connected to the second valve 112 . When the first valve 111 is opened, water will flow to the first water supply hose 120, and when the second valve 112 is opened, the water will flow to the second water supply hose 130.

The water filling unit 52 includes a water filling port member 140 with an open front surface; a liquid tank 150 retractably accommodated in the water filling port member 140 ; and a water path forming member 160 disposed on the upper surface of the water filling port member 140 .

A water injection port 141 is formed at the bottom of the water injection port member 140 . A water injection pipe (pipe) 54 extending from the water injection port 141 is connected to the outer cylinder 20 .

The liquid agent box 150 has a detergent chamber that stores liquid detergent and a softener chamber that stores liquid softener. The liquid cartridge 150 is accommodated in the water filling port member 140 through the accommodation opening 13 provided on the front surface of the box 10 . A cover 151 is provided on the front surface of the liquid cartridge 150 to block the accommodating opening 13 .

A first water channel to which the outlet of the first water supply hose 120 is connected and a second water channel to which the outlet of the second water supply hose 130 is connected are formed inside the water channel forming member 160 .

The water supplied from the first water supply hose 120 to the water channel forming member 160 flows through the first water channel, is discharged to the bottom of the water injection port member 140 , and is supplied into the outer cylinder 20 via the water injection port 141 and the water injection pipe 54 . When liquid detergent or liquid softener is automatically poured into the outer tub 20 , before the first valve 111 is opened, the liquid detergent or liquid softener is introduced from the liquid box 150 through a detergent pump or a softener pump (not shown). to the first waterway. The liquid detergent or liquid softener is mixed with the water flowing through the first water path and then supplied into the outer tub 20 .

The water supplied from the second water supply hose 130 to the water channel forming member 160 flows through the second water channel and is sent to the nozzle unit 53 .

The nozzle unit 53 includes a shower nozzle 170 and a door water supply nozzle 180 arranged inside the upper portion of the door gasket 24 . The door water supply nozzle 180 corresponds to the water discharge part of the present invention.

The water outlet of the spray nozzle 170 is directed toward the rear and lower direction, that is, toward the bottom of the drum 23 . The first water supply hose 171 extending from the second water channel of the water channel forming member 160 is connected to the shower nozzle 170 . The water flowing out from the second water channel reaches the spray nozzle 170 through the first water supply hose 171, and is discharged from the discharge port of the spray nozzle 170 into the drum 23 in a spray shape. Thereby, water is sprayed on the laundry in the drum 23, and the water easily penetrates into the inside of the laundry.

At the top end of the door water supply nozzle 180, discharge ports 180a for discharging water toward the inside of the door 12 are formed on both left and right sides. The second water supply hose 181 extending from the second water channel of the water channel forming member 160 is connected to the door water supply nozzle 180 . The water flowing out from the second water channel reaches the door water supply nozzle 180 through the second water supply hose 181, and is discharged toward the door 12 from the left and right discharge ports 181a. Thereby, the door 12 is cleaned.

The conductivity sensor 60 is arranged at the bottom inside the outer cylinder 20 . The conductivity sensor 60 detects the conductivity of the water stored in the outer cylinder 20 . The higher the concentration of detergent contained in the water in the outer tub 20, the higher the detected conductivity. When the water in the outer tub 20 contains detergent, the conductivity sensor 60 detects the conductivity corresponding to the detergent concentration. When the water in the outer tub 20 does not contain detergent, the conductivity sensor 60 detects the conductivity of the water itself. Rate.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the structure of the drum washing machine 1 .

In addition to the above-described structure, the drum washing machine 1 further includes a control unit 201, a storage unit 202, an operation unit 203, a display unit 204, a sound output unit 205, a water level detection unit 206, a motor drive unit 207, a water supply drive unit 208, and a drainage drive unit. 209.

The operation unit 203 includes a power button for turning the power on and off, a mode selection button for selecting an arbitrary operation mode from a plurality of operation modes of the washing operation, and a start button for starting and pausing the operation. The operation unit 203 outputs an input signal corresponding to the button operated by the user to the control unit 201 .

The display unit 204 includes a light-emitting element such as an LED and a display such as a liquid crystal panel. Based on the control signal from the control unit 201, the display unit 204 displays the selected operation mode, the progress status of the washing operation, and abnormal conditions. Regular notifications, etc. The sound output unit 205 includes a speaker, and outputs sounds such as voice and alarm sound from the speaker. The display unit 204 corresponds to the notification unit of the present invention.

The operation unit 203 and the display unit 204 may be configured by an operation display unit such as a touch panel.

The water level detection unit 206 detects the water level in the outer cylinder 20 and outputs a water level signal corresponding to the water level to the control unit 201 . The conductivity sensor 60 detects the conductivity of the water in the outer cylinder 20 and outputs a detection signal corresponding to the conductivity to the control unit 201 .

The motor drive unit 207 drives the drive motor 30 based on the control signal from the control unit 201. The motor driving unit 207 includes a rotation sensor that detects the rotation speed of the drive motor 30 , an inverter circuit, and the like, and adjusts the driving power so that the drive motor 30 rotates at the rotation speed set by the control unit 201 . Furthermore, the motor drive unit 207 includes a current sensor that detects the current flowing to the drive motor 30 .

The water supply drive unit 208 drives the first valve 111 and the second valve 112 of the water supply valve 110 based on the control signal from the control unit 201. The drain drive unit 209 drives the drain valve 41 based on the control signal from the control unit 201 .

The storage section 202 includes EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. The storage unit 202 stores programs for executing washing operations in various operation modes. In addition, various parameters and various control flags for executing these programs are stored in the storage unit 202 .

The control unit 201 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like, and controls the display unit 204 and the sound output unit in accordance with the program stored in the storage unit 202 based on signals from the operation unit 203, the water level detection unit 206, the conductivity sensor 60, etc. 205. Motor driving part 207, water supply driving part 208, drainage driving part 209, etc.

Furthermore, in the drum washing machine 1, based on the user's operation of the operation unit 203, washing operations in various operation modes are performed under the control of the control unit 201. In the washing operation, the cleaning process, the intermediate dehydration process, the rinsing process and the final dehydration process are performed in sequence. Depending on the operation mode, more than two rinsing processes and intermediate dehydration processes may be performed.

During the washing process, water containing detergent is stored in the outer drum 20 up to a washing water level corresponding to the load of laundry accommodated in the drum 23, and the drum 23 is repeatedly rotated forward and reverse to soak the water. The laundry in the water tumbles. Water containing detergent penetrates into the inside of the laundry, and dirt adhering to the surface and inside of the laundry is removed through the effectiveness of the detergent and the mechanical force generated by tumbling.

During the rinsing process, with water stored in the outer drum 20 reaching the rinsing water level, the drum 23 repeatedly rotates forward and reverse, and the laundry tumbles. Thereby, the detergent contained in the laundry is discharged together with the water, and the laundry is rinsed.

During the water supply in the washing process and the rinsing process, the water supply device 50 supplies water into the outer cylinder 20 through the water inlet member 140 and supplies water into the outer cylinder 20 through the spray nozzle 170 and the door water supply nozzle 180 . In addition, during the washing process, the water supply device 50 is used to supply water while the liquid detergent in the liquid tank 150 is automatically added. During the rinsing process, the water supply device 50 is used to supply water and at the same time, the liquid detergent in the liquid box 150 is added. Automatic input of softener. In the case of more than two rinse cycles, add liquid softener during the final rinse cycle.

During the intermediate dehydration process and the final dehydration process, the drive motor 30 rotates in one direction at a high speed, and the drum 23 rotates in one direction at a speed where the centrifugal force acting on the laundry in the drum 23 is much greater than gravity. Due to the action of centrifugal force, the laundry is pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the drum 23 and dehydrated. In the final dehydration process, the drum 23 rotates at a higher rotation speed than that in the intermediate dehydration process.

Before the washing process, a load detection process for detecting the load of laundry is performed. The drum 23 rotates at a rotation speed at which the laundry in the drum 23 tumbles, for example, 40 to 50 rpm. The load applied to the drum 23 during rotation is detected by the current value flowing to the drive motor 30 . The greater the load of laundry, the greater the load applied to the drum 23 and the greater the current value flowing to the drive motor 30 . The control unit 201 determines the load amount based on the magnitude of the current value. The water supply amount during the cleaning process, that is, the cleaning water level, is determined based on the load amount, and the determined water supply amount is displayed on the display unit 204 . The amount of liquid detergent automatically injected from the water supply device 50 corresponds to the load amount, that is, the water supply amount.

The operation mode executed in the drum washing machine 1 of the present embodiment includes a small packet detergent mode using a small packet type detergent, in addition to an operation mode such as a standard mode using liquid detergent in the liquid tank 150 . The packet type detergent has a structure in which the detergent is enclosed in a water-soluble packet. When a sachet, that is, a sachet-type detergent is dissolved due to contact with water, the detergent is eluted to the outside. The small packet type detergent is, for example, laundry beads, and the small pack type detergent mode may also be called the laundry beads mode.

When using the sachet type detergent, the user selects the sachet type detergent mode using the mode selection button on the operation unit 203 . Thereby, the setting of the packet type detergent mode, that is, the setting of using the packet type detergent, is performed. After that, the user presses the start button. Thereby, the washing operation in the small packet detergent mode is executed.

In the small packet detergent mode, the operation contents such as the number of rinses are set according to the characteristics of the small packet detergent. Furthermore, in the sachet-type detergent mode, control to prevent the dissolved residue of the sachet-type detergent is built into the control of the cleaning process. It should be noted that in the small packet detergent mode, the liquid detergent in the liquid tank 150 is not automatically added during the cleaning process.

Below, the cleaning process in the small pack detergent mode is explained.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the control operation of the control unit 201 executed during the cleaning process in the small packet detergent mode. (a) to (d) of FIG. 4 are diagrams for explaining the cleaning process in the packet type detergent mode.

When the washing operation in the small packet detergent mode is started, the cleaning process is started after performing the load amount detection process. After the load detection process, the user manually puts the packet-type detergent into the drum 23 . It should be noted that sachet-type detergent may be added before the load detection process.

Referring to FIG. 3 , the control unit 201 opens the first valve 111 and the second valve 112 of the water supply valve 110 ( S1 ). Thereby, the water supply device 50 supplies water into the outer cylinder 20 through the water inlet member 140 and water supply into the outer cylinder 20 through the shower nozzle 170 and the door water supply nozzle 180 is performed. At this time, the liquid detergent in the liquid tank 150 is not automatically added.

The control unit 201 detects the water level in the outer cylinder 20 by using the water level detection unit 206 to detect whether the water level has reached the intermediate water level (S2). The intermediate water level is a water level lower than the cleaning water level that is finally accumulated during the cleaning process, and is a water level at which the bottom of the drum 23 is immersed in water.

When the water level in the outer cylinder 20 reaches the intermediate water level (S2: Yes), the control unit 201 closes the first valve 111 and the second valve 112 (S3). Thereby, the water supply into the outer cylinder 20 is stopped.

Next, the control unit 201 drives the motor 30 to operate the drum 23 to repeatedly rotate forward and reverse at the first rotation speed (S4). The first rotation speed is set to a rotation speed at which the centrifugal force acting on the laundry in the drum 23 is less than gravity and the laundry will tumble, for example, 50 rpm. The on time as the forward rotation time and the reverse rotation time is set to T1 time, for example, 10 seconds, and the off time when the drum 23 stops between forward rotation and reverse rotation is set to S1 time, for example, 10 seconds.

When the first time, for example, 3 minutes has elapsed since the operation of the drum 23 was started (S5: Yes), the control unit 201 stops the drum 23 (S6).

In this way, after water is stored in the outer cylinder 20 to the intermediate water level, the outer cylinder is stirred by the rotation of the drum 23 20, therefore, under normal circumstances, the packet-type detergent put into the drum 23 will be fully dissolved in contact with the water at the bottom of the drum 23, and the detergent eluted to the outside will be mixed with the water in the outer drum 20. Foaming in water.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4(a) , when the packet-type detergent is put into the drum 23, the packet-type detergent may be placed on the laundry. Furthermore, when the drum 23 rotates in this state in step S4, it may happen that the packet-type detergent is pushed forward by the moved laundry and placed on the door gasket 24. In this case, it is difficult for the water stored in the outer tube 20 to come into contact with the packet type detergent. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4( b ), when the drum 23 is stopped in step S6 , the packet-type detergent is dissolved and remains in the door gasket 24 , and the detergent may not be fully supplied into the outer tub 20 . state of the water.

It should be noted that when the small packet type detergent is put into the drum 23 before the load detection process, the following situation may occur: when the drum 23 is rotated to detect the load amount, the small packet type detergent loaded as described above may The portion placed on the door gasket 24.

When the drum 23 is stopped in step S6, the control unit 201 determines whether the packet-type detergent put into the drum washing machine 1 is insufficiently dissolved based on the concentration of the detergent contained in the water in the outer tub 20 (S7). The control unit 201 detects the conductivity of the water in the outer tub 20 using the conductivity sensor 60 and determines the detergent concentration based on the detected conductivity.

When the sachet-type detergent is not insufficiently dissolved, the water in the outer tube 20 fully contains the eluted detergent, so the detergent concentration becomes high and the electrical conductivity becomes high. On the other hand, when the sachet-type detergent is insufficiently dissolved, the detergent is less eluted and the water in the outer tube 20 does not fully contain the detergent. Therefore, the detergent concentration becomes low and the electrical conductivity becomes low.

The threshold value of the electrical conductivity for judging insufficient dissolution of the packet-type detergent is set in advance based on experiments and the like. When the detected conductivity is equal to or higher than the threshold value, the control unit 201 determines that the sachet-type detergent is not insufficiently dissolved. When the detected electrical conductivity is less than the threshold value, the control unit 201 determines that the sachet-type detergent is insufficiently dissolved.

When it is determined that the packet-type detergent is not insufficiently dissolved (S7: No), the control unit 201 opens the first valve 111 and the second valve 112 (S8). Thereby, the water supply into the outer cylinder 20 through the water supply device 50 is resumed.

Furthermore, the control unit 201 drives the motor 30 to operate the drum 23 so as to repeat forward rotation and reverse rotation at the third rotation speed (S9). Thus, the formal washing of the laundry begins.

The third rotation speed is a rotation speed at which the centrifugal force acting on the laundry in the drum 23 is less than gravity and the laundry will tumble. The third rotation speed is set to the same rotation speed as the first rotation speed, for example. The third rotational speed may also be a different rotational speed from the first rotational speed, for example, a higher rotational speed than the first rotational speed.

The on time which is the forward rotation time and the reverse rotation time is set to T2 time, and the off time when the drum 23 stops between forward rotation and reverse rotation is set to S2 time. The T2 time is set to 20 seconds, for example, and the S2 time is set to 0 seconds, for example. In this case, between forward rotation and reverse rotation, the next rotation starts immediately after the previous rotation stops.

The control unit 201 detects whether the water level in the outer cylinder 20 has reached the washing water level (S10). The wash water level is set according to the load of laundry, and is set, for example, from a height position lower than the lower edge of the door gasket 24 to a height position that is approximately the same as the lower edge of the door gasket 24 .

When the water level in the outer cylinder 20 reaches the cleaning water level (S10: Yes), the control part 201 closes the first valve 111 and the second valve 112 (S11). Thereby, the water supply into the outer cylinder 20 is stopped. The drum 23 continues to rotate forward and reverse.

Thereafter, when the actual cleaning time, for example, 10 minutes has passed since the start of the operation of the drum 23 (S12: Yes), the control unit 201 stops the drum 23 (S13). This completes the formal washing of the laundry.

Next, the control unit 201 opens the drain valve 41 (S14). Thereby, water is drained from the outer cylinder 20 . In this way, the cleaning process is completed.

On the other hand, in step S7, when it is determined that the packet-type detergent is insufficiently dissolved (S7: YES), the control unit 201 drives the motor 30 to rotate the drum 23 at a second rotation speed that is higher than the first rotation speed and the third rotation speed. The speed rotates in one direction (S15).

The second rotation speed is set to a rotation speed at which the centrifugal force acting on the laundry in the drum 23 is greater than gravity and the laundry adheres to the inner peripheral surface of the drum 23 , for example, 100 rpm. At this time, it is desirable that the second rotation speed be set to a rotation speed smaller than the resonance rotation speed in which the longitudinal thrust of the outer cylinder 20 becomes larger.

As shown in (c) of Figure 4, when the drum 23 rotates at the second speed, the water in the outer drum 20 is violently stirred by the drum 23 and splashes, and a large amount of water will be poured onto the door gasket. 24 sachets of detergent. Thereby, the sachet-type detergent is fully dissolved, and the eluted detergent is mixed with the water in the outer tube 20 .

When the second time, for example, 1 minute has passed since the start of the operation of the drum 23 (S16: Yes), the control unit 201 stops the drum 23 (S17). Then, the control unit 201 determines again whether the sachet-type detergent is insufficiently dissolved (S18).

As shown in FIG. 4(d) , when there is no dissolved residue of the packet-type detergent and the water in the outer tub 20 fully contains the detergent, the conductivity detected by the conductivity sensor 60 is equal to or higher than the threshold value. Thereby, the control unit 201 determines that the packet-type detergent is not insufficiently dissolved (S18: NO), opens the first valve 111 and the second valve 112 (S8), and causes the drum 23 to repeatedly rotate forward and reverse at the third rotation speed. way action (S9). After that, the processing of steps S10 to S14 is performed.

On the other hand, when the insufficient dissolution of the packet-type detergent is not eliminated by the elimination operation of rotating the drum 23 at the second rotation speed, in S18, the control unit 201 determines that the packet-type detergent is insufficiently dissolved ( S18: Yes). In this case, as long as the number of attempts to eliminate insufficient dissolution has not reached the predetermined number (S19: No), the control unit 201 again rotates the drum 23 at the second rotation speed for the second time (S15 to S17). The prescribed number of times is set to multiple times, such as five times.

Thereafter, when the insufficient dissolution of the small packet type detergent has not been eliminated and the number of attempts to eliminate the insufficient dissolution reaches a predetermined number (S19: Yes), the control unit 201 causes the display unit 204 to notify the user of the insufficient dissolution of the small packet type detergent (S20). ). For example, in the display unit 204, information such as "remaining solution of the sachet-type detergent" is displayed on the display, or a light-emitting element indicating that the sachet-type detergent is insufficiently dissolved is turned on.

In addition, instead of the display by the display part 204, or in addition to it, the sound output part 205 may provide notification that the sachet type detergent is insufficiently dissolved. In this case, for example, a voice such as "the sachet-type detergent dissolves and remains" is output from the speaker of the voice output unit 205 .

The notification that the sachet-type detergent is insufficiently dissolved may be stopped after a predetermined time, or may be continued until the drum 23 is stopped in step S13.

After notification that the packet type detergent is insufficiently dissolved, the washing operation continues. That is, the control unit 201 opens the first valve 111 and the second valve 112 (S8), and operates the drum 23 to repeatedly rotate forward and reverse at the third rotation speed (S9). After that, the processing of steps S10 to S14 is performed.

The user who notices the notification presses the start button of the operation unit 203 to pause the washing operation. Then, when the dissolved and remaining packet-type detergent is present in the door gasket 24 , the user moves the packet-type detergent into the drum 23 . If the user forgets to put in the sachet of detergent, the sachet of detergent will be discarded. Put it into the drum 23. Then, the user presses the start button again to resume the washing operation. While the notification that the packet type detergent is insufficiently dissolved continues, the notification stops when the operation is resumed.

It should be noted that when performing a washing operation in an operation mode other than the small packet detergent mode, the small packet detergent mode is not set, that is, the small packet type detergent is used. Therefore, in the operation mode other than the packet type detergent mode, during the cleaning process, the processing of steps S1 to S6 and the processing of steps S8 to S14 shown in FIG. 3 are executed, and the determination of the packet type detergent in step S7 is not executed. The process of insufficient dissolution and the process of eliminating insufficient dissolution of the packet type detergent in steps S15 to S20.

The drum washing machine 1 of this embodiment may be equipped with a drying device for drying laundry. In this case, the drying device is provided with a circulation path connected to the outer cylinder 20, for example. A blower fan, cooler and heater are arranged in the circulation path. The air heated by the heater circulates between the outer drum 20 and the circulation path through the operation of the blower fan to dry the laundry in the drum 23 . The air returned to the circulation path from the outer cylinder 20 is cooled by the cooler and dehumidified before being heated by the heater.

＜Effects of Embodiment＞

According to this embodiment, the control unit 201 of the drum washing machine 1 supplies water to the outer tub 20 through the water supply device 50 during the washing process, and after the water supply, the drum 23 is rotated at the first rotation speed by the driving motor 30. After the drum 23 is rotated at the rotation speed, it is determined whether the packet-type detergent put into the drum washing machine 1 is insufficiently dissolved. If it is determined that the packet-type detergent is insufficiently dissolved, the drum 23 is driven by the motor 30 to rotate at a higher speed than the first rotation speed. Two speed rotation.

According to this structure, since the packet-type detergent is placed on the door gasket 24, when insufficient dissolution of the packet-type detergent occurs, the drum 23 rotates at the second rotation speed, and the water in the outer drum 20 is splashed. A large amount of water will splash onto the small packet of detergent on the door gasket 24 . This can promote the dissolution of the sachet-type detergent, thereby preventing the sachet-type detergent from being dissolved and remaining in the door gasket 24 , and preventing the water in the outer tub 20 from not containing sufficient detergent.

Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the drum washing machine 1 has a structure in which, after rotating the drum 23 at the second rotation speed, the control unit 201 determines whether the packet-type detergent is insufficiently dissolved, and causes the display based on the determination that the packet-type detergent is insufficiently dissolved. The section 204 notifies that the packet type detergent is insufficiently dissolved.

According to this configuration, when the insufficient dissolution of the packet-type detergent is not eliminated even by rotating the drum 23 at the second rotation speed, the user can be notified of the insufficient dissolution of the packet-type detergent. thus, Insufficient dissolution of the sachet-type detergent can be eliminated by moving the sachet-type detergent from the door gasket 24 to the drum 23 with the user's hand.

Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the drum washing machine 1 has a structure in which, when setting to use a packet-type detergent, the control unit 201 determines whether the packet-type detergent is insufficiently dissolved.

According to this structure, it is possible to prevent invalid determination of whether the packet-type detergent is insufficiently dissolved when the packet-type detergent is not used.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and the like, and the embodiments of the present invention can be modified in various ways other than those described above.

＜Change example 1＞

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the control operation of the control unit 201 executed during the cleaning process in the small packet detergent mode according to Modification 1.

In this modified example, when it is determined in step S7 that the packet-type detergent is insufficiently dissolved, the control unit 201 not only rotates the drum 23 at the second rotation speed, but also opens the second valve 112 (S21, S15).

When the second valve 112 is opened, water is discharged toward the door 12 from the door water supply nozzle 180 . When the packet type detergent is placed on the door gasket 24 , the water flowing down the door 12 comes into contact with the packet type detergent when flowing through the door gasket 24 into the outer tub 20 . As a result, more water is poured onto the sachet-type detergent, so the sachet-type detergent becomes more soluble.

When the second time has elapsed (S16: Yes), the control unit 201 closes the second valve 112 and stops the drum 23 (S22, S17).

It should be noted that the second time is set to a time during which the water level in the outer cylinder 20 does not exceed the cleaning water level even if the water supply from the door water supply nozzle 180 and the like is performed a predetermined number of times, that is, the maximum number of times during the second time. .

According to the structure of this modified example, the packet-type detergent in the door gasket 24 becomes more easily soluble, and therefore it is possible to further prevent the packet-type detergent from dissolving and remaining in the door gasket 24 .

＜Change example 2＞

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the control operation of the control unit 201 executed during the cleaning process in the packet-type detergent mode according to Modification 2. It should be noted that in Figure 6, for the sake of convenience, steps S1 to Description of S7 and the processing of steps S15 to S20.

If the insufficient dissolution of the small packet detergent is not eliminated even after the predetermined number of operations for eliminating the insufficient dissolution of the small packet type detergent in steps S15 to S17 are performed, it may not be because the small packet type detergent is squeezed into the door. The liner 24 was insufficiently dissolved, and the packet type detergent was not put into the drum washing machine 1 at all.

Therefore, in this modified example, when the dissolution deficiency of the sachet-type detergent has not been eliminated, a determination is made as to whether the input of the sachet-type detergent has been forgotten. Input notification.

Referring to FIG. 6 , when the control unit 201 closes the first valve 111 and the second valve 112 based on the fact that the water level in the outer tube 20 has reached the washing water level (S10: Yes→S11), the insufficient dissolution of the packet type detergent has not been eliminated. , it is determined whether or not notification of insufficient dissolution of the sachet-type detergent has been made through the display unit 204 (S23).

When notification of insufficient dissolution of the packet-type detergent is made (S23: Yes), the control unit 201 detects the conductivity of the water in the outer cylinder 20 using the conductivity sensor 60 (S24). Then, when the third time, for example, 1 minute has elapsed (S25: Yes), the control unit 201 detects the conductivity of the water in the outer cylinder 20 again using the conductivity sensor 60 (S26).

Next, the control unit 201 calculates the change amount of the conductivity based on the two conductivities, and determines whether the change amount is equal to or less than the threshold value. Thereby, the control part 201 determines whether the water in the outer tube 20 contains detergent (S27). The threshold can be set to a value close to 0.

When a packet-type detergent is put into the drum washing machine 1, during the actual cleaning period after step S8, the packet-type detergent may be slightly dissolved, and the detergent concentration may increase. Therefore, changes in conductivity may occur. On the other hand, when the packet type detergent is forgotten to be put into the drum washing machine 1, the conductivity does not change.

When the change amount of the conductivity is equal to or less than the threshold value and it is determined that the water in the outer tub 20 does not contain detergent (S27: Yes), the control unit 201 stops the drum 23 (S28). Then, the control unit 201 causes the display unit 204 to notify that the packet type detergent has been forgotten (S29). For example, in the display unit 204, a message such as "Forgot to put in the sachet-type detergent" is displayed on the display, or a light-emitting element indicating that the sachet-type detergent is forgotten to be put in is lit.

It should be noted that instead of or in addition to the display by the display unit 204 , a notification that the packet type detergent has been forgotten is given through the sound output unit 205 . In this case, for example, a voice such as "Forgot to put in the sachet type detergent" is output from the speaker of the voice output unit 205 .

The user who noticed the notification that he forgot to put in the small packet type detergent puts the small packet type detergent into the drum 23 and presses the start button of the operation part 203 as a recovery operation. When the recovery operation is performed (S30: Yes), the rotation of the drum 23 is recovered (S31). When the rotation of the drum 23 resumes, the notification stops. After that, the processing of steps S12 to S14 is executed.

According to this modified example, the user can be notified that the user forgot to put in the packet type detergent. This allows the user to put the packet-type detergent into the drum washing machine 1 and resume the washing operation.

It should be noted that the structure of this modified example can also be applied to the structure of the above modified example 1.

＜Other examples of changes＞

In the above embodiment, when the insufficient dissolution of the packet type detergent has not been eliminated and a notification of insufficient dissolution is made, the washing operation continues, the water supply to the outer tub 20 is restored (S8), and the water supply for the actual cleaning is The rotation of the drum 23 starts (S9). However, when notification of insufficient dissolution is made, the washing operation may be interrupted and the user may wait for a recovery operation. In this case, when the user moves the packet-type detergent dissolved in the door gasket 24 into the drum 23 and performs the recovery operation using the start button, the water supply to the outer drum 20 is restored (S8), and the water supply is restored with the start button (S8). The rotation of the drum 23 starts for actual cleaning (S9).

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the conductivity sensor 60 is disposed at the bottom of the outer cylinder 20 in order to detect the concentration of the detergent contained in the water in the outer cylinder 20 . However, instead of the conductivity sensor 60 , a turbidity sensor that detects the turbidity of the water in the outer cylinder 20 based on light transmittance may be disposed at the bottom of the outer cylinder 20 . The higher the concentration of detergent contained in the water in the outer tub 20, the better the foaming, and therefore the higher the detected turbidity. When the water in the outer tub 20 contains detergent, the turbidity sensor detects turbidity corresponding to the detergent concentration. When the water in the outer tub 20 does not contain detergent, the turbidity sensor detects the turbidity of the water itself.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the drum washing machine 1 has prepared a small packet type detergent mode using a small packet type detergent as an operation mode of the washing operation. Then, when the packet type detergent mode is selected using the mode selection button of the operation unit 203, the setting for using the packet type detergent is executed. Figure 3 shows the cleaning process corresponding to the sachet type detergent. However, the operation unit 203 may be provided with an operation button for selecting a sachet-type detergent as the detergent to be used, and when the sachet-type detergent is selected by operating the operation button regardless of the operation mode, In both cases, settings are made to use small packet type detergent, and the cleaning process corresponding to the small packet type detergent in Figure 3 is performed. It should be noted that when a packet type detergent is selected, the liquid detergent in the liquid tank 150 will not be automatically added.

Furthermore, based on the user's operation, etc., a setting may be made such that the liquid detergent in the liquid tank 150 is not automatically added, and when there is a possibility of using the packet type detergent due to this setting, the same procedure as shown in FIG. 3 may be performed. The sachet-type detergent corresponds to the cleaning process.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the water supply device 50 has a function as an automatic detergent injection device that automatically inputs the liquid detergent in the liquid detergent box 150 . However, the drum washing machine 1 may also have a structure in which the automatic detergent injection device is not provided, and the water supply device 50 is provided with a detergent container into which the user manually inputs liquid detergent and powder detergent. In this case, even when using the sachet-type detergent, settings for use may not be performed, and the cleaning process corresponding to the sachet-type detergent in FIG. 3 may be performed in any operation mode.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, based on the determination of insufficient dissolution of the packet-type detergent, the operation of eliminating the insufficient dissolution of the drum 23 by rotating the drum 23 at the second rotation speed is performed as much as possible a predetermined number of times. However, the elimination of insufficient dissolution may be performed only once.

Furthermore, the structure of the door water supply nozzle 180 that discharges water toward the door 12 is not limited to the structure of the above-described embodiment, and may be any structure.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the drum washing machine 1 may be configured as follows: an automatic input device including a storage box storing a plurality of packet-type detergents and a discharge mechanism that discharges the packet-type detergents. The detergent is discharged one by one from the storage box, and the small packet type detergent is automatically put into the drum 23.

In addition, the embodiment of the present invention can be appropriately modified in various ways within the scope of the technical idea shown in the technical claims.

Claims

A drum washing machine capable of using a packet type detergent having a structure in which the detergent is enclosed in a water-soluble packet. The drum washing machine is characterized by having:

box;

The input port is located on the front surface of the box;

a door covering said input opening;

An outer cylinder is arranged inside the box;

An opening is provided on the front surface of the outer cylinder;

An annular door gasket is provided between the input port and the opening;

A drum is configured in the outer drum to accommodate laundry;

drive a motor to rotate the drum;

a water supply device for supplying water to the outer cylinder; and

The control unit executes the washing operation including the cleaning process, rinsing process and dehydration process,

During the cleaning process,

The control part supplies water into the outer cylinder through the water supply device,

After the water supply, the control part rotates the drum at a first rotation speed through the drive motor,

After the drum is rotated at the first rotation speed, the control unit determines whether the sachet-type detergent put into the drum washing machine is insufficiently dissolved,

When it is determined that the sachet-type detergent is insufficiently dissolved, the control unit causes the drive motor to rotate the drum at a second rotational speed higher than the first rotational speed.
The drum washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that:

The water supply device includes: a water discharge part that discharges water toward the door,

When it is determined that the sachet-type detergent is insufficiently dissolved, the control unit rotates the drum at the second rotation speed and discharges water from the water discharge unit.
The drum washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that:

After the drum is rotated at the second rotation speed, the control unit determines whether the sachet-type detergent is insufficiently dissolved,

Based on the determination that the sachet-type detergent is insufficiently dissolved, the control unit causes the notification unit to notify that the sachet-type detergent is insufficiently dissolved.
The drum washing machine according to claim 3, characterized in that:

After causing the notification unit to notify that the sachet-type detergent is insufficiently dissolved, the control unit rotates the drum at a third rotation speed through the drive motor,

While the drum is rotating at the third rotation speed, the control unit determines whether the water in the outer drum contains the detergent,

When it is determined that the water in the outer tube does not contain the detergent, the control unit causes the notification unit to notify that the packet type detergent has been forgotten.
The drum washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that:

It further includes: an operation unit that accepts operations for setting the use of the sachet-type detergent,

When setting to use the sachet-type detergent, the control unit determines whether the sachet-type detergent is insufficiently dissolved.