JP2019150399A - Drum washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a drum washing machine capable of improving cleaning performance.SOLUTION: A drum washing machine comprises an outer tub 3 for storing water inside, a drum 4 supported rotatably in the outer tub 3 and having a recessed cross section, and a circulation pump 40 for pumping up water in the outer tub 3 and supplying it to circulation flow passages 31, 32 communicating with the drum 4, in which discharge parts for discharging water supplied to the circulation flow passages 31, 32 are disposed at an opening 4b side and a bottom 4d side of the drum 4. On the bottom 4d of the drum 4, a mesh part 4m is provided. The circulation pump 40 is configured to supply water simultaneously or individually to the discharge part of the opening 4b side and the discharge part of the bottom 4d side through the circulation flow passages 31, 32.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a drum washing machine.

  The drum washing machine puts clothes into a drum that is inclined substantially horizontally or with the front facing upward, and performs a washing process, a rinsing process, and a dehydrating process. In the washing process and the rinsing process, the drum is rotated at a low speed to lift the clothes accumulated in the lower part of the drum and drop it from the upper part of the drum. By this tumbling operation, washing and rinsing are performed by applying mechanical force to the clothes. At the time of the dehydration process, the drum is rotated at a high speed, and centrifugal dehydration is performed by pushing out moisture from the clothes by the centrifugal force generated by the rotation.

  In the washing process, washing water in a washing tub (outer tub) is pumped up and applied to clothes, and washing water in which detergent is dissolved is infiltrated into the clothes. As described above, the drum washing machine can save water while ensuring the washing performance even with less water than the vertical washing machine.

  By the way, when a large amount of clothes are washed at the time of washing, the space between the clothes is narrowed, so that the movement of the clothes in the drum is suppressed. As a result, the penetration of the washing liquid into the garment is non-uniform between the portion that comes into contact with the washing liquid and the portion that does not come into contact, and a difference in dirt removal of the garment is likely to occur. As described above, the presence or absence of contact with the washing liquid causes insufficient washing and uneven washing.

  Conventionally, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known as a means for making the penetration degree of the washing liquid uniform. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which water is applied to the futon from the front side and the rear side of the drum. In this technique, washing water is taken in by the pressure when the drum is rotated, and this is sprinkled into the drum.

JP 2002-224487 A

  However, in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to rotate the drum at such a high rotational speed that the futon sticks to the inner peripheral surface of the drum in order to make the washing water sprinkled in the drum into a water stream having momentum. For this reason, in a washing process etc., the tumbling operation | movement which drops from the upper part in a drum cannot be performed, and it cannot wash and rinse by giving a mechanical force.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide a drum washing machine capable of improving the cleaning performance.

  The present invention provides an outer tub for storing water therein, a drum having a concave section that is rotatably supported in the outer tub, and pumps up the water in the outer tub and supplies it to a circulation channel that leads to the drum. A discharge pump for discharging the water supplied to the circulation flow path is provided on the opening side and the bottom side of the drum.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the drum washing machine which can improve washing | cleaning performance can be provided.

It is an external appearance perspective view which shows the drum washing machine of this embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the schematic structure inside the housing | casing of the drum washing machine of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the schematic structure of an outer tank similarly. It is a perspective view which shows the discharge part by the side of the bottom face part of a circulation flow path and an outer tank. (A) is a rear view of the outer tank cover, and (b) is a rear view of the outer tank cover in which the circulation channel is exposed. It is a partial cross section side view which shows the discharge part by the side of a drum and a bottom face part. It is a front view which shows a drum. It is explanatory drawing which shows one form of a circulation pump, (a) is a schematic explanatory drawing when a rotational speed is low, (b) is a schematic explanatory drawing when a rotational speed is high. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows one form of a circulation pump, (b) is a schematic explanatory drawing at the time of rotating a wing | wing forward, (c) is a schematic explanatory drawing at the time of reversely rotating a wing | wing. It is a control block diagram of a drum washing machine. It is process drawing explaining the driving | operation process of washing operation. It is a figure which shows the contaminated cloth injection | throwing area at the time of a cleaning test, (a) Explanatory drawing which shows the contaminated cloth injection | throwing area seen from the front of a drum, (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the contaminated cloth injection | throwing-in area in a drum front-back direction. . It is a table | surface which shows the average of a washing | cleaning rate. It is a graph which shows the change of the washing | cleaning rate of a drum front-back direction. It is a figure which shows the spraying area of a shower, (a) is a schematic diagram which shows the spraying area at the time of spraying a shower from the discharge part of the opening part side of a drum, (b) is the opening part side and bottom part of a drum It is a schematic diagram which shows the spraying area at the time of spraying a shower from both discharge parts of the side.

  Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “embodiments”) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. In the following description, the front-rear, up-down, left-right directions are based on the front-back, up-down, left-right directions shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the drum washing machine 1 is a drum-type washing and drying machine. Inside the drum washing machine 1, as shown in FIG. 2, an outer tub 3 for accumulating water therein, a rotating drum (inner tub) 4 as a drum rotatably supported in the outer tub 3, And a housing 10 (see FIG. 1) for housing the outer tub 3 and the rotating drum 4.

  The casing 10 constitutes an outer shell, and a front panel (front plate) 11 disposed on the front side and side panels disposed on the left and right side surfaces (press plate or the like) by pressing a sheet metal (metal, colored steel plate) or the like. Side plate) 14. In addition, the housing 10 includes a rear panel (back plate) 19 that is formed in a substantially U shape in a top view by pressing a sheet metal and disposed on the back surface, and a base disposed on the bottom side of the outer tub 3. 17 and an upper surface panel (upper plate, top panel) 18 disposed above the outer tub 3. The housing 10 has a box shape including the base 17.

  The front panel 11 includes a front upper panel 12 disposed in the upper front portion and a front lower panel 13 disposed in the lower front portion. The front panel 11 may be composed of a single panel.

A door 6 is attached to the front upper panel 12 via a hinge. The front lower panel 13 is provided with a lid 13d for taking in and out a filter member of a lint filter (not shown).
The side panel 14 is formed by pressing a sheet metal or the like, and is formed at the same height as the front panel 11. The back panel 19 is formed by pressing a sheet metal or the like.

  The base 17 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin, and, as shown in FIG. 2, grid-like ribs are formed on the inside and are reinforced. Further, the lower end of the side panel 14 is fixed to the base 17 with screws or the like.

  The upper panel 18 is formed, for example, by molding a synthetic resin, and has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view. The top panel 18 is configured as a single plate and is configured to close the top opening formed by connecting the front panel 11, the side panel 14, and the back panel 19.

The upper panel 18 is provided with a detergent loading unit 20 on the front left side in the front-rear direction and an operation panel 22 on the front right side.
As the synthetic resin, a resin having high strength and excellent wear resistance, specifically, POM (polyoxymethylene resin) can be selected.

  Further, a water supply unit (not shown, provided with water supply-related parts), a drying filter 37, and the like are attached to the top panel 18. A water supply unit (not shown) includes a water supply pipe (not shown), a water supply hose connection port 18f (see FIG. 1), a detergent water supply electromagnetic valve connected to the bath water hose connection port 18g (see FIG. 1), a pump for sucking up bath water, and the like. It is.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the outer tub 3 is formed of a synthetic resin in a cylindrical shape, and encloses the rotating drum 4 coaxially. The outer tub 3 is open on the front surface side, and a drum motor (not shown) is attached to the outer center of the bottom surface on the rear surface side. The rotating shaft of the drum motor passes through the outer tub 3 and is coupled to the rotating drum 4. Moreover, the outer tank 3 is comprised by the bottomed cylindrical outer tank main body 3a and the outer tank cover 3b attached to the front opening of this outer tank main body 3a.

  A rubber bellows (not shown) is attached to the opening 3s of the outer tub 3 (outer tub cover 3b), and the outer tub 3 is sealed with water by closing the door 6 (see FIG. 1). It has become. Inside the outer tub cover 3b, a front discharge portion 31a (see FIG. 5A) that constitutes a water spray port on the opening side of the rotary drum 4 is provided.

Further, a rear discharge portion 32a constituting a water spray port on the bottom surface portion 4d (see FIG. 7) side of the rotating drum 4 is provided on the rear surface of the bottom surface portion 3d of the outer tub main body 3a. As shown in FIG. 6, the rear discharge portion 32 a is disposed at a position overlapping the central axis O <b> 1 of the rotating drum 4 (the central axis of the outer tub 3), and is provided at a position lower than the front discharge portion 31 a. Yes. In other words, the rear discharge portion 32 a is disposed above the water level accumulated in the rotary drum 4. The rear discharge portion 32 a has a vertically long shape extending in the vertical direction of the rotary drum 4.
The outer tub 3 is elastically supported via a damper 5 (see FIG. 2).

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 4, the water supply port 3c which supplies water and detergents into the outer tank 3 is provided in the rear outer part of the outer tank main body 3a. The water supply port 3c and the detergent container are connected by a rubber bellows hose (not shown).

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the recessed portion 3 f provided with the recessed recessed portion 3 f is provided on the lower inner peripheral surface of the outer tub 3 so as to extend in the axial direction of the outer tub 3. ing. The lower surface of the recess 3f is an inclined surface that falls from the front side to the rear side, and a drain port 3e (see FIG. 4) is provided on the rear side of the recess 3f. A bellows hose (not shown) connected to a circulation pump 40 described later is connected to the drain port 3e. A bottom circulating water inlet 3k (see FIG. 2) is provided on the front side of the recess 3f.

  Wash water in the outer tub 3 is sucked into the circulation pump 40 through the recess 3f. By providing the recess 3f, the amount of water stored in the outer tub 3 is increased. Therefore, by increasing the rotation speed of the circulation pump 40, a large amount of washing water is sucked into the circulation pump 40, and the circulation flow rate is increased. As a result, the washing efficiency of clothes is further improved as compared with the prior art.

  One end of the drainage hose 26 is connected to a water discharge port (not shown) of the circulation pump 40 described later, and the other end side is exposed at the left rear end of the base portion 17 as shown in FIG. The drainage hose 26 is provided with a drainage valve 25 (see FIG. 4) in the middle of the extension within the housing 10.

  The rotating drum 4 is a cylindrical washing and dewatering tub that is rotatably supported. A large number of through holes 4a for water flow and ventilation are formed on the outer peripheral wall of the rotary drum 4, and an opening 4b for taking in and out laundry such as clothes is formed on the front end face. A fluid balancer (not shown) that rotates integrally with the rotary drum 4 is provided on the outer peripheral side of the opening 4b. Further, a lifter (not shown) for lifting the laundry during the washing operation and the drying operation is provided on the inner peripheral wall of the rotating drum 4. The rotation center axis of the rotary drum 4 is inclined so as to be substantially horizontal or higher on the opening 4b side.

  As shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of mesh portions 4 m are provided on the bottom surface portion 4 d of the rotating drum 4 at intervals in the circumferential direction. The mesh portion 4m is made of a synthetic resin that is configured separately from the rotating drum 4, and includes a plurality of fine through holes (for example, a substantially square shape in which a 1-yen coin cannot be inserted). It is attached. The mesh portion 4m is arranged in a bottom surface region 4f partitioned by ribs 4g in the circumferential direction of the bottom surface portion 4d. The mesh portion 4m is formed in a substantially trapezoidal shape with the overall shape viewed from the axial direction corresponding to the shape of the bottom surface region 4f. As shown in FIG. 6, the mesh portion 4m is disposed so as to face the rear discharge portion 32a provided on the bottom surface portion 3d of the outer tub main body 3a. As shown in FIG. 7, the projecting end 32b of the rear discharge portion 32a faces through the mesh portion 4m. Thereby, the water sprayed from the rear discharge part 32a is sprayed in the rotating drum 4 through the mesh part 4m. In addition, the rear side discharge part 32a is being fixed to the bottom face part 3d of the outer tank 3 via the flange part 32c provided in the front-end | tip part, as shown in FIG. 3, FIG. The protruding end 32 b is curved along the circumferential direction of the rotating drum 4. The protruding end 32b may have a linear shape, a bent shape, or a shape that curves to the opposite side along the circumferential direction.

  In addition, the mesh part 4m may be integrally provided in the bottom face part 4d. In this case, a through hole is formed directly on the bottom surface portion 4d by press punching or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a circulation pump 40, a filter case 41, and a drain valve 25 (see FIG. 4) are provided between the outer tub 3 and the base 17. As shown in FIG. 3, the filter case 41 has a cylindrical shape having an opening on the front side, and a removable filter (not shown) is attached to the inside of the filter case 41, and collects foreign matters and lint in the washing water. As shown in FIG. 1, the filter case 41 can be easily attached and detached by opening the lid 13d provided on the lower front panel 13 and turning the handle 41a. The filter case 41 is inclined so that the front side becomes higher.

Next, the washing water circulation system centering on the circulation pump 40 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3, the circulation pump 40 has a configuration in which a circulation pump motor 42 is attached to a casing formed integrally with the filter case 41. The casing is formed with three first discharge ports 51, a second discharge port 52 (see FIG. 4), a third discharge port 53, and a water inlet port and a water outlet port (not shown).

  3 and 4, the first discharge port 51 is provided on the inner peripheral wall of the outer tub cover 3b via the bellows hose 51a, which will be described later (FIGS. 5A and 5B). ))).

  The bellows hose 51a and the first circulation channel 31 are connected to the lower portion of the outer tub 3 together with the bellows hose (not shown) connected to the drain port 3e (see FIG. 4) of the recess 3f of the outer tub 3. The circulation channel from the top to the front upper part of the outer tub 3 is configured.

  The 1st circulation channel 31 is connected to front side discharge part 31a (refer to Drawing 5 (a)) used as the nozzle provided in the upper inner part of outer tank cover 3b.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the second discharge port 52 is connected to a bellows hose 52 a constituting the second circulation flow path 32. The bellows hose 52 a is a hose that extends rearward and then rises upward and is disposed behind the bottom surface portion 3 d of the outer tub 3. A second discharge portion 32a connected to the rear surface of the bottom surface portion 3d of the outer tub 3 is provided at the distal end portion of the bellows hose 52a.

  The second circulation flow path 32 formed of the bellows hose 52a is connected to the drainage port 3e of the recess 3f of the outer tank 3 together with the bellows hose (not shown) connected to the outer tank 3 from the bottom of the outer tank 3. A circulation passage leading to the rear intermediate portion is configured.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the third discharge port 53 is connected via a bellows hose 33 to an inlet 3 k formed so as to face a recess 3 f (see FIG. 3) at the bottom of the outer tub 3.

  When the circulation pump motor 42 of the circulation pump 40 is rotated forward with the drain valve 25 connected to the circulation pump 40 closed, the washing water in the outer tub 3 passes through the bellows hose (not shown) from the drain port 3e (see FIG. 4). As described above, foreign matters are removed by a filter (not shown) in the filter case 41. Thereafter, the wash water enters the circulation pump 40 and is sent from the first discharge port 51 to the first circulation flow path 31 and is also sent from the second discharge port 52 to the second circulation flow path 32, and the front discharge portion 31 a ( Water is sprayed into the rotary drum 4 (see FIG. 2) from the rear discharge section 32a and the rear discharge section 32a.

  When the circulation pump motor 42 of the circulation pump 40 rotates in reverse, the washing water in the outer tub 3 passes through the bellows hose (not shown) from the drain port 3e (see FIG. 4) and passes through the filter (not shown) in the filter case 41. To remove foreign matter. Thereafter, the washing water enters the circulation pump 40, is discharged from the third discharge port 53, and returns into the outer tub 3 through the bellows hose 33 and the inflow port 3k. When the drain valve 25 is opened, the washing water in the outer tub 3 passes through a filter (not shown) in the filter case 41 and is drained from the drain hose 26 (see FIG. 4) to the outside of the machine.

  The drum washing machine 1 according to the present embodiment includes a front watering operation mode (opening side watering operation mode) and a rear watering operation mode (bottom surface side watering operation mode), a both-side watering operation mode, The three operation modes are provided. The front-side watering operation mode is an operation mode in which water is discharged from the front-side discharge portion 31 a that is the opening side of the rotary drum 4. The rear-side watering operation mode (bottom surface-side watering operation mode) is an operation mode in which water is discharged from the rear-side discharge unit 32 a that is on the bottom surface side of the rotary drum 4. The double-side watering operation mode is an operation mode in which water is discharged from both the front discharge portion 31a and the rear discharge portion 32a.

  Switching between the operation modes can be performed, for example, by changing the rotation speed of the circulation pump motor 42 (by changing the discharge flow rate).

FIGS. 8A and 8B are explanatory views showing one embodiment of the circulation pump. FIG. 8A is a schematic explanatory view when the rotational speed is low, and FIG. 8B is a schematic explanatory view when the rotational speed is high. It is a schematic diagram which shows the mode of the watering of the front side discharge part in a circulation system, and a rear side discharge part.
When the rotational speed of the circulation pump motor 42 is changed, the head that is the discharge performance of the circulation pump motor 42 changes. When the rotational speed of the circulation pump motor 42 is low, the discharge water surface does not lift up to a high position, and the head remains at a low position. On the other hand, if the rotational speed of the circulation pump motor 42 is increased, the discharge water surface is raised to a high position.
In this embodiment, the rear side discharge part 32a is provided in the position lower than the front side discharge part 31a. Therefore, as shown in FIG. If the rotational speed of the circulation pump motor 42 is set so that the water discharge surface can be sprinkled from the rear discharge part 32a, water can be sprinkled only from the rear discharge part 32a at a relatively low rotational speed.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8 (b), if the rotational speed of the circulation pump motor 42 is set to a relatively high rotational speed so as to be a discharge water surface that can be sprinkled from the front discharge part 31a, the rear discharge Water can be sprinkled from the front discharge part 31a in addition to the part 32a. That is, the watering state can be changed by adjusting the rotation speed of the circulation pump motor 42.

  Contrary to this, a configuration in which water is sprayed only from the front discharge portion 31a at a relatively low rotational speed by adopting a configuration in which the rear discharge portion 32a is provided at a position higher than the front discharge portion 31a. It can be. Moreover, if the rotational speed of the circulation pump motor 42 is set to a relatively high rotational speed so as to be a discharge water surface that can be sprinkled from the rear discharge part 32a, water is also supplied from the front discharge part 31a in addition to the front discharge part 31a. You will be able to water.

  The rotational speed of the circulation pump motor 42 is controlled by a control device 38 (see FIG. 10) provided in the housing 10.

  Further, by changing the configuration of the circulation pump 40, the front side watering operation mode (opening side watering operation mode), the rear side watering operation mode (bottom surface side watering operation mode), and the both-side watering operation mode 3 The drum washing machine 1 can be provided with two operation modes.

FIG. 9A is an explanatory view showing an embodiment of the circulation pump, FIG. 9B is a schematic explanatory view when the wing is rotated forward, and FIG. 9C is a schematic explanatory view when the wing is rotated backward.
The circulation pump 40 includes a first discharge port 51 and a second discharge port 52 that face each other. The circulation pump 40 is provided with stoppers 48 and 49 for controlling the flow rate. The stopper 48 mainly controls the flow rate flowing through the first discharge port 51 to be larger than the flow rate flowing through the second discharge port 52 when the wing 45 rotates in the X1 direction in the drawing. The stopper 49 mainly controls the flow rate flowing through the second discharge port 52 to be larger than the flow rate flowing through the first discharge port 51 when the wing 45 rotates in the X2 direction in the drawing.

As shown in FIG. 9B, the flow rate to the first discharge port 51 can be increased by rotating the circulation pump motor 42 in the direction of the arrow X1 in the drawing. Thereby, it can be set as the front side watering operation mode which waters only from the front side discharge part 31a.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9C, the flow rate to the second discharge port 52 can be increased by rotating the circulation pump motor 42 in the direction of the arrow X2 in the figure. Thereby, it can be set as the rear side watering operation mode which waters only from the front side discharge part 31a.

  Moreover, it can be set as the double-side watering operation mode which waters from both the front side discharge part 31a and the rear side discharge part 32a by performing the operation | movement which switches the rotation direction of the circulation pump motor 42 alternately. In this case, by setting the switching timing, the washing process and the rinsing process can be performed in an operation mode in which front and rear watering is performed intermittently and an operation mode in which front and rear watering is performed substantially continuously.

  Further, even when the blades 45 are rotated in one direction by appropriately setting the shapes of the stoppers 48 and 49 and the amount of protrusion into the pump, only from the front discharge portion 31a according to the rotational speed of the circulation pump 40. It is also possible to use a state of water spraying or to spray water simultaneously from both the front discharge part 31a and the rear discharge part 32a.

FIG. 10 is a control block diagram in the drum type washing and drying machine.
As shown in FIG. 10, the control device 38 includes a microcomputer 38a, a drive circuit 64, and the like, as well as on / off signals of the switches 12a and 12b of the operation panel 22 and various sensors (water level sensor 34, temperature sensor 62). An input circuit for an output signal from the above is also provided. Further, the control device 38 acquires various information signals in the user's operation, washing process (washing process, rinsing process, dehydration process), and drying process via the microcomputer 38a. In the control device 38, the microcomputer 38 a controls the foram motor 5 j, the water supply electromagnetic valve 16, the drain valve 25, and the circulation pump 40 via the drive circuit 64. In addition, the display 12c, the light emitting element 66, and the buzzer 67 are controlled in order to inform the user of information related to the drum type washing and drying machine.

  The detergent water supply electromagnetic valve 16b supplies tap water from the water supply hose connection port 18f (see FIG. 1) to a detergent charging chamber (not shown) of the detergent tray through a water supply path (not shown). The tap water supplied to the detergent charging chamber is poured into the outer tub 3 (see FIG. 2) through the detergent container and the bellows hose together with the introduced detergent.

  The finishing agent water supply electromagnetic valve 16c supplies tap water from the water supply hose connection port 18f to a finishing agent charging chamber (not shown) of the detergent tray through a water supply path (not shown). The tap water poured into the finishing agent charging chamber is poured into the outer tub 3 through the bellows hose together with the finishing agent (softener).

  The outer tank water supply electromagnetic valve 16d supplies tap water from the water supply hose connection port 18f into the outer tank 3 through a water supply path (not shown) from the bellows hose.

  The cooling water supply electromagnetic valve 16e supplies tap water from the water supply hose connection port 18f to a water cooling / dehumidification mechanism (not shown) of the drying duct through a water supply path (not shown).

  The bath water from the bath water hose connection port 18g (see FIG. 1) pumped up by the bath water suction pump is supplied into the outer tub 3 from the bellows hose through a water supply path (not shown).

≪Operation process≫
Next, with reference to FIG. 11, the operation | movement process of a drum type washing-drying machine is demonstrated. FIG. 11 is a process diagram illustrating an operation process of a washing operation (washing-rinsing-dehydration) in the drum type washing / drying machine according to the first embodiment. In the following, the detergent water supply electromagnetic valve 16b is the first electromagnetic valve, the finishing agent water supply electromagnetic valve 16c is the second electromagnetic valve, the outer tank water supply electromagnetic valve 16d is the third electromagnetic valve, and the cooling water supply electromagnetic valve 16e is the fourth electromagnetic valve. It explains as a valve.

  As shown in FIG. 11, in step S <b> 1, the control device 38 receives a course selection input for the operation process of the drum type washing and drying machine (course selection). Here, the user opens the door 6, puts clothes to be washed in the rotary drum 4, and closes the door 6. And a user selects and inputs the course of a driving process by operating operation switches 12a and 12b. By operating the operation switches 12 a and 12 b, the course of the selected driving process is input to the control device 38. The control device 38 reads the corresponding driving pattern from the driving pattern database based on the input driving process course, and proceeds to step S2. In the following description, it is assumed that the standard course (washing-rinsing twice-dehydration) is selected.

  In step S <b> 2, the control device 38 executes a step of detecting the weight (cloth amount) of the clothes put on the rotary drum 4 (cloth amount sensing). Specifically, the control device 38 drives the foram motor 5j in the forward direction at a predetermined rotation speed (for example, 180 rpm) to rotate the rotating drum 4 and calculates the weight (cloth amount) of the clothes before water injection. To do.

  In step S <b> 3, the control device 38 executes a process of calculating the detergent amount / operation time. Specifically, the control device 38 controls the water supply electromagnetic valve 16 (for example, opens the third electromagnetic valve) and supplies water directly to the water supply port 3 c of the outer tub 3. Although not shown, the control device 38 detects the electric conductivity (hardness) of the supplied water via an electric conductivity sensor (not shown) arranged at the inner bottom of the outer tub 3. Further, the temperature sensor 62 (see FIG. 10) detects the temperature of the supplied water. Thereafter, the water supply electromagnetic valve 16 is controlled (for example, the third electromagnetic valve is closed), and the water supply to the outer tub 3 is terminated.

  The control device 38 determines the amount of detergent to be put in and the operating time through map search based on the cloth amount, the water conductivity (hardness), and the water temperature detected in step S2. And the control apparatus 38 displays the determined amount of detergent and operation time on the indicator 12c. In addition, although it demonstrated as supplying water to the outer tank 3 and detecting the electrical conductivity (hardness) and water temperature of water, it is not restricted to this. For example, the electrical conductivity (hardness) and water temperature of water at the previous operation may be stored in a storage unit (not shown) of the microcomputer 38a and used.

  In step S4, the control device 38 executes a detergent charging waiting process. For example, the control device 38 waits for a predetermined time and proceeds to step S5. The user puts detergents in the detergent tray with reference to the amount of detergent displayed on the display 12c during standby. When the detergent tray is closed after being opened by means (not shown) for detecting the opening and closing of the detergent tray, the control device 38 proceeds to step S5 assuming that the detergent has been introduced. May be.

  In step S5, the control device 38 executes a detergent dissolving process. For example, the control device 38 controls the water supply electromagnetic valve 16 (for example, opens the first electromagnetic valve), and supplies water to the detergent charging chamber via the water supply pipe. The detergent and water in the detergent charging chamber are discharged from the outlet through a detergent delivery pipe, a bellows hose, a water supply port 3c on the upper rear side of the outer tub 3, and a water supply path formed on the inner surface of the bottom wall of the outer tub 3. It flows into the recess 3 f of the tank 3. When water is supplied to a predetermined amount of water, the control device 38 controls the water supply electromagnetic valve 16 (for example, closes the first electromagnetic valve) to stop water supply. And the control apparatus 38 performs a detergent melt | dissolution operation | movement.

  Specifically, the control device 38 controls the circulation pump 40 to discharge water and detergent sucked from the drain port 3e via the bellows hose from the inlet 3k of the recess 3f via the bellows hose 33. The water and the detergent discharged from the inflow port 3k flow through the hollow portion 3f, circulate toward the drain port 3e. Thereby, water and a detergent are stirred and a detergent is melt | dissolved in water. When a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) elapses, the control device 38 stops the circulation pump 40 and proceeds to step S6.

  In step S6, the control apparatus 38 performs a rotation water supply process. Specifically, the control device 38 controls the water supply electromagnetic valve 16 (for example, opens the first electromagnetic valve and the third electromagnetic valve) to raise the water level of the wash water in the outer tub 3. Then, the forarum motor 5j is controlled to rotate the rotating drum 4 in a forward / reverse direction at a predetermined rotational speed (for example, 40 rpm [r / min]) to replace the clothes. Further, the control device 38 controls the circulation pump 40 (circulation pump motor 42) so as to have a predetermined rotational speed, and provides washing water having a high detergent concentration sucked from the drain port 3e at the opening of the outer tub 3. The clothes inside the rotating drum 4 are infiltrated by being discharged into the rotating drum 4 from the front discharging portion 31a and the rear discharging portion 32a.

  In this case, the control device 38 alternately controls the rotation speed of the circulation pump 40 to a low rotation speed and a high rotation speed. When the rotational speed of the circulation pump 40 is controlled to a low rotational speed (for example, 1800 rpm), the amount of washing water is reduced and the head is lowered, for example, only inside the rotating drum 4 from the rear discharge part 32a. Wash water is discharged.

  On the other hand, when the rotational speed of the circulation pump 40 is controlled to a high rotational speed (for example, 2000 rpm), the amount of washing water increases and the head height increases, and both from the front discharge part 31a and the rear discharge part 32a. Wash water is discharged into the rotary drum 4.

  In the rotation water supply process, as described above, the rotation speed of the circulation pump 40 is alternately controlled to the low rotation speed and the high rotation speed by the control device 38. Therefore, in the rotating water supply process, the discharged wash water is discharged only from the rear discharge portion 32a, or is discharged from both the front discharge portion 31a and the rear discharge portion 32a. That is, the washing water is sprinkled sequentially. Thereby, the washing water can be uniformly permeated into the clothes inside the rotary drum 4. The control of the control device 38 may be one in which the rotational speed of the circulation pump 40 is alternately controlled to a low rotational speed and a high rotational speed at predetermined intervals, or the time held at one of the rotational speeds may be set. It may be controlled to be longer than the other.

  Then, when the water level of the washing water in the outer tub 3 rises to a predetermined water level (medium water level), water supply is stopped (for example, the first electromagnetic valve and the third electromagnetic valve are closed). When a predetermined time elapses after the rotation water supply process is started, the rotation water supply process is terminated, and the process proceeds to step S7.

  In step S7, the control apparatus 38 performs a pre-wash stirring process. In addition, a prewash stirring process is a process in which the washing water with high detergent density | concentration produced | generated by the detergent melt | dissolution process is immersed in clothing. Detergency is improved by soaking clothes with high detergent concentration.

  Specifically, the control device 38 alternately controls the rotation speed of the circulation pump 40 to a low rotation speed (for example, 1800 rpm) and a high rotation speed (for example, 2000 rpm), and the wash water sucked from the drain port 3e is discharged. It is discharged into the inside of the rotary drum 4 from the front discharge part 31a and the rear discharge part 32a of the outer tub 3. Also in this case, since the rotational speed of the circulation pump 40 is alternately controlled to a low rotational speed and a high rotational speed, the wash water is only from the front side (or only from the rear side), It will be discharged. Thereby, the wash water with a high detergent concentration can be uniformly permeated into the clothes inside the rotary drum 4.

  In addition, the control device 38 controls the forarum motor 5j to rotate the rotating drum 4 at a predetermined rotation speed (for example, 80 rpm), whereby the centrifugal force on the clothing overcomes the gravity, and the clothing inside the rotating drum 4 Is attached to the inner peripheral wall surface of the rotating drum 4 so that the clothing does not fall from above in the rotating drum 4. That is, in the pre-washing stirring step, the clothes are not dropped from above the rotating drum 4 so that the mechanical force generated when the clothes are dropped from above the rotating drum 4 is not applied. Yes.

  In the prewash stirring step of this embodiment, the rotating drum 4 is rotated in the forward direction, but may be rotated in the reverse direction or in both the forward and reverse directions. When a predetermined time (for example, 3 minutes) elapses, the control device 38 ends the pre-washing stirring process and proceeds to step S8.

  In step S8, the control apparatus 38 performs a main washing stirring process. In the main washing and stirring step, for example, a tap washing step and a fir washing step are executed. The tapping process is to lift the clothes that have accumulated in the lower part of the rotating drum 4 by the rotation of the rotating drum 4 and to drop the clothes from the upper part in the rotating drum 4 because the gravity is greater than the centrifugal force on the clothes. Is a step of applying mechanical force to the garment.

Specifically, the control device 38 alternately controls the rotation speed of the circulation pump 40 to a low rotation speed (for example, 1800 rpm) and a high rotation speed (for example, 2000 rpm), and the wash water sucked from the drain port 3e is discharged. It is discharged into the inside of the rotary drum 4 from the front discharge part 31a and the rear discharge part 32a of the outer tub 3. Also in this case, since the rotational speed of the circulation pump 40 is alternately controlled to a low rotational speed and a high rotational speed, the wash water is only from the front side (or only from the rear side), It will be discharged. Thereby, the wash water with a high detergent concentration can be uniformly permeated into the clothes inside the rotary drum 4.
In addition, the control device 38 controls the forarum motor 5j to rotate the rotating drum 4 in a forward and reverse direction at a predetermined rotational speed (for example, 40 rpm), thereby washing the clothes inside the rotating drum 4. When a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes) elapses, the control device 38 ends the beat washing process and proceeds to the rice washing process.

  The paddy washing process is a machine that is weaker than knocking clothes on clothes while rolling down the inner peripheral wall surface of the rotating drum 4 (without dropping clothes) while the rotating drum 4 rotates to rotate the rotating drum 4 It is a process to give a powerful force. In other words, in the paddy washing process, the clothes are operated while rolling with the rollers in the lower part of the rotary drum 4.

  Specifically, the control device 38 alternately controls the rotation speed of the circulation pump 40 to a low rotation speed (for example, 1800 rpm) and a high rotation speed (for example, 2000 rpm), and the wash water sucked from the drain port 3e is discharged. It is discharged into the inside of the rotary drum 4 from the front discharge part 31a and the rear discharge part 32a of the outer tub 3. Also in this case, since the rotational speed of the circulation pump 40 is alternately controlled to a low rotational speed and a high rotational speed, the wash water is only from the front side (or only from the rear side), It will be discharged. As a result, the washing water uniformly penetrates the clothes inside the rotating drum 4. Further, the control device 38 controls the foram motor 5j to rotate the rotating drum 4 in the forward / reverse direction (for example, the rotating drum 4) at a predetermined rotating speed (for example, 30 rpm) lower than the rotating speed at the time of the washing process. , The clothes inside the rotating drum 4 are scrubbed. In addition, when a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) elapses, the control device 38 ends the rice washing process and proceeds to one rinsing process (steps S9 to S12).

  In step S9, the control apparatus 38 performs a drainage process. The control device 38 stops the foram motor 5j and the circulation pump 40, and opens the drain valve 25 to drain the washing water in the outer tub 3. The water level sensor 34 continues to monitor the water level of the wash water in the outer tub 3 during drainage. When the detection value of the water level sensor 34 falls below a predetermined water level, the control device 38 ends the drainage process and proceeds to step S10.

  In step S10, the control device 38 executes one dehydration process. In a state where the drain valve 25 is kept open, the control device 38 rotates the rotating drum 4 in the reverse direction at a high speed (for example, 1250 rpm) to dehydrate the washing water contained in the clothes. When the predetermined time has elapsed, the control device 38 ends the dehydration process 1 and proceeds to Step 11.

  In step S11, the control device 38 executes a rotary shower process. The control device 38 closes the drain valve 25 and controls the water supply electromagnetic valve 16 (for example, opens the third electromagnetic valve) while rotating the rotating drum 4 at a medium speed in the reverse direction (for example, 260 rpm). Spray water on clothing. The control time of the water supply solenoid valve 16 (third solenoid valve) at this time is determined based on the cloth amount detected in step S2. When the predetermined time has elapsed, water supply is stopped (for example, the third electromagnetic valve is closed).

  Further, the control device 38 alternately controls the rotation speed of the circulation pump 40 to a low rotation speed (for example, 1800 rpm) and a high rotation speed (for example, 2000 rpm), and rinse water sucked from the drain port 3e is stored in the outer tank. 3 is discharged from the front discharge portion 31a and the rear discharge portion 32a into the rotary drum 4. Also in this case, since the rotational speed of the circulation pump 40 is alternately controlled to a low rotational speed and a high rotational speed, the washing water is only from the front side (or only from the rear side), or both the front and rear sides. It is discharged. Thereby, the rinse water is efficiently sprinkled on the clothes inside the rotary drum 4. When a predetermined time elapses, the circulation pump 40 is stopped, the drain valve 25 is opened, and the rinse water in the outer tub 3 is drained.

  In step S12, the control device 38 executes two dehydration processes. In a state where the drain valve 25 is kept open, the control device 38 rotates the rotating drum 4 at a high speed in the reverse direction (for example, 1250 rpm) to dehydrate the washing water contained in the clothes. If predetermined time passes, the control apparatus 38 will complete | finish 2 spin-drying | dehydration processes, and will progress to 2 rinse processes (step S13-step S16).

  In step S13, the control device 38 executes a water supply process. The control device 38 closes the drain valve 25, controls the water supply electromagnetic valve 16 (for example, opens the first electromagnetic valve), and supplies rinse water into the outer tub 3. If it rises to a predetermined water level, water supply will be stopped (for example, the 1st solenoid valve will be closed), control device 38 will end a water supply process, and will progress to Step S14.

  In step S14, the control device 38 executes a finishing agent (softener) water supply process. The control device 38 controls the water supply electromagnetic valve 16 (for example, opens the second electromagnetic valve) to supply rinse water containing a soft finish into the outer tub 3, and in step S13, the outer tub 3 The rinse water supplied inside and the rinse water containing the softener are mixed.

  In step S15, the control device 38 executes a rotary water supply / makeup water process. The control device 38 controls the water supply electromagnetic valve 16 (for example, opens the first electromagnetic valve and the third electromagnetic valve) to supply water to the outer tub 3. When water is supplied to a predetermined water level, water supply is stopped (for example, the first electromagnetic valve and the third electromagnetic valve are closed). Further, the control device 38 controls the foram motor 5j while supplying water to rotate the rotating drum 4 in the forward and reverse directions (for example, 40 rpm).

  Further, the control device 38 alternately controls the rotation speed of the circulation pump 40 to a low rotation speed (for example, 1800 rpm) and a high rotation speed (for example, 2000 rpm), and rinse water sucked from the drain port 3e is stored in the outer tank. 3 is discharged from the front discharge portion 31a and the rear discharge portion 32a into the rotary drum 4. In this case, since the rotational speed of the circulation pump 40 is alternately controlled to a low rotational speed and a high rotational speed, the rinsing water containing the soft finish is only from the front side (or only from the rear side). It is discharged on both sides. As a result, the soft finish uniformly permeates the clothing inside the rotating drum 4.

  In step S16, the control apparatus 38 performs a rinse stirring process. In the rinsing and agitation process, the clothes accumulated in the lower part of the rotating drum 4 by the rotation of the rotating drum 4 are lifted and the gravity is more than the centrifugal force applied to the clothes. It is the process of dropping from above.

  Specifically, the control device 38 controls the foram motor 5j to rotate the rotating drum 4 (for example, 40 rpm). Then, the control device 38 alternately controls the rotation speed of the circulation pump 40 at a low rotation speed (for example, 1800 rpm) and a high rotation speed (for example, 2000 rpm), and discharges the rinse water sucked from the drain port 3e to the front side. The clothes are rinsed by being discharged into the rotary drum 4 from the portion 31a and the rear discharge portion 32a. Also in this case, since the rotational speed of the circulation pump 40 is alternately controlled to a low rotational speed and a high rotational speed, the rinsing water is only from the front side (or only from the rear side), or both the front and rear sides. It is discharged. Therefore, rinsing of clothes is promoted. And when predetermined time passes, the control apparatus 38 will complete | finish a rinse stirring process, and will progress to a spin-drying | dehydration process (step S17, S18).

  In step S17, the control device 38 executes a drainage process. The control device 38 stops the foram motor 5j and the circulation pump 40, and opens the drain valve 25 to drain the rinse water in the outer tub 3. The water level sensor 34 continues to monitor the water level of the wash water in the outer tub 3 during drainage. When the detection value of the water level sensor 34 falls below the predetermined water level, the control device 38 ends the drainage process and proceeds to step S18.

  In step S18, the control apparatus 38 performs a dehydration process. Specifically, the control device 38 opens the drain valve 25 and controls the foram motor 5j to rotate the rotating drum 4 at a high speed (for example, 1000 rpm), thereby centrifugally dehydrating the clothes. Then, when a predetermined time has elapsed, the control device 38 stops the foram motor 5j, closes the drain valve 25, and ends the washing course (washing-rinsing-dehydration).

As described above, in the drum washing machine according to the present embodiment, in the operation process, the rotation speed of the circulation pump 40 is alternately controlled to the low rotation speed and the high rotation speed, and the washing water sucked from the drain port 3e can be easily washed. Excess water is discharged into the rotary drum 4 from the front discharge portion 31a and the rear discharge portion 32a. Thereby, washing water and rinsing water can be uniformly included in the clothes. Therefore, high cleaning performance can be ensured while reducing costs without using a large circulation pump.
Further, the rotation speed of the rotary drum 4 can be set to a desired speed, and cleaning and rinsing by a tumbling operation can be performed.

  Here, the reason why the high washing performance can be ensured is that, for example, in the main washing stirring process, the clothes fall in a state where sufficient washing water penetrates the entire clothes lifted by the rotation of the rotary drum 4. This is because the washing water contained in the clothes is pushed out of the clothes together with the dirt due to the impact of dropping (tapping). Moreover, since washing water permeates the entire clothing, the detergent components can be efficiently diluted even in rinsing, and the rinsing performance can be improved.

  Water discharged from the rear discharge portion 32a is sprinkled into the rotary drum 4 through the mesh portion 4m. Accordingly, the washing water and the rinsing water discharged from the rear discharge portion 32 a are suitably supplied into the rotating drum 4.

  The circulation pump 40 can supply wash water and rinsing water simultaneously to the front discharge part 31a and the rear discharge part 32a through the circulation flow paths 31 and 32. Thereby, washing water and rinsing water can be uniformly included in the clothes. Therefore, high cleaning performance can be ensured while reducing costs without using a large circulation pump.

  The circulation pump 40 can supply wash water and rinse water individually to the front discharge part 31a and the rear discharge part 32a through the circulation flow paths 31 and 32. Thereby, washing water and rinsing water can be uniformly included in the clothes. Therefore, high cleaning performance can be ensured while efficiently suppressing costs.

The rear discharge portion 32 a has a vertically long shape extending in the vertical direction of the rotary drum 4. As a result, it is possible to spray water or rinse water efficiently in the vertical direction in the rotating drum 4. Thereby, washing water and rinsing water can be included evenly in clothing.
A plurality of the rear discharge portions 32a may be provided. For example, a plurality of the rear discharge portions 32a may be arranged in the vertical direction, the radial direction, and further in the circumferential direction of the rotating drum 4. In this case, higher cleaning performance can be ensured.

  In addition, the rear discharge portion 32 a is disposed above the water level accumulated in the rotary drum 4. Thereby, it is possible to efficiently spray washing water and rinsing water on clothes in a position not immersed in the water accumulated in the rotating drum 4. Therefore, high cleaning performance can be ensured efficiently.

  Moreover, it has three operation modes, the front watering operation mode, the rear watering operation mode, and the both-side watering operation mode. Therefore, a suitable washing mode can be selected according to the dirt and amount of clothing, and efficient washing is possible.

  Next, the washing performance in the drum washing machine according to the present embodiment will be described. Regarding the washing performance, in accordance with the standard of JIS-C 9606, beef tallow and protein stains are adhered to a 5 cm square cotton test piece, and this test piece is sewed on a Y-shirt, followed by washing and rinsing. From the reflectance of the test piece and the reflectance of the test piece after washing, the cleaning rate was obtained by the following equation (1).

D = (R _W −R ₁ / R ₀ −R ₁ ) × 100 (%)... Formula 1

Here, D is detergency ratio, R ₁ is artificially stained cloth reflectance before washing, R _W is artificially stained cloth reflectance after washing, R ₀ is reflectance of original cloth. The artificially contaminated cloth and the experimental method are defined in Japanese Industrial Standard (Electric Washing Machine, JIS C 9609-1993).

As the washing machine of the comparative example, a washing machine in which washing water or rinsing water was sprayed only from the discharge port corresponding to the front discharge portion 31a was used.
Moreover, as shown in FIG.12 (b), the contaminated cloth injection | throwing-in area at the time of a washing | cleaning test is divided into five areas AE in the front-back direction in a rotating drum, and each area is shown in FIG. Contaminated cloth was thrown into the place of the round numbers 1-5 seen from the front side of the drum.
A dummy cloth was arranged between the areas A to E.

In FIG. 13, in the drum washing machine 1 of the present embodiment (displayed as the present embodiment in the table) and the washing machine of the comparative example (displayed as the comparative example in the table), the average cleaning rate of each area A to E, And the average washing | cleaning rate (Ave.) of each area AE whole is shown. FIG. 14 is a graph of this.
As shown in FIG. 13, the cleaning rate was improved as a whole from the C area, which is the central area of the rotating drum, to the A area behind the area.

  FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing a watering area for a shower in the rotary drum 4, wherein (a) shows a watering area G (corresponding to a comparative example) corresponding to the front discharge part 31a. Watering areas G and H (corresponding to this embodiment) corresponding to the front discharge part 31a and the rear discharge part 32a are shown. In the figure, the hatched area indicated by the symbol F is wash water or rinse water accumulated in the drum, and is an area where clothing can be directly applied.

  As is clear from FIGS. 15 (a) and 15 (b), the front and rear direction of the rotating drum 4 in which the washing water and the rinsing water are difficult to permeate by the watering areas G and H corresponding to the front discharge portion 31a and the rear discharge portion 32a It became possible to spray washing water and rinsing water suitably in the central area.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to above-described embodiment, In the range which does not change the range of this invention, it can change variously. For example, in the present embodiment, the rear discharge portion 32a has a vertically long shape. However, the shape is not limited to this, and any shape can be used as long as the shape can spray water and allow water to wash and rinse water. Is not limited.

  Further, the vertical position and the horizontal position of the front discharge part 31a and the rear discharge part 32a can be set as appropriate.

  Moreover, the flow volume discharged from the front side discharge part 31a and the flow volume discharged from the rear side discharge part 32a can be set suitably.

1 drum washing machine 3 outer tub 4 rotating drum (inner tub, drum)
4b Opening part 4d Bottom part 4m Mesh part 31, 32 Circulation flow path 31a Front side discharge part (discharge part)
32b Rear side discharge part (discharge part)
40 Circulation pump

Claims (8)

An outer tank for storing water inside,
A drum having a concave cross section that is rotatably supported in the outer tub;
A circulation pump that pumps up water in the outer tub and supplies it to a circulation flow path leading to the inside of the drum,
The drum washing machine according to claim 1, wherein discharge portions for discharging water supplied to the circulation flow path are provided on an opening side and a bottom surface side of the drum.   The drum washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising a mesh portion provided on the bottom surface portion of the drum for allowing water discharged from the discharge portion to pass through the drum.   2. The drum washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the circulation pump supplies water simultaneously to the discharge portion on the opening side and the discharge portion on the bottom surface side through the circulation flow path.   The drum washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the circulation pump individually supplies water to the discharge portion on the opening side and the discharge portion on the bottom surface side through the circulation flow path.   2. The drum washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the discharge portion provided on the bottom surface side has a vertically long shape extending in a vertical direction of the drum.   The drum washing machine according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the discharge units provided on the bottom surface side are provided.   2. The drum washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the discharge portion provided on the bottom surface portion side is disposed above a water level of water accumulated in the drum.   An opening side watering operation mode for discharging water from the discharge portion on the opening side, a bottom surface side watering operation mode for discharging water from the discharge portion on the bottom surface side, and the discharge portion and the bottom surface portion on the opening side The drum washing machine according to claim 1, comprising three operation modes: a double-side watering operation mode for discharging water from both of the discharge units on the side.

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