JP2023160969A - drum type washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To suppress washing unevenness by improving detergency.SOLUTION: A drum type washing machine which can execute a washing step, a rinsing step and a dewatering step includes: an outer tub arranged in a housing; a drum which is arranged in the outer tub and rotatable around a horizontal shaft; a drive motor for rotating the drum; a water supply pipe, a water supply valve, a drain pipe and a drain valve for supplying water to the outer tub and for draining water from the outer tub; and a control part for controlling the drive motor, the water supply valve and the drain valve so as to execute a washing preliminary step before starting the washing step. In the washing preliminary step, a water supply operation for supplying water to the outer tub and a dewatering operation for rotating the drum after the water supply operation are executed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

The present invention relates to a drum type washing machine.

When washing laundry in a drum-type washing machine, after the laundry is loaded into the drum, a washing process, a rinsing process, and a spin-drying process are generally performed in this order. In the washing process, a water supply operation for supplying water into the drum, a cleaning operation for rotating the drum, and a drainage operation for draining water from the drum are performed in this order, and then a dewatering operation is performed.

During the washing operation, a horizontal drum is rotated in an outer tank with water stored at the bottom, and the laundry is lifted and dropped by a baffle installed inside the drum, and the laundry is distributed around the inner circumference of the drum. Laundry is washed by hitting the laundry against a surface, so-called pat washing (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP2018-33512

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, drum-type washing machines sometimes wash futons in addition to laundry such as clothes. In this case as well, like laundry items such as clothes, after the futon is placed in the drum, the washing process, rinsing process, and spin-drying process are performed in this order.

However, futons (particularly duvets) have a large volume when the cotton filled inside is dry and swollen, and they tend to float on water. Therefore, when a futon is placed in the drum, the futon is accommodated in the space within the drum with almost no gaps. Furthermore, when water is supplied into the drum, the futon floats and becomes difficult to contact the baffle. In this state, when the washing operation of the washing process is performed, even if the drum is rotated, there is almost no gap in the drum and the futon is floating, so the baffle cannot lift the futon. Therefore, the futon in the drum is maintained in a state where it hardly rotates.

Therefore, even though the drum is rotating to perform the washing operation in the washing process, the futon inside the drum does not rotate. Therefore, the washing water is applied to the outer periphery of the futon, but the washing water does not reach the center of the futon, and the futon cannot be lifted, so the futon cannot be loosened in the drum, and the futon cannot be loosened in the drum. Washing cannot be done effectively. For this reason, conventional drum-type washing machines have a problem in that uneven washing occurs and it is difficult to thoroughly wash the entire futon.

When a futon is washed in a conventional drum-type washing machine, the drum rotates in a washing process such that clockwise rotation and counterclockwise rotation are alternately repeated for a predetermined period of time. In FIG. 15, wrinkles formed on the futon are marked with circles to make it easier to understand changes in the state of the futon. In FIG. 15, the rotation speed of the drum during the washing process is 40 rpm.

When the futon is put into the drum and the drum rotates clockwise, the futon that is housed in the drum without any gaps moves slightly in the clockwise rotation direction, as shown in FIG. 15(a). Subsequently, when the drum rotates to the left, the futon housed in the drum without any gaps moves slightly in the left rotation direction, as shown in FIG. 15(b). Thereafter, when the drum rotates clockwise, the futon accommodated in the drum without any gaps moves slightly in the clockwise rotation direction, as shown in FIG. 15(c).

In this way, by alternately repeating the clockwise and counterclockwise rotations of the drum, the futon housed in the drum repeats a slight movement in the clockwise rotation direction and a slight movement in the counterclockwise rotation direction. . Therefore, the futon does not rotate within the drum, and almost no washing water reaches the center of the futon.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a drum-type washing machine that can thoroughly wash futons without uneven washing.

That is, the drum-type washing machine of the present invention is a drum-type washing machine that can perform a futon washing process, a rinsing process, and a dehydration process, and includes an outer tub disposed within a housing, and a drum-type washing machine disposed within the outer tub. , a drum rotatable around a horizontal axis or an inclined axis tilted with respect to the horizontal direction, a drive motor for rotating the drum, and supplying water into the outer tank and draining water from the outer tank. water supply and drainage means; and a control means for controlling the drive motor and the water supply and drainage means so as to carry out a washing preliminary process before starting the washing process, and in the futon washing preliminary process, water is supplied into the outer tank. It is characterized in that a water supply operation of supplying water to wet the futon, and a futon dewatering operation of rotating the drum to reduce the volume of the futon by suppressing the bulge of the futon after the water supply operation are performed.
In the drum type washing machine of the present invention, a pre-washing process is carried out before starting the washing process, and by applying centrifugal force to a wet duvet or other duvet, moisture is quickly absorbed into the duvet. Since it allows the cotton to penetrate and suppress the swelling of the cotton, the volume of the futon can be reduced in a short time. As a result, gaps are formed in the drum that houses the futon, making it easier for the futon to move within the drum.In addition, moisture permeates inside the futon and makes it difficult for the futon to float, making it difficult for the baffle to lift the futon. can. As a result, it is possible to wash even the central part of the futon by washing by beating, improving the washing power and suppressing uneven washing.

In the drum-type washing machine of the present invention, in the futon washing preliminary process, between the futon water supply operation and the futon dehydration operation, the drum is rotated at a rotation speed lower than the rotation speed during the futon dehydration operation to remove moisture. It is preferable to perform a futon agitation operation to penetrate the futon.
In the drum-type washing machine of the present invention, in the preliminary washing process, after the water supply operation, an agitation operation is performed to rotate the drum, so that moisture can quickly penetrate into the interior of the futon.

In the drum-type washing machine of the present invention, it is preferable that in the duvet dewatering operation, the drum is rotated at 500 to 600 rpm while pressing the duvet against the outer circumferential side of the drum.
In the drum-type washing machine of the present invention, in the washing operation of the washing step performed after the pre-washing step is completed, the drum may be rotated at 45 to 55 rpm to rotate and loosen the futon while washing. suitable.
In the drum-type washing machine of the present invention, it is possible to select between a standard washing course used when washing clothes and a washing course exclusively for futons used when washing futons, and the washing course exclusively for futons is selected. In this case, it is preferable that the futon washing preliminary step is carried out.
In the drum-type washing machine of the present invention, it is preferable that the comforter is a down comforter.

According to the present invention, a futon can be washed thoroughly and evenly.

1 is a perspective view of a drum-type washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a side sectional view showing the configuration of the drum-type washing machine 1 of FIG. 1. FIG. It is a control block diagram of drum type washing machine 1. 3 is a flowchart showing a method of operating the drum-type washing machine 1. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows operation|movement of the washing process of a standard washing course. It is a flowchart which shows the operation|movement of the washing preliminary process of the washing course only for futons. It is a figure which shows the state change of the futon in the drum 4 in a washing preparatory process. It is a figure which shows the state change of the futon in the drum 4 in a washing preparatory process. It is a figure which shows the state change of the futon in the drum 4 in a washing preparatory process. It is a flowchart which shows the operation|movement of the washing process of the washing course only for futons. It is a figure which shows the state change of the futon in the drum 4 in a washing process. It is a figure which shows the state change of the futon in the drum 4 in a washing process. It is a figure which shows the state change of the futon in the drum 4 when the washing operation|movement is performed by rotating the drum 4 at 50 rpm without performing a washing preliminary process. It is a figure which shows the state change of the futon in the drum 4 when the drum 4 is rotated at 40 rpm and the washing|cleaning operation is performed after the washing preliminary process is performed. It is a figure which shows the state change of the futon in a drum when a futon is washed with a conventional drum-type washing machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A drum-type washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a drum-type washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing the configuration of the drum type washing machine 1 of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the drum-type washing machine 1 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as washing machine 1) of the present embodiment has a box-shaped casing 2, and the interior of the casing 2. An outer tub 3 having a substantially cylindrical inner circumferential surface is disposed in the outer tub 3, and inside the outer tub 3, a drum 4 having a substantially cylindrical inner circumferential surface for storing laundry extends in the front-rear direction. It is supported by a main shaft 5. The drum 4 is rotatable about a horizontal axis.

The front surface of the casing 2 is formed with an operating section 2a for the user to operate, and a clothing input port 6 that faces an opening 4a formed at the front end of the drum 4. The housing 2 is provided with a door 8 that opens and closes the clothes input port 6. The clothes input port 6 is opened and closed by the door 8, and laundry can be put in and taken out of the drum 4 with the door 8 open. It is possible.

A plurality of baffles 4b are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the drum 4 so as to protrude into the drum 4. The baffle 4b is a protrusion for lifting the laundry stored in the drum 4. For example, during a washing process, when the drum 4 is rotated by the driving force of a motor 11, which will be described later, the baffle 4b lifts the laundry contained in the drum 4. So-called beating washing is performed in which the laundry is lifted up by the baffle 4b and allowed to fall naturally.

A large number of water holes 4c are bored in the inner circumferential surface of the drum 4, and water supplied into the outer tank 3 during washing and rinsing flows into the drum 4 through the water holes 4c and is centrifuged. Water discharged from the laundry in the drum 4 during dehydration is scattered to the outer tub 3 side through the water passage hole 4c. The drum-type washing machine 1 of this embodiment may have a clothes washing capacity (drum volume) of 17 kg, or a clothes washing capacity of 27 kg, for example.

The main shaft 5 is rotatably supported by a bearing 5a mounted on the back wall of the outer tank 3, and a main pulley 10 is attached to the tip of the main shaft 5 that protrudes further rearward. A motor 11 is installed at the bottom of the housing 2, and a motor pulley 12 is attached to the rotating shaft of the motor 11, and the rotational power of the motor pulley 12 is transmitted to the main pulley 10 via a timing belt 16. . Thereby, when the motor 11 is driven, the drum 4 rotates around the main shaft 5.

A water supply pipe 30 with a water supply valve 30a provided in the middle is connected to the upper part of the rear wall of the outer tank 3, and when the water supply valve 30a is opened, water supplied from the outside flows through the water supply pipe 30. and is supplied to the outer tank 3. A drain pipe 31 with a drain valve 31a provided in the middle is connected to a drain port provided at the bottom of the outer tank 3, and when the drain valve 31a is opened, the water in the outer tank 3 drains into the drain pipe. 31 and is discharged outside the aircraft.

FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the drum type washing machine 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 50 of the drum-type washing machine 1 is composed of, for example, a microcomputer, and includes a CPU, a ROM in which a program for controlling the operation of the drum-type washing machine 1 is stored, It is equipped with a RAM in which data and the like used when executing the above program are temporarily stored. The operation of the drum type washing machine 1 is controlled by this control section 50. The control unit 50 is connected to the operating unit 2a, the water supply valve 30a, the drain valve 31a, and the motor 11.

In the washing machine 1, the user can select between a standard washing course and a futon-specific washing course by operating the operating section 2a of the housing 2. In addition, in the washing machine 1, various operation courses can be selected by operating the operation part 2a of the housing 2, but in the following explanation, only the standard washing course and the futon-specific washing course will be explained.

The standard washing course is a standard course used when washing clothes and the like, and the washing process, rinsing process, and spin-drying process are performed in this order.

The futon-specific washing course is a course used when washing futons such as duvets, and is operated in the order of a pre-washing process, a washing process, a rinsing process, and a spin-drying process.

A method of operating the drum type washing machine 1 will be explained based on FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a method of operating the drum type washing machine 1.

<Step S1>
In step S1, the control unit 50 determines whether the standard cleaning course or the futon-specific cleaning course has been selected, based on the operation performed on the operating unit 2a.

(Standard cleaning course)
<Step S2: Washing process>
If the control unit 50 determines in step S1 that the standard cleaning course has been selected, a washing process of the standard cleaning course is executed in step S2.

The specific operation of the washing process of the standard washing course will be explained based on FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the washing process of the standard washing course.

<Step S201: Water supply operation>
After the door 8 is opened by the user and laundry such as clothes is stored in the drum 4, the control unit 50 opens the water supply valve 30a to supply water to the outer tub 3 with the door 8 closed. supply. At this time, the control unit 50 closes the drain valve 31a, and the supplied water is stored in the outer tank 3 and also in the drum 4 through the water passage hole 4c. Then, when a predetermined amount of water is supplied, the control unit 50 closes the water supply valve 30a.

<Step S202: Cleaning operation>
When the water supply operation is completed, the control unit 50 drives the motor 11. When the motor 11 is driven, its driving force is transmitted to the drum 4 via the motor pulley 12, timing belt 16, and main pulley 10. In the washing operation, the control unit 50 rotates the drum 4 at, for example, 40 rpm, alternately repeating clockwise rotation and counterclockwise rotation, and lifts the laundry containing water in the drum 4 by the baffle 4b. Let it fall naturally and wash it by tapping for a predetermined period of time (for example, 4 minutes).

<Step S203: Draining operation>
When the washing operation is finished, the control section 50 opens the drain valve 31a to drain the washing water in the outer tub 3 to the outside of the machine via the drain pipe 31.

<Step S204: Dehydration operation>
When the drainage operation is completed, the control unit 50 drives the motor 11. When the motor 11 is driven, the drum 4 rotates at a high speed of, for example, 600 rpm, and the washing water contained in the laundry is dehydrated. Wash water that has been dehydrated from the laundry is discharged into the outer tank 3 through the water passage hole 4c, and is drained out of the machine through the drain port 31.

<Step S3: Rinsing process>
When the cleaning process is completed, the control unit 50 closes the drain valve 31 and then opens the water supply valve 30a to supply a predetermined amount of rinsing water to the outer tank 3. When a predetermined amount of water is supplied, the control unit 50 closes the water supply valve 30a, drives the motor 11 to rotate the drum 4, and rinses the laundry in the drum 4 for a predetermined period of time. When rinsing is completed, the control unit 50 opens the drain valve 31a to drain the rinsing water in the outer tank 3 to the outside of the machine via the drain pipe 31.

<Step S4: Dehydration process>
When the rinsing process is completed, the control unit 50 drives the motor 11 to rotate the drum 4 at high speed to perform high-speed dehydration for a predetermined period of time. When the high-speed dehydration is completed, the control unit 50 stops the rotation of the drum 4 and ends the operation of the standard cleaning course. Water dehydrated by high-speed dehydration is also drained out of the machine from the drain port 31 in the same manner as described above.

(Futon cleaning course)
<Step S5: Preliminary washing process>
If the control unit 50 determines in step S1 that the futon-specific cleaning course has been selected, a preliminary washing process is performed in step S5.

The specific operation of the washing preliminary process will be explained based on FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the pre-washing process of the futon-specific washing course.

<Step S501: Water supply operation>
After the door 8 is opened by the user and a comforter such as a duvet is placed in the drum 4, the control unit 50 opens the water supply valve 30a and fills the outer tank 3 with the door 8 closed. Supply water and perform water supply operations. At this time, the control unit 50 closes the drain valve 31a, and the supplied water is stored in the outer tank 3 and also in the drum 4 through the water passage hole 4c. Then, when a predetermined amount of water is supplied, the control unit 50 closes the water supply valve 30a.

Note that when the futon is put into the drum 4 and the water supply operation is started, the futon (especially the duvet) has a large volume, so as shown in FIG. 7(a), the space inside the drum 4 is are housed with almost no gaps.

Thereafter, when washing water is applied to the futon by the water supply operation, the moisture permeates the outer periphery of the futon, but the washing water does not reach the center of the futon. At this time, the state in which there is almost no gap in the space within the drum 4 remains unchanged.

<Step S502: Stirring operation>
When the water supply operation is completed, the control unit 50 drives the motor 11 to perform a stirring operation. In the stirring operation, when the control unit 50 drives the motor 11, the driving force is transmitted to the drum 4 via the motor pulley 12, timing belt 16, and main pulley 10. In the stirring operation, the control unit 50 rotates the drum 4 at, for example, 45 to 55 rpm (50 rpm in this embodiment), alternately repeating clockwise rotation and counterclockwise rotation, and continues the stirring operation for a predetermined period of time (for example, 1 hour). minute) do.

In the stirring operation, when the drum 4 starts rotating clockwise, the futon inside the drum 4 immediately rotates clockwise as shown in FIG. 7(b), and the futon continues to rotate clockwise while loosening. Rotate to . In FIGS. 7A and 7B, wrinkles formed on the futon are marked with circles to make it easier to understand changes in the state of the futon. Figure 7(c) shows the state when the drum 4 switches from clockwise rotation to counterclockwise rotation, but the futon inside the drum 4 has been rotating since the start of the stirring operation and has changed significantly from the state at the start of the stirring operation. are doing.

Immediately after the drum 4 starts rotating counterclockwise, the futon inside the drum 4 rotates counterclockwise as shown in FIG. 8(a), and water enters the gaps between the futons. FIG. 8(b) shows the state when the drum 4 switches from left rotation to right rotation. Immediately after the drum 4 starts clockwise rotation, the futon inside the drum 4 is changed as shown in FIG. 8(c). , rotate clockwise.

In this manner, in the stirring operation, the clockwise rotation and counterclockwise rotation of the drum 4 are repeated alternately, so that the futon housed in the drum 4 is rotated while being loosened in the water, as shown in FIG. As shown in a), moisture permeates most of the futon. At this time, moisture has not penetrated to the center of the futon inside the drum 4.

By rotating the drum 4 at 50 rpm for 1 minute as the stirring operation, moisture can quickly penetrate into most of the futon. The rotational speed of the drum 4 during the stirring operation is preferably 45 rpm or more, preferably 55 rpm or less, and more preferably around 50 rpm.

The stirring operation does not necessarily mean simply rotating the drum 4; for example, even if the drum 4 is rotated at a rotation speed lower than 45 rpm, the futon will not rotate within the drum 4, so moisture will be quickly absorbed into most of the futon. It is difficult to penetrate. Therefore, it is considered appropriate that the rotational speed of the drum 4 during the stirring operation in the pre-washing process is 45 to 55 rpm.

More specifically, in the stirring operation, even if the drum 4 is rotated at 40 rpm, the baffle 4b only dents the surface of the inflated futon and cannot rotate the futon. On the other hand, when the drum 4 is rotated at 45 to 55 rpm, the baffle 4b can rotate the futon in an inflated state.

In this way, in the stirring operation, it is possible to rotate the futon when the drum 4 is rotated at 45 to 55 rpm, and it is possible to rotate the futon when the drum 4 is rotated at a rotation speed lower than 45 rpm. It is thought that the things that cannot be done are the same regardless of the drum volume.

<Step S503: Draining operation>
When the stirring operation is completed, the control unit 50 opens the drain valve 31a to drain the water in the outer tank 3 to the outside of the machine via the drain pipe 31.

<Step S504: Dehydration operation>
When the draining operation is completed, the control unit 50 drives the motor 11 to rotate the drum 4 at a high speed of, for example, 600 rpm for 2 minutes to perform the dewatering operation. The water drained from the futon passes through the water hole 4c, is discharged into the outer tank 3, and is drained out of the machine from the drain port 31.

As a dewatering operation, by rotating the drum 4 at 600 rpm for 2 minutes, water can permeate the entire area of the futon and reduce the volume of the futon.

Specifically, in the dewatering operation, by rotating the drum 4 at 600 rpm, the water in the drum 4 exists on the outer circumferential side due to centrifugal force. At this time, as shown in FIG. 9(b), centrifugal force also acts on the futon A inside the drum 4, and the futon A rotates while being pressed against the outer circumference, creating a gap near the center of rotation inside the drum 4. It is formed. At that time, moisture wicks out from the inside of the futon, which has sufficiently penetrated, to the outside, so by allowing the moisture to sufficiently penetrate into the futon and squeezing it, the cotton of the futon is compressed, reducing the volume of the futon. be able to.

Thereafter, at the end of the dewatering operation, the volume of the futon that was initially present in the drum 4 without any gaps becomes smaller, and the dehydrated futon sticks to the inner peripheral surface of the drum 4, as shown in FIG. 9(c). state. In this way, when the dewatering operation of the pre-washing process is completed, the volume of the futon in the drum 4 becomes smaller, and a large gap is formed in the drum 4 that accommodates the futon.

The rotation speed of the drum 4 during the dewatering operation is preferably 500 to 600 rpm. Even if the drum 4 is rotated at a rotation speed lower than, for example, 500 rpm during the dewatering operation, it is difficult to reduce the volume of the futon because the futon is pressed against the outer circumferential side within the drum 4 and does not rotate. Further, even if the drum 4 is rotated for one minute as a dewatering operation, the volume of the futon inside the drum 4 is not sufficiently reduced.

<Step S6: Washing process>
After the control unit 50 finishes the preliminary washing process of the futon-specific washing course in step S5, the washing process of the futon-specific washing course is executed in step S6.

The specific operation of the washing process of the futon-dedicated washing course will be explained based on FIG. 10. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the washing process of the futon-specific washing course.

<Step S601: Water supply operation>
In the water supply operation, the control unit 50 opens the water supply valve 30a to supply water to the outer tank 3. At this time, the control unit 50 closes the drain valve 31a, and the supplied water is stored in the outer tank 3 and also in the drum 4 through the water passage hole 4c. Then, when a predetermined amount of water is supplied, the control unit 50 closes the water supply valve 30a.

During the water supply operation in the washing process, as described above, the volume of the futon in the drum 4 is reduced due to the preliminary washing process, and a large gap is formed in the drum 4 that accommodates the futon.

<Step S602: Cleaning operation>
When the water supply operation is completed, the control unit 50 drives the motor 11 and shifts to the cleaning operation. When the motor 11 is driven, its driving force is transmitted to the drum 4 via the motor pulley 12, timing belt 16, and main pulley 10. In the cleaning operation, the control unit 50 rotates the drum 4 at, for example, 45 to 55 rpm (50 rpm in this embodiment), alternately repeating clockwise rotation and counterclockwise rotation, to remove the compressed water in the drum 4. The futon containing the futon is lifted by the baffle 4b and allowed to fall naturally, and washing is performed for a predetermined period of time (for example, 4 minutes).

At the start of the cleaning operation, the futon in the drum 4 is compressed as shown in FIG. 11(a), so the drum 4 alternately rotates clockwise and counterclockwise, thereby causing the futon in the drum 4 to rotate as shown in FIG. 11(b). As shown in FIG. 11(c), the futon in the drum 4 is lifted by the baffle 4b, then falls and is washed as if being knocked down. At this time, in addition to the cleaning effect of tapping, the cleaning effect of rotating and scrubbing and massaging can also be obtained, improving the cleaning power.

In the washing operation, as shown in FIG. 12(a), the futon swells and the volume of the futon increases somewhat, but since the volume of the futon is reduced by the preliminary washing process, the amount of swelling of the futon can be suppressed. . FIG. 12(b) shows the state when the washing operation is finished, and it can be seen that the amount of swelling of the futon is suppressed until the washing operation is finished.

As a washing operation, by rotating the drum 4 at 50 rpm for 4 minutes, the futon can be washed while being rotated and loosened. The rotation speed of the drum 4 during the cleaning operation is preferably 45 rpm or more, preferably 55 rpm or less, and more preferably around 50 rpm.

During the washing operation, the futon may swell and its volume may increase somewhat, but by rotating the drum 4 at 45 to 55 rpm, the futon can be rotated and loosened while being washed.

A case where the cleaning operation is performed by rotating the drum 4 at 50 rpm without performing the preliminary washing process will be described based on FIG. 13. FIG. 13(a) shows a state when the cleaning operation is started without performing the preliminary cleaning process. FIG. 13(b) shows a state in which the drum 4 is rotated at 50 rpm and the cleaning operation is being performed.

When the washing operation is started, as shown in FIG. 13(a), the pre-washing process has not been performed, the volume of the futon in the drum 4 is large, and there is almost no gap in the drum 4 containing the futon. It is in a state where there is no.

Thereafter, when the drum 4 is rotated at 50 rpm to perform a washing operation, as shown in FIG. 13(b), the futon is expanded greatly while rotating while the washing operation is being performed. Therefore, although the futon rotates within the drum 4, there is little space in the drum 4 for loosening the futon, and the futon cannot be loosened, making it impossible to properly wash the entire futon. Therefore, compared to the case where the drum 4 is rotated at 50 rpm and the cleaning operation is performed after the pre-washing process is performed, the cleaning power is lower and the washing becomes uneven.

A case where a cleaning operation is performed by rotating the drum 4 at 40 rpm after the pre-washing process is performed will be described based on FIG. 14. FIG. 14(a) shows the state when the cleaning operation is started after the preliminary cleaning process has been performed. FIG. 14(b) shows a state in which the drum 4 is rotated at 40 rpm and the cleaning operation is being performed.

When the washing operation starts, as shown in FIG. 14(a), the volume of the futon in the drum 4 is reduced due to the preliminary washing process, and a large gap is formed in the drum 4 that accommodates the futon. It is.

When the rotation speed of the drum 4 during the washing operation is 40 rpm, as shown in FIG. 14(b), the amount that the futon expands during the washing operation is greater than when the pre-washing process is not performed. is suppressed.

However, when the rotation speed of the drum 4 during the washing operation is 40 rpm, the futon cannot be rotated and loosened within the drum 4, and the entire futon cannot be properly washed. Therefore, compared to the case where the rotation speed of the drum 4 during the cleaning operation is 45 to 55 rpm, the cleaning power is lower, resulting in uneven cleaning.

Further, even if the drum 4 is rotated at 60 rpm, the futon may bounce inside the drum 4, causing uneven washing. Therefore, it is considered appropriate for the rotation speed of the drum 4 during the cleaning operation in the pre-washing process to be 45 to 55 rpm.

This point is similar to the stirring operation in the pre-washing process, and even if the drum 4 is rotated at 40 rpm in the washing operation in the washing process, the baffle 4b will only dent the surface of the inflated futon. cannot be rotated.

Furthermore, if the rotational speed of the drum 4 is increased too much, the futon becomes easily damaged, and the baffle 4b lifts the futon vigorously and the futon jumps without rotating, so the futon is not loosened very much, resulting in uneven washing. On the other hand, when the drum 4 is rotated at 45 to 55 rpm, the baffle 4b can rotate the futon in an inflated state.

In this way, in the washing operation of the washing process, it is possible to rotate the futon when the drum 4 is rotated at 45 to 55 rpm, and it is possible to rotate the futon when the drum 4 is rotated at a rotation speed lower than 45 rpm. It is thought that the points that cannot be made are the same regardless of the drum volume.

As mentioned above, the volume of the futon may increase somewhat during the washing operation, but if the washing operation of the washing process is performed after the pre-washing process, the amount of increase in the volume of the futon will be It is smaller than when the cleaning operation in the washing process is performed without performing the preliminary process. Therefore, by performing the pre-washing process, the increase in the volume of the cloth during the cleaning operation of the washing process is suppressed, and the futon becomes easier to unravel.

<Step S603: Draining operation>
When the cleaning operation is completed, the control unit 50 opens the drain valve 31a to drain the cleaning water in the outer tank 3 to the outside of the machine via the drain pipe 31.

<Step S604: Dehydration operation>
After draining water, the control unit 50 drives the motor 11. When the motor 11 is driven, the drum 4 is rotated at high speed, and the washing water contained in the laundry is dehydrated. Wash water removed from the laundry by dewatering passes through the water passage hole 4c, is discharged into the outer tank 3, and is drained out of the machine from the drain port 31.

<Step S7: Rinsing process>
When the cleaning process is completed, the control unit 50 closes the drain valve 31 and opens the water supply valve 30a to supply a predetermined amount of rinsing water to the outer tank 3. When a predetermined amount of water is supplied, the water supply valve 30a is closed, the drum 4 is rotated by the motor 11, and the laundry in the drum 4 is rinsed for a predetermined period of time.

When rinsing is completed, the control unit 50 opens the drain valve 31a to drain the rinsing water in the outer tank 3 to the outside of the machine via the drain pipe 31.

<Step S8: Dehydration process>
When the rinsing process is completed, the control unit 50 drives the motor 11 to rotate the drum 4 at high speed to perform high-speed dehydration for a predetermined period of time. When the high-speed dehydration is completed, the control unit 50 stops the rotation of the drum 4 and ends the operation of the standard cleaning course. Water dehydrated by high-speed dehydration is also drained out of the machine from the drain port 31 in the same manner as described above.

The drum-type washing machine 1 of the present embodiment is a drum-type washing machine that can perform a washing process, a rinsing process, and a dehydration process, and includes an outer tub 3 disposed inside a housing 2 and an outer tub 3 disposed inside the outer tub 3. a drum 4 rotatable around a horizontal axis, a drive motor 11 for rotating the drum 4, and a water supply pipe serving as a water supply and drainage means for supplying water into the outer tank 3 and draining water from the outer tank 3. 30, a control unit that is a control means for controlling the water supply valve 30a, the drain pipe 31, the drain valve 31a, and the drive motor 11, the water supply valve 30a, and the drain valve 31a so as to perform a washing preliminary process before starting the washing process. 50, and in the pre-washing process, a water supply operation for supplying water into the outer tank 3 and a dewatering operation for rotating the drum 4 after the water supply operation are performed.

As a result, in the drum-type washing machine 1 of the present embodiment, a pre-washing process is performed before starting the washing process, and centrifugal force is applied to the duvet or other duvet while it is wet, thereby removing moisture from the duvet. Since it can penetrate into the interior in a short time and suppress the swelling of the cotton, the volume of the futon can be reduced in a short time. Therefore, a gap is formed in the drum 4 that accommodates the futon, making it easier for the futon to move within the drum 4. Also, moisture permeates inside the futon and makes it difficult for the futon to float, so the baffle 4b prevents the futon from floating. Can be lifted. As a result, it is possible to wash even the central part of the futon by washing by beating, improving the washing power and suppressing uneven washing.

In the drum-type washing machine 1 of the present embodiment, in the pre-washing process, an agitation operation is performed between the water supply operation and the dehydration operation in which the drum 4 is rotated at a rotation speed of 45 to 55 rpm, which is lower than the rotation speed during the dehydration operation. be done.

As a result, in the drum-type washing machine 1 of the present embodiment, in the preliminary washing process, after the water supply operation, the drum 4 is rotated to perform the stirring operation, thereby allowing moisture to quickly penetrate into the interior of the futon.

In the drum-type washing machine 1 of the present embodiment, in the pre-washing process, a drainage operation for draining water from the outer tub 3 is performed between the stirring operation and the spin-drying operation.

As a result, in the drum-type washing machine 1 of the present embodiment, the spin-drying operation is started after water is drained from the outer tub 3 in the preliminary washing process, so that the spin-drying operation can be shortened.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the specific configuration of each part is not limited to the embodiments described above.

For example, in the above embodiment, the water supply operation, the stirring operation, the draining operation, and the dewatering operation are performed in the washing preliminary process, but in the washing preliminary process of the present invention, at least the water supplying operation and the dewatering operation are performed. Good to have.

In the above embodiment, an example of the rotation speed and operation time of the drum 4 when the stirring operation and the dewatering operation of the pre-washing process are performed is shown, but it is not limited thereto. In the embodiment described above, the drum 4 of the drum-type washing machine 1 is rotatable around a horizontal axis, but the drum 4 may be rotatable around an inclined axis that is tilted with respect to the horizontal direction.

The laundry washing capacity of the drum-type washing machine to which the present invention is applied is arbitrary. That is, the present invention is applicable to a drum-type washing machine having a drum capacity that can accommodate a futon (for example, a drum capacity of 12 kg or more). Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the drum-type washing machine 1 that can perform a washing process, a rinsing process, and a dehydration process, but can also be applied to a drum-type washer/dryer that can perform a drying process in addition to a washing process, a rinsing process, and a dehydration process. It is possible.

1 Drum type washing machine 2 Housing 3 Outer tank 4 Drum 11 Motor 30 Water supply pipe (water supply and drainage means)
30a Water supply valve (supply and drainage means)
31 Drain pipe (supply and drainage means)
31a Drain valve (supply and drainage means)
50 Control unit (control means)

That is, the drum-type washing machine of the present invention is a drum-type washing machine that can perform a futon washing process, a rinsing process, and a dehydration process, and includes an outer tub disposed within a housing, and a drum-type washing machine disposed within the outer tub. , a drum rotatable around a horizontal axis or an inclined axis tilted with respect to the horizontal direction, a drive motor for rotating the drum, and supplying water into the outer tank and draining water from the outer tank. water supply and drainage means; and a control means for controlling the drive motor and the water supply and drainage means so as to perform a futon washing preliminary process before starting the washing process, and in the futon washing preliminary process, water is supplied to the outer tank. A futon water supply operation to wet the futon by supplying water to the futon, and a futon dewatering operation to reduce the volume by rotating the drum and suppressing the bulge of the futon after the futon water supply operation are performed.
In the drum type washing machine of the present invention, a pre-washing process is carried out before starting the washing process, and by applying centrifugal force to a wet duvet or other duvet, moisture is quickly absorbed into the duvet. Since it allows the cotton to penetrate and suppress the swelling of the cotton, the volume of the futon can be reduced in a short time. As a result, gaps are formed in the drum that houses the futon, making it easier for the futon to move within the drum.In addition, moisture permeates inside the futon and makes it difficult for the futon to float, making it difficult for the baffle to lift the futon. can. As a result, it is possible to wash even the central part of the futon by washing by beating, improving the washing power and suppressing uneven washing.

In the drum-type washing machine of the present invention, it is preferable that in the duvet dewatering operation, the drum is rotated at 500 to 600 rpm while pressing the duvet against the outer circumferential side of the drum.
In the drum-type washing machine of the present invention, in the washing operation of the washing process performed after the futon washing preliminary process is completed, the drum is rotated at 45 to 55 rpm to rotate and loosen the futon while washing. is suitable.
In the drum-type washing machine of the present invention, it is possible to select between a standard washing course used when washing clothes and a washing course exclusively for futons used when washing futons, and the washing course exclusively for futons is selected. It is preferable that the futon washing preliminary step is carried out when the futon washing is carried out.
In the drum-type washing machine of the present invention, it is preferable that the comforter is a down comforter.

Claims (6)

A drum-type washing machine that can perform a futon washing process, rinsing process, and dehydration process,
An outer tank placed inside the housing;
a drum disposed in the outer tank and rotatable around a horizontal axis or an inclined axis tilted with respect to the horizontal direction;
a drive motor for rotating the drum;
supply and drainage means for supplying water into the outer tank and draining water from the outer tank;
A control means for controlling the drive motor and the water supply and drainage means so as to carry out a pre-washing process before starting the washing process,
In the futon washing preliminary process,
a water supply operation of supplying water into the outer tank to wet the futon;
A drum-type washing machine characterized in that, after the water supply operation, a futon dehydration operation is carried out in which the drum is rotated to reduce the volume of the futon by suppressing swelling of the futon. In the futon washing preliminary process,
Between the futon water supply operation and the futon dehydration operation, a futon stirring operation is performed in which the drum is rotated at a rotation speed lower than the rotation speed during the futon dehydration operation to infiltrate moisture into the futon. The drum type washing machine according to claim 1. 3. The drum-type washing machine according to claim 1, wherein in the futon dehydration operation, the drum is rotated at 500 to 600 rpm while pressing the futon against the outer circumferential side of the drum. According to claim 1 or 2, in the washing operation of the washing step carried out after the completion of the pre-washing step, the drum is rotated at 45 to 55 rpm to rotate and loosen the futon while washing. The drum-type washing machine listed. You can choose between a standard washing course used when washing clothes and a special washing course for futons used when washing futons.
The drum-type washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the futon-specific washing course is selected, the futon washing preliminary process is carried out. 3. The drum-type washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the comforter is a down comforter.

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