JP6513978B2 - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing machine.

  In washing machines, it has been found that when the washing operation is repeatedly performed, dirt such as detergent or soap adheres to the outside of the inner tank (rotary tank) or the inside of the outer tank (water tank) and black mold etc. are generated. ing. When such stains increase, an offensive odor may be generated, and the stains may peel off during the washing or rinsing operation and adhere to the laundry.

  On the other hand, conventionally, there has been known a washing machine which automatically executes a tank cleaning operation for cleaning the tank and removing the above-mentioned dirt when the number of times of washing operation reaches a set value (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP, 2013-226241, A

  By the way, in the tank cleaning operation, the water in the outer tank is stirred and the water in the outer tank is stirred to make the outer tank and the inner tank clean so that the attached substances such as the detergent and the soap attached to the inner tank and the outer tank are opened easily. Before washing the tank, the inner tank may be immersed in the water stored in the outer tank for a predetermined time. In such a case, if the temperature of the water stored in the outer tank is high, the inner tank and the outer tank may be attached. While the kimono is easily discolored and peeled off, the efficacy of the bath cleaner used in the tank cleaning operation is also enhanced.

  However, in the washing machine of Patent Document 1, the time for putting and holding the inner tank can not be changed according to the temperature of the water stored in the outer tank, so the putting and holding time becomes unnecessarily long or There is a possibility that sufficient tank cleaning effect can not be obtained due to lack of placement time.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and the time for putting the inner tank in the water stored in the outer tank can be set to an appropriate time according to the temperature of the water stored in the outer tank. The purpose is to provide a washing machine.

  The washing machine according to the present invention comprises an outer tub for storing washing water inside, an inner tub provided in the outer tub for containing clothes, a water supply stroke for supplying water to the outer tub, and the inner tub. And a tank cleaning means for executing the lavage process of immersing in the water stored in the outer tank and the drainage process of discharging the water in the outer tank to wash the outer tank and the inner tank; The means is for changing the time for which the inner tank is immersed in water in the putting-in process according to the temperature of the water supplied to the outer tank.

It is a vertical side view of the washing machine concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution which concerns on the washing machine of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the control content which concerns on the washing machine of FIG. It is a figure which shows the setting time of the washing machine which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a vertical side view of the washing machine concerning a 3rd embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the setting time of the washing machine which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

First Embodiment
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  The washing machine 1 according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is a vertical axis washing machine, and an outer tub (water tank) 3 for holding washing water inside an outer box 2 having a substantially rectangular shape has an elastic suspension mechanism. It is elastically supported by 4 and provided. An inner tank (washing tank) 5 of vertical axis type is provided in the water tank 3, and an agitator 6 is provided at the inner bottom of the washing tank 5.

  The outer bottom portion of the water tank 3 is provided with a motor 7 which is a rotational drive source, and a mechanism unit 8 which transmits rotation of the motor 7 to rotationally drive the washing tank 5 and the agitating body 6. The agitator 6 is connected to the output shaft 7 a of the motor 7 and is rotationally driven. In the mechanism unit 8, the output shaft 7a of the motor 7 is connected to the agitator 6 at the time of washing and rinsing by switching a clutch (not shown), and is connected to the washing tub 5 and the agitator 6 at the time of dewatering. Thereby, in the present embodiment, the stirring body 6 is rotated in forward and reverse directions during the washing and rinsing operation, and the washing tub 5 and the stirring body 6 integrally rotate at high speed during the dewatering operation.

  A drainage valve 10 and a drainage hose 11 are connected to a drainage port 9 provided at the outer bottom of the water tank 3, and an air trap 12 is provided at the drainage port 9. The air trap 12 is provided with a water level sensor 13 (see FIG. 2) for detecting the water level in the washing tub 5.

  A top cover 14 is provided on the top of the outer box 2. A clothes entrance 15 is provided substantially at the center of the top cover 14, and an outer lid 16 for opening and closing the clothes entrance 15 is provided. At the upper part of the water tank 3, a water tank cover 17 is provided. The water tank cover 17 is provided with an opening 18 located below the clothes inlet 15 and an inner lid 19 for opening and closing the opening 18.

  The top cover 14 is provided with a water supply valve 20 and a water injection case 21 having a detergent input part, which is located behind the clothes inlet / outlet 15. A hose connection port 22 is provided in the water supply valve 20, and a connection hose connected to a faucet of a water supply (water supply source, not shown) is connected to the hose connection port 22. A bellows-like water supply hose 24 is connected to the outlet of the water injection case 21. A lower end portion of the water supply hose 24 is connected to a water supply port 25 which is located above the washing tub 5 and formed in the water tank cover 17. Thus, when the water supply valve 20 is opened, tap water is supplied from the water supply port 25 into the washing tub 5 through the connection hose, the water supply valve 20, the water injection case 21 and the water supply hose 24.

  Further, an operation panel 26 operable by the user is provided on the front side of the top cover 14, and a control device 27 as a control means configured of a microcomputer and the like is provided on the back side. ing.

  The operation panel 26 includes various switch input units 28 including a start switch and a course selection key, and a display unit 29 that performs necessary display (see FIG. 2). The user can instruct the selection of the course of the washing operation and the start of the operation of washing the tub 3 and the washing tub 5 by operating the switch input unit 28 provided on the operation panel 26.

  The control device 27 is configured to receive operation signals from various switch input units 28 of the operation panel 26 and detection signals from the water level sensor 13, the water temperature sensor 30, and the rotation sensor 31. The water temperature sensor 30 outputs a water temperature detection signal according to the temperature of the water (washing water) supplied into the water tank 3. The water temperature sensor 30 can be disposed in the water supply path from the water supply valve 20 to the water tank 3 or in the water tank 3, and in this example, is arranged in the water injection case 21. Further, a water supply valve 20, a drainage valve 10, and a motor 7 are connected to the control device 27 via a drive circuit 32.

  Then, the control device 27 displays the display unit 29, the water supply valve 20, the drain valve 10, the motor 7 and the like based on the detection signals from the respective sensors 13, 30, 31 and the operation signals and control programs from various switch input units 28. To perform the washing operation consisting of the steps of washing, rinsing and dewatering. Moreover, the washing machine 1 can set the tank washing course which wash | cleans the water tank 3 and the washing tub 5 besides the washing driving course.

  Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. When the user sets the tank cleaning course from the operation panel 26 and instructs the start of the course (step S1), the controller 27 controls the water supply stroke, the washing stroke, the laying stroke, the drainage stroke, the water drainage stroke, the water supply stroke, the rinse stroke, the drainage stroke The stroke and dewatering strokes are performed in order.

  Specifically, the control device 27 opens the water supply valve 20 to supply a larger amount of water into the water tank 3 by a predetermined amount than the maximum water level at the time of washing (step S2). The control device 27 acquires a water temperature detection signal from the water temperature sensor 30 during the water supply stroke to acquire the temperature of the water supplied to the water tank 3 (step S3). In addition, when the water level reaches a predetermined level after the start of the water supply stroke, the controller 27 causes the motor 7 to intermittently rotate the agitator 6 in both forward and reverse directions.

  When the water supply process is completed, while the washing tank 5 is immersed in the water stored in the water tank 3, a washing process for intermittently rotating the stirring body 6 in both forward and reverse directions is performed for a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes) Step S4). Preferably, a detergent suitable for washing the water tank 3 and the washing tank 5 is introduced into the water tank 3 before the washing process is started.

  When the washing process is completed, the control device 27 executes a placing process of waiting for a predetermined time in a state in which the washing tub 5 is immersed in the water stored in the water tank 3 (step S5). In this putting-in process, the time for executing the putting-in process differs depending on the temperature of the water supplied to the water tank 3 acquired in step S3. Specifically, the temperature of the water supplied to the water tank 3 10 ° C. or less, 10 ° C. or more and less than 20 ° C., 20 ° C. or more and less than 30 ° C., 30 ° C. or more and less than 40 ° C., 40 ° C. or more and less than 60 ° C., 60 ° C. or more in each case 8 hours, 6 hours, 4 hours , 2 hours, 1 hour, 20 minutes and carry out a rest process. In the placing process, the agitator 7 may be intermittently rotated in the forward and reverse directions by the motor 7 to agitate the water in the water tank 3.

  When the putting-up process is completed, the control device 27 opens the drain valve 10 to drain water from the inside of the water tank 3 (step S6), opens the water supply valve 20 again, and further places the water tank 3 more than the maximum water level at the time of washing. Water is supplied by a fixed amount (step S7), and then a rinse step is performed (step S8). In the rinse step, as in the washing step described above, the stirring body 6 is intermittently rotated in both forward and reverse directions for a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes).

  When the rinsing process is completed, the control device 27 opens the drainage valve 10 to drain water from the water tank 3 (step S9), and then opens the drainage valve 10 to drain the water in the water tank 3 from the drainage hose 11 to the outside of the machine A dewatering process is integrally performed by the motor 7 to rotate the stirring body 6 and the washing tub 5 at a predetermined speed (for example, 800 rpm) by the motor 7 for a predetermined time (for example, one minute) (step S10). Finish the course

  As described above, according to the washing machine 1 of the present embodiment, the time for immersing the washing tank 5 stored in the water tank 3 can be set according to the temperature of the water stored in the water tank 3. It is possible to minimize the possibility of unnecessary long time or insufficient adhering time such as detergent or soap adhering to the water tank 3 and the washing tank 5 remaining as a stable bath cleaning effect You can get

  In the washing machine 1 of the present embodiment, heating means such as a heater for heating the water stored in the water tank 3 may be provided, thereby heating the water in the water tank 3 even at low room temperature. Thus, the tank cleaning effect can be improved. At that time, the control device 27 may acquire the temperature of the water (washing water) supplied to the water tank 3 from the set temperature of the heating means, and set the execution time of the placing and holding process based on this.

Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the present embodiment, when the user operates the switch input unit 28 provided in the operation panel 26, the driving strength of the tank cleaning course can be set, and the water is supplied to the water tank 3 with the set driving strength. Depending on the temperature of the water, change the execution time of the laying process.

  Specifically, in the washing machine 1 of the present embodiment, the operating strength of the tank cleaning course is selected as one of the three levels of "strong", "medium" and "weak" by the operation of the switch input unit 28. It can be set. Then, when the operation intensity is set to "strong" according to the table as shown in FIG. 4, the control device 27 sets the temperature of the water stored in the water tank 3 to less than 10 ° C, 10 ° C or more and less than 20 ° C. 12 hours, 9 hours, 6 hours, 3 hours, 3 hours, 1.5 hours, 30 minutes in each case of 20 ° C or more and less than 30 ° C, 30 ° C or more and less than 40 ° C, 40 ° C or more and less than 60 ° C, 60 ° C or more If the operation strength is set to “medium”, the temperature of the water stored in the water tank 3 is less than 10 ° C., 10 ° C. or more and less than 20 ° C., 20 ° C. or more and less than 30 ° C., 30 ° C. or more In each case of less than 40 ° C, less than 40 ° C and less than 60 ° C, and 60 ° C or more, execute the setting stroke for 8 hours, 6 hours, 4 hours, 2 hours, 1 hour, 1 hour and 20 minutes, and the driving strength becomes "weak" If set, the temperature of the water stored in the water tank 3 is less than 10 ° C, 10 ° C Above 20 ° C, 20 ° C to 30 ° C, 30 ° C to 40 ° C, 40 ° C to 60 ° C, 60 ° C or more, 4 hours, 3 hours, 2 hours, 1 hour, 30 minutes, Perform a 10-minute "set-up process.

  With the washing machine 1 according to the present embodiment as described above, the user can change the operation strength of the bath cleaning course, and therefore, it is possible to set the laying time according to the use situation of the washing machine 1 .

Third Embodiment
Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

  In the present embodiment, the soiling detection unit 40 detects the degree of soiling of the water tank 3 and the washing tank 5, and changes the execution time of the laying process based on the detection result and the temperature of the water supplied to the water tank 3. .

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, in the washing machine 1 of the present embodiment, the dirt detection unit 40 is provided in the water tank 3, for example, the air trap 12 in the vicinity of the drainage port 9 of the water tank 3.

  The dirt detection unit 40 includes a pair of light transmitting windows 41 and 42 provided on opposite walls partitioning the air trap 12, a light emitting element 43 provided on the outside of one light transmitting window 41, and the other light transmitting window 42. And the light emitted from the light emitting element 43 in a state of being stored in the water tank 3 is received by the light receiving element 44 through the pair of light transmitting windows 41 and 42, and the light receiving element The degree of soiling of the water tank 3 and the washing tank 5 is detected from the amount of light received by the light source 44. That is, as the amount of light received by the light receiving element 44 decreases, the contamination detection unit 40 detects that the water stored in the water tank 3 is more turbid, and the contamination degree of the water tank 3 and the washing tank 5 is large. In the example, the degree of contamination is detected in three stages of "many", "medium", and "small".

  Then, according to the table as shown in FIG. 6, if the detection result of the dirt detection unit 40 is “many”, the temperature of the water stored in the water tank 3 is less than 10 ° C., 10 ° C. or more 20 20 ° C to 30 ° C, 30 ° C to 40 ° C, 40 ° C to 60 ° C, 60 ° C or more for 12 hours, 9 hours, 6 hours, 3 hours, 1.5 hours, respectively The temperature of the water stored in the water tank 3 is less than 10 ° C., 10 ° C. or more and less than 20 ° C., 20 ° C. or more 30 ° C. if the detection result of the dirt detection unit 40 is “medium”. In each case of less than 30 ° C or more and less than 40 ° C, 40 ° C or more and less than 60 ° C, 60 ° C or more, execute 8 hours, 6 hours, 4 hours, 2 hours, 2 hours, 1 hour, 20 minutes putting in place and dirt If the detection result of the detection unit 40 is "small", the water is stored in the water tank 3 Water temperature is less than 10 ° C, 10 ° C or more and less than 20 ° C, 20 ° C or more and less than 30 ° C, 30 ° C or more and less than 40 ° C, 40 ° C or more and less than 60 ° C, 60 ° C or more for 4 hours and 3 hours , 2 hours, 1 hour, 30 minutes, 10 minutes "and carry out the rest process.

  With the washing machine 1 of the present embodiment as described above, the setting time can be set according to the degree of soiling of the water tank 3 and the washing tank 5, and the setting time becomes unnecessarily long, or It is possible to minimize the remaining of the attached substances such as the detergent and the soap adhering to the water tank 3 and the washing tank 5 due to lack of the putting-up time, and a stable bath cleaning effect can be obtained.

  The dirt detection unit 40 can detect the degree of dirt on the water tank 3 and the washing tank 5 if the water is stored in the water tank 3 without being affected by the dirt on the laundry, but the water supply stroke in the tank washing course It is preferable to detect the degree of soiling after the end of the washing process and before the start of the laying process. At this time, warm water is supplied to the water tank 3 in advance, or the water stored in the water tank 3 is heated by the heating means provided in the water tank 3 to make it warm and then the washing process is performed. Preferably, the degree of contamination is detected at 40. As described above, by carrying out the washing process by rotating the stirring body 6 in a state where the hot water is stored in the water tank 3, the water in the water tank 3 tends to become cloudy due to the detergent or soap attached to the water tank 3 and the washing tank 5. The dirt detection unit 40 can accurately detect the degree of dirt on the water tank 3 and the washing tub 5.

  In addition, the detection of the degree of soiling of the water tank 3 and the washing tank 5 by the soiling detection unit 40 is not limited during the execution of the above-described tank cleaning course. For example, the dirt detection unit 40 detects the degree of soiling of the water tank 3 and the washing tank 5 at the final rinse stroke in the washing operation consisting of washing, rinsing, and dewatering steps, and stores this and executes the tank washing course At this time, the execution time of the placing process may be changed based on the degree of soiling detected in the immediately preceding washing operation and the temperature of the water supplied to the water tank 3.

(Other embodiments)
In each of the above embodiments, the vertical washing machine in which the vertical washing tub 5 is provided in the water tank 3 has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the inner tub is inclined in the outer tub The present invention can also be applied to the tub washing course of a drum-type washing machine arranged in

  While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in other various forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof as well as included in the scope and the gist of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Washing machine, 2 ... Outer box, 3 ... Outer tank (water tank), 4 ... Elastic suspension mechanism, 5 ... Inner tank (washing tank) 26, 26 ... Operation panel, 27 ... Control device, 28 ... Switch input part, 29: display unit, 30: water temperature sensor, 40: dirt detection unit

Claims (7)

An outer tank that holds wash water inside,
An inner tank disposed in the outer tank and containing the clothes;
The outer tank and the inside are executed by executing a water supply process of supplying water to the outer tank, a laying process of immersing the inner tank in the water stored in the outer tank, and a drainage process of discharging water in the outer tank. Tank cleaning means for cleaning the tank;
The washing machine changes the time in which the inner tank is immersed in the water in the putting-in process according to the temperature of the water supplied to the outer tank. A temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of water in the outer tank or a temperature of water supplied to the outer tank,
2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the bath cleaning unit changes a time in which the inner bath is immersed in water in the putting-in process according to a temperature detected by the temperature sensor. A heating unit configured to heat the water in the outer tank;
2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the bath cleaning means changes a time in which the inner bath is immersed in water in the laying process according to a set temperature of the heating means. A dirt detection means for detecting the degree of contamination of the outer tank and the inner tank;
The said tank washing | cleaning means changes the time which immerses the said inner tank in water in the said putting-on process according to the detection result of the said stain | pollution | contamination detection means, and the temperature of the water water-supplied to the said outer tank. The washing machine according to any one of the items. The user is provided with setting means for setting the strength of the tank cleaning means,
The tank cleaning means changes the time for immersing the inner tank in water in the putting-in process according to the strength set by the setting means and the temperature of the water supplied to the outer tank. The washing machine according to any one of 3. The washing machine according to claim 4, wherein the dirt detection means detects the degree of dirt on the outer tub and the inner tub after stirring the water stored in the outer tub. Equipped with laundry means for performing one or more rinse steps after the end of the washing process of the laundry,
The washing machine according to claim 4, wherein the dirt detecting means detects the dirt degree of the outer tub and the inner tub at the final rinse step.

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