WO2013008362A1

WO2013008362A1 - Drum-type washing machine

Info

Publication number: WO2013008362A1
Application number: PCT/JP2012/001680
Authority: WO
Inventors: 健蒲生; 尾関　祐仁; 真理子野村
Original assignee: パナソニック株式会社
Priority date: 2011-07-08
Filing date: 2012-03-12
Publication date: 2013-01-17

Abstract

A drum-type washing machine comprises: a drum (103) rotatably provided within a water tank (102); a motor (107) for rotating and driving the drum (103); water supply units (108, 109) for supplying washing water to the water tank (102); a water level detection unit (124) for detecting the water level of the washing water inside the water tank; circulation units (114, 115) for circulating through the drum (103) the washing water inside the water tank (102); and a control unit (120) for controlling steps for washing, rinsing, removing water, and the like. The control unit (120) feeds highly concentrated detergent water to the water tank (102) prior to the washing step and causes the drum (103) to rotate at a rotational speed whereby centrifugal force will be greater than gravity and whereby the highly concentrated detergent water inside the drum (103) will pass through a washed article and be discharged to the inside of the water tank (102). The control unit (120) uses the circulation units (114, 115) to spray onto the washed article inside the drum (103) the highly concentrated detergent water discharged into the water tank (102).

Description

Drum washing machine

The present invention relates to a drum type washing machine for washing laundry such as clothes.

Conventionally, this type of drum-type washing machine is provided with a high-concentration detergent water generating step in which detergent is dissolved with a small amount of water before the washing step, and a high-concentration detergent water infiltration step in which the high-concentration detergent water penetrates into clothing, The cleaning performance is improved.

In the high-concentration detergent water generation process, water is supplied to the drum so that the bottom of the drum is in contact with the water surface, and the detergent is dissolved by rotating the drum at 60 to 100 rpm below the resonance rotation speed of the drum. In the high-concentration detergent water penetration step, the high-concentration detergent water is sprayed from the baffle hole to the clothes in the drum. Further, after diluting the high-concentration detergent water and rotating the drum by 120 °, the rotation of the drum is stopped or slowed so that the high-concentration detergent water is sprayed on clothes or the like (for example, see Patent Document 1).

However, the conventional drum-type washing machine described above has a problem that it is difficult to uniformly infiltrate the laundry in the drum with high-concentration detergent water, resulting in uneven washing. The reason is that high-concentration detergent water is produced with a small amount of water and cannot penetrate a small amount of high-concentration detergent water sprayed on the laundry.

Also, it is known that conventional drum-type washing machines improve dirt removal by washing with warm water. As an example, it is considered that the washing operation with warm water is performed a plurality of times (for example, see Patent Document 2). The washing machine described in Patent Document 2 is soaked and washed for the first time (detergent water is 40 ° C., motor driven for 2 seconds, motor stopped for 88 seconds). The same stirring action as that of pickling is performed. In addition, tapping washing (drum rotation speed is 50 rpm), which is the first washing process, and squeezing washing (drum rotation speed, 300 rpm), which is the second washing process, are alternately performed (for example, patents). Reference 3).

However, in the conventional drum type washing machine described in Patent Document 2, the operation of the laundry in the drum is the same in the first soaking and the second hot washing. For this reason, there existed a problem that a stain | pollution | contamination cannot be removed effectively. Moreover, in the conventional drum type washing machine described in Patent Document 3, the operation of the laundry in the drum is different between tapping and squeezing. For this reason, there has been a problem that the detergent contained in the detergent water cannot be effectively acted on dirt and the cleaning effect cannot be enhanced.

Furthermore, in the conventional drum type washing machine, in order to remove the dirt of the laundry, the pickled laundry is immersed in the detergent water containing the detergent for a predetermined time. As a result, the surface active agent, alkaline agent, enzyme, and the like can be adsorbed to decompose the dirt. After this pickling and washing, tap washing is performed.

Since the amount of detergent water for soaking is small for a long time, there are many portions where the laundry is not soaked during the soaking and washing process, resulting in poor cleaning performance. Then, it replaces with stirring with a stirring blade, and circulates detergent water using a circulation part. As a result, not only the lower laundry soaked in the detergent water, but also the upper laundry not soaked in the detergent water can be soaked, and the friction between the stirring blade and the laundry is suppressed (for example, And Patent Document 3).

In addition, in order to achieve a finish that does not impair the texture and shrinkage of the laundry, the laundry is sprinkled with detergent water from above the drum, and the stop time is longer than the drum rotation. There are also machines (see, for example, Patent Document 4).

However, in the conventional drum-type washing machine, the driving time and the number of times of circulation are determined regardless of the state of the laundry. For this reason, there is a problem that sufficient washing performance cannot be obtained when the amount of laundry is large or the amount of dirt is large. On the other hand, even when the amount of laundry is small or the amount of dirt is small, the circulation unit is driven for a predetermined time or a predetermined number of times, so that the energy saving performance is low.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-6767 JP 2003-181190 A JP-A-8-299658 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-215891

A drum-type washing machine of the present invention includes a water tank elastically supported in a housing, a drum rotatably provided in the water tank, a motor that rotationally drives the drum, a water supply unit that supplies washing water to the water tank, and a water tank A water level detection unit that detects the level of the washing water in the inside, a circulation unit that circulates the washing water in the water tank in the drum, a control unit that controls processes such as washing, rinsing, and dehydration, and the like, Is provided. The control unit puts high-concentration detergent water into the aquarium before the washing process, the rotational speed at which the centrifugal force of the drum is greater than gravity, and the high-concentration detergent water in the drum is discharged into the aquarium through the laundry. Rotate with Moreover, a control part disperses the high concentration detergent water discharged | emitted in the water tank on the laundry in a drum by a circulation part.

This allows high-concentration detergent water sprayed on the laundry in the drum to pass through the laundry by centrifugal force and be discharged into the aquarium. For this reason, since the high concentration detergent water can be uniformly permeated into the laundry in the drum, washing unevenness can be eliminated and the washing performance can be improved.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a drum-type washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the drum type washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a time chart showing the operation of the drum type washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4A is a flowchart showing the operation of the drum type washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4B is a flowchart showing the operation of the drum type washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a time chart showing the operation of the drum type washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a time chart showing the operation of the drum type washing machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7A is a flowchart showing the operation of the drum type washing machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7B is a flowchart showing the operation of the drum-type washing machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8A is a state diagram of the laundry during operation of the drum type washing machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8B is a state diagram of the laundry during operation of the drum-type washing machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a state diagram of the laundry during operation of the drum type washing machine according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a time chart showing the operation of the drum type washing machine according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a drum-type washing machine according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a water tub of a drum type washing machine in Embodiment 6 of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control device according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the drum type washing machine in the sixth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the drum type washing machine in the seventh embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control device according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the operation of the drum type washing machine in the seventh embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control device according to Embodiment 8 of the present invention. FIG. 19A is a flowchart showing the operation of the drum type washing machine in the eighth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 19B is a flowchart showing the operation of the drum type washing machine in the eighth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the drum and the circulation pump in the washing step according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a drum-type washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the drum-type washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a time chart showing the operation of the drum type washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 4A and 4B are flowcharts showing the operation of the drum-type washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

1 to 4B, a drum-type washing machine casing 101 is provided with a water tank 102 for storing washing water in a state where it is inclined upward. Here, the washing water includes detergent water for supplying the detergent component in the washing process to wash the laundry and rinsing water for rinsing the detergent component in the rinsing process. The water tank 102 is elastically supported by a suspension spring (not shown) and a damper (not shown). In the water tank 102, a bottomed cylindrical drum 103 for storing laundry such as clothes is rotatably provided. A plurality of baffles 104 and a plurality of through holes 105 communicating with the inside of the water tank 102 are provided on the peripheral side wall surface of the drum 103. An opening 106 for taking in and out the laundry is provided on the front side of the drum 103.

A motor 107 that rotationally drives the drum 103 is attached to the rear surface of the water tank 102. The motor 107 is constituted by a brushless DC motor, and the rotation speed can be freely changed by inverter control. A water supply valve 108 serving as a water supply unit for supplying wash water into the water tank 102 supplies wash water into the space between the water tank 102 and the drum 103 via a detergent case 110 for supplying a detergent provided in the water supply path 109. To do.

A water reservoir 111 for storing washing water is provided at the bottom of the water tank 102. A heater 112 is disposed in the water reservoir 111 substantially parallel to the surface of the washing water stored in the water tank 102. The detergent water stored in the water reservoir 111 is heated to a predetermined temperature suitable for washing (for example, 30 to 40 ° C.) by the heater 112. The temperature of the water reservoir 111 is detected by a temperature detector 113 such as a thermistor.

Washing water collected in the water reservoir 111 in the water tank 102 is circulated into the drum 103 by a circulation pump 115 as a circulation part provided in the circulation water channel 114. A suction portion 116 for sucking washing water communicating with the circulation water channel 114 is provided at the bottom of the water reservoir 111. A discharge part 117 is provided above the opening 106 provided on the front side of the drum 103 so that the washing water is discharged into the drum 103.

In the circulation water channel 114, a switching valve 118 is provided on the downstream side of the circulation pump 115. The flow of the washing water is selectively switched by the switching valve 118 to either the circulation water channel 114 leading to the discharge unit 117 or the drainage channel 119 for discharging the washing water to the outside of the machine. At the time of washing and rinsing, the wash water in the water reservoir 111 is discharged from the discharge part 117 toward the laundry in the drum 103 through the circulation water channel 114. Washing water after washing and rinsing is discharged out of the machine through the drainage channel 119.

The control unit 120 provided in the housing 101 drives the motor 107, the water supply valve 108, the heater 112, the circulation pump 115, the switching valve 118, and the like, and sequentially controls each step of washing, rinsing, and dehydration.

The operation and action of the drum type washing machine configured as described above will be described below. Laundry consists of washing, rinsing and dehydration processes. First, a general standard course washing process will be described.

First, the user opens the door 121 that can be freely opened and closed on the front side of the housing 101, puts the laundry into the drum 103 from the opening 106, and turns on the power switch (not shown) of the operation unit 122. Then, the operation of the drum type washing machine is started by operating a start switch (not shown). When the operation is started, the amount of laundry put in is detected by the cloth amount detector 123, the water supply valve 108 is operated to start water supply, and the motor 107 is driven.

In the washing process, the amount of water supply is set in advance according to the amount of cloth to be fed. The detergent water is supplied into the water tank 102 together with the detergent through the detergent case 110 in which the detergent is introduced. When the water level detection unit 124 detects that a set amount of detergent water has been supplied, the water supply valve 108 is closed and water supply is stopped.

The drum 103 is driven to rotate forward and backward by, for example, 50 rpm by the motor 107. As a result, the laundry in the drum 103 is lifted by the baffle 104 and dropped onto the water surface from above in the drum 103 to be washed. The rotation speed of the drum 103 is detected by the rotation speed detection unit 125 and controlled by the control unit 120.

When the temperature of the supplied detergent water is low, the heater 112 is energized and the washing water in the water reservoir 111 is heated to a temperature suitable for washing. The heating temperature of the washing water during the hot water washing is generally 30 to 40 ° C. Heating at a low temperature of, for example, 10 ° C. or less at the time of water supply is effective in enhancing the cleaning effect.

Wash water stored at the bottom of the water tank 102 is heated by the heater 112. The temperature of the water reservoir 111 is detected by a temperature detector 113 provided on the outer bottom thereof, and is controlled by the controller 120 so that the detergent water has a preset temperature. The control unit 120 switches the switching valve 118 to the circulation water channel 114 side and drives the circulation pump 115 at a preset rotation speed. In addition, the control unit 120 circulates a predetermined amount of washing water in the drum 103 to allow the detergent water to permeate the laundry being stirred in the drum 103.

Hot water heated in the water reservoir 111 is discharged from the discharge unit 117 and quickly penetrates into the laundry. Thereby, dissolution of the detergent can be promoted, and the effect of separating dirt from clothing can be strengthened to enhance the cleaning effect.

The water level in the water tank 102 is lowered by circulating the detergent water in the water reservoir 111 into the drum 103 by the circulation pump 115. When the temperature of the water reservoir 111 detected by the temperature detector 113 exceeds a predetermined temperature (for example, 70 ° C.), the controller 120 reduces the ability to circulate the detergent water by reducing the rotation speed of the circulation pump 115.

Thereby, the circulation amount of the detergent water is reduced, and the water level in the water tank 102 can be raised. When the water level in the water tank 102 rises, the temperature of the water reservoir 111 falls. The temperature of the water reservoir 111 is controlled to the set temperature again. The heater 112 is submerged in the raised detergent water, and the set temperature is stably maintained by the control unit 120. Therefore, the heater 112 maintains a state in which heat can be radiated to the detergent water without being exposed from the surface of the detergent water. Thus, the detergent water can be circulated in the drum 103 while being heated to an optimum temperature.

Next, the detergent water penetration course will be explained. When the detergent water penetration course is set, the centrifugal washing process is executed before the washing process. The centrifugal washing process is a process that is executed to allow high-concentration detergent water to penetrate into the laundry in the drum 103 before the tap washing process. The operation and action of the centrifugal washing process will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 4B.

First, when a detergent water penetration course is set and washing starts (step S100), the amount of laundry first put in the drum 103 is detected by the cloth amount detection unit 123. The control unit 120 rotates the drum 103 forward and backward at 50 rpm, for example, and compares the amount of laundry in the drum 103 with a predetermined cloth amount table (not shown) according to the magnitude of the torque of the motor 107. Detect (step S101).

Next, the control unit 120 rotates the drum 103 in the forward rotation direction at 50 rpm, for example (step S102), and supplies the water amount W1 that is about 30% less than the specified water amount W set to the detected cloth amount to the detergent case. Water is supplied into the aquarium 102 while washing the detergent in 110. When the capacity of the inputted laundry is 8 kg, for example, the specified water amount W is 21 L, and about 15 L of water, which is about 30% smaller than this, is supplied (step S103).

Next, it is determined whether the water level is set. The water level at this time is set to a level that is approximately 30% less than the specified level (step S104). If the water level in the water tank 102 has reached the set water level, water supply is stopped (step S105). Since the detergent is dissolved in the water amount W1 which is about 30% less than the specified water amount W and is supplied into the water tank 102, a detergent water having a higher concentration than the detergent concentration at the time of washing is generated.

Next, the control unit 120 increases the rotational speed of the drum 103 so that the laundry is stuck to the inner peripheral surface of the drum 103 at a rotational speed where the centrifugal force is greater than the gravity, for example, 200 rpm (step S106). The rotation speed at this time is the rotation speed at which the high-concentration detergent water in the drum 103 is discharged into the water tank 102 through the laundry.

And the control part 120 determines whether the water level of the high concentration detergent water in the water tank 102 is higher than a regulation water level in the state which maintained the rotation speed of the drum 103 at 200 rpm (step S107).

When the water level in the water tank 102 becomes a predetermined amount, for example, 20 to 30 mm higher than the specified water level, the control unit 120 drives the circulation pump 115 (step S108). As a result, the high-concentration detergent water can be sprayed toward the cavity formed by centrifugal force near the center of the laundry, and the high-concentration detergent water can be uniformly applied to the laundry stuck to the inner peripheral surface of the drum 103. Can be sprayed. Therefore, the high-concentration detergent water sprayed on the laundry penetrates into the laundry by centrifugal force, passes through this, and is discharged into the water tank 102.

At this time, the high-concentration detergent water is generated and supplied with a water amount W1 that is about 30% less than the specified water amount W. Therefore, when the circulation pump 115 is driven, the amount of circulating water into the drum 103 cannot be secured. . For this reason, by squeezing out the high-concentration detergent water from the laundry in the drum 103 by centrifugal force, the high-concentration detergent water can be efficiently ejected onto the laundry.

Further, the threshold value (specified water level) of the water level detection unit 124 that controls the driving of the circulation pump 115 is a height at which the suction port (not shown) of the circulation pump 115 is not exposed from the water surface of the high-concentration detergent water in the water tank 102. For example, it is set at a position 30 mm higher than the bottom surface in the water tank 102. As a result, the suction port of the circulation pump 115 is always located below the surface of the high-concentration detergent water, so that the air biting phenomenon can be prevented and the amount of water sprayed on the laundry in the drum 103 can be stably secured.

In step S107, when the water level of the high-concentration detergent water becomes 20 mm lower than the specified water level, the control unit 120 drives the circulation pump 115 while supplying water into the water tank 102 (step S109).

Next, it is determined whether it is a set time T1 (for example, 1 minute) (step S110). An equivalent result can be obtained if the set time T1 is between 30 seconds and 1 minute.

When the set time T1 elapses, the control unit 120 changes the number of rotations of the drum 103 from 200 rpm to 50 rpm, and rotates the drum 103 in the normal rotation direction at 50 rpm (step S111), while washing the remaining amount of washing water in the water tank. Water is supplied into 102 (step S112). Here, the remaining amount of water is 6 L, which is the difference between 21 L of the specified water amount W and about 15 L supplied with about 30% less than the specified water amount.

Next, it is determined whether or not the detergent water in the water tank 102 is at the set water level (step S113). The set water level at this time is set to 21 L, for example, so that the detergent water in the water tank 102 has a specified water amount. When the detergent water in the water tank 102 reaches the set water level, the control unit 120 stops water supply (step S114). Finally, the control unit 120 stops driving the circulation pump 115 (step S115), and finishes the injection of the high-concentration detergent water in the previous stage of the tapping washing process. Then, the centrifugal washing process moves to the tapping washing process (step S116).

As described above, in the present embodiment, in the centrifugal washing step before the tapping washing step, high-concentration detergent water is introduced into the water tank 102, the centrifugal force of the drum 103 is greater than the gravity, and the drum 103 The drum 103 is rotated at a rotation speed at which the high-concentration detergent water is discharged into the water tank 102 through the laundry. Thus, the high-concentration detergent water discharged into the water tank 102 is sprayed on the laundry in the drum 103 by the circulation pump 115. Therefore, the high-concentration detergent water in the water tank 102 can be efficiently sprayed on the laundry in the drum 103, and the high-concentration detergent water sprayed on the laundry in the drum 103 is allowed to pass through the laundry by centrifugal force. Can be discharged into the water tank 102. As a result, by uniformly penetrating the laundry in the drum 103 with high-concentration detergent water, washing unevenness can be eliminated and washing performance can be improved.

Further, in the centrifugal washing step before the tap washing step, the water tank is maintained in a state where the centrifugal force of the drum 103 is larger than the gravity and the rotation speed at which the high-concentration detergent water in the drum 103 is discharged into the water tank 102 is maintained. The water level of high-concentration detergent water in 102 is detected. Thus, the water level can be accurately and accurately detected in a state where the high-concentration detergent water contained in the laundry in the drum 103 is discharged into the water tank 102 by centrifugal force. Therefore, the control unit 120 can accurately determine whether the water level is such that the air does not bite even when the circulation pump 115 is driven.

Also, the threshold value of the water level detection unit 124 that controls the driving of the circulation pump 115 is set to a height at which the suction port of the circulation pump 115 is not exposed from the surface of the high-concentration detergent water in the water tank 102. As a result, the suction port of the circulation pump 115 is always located below the surface of the high-concentration detergent water, so that the air biting phenomenon can be prevented and the amount of water sprayed on the laundry in the drum 103 can be stably secured.

Further, a heater 112 for heating the high-concentration detergent water introduced into the water tank 102 and a temperature detection unit 113 for detecting the temperature of the high-concentration detergent water in the water tank 102 are provided, and the high-concentration detergent water is heated to a predetermined temperature. I tried to do it. Thereby, the supplied detergent can be dissolved quickly with a small amount of water, and high-concentration detergent water can be generated effectively.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 5 is a time chart showing the operation of the drum-type washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The feature of the present embodiment is that in the centrifugal washing process in which the detergent water is infiltrated, the centrifugal force of the drum 103 is larger than the gravity before the tap washing process, and the high-concentration detergent water in the drum 103 is discharged into the water tank 102. The high-concentration detergent water is put into the water tank 102 while maintaining the rotation speed. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations, and the description of the first embodiment is used for the detailed description.

When the detergent water penetration course is set and washing starts, the amount of laundry first put into the drum 103 is detected by the cloth amount detection unit 123. The control unit 120 rotates the drum 103 forward and backward at 50 rpm, for example, and compares the amount of laundry in the drum 103 with a predetermined cloth amount table (not shown) according to the magnitude of the torque of the motor 107. Detect.

Next, the control unit 120 increases the rotational speed of the drum 103 so that the laundry is stuck to the inner peripheral surface of the drum 103 at a rotational speed where the centrifugal force is larger than gravity, for example, 200 rpm. Thereafter, the control unit 120 causes the detergent in the detergent case 110 to flow about 30% less than the specified water amount W set for the detected cloth amount while the rotation speed of the drum 103 is maintained at 200 rpm. The water tank 102 is supplied with water. When the capacity of the inputted laundry is 8 kg, for example, the specified water amount W is 21 L, and about 15 L of water, which is about 30% smaller than this, is supplied.

At this time, the high-concentration detergent water is generated and supplied with a water amount W1 that is about 30% less than the specified water amount W, but the high-concentration detergent water contained in the laundry in the drum 103 is squeezed out by centrifugal force. Thus, it becomes possible to efficiently spray high-concentration detergent water onto the laundry.

With the above configuration, the drum 103 can be rotated while the laundry in the drum 103 is dry. Accordingly, the laundry can be stuck to the inner surface of the drum 103 by centrifugal force without causing unevenness in the laundry. Further, since the water tank 102 is not supplied with water, there is no resistance to the detergent water in the rotation of the drum 103, and the vibration can be quickly raised to a high speed with low vibration. And high concentration detergent water can be sprinkled in the cavity formed in the center part of the laundry by centrifugal force. As a result, the high-concentration detergent water can be uniformly permeated into the laundry that sticks to the inner surface of the drum 103 and rotates at a high speed.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 6 is a time chart showing the operation of the drum type washing machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention. 7A and 7B are flowcharts showing the operation of the drum-type washing machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention. 8A and 8B are state diagrams of the laundry at the time of centrifugal washing and pickling washing in the washing process of the drum type washing machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

The operation and action of the drum type washing machine of this embodiment will be described below. Washing includes washing, rinsing, and dehydration processes. The washing process will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 7A, 7B and 8A, 8B.

First, after opening the door 121 provided on the front side of the housing 101 so that it can be opened and closed, the laundry is put into the drum 103 from the opening 106, and then the power switch (not shown) of the operation unit 122 is turned on to start. A switch (not shown) is operated to start operation. When the washing process starts (step S200), the amount of laundry put into the drum 103 is detected by the cloth amount detection unit 123 (step S201).

The control unit 120 rotates the drum 103 forward and backward at 50 rpm, for example, and compares the amount of laundry in the drum 103 with a predetermined cloth amount table (not shown) according to the magnitude of the torque of the motor 107. Detect. The rotation speed of the drum 103 is detected by a general rotation speed detection unit 125 and input to the control unit 120.

Next, the control unit 120 rotates the drum 103 in the forward rotation direction at 50 rpm, for example (step S202), and flows the water amount set according to the detected cloth amount into the water tank 102 while flowing the detergent in the detergent case 110. Water is supplied (step S203). The amount of water supply is set in advance according to the amount of cloth supplied, and the detergent water is supplied into the water tank 102 together with the detergent supplied into the detergent case 110. Further, when the control unit 120 detects that the set amount of detergent water has been supplied by the water level detection unit 124 (step S204), the control unit 120 closes the water supply valve 108 and stops water supply (step S205).

Next, the heater 112 is energized to heat the detergent water in the water tank 102 (step S206), and the temperature detector 113 detects whether or not the set water temperature has been reached (step S207). When heated to the set temperature, the energization of the heater 112 is stopped (step S208).

In the washing process, the centrifugal washing process is first executed (step S209). In the centrifugal washing process, the rotation number of the drum 103 is set to 200 rpm, for example, and the time t1 is set to 30 seconds. When the drum 103 is rotated at a high speed in the direction of arrow A, the laundry is stuck to the inner peripheral surface of the drum 103 by centrifugal force as shown in FIG. 8A. By the action of this centrifugal force, dirt can be effectively removed from the fibers of the laundry together with the detergent water contained in the laundry. The same effect can be obtained even when the rotation speed of the drum 103 is around 300 rpm, which is equal to or lower than the resonance frequency of the drum 103.

After performing the centrifugal washing process for time t1, the soaking washing process is performed for time t2 (step S210). In the pickling and washing step, the drum 103 is rotated in the direction of arrow A at 20 rpm for 10 seconds and then stopped for 120 seconds. At the beginning of the pickling and washing process, the drum 103 is rotated at a low speed of 20 rpm, for example, to drop the laundry stuck to the inner peripheral surface of the drum 103 downward. Further, as shown in FIG. 8B, the laundry lifted in the direction of arrow A by the baffle 104 falls from a low position and operates to roll the bottom of the drum 103.

Thereby, the position of the laundry can be moved at the bottom of the drum 103 where the detergent water is accumulated. Also, the laundry can be loosened, and the detergent water can be effectively infiltrated into the laundry. Thereby, the effect of pickling and washing can be enhanced. The same effect can be obtained even when the drum 103 in the pickling and washing process has a rotational speed of 15 to 30 rpm.

The centrifugal washing process (time t1) and the soaking and washing process (time t2) are repeatedly performed alternately and continue for 30 minutes. When one cycle of t1 + t2 is 160 seconds, the centrifugal washing step and the soaking and washing step are alternately repeated about 11 times, and then the tapping washing step is executed (step S211).

For example, the drum 103 has an effect of removing dirt by rotating the drum 103 forward and backward at, for example, 50 rpm, lifting the laundry in the rotation direction by the baffle 104, and dropping the laundry from a high position in the drum 103 to apply mechanical force. Can be increased. After finishing the washing process (step S212), the process proceeds to a rinsing process and a dehydrating process.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the water tank 102 elastically supported in the housing 101, the drum 103 rotatably provided in the water tank 102, the motor 107 that rotationally drives the drum 103, and the water tank 102 A water supply valve 108 for supplying detergent water to the water, a heating unit 112 for heating the detergent water in the water tank 102, a temperature detecting unit 113 for detecting the temperature of the detergent water in the water tank 102, and a water level of the detergent water in the water tank 102 And a control unit 120 that controls the motor 107 and the like, and controls processes such as washing, rinsing, and dehydration. In the washing process, the control unit 120 heats the detergent water in the water tank 102 to a predetermined temperature, the centrifugal washing process in which the laundry in the drum 103 sticks to the inner peripheral surface of the drum 103, and the driving and stopping of the drum 103. The soaking and washing process is repeated alternately for a predetermined time. Thereby, the detergent water heated permeate | transmitted the laundry in the drum 103, and the detergent component contained in the detergent water can be made to act effectively on the stain | pollution | contamination adhering to the fiber. Further, the dirt is removed from the fibers together with the detergent water by the centrifugal effect, and the replacement of the detergent water in the fibers of the laundry is accelerated to promote the removal of the dirt substances. By carrying out the soaking and washing process after such a centrifugal washing process, the detergent water containing a large amount of soil components can be removed from the fiber by centrifugal force, and the detergent water containing less soil components can be added to the fibers. it can. Furthermore, by repeating each process, the replacement of the detergent water and the action of the detergent on the dirt are repeated, and the cleaning performance is further promoted. As a result, the removal of dirt can be improved and the cleaning effect can be enhanced.

Also, the rotation speed of the drum 103 was set so that the laundry rolls at the bottom of the drum 103 during the soaking and washing process of the washing process. The mutual position and state of the laundry in the drum 103 can be changed, and the penetration effect of the detergent water on the laundry can be enhanced to improve the cleaning effect.

In the washing process, the centrifugal washing process and the soaking and washing process are alternately executed for a predetermined time, and then the tapping washing process is executed. Thereby, it is possible to apply mechanical force to the laundry by further washing with respect to the dirt that is easily peeled off in the centrifugal washing step and the pickling and washing step. As a result, dirt can be removed from the fibers to improve the cleaning effect.

In this embodiment, energization of the heater 112 is stopped when the detergent water is heated to the set temperature. However, the heater 112 is energized so that the detergent water is maintained at the set temperature during the washing process. You may make it control.

Further, when the operation of the drum 103 performed at the beginning of the soaking and washing process of the washing process is executed once or a plurality of times while the drum 103 is stationary, the penetration effect of the detergent water can be further enhanced.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 9 is a state diagram of the laundry at the time of soaking in the washing process of the drum type washing machine according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The feature of the present embodiment is that the drum 103 is driven to reversely rotate in a forward and reverse direction at a predetermined angle during the soaking in the washing process so that the laundry swings at the bottom in the drum 103. . Other configurations are the same as those in the third embodiment, and the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations, and the detailed description uses those in the third embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 9, at the beginning of the soaking and washing process that follows the centrifugal washing process, the drum 103 is driven forward at an angle θ (eg, 30 °), and then reversely driven at the same angle in the reverse direction. The drum 103 is driven in reverse at a speed of 60 times per minute. In the centrifugal washing process, the laundry is in a state of sticking to the inner peripheral surface of the drum 103, and the drum 103 is driven in a reverse direction in the direction of arrow B at a predetermined angle. Thereby, the stuck laundry can be surely dropped downward and can be immersed in the detergent water accumulated at the bottom of the drum 103. Then, the laundry and the detergent water can be swung while the laundry is immersed in the detergent water, so that the penetration effect of the detergent water into the laundry can be enhanced and the washing effect can be improved.

It should be noted that the angle θ and the reverse speed at which the drum 103 is driven to reverse forward and reverse can be optimally set according to the amount of laundry, the characteristics of the motor 107, and the like.

(Embodiment 5)
FIG. 10 is a time chart showing the operation of the drum type washing machine according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. A feature of the present embodiment is that a circulation pump (circulation unit) 15 that circulates detergent water in the water tank 102 into the drum 103 is provided, and in the water tank 102 at the time of the centrifugal washing process of the washing process and at the time of the submerged washing process. In this case, the detergent water discharged into the drum 103 is sprayed on the laundry in the drum 103 by the circulation pump 15. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations, and the description of the first embodiment is used for the detailed description.

At the time of the centrifugal washing process of the washing process, the circulation pump 115 is driven, and the detergent water is sprayed on the laundry in the drum 103 from the discharge unit 117, so that the laundry stuck to the inner peripheral side surface of the drum 103 is applied. Thus, the detergent water in which the detergent is dissolved can be uniformly permeated. Further, by spraying the detergent water on the laundry in the drum 103 during the soaking and washing process in the washing process, the detergent water in which the detergent is dissolved can be effectively infiltrated into the laundry fibers. Further, the detergent water can be passed through the laundry that is stationary at the bottom of the drum 103, and the detergent can be effectively acted on dirt.

In addition, although the circulation pump 115 which is a circulation part is made to operate | move at the time of a centrifugal washing process and a pickling washing process, you may make it operate | move at least at any one. The circulation pump 115 may be operated intermittently, and the discharge amount of the detergent water can be set optimally.

(Embodiment 6)
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the drum type washing machine in the sixth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a water tank 202 of a drum type washing machine according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention.

11 and 12, a bottomed cylindrical water tank 202 for collecting detergent water is elastically supported in the casing 201 of the washing machine. The water tank 202 is suspended from the upper part of the housing 201 by a suspension spring 231 and supported from below by a bottom plate 232 of the washing machine via a damper 233. In the water tank 202, a drum 203 as a washing and dewatering tank is rotatably disposed. The rotary shaft 229 is tilted downward from the horizontal direction from the horizontal direction or from the front side to the back side, and the drum 203 is rotatably supported.

The drum 203 has a bottomed cylindrical shape having a plurality of through holes 205 on the peripheral side wall surface, and accommodates the laundry 235 therein. As the drum 203 rotates, the laundry 235 is lifted in the rotation direction by the plurality of baffles 204 provided on the inner peripheral side wall surface of the drum 203. By washing the laundry 235 from above the drum 203, washing is performed by applying a mechanical force to the laundry 235. In order to rotationally drive the drum 203, a motor 207 is fixed to the lower part of the outer periphery of the water tank 202. The motor 207 rotates the drum 203 via the belt 236 and the pulley 237.

A door 221 for taking in and out the laundry 235 is provided on the front surface of the housing 201 so as to be freely opened and closed. In addition, a water supply valve 208 for supplying detergent water or rinsing water into the water tank 202 is provided at the upper part of the housing 201. The water supply valve 208 is connected to the water tank 202 through a detergent case 210 into which detergent is introduced. The level of the detergent water supplied into the water tank 202 is detected by a water level sensor 260.

A heater (heating unit) 212 for heating the detergent water is disposed on the inner bottom of the water tank 202. Further, a circulation pump 215 as a circulation unit for circulating the detergent water in the water tank 202 and discharging the detergent water into the drum 203 is provided below the water tank 202. The circulation pump 215 is also driven when the detergent water or the like is drained after the steps such as washing, rinsing, and dehydration are completed.

The suction side of the circulation pump 215 is connected to a circulation path inlet 238 provided at the bottom of the water tank 202. The discharge side of the circulation pump 215 is connected to a circulation path 214 connected to the upper part of the water tank 202 via a switching valve 218. The switching valve 218 is also connected to a drain hose 239 that discharges detergent water out of the housing 201. The circulation path 214 is provided with a plurality of nozzle portions 240 that can spray detergent water toward the laundry 235 in the drum 203 at the tip portion connected to the upper portion of the water tank 202.

A heating chamber 226 that is recessed downward is provided at the bottom of the water tank 202. A heater 212 bent in a substantially U-shape is disposed in the heating chamber 226 horizontally or along the inclination of the water tank 202 or the drum 203. The heater 212 is submerged in the detergent water stored in the heating chamber 226 and heats the detergent water to a predetermined temperature. A water flow control plate 227 is provided in the heating chamber 226 so as to extend the side wall.

A control device (control unit) 224 composed of a microcomputer is disposed below the front side of the housing 201. FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The control device 224 includes a cloth amount detection unit 224a for detecting the amount of laundry.

Cloth amount detection is performed as follows. First, the control device 224 drives the motor 207 to rotate. At this time, the rotation speed of the drum 203 is once raised to a rotation speed at which the laundry sticks to the inner peripheral side wall surface of the drum 203, for example, about 100 to 140 rpm. The control device 224 turns off the motor 207 after maintaining the rotation of the drum 203 for a predetermined time. Thereby, the inertial rotation of the drum 203 is in a state where the motor 207 is rotated. At this time, the inertial rotational force of the drum 203 gradually decreases due to the friction torque, and the drum 203 eventually stops. The time from the stop of energization to the stop of the drum 203 is long when the amount of laundry is large, and short when the amount of laundry is small. The amount of laundry is detected using the fact that the difference in time required for this stop is proportional to the amount of laundry.

Further, the control device 224 drives the motor 207, the water supply valve 208, the heater 212, the circulation pump 215, the switching valve 218 and the like, and sequentially controls each process such as washing, that is, washing, rinsing, and dehydration.

The operation and action of the drum type washing machine configured as described above will be described below. First, the user opens the door 221, puts the laundry 235 into the drum 203, turns on the power switch (not shown) of the operation unit 222 provided at the upper part on the front side of the housing 201, and starts the switch (see FIG. (Not shown) to operate the drum type washing machine.

The control device 224 drives the motor 207 to detect the cloth amount (step S301). The control device 224 determines the detergent water level according to the cloth amount detected by the cloth amount detector 224a, operates the water supply valve 208, and supplies the detergent water into the water tank 202 together with the detergent introduced into the detergent case 210. (Step S302). When the detergent level is detected by the water level sensor 260 (YES in step S303), water supply is stopped (step S304), and heater heating is started (step S305). At this time, the controller 224 determines whether or not the detergent water in the water tank 202 has a preset water temperature (YES in step S306), and stops the heater heating (step S307). Then, the motor 207 is driven. For the temperature detection, a thermistor capable of detecting the side surface of the receiving cylinder is used. In addition, it will not specifically limit if it is an apparatus which can detect water temperature etc. irrespective of a thermistor. Although not shown, the control device 224 performs agitation by driving the motor 207 in the forward / reverse rotation even during heating of the heater.

Among the washing steps, in the soaking and washing step, the forward / reverse rotation driving of the motor 207 stops for a certain time (for example, 40 to 120 seconds) and is driven for a time not exceeding the stop time (for example, 10 to 40 seconds). When the forward / reverse rotation driving is stopped for a certain period of time, the lower part of the laundry 235 can be brought into contact with the detergent water accumulated in the water tub 202 for a longer time than the tapping process. For this reason, penetration of the detergent water into the entire laundry can be accelerated. Thereby, the chemical power of a detergent that adsorbs a surfactant, an alkaline agent, an enzyme, and the like to decompose the soil can effectively act on the soil of the laundry. Furthermore, since water-soluble dirt such as wine is peeled off from the fibers of the laundry 235 and is more easily removed, it is possible to improve the cleaning performance.

The control device 224 increases the operation rate of the circulation pump 215 in the soaking and washing process as the amount of the laundry 235 detected by the cloth amount detection unit 224a increases. Here, the operating rate of the circulation pump 215 is the ratio of the total time that the circulation pump 215 is driven to the total time of the soaking and washing process.

In the soaking and washing process, the greater the mass of the laundry, the more the upper part of the laundry is not soaked in the detergent water, so the operating rate of the circulation pump 215 is increased. For example, if the laundry is more than half of the maximum capacity, the driving rate of the circulation pump 215 is set to about 60 to 90% of the total time of the tapping process (step S310). Accordingly, the laundry 235 below the drum 203 is not only immersed in the detergent water accumulated at the bottom of the drum 203, but the detergent water can also permeate the laundry above the drum 203. For this reason, the adsorption time of a detergent can be lengthened. By such a process, the penetration of the detergent water into the entire laundry can be accelerated, and the chemical power of the detergent can be effectively applied to the dirt of the laundry. As a result, it is possible to improve the cleaning performance.

On the other hand, the smaller the mass of the laundry, the less the laundry that is not soaked in the detergent water, so the operation rate of the circulation pump 215 is reduced. For example, if the laundry is less than half of the maximum capacity of the washing machine, the operation rate is set to about 10 to 40% of the total time of the tapping process (step S311). Thereby, the chemical power of the detergent can be effectively applied to the dirt of the laundry, and the cleaning performance can be improved and the energy saving performance can be further improved.

When the soaking and washing process is completed, the process proceeds to the tap washing process (step S312). In the tapping washing process of the washing process, the drum 203 is driven to rotate forward and backward by the motor 207 at a rotation speed of, for example, about 50 rpm. The plurality of baffles 204 provided on the inner peripheral side wall of the drum 203 lifts the laundry 235 in the drum 203 in the rotation direction, and drops it from above in the drum 203 onto the water surface. As a result, the washing operation is performed by applying mechanical force to the laundry 235 to physically remove dirt.

The rotational speed of the drum 203 at this time is controlled so that the laundry is not drawn to the inner peripheral side wall surface of the drum 203 by centrifugal force, and the rotational speed of the motor 207 is controlled so as to rotate at a low speed. Further, the rotation direction of the drum 203 may be one direction or reversed. When the tapping washing process ends, the washing process ends.

In the present embodiment, the cloth amount detection threshold is provided in one place, but the threshold may be provided in a plurality of stages. If the operation rate of the circulation pump 215 can be changed according to the amount of cloth, it will not be specifically limited.

In the present embodiment, the operating rate of the circulation pump 215 is changed according to the amount of cloth. However, the number of times the circulation pump 215 is driven in the tapping process may be changed. By increasing the number of times the circulation pump 215 is driven as the amount of cloth increases, the detergent water can penetrate into the laundry on the upper portion of the drum 203, and the adsorption time of the detergent can be increased. By such a process, the penetration of the detergent water into the entire laundry can be accelerated, and the chemical power of the detergent can be effectively applied to the dirt of the laundry. As a result, it is possible to improve the cleaning performance.

The present invention can be applied not only to a drum type washing machine but also to a drum type washing machine having a drying function.

(Embodiment 7)
In the seventh embodiment, the schematic configuration of the drum type washing machine is the same as that of the drum type washing machine described in the sixth embodiment. However, the drum type washing machine further includes a stain detection unit that detects the stain of the detergent water. Further, the operation performed by the control device (control unit) 234 is different from that of the sixth embodiment. For the detailed description of the other configurations, the description of Embodiment 1 is incorporated.

Embodiment 7 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the drum type washing machine in the seventh embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control device according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the operation of the drum type washing machine in the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

A dirt sensor 228 as a dirt detection unit is installed in the circulation path 214 and detects the dirt of the detergent water. The dirt sensor 228 is disposed on the upstream side of the circulation pump 215. As the dirt sensor 228, at least one of a turbidity sensor, a conductivity sensor, and a color (falling) sensor is used.

Hereinafter, the washing process will be described with reference to FIG. Steps S401 to S404 up to the stop of water supply are the same as steps S301 to S304 in the sixth embodiment. When the water supply is stopped (step S404), the stain of the detergent water is detected (step S405). The contamination of the detergent water is detected by an electrode installed in the circulation path 214 and the contamination sensor 228. Based on the detection result, the stain determination unit 234b compares the detection table with a preset stain table to determine the stain on the laundry 235 in the drum 203. Accordingly, the degree of dirt on the laundry 235 is determined.

After the contamination is detected, heater heating is started (step S406). At this time, the control device 234 determines whether or not the detergent water in the water tank 202 has a preset water temperature, and if it reaches the set temperature (Y in step S407), stops the heater heating (step S408). The motor 207 is driven. Although not shown, stirring of the motor 207 in the forward / reverse rotation is performed even while the heater is being heated.

The control device 234 increases the driving rate of the circulation pump 215 because the more the dirt on the laundry 235, the worse the adsorption rate of the detergent. For example, when the dirt determination unit 234b determines that the level is 4 or 5 (a lot of dirt) among the dirt levels 1 to 5 (Y in step S410), the control device 224 determines the operating rate of the circulation pump 215. 60 to 90% is set (step S411). As a result, the laundry 235 is not only immersed in the detergent water accumulated at the bottom of the water tank 202, but the laundry at the top of the drum 203 can also come into contact with the detergent water. For this reason, the adsorption rate of the detergent is improved, the penetration of the detergent water into the entire laundry can be accelerated, washing unevenness can be reduced, and the chemical power of the detergent can be effectively applied to the laundry stains. Such a process can improve the cleaning performance.

On the other hand, the lower the dirt on the laundry, the better the adsorptivity of the detergent. For example, when the dirt determination unit 234b determines that levels 1 and 2 (there is little dirt) among the dirt levels 1 to 5 (N in step S410), the control device 234 determines the excess rate of the circulation pump 215. 10% to 40% (step S412). Thereby, the chemical power of the detergent can be effectively applied to the laundry stains. As a result, cleaning can be performed efficiently and energy saving performance can be further improved.

In this embodiment, the contamination detection threshold is provided at one location, but there is no particular limitation as long as the operation rate of the circulation pump 215 can be changed according to the contamination.

In this embodiment, the operating rate of the circulation pump 215 is changed according to the detergent water stain, that is, the laundry stain. However, the number of times the circulation pump 215 is driven is simply changed in the tapping process. You may let them. By increasing the number of times the circulation pump 215 is driven as the dirt of the detergent water increases, the detergent water can penetrate into the laundry on the top of the drum 203, and the adsorption time of the detergent can be increased. By such a process, the penetration of the detergent water into the entire laundry can be accelerated, the chemical power of the detergent can be effectively applied to the dirt of the laundry, and the cleaning performance can be improved.

In addition, although Embodiment 7 is a drum type washing machine, it is applicable also to the drum type washing dryer provided with the drying function.

(Embodiment 8)
In the eighth embodiment, the schematic configuration of the drum type washing machine is the same as that of the drum washing machine described in the sixth embodiment, but further includes a cloth quality detection unit that detects the cloth quality of the laundry. Further, the operation performed by the control device (control unit) 244 is different from that of the sixth embodiment. For the detailed description of the other configurations, the description of Embodiment Mode 6 is incorporated.

Embodiment 8 will be described with reference to FIGS. 18, 19A and 19B. FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control device according to Embodiment 8 of the present invention. 19A and 19B are flowcharts showing the operation of the drum-type washing machine in the third embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the washing process will be described with reference to FIGS. 19A and 19B. Steps S501 to S504 until the water supply is stopped are the same as steps S301 to S304 in the sixth embodiment. When water supply is stopped (step S504), the water level in the water tank 202 is detected by the water level sensor 260, and the laundry 203 is stirred by rotating the drum 203 forward and backward (step S505). Thereafter, the water level in the water tank 202 is detected again by the water level sensor 260, and a water level difference before and after stirring is detected (step S506). The cloth quality determination unit 244c as the cloth quality detection unit compares the preset water level change amount table and determines the cloth quality of the laundry 235 in the drum 203. It should be noted that the cloth quality detection method is not particularly limited, such as cloth quality detection by a motor current, as well as cloth quality detection by a water level sensor.

After the fabric quality is determined, the heater heating is started (step S507). At this time, the control device 244 determines whether or not the detergent water in the water tank 202 has a preset water temperature, and if it reaches the set temperature (Y in step S508), stops the heater heating (step S509), The motor 207 is driven. Although not shown, stirring of the motor 207 in the forward / reverse rotation is performed even while the heater is being heated.

In the soaking and washing process, the lower the water absorption of the laundry 235, the more the laundry does not absorb the detergent water and the poorer the adsorptivity of the detergent, so the frequency of circulation of the circulation pump 215 is increased. For example, when the cloth quality determination unit 244c determines that the water level change levels 1 to 5 are levels 1 and 2 (low water absorption) (Y in step S511), the control device 244 determines that the circulation pump 215 The operating rate is set to 60 to 90% (step S512). As a result, the laundry 235 is not only immersed in the detergent water accumulated at the bottom of the water tank 202, but also the laundry at the top of the drum 203 can come into contact with the detergent water for a long time. For this reason, the adsorptivity of the detergent is improved, the penetration of the detergent water into the entire laundry is accelerated, and washing unevenness is reduced. Thereby, the chemical power of the detergent can be effectively applied to the laundry stains. Such a process can improve the cleaning performance.

On the other hand, the better the water absorption of the laundry 235, the more the laundry absorbs the detergent solution and the better the adsorptivity of the detergent, so the frequency of circulation of the circulation pump 215 is reduced. For example, when the cloth quality determination unit 244c determines that the water level change levels 1 to 5 are levels 4 and 5 (good water absorption) (N in step S511), the control device 244 determines that the circulation pump 215 The operating rate is set to 10 to 40% (step S513). Thereby, the chemical power of the detergent can be effectively applied to the dirt of the laundry, the washing can be performed efficiently, and the energy saving performance can be further improved.

In the present embodiment, the cloth quality detection threshold is provided at one location, but the threshold is not particularly limited as long as the operation rate of the circulation pump 215 can be changed according to the cloth quality.

In this embodiment, the operating rate of the circulation pump 215 is changed according to the quality of the laundry, but the number of times that the circulation pump 215 is driven in the tapping process may be changed. By increasing the number of times the circulation pump 215 is driven as the water absorption of the laundry is lower, the detergent water can be permeated into the laundry on the upper portion of the drum 203, and the adsorption time of the detergent can be increased. By such a process, the penetration of the detergent water into the entire laundry can be accelerated, the chemical power of the detergent can be effectively applied to the dirt of the laundry, and the cleaning performance can be improved.

In addition, although Embodiment 8 is a drum type washing machine, it can be applied to a drum type washing and drying machine having a drying function.

(Embodiment 9)
In the ninth embodiment, the schematic configuration of the drum type washing machine is the same as that of the drum washing machine described in the sixth embodiment, but the operation performed by the control device (control unit) 254 is different from that in the sixth embodiment. The control device 254 increases the operating rate of the circulation pump 215 in the soaking and washing process, compared with the tap washing process. For the detailed description of the other configurations, the description of Embodiment Mode 6 is incorporated.

Embodiment 9 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating operations of the drum and the circulation pump in the washing step according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention.

The soaking and washing process is performed for about 30 minutes, with the circulation pump 215 being driven (ON) for 120 seconds and stopped (OFF) for 40 seconds. The operating rate of the circulation pump 215 is about 75%. In the tapping process, the circulation pump 215 is driven and stopped every 240 seconds. The operating rate of the circulation pump 215 is 50%. As a result, the laundry 235 is not only immersed in the detergent water accumulated at the bottom of the drum 203, but also the laundry at the top of the drum 203 comes into contact with the detergent water. Thereby, the penetration of the detergent water into the entire laundry can be accelerated, and the cleaning effect of the detergent can be exhibited more quickly.

It should be noted that there is no problem as long as the rotation time of the drum 203 in the pickling and washing process is a time that does not exceed the stop time and is a time during which the laundry can be replaced. By stopping for a certain period of time, the lower part of the laundry 235 can be brought into contact with the detergent water accumulated in the water tank 202 for a longer time than the tapping process. For this reason, the penetration of the detergent water into the entire laundry can be accelerated, and the detergent power for adsorbing the surfactant, alkaline agent, enzyme, etc. to decompose the dirt can be effectively acted. Furthermore, since water-soluble dirt such as wine is peeled off from the fibers of the laundry 235 and more easily removed, it is possible to improve the cleaning efficiency.

Furthermore, the control device 254 controls the rotational speed of the motor 207 at a low-speed rotation that causes the laundry 203 to roll around without being attracted to the drum wall surface by centrifugal force, as in the tapping process. . Further, there is no problem even if the rotation direction of the drum 203 is one direction or reversed.

Further, the circulation pump 215 is driven while the drum 203 is stopped in the pickling and washing process. When the drum 203 stops, the detergent water contained in the upper laundry gradually moves downward. Since the circulation pump 215 can be driven at this timing, laundry water can be efficiently contained in the laundry, the penetration of the detergent water into the entire laundry is accelerated, and the cleaning effect of the detergent is exerted more quickly. Can do. Such a process can improve the cleaning performance.

As described above, the drum type washing machine of the present invention stops the forward / reverse rotation driving of the motor 207 for a certain period of time in the soaking and washing process. Further, the forward / reverse rotation driving is performed in a time not exceeding the stop time, and the frequency of circulation pump 215 is increased during the stop time. As a result, the penetration of the detergent water into the laundry 235 is accelerated, and the detergent water contacts the laundry 235 evenly. As a result, the detergent power can be effectively applied to the laundry stains, and the cleaning efficiency can be improved.

In the present embodiment, the operation rate of the circulation pump 215 is set higher in the pickling washing process than in the tap washing process, but the circulation pump 215 is simply operated in the tap washing process than in the tap washing process. The number of times of driving may be increased. By increasing the number of times the circulation pump 215 is driven as the water absorption of the laundry is lower, the detergent water can be permeated into the laundry on the upper portion of the drum 203, and the adsorption time of the detergent can be increased. By such a process, the penetration of the detergent water into the entire laundry can be accelerated, the chemical power of the detergent can be effectively applied to the dirt of the laundry, and the cleaning performance can be improved.

In addition, although Embodiment 9 is a drum type washing machine, it can be applied to a drum type washing machine having a drying function.

As described above, the washing machine according to the present invention is useful as a drum-type washing machine because it can accelerate the penetration of the detergent water into the laundry and improve washing performance by eliminating washing unevenness.

101, 201

Housing

102, 202

Water tank

103, 203

Drum

104, 204

Baffle

105, 205 Through hole 106

Opening

107, 207

Motor

108, 208 Water supply valve (water supply part)
109

Water supply channel

110, 210 Detergent case 111

Water reservoir

112, 212 Heater (heating unit)
113 Temperature detecting unit 114 Circulating water channel 214 Circulating

channel

115, 215 Circulating pump (circulating unit)
116 Suction part 117 Discharge part 118,218 Switching valve 119 Drainage path 120 Control part 121,221 Door 122,222 Operation part 123,224a, 234a, 244a Cloth amount detection part 124 Water level detection part 125 Rotational speed detection part 224,234, 244,254 Control device (control unit)
226 Heating chamber 227 Water flow control plate 228 Dirt sensor (dirt detection unit)
229 Rotating shaft 231 Suspension spring 232 Bottom plate 233 Damper 234b Dirt judgment part 235 Laundry 236 Belt 237 Pulley 238 Circulation path inlet part 239 Drain hose 244c Cloth quality judgment part (cloth quality detection part)
260 Water level sensor (water level detector)

Claims

A water tank elastically supported in the housing;
A drum rotatably provided in the water tank and having a plurality of through holes;
A motor for rotationally driving the drum;
A water supply unit for supplying washing water to the water tank;
A water level detection unit for detecting the level of washing water in the water tank;
A circulation part for circulating the wash water in the water tank into the drum;
A controller that controls the motor and the like, and controls processes such as washing, rinsing, and dehydration, and
The controller is
In the washing process, high-concentration detergent water is put into the water tank,
Performing a centrifugal washing process in which the drum is rotated at a rotational speed at which the centrifugal force is greater than gravity, and the high-concentration detergent water in the drum is discharged into the water tub through the laundry and the through holes,
A drum-type washing machine that sprays the high-concentration detergent water in the water tank onto the laundry in the drum by the circulation unit in the centrifugal washing step.
2. The drum type washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the high-concentration washing water is generated by introducing water having a smaller amount than a specified amount in the washing step into a water tank.
In the state where the centrifugal force of the drum is larger than the gravity before the water supply in the centrifugal washing step and the high concentration detergent water in the drum is maintained at the number of revolutions discharged into the water tank, The drum type washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the high-concentration detergent water is poured into the water tank.
In the centrifugal washing step, the control unit is configured so that the centrifugal force of the drum is greater than gravity, and the water level is maintained while maintaining the rotation speed at which the high-concentration detergent water in the drum is discharged into the water tank. The drum type washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit detects a water level of the high-concentration detergent water in the water tank.
The circulation unit is configured by a circulation pump, and the control unit sets a threshold value of the water level detection unit that controls driving of the circulation pump, and a suction port of the circulation pump is from a surface of the high-concentration detergent water in the water tank. The drum type washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the drum type washing machine is set to a height at which it is not exposed.
A heating unit for heating the high-concentration detergent water charged in the water tank and a temperature detection unit for detecting the temperature of the high-concentration detergent water in the water tank are provided, and the control unit supplies the high-concentration detergent water. The drum type washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the drum type washing machine is heated to a predetermined temperature.
The drum type washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the control unit alternately repeats the centrifugal washing step and the soaking and washing step including driving and stopping of the drum for a predetermined time.
The drum type washing machine according to claim 7, wherein the controller sets the number of rotations of the drum so that the laundry rolls at a bottom portion in the drum during the pickling and washing process.
The drum type according to claim 7, wherein the controller is configured to reversely drive the drum in a forward / reverse direction at a predetermined angle during the soaking and washing process so that the laundry swings at a bottom portion in the drum. Washing machine.
The drum-type washing machine according to claim 7, wherein the control unit sprays the detergent water in the water tank onto the laundry in the drum by the circulation unit during the soaking and washing process.
The drum type washing machine according to claim 7, wherein the control unit executes the tapping washing step after alternately performing the centrifugal washing step and the soaking washing step for a predetermined time in the washing step.
A state detection unit for detecting the state of laundry or / and the state of detergent water;
The control unit controls the circulation unit based on the result of the state detection unit,
The drum type according to claim 7, wherein in the soaking and washing step, based on a result of the state detection unit, an operation rate of the circulating unit and / or a number of times the circulating unit is driven in the soaking and washing process is changed. Washing machine.
The state detection unit is a cloth amount detection unit that detects the amount of laundry,
The drum type washing machine according to claim 12, wherein the control unit changes the operation rate or / and the number of times according to the amount of the laundry detected by the cloth amount detection unit.
The drum type washing machine according to claim 13, wherein the control unit increases the operation rate and / or increases the number of times as the amount of laundry is increased by the cloth amount detection unit.
The state detection unit is a dirt detection unit that detects dirt of the detergent water,
The drum type washing machine according to claim 12, wherein the control unit changes the operation rate or / and the number of times in accordance with a stain amount of the laundry detected by the stain detection unit.
The drum-type washing machine according to claim 15, wherein the control unit increases the operation rate and / or increases the number of times as the amount of dirt in the laundry increases by the dirt detection unit.
The state detection unit is a cloth quality detection unit that detects the quality of the laundry,
The drum-type washing machine according to claim 12, wherein the control unit changes the operation rate or / and the number of times according to the cloth quality of the laundry detected by the cloth quality detection unit.
The drum type washing machine according to claim 17, wherein the control unit increases the operation rate and / or increases the number of times as the water absorption of the laundry cloth is lower by the dirt detection unit.
The controller includes a washing step including a pickling and washing step in which the drum is rotated and stopped alternately, and a tapping washing step in which the drum is rotated at a rotation speed such that the laundry does not stick in the drum. The operation rate of the circulating unit in the pickling and washing step and / or the number of times the circulating unit is driven is higher than or higher than the operating rate of the circulating unit in the tap washing step. 2. A drum-type washing machine according to 1.
The drum type washing machine according to claim 12, wherein the control unit rotates the drum in a time not exceeding a stop time of the drum in the pickling and washing step.
The drum-type washing machine according to claim 12, wherein the control unit drives the circulation unit in the pickling and washing step while the drum is stopped.