JP6074645B2 - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention includes a washing tub that is rotatable and accommodates laundry in an elastically supported outer tub, and performs washing, rinsing, and dehydration of the laundry in the laundry tub, and in particular, a drum-type washing machine Or it relates to a washing and drying machine.

  In a drum-type washing machine, in order to improve the washing power and rinsing performance at the time of washing, as well as water saving, a path for circulating the washing liquid collected at the bottom of the outer tub of the washing machine into the rotating drum as a washing tub is provided. Thus, there have been proposed those having effects and actions such as bringing the washing liquid into contact with clothes quickly, separating dirt by the jetting power of circulating water, and being able to wet laundry even with a small amount of water.

  In addition, in the case of using a powder detergent, starting washing after sufficiently dissolving can increase the washing power because it can be washed at a desired detergent concentration from the beginning of washing, and can prevent the washing power from being lowered due to undissolved detergent remaining. effective.

  As a method of dissolving the powder detergent using the circulation path, it is possible to change the rotation direction of the circulation pump that circulates the washing liquid in the circulation path and circulate only in the detergent dissolving path without putting the washing liquid in the washing tub. (See, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In addition, circulation of only the outer tub and the circulation path is performed by setting the rotation speed of the circulation pump to a rotation number at which the washing liquid in the circulation path falls into the outer tub without entering the washing tub (for example, Patent Document 2).

  Also, in the vertical washing machine, a circulation path is provided for sucking up the washing liquid at the bottom of the outer tub and circulating it so as to descend from the top of the washing tub into the washing tub. It is considered that the washing water is repeatedly returned and returned to the bottom of the outer tub (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

JP 2008-113982 A JP 2010-75608 A JP 2007-313077 A

  However, in the configuration in which the rotation direction of the circulation pump is switched to circulate along the route for dissolving the detergent, it is necessary to control the rotation direction of the pump, and further, an installation place for the route for dissolving the detergent is required. There was a problem of rising.

  In addition, in the configuration in which the rotation speed of the circulation pump is changed, a pump configuration with a motor having a control circuit capable of changing the rotation speed is required, which increases the cost as compared with a pump driven at a constant speed. there were.

In addition, the configuration in which the circulation of the washing water that returns to the bottom of the outer tub is stopped after going up the circulation path is repeated, the distance from the lower part to the upper part of the washing tub as in the vertical washing machine. Since it is long in length, the circulation path is also long, so there is also a height when returning to the bottom of the outer tub from where the circulation path was raised halfway, so that detergent can be mixed well, but in a drum type washing machine, the circulation path is The structure extends sideways, and even if the washing liquid is stopped in the middle of the circulation path, the washing liquid does not flow back so much that the detergent cannot be mixed sufficiently.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, because the powder detergent is dissolved in the washing water at an early stage without greatly increasing the cost without greatly changing the structure, and then the washing liquid is supplied into the washing tub. An object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine capable of improving the effect of the detergent and preventing detergent residue and stains on the laundry.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a washing machine of the present invention includes a washing tub that accommodates and rotates laundry, an outer tub that accommodates the washing tub, a motor that drives the washing tub, and water supplied from the outside. A water supply unit for supplying detergent, a detergent receiver for pouring the detergent into the outer tub together with water when water is supplied, a water intake port connected to the lower part of the outer tub for entering the washing liquid, and a front end wall of the outer tub A discharge port that opens in the direction of the washing tub, a circulation path that communicates the intake port and the discharge port, and the circulation path, and the washing liquid is supplied to the outer tub and the laundry via the circulation path. A constant speed circulation pump for discharging into the tub and a control means for controlling the washing process, the control means to the extent that the washing liquid discharged into the outer tub during water supply does not enter the washing tub The circulation pump is turned on for a predetermined time from the stop state. Moving repeatedly control to stop before reaching the constant speed, in which the detergent with supplied water is characterized in that to circulate the circulation path. As a result, the detergent is circulated in the circulation path along with the supplied water by repeating the control to drive and stop the circulation pump for a short time so that the washing liquid is not discharged into the washing tub during water supply. It can be discharged.

  In the washing machine of the present invention, the detergent is circulated through the circulation path along with the supplied water and is discharged to the outer tub by driving the circulation pump for a short time so that the circulating water is not discharged into the washing tub during the water supply. The For this reason, a detergent can be dissolved in water, without the detergent which is not melt | dissolving in water, or the washing water whose detergent density | concentration is not enough splashing on the laundry in a washing tub.

Schematic configuration diagram of a drum-type washing machine in an embodiment of the present invention The flowchart which shows the detergent melt | dissolution process control of the drum type washing machine in embodiment of this invention

A washing machine according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a laundry tub that accommodates and rotates laundry, an outer tub that accommodates the laundry tub, a motor that drives the laundry tub, and a water supply unit that supplies water from the outside. A detergent receiver for pouring detergent into the outer tub together with water when water is supplied and supplying water, a water intake port connected to a lower portion of the outer tub for washing liquid, and a front end wall of the outer tub. A discharge port that opens in a direction, a circulation path that communicates the intake port and the discharge port, and a discharge path that is provided in the circulation path and that discharges the washing liquid to the outer tub and the washing tub via the circulation path. A circulation pump having a constant speed and a control means for controlling the washing process are provided, and the control means is predetermined from the stop state so that the washing liquid discharged into the outer tub during water supply does not enter the washing tub. wherein by driving the circulation pump for the time one Repeat control to stop before reaching the speed, the detergent with water supplied is intended to be circulated through the circulation path. As a result, the detergent is circulated in the circulation path along with the supplied water by repeating the control to drive and stop the circulation pump for a short time so that the washing liquid is not discharged into the washing tub during water supply. Discharged. For this reason, a detergent can be dissolved in water, without the detergent which is not melt | dissolving in water, or the washing water whose detergent density | concentration is not enough splashing on the laundry in a washing tub.

A washing machine according to a second invention is the washing machine according to the first invention, wherein a plurality of discharge ports including a lower part of the front end wall of the outer tub are provided, and when the circulation pump is driven during water supply, The washing liquid is discharged only from the discharge port at the lower part of the front end wall. The washing liquid does not reach the discharge port at the upper part of the outer tub, and the washing liquid is discharged only from the lower discharge port of the outer tub. Since water is discharged only as long as it does not enter, detergent that does not dissolve in water even if there are multiple outlets or washing water with insufficient detergent concentration does not splash on the laundry in the washing tub. Can be dissolved in water.

  A washing machine according to a third aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the circulating pump during water supply is repeatedly driven at a predetermined time, and the remaining detergent and water are repeatedly supplied. The detergent can be easily dissolved in water by circulating the circulation path.

  The washing machine according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the washing machine according to any one of the first to third aspects, characterized in that the driving of the circulation pump during water supply is started after reaching a specified time from the start of water supply. Since the circulation pump can be driven after the time that the amount of water circulates in the circulation path has elapsed, the circulation pump is free from air and the problem of noise and failure of the circulation pump is eliminated.

  A washing machine according to a fifth aspect of the present invention includes the water level sensor that detects the water level of the washing liquid in any one of the first to third aspects of the invention, and the circulation pump during water supply is driven to a specified water level by the water level sensor. It starts after it has arrived, and since the water level sensor can detect that the amount of water has circulated through the circulation path, the circulation pump can be driven. Without problems of noise and circulation pump failure.

  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 shows a schematic configuration of a drum type washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, an outer tub 2 is arranged inside an outer box 1 of a washing machine, and a drum 3 as a washing tub is arranged inside the outer tub 2 so as to be rotatable by a rotating shaft slightly inclined from the horizontal direction. It is installed. The drum 3 is connected to the motor 4 on the back surface, and the drum 3 is rotated by driving the motor 4. The drum 3 is provided with a plurality of water passage holes on the outer peripheral surface, and functions as a washing tub, a dewatering tub, and a drying tub.

  A water intake port 5 into which the washing liquid enters is connected to the lowest part of the outer tub 2 and is connected to a drain pipe 7 having a drain valve 6.

  In the vicinity of the water intake 5, a water level sensor 8, which is a water level detecting means for detecting the water level supplied to the outer tub 2 and the drum 3, is installed. The water level sensor 8 is installed at a position that reacts immediately after the start of water supply, and detects the water level by detecting, for example, the pressure applied to the diaphragm as a deformation of the membrane. As a method for detecting the deformation of the diaphragm, a change in capacitance or a strain gauge is used. The outer box 1 is provided with a water supply port 9 and a water supply valve 10 as a water supply unit for supplying water to the outer tub 2 from the outside. The water supply port 9 is connected to a water supply, and water is supplied with detergent through the water supply valve 10. By passing through the detergent receiver 17, it is supplied into the outer tub 2 together with the detergent.

In addition, a discharge port 11 that opens in the direction of the drum 3 is provided at the lower part of the front end wall of the outer tub 2, and a circulation path that branches between the intake port 5 and the drain valve 6 and is connected to the discharge port 11 from the intake port 5. 12 communicates so that the washing liquid accumulated in the outer tub 2 and the drum 3 can be circulated. A circulation pump 13 is provided in the circulation path 12, and the washing liquid is taken into the circulation path 12 using the circulation pump 13. Thereby, since the washing liquid can be circulated to the outer tub 2 and the drum 3 through the circulation path 12 only by the control of the circulation pump 13, the washing control for controlling the normal washing power such as the water flow by the rotation of the drum 3 is. It can be circulated regardless.

  The bottom of the outer tub 2 is provided with a hot water heater 14 made of a sheathed heater or the like as a heating means, and has a function of heating the washing liquid and washing the laundry inside the drum 3 with hot water.

  If the washing liquid that circulates contains a lot of foreign matter such as fibers or hair of the laundry, the circulation pump 13 and the drain pipe 7 may be clogged. Therefore, a filter 15 is installed after the water intake 5 to wash the laundry. Try to get rid of foreign objects such as fiber and hair.

  The control means 16 is composed of a microcomputer or the like and controls all washing processes. The washing process is performed in the order of a washing process, a rinsing process, and a dehydrating process. Specifically, the water level detection signal from the water level sensor 8 is inputted, and the washing process is controlled by opening / closing the drain valve 6 and the water supply valve 10 and controlling the motor 4, the circulation pump 13 and the hot water heater 14. Do. Further, it has a function as a cloth amount detecting means for detecting the current signal flowing through the motor 4 and the rotation angle to determine the weight of the drum 3, that is, the weight of the laundry.

  Next, the operation of the washing machine of the first embodiment will be described focusing on the sequence of the water supply process with reference to the flowchart showing the detergent dissolution process control shown in FIG.

  When the user puts the laundry into the washing machine and starts washing, the control means 16 detects the amount of laundry (S1). The detection of the amount of laundry relates to at least one motor operation such as the magnitude of the current signal of the motor 4 when the drum 3 is rotated together with the laundry by controlling the motor 4, and the change in the amount of current and the rotation angle. This is done by detecting information.

  The basic water supply is determined based on the amount of laundry. For example, when it is determined that the amount of laundry is “small”, WL1 at the “low” water level is set as the set water level. When it is determined that the amount of laundry is “medium”, WL2 at the “medium” water level is set as the set water level. When it is determined that the amount of laundry is “large”, WL3 having a “high” water level is set as the set water level (S2).

  Next, the control means 16 opens the water supply valve 10 and starts water supply (S3), and supplies water to the outer tank 2 until it reaches a detergent-dissolved water level (S4). The supplied water flows into the outer tub 2 together with the detergent through a water supply valve 10 and a detergent receiver (not shown) in which the detergent is placed.

  When the dissolved water level is reached (YES in S4), the control means 16 controls the circulation pump 13 to circulate the detergent water supplied together with the detergent from the discharge port 11 to the outer tub 2 through the circulation path 12, thereby allowing the detergent to be circulated. Dissolve in water (S5). The driving time of the circulation pump 13 is a predetermined time such that the washing liquid discharged to the outer tub 2 does not enter the drum 3. In the first embodiment, 1 second is assumed as 1 second (S6). YES), the circulation pump 13 is stopped (S7).

  If the circulating water is discharged from the discharge port 11 into the drum 3 vigorously as indicated by the arrow a in FIG. 1, the clothes in the drum 3 suck the water before the detergent dissolves in the water. The driving time is made so short that circulating water is not discharged into the drum 3. By doing so, the water discharged from the discharge port 11 reaches the water intake port 5 through the lower part of the outer tub 2 without entering the drum 3 as shown by the arrow b in FIG. To do.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the circulation path 12 turns downward from the lowest position of the outer tub 2 and is connected to the discharge port 11 at the lower part of the front end wall of the outer tub 2. When there are a plurality of discharge ports 11 at the top, bottom, left, and right positions, the predetermined amount is such that a small amount of water is discharged only from the discharge port 11 at the lower part of the outer tank 2 without reaching the discharge port 11 at the upper part of the outer tank 2. The circulation pump 13 is driven for the time.

  The dissolved water level may be a water level at which the circulation pump 13 does not allow air to flow when water is circulated through the circulation path 12 by the circulation pump 13.

  Further, when 10 seconds have elapsed (YES in S9), the circulation pump 13 is driven again for 1 second, and the circulation of the detergent water in the circulation path 12 and the outer tub 2 is repeated, thereby promoting the dissolution of the detergent into the water. If the water level reaches the set water level during this time (YES in S8 or S10), the water supply valve 10 is closed (S11), and the water supply process is terminated.

  When the water supply is completed, stirring is started while rotating the drum 3 at a low speed. The laundry is lifted in the drum 3 and falls from the upper part of the drum 3 by gravity. The rotational speed of the drum 3 is preferably a rotational speed that does not stick to the drum 3 wall surface by centrifugal force so that the kinetic energy at the time of dropping is effectively applied. preferable. The rotation direction may be the same direction or periodically switched.

  Next, the control means 16 energizes the hot water heater 14 for a predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes) to heat the washing liquid.

  During washing agitation, the circulation pump 13 is periodically activated so that the washing liquid passes through the circulation path 12, and the washing liquid is circulated into the drum 3 from the discharge port 11 through the circulation path 12. , Increase the contact between the washing liquid and clothing, and promote the separation of dirt by the jet power of circulating water.

  When the set time of the washing process elapses, the washing process is terminated, and the next rinsing and dehydration process is started. The setting time of the washing process may be fixed, but if it is set according to the detection of the amount of laundry at the start of washing, the washing process is performed in a time corresponding to the amount of laundry. The cleaning performance can be maintained regardless of the amount of laundry.

  As described above, the detergent is circulated along with the supplied water by driving the circulation pump 13 for a short time so that the cleaning liquid is discharged into the outer tub 2 but not into the drum 3 during the water supply. 12 is circulated. By repeating this until the water supply is completed, the detergent can be mixed with the water and the undissolved residue can be eliminated.

  In the first embodiment, it is determined that the supply water has reached the dissolved water level, and the detergent is dissolved in the circulation pump 13. However, after the predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the water supply, the circulation pump 13 is used. If the detergent is dissolved in the above, it is not necessary to detect the dissolved water level, and the control can be performed only by managing the elapsed time by the control means 16.

  Moreover, although the structure of the washing machine in this Embodiment 1 demonstrated the drum-type washing machine in which the drum 3 which is a washing tub has the rotating shaft inclined from the horizontal direction, the washing tub has the drum which has a rotating shaft of a horizontal direction. Even if it is a type washing machine or a vertical washing machine in which the washing tub has a rotation axis in the vertical direction, the same effect can be obtained as long as it has the above structure.

  As described above, the washing machine according to the present invention can be applied to applications such as a cleaning device for fibers and the like because the washing performance can always be stably obtained by sufficiently dissolving the detergent from the beginning.

1 Outer box 2 Outer tub 3 Drum (washing tub)
Reference Signs List 4 Motor 5 Water intake 6 Drain valve 7 Drain pipe 8 Water level sensor 9 Water supply port 10 Water supply valve 11 Discharge port 12 Circulation path 13 Circulation pump 14 Hot water heater 15 Filter 16 Control means 17 Detergent receiver

Claims (5)

A washing tub that accommodates and rotates laundry, an outer tub that accommodates the washing tub, a motor that drives the washing tub, a water supply unit that supplies water from the outside, and water that is supplied with detergent when the water is supplied A detergent receiver for pouring detergent into the outer tub, a water intake port connected to the lower part of the outer tub for the washing liquid to enter, a discharge port provided in the front end wall of the outer tub and opening in the direction of the laundry tub, and the water intake A circulation path for communicating the mouth and the discharge port; a circulation pump provided in the circulation path for discharging the washing liquid to the outer tub and the washing tub through the circulation path; and control means for controlling said control means, the washing liquid discharged into the outer tub during the water supply is by driving the circulation pump for a predetermined time from a stopped state to an extent that does not enter into the washing tub Stop before reaching a certain speed Please repetition, washing machine detergent with supplied water is characterized in that to circulate the circulation path. A plurality of the discharge ports are provided including the lower part of the front end wall of the outer tub, and when the circulating pump is driven during water supply, the washing liquid is discharged only from the discharge port at the lower part of the front end wall of the outer tub. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein: The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein driving of the circulation pump during water supply is repeatedly performed with a predetermined time interval. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein driving of the circulating pump during water supply is started after reaching a specified time from the start of water supply. The water level sensor which detects the water level of a washing | cleaning liquid is provided, and the drive of the said circulation pump during water supply is started after reaching | attaining a regulation water level with the said water level sensor. Washing machine.

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