JP7531081B2 - washing machine - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a washing machine.

Patent Document 1 discloses a drum-type washing machine that can remove lint that has adhered to a door bellows. This drum-type washing machine includes an outer tub, an outer tub cover, an inner tub, a drive unit, an opening through which laundry is inserted, a door bellows that is provided around the periphery of the opening, and a door bellows cleaning mechanism that is provided on the outer tub cover.

JP 2013-085850 A

The present disclosure provides a washing machine that can clean a wide area of the front surface of the water tub and the sealing member.

The washing machine of the present disclosure comprises a housing, a water tub elastically supported within the housing so as to be freely swingable, a rotating drum contained within the water tub so as to be freely rotatable, a sealing member which seals the gap between the front surface of the housing and the water tub, a pump means which sends wash water into the inside of the water tub, a guide section provided on the front surface of the water tub for causing the wash water sent from the pump means to flow down along the front surface of the water tub, a guide section provided on the guide section for guiding the wash water that has flowed down the guide section so as to splash out in the direction of the inner surface of the sealing member, and a control means which controls the washing operation, wherein the control means performs one or more rinsing operations during the washing operation, and the control means controls the operation of the pump means to send wash water at the fastest flow rate of the washing operation during the final rinsing operation .

The washing machine disclosed herein can clean a wide area of the front of the tub and the sealing member.

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a main projection view of a front part of a water tub of a washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a front part of a water tub of a washing machine according to a first embodiment; FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of a washing machine taken along line AA of a first embodiment and a flow of washing water; FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of the washing machine taken along line B-B of the first embodiment and a flow of washing water; FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a washing machine taken along line CC in the first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of the washing machine taken along line D-D of the first embodiment and a flow of washing water; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a flow of washing water in a front part of a water tub of a washing machine according to the first embodiment; FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a washing machine taken along line E-E in the first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a washing machine taken along line FF in the first embodiment. Time chart of washing operation of washing machine in embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of a pump motor during a washing operation of the washing machine according to the first embodiment; FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of a pump motor in a final rinsing operation of the washing machine in the first embodiment;

Below, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, more detailed explanation than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed explanation of already well-known matters or duplicate explanation of substantially the same configuration may be omitted.

The accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[1-1. Configuration]
[1-1-1. Configuration of washing machine]
1, washing machine 100 includes housing 101, water tub 102, and rotating drum 103. Water tub 102 is disposed in housing 101 and is supported in a vibration-proof manner by a vibration damper (not shown). Rotating drum 103 is contained in water tub 102 and is provided so as to be rotatable by motor 112. A number of water passage holes 103b are provided on the circumferential surface of rotating drum 103. Water passage holes 103b communicate water tub 102 and rotating drum 103 so as to allow water to pass through. Water tub 102 and rotating drum 103 are formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom. A drum opening 103a for inserting and removing clothes is provided on the front side of rotating drum 103.

A housing opening 104 is provided on the front surface of the housing 101 so as to face the drum opening 103a. A lid 105 that can be opened and closed to cover the housing opening 104 is also provided on the front surface of the housing 101. A user opens the lid 105 and places laundry into the rotating drum 103 through the housing opening 104 and the drum opening 103a.

A seal member 115 is provided at the inner front of the housing 101. One end of the seal member 115 is connected to the housing opening 104, and the other end is connected to a water tank connection part 102a (shown in FIG. 5) that protrudes from the front surface of the water tank 102. The seal member 115 watertightly seals the gap between the housing opening 104 and the water tank 102.

A water supply unit 120 is provided at the top inside the housing 101. The water supply unit 120 includes a water supply valve 121, a water supply path 122, and a detergent case 125. The water supply valve 121 is provided so as to be freely opened and closed. The water supply path 122 connects the water supply valve 121 and the water tub 102. The detergent case 125 is provided midway along the water supply path 122. When the water supply valve 121 is opened, the wash water introduced into the housing 101 passes through the water supply path 122 while dissolving the detergent contained in the detergent case 125, and is poured into the water tub 102.

A drain section 130 is provided at the bottom inside the housing 101. The drain section 130 includes a drain path 131 and a drain valve 132 provided midway along the drain path 131. The drain path 131 connects the bottom of the water tub 102 to the outside of the washing machine 100. The drain valve 132 is provided so as to be freely opened and closed. When the drain valve 132 is opened, the washing water in the water tub 102 is drained to the outside of the washing machine 100.

Inside the housing 101, there is provided a washing water circulation unit 140 that circulates the washing water in the water tub 102. The washing water circulation unit 140 includes a circulation path 141, a circulation pump 142, and a foam generating unit 200 described later. The circulation path 141 branches off from a point upstream of the drain valve 132 in the drain path 131, and is connected to the foam generating unit 200 provided at the front upper part of the water tub 102. The circulation pump 142 is provided midway along the circulation path 141. The circulation pump 142 is driven by a pump motor (not shown) whose rotation speed is variable, and sends the washing water in the water tub 102 to the circulation path 141. The washing water sent to the circulation path 141 passes through the foam generating unit 200 and is sprayed into the rotating drum 103.

A drain filter 135 is provided upstream of the point where the drain path 131 branches off from the circulation path 141. The drain filter 135 filters out foreign matter such as lint contained in the wash water that flows from the water tub 102 into the drain path 131.

A control means 180 is provided at the lower inside of the housing 101. The control means 180 controls the washing operation including the washing stroke, rinsing stroke, and spin-drying stroke by controlling the motor 112, the water supply valve 121, the drain valve 132, the circulation pump 142, etc. The control means 180 can change the flow rate of the washing water that the circulation pump 142 sends to the circulation path 141 by controlling the rotation speed N of the pump motor of the circulation pump 142. When the rotation speed N of the pump motor is high, the washing water is sent out from the circulation pump 142 at a high flow rate, and when the rotation speed N of the pump motor is low, the washing water is sent out from the circulation pump 142 at a low flow rate.

An operation display unit 185 is provided on the upper front surface of the housing 101. The operation display unit 185 accepts instructions from the user regarding the washing operation. The operation display unit 185 also displays information regarding the operation status, etc.

[1-1-2. Configuration of the front of the tank]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a cover member 190, a foam generating section 200 and a seal member cleaning section 300, which will be described later, are provided on the front surface of the water tub 102.

The cover member 190 is removably disposed on the front surface of the water tub 102. The foam generating unit 200 is disposed behind the cover member 190. The user can perform maintenance on the foam generating unit 200 by removing the cover member 190 from the front surface of the water tub 102.

A diverter 145 and a branch path 146 connected to the diverter 145 are provided at the upper front of the water tank 102. The upstream side of the diverter 145 is connected to the circulation path 141. The downstream side of the diverter 145 is branched, one end of which is connected to the foam generating section 200 and the other end of which is connected to the branch path 146. The downstream side of the branch path 146 is connected to the seal member cleaning section 300.

[1-1-3. Configuration of the bubble generating unit]
The configuration of the bubble generating unit 200 will be described with reference to FIGS.

The foam generating section 200 includes an introduction section 210, a mixing section 230, and a nozzle section 270.

The inlet section 210 is formed integrally with the diverter section 145, and is provided so as to cover the upstream opening of the mixing section 230. The inlet section 210 includes an inlet path 211 that introduces the wash water from the diverter section 145 to the mixing section 230. The inlet path 211 communicates with the diverter section 145 at its upstream side and with the mixing section 230 at its downstream side. The inlet path 211 is formed so that the path cross-sectional area gradually decreases from the upstream side to the downstream side. As a result, the wash water that has flowed into the inlet path 211 increases in flow rate within the inlet path 211, and is discharged into the mixing section 230.

The mixing section 230 includes a mixing section inlet 231, a mixing section body 232, a mixing section outlet 233, a hole section 235, and an extension section 236.

The mixing section inlet 231 is an opening at the downstream end of the introduction path 211. The mixing section inlet 231 is arranged so as to protrude inwardly into the mixing section main body 232. The mixing section inlet 231 introduces the wash water from the introduction path 211 into the mixing section main body 232.

The mixing section body 232 is formed in a roughly box shape and has space inside. The cross-sectional area of the mixing section body 232 is configured to be larger than the cross-sectional area of the mixing section inlet 231. This provides sufficient space for the wash water to be agitated within the mixing section body 232.

The hole 235 is provided in the upper part of the peripheral wall of the mixing section main body 232 on the water tub 102 side, and is connected to the inside of the water tub 102. The hole 235 introduces air into the mixing section main body 232 by the negative pressure generated when the washing water is introduced from the mixing section inlet 231 (arrow Q). The washing water introduced into the mixing section main body 232 is mixed with the air introduced from the hole 235 inside the mixing section main body 232, and flows out from the mixing section outlet 233 provided opposite the mixing section inlet 231.

As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the extension section 236 extends substantially horizontally from the inner wall of the mixing section main body 232 toward the mixing section outlet 233 so as to narrow the path cross-sectional area of the mixing section outlet 233. The extension section 236 makes the path cross-sectional area of the mixing section outlet 233 narrower than the path cross-sectional area of the mixing section main body 232, thereby reducing the amount of wash water discharged from the mixing section outlet 233. This generates a swirling flow of wash water within the mixing section main body 232, and the wash water is agitated.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the nozzle section 270 is provided downstream of the mixing section 230. The nozzle section 270 is formed so that its downstream tip faces the inside of the rotating drum 103, and the nozzle section 270 is formed so that the cross-sectional area of the flow area increases from the upstream side to the downstream side.

[1-1-4. Configuration of Seal Member Cleaning Unit]
The configuration of the seal member cleaning section 300 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5 and 7 to 9. FIG.

The seal member cleaning section 300 has a branch path connection section 301, a branch path outlet 302, a guide section 310, and an induction section 320.

The branch path connection part 301 is connected to the downstream side of the branch path 146. The branch path connection part 301 introduces the wash water passing through the branch path 146 into the seal member cleaning part 300 and discharges it from the branch path discharge port 302 that opens at the top front of the water tub 102.

The guide section 310 is provided on the front of the water tub 102 and the cover member 190. The guide section 310 includes a first guide section 311 and a second guide section 312. The first guide section 311 is provided on the front of the cover member 190 and is provided perpendicular to the flow of the washing water so as to divide the washing water flowing out from the branch path outlet 302 to the left and right. The second guide section 312 is provided so as to protrude forward from the front of the water tub 102 (left side in FIG. 2) and the cover member 190 (right side in FIG. 2). The second guide section 312 guides the washing water divided to the left and right by the first guide section 311 down along the front of the water tub 102 and the cover member 190, and guides it to the left and right guide sections 320.

The guide sections 320 are provided near both the left and right ends of the second guide section 312 and are configured to be inclined upward relative to the flow of the washing water flowing down the second guide section 312.

[1-2. Operation]
The operation and function of the washing machine 100 configured as above will be described below.

[1-2-1. Washing Operation]
As shown in FIG. 11, when the washing operation is started, a washing step, a rinsing step, and a spin-drying step are executed in this order.

When the washing cycle is started, a water supply operation is performed. In the water supply operation, the control means 180 opens the water supply valve 121 and introduces wash water from outside the washing machine 100. The wash water introduced into the washing machine 100 flows down the water supply path 122 and is supplied into the water tub 102. In the water supply operation in the washing cycle, the wash water passes through the water supply path 122 while dissolving the detergent put into the detergent case 125.

When washing water is supplied to the water tub 102 up to a predetermined water level and the water supply operation is completed, the washing operation is performed. In the washing operation, the control means 180 controls the motor 112 to rotate the rotating drum 103 and agitate the laundry in the rotating drum 103. At this time, the control means 180 controls the number of revolutions N of the pump motor as shown in FIG. 12, and drives the circulation pump 142 intermittently. When the washing operation is completed, the washing process ends and the process moves to the rinsing process.

When the rinsing cycle begins, a draining operation is first performed. In the draining operation, the control means 180 opens the drain valve 132 to drain the wash water from the water tub 102. When the draining operation is completed, a spin-drying operation is performed. In the spin-drying operation, the control means 180 controls the motor 112 to rotate the rotating drum 103, and the water contained in the laundry in the rotating drum 103 is blown off by centrifugal force.

When the spin-drying operation is completed, a water supplying operation is performed, followed by an intermediate rinsing operation. In the intermediate rinsing operation, the control means 180 controls the motor 112 to rotate the rotating drum 103 and agitate the laundry inside the rotating drum 103. At this time, the control means 180 also controls the number of revolutions N of the pump motor to drive the circulation pump 142 intermittently. When the intermediate rinsing operation is completed, the aforementioned draining operation, spin-drying operation, and water supplying operation are performed in order, followed by a final rinsing operation.

During the final rinse operation, the control means 180 controls the motor 112 to rotate the rotating drum 103 and agitate the laundry inside the rotating drum 103. At this time, the control means 180 also controls the number of revolutions N of the pump motor as shown in FIG. 13 to drive the circulation pump 142 intermittently. When the final rinse operation is completed, the rinsing process ends, and then the spin-drying process begins.

When the spin cycle begins, the draining operation and the spin cycle are performed in sequence. When the spin cycle ends, the spin cycle ends and the washing operation ends.

[1-2-2. Movement of washing water in the foam generating section]
The movement of wash water in foam generating section 200 will be described below with reference to FIGS.

During the washing and rinsing processes, when the circulation pump 142 is driven, the wash water in the water tub 102 is pumped up, passes through the circulation path 141, and reaches the diversion section 145.

Most of the wash water that reaches the diversion section 145 flows into the inlet path 211 (arrow P1). The cross-sectional area of the inlet path 211 gradually narrows from the upstream side to the downstream side, so that the wash water can be straightened and can flow into the mixer body 232 at a faster flow rate than the flow rate into the inlet path 211.

In the mixing section 230, the extension section 236 narrows the cross-sectional area of the mixing section outlet 233. As a result, the washing water that flows into the mixing section main body 232 is prevented from being discharged from the mixing section outlet 233, and a swirling flow is generated in the mixing section main body 232 (arrow P2). In addition, in the mixing section 230, the path cross-sectional area of the mixing section main body 232 is larger than the cross-sectional area of the mixing section inlet 231 and the cross-sectional area of the mixing section outlet 233, so the swirling flow generated in the mixing section main body 232 is large. As a result, the washing water is agitated in the mixing section main body 232, and the detergent can be thoroughly dissolved in the washing water.

In the mixing section main body 232, washing water flows in forcefully from the inlet path 211, generating negative pressure due to the Venturi effect, and air in the water tub 102 is introduced into the mixing section main body 232 through the hole 235 (arrow Q). This allows the air to be mixed into the swirling flow generated in the mixing section main body 232. This allows a large amount of detergent foam to be generated in the mixing section main body 232.

The washing water containing detergent foam that flows out of the mixing section outlet 233 is sprayed into the rotating drum 103 along the wall surface of the nozzle section 270 (arrow P3). The nozzle section 270 is structured so that it becomes wider from the upstream side to the downstream side, so that the washing water can be sprayed over a wide area onto the laundry inside the rotating drum 103.

On the other hand, when the amount of washing water sent from the circulation pump 142 is small, the extension section 236 does not prevent the washing water from being discharged from the mixing section outlet 233, so no swirling flow occurs in the mixing section 230. Furthermore, when the amount of washing water sent to the mixing section 230 is small, the introduction of air from the hole section 235 due to the Venturi effect is also suppressed.

As a result, when the amount of washing water sent by the circulation pump 142 to the foam generating section 200 is small, foaming of the washing water in the mixing section 230 can be suppressed.

As described above, the control means 180 controls the operation of the circulation pump 142 and adjusts the amount of washing water that the circulation pump 142 sends to the foam generating section 200, thereby controlling the amount of washing foam generated in the foam generating section 200.

After the washing operation is completed, all of the washing water in the mixing section main body 232 is discharged from the mixing section outlet 233. This ensures that no washing water remains in the mixing section 230. This keeps the mixing section 230 hygienic.

[1-2-3. Movement of water in branch paths and seal member cleaning section]
The flow of water in the branch path 146 and the seal member cleaning section 300 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 4 and 7 to 10. FIG.

A part of the wash water that has reached the diverter section 145 flows from the diverter section 145 into the branch path 146, passes through the branch path connecting section 301, and reaches the branch path outlet 302 (arrow R1). The branch path 146 and the branch path outlet 302 are configured with a narrow flow path cross-sectional area so that the wash water is discharged from the branch path outlet 302 at a high flow rate. The wash water discharged from the branch path outlet 302 is guided to the first guide section 311 and divided into left and right. The washed water divided into left and right flows down on the second guide section 312 and reaches the guide section 320 (arrow R2).

When the force of the washing water reaching the guide section 320 is weak, the washing water is ejected from the guide section 320 with weak force upward against the flow flowing down the second guide section 312 (arrow R3). The washing water ejected with weak force from the guide section 320 reaches the vicinity of the bottom surface of the water tub connection section 102a shown in area A (shown in FIG. 10) and washes away lint and dirt adhering to the vicinity of the bottom surface of the water tub connection section 102a. In this embodiment, the vicinity of the bottom surface of the water tub connection section 102a shown in area A includes the bottom surface of the water tub connection section 102a, the portion of the front surface of the water tub 102 that is located below the water tub connection section 102a, and the connection section 119 (shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 10) between the seal member 115 and the water tub connection section 102a.

On the other hand, if the force of the wash water reaching the guide section 320 is strong, the wash water will shoot out with great force upward from the guide section 320 against the flow flowing down the second guide section 312 (arrow R4). The wash water that shoots out with great force from the guide section 320 will reach the seal inner surface 115a. This allows the wash water to wash away lint and dirt that has accumulated on the seal inner surface 115a.

As described above, the control means 180 can adjust the area where lint and dirt are washed near the underside of the water tub connection part 102a and on the seal inner surface 115a by controlling the water pressure of the wash water pumped by the circulation pump 142.

After washing the area near the bottom of the water tub connection part 102a and the seal inner surface 115a, the wash water flows down the seal inner surface 115a due to surface tension and into the water tub 102.

[1-2-4. Operation of the circulation pump during washing operation]
As shown in FIG. 12, in the washing operation, the control means 180 controls the rotation speed N of the pump motor of the circulation pump 142. In the beginning of the washing operation, the laundry in the rotating drum 103 is not sufficiently wet. At this time, if the rotation speed N of the pump motor is too high, the water level in the water tub 102 drops, air entrapment occurs in the circulation pump 142, and there is a risk of unpleasant noise being generated. Therefore, in the beginning of the washing operation, the control means 180 drives the pump motor at a medium speed (e.g., about 3300 r/min). In the middle of the washing operation, in order to generate a lot of washing foam in the foam generating section 200 and improve the washing performance of the laundry in the rotating drum 103, the control means 180 drives the pump motor at a high speed (e.g., about 4000 r/min). At the end of the washing operation, the control means 180 drives the pump motor at a low speed (e.g., about 2500 rpm) so as not to send a large amount of washing foam into the rotating drum 103. This reduces the amount of washing foam generated in the foam generating section 200 at the end of the washing operation.

In addition, during the washing operation, the control means 180 can change the rotation speed N of the pump motor to send the wash water passing through the circulation pump 142 to the seal member cleaning section 300 at different flow rates.

In the following, the flow rate of the washing water discharged from the circulation pump 142 when the pump motor rotation speed N is approximately 2500 r/min is defined as a first flow rate V1, and the flow rate of the washing water discharged from the circulation pump 142 when the pump motor rotation speed N is approximately 4000 r/min is defined as a second flow rate V2. The second flow rate V2 is faster than the first flow rate V1.

At this time, the washing water sent from the circulation pump 142 to the seal member washing section 300 at the first flow velocity V1 is forced upward from the induction section 320 against the flow flowing down the second guide section 312 with weak force (arrow R3 in FIG. 8). As a result, it reaches the vicinity of the lower surface of the water tank connection section 102a shown in area A (shown in FIG. 10), and washes lint and dirt adhering to the vicinity of the lower surface of the water tank connection section 102a. Also, the washing water sent from the circulation pump 142 to the seal member washing section 300 at the second flow velocity V2 is forced upward from the induction section 320 against the flow flowing down the second guide section 312 with strong force (arrow R4 in FIG. 8). The washing water forced out from the induction section 320 with strong force reaches the seal inner peripheral surface 115a. As a result, the washing water can wash the lint and dirt accumulated on the seal inner peripheral surface 115a.

In addition, during the intermediate and final rinse operations, the control means 180 changes the flow rate of the wash water sent from the circulation pump 142.

As described above, in the washing and rinsing steps, the control means 180 can control the position at which the washing water coming out of the guide section 320 reaches at the water tub connection section 102a and the seal inner surface 115a by changing the water pressure of the washing water pumped by the circulation pump 142. Therefore, the washing position at the water tub connection section 102a and the seal inner surface 115a can be stably controlled regardless of the installation environment of the washing machine 100, such as the water pressure of the water faucet.

In addition, during the washing and rinsing processes, the circulation pump 142 sends the wash water in the water tub 102 to the seal member cleaning section 300. As a result, the circulation pump 142 is constantly driven during the washing and rinsing processes, so that the water tub connection section 102a and the seal inner surface 115a can be cleaned more efficiently than if a cleaning mechanism for cleaning the seal inner surface 115a were provided in the path connected to the water supply valve 121. Furthermore, during the washing operation, the water tub connection section 102a and the seal inner surface 115a can be cleaned with the wash water in the water tub 102 in which the agent is dissolved, so that cleaning can be performed more efficiently.

In addition, during the washing and rinsing steps, the control means 180 intermittently drives the pump motor of the circulation pump 142. As a result, the washing water sent from the circulation pump 142 to the seal member cleaning section 300 can wash away lint and other dirt adhering to the water tank connection section 102a and the seal inner surface 115a multiple times when the water pressure changes from a no water pressure state to a new water pressure state, so that washing can be performed more effectively than if the washing water was sent at a constant flow rate.

In the washing operation, the control means 180 determines the rotation speed N of the pump motor of the circulation pump 142 based on the volume of laundry stored in the rotating drum 103. In the washing machine 100 of this embodiment, when the volume of laundry is low (e.g., 2 kg) or large (e.g., 10 kg), the maximum rotation speed Nmax of the pump motor in the washing operation is set low (e.g., 3300 r/min) so that air does not get trapped in the circulation pump 142. In addition, when the volume of laundry is medium (e.g., 5 kg), the maximum rotation speed Nmax of the pump motor in the washing operation is set high (e.g., 4000 r/min) because air is less likely to get trapped in the circulation pump 142. Although not described in detail, the control means 180 changes the rotation speed N of the pump motor in the intermediate rinsing operation based on the volume of laundry, as in the washing operation.

On the other hand, in the final rinse operation, the control means 180 controls the pump motor rotation speed N to be the maximum in the washing operation (4000 r/min in this embodiment) regardless of the volume of the laundry. That is, the control means 180 controls the pump motor rotation speed N in the final rinse operation so that the washing water is sent from the circulation pump 142 to the seal member cleaning section 300 at the fastest flow rate in the washing operation. This allows dirt such as lint that has accumulated in the branch path 146 and the branch path outlet 302, which are configured with a narrow cross-sectional area, to be washed away with strong water pressure in the final rinse operation. Therefore, after the end of the washing operation, or after the end of the drying operation if a drying operation is performed, it is possible to prevent lint from drying and sticking in the branch path 146 and the branch path outlet 302.

If the pump motor is driven at maximum rotation speed at the end of the final rinse operation, bubbles generated by the washing water sent out with strong water pressure from the circulation pump 142 colliding with the surface of the washing water in the tub 102 may be mixed in, causing the user to mistakenly believe that detergent remains in the tub 102. For this reason, the control means 180 drives the pump motor at maximum rotation speed at the beginning of the final rinse operation, and drives the pump motor at a rotation speed lower than the maximum rotation speed at the end of the final rinse operation. This makes it possible to reduce bubbles generated by the collision of washing water in the tub 102 at the end of the final rinse operation.

[1-3. Effects]
As described above, in the present embodiment, washing machine 100 includes housing 101, water tub 102, rotating drum 103, seal member 115, circulation pump 142, guide unit 310, induction unit 320, and control means 180. Water tub 102 is elastically supported in housing 101 so as to be able to swing freely. Rotating drum 103 is rotatably contained in water tub 102. Seal member 115 seals the gap between housing opening 104 and water tub 102. Circulation pump 142 sends washing water into water tub 102. Guide unit 310 is provided on the front surface of water tub 102, and causes washing water sent from circulation pump 142 to flow down along the front surface of water tub 102. Guide unit 320 is provided on guide unit 310, and guides washing water flowing down guide unit 310 to fly out in the direction of seal inner peripheral surface 115a. The control means 180 controls the washing operation, and controls the driving of the circulation pump 142 during the washing operation.

As a result, the position at which the wash water ejected from the guide section 320 reaches the front surface of the water tub 102 and the seal inner surface 115a changes in accordance with changes in the force of the wash water pumped from the circulation pump 142.

This allows a wide area of the front surface of the water tank 102 and the seal inner surface 115a to be cleaned.

As in this embodiment, the control means 180 may control the circulation pump 142 to pump wash water at a first flow rate V1 and a second flow rate V2 that is faster than the first flow rate V1.

As a result, the control means 180 can change the force of the washing water pumped by the circulation pump 142 to change the position at which the washing water splashing out of the guide section 320 reaches the front surface of the water tub 102 and the seal inner surface 115a.

This allows for more effective cleaning over a wider range of the front surface of the water tank 102 and the seal inner surface 115a.

As in this embodiment, the circulation pump 142 may be configured to send the wash water sucked from the water tub 102 through the circulation path 141 to the inside of the water tub 102 and the guide section 310.

This allows the circulation pump 142 to send the washing water to the front surface of the water tub 102 and the seal inner surface 115a when circulating the washing water through the circulation path 141.

Therefore, no additional washing water is required to wash the front surface of the water tub 102 and the inner circumferential surface of the seal 115a. Also, the front surface of the water tub 102 and the inner circumferential surface of the seal 115a can be washed every time the circulation pump 142 is driven. Also, in the washing process, the front surface of the water tub 102 and the inner circumferential surface of the seal 115a can be washed with the washing water in the water tub 102 in which the agent is dissolved, so that washing can be performed more effectively.

As in this embodiment, the control means 180 executes an intermediate rinse operation and a final rinse operation, and the control means 180 may control the circulation pump 142 to pump wash water at the fastest flow rate during the final rinse operation.

This allows the circulation pump 142 to wash away lint accumulated in the branch path 146 and the branch path outlet 302 with strong water pressure during the final rinse operation.

As a result, after the end of the washing operation or during the drying operation, the lint accumulated in the branch path 146 and the branch path outlet 302 is prevented from drying and solidifying, and clogging of the branch path 146 and the branch path outlet 302 can be prevented.

As in this embodiment, the circulation pump 142 may be provided downstream of the drain filter 135, which filters the wash water passing through the circulation path 141.

This allows the circulation pump 142 to send the wash water, from which lint and other contaminants have been filtered out by the drain filter 135, to the guide section 310.

This prevents lint from adhering to the front surface of the water tank 102 and the inner surface of the seal 115a.

Other Embodiments
As described above, the first and second embodiments have been described as examples of the technology disclosed in this application. However, the technology in this disclosure is not limited to these, and can be applied to embodiments in which modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are made. In addition, it is also possible to combine the components described in the first and second embodiments to create new embodiments.

Therefore, other embodiments are given below as examples.

In the first embodiment, the circulation pump 142 that circulates the wash water in the water tub 102 has been described as an example of the pump means. The pump means may be any means that supplies wash water to the foam generating section and the seal member cleaning section, and may be a water supply pump provided on the water supply path.

In the first embodiment, the seal member cleaning unit 300 provided on the front surface of the water tank 102 and the cover member 190 has been described as an example of a seal member cleaning unit. Since it is sufficient for the seal member to be able to clean at least the connection portion between the front surface of the water tank and the seal member, the seal member cleaning unit may only have a guide portion. The seal member cleaning unit 300 may also clean the front surface of the cover member 190.

In the embodiment, a washing operation including a washing step and a rinsing step in which the circulation pump 142 is driven intermittently has been described as an example of a washing operation. In the washing step and the rinsing step, the control device does not have to drive the circulation pump intermittently at a predetermined rotation speed. When the circulation pump is driven, the flow rate of the wash water sent out from the circulation pump gradually increases even before the controlled rotation speed is reached, so that the force of the wash water splashing out at the front of the tub changes, allowing a wide area to be cleaned at the front of the tub and the inner surface of the seal.

In the first embodiment, guide portion 310 and guide portion 320 provided on the front surface of water tank 102 and cover member 190 have been described as an example of a guide portion and a guide portion. The guide portion and guide portion are not limited to guide portion 310 and guide portion 320 as long as they are provided on the front portion of the water tank and can clean the vicinity of the underside of the water tank connection portion and the inner circumferential surface of the seal member. The guide portion and guide portion may be provided directly on the front surface of the water tank or on the cover member.

In the first embodiment, a rinsing process in which an intermediate rinsing operation and a final rinsing operation are performed has been described as an example of a rinsing process. The control device may perform the intermediate rinsing operation two or more times in the rinsing process, or may perform only the final rinsing operation without performing the intermediate rinsing operation.

In the first embodiment, the water tank 102 has been described as an example of a water tank. The water tank is not limited to the water tank 102, and may have a heater that heats the wash water in the water tank. This allows warm water to be pumped in by the circulation pump, increasing the solubility of the detergent in the wash water and allowing lint to be efficiently removed from the front surface of the water tank and the inner surface of the seal.

In the first embodiment, a washing operation has been described as an example of a washing machine operation controlled by the control means. The washing machine operation is not limited to a washing operation, and may be a tub cleaning operation using a tub cleaning agent such as a chlorine-based bleach. When the control means executes a tub cleaning operation, the washing water pumped by the circulation pump can contain a tub cleaning agent, so that the circulation path, the branch path, the front surface of the water tub, the inner surface of the seal, etc. can be cleaned more effectively. In addition, by setting the operating time of the tub cleaning operation longer than the time of the washing action of the washing operation, the inner surface of the seal can be cleaned more effectively.

This disclosure is applicable to washing machines and washer-dryers.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Washing machine 101 Housing 102 Water tub 102a Water tub connection section 103 Rotating drum 103a Drum opening 103b Water passage hole 104 Housing opening 105 Lid 112 Motor 115 Sealing member 115a Seal inner peripheral surface 119 Connection section 120 Water supply section 121 Water supply valve 122 Water supply path 125 Detergent case 130 Drain section 131 Drain path 132 Drain valve 135 Drain filter 140 Washing water circulation section 141 Circulation path 142 Circulation pump 145 Diversion section 146 Branch path 180 Control means 185 Operation display section 190 Cover member 200 Foam generation section 210 Introduction section 211 Introduction path 230 Mixing section 231 Mixing section inlet 232 Mixing section main body 233 Mixing section outlet 235 Hole section 236 Extension section 270 Nozzle section 300 Seal member cleaning section 301 Branch path connection section 302 Branch path outlet 310 Guide section 311 First guide section 312 Second guide section 320 Induction section

Claims (4)

A housing and
A water tank elastically supported within the housing so as to be freely swingable;
A rotating drum rotatably contained within the water tank;
a seal member that seals a gap between the front surface of the housing and the water tank;
A pump means for pumping wash water into the water tub;
a guide portion provided on a front surface of the water tub to guide the wash water pumped from the pump means down along the front surface of the water tub;
a guide portion provided on the guide portion and configured to guide the wash water flowing down the guide portion so as to splash out in a direction toward an inner circumferential surface of the seal member;
A control means for controlling a washing operation;
Equipped with
The control means executes one or more rinsing operations in the washing operation,
The control means controls the operation of the pump means to feed the wash water at the fastest flow rate in the final rinsing operation .
washing machine. The control means controls the pump means to pump the wash water at a first flow rate and a second flow rate that is faster than the first flow rate.
The washing machine according to claim 1. The pump means is configured to send the washing water sucked from the water tub to the inside of the water tub and the guide part through a circulation path.
The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2. The pump means is provided downstream of a filter that filters the washing water passing through the circulation path.
The washing machine according to claim 3 .