CN112384652A

CN112384652A - Vertical washing machine

Info

Publication number: CN112384652A
Application number: CN201980043814.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 间宫春夫
Original assignee: Qingdao Haier Washing Machine Co Ltd; Haier Smart Home Co Ltd; Haier Asia Co Ltd
Current assignee: Qingdao Haier Washing Machine Co Ltd; Haier Smart Home Co Ltd; Haier Asia Co Ltd; Aqua Co Ltd
Priority date: 2018-07-05
Filing date: 2019-07-01
Publication date: 2021-02-19
Also published as: WO2020007264A1; JP7164107B2; JP2020005794A

Abstract

A vertical washing machine (1) is provided, which can smoothly perform the treatment of raising water and spraying water into a washing tub (4) by the rotation of the washing tub (4), and can realize the reduction of the washing time. A vertical washing machine (1) comprises: an outer tub (3), a motor (6), a washing tub (4) disposed in the outer tub (3), a pulsator (5) disposed in the washing tub (4), and a microcomputer (21). The washing tub (4) and the pulsator (5) are rotated by the driving force of the motor (6). The microcomputer (21) executes the following processing in at least one of the washing process and the rinsing process: a stirring process of rotating the pulsator (5) in a state where water is stored in the washing tub (4) to stir the laundry (Q) in the washing tub (4); spreading treatment for spreading out the laundry (Q) by rotating the pulsator (5) in a state where water is stored in the washing tub (4) after the agitation treatment; and a tub rotating process of rotating the washing tub (4) storing water after the spreading process to raise the water in the outer tub (3) between the outer tub (3) and the washing tub (4) and to shower the laundry (Q) in the washing tub (4).

Description

Vertical washing machine

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a vertical washing machine.

Background

The washing machine described in the following patent document 1 includes: a washing and dehydrating tub, wherein the inner bottom of the washing and dehydrating tub is freely and rotatably provided with a wave wheel; a receiving tub which freely rotatably encloses the washing and dehydrating tub; a driving unit for rotationally driving the pulsator or the washing and dehydrating tub; and a control unit controlling the washing process, the rinsing process, etc. The control unit performs a stirring process and a tub rotating process in a washing process and a rinsing process. During the stirring process, the control unit reversely drives the impeller. In the process of rotating the washing barrel, the control unit drives the washing and dewatering barrel to rotate, so that the washing water between the washing and dewatering barrel and the receiving barrel rises, and the washing water is sprayed into the washing and dewatering barrel from the upper part.

In the washing tub rotating process performed in the washing machine described in patent document 1, in order to raise the washing water and spray the water into the washing and dehydrating tub, it is necessary to rotate the washing and dehydrating tub at a high speed at a rotation speed of a certain or more. However, when the deviation of the laundry in the washing and dehydrating tub is larger than a predetermined value, the rotation speed of the washing and dehydrating tub cannot be smoothly increased, and the washing and dehydrating tub vibrates abnormally, so that it is difficult to continue the rotation process of the washing tub. When abnormal vibration occurs, the following process is generally performed to eliminate the bias of laundry: the washing and dehydrating tub is supplied with water, and the laundry is immersed in the water, and then the pulsator is rotated to spread the laundry, and then the water is drained.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent No. 3972504

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vertical washing machine capable of smoothly performing a process of raising water by rotation of a washing tub and spraying the water into the washing tub, thereby shortening a washing time.

Means for solving the problems

The invention is a vertical washing machine, comprising: an outer tub capable of storing water; a driving unit generating a driving force; a washing tub disposed in the outer tub, receiving laundry, having a through hole for passing water between the washing tub and the outer tub, the washing tub having an inlet and an outlet for the laundry formed at an upper end thereof and a bottom wall formed at a lower end thereof, the washing tub being rotated by a driving force of the driving unit; a rotary wing disposed on the bottom wall in the washing tub and rotated by receiving a driving force of the driving unit; a water supply unit supplying water into the washing tub; and a control unit controlling the driving unit and the water supply unit, the control unit performing the following processes in at least any one of a washing process and a rinsing process after the washing process: a stirring process of stirring the laundry in the washing tub by rotating the rotary wing by the driving unit in a state in which the water is stored in the washing tub by the water supply unit; a spreading process of spreading out the laundry in the washing tub by rotating the rotary wing by the driving unit in a state where water is stored in the washing tub after the agitating process; and a tub rotating process of rotating the washing tub, in which water is stored, by the driving unit after the spreading process, thereby raising the water in the outer tub between the outer tub and the washing tub and spraying the water to the laundry in the washing tub from the inlet and the outlet.

In addition, the present invention is characterized in that the vertical washing machine further includes a detection unit that detects a magnitude of a deviation of the laundry in the washing tub in which the water is stored during the tub rotation process.

In addition, in the present invention, when the detection unit detects a bias of a predetermined magnitude or more in the tub rotation process, the control unit rotates at least one of the washing tub and the rotary wing by the driving unit, thereby spreading the laundry in the washing tub.

In addition, the present invention is characterized in that when the detection unit detects a bias of a predetermined magnitude or more in the tub rotation process, the control unit suspends the rotation of the washing tub and rotates the rotary wing, thereby agitating the laundry in the washing tub.

Effects of the invention

According to the present invention, the vertical type washing machine performs the agitation treatment, the spreading treatment, and the tub rotation treatment in order during at least any one of the washing process and the rinsing process. In the agitation process, the rotating blades rotate in a state where water is stored in the washing tub, and thus the laundry in the washing tub is agitated and washed. In the spreading process after the agitation process, the rotating wing rotates in a state where water is stored in the washing tub, and thus the laundry in the washing tub is spread to eliminate the bias of the laundry. In the tub rotating process after the spreading process, the washing tub storing water is rotated, so that the water in the outer tub rises between the outer tub and the washing tub and is sprayed to the laundry in the washing tub from the inlet and outlet at the upper end of the washing tub. The laundry on the inlet side can be reliably washed by the water sprayed from the upper side. Since the tub rotation process is started in a state where the bias of the laundry is eliminated by the spreading process, the rotation speed of the washing tub is smoothly increased to the rotation speed at which the watering is started in the tub rotation process. Thus, the barrel rotation process can be smoothly performed. In addition, since abnormal vibration of the washing tub is not likely to occur during the tub rotation process due to the spreading process performed in advance, it is sufficient to perform no process of eliminating the bias of the laundry in the washing tub by stopping the rotation of the washing tub due to the abnormal vibration as much as possible. Thereby, the washing time can be shortened.

Further, according to the present invention, the magnitude of the deviation of the laundry in the washing tub in which water is stored is detected in the tub rotation process. In this case, when a bias of a predetermined magnitude or more is detected, at least one of the washing tub and the rotary wing may be rotated to spread the laundry in the washing tub. Thus, the tub rotation process can be continued even if the tub rotation process is not resumed after the tub rotation process is suspended to eliminate the bias of the laundry, and therefore, the washing time can be further shortened.

Further, according to the present invention, when a bias of a predetermined magnitude or more is detected during the tub rotation process, the rotation of the washing tub is stopped, but the laundry in the washing tub is agitated by the rotation of the rotary blade, thereby continuing the washing of the laundry. In this case, the laundry can be washed to the same extent as when the washing tub is continuously rotated.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a vertical type washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical structure of the vertical type washing machine.

Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing a washing operation performed in the vertical washing machine.

Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the tub rotating process of the first embodiment in the washing operation.

Fig. 5 is a schematic perspective view about an upper portion of a washing tub in the vertical type washing machine.

Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the bucket rotation process of the second embodiment.

Description of the reference numerals

1: a vertical washing machine; 3: an outer tub; 4: a washing tub; 4B: a bottom wall; 4D: an entrance and an exit; 4E: a through hole; 5: an impeller; 6: a motor; 14: a water supply valve; 21: a microcomputer; 27: a rotational speed reading device; q: and (5) washing the articles.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a vertical type washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The vertical direction in fig. 1 is referred to as a vertical direction Z of the vertical washing machine 1, and the upper side and the lower side in the vertical direction Z are referred to as upper sides Z1 and lower sides Z2, respectively. The vertical washing machine 1 includes: a cabinet 2, an outer tub 3, a washing tub 4, a pulsator 5 as an example of a rotary blade, a motor 6 as an example of a driving unit, and a clutch 7 as an example of a switching unit.

The case 2 is made of, for example, metal and is formed in a box shape. An opening 2B communicating the inside and outside of the case 2 is formed in the upper surface 2A of the case 2. A door 10 for opening and closing the opening 2B is provided on the upper surface 2A. Around the opening 2B in the upper surface 2A, a display operation portion 11 including a liquid crystal operation panel and the like is provided. The user of the vertical washing machine 1 can select the operation conditions of the washing operation performed in the vertical washing machine 1 by operating the display operation unit 11, or instruct the vertical washing machine 1 to start or stop the washing operation. The display operation unit 11 displays information for the user.

The outer tub 3 is made of, for example, resin and is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape. The outer tub 3 has: a substantially cylindrical circumferential wall 3A disposed along the vertical direction Z; a bottom wall 3B that blocks the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 3A from the lower side Z2; and an annular wall 3C that protrudes toward the center of the circumferential wall 3A along the upper end edge of the circumferential wall 3A. Inside the annular wall 3C, a port 3D communicating with the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 3A from the upper side Z1 is formed. The doorway 3D communicates with the opening 2B of the casing 2 from the lower side Z2 and communicates with the opening 2B. The annular wall 3C is provided with a door 12 for opening and closing the doorway 3D. A guide surface 3E that wraps the entrance 3D and inclines obliquely downward is provided on the lower surface of the annular wall 3C. The bottom wall 3B is formed into a substantially horizontally extending disk shape, and a through hole 3F penetrating the bottom wall 3B is formed at a center position of the bottom wall 3B.

A water supply path 13 connected to a tap of tap water is connected to the annular wall 3C of the tub 3 from the upper side Z1. A water supply valve 14 as an example of water supply means is provided in the middle of the water supply path 13. The water supply valve 14 includes, for example, an electromagnetic valve. A drain passage 15 is connected to the bottom wall 3B of the tub 3 from the lower side Z2. A drain valve 16 as an example of a drain unit is provided in the middle of the drain passage 15. The water discharge valve 16 is opened and closed by a torque motor (not shown), for example. When the water supply valve 14 is opened in a state where the drain valve 16 is closed, water is supplied from the water supply path 13 into the outer tub 3, and the water is stored in the outer tub 3. When the water supply valve 14 is closed, the water supply is stopped. When the drain valve 16 is opened, the water in the tub 3 is discharged to the outside of the machine from the drain path 15.

The washing tub 4 is made of, for example, metal, and is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape one turn smaller than the outer tub 3, and can accommodate the laundry Q therein. The washing tub 4 is coaxially disposed in the outer tub 3. The washing tub 4 housed in the outer tub 3 is rotatable about an axis J constituting a central axis thereof and extending in the vertical direction Z. The washing tub 4 has: a substantially cylindrical circumferential wall 4A disposed along the vertical direction Z; a bottom wall 4B that blocks the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 4A from the lower side Z2; and an annular wall 4C projecting toward the axis J along the upper end edge of the circumferential wall 4A.

The inner circumferential surface of the circumferential wall 4A is the inner circumferential surface of the washing tub 4. The circumferential wall 4A is in a state of being surrounded by the circumferential wall 3A of the outer tub 3. The bottom wall 4B is provided at a lower end of the washing tub 4. The annular wall 4C is opposed to the annular wall 3C of the tub 3 from the lower side Z2. An inlet/outlet 4D is formed inside the annular wall 4C. The access opening 4D is located at the upper end of the washing tub 4 so that the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 4A is exposed to the upper side Z1. The doorway 4D faces the doorway 3D of the tub 3 from the lower side Z2 and communicates with the doorway 3D. The user puts the laundry Q into the washing tub 4 from the upper side Z1 through the opened opening 2B, the doorway 3D, and the doorway 4D.

A plurality of through holes 4E are formed in the circumferential wall 4A and the bottom wall 4B of the washing tub 4, and water in the outer tub 3 flows between the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 4 through the through holes 4E and is also stored in the washing tub 4. Therefore, the water level in the outer tub 3 is identical to the water level in the washing tub 4. The through-holes 4E may be provided only in the bottom wall 4B, instead of the circumferential wall 4A.

The bottom wall 4B of the washing tub 4 is formed in a disc shape, and extends substantially parallel to the bottom wall 3B of the outer tub 3 at an interval on the upper side Z1. A through hole 4F penetrating the bottom wall 4B is formed at a center position of the bottom wall 4B coinciding with the axis J. A tubular support shaft 17 is provided on the bottom wall 4B, and the support shaft 17 surrounds the through hole 4F and projects toward the lower side Z2 along the axis J. The support shaft 17 is inserted through the through hole 3F of the bottom wall 3B of the tub 3, and the lower end of the support shaft 17 is positioned below the bottom wall 3B Z2.

The pulsator 5 is formed in a disk shape with the axis J as the center, and is disposed on the bottom wall 4B in the washing tub 4. The pulsator 5 has a plurality of blades 5A radially arranged on an upper surface facing an entrance 4D of the washing tub 4. The pulsator 5 is provided with a rotating shaft 18 extending from the center thereof along the axis J to the lower side Z2. The rotation shaft 18 is inserted through the hollow portion of the support shaft 17, and the lower end portion of the rotation shaft 18 is located on the lower side Z2 of the bottom wall 3B of the outer tub 3.

The motor 6 is an electric motor such as an inverter motor. The motor 6 is disposed on the lower side Z2 of the tub 3 in the casing 2. The motor 6 has an output shaft 19 that rotates about the axis J, and outputs the generated driving force from the output shaft 19.

The clutch 7 is interposed between the lower end portions of the support shaft 17 and the rotary shaft 18 and the upper end portion of the output shaft 19 projecting upward from the motor 6 to Z1. The clutch 7 selectively transmits the driving force output from the output shaft 19 of the motor 6 to one or both of the support shaft 17 and the rotary shaft 18. When the driving force from the motor 6 is transmitted to the support shaft 17, the washing tub 4 receives the driving force of the motor 6 and rotates about the axis J. When the driving force from the motor 6 is transmitted to the rotary shaft 18, the pulsator 5 receives the driving force of the motor 6 and rotates around the axis J. A known transmission mechanism is used as the clutch 7. The clutch 7 may be operated by the torque motor (not shown).

Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the vertical washing machine 1. The vertical washing machine 1 includes a water supply unit and a microcomputer 21 as an example of a control unit and a detection unit. The microcomputer 21 includes, for example, a CPU22, a memory 23 such as a ROM or a RAM, and a timer 24 for timing, and is built in the case 2 (see fig. 1).

The motor 6, the clutch 7, the water supply valve 14, and the drain valve 16 are electrically connected to a microcomputer 21 via, for example, a drive circuit 25, and the display operation unit 11 is also electrically connected to the microcomputer 21. The microcomputer 21 drives the motor 6 by supplying power thereto, or stops it by stopping it by supplying power thereto. The microcomputer 21 can also control the rotation direction of the motor 6. Thereby, the motor 6 can rotate in the normal or reverse direction. The microcomputer 21 controls the clutch 7 to switch the transmission destination of the driving force of the motor 6 to one or both of the washing tub 4 and the pulsator 5. The microcomputer 21 controls the opening and closing of the water supply valve 14 and the water discharge valve 16. When the user operates the display operation unit 11 to select the operation conditions, the microcomputer 21 receives the selection. The microcomputer 21 controls the display contents of the display operation unit 11.

The vertical washing machine 1 further includes: a buzzer 26, a rotation speed reading device 27 and a water level detecting part 28 electrically connected with the microcomputer 21. The microcomputer 21 generates a predetermined sound by the buzzer 26 to notify the user of the start and end of the washing operation.

The rotation speed reading device 27 functions as an example of the detection means. The rotation speed reading device 27 is a device that reads the rotation speed of the motor 6, strictly speaking, the rotation speed of the output shaft 19 of the motor 6, and includes, for example, a hall IC. The rotation speed read by the rotation speed reading device 27 is input to the microcomputer 21 in real time. The microcomputer 21 controls the duty ratio of the voltage applied to the motor 6 based on the input rotation speed, thereby controlling the motor 6 to rotate at a desired rotation speed. The rotation speed of each of the washing tub 4 and the pulsator 5 may be the same as the rotation speed of the motor 6, or may be a value obtained by multiplying the rotation speed of the motor 6 by a predetermined constant such as a reduction ratio of the clutch 7.

The water level detecting part 28 is a water level sensor for detecting the water level in the outer tub 3, that is, the water level in the washing tub 4. As an example of the water level detector 28, a pressure type water level sensor for detecting the water level in the washing tub 4 based on the pressure in the outer tub 3 can be used.

The microcomputer 21 performs a washing operation by controlling operations of the motor 6, the clutch 7, the water supply valve 14, and the drain valve 16. The washing operation comprises: a washing process of washing the laundry Q, a rinsing process of rinsing the laundry Q after the washing process, and a dehydrating process of dehydrating the laundry Q by rotating the washing tub 4 after the rinsing process. The vertical washing machine 1 may be a washing and drying machine that performs a drying process for drying the laundry Q after the dehydration process. In the present embodiment, the rinsing process is performed twice, and the first rinsing process is referred to as a first rinsing process and the second rinsing process is referred to as a second rinsing process.

When the user puts the laundry Q into the washing tub 4 to instruct the start of the washing operation, the microcomputer 21 starts the washing operation. The user may put the detergent into the washing tub 4 before or after putting the laundry Q. Referring to the flowchart of fig. 3, first, the microcomputer 21 detects the amount of the laundry Q in the washing tub 4, that is, the load amount (step S1). As an example of load amount detection, the microcomputer 21 detects the load amount from fluctuation of the rotation speed of the motor 6 when the washing tub 4 is rotated stably at a low speed. Based on the load amount detected immediately before, the microcomputer 21 determines the water level W of the water stored in the washing tub 4 to be supplied with the water thereafter (see fig. 1). The relationship between the water level W and the load amount is previously obtained by an experiment or the like and stored in the memory 23.

Then, as a water supply process of one cycle of the washing process, the microcomputer 21 continuously opens the water supply valve 14 to supply water into the washing tub 4 (step S2). The drain valve 16 is in a closed state, and thus, the water level in the washing tub 4 rises. When the water level in the washing tub 4 rises to the water level W just determined, the microcomputer 21 closes the water supply valve 14 to stop the supply of water. Thereby, the water supply process is ended.

Next, the microcomputer 21 executes the agitation processing in a state where water is stored in the washing tub 4. Specifically, the microcomputer 21, after switching the clutch 7 as needed so that the driving force of the motor 6 is transmitted to the pulsator 5, rotates the pulsator 5 by driving the motor 6 (step S3). The pulsator 5 can be continuously rotated in the same direction, but in the present embodiment, the pulsator 5 is rotated in reverse so as to alternately rotate in the normal direction and in the reverse direction repeatedly every 1 second to 2 seconds by the intermittent driving of the motor 6. In the agitation process, the laundry Q in the washing tub 4 is agitated and washed by the pulsator 5 rotating in the reverse direction. Note that the pulsator 5 may also be rotated in the water supply process in step S2, whereby the detergent is easily dissolved in the water. The dirt of the laundry Q is decomposed by the detergent dissolved in water. When the predetermined stirring time has elapsed, the microcomputer 21 ends the stirring process.

After the agitation process, the microcomputer 21 then executes the spreading process in a state where the water is stored in the washing tub 4 (step S4). In the unrolling process, the microcomputer 21 intermittently drives the motor 6 under conditions different from the agitation process to rotate the pulsator 5 in the reverse direction. In the present embodiment, as an example, the pulsator 5 rotates in the reverse direction at a higher rotation speed than in the agitation process so as to repeatedly alternately rotate in the normal direction and in the reverse direction at 0.5 seconds shorter than the agitation process. Thereby, the laundry Q immersed in the water in the washing tub 4 is spread by the pulsator 5 rotating in the reverse direction. Therefore, the bias of the laundry Q is eliminated. The bias of the laundry Q is a bias of the laundry Q in the washing tub 4, and is also referred to as an unbalance. When a predetermined spreading time elapses, the microcomputer 21 ends the spreading process.

After the unrolling process, the microcomputer 21 executes a tub rotation process (step S5). Specifically, referring to the flowchart of fig. 4, first, the microcomputer 21 switches the clutch 7 so that the driving force of the motor 6 is transmitted to the washing tub 4 (step S51). Then, the microcomputer 21 confirms whether or not the water level in the washing tub 4 reaches the predetermined tub rotation water level (step S52). The tub rotation water level is a water level to the extent that water in the outer tub 3 does not overflow from the inlet/outlet 3D when the washing tub 4 is rotated thereafter, and more specifically, is higher than a half of the inner height of the washing tub 4. When the water level in the washing tub 4 is not at the tub rotation water level (no in step S52), the water level in the washing tub 4 is higher than the tub rotation water level, and therefore, the microcomputer 21 opens the drain valve 16 to drain the washing tub 4 (step S53).

When the water level in washing tub 4 reaches the tub rotation water level (yes in step S52), microcomputer 21 turns on motor 6 to rotate (step S54). Thereby, the washing tub 4 storing water to the tub rotation water level is rotated at a high speed of, for example, 200 rpm. Then, a vortex is generated in the outer tub 3, and the water surface S is bent in a U shape such that the center portion on the axis J side becomes lower and the outer peripheral portion becomes higher (see the two-dot chain line in fig. 1). Thereby, the water inside the outer tub 3 rises between the circumferential wall 3A of the outer tub 3 and the circumferential wall 4A of the washing tub 4. The rising water passes through the ribs 3G arranged on the lower surface of the annular wall 3C of the outer tub 3, spirally turns, and falls down to be sprayed into the washing tub 4 from the inlet/outlet 4D of the washing tub 4 (see the dashed-two dotted line in fig. 1 and 5). The guide surface 3E of the annular wall 3C of the outer tub 3 guides the water passing between the ribs 3G downward toward the inlet/outlet 4D (see fig. 1).

Even when the amount of the laundry Q is large enough to expose the water surface in the state after the water supply process, the laundry Q on the doorway 4D side can be reliably cleaned by the water spray from the upper side Z1 generated by the rotation of the washing tub 4. In addition, if the washing is performed by sprinkling water, the damage of the washing Q can be reduced. Note that, the tub rotation process may be executed only when the amount of the laundry Q is large-volume washing equal to or larger than a predetermined amount.

Since the tub rotation process is started in a state where the bias of the laundry Q is eliminated in advance by the spreading process of step S4, the rotation speed of the washing tub 4 smoothly rises to the rotation speed at which the watering is started in the tub rotation process. Thus, the barrel rotation process can be smoothly performed. Further, since abnormal vibration of washing tub 4 is not likely to occur during tub rotation processing by spreading processing performed in advance, processing for canceling the bias of laundry Q in washing tub 4 by stopping rotation of washing tub 4 due to abnormal vibration may not be performed as much as possible. Thereby, the washing time can be shortened.

In the tub rotation process, the microcomputer 21 detects a so-called eccentric load, which is a magnitude of the deviation of the laundry Q in the washing tub 4, in a state where the water is continuously stored in the washing tub 4 (step S55). Specifically, when the bias of the laundry Q is large, the fluctuation of the rotation speed of the motor 6 is large. Therefore, the microcomputer 21 reads the fluctuation of the rotation speed of the motor 6 by the rotation speed reading device 27, thereby detecting the bias of the laundry Q in the washing tub 4. In this case, the time can be shortened as compared with the case where the magnitude of the deviation of the laundry Q is detected after the washing tub 4 is drained once. The magnitude of the bias of the laundry Q may be detected by other known methods. When the deviation of the laundry Q is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, smooth rotation of the washing tub 4 may be affected.

If the bias of the predetermined magnitude or more is not detected (no in step S55), when the predetermined barrel rotation time has elapsed since the motor 6 started rotating in step S54 (yes in step S56), the microcomputer 21 stops the motor 6 to end the barrel rotation process (step S57).

When a bias of a predetermined magnitude or more is detected in the bucket rotation processing (yes in step S55), the microcomputer 21 checks whether or not the bias detected this time is the bias detected first in this bucket rotation processing (step S58). The number of biases detected in this barrel rotation process is temporarily stored in the memory 23.

When the bias detected this time is the first time (yes in step S58), microcomputer 21 stops motor 6 to suspend rotation of washing tub 4 (step S59). Then, the microcomputer 21 reversely rotates the pulsator 5, for example, under the same conditions as the spreading process of step S4, on the basis of switching the clutch 7 so that the driving force of the motor 6 is transmitted to the pulsator 5, thereby spreading out the laundry Q in the washing tub 4 (step S60). At this time, since the washing Q is immersed in the water and is easily spread out, the washing Q is not required to be supplied with water to spread out the washing Q. Note that, in order to spread the laundry Q, the microcomputer 21 may rotate the washing tub 4 without rotating the pulsator 5, or may rotate both the washing tub 4 and the pulsator 5. In addition, the washing tub 4 and the pulsator 5 may be rotated in the same direction, or in opposite directions as described above.

After spreading the laundry Q for a predetermined time, the microcomputer 21 starts the rotation of the washing tub 4 again after switching the clutch 7 so that the driving force of the motor 6 is transmitted to the washing tub 4 (step S54). That is, when the bias is detected for the first time in the tub rotation process, the bias is removed by spreading, and then the rotation of the washing tub 4 is started again. Thus, even if the tub rotation process is suspended, the bias of the laundry Q is eliminated, and then the tub rotation process is not resumed, the tub rotation process can be continued, and therefore, the washing time can be further shortened. On the other hand, if the bias detected in the barrel rotation process this time is the second time or more (no in step S58), the microcomputer 21 stops the motor 6 to stop the barrel rotation process (step S57).

When the tub rotation process is ended or suspended as described above, the washing process is ended. Then, referring to fig. 3, as the dehydration process after the washing process, that is, the intermediate dehydration process, the microcomputer 21 rotates the washing tub 4 at a high speed in a state where the drain valve 16 is opened (step S6). The laundry in the washing tub 4 is dehydrated by the centrifugal force generated by the high-speed rotation. The water seeped out of the laundry by the dehydration is discharged to the outside of the machine through the drainage path 15. At the final stage of the intermediate dehydration process, the microcomputer 21 switches the clutch 7 to stop the motor 6 so that the driving force of the motor 6 is not transmitted to the washing tub 4, and thus, the washing tub 4 is rotated inertially. At the end of the intermediate dehydration process, the microcomputer 21 closes the drain valve 16.

Next, as the first rinsing process, the microcomputer 21 performs spray rinsing (step S7). Specifically, the microcomputer 21 intermittently opens the water supply valve 14 in a state where the drain valve 16 is closed, thereby spraying water supply into the washing tub 4. In this state, the microcomputer 21 rotates the washing tub 4 at a low speed of, for example, 30rpm so that the shower spreads over all corners of the laundry Q. Thereby, the laundry Q in the washing tub 4 is rinsed in all directions. After that, the microcomputer 21 performs the same intermediate dehydration process as the step S6 (step S8). It should be noted that each intermediate dehydration process may be regarded as a part of the treatment in the immediately following rinsing process.

Next, the microcomputer 21 performs a second rinsing process. The contents of the second rinsing process are the same as the washing process except that there is no detergent. Specifically, after the microcomputer 21 supplies water in the same manner as in step S2 (step S9), the laundry Q is agitated and rinsed in the same manner as in step S3 (step S10), and the laundry Q is spread in the same manner as in step S4 (step S11), and then the tub rotation process is performed in the same manner as in step S5 (step S12).

Finally, the microcomputer 21 performs the same final dehydration process as the intermediate dehydration process (step S13). Wherein the rotation condition of the washing tub 4 may be different from the intermediate dehydration process and the final dehydration process, and particularly, the maximum rotation speed of the washing tub 4 in the final dehydration process is higher than the maximum rotation speed of the washing tub 4 in the intermediate dehydration process. The washing operation is ended as the final dehydration process is ended.

As for the tub rotation process, in addition to the first embodiment described above, a second embodiment can be exemplified. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the bucket rotation process of the second embodiment. In fig. 6, the same process steps as those in fig. 4 are assigned the same step numbers as those in fig. 4, and detailed descriptions of the process steps are omitted.

In the second embodiment, when a bias of a magnitude greater than or equal to the prescribed magnitude is detected in the tub rotation process (yes in step S55), microcomputer 21 promptly stops motor 6 to stop the rotation of washing tub 4 (step S61). In this case, the microcomputer 21 rotates the pulsator 5 while switching the clutch 7 so that the driving force of the motor 6 is transmitted to the pulsator 5, thereby agitating the laundry Q in the washing tub 4 (step S62). In this way, the washing method is changed from the rotation of the washing tub 4 to the agitation by the pulsator 5, and the washing Q is continuously cleaned, so that the washing Q can be cleaned to the same extent as when the rotation of the washing tub 4 is continued in the tub rotation process.

Then, when the laundry Q is agitated for a predetermined time, the microcomputer 21 changes the driving condition of the motor 6, and spreads the laundry Q in the washing tub 4 by the pulsator 5 under the same condition as the spreading process of step S4, for example (step S63). When the laundry Q is spread for a predetermined time, the microcomputer 21 stops the motor 6 to end the tub rotation process (step S57). By spreading out the step S63, it is possible to prevent the abnormal vibration of the washing tub 4 from occurring at the time of high-speed rotation in the dehydration process or the like thereafter.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.

For example, although the agitation treatment, the spreading treatment, and the tub rotation treatment are performed in both the washing process and the second rinsing process in the above-described embodiment, they may be performed only in one of the washing process and the second rinsing process, or may be performed in the first rinsing process. In the tub rotating process in the washing process (step S5) and the tub rotating process in the second rinsing process (step S12), the contents may be the same as or different from those described above. In the case where the contents are different, the contents of the tub rotating process (step S5) in the washing process may be one of the first and second embodiments, and the contents of the tub rotating process (step S12) in the second rinsing process may be the other of the first and second embodiments.

In the bucket rotation process of the first embodiment, when the bias of the predetermined magnitude or more is detected twice or more (no in step S58), the microcomputer 21 immediately stops the bucket rotation process (step S57). Alternatively, after the microcomputer 21 stops the motor 6 (step S61), switches the clutch 7, and rotates the pulsator 5 in the reverse direction to agitate or spread the laundry Q in the washing tub 4 (step S62) (step S63), the tub rotation process may be stopped (step S57). That is, a part of the second embodiment may be combined with the first embodiment.

The axis J of the washing tub 4 in the vertical washing machine 1 is arranged to extend vertically along the vertical direction Z in the above-described embodiment (see fig. 1), but the vertical washing machine 1 may also have a structure in which the axis J is arranged slightly inclined with respect to the vertical direction Z.

Claims

A vertical washing machine, characterized by comprising:

an outer tub capable of storing water;

a driving unit generating a driving force;

a washing tub disposed in the outer tub, receiving laundry, having a through hole for passing water between the washing tub and the outer tub, the washing tub having an inlet and an outlet for the laundry formed at an upper end thereof and a bottom wall formed at a lower end thereof, the washing tub being rotated by a driving force of the driving unit;

a rotary wing disposed on the bottom wall in the washing tub and rotated by receiving a driving force of the driving unit;

a water supply unit supplying water into the washing tub; and

a control unit controlling the driving unit and the water supply unit,

the control unit performs the following processes in at least any one of a washing course and a rinsing course after the washing course:

a stirring process of stirring the laundry in the washing tub by rotating the rotary wing by the driving unit in a state in which the water is stored in the washing tub by the water supply unit;

a spreading process of spreading out the laundry in the washing tub by rotating the rotary wing by the driving unit in a state where water is stored in the washing tub after the agitating process; and

and a tub rotating process of rotating the washing tub, in which water is stored, by the driving unit after the spreading process, thereby raising water in the outer tub between the outer tub and the washing tub and spraying the water to the laundry in the washing tub from the inlet and the outlet.
The vertical washing machine as claimed in claim 1,

the washing machine further comprises a detection unit for detecting the biased size of the washings in the washing barrel stored with water in the barrel rotation processing.
The vertical washing machine as claimed in claim 2,

when the detection unit detects a bias of a predetermined magnitude or more during the tub rotation process, the control unit rotates at least one of the washing tub and the rotary wing by the drive unit, thereby spreading the laundry in the washing tub.
The vertical washing machine as claimed in claim 2,

when the detection unit detects a bias of a predetermined magnitude or more during the tub rotation process, the control unit suspends the rotation of the washing tub and rotates the rotary wing, thereby agitating the laundry in the washing tub.