CN113748238B

CN113748238B - Washing machine

Info

Publication number: CN113748238B
Application number: CN202080030242.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 间宫春夫; 萩生田康一
Original assignee: Qingdao Haier Washing Machine Co Ltd; Haier Smart Home Co Ltd; Aqua Co Ltd
Current assignee: Qingdao Haier Washing Machine Co Ltd; Haier Smart Home Co Ltd; Aqua Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-04-25
Filing date: 2020-04-22
Publication date: 2023-09-22
Anticipated expiration: 2040-04-22
Also published as: CN113748238A; JP7350252B2; JP2020178913A; WO2020216252A1

Abstract

A washing machine capable of keeping the effect of a multifunctional detergent in the laundry. The microcomputer of the washing machine performs a washing operation in a standard mode or a special mode. In order to rinse the laundry in the normal mode of the washing operation, the microcomputer performs at least a water storage rinsing process of rinsing the laundry in a state of storing water to the tub to a prescribed water level. In order to rinse the laundry in the washing operation of the special mode, the microcomputer performs a spray rinsing process for rotating the tub while supplying water to the tub, not performing the water storage rinsing process, a plurality of times. The accumulated water supply amount, which is an amount of water supplied to the tub for rinsing the laundry in the washing operation of the special mode, is smaller than the accumulated water supply amount, which is an amount of water supplied to the tub for rinsing the laundry in the washing operation of the standard mode.

Description

Washing machine

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a washing machine.

Background

The washing operation of the washing machine described in patent document 1 has a standard mode and a water saving mode. In the standard mode, a washing process, a dehydrating rinsing process, a water storage rinsing process, and a final dehydrating process are sequentially performed. The spin-rinsing process includes a water supply process of supplying water to the washing and spin-drying tub to the extent that the laundry is saturated with water and a spin-drying process following the water supply process. During the dehydration, the motor rotates the washing and dehydrating tub at a high speed. In the water storage rinsing process, the washings are rinsed in a state of storing water to a specified water level in a washing and dehydrating barrel. In the water saving mode, a washing process and a plurality of spin-drying rinsing processes are sequentially performed, and a spin-drying process in the last spin-drying rinsing process doubles as a final spin-drying process.

Recently, as a result of the multifunction, a detergent has not only an original cleaning function of decomposing dirt but also an aromatic function of imparting a fragrance to laundry, an antibacterial function of performing antibacterial action on laundry, and the like. In the washing operation of the washing machine of patent document 1, the rinsing performance is emphasized in both the standard mode and the water saving mode, and therefore, even if a multifunctional detergent is used, additional components such as an aromatic component and an antibacterial component in the multifunctional detergent are rinsed off. Therefore, the fragrance effect and the antibacterial effect obtained by the additional components in the washed laundry are hardly sustained.

Prior art literature

Patent literature

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication 2016-123538

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described background, and an object thereof is to provide a washing machine capable of maintaining the effect of a multifunctional detergent in laundry.

Solution for solving the problem

The present invention is a washing machine comprising: a washing tub accommodating laundry; a motor for rotating the washing tub; and an execution unit that performs a standard mode or a special mode washing operation by supplying water to the washing tub, draining the washing tub, or controlling rotation of the motor to rotate the washing tub, wherein the execution unit performs at least a water storage rinsing process of rinsing the washing tub in a state of storing water to a predetermined water level in the standard mode washing operation, and performs a spray rinsing process of rotating the washing tub while supplying water to the washing tub a plurality of times without performing the water storage rinsing process in the special mode washing operation, wherein an accumulated water supply amount, which is an amount of water supplied to the washing tub for rinsing the washing tub in the special mode washing operation, is smaller than an accumulated water supply amount, which is an amount of water supplied to the washing tub for rinsing the washing tub in the standard mode washing operation.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that, as for the individual water supply amount which is the amount of water supplied to the washing tub in each of the plurality of spray rinsing processes in the washing operation of the special mode, the individual water supply amount of the spray rinsing process of the second and subsequent times is smaller than the individual water supply amount of the spray rinsing process of the first time.

Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that the execution unit executes a dehydration process immediately before each of the plurality of spray rinsing processes in the washing operation of the special mode, and in that a maximum rotation speed of the motor in the dehydration process is lower in a dehydration process immediately before a second and subsequent spray rinsing processes than in a dehydration process immediately before a first spray rinsing process.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the execution means executes a dehydration process immediately before each of the plurality of shower rinsing processes in the washing operation in the special mode, the execution means executes the dehydration process at a timing before the water storage rinsing process in the washing operation in the standard mode, and the integration time in the special mode is equal to or less than the integration time in the standard mode as a value obtained by integrating a time from when the rotation speed of the motor exceeds a predetermined value until a maximum rotation speed is reached in the entire washing operation.

Effects of the invention

According to the present invention, the washing machine has a standard mode and a special mode in a washing operation. In the case of rinsing the laundry in the standard mode, a water storage rinsing process of rinsing the laundry in a state where water is stored into the tub to a prescribed water level is performed. In the case of using the multifunctional detergent, the additional components of the multifunctional detergent are diluted by the water stored in the tub during the water storage rinsing process, and thus the effect of the additional components in the laundry is difficult to be maintained.

On the other hand, in the case of rinsing the laundry in the special mode, the water storage rinsing process is not performed but the spray rinsing process of rotating the tub while supplying water to the tub is performed a plurality of times. In the spray rinsing process, water is not stored into the washing tub as compared with the water storage rinsing process, so that additional components of the multifunctional detergent are not easily diluted. Further, since the cumulative water supply amount in the special mode is smaller than the cumulative water supply amount in the standard mode with respect to the cumulative water supply amount in the rinsing of the laundry, the additional components of the multi-functional detergent are less likely to be diluted in the special mode than in the standard mode. Therefore, in the case of using the multifunctional detergent, the effect of the additional components of the multifunctional detergent in the laundry can be maintained by performing the washing operation in the special mode.

Further, according to the present invention, for the individual water supply amount of each spray rinsing process in the washing operation of the special mode, the individual water supply amount of the spray rinsing process after the second time is small as compared with the individual water supply amount of the spray rinsing process of the first time. Thus, the components to be removed by the rinsing process, i.e., the cleaning components, in the multi-functional detergent can be removed in the first spray rinsing process, and excessive dilution of the additional components of the multi-functional detergent can be suppressed in the second and subsequent spray rinsing processes. Thus, the additional components of the multifunctional detergent in the laundry are easily left, and the effect obtained by the additional components of the multifunctional detergent can be maintained.

Further, according to the present invention, for the maximum rotation speed of the motor for rotating the tub in the immediately preceding dehydration process of each spray rinsing process in the washing operation of the special mode, the maximum rotation speed of the motor in the immediately preceding dehydration process of the second and subsequent spray rinsing processes is lower than the maximum rotation speed of the motor in the immediately preceding dehydration process of the first spray rinsing process. Thus, the additional components of the multifunctional detergent in the laundry are easily remained, and thus the effect due to the additional components of the multifunctional detergent can be maintained, as compared with the case where the maximum rotation speed is not lowered in the second and subsequent shower rinsing processes.

Further, according to the present invention, the integrated time obtained by integrating the predetermined time during the dehydration in the whole washing operation is equal to or less than the integrated time in the standard mode. In this way, in the special mode, the additional components of the multifunctional detergent in the laundry are easily left, and therefore, the effect obtained by the additional components of the multifunctional detergent can be sustained.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional right side view of a washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

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

Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing a control operation in the washing operation in the standard mode.

Fig. 4 is a time chart showing a part of the washing operation in the standard mode.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing a control operation in the washing operation in the special mode.

Fig. 6 is a time chart showing a part of the washing operation in the special mode.

Fig. 7 is a time chart showing a part of the washing operation in the special mode of the first modification.

Fig. 8 is a time chart showing a part of the washing operation in the special mode of the second modification.

Description of the reference numerals

1: a washing machine; 4: a washing tub; 6: a motor; 30: a microcomputer; q: and (5) washing.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional right side view of a washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The vertical direction in fig. 1 is referred to as the vertical direction Z of the washing machine 1, and the horizontal direction in fig. 1 is referred to as the front-rear direction Y of the washing machine 1, and first, the outline of the washing machine 1 will be described. Of the vertical directions Z, the upper side is referred to as an upper side Z1, and the lower side is referred to as a lower side Z2. Of the front-rear directions Y, the left side in fig. 1 is referred to as front side Y1, and the right side in fig. 1 is referred to as rear side Y2.

The washing machine 1 includes a washing and drying integrated machine having a drying function, but the washing machine 1 will be described below by taking a washing machine that performs only a washing operation while omitting the drying function. The washing machine 1 includes: the washing machine comprises a box body 2, an outer barrel 3 accommodated in the box body 2, a washing barrel 4 accommodated in the outer barrel 3, a rotary wing 5 accommodated in the washing barrel 4, an electric motor 6 generating a driving force for rotating the washing barrel 4 or the rotary wing 5, and a transmission mechanism 7 for switching a transmission target of the driving force generated by the motor 6.

The case 2 is made of metal, for example, and is formed in a box shape. The upper surface 2A of the case 2 is formed inclined with respect to the horizontal direction H so as to extend toward the upper side Z1 toward the rear side Y2, for example. An opening 8 for communicating the inside and outside of the case 2 is formed in the upper surface 2A. A door 9 for opening and closing the opening 8 is provided on the upper surface 2A. An operation portion 10A constituted by a switch or the like and a display portion 10B constituted by a liquid crystal panel or the like are provided in the upper surface 2A at a region on the front side Y1 of the opening 8. The user can freely select the washing condition or instruct the operation start, the operation stop, and the like to the washing machine 1 by operating the operation unit 10A. Information related to the washing operation is visually displayed on the display unit 10B. The operation unit 10A and the display unit 10B may be integrated by a touch panel or the like.

The outer tub 3 is made of resin, for example, and is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape. The outer tub 3 has: a substantially cylindrical circumferential wall 3A disposed along an inclined direction K inclined to the front side Y1 with respect to the up-down direction Z; a bottom wall 3B closing the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 3A from the lower side Z2; and an annular wall 3C that is formed by wrapping an end edge of the upper side Z1 of the circumferential wall 3A and protrudes toward the center side of the circumferential wall 3A. The inclination direction K is inclined not only with respect to the up-down direction Z but also with respect to the horizontal direction H. The hollow portion of the circumferential wall 3A is exposed from the inside of the annular wall 3C to the upper side Z1. The bottom wall 3B is formed in a circular plate shape extending obliquely to the horizontal direction H, orthogonal to the oblique direction K, and a through hole 3D penetrating the bottom wall 3B is formed at the center position of the bottom wall 3B.

For example, a box-shaped detergent container 12 is disposed on the upper side Z1 of the outer tub 3 in the casing 2. A water supply port 12A is formed in a lower portion of the detergent container 12, and the water supply port 12A communicates with an inside of the detergent container 12 and faces into the tub 3 from the upper side Z1. A detergent accommodating chamber 12B accommodating a detergent and a softener accommodating chamber 12C accommodating a softener are partitioned inside the detergent accommodating portion 12. A water supply path 13 connected to a faucet (not shown) is connected to the detergent accommodating chamber 12B from the rear side Y2. The water from the faucet flows through the water supply channel 13 and passes through the detergent accommodating chamber 12B, flows down from the water supply port 12A in a shower-like manner as indicated by a dotted arrow, and is supplied into the outer tub 3. Thereby, the detergent in the detergent accommodating chamber 12B is supplied into the outer tub 3 with the water. In the case where no detergent is present in the detergent accommodating chamber 12B, only water is supplied into the outer tub 3. A water supply valve 14 that opens and closes to start or stop water supply is provided in the middle of the water supply path 13.

A branching line 15 branching from a portion of the water supply line 13 on the upstream side of the water supply valve 14 from the faucet is connected to the softener accommodating chamber 12C. A softener supply valve 16 that opens and closes to start or stop water supply is provided in the middle of the branch passage 15. When the softener supply valve 16 is opened with the water supply valve 14 closed, water from the faucet flows from the water supply channel 13 into the branch channel 15 to pass through the softener accommodating chamber 12C, and flows down from the water supply port 12A in a shower-like manner to be supplied into the outer tub 3. Thereby, the softener in the softener accommodating chamber 12C is supplied into the outer tub 3 with the water. The water in the softener accommodating chamber 12C may reach the water supply port 12A directly without passing through the detergent accommodating chamber 12B, or may reach the water supply port 12A through the detergent accommodating chamber 12B.

A drain passage 18 is connected to the outer tub 3 from the lower side Z2, and water in the outer tub 3 is discharged from the drain passage 18 to the outside. A drain valve 19 that opens and closes to start or stop the drainage is provided in the middle of the drainage path 18. When the water supply valve 14 is opened in a state where the drain valve 19 is closed, water is stored into the outer tub 3.

The washing tub 4 is made of metal, for example, and has a central axis 20 extending in the inclined direction K, and is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape smaller than the outer tub 3 by one turn, and can accommodate the laundry Q therein. The washing tub 4 has a substantially cylindrical circumferential wall 4A disposed along the inclined direction K, and a bottom wall 4B closing the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 4A from the lower side Z2.

The inner peripheral surface of the circumferential wall 4A is the inner peripheral surface of the washing tub 4. An upper end portion of the inner peripheral surface of the circumferential wall 4A is an inlet 21 exposing the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 4A to the upper side Z1. The inlet/outlet 21 is located opposite to the inner region of the annular wall 3C of the outer tub 3 from the lower side Z2, and communicates with the opening 8 of the casing 2 from the lower side Z2. A user of the washing machine 1 takes out or puts the laundry Q into the washing tub 4 through the open opening 8 and the inlet/outlet 21.

The washing tub 4 is coaxially accommodated in the outer tub 3, and is disposed obliquely to the vertical direction Z and the horizontal direction H. The washing tub 4 in a state of being accommodated in the outer tub 3 is rotatable about the central axis 20. A plurality of through holes, not shown, are formed in the peripheral wall 4A and the bottom wall 4B of the washing tub 4, and water in the outer tub 3 can flow between the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 4 through the through holes. Therefore, the water level in the outer tub 3 coincides with the water level in the washing tub 4. The water flowing out from the water supply port 12A of the detergent container 12 passes through the inlet/outlet 21 of the washing tub 4 and is directly supplied into the washing tub 4 from the upper side Z1.

The bottom wall 4B of the washing tub 4 is formed in a circular plate shape extending substantially parallel to the bottom wall 3B of the outer tub 3 at an upper side Z1, and a through hole 4C penetrating the bottom wall 4B is formed in the bottom wall 4B at a center position aligned with the central axis 20. The bottom wall 4B is provided with a tubular support shaft 22 surrounding the through hole 4C and extending downward Z2 along the central axis 20. The support shaft 22 is inserted through the through hole 3D of the bottom wall 3B of the outer tub 3, and the lower end portion of the support shaft 22 is positioned below the bottom wall 3B by Z2.

The rotary vane 5 is a so-called pulsator, and is formed in a disk shape centering on the central axis 20, and is disposed concentrically with the washing tub 4 along the bottom wall 4B in the washing tub 4. The rotary vane 5 has a plurality of radially arranged blades 5A on an upper surface facing the inlet/outlet 21 of the washing tub 4 from the lower side Z2. The rotary wing 5 is provided with a rotary shaft 23 extending from the center thereof along the central axis 20 to the lower side Z2. The rotation shaft 23 is inserted into the hollow portion of the support shaft 22, and the lower end portion of the rotation shaft 23 is positioned below the bottom wall 3B of the outer tub 3 by Z2.

In the present embodiment, the motor 6 is implemented by a variable frequency motor. The motor 6 is disposed on the lower side Z2 of the outer tub 3 in the case 2. The motor 6 has an output shaft 24 that rotates around the central axis 20. The transmission mechanism 7 is interposed between the lower end portions of the support shaft 22 and the rotation shaft 23, respectively, and the upper end portion of the output shaft 24. The transmission mechanism 7 selectively transmits the driving force output from the output shaft 24 by the motor 6 to one or both of the support shaft 22 and the rotation shaft 23. As the transmission mechanism 7, a known transmission mechanism can be used.

When the driving force from the motor 6 is transmitted to the supporting shaft 22, the washing tub 4 rotates around the central axis 20. When the driving force from the motor 6 is transmitted to the rotation shaft 23, the rotation wing 5 rotates about the central axis 20. The rotation direction of the tub 4 and the rotation wing 5 coincides with the circumferential direction X of the tub 4. Since the rotation direction of the output shaft 24 of the motor 6 is changeable, the washing tub 4 and the rotary wing 5 can each be rotated not only in one direction in the circumferential direction X but also in the other direction opposite to the one direction.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical structure of the washing machine 1. Referring to fig. 2, the washing machine 1 includes a microcomputer 30 as an execution unit. The microcomputer 30 is configured by, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit: central processing unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory: random access Memory), and the like, and is disposed in the case 2 (see fig. 1).

The washing machine 1 further includes a water level sensor 31, a rotation sensor 32, and a buzzer 33. The water level sensor 31, the rotation sensor 32, and the buzzer 33, and the operation unit 10A and the display unit 10B described above are electrically connected to the microcomputer 30, respectively. The motor 6, the transmission mechanism 7, the water supply valve 14, the softener supply valve 16, and the drain valve 19 are electrically connected to the microcomputer 30 via a drive circuit 34, respectively.

The water level sensor 31 is a sensor for detecting the water levels of the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 4, and the detection result of the water level sensor 31 is input to the microcomputer 30 in real time.

The rotation sensor 32 is a device for reading the rotation speed of the motor 6, and more precisely, a device for reading the rotation speed of the output shaft 24 of the motor 6, and is constituted by a plurality of hall ICs (not shown), for example. The rotation speed read by the rotation sensor 32 is input to the microcomputer 30 in real time. The microcomputer 30 controls the duty ratio of the voltage applied to the motor 6 based on the inputted rotation speed, and controls the rotation of the motor 6 to rotate the motor 6 at a desired rotation speed. In the present embodiment, the rotation speed of the motor 6 is the same as that of the washing tub 4. Further, the microcomputer 30 switches the rotation direction of the output shaft 24 of the motor 6.

As described above, when the user operates the operation unit 10A to select the washing condition or the like of the laundry Q, the microcomputer 30 accepts the selection. The microcomputer 30 displays necessary information on the display unit 10B so as to be visible to the user. The microcomputer 30 causes the buzzer 33 to generate a predetermined sound, thereby notifying the user of the start, end, and the like of the washing operation.

The microcomputer 30 controls the transmission mechanism 7 to switch the transmission target of the driving force of the motor 6 to one or both of the support shaft 22 and the rotation shaft 23. The microcomputer 30 controls the opening and closing of the water supply valve 14, the softener supply valve 16, and the drain valve 19. Therefore, the microcomputer 30 can supply water to the washing tub 4 by opening the water supply valve 14, can supply the softener to the washing tub 4 by opening the softener supply valve 16, and can perform drainage of the washing tub 4 by opening the drain valve 19.

In the washing machine 1, the microcomputer 30 supplies water to the washing tub 4, or performs drainage of the washing tub 4, or controls rotation of the motor 6 to rotate the washing tub 4, thereby performing a washing operation. The washing operation has a standard mode and a special mode, and by the operation of the operation unit 10A by the user, either the standard mode or the special mode can be selected. The special mode is a mode suitable for using a multifunctional detergent having a fragrance function, an antibacterial function, and the like in addition to a washing function. The multifunctional detergent may be in a powder or liquid form and placed in the detergent accommodating chamber 12B of the detergent accommodating portion 12 at the start of the washing operation, or may be in a form of a ball, for example, in which a pasty cleaning component, an aromatic component, and an antibacterial component are enclosed and directly put into the washing tub 4 instead of the detergent accommodating chamber 12B.

The washing operation of each mode includes: a cleaning process for cleaning the washings Q in the washing barrel 4; a rinsing process of rinsing the laundry Q after the cleaning process; and a dehydration process for dehydrating the washing Q. The dehydrating course is divided into a final dehydrating course performed at the end of the washing operation and one or more intermediate dehydrating courses performed before the final dehydrating course. In the washing operation, only tap water may be used, or bath water may be used as needed. In addition, whether or not softener is put into the washing operation can be selected in advance by the operation of the operation unit 10A by the user.

The washing operation in the standard mode will be described with reference to the flowchart of fig. 3 and the timing chart of fig. 4. In the time chart of fig. 4, the horizontal axis represents the elapsed time, and the vertical axis represents the rotation speed (unit: rpm) of the motor 6, the on/off state of the water supply valve 14, and the on/off state of the drain valve 19 in this order from top to bottom. The description of the horizontal axis and the vertical axis is similarly applied to each of the later-described time charts of fig. 6 and the following.

As the washing operation starts, the microcomputer 30 detects the amount of the laundry Q in the washing tub 4 as a load amount (step S1). Specifically, the microcomputer 30 detects the load amount from the fluctuation of the rotation speed of the motor 6 when the rotating wing 5 on which the laundry Q is mounted is rotated. The microcomputer 30 displays the duration of the washing operation, the required amount of the detergent, and the like corresponding to the detected load amount on the display portion 10B.

Next, the microcomputer 30 performs a cleaning process (step S2). During the washing, the microcomputer 30 opens the water supply valve 14 in a state that the drain valve 19 is closed, and supplies water to the washing tub 4. When water is stored in the washing tub 4 to a predetermined water level corresponding to the load, the microcomputer 30 closes the water supply valve 14, stops the water supply, and drives the motor 6 for a predetermined time to rotate the washing tub 4 and the rotation wing 5. The laundry Q in the tub 4 is agitated by the rotating tub 4 and the blades 5A of the rotating wing 5, and dirt is decomposed by the detergent put into the tub 4, thereby being washed. After that, the microcomputer 30 stops driving of the motor 6, and opens the drain valve 19. Thereby, the water stored in the washing tub 4 is discharged to the outside from the water discharge passage 18 of the outer tub 3. At a stage after the end of the washing process, the laundry Q is saturated with the detergent water as the water in which the detergent is dissolved.

The microcomputer 30 performs a first dehydration process immediately after the washing process (step S3). The first dehydration process is referred to as a first dehydration process. In the first dehydration process, the microcomputer 30 drives the motor 6 for a predetermined time while maintaining the drain valve 19 open, and integrally rotates the washing tub 4 and the rotation wing 5.

Describing the dehydration process in detail, the microcomputer 30 accelerates the rotation speed of the motor 6 from 0rpm to a first rotation speed of 120rpm, and then stably rotates the motor 6 at a low speed of 120 rpm. The first rotation speed is higher than the rotation speed (e.g., 50rpm to 60 rpm) at which the tub 4 generates transverse resonance and lower than the rotation speed (e.g., 200rpm to 220 rpm) at which the tub 4 generates longitudinal resonance. After the steady rotation at 120rpm, the microcomputer 30 accelerates the rotation speed of the motor 6 from 120rpm to a second rotation speed of 240rpm, and then steady rotates the motor 6 at a low speed of 240 rpm. The second rotational speed is slightly higher than the rotational speed at which longitudinal resonance occurs. Then, the microcomputer 30 maintains the maximum rotation speed after accelerating the rotation speed of the motor 6 from 240rpm to 800rpm, which is the maximum rotation speed, thereby stably rotating the motor 6 at a high speed.

Since the motor 6 is accelerated in sections during the dewatering process in this way, the drain state of the drain passage 18 is prevented from being deteriorated or foam is prevented from entering the drain passage 18 due to the large amount of water leaking out of the laundry Q at one time. The microcomputer 30 applies a brake to the rotation of the motor 6 at the end of the dehydration process to stop the rotation of the motor 6. As the braking, the microcomputer 30 may control the duty ratio to bring the rotation of the motor 6 to an emergency stop, or a braking device (not shown) may be separately provided and the microcomputer 30 may operate the braking device to bring the rotation of the motor 6 to an emergency stop.

The microcomputer 30 performs a shower rinsing process immediately after the first dehydrating process (step S4). In the shower rinsing process, the microcomputer 30 alternately and repeatedly turns on the motor 6 to drive it and turns off the motor 6 to stop, thereby intermittently rotating the tub 4 in one direction at an extremely low speed. In detail, the rotation speed of the motor 6 is varied so as to alternately repeat the rising from 0rpm to 30rpm and the falling from 30rpm to 0rpm.

Here, 30rpm is an example, and it is important that the rotation speed of the motor 6 during the shower rinsing is lower than the lowest rotation speed at which the tub 4 resonates. The minimum rotation speed varies depending on the size of the washing tub 4, but in the present embodiment, the rotation speed at which the washing tub 4 generates transverse resonance is 50rpm to 60rpm. Thus, the washing tub 4 in the shower rinsing process rotates at a lower speed than the dehydrating process. During the shower rinsing, the tub 4 rotates while the rotary wing 5 is in a stationary state.

Further, during the shower rinsing, the microcomputer 30 alternately repeatedly turns on the water supply valve 14 and turns off, thereby intermittently supplying water to the tub 4. The on/off timing of the water supply valve 14 coincides with the on/off timing of the motor 6. Therefore, the water supply valve 14 is also turned on during the period when the motor 6 is turned on, and the water supply valve 14 is also turned off during the period when the motor 6 is turned off. In the shower rinsing process, the intermittent rotation of the tub 4 and the intermittent water supply are performed at the same timing, and thus, water is sprayed from the water supply path 13 to the laundry Q in the tub 4 during the very low speed rotation of the tub 4. At this time, water from the water supply path 13 is supplied from the water supply port 12A of the detergent container 12 to the laundry Q in the spray-like manner described above. Such supply of water in a spray form is also referred to as "spray water supply". During the shower rinsing, a small amount of water is supplied to the tub 4 to the extent that the laundry Q is saturated with water, and the drain valve 19 is continuously opened after the first dehydrating process to be in an opened state, so that water is hardly stored into the tub 4. The first dehydration course and the immediately subsequent spray rinsing course constitute a first rinsing course in a standard mode. The first rinsing process is referred to as a first rinsing process. In the shower rinsing, instead of intermittently rotating the washing tub 4 by alternately repeating the on/off of the motor 6, the motor 6 may be continuously rotated at a low speed of 30rpm while being kept on, whereby the washing tub 4 may be continuously rotated at a low speed and water may be intermittently supplied during the continuous rotation of the washing tub 4.

The microcomputer 30 performs substantially the same dehydration process as the step S3 as a second dehydration process immediately after the first rinsing process (step S5). Through the second dehydrating process, the laundry Q in the washing tub 4 is centrifugally dehydrated. Thus, the detergent water having permeated the laundry Q can be removed by being thrown away together with the water supplied during the immediately preceding first shower rinsing process. The first dehydration process of step S3 is the same as the second dehydration process of step S5 in that the motor 6 is stepwise accelerated from 0rpm to 120rpm, 240rpm, 800 rpm. However, in the first dehydration process and the second dehydration process, the time T from the time when the rotation speed of the motor 6 exceeds a predetermined value of 240rpm until the maximum rotation speed of 800rpm is reached and then the decrease starts in the first dehydration process. Specifically, the corresponding time T1 in the first dehydration process is longer than the corresponding time T2 in the second dehydration process (refer to fig. 4). For example, time T1 is 120 seconds, and time T2 is 60 seconds.

Next, the microcomputer 30 performs a water supply process (step S6). Specifically, the microcomputer 30 opens the water supply valve 14 in a state where the drain valve 19 is closed, and supplies water to the washing tub 4. For example, when water is stored in the washing tub 4 to a predetermined water level where the laundry Q is located on the lower water surface side Z2, the microcomputer 30 closes the water supply valve 14 to stop the water supply, thereby ending the water supply process.

The microcomputer 30 performs an impounded water rinsing process immediately after the water supply process (step S7). Specifically, the microcomputer 30 drives the motor 6 for a predetermined time to rotate the rotation wing 5 in a state where water is stored in the washing tub 4 to a predetermined water level by a water supply process immediately before. In such a water storage rinsing process, the laundry Q in the tub 4 is agitated by the blades 5A of the rotating wing 5 in a state of being immersed in water, thereby being rinsed. The rotation wing 5 in the water storage rinsing process may be rotated in the same direction as one of the above-described directions or the other, but in the present embodiment, the rotation wing 5 is rotated reversely by intermittent driving of the motor 6 so that the rotation wing is alternately rotated in the forward direction and the reverse direction at intervals of 1 second to 2 seconds. The washing tub 4 is stationary during the water storage rinsing process. The second dehydrating process of step S5, the water supply process of step S6, and the water storage rinsing process of step S7 constitute a second rinsing process in the standard mode. The second rinsing process is referred to as a second rinsing process.

In the case where the softener to be put in is selected in advance, the microcomputer 30 opens the softener supply valve 16 immediately before the rinsing process of the water storage, and puts the softener into the washing tub 4. In this case, during the water storage rinsing process, the softener impregnates the laundry Q, which is given flexibility and fragrance.

The microcomputer 30 stops the driving of the motor 6 at the end of the water storage rinsing process, thereby ending the second rinsing process. At the stage after the water storage rinsing process is finished, the laundry Q is in a state of being completely rinsed, and detergent components are substantially absent in the laundry Q.

Next, the microcomputer 30 performs a final dehydration process (step S8). Specifically, the microcomputer 30 first opens the drain valve 19. Thereby, the water stored in the washing tub 4 is discharged to the outside from the water discharge path 18 of the outer tub 3. Then, the microcomputer 30 keeps the drain valve 19 open, and drives the motor 6 for a predetermined time to integrally rotate the washing tub 4 and the rotation wing 5. The final dehydration process was substantially the same as the first and second dehydration processes, but the time for which the motor 6 was stably rotated at a maximum rotation speed of 800rpm was longer in the final dehydration process than in the first and second dehydration processes. In this way, during the final dehydration, centrifugal force acts on the laundry Q in the washing tub 4 for a long time, and therefore the laundry Q is dehydrated formally. The water exuded from the laundry Q by the dehydration is discharged to the outside of the machine through the water discharge path 18 of the outer tub 3. As the final dehydrating process is finished, the washing operation of the standard mode is finished.

As described above, in order to rinse the laundry Q in the standard mode of washing operation, the microcomputer 30 performs at least the water storage rinsing process. Further, the microcomputer 30 performs a dehydration process at a timing before the water storage rinsing process in the washing operation of the standard mode (steps S3, S5).

The individual water supply amounts, which are amounts of water supplied from the microcomputer 30 to the tub 4 during the respective rinsing processes, are shown below the horizontal axis in the time chart of fig. 4 in each case where the load amount of the laundry Q is large and small. As an example, the amount of water supply alone (unit: L) in the case where the load amount of the laundry Q is a predetermined value or more, that is, in the case of a high water level, is 7L in the first shower rinsing process of the first rinsing process and 48L in the water supply process of the second rinsing process. In this case, the cumulative water supply amount, which is the amount of water supplied to the washing tub 4 during the entire one washing operation for rinsing the laundry Q by the microcomputer 30, is 55L (=7+48). In addition, the individual water supply amount in the case where the load amount of the laundry Q is smaller than the predetermined value, that is, in the case of the low water level, is 5L in the first shower rinsing process of the first rinsing process, and is 30L in the water supply process of the second rinsing process, and the accumulated water supply amount in this case is 35L (=5+30).

Next, the washing operation in the special mode will be described with reference to the flowchart of fig. 5 and the time chart of fig. 6. The microcomputer 30 detects the load amount of the laundry Q as in step S1 with the start of the washing operation in the special mode (step S11), and then performs the same washing process as in step S2 (step S12).

Next, the microcomputer 30 performs the same first dehydration process as step S3 (step S13) and performs the same shower rinsing process as step S4 (step S14). The spray rinsing process of step S14, i.e., the first spray rinsing process in the special mode, is referred to as a first spray rinsing process. The first dehydration process of step S13 and the first spray rinsing process of the immediately subsequent step S14 constitute a first rinsing process in the special mode.

After the first rinsing process, the microcomputer 30 then performs the same dehydration process as step S13 (step S15) and performs the same spray rinsing process as step S14 (step S16). The dehydration process of step S15 is referred to as a second dehydration process, and the spray rinsing process of step S16, i.e., the second spray rinsing process in the special mode, is referred to as a second spray rinsing process. The second dehydration process of step S15 and the second spray rinsing process of the immediately subsequent step S16 constitute a second rinsing process in the special mode. The first dehydration process of step S13 is the same as the second dehydration process of step S15 in that the motor 6 is stepwise accelerated from 0rpm to 120rpm, 240rpm, 800 rpm. In the first dehydration process and the second dehydration process, the time T from when the rotation speed of the motor 6 exceeds a predetermined value of 240rpm until the maximum rotation speed of 800rpm is reached and then the decrease starts in each dehydration process is the same. Specifically, the time T3 corresponding to the first dehydration process and the time T4 corresponding to the second dehydration process are each, for example, 60 seconds (see fig. 6).

After the second rinsing process, the microcomputer 30 then performs the same dehydration process as step S15 (step S17) and performs the same spray rinsing process as step S14 (step S18). The dehydration process of step S17 is referred to as a third dehydration process, and the spray rinsing process of step S18, i.e., the third spray rinsing process in the special mode, is referred to as a third spray rinsing process. The third dehydration process of step S17 and the third spray rinsing process of the immediately subsequent step S18 constitute a third rinsing process in the special mode. The third dehydrating process of step S17 is identical to that of the second dehydrating process of step S15. Accordingly, regarding the above-described time T, the length of the corresponding time T4 in the second dehydration process and the corresponding time T5 in the third dehydration process is the same, for example, 60 seconds (refer to fig. 6). The softener may also be introduced in the special mode, in which case the microcomputer 30 opens the softener supply valve 16 to introduce the softener into the tub 4, for example, immediately before the second spray rinsing process.

After the third rinsing process, the microcomputer 30 then performs the same final dehydrating process as step S8 (step S19). As the final dehydrating process is finished, the washing operation of the special mode is finished.

As described above, in order to rinse the laundry Q in the washing operation of the special mode, the microcomputer 30 performs the spray rinsing process (steps S14, S16, S18) a plurality of times without performing the water storage rinsing process of the standard mode (step S7).

The individual water supply amounts in the respective rinsing processes are shown below the horizontal axis in the time chart of fig. 6, as in the time chart of fig. 4. The individual water supply amount in the case of the above-mentioned high water level is, for example, 12L in the first spray rinsing process of the first rinsing process, 12L in the second spray rinsing process of the second rinsing process, and 12L in the third spray rinsing process of the third rinsing process. That is, the separate water supply amounts in each spray rinsing process are the same. The amount of the separate water supply in the case of the low water level described above is the same in each shower rinsing process, for example, 8L. The cumulative water supply amount at the high water level is 36L (=12+12+12), and the cumulative water supply amount at the low water level is 24L (=8+8+8).

When the accumulated water supply amounts of the high water levels in the standard mode and the special mode are compared, 36L as the accumulated water supply amount in the special mode is smaller than 55L (see fig. 4) as the accumulated water supply amount in the standard mode. Similarly, when the accumulated water supply amounts of the low water levels in the standard mode and the special mode are compared, 24L, which is the accumulated water supply amount in the special mode, is smaller than 35L, which is the accumulated water supply amount in the standard mode (see fig. 4). The cumulative water supply amount in the special mode is set to about 60% to 70% of the cumulative water supply amount in the standard mode.

In the case of using the multi-functional detergent, in the water storage rinsing process in the standard mode, the additional components such as the fragrance component and the antibacterial component other than the washing component in the multi-functional detergent are diluted by the water stored in the washing tub 4, so that the fragrance effect and the antibacterial effect obtained by the additional components of the multi-functional detergent in the laundry Q are difficult to be maintained. On the other hand, each spray rinsing process performed a plurality of times in the special mode does not store water as compared with the stored water rinsing process, and thus the additional components of the multi-functional detergent are not easily diluted. Further, as described above, the cumulative water supply amount in the special mode is smaller than that in the standard mode, and therefore, the additional components are less likely to be diluted in the special mode than in the standard mode. Therefore, in the case of using the multifunctional detergent, by performing the washing operation in the special mode, the additional component can be effectively permeated into the laundry Q and remain for a long time, and the fragrance effect and the antibacterial effect due to the additional component in the laundry Q can be maintained. Thus, the special mode is a mode suitable for the washing operation of the multifunctional detergent.

When the value obtained by integrating the time T during the entire course of one washing operation is referred to as an integrated time, the integrated time in the standard mode can be obtained by adding the time T1 and the time T2 (see fig. 4), and the integrated time in the special mode can be obtained by adding the time T3, the time T4, and the time T5 (see fig. 6). As described above, when the time T1 is 120 seconds and the time T2 is 60 seconds, the cumulative time in the standard mode is 180 seconds. As described above, when the times T3, T4, and T5 are 60 seconds, the cumulative time in the special mode is 180 seconds. The integrated time in the special mode is thus the same as the integrated time in the standard mode. Alternatively, the integrated time in the special mode may be set to be shorter than the integrated time in the standard mode. When the cumulative time in the special mode is equal to or less than the cumulative time in the standard mode, the additional components of the multifunctional detergent are more likely to remain in the laundry Q than in the standard mode in the special mode, and therefore the fragrance effect and the antibacterial effect due to the additional components can be maintained.

As described above, the following first and second modifications are given as the assumption that the cumulative water supply amount in the special mode is smaller than that in the standard mode. Fig. 7 is a timing chart of the washing operation in the special mode of the first modification. Fig. 8 is a timing chart of the washing operation in the special mode of the second modification. The differences between the main embodiment and the first and second modifications in the special mode described in the time chart of fig. 6 will be described below.

In the main embodiment, the separate water supply amounts during the respective spray rinsing processes are the same (refer to fig. 6). In contrast, in the first modification shown in fig. 7, the individual water supply amounts in the second spray rinsing process and the third spray rinsing process are smaller than those in the first spray rinsing process. Specifically, the amount of water supplied alone in the case of a high water level was 16L in the first spray rinsing process, 12L in the second spray rinsing process, and 8L in the third spray rinsing process, successively decreasing. In addition, the amount of the separate water supply in the case of the low water level was 10L in the first spray rinsing process, 8L in the second spray rinsing process, and 6L in the third spray rinsing process, which were sequentially reduced.

That is, in the first modification, the individual water supply amount in the second and subsequent spray rinsing processes is set to be smaller than the individual water supply amount in the first spray rinsing process. Even in the first modification, the cumulative water supply amount in the special mode can be made smaller than that in the standard mode. In the first modification, the cleaning component, which is the component to be removed by the rinsing process, in the multi-functional detergent can be removed in the first spray rinsing process, and excessive dilution of the additional components in the multi-functional detergent can be suppressed in the second and subsequent spray rinsing processes. Accordingly, the additional components of the multifunctional detergent in the laundry Q are easily left, and thus the fragrance effect and the antibacterial effect due to the additional components can be maintained. Although the amount of water supplied alone in the third spray rinsing process is smaller than that in the second spray rinsing process in the time chart of fig. 7, the amounts of water supplied alone may be the same.

The microcomputer 30 performs a dehydration process immediately before each of the multiple spray rinsing processes in the washing operation of the special mode. In the main embodiment and the first modification, the maximum rotation speed of the motor 6 during each dehydration is also 800rpm. In contrast, in the second modification example shown in fig. 8, the maximum rotation speed of the motor 6 in the first dehydration process is 800rpm, but the maximum rotation speed of the motor 6 in the second dehydration process is 600rpm lower than that in the first dehydration process, and the maximum rotation speed of the motor 6 in the third dehydration process is 400rpm lower than that in the second dehydration process.

That is, in the second modification, the maximum rotation speed of the motor 6 in the second and subsequent shower rinsing processes, that is, the second and third dehydration processes, is lower than the first dehydration process immediately preceding the first shower rinsing process in the maximum rotation speed of the motor 6 in the dehydration process. As a result, the additional components of the multifunctional detergent in the laundry Q are easily left as compared with the case where the maximum rotational speed is not lowered in the second and subsequent shower rinsing processes, and therefore the fragrance effect and the antibacterial effect due to the additional components can be maintained. Although the maximum rotation speed of the motor 6 in the third dehydration process is lower than the maximum rotation speed of the motor 6 in the second dehydration process in the time chart of fig. 8, the maximum rotation speeds thereof may be the same.

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

For example, the above-described main embodiment, first modification, and second modification may be appropriately combined with the special mode.

In the above-described embodiment, the spray rinsing process is performed three times in the special mode, but the number of times of performing the spray rinsing process in the special mode may be two or more, and may be arbitrarily changed. On the other hand, the shower rinsing process may be omitted in the washing operation of the standard mode (step S4).

In addition, in each of the standard mode and the special mode, the microcomputer 30 may shorten the low-speed dehydration time in each intermediate dehydration process after the second dehydration process to be shorter than the low-speed dehydration time in the first dehydration process. In each of the above-described time charts, the low-speed dehydration time, which is the rotation period of the motor 6 from 0rpm to 240rpm in each of the intermediate dehydration processes after the second dehydration process, is shortened to be shorter than the low-speed dehydration time of the first dehydration process.

In general, in case that the dehydration is normally started in the first dehydration process, the laundry Q is uniformly dispersed in the tub 4 in the spray rinsing process immediately after the first dehydration process, and thus, the bias of the laundry Q in the tub 4 is less in the low-speed dehydration time of the intermediate dehydration process than in the low-speed dehydration time of the first dehydration process. Therefore, in the intermediate dehydration process after the second dehydration process, even if the low-speed dehydration time at the time of starting the dehydration is shortened to be shorter than that of the first dehydration process, the rotation speed of the motor 6 is smoothly increased, so that the laundry Q can be effectively dehydrated, and the time of the whole washing operation process can be shortened.

In the washing machine 1, the central axes 20 of the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 4 are arranged to extend in the inclined direction K, but may be arranged vertically so as to extend in the vertical direction Z.

Claims

1. A washing machine, comprising:

a washing tub accommodating laundry;

a motor for rotating the washing tub; and

an execution unit for supplying water to the washing tub, or draining the washing tub, or controlling the rotation of the motor to rotate the washing tub to execute a washing operation in a standard mode or a special mode,

in order to rinse the laundry in the standard mode of washing operation, the execution unit performs at least a water storage rinsing process of rinsing the laundry in a state of storing water to the tub to a prescribed water level,

in order to rinse the laundry in the special mode of washing operation, the performing unit performs a spray rinsing process of rotating the tub while supplying water to the tub a plurality of times without performing the water storage rinsing process,

the accumulated water supply amount, which is an amount of water supplied to the tub for rinsing the laundry in the washing operation of the special mode, is smaller than the accumulated water supply amount, which is an amount of water supplied to the tub for rinsing the laundry in the washing operation of the standard mode;

As for the individual water supply amount as the amount of water supplied to the tub in each of the plurality of spray rinsing processes in the washing operation of the special mode, the individual water supply amount of the spray rinsing process after the second time is small as compared with the individual water supply amount of the spray rinsing process of the first time;

the execution unit performs a dehydration process immediately before each of the spray rinsing processes in the washing operation of the special mode,

for the maximum rotation speed of the motor in the dehydration process, the maximum rotation speed of the motor in the dehydration process immediately before the second and subsequent spray rinsing processes is lower than the maximum rotation speed of the motor in the dehydration process immediately before the first spray rinsing process.

2. A washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein,

the execution unit performs the dehydration process at a timing before the water storage rinsing process in the washing operation of the standard mode,

the integrated time in the special mode is equal to or less than the integrated time in the standard mode, as an integrated time that is a value obtained by integrating a time from when the rotational speed of the motor exceeds a predetermined value until when the rotational speed reaches a maximum rotational speed during the entire washing operation.