CN114369930A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a washing machine, which is provided with: a water tank; a rotating tank; automatically putting detergent into the device; at least one or both of an automatic auxiliary agent loading device having an auxiliary agent box capable of storing an amount of wash auxiliary agent used for performing a plurality of washing operations, and an auxiliary agent manual loading device having an auxiliary agent box into which an amount of wash auxiliary agent used for 1 washing operation is loaded by a user, the auxiliary agent manual loading device being capable of loading the wash auxiliary agent loaded into the auxiliary agent box into a water tank during a washing operation; and a control device capable of executing, at different times: the detergent putting-in treatment of putting the detergent into the water tank by the automatic detergent putting-in device, and the auxiliary putting-in treatment of putting the washing auxiliary into the water tank by the automatic auxiliary putting-in device or the manual auxiliary putting-in device.

Description

Washing machine

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a washing machine.

Background

Conventionally, there is a method of washing with a washing aid such as a bleaching agent to efficiently wash off yellow stains or black stains from a washed object. In this case, the wash aid is supplied into the water tank together with the detergent by water supplied from a water supply path connected to an external water supply source. Therefore, the timing of putting the detergent auxiliary into the water tank depends on the timing of putting the detergent into the water tank. However, depending on the degree of dirt on the laundry, even if the detergent and the wash aid are put into the water tank at the same time, a sufficient cleaning effect may not be obtained.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2014-212809

Disclosure of Invention

Accordingly, the present invention provides a washing machine capable of improving a synergistic effect between a detergent and a wash aid to improve washing performance.

The washing machine of the present invention comprises: a water tank; a rotating tub rotatably provided in the water tub; an automatic detergent loading device having a detergent box capable of storing detergent in an amount used for a plurality of washing operations, the automatic detergent loading device being capable of automatically loading a predetermined amount of detergent in the detergent box into the water tank during a washing operation; at least one or both of an automatic auxiliary feeding device having an auxiliary agent box capable of storing an amount of wash auxiliary used for performing a plurality of washing operations and automatically feeding a predetermined amount of wash auxiliary in the auxiliary agent box into the water tank during a washing operation, and a manual auxiliary feeding device having an auxiliary agent box into which an amount of wash auxiliary used for 1 washing operation is fed by a user and capable of feeding the wash auxiliary fed into the auxiliary agent box into the water tank during a washing operation; and a control device capable of performing a detergent putting-in process and an auxiliary agent putting-in process at different times, wherein the detergent putting-in process is a process of putting the detergent in the water tank by the detergent automatic putting-in device, and the auxiliary agent putting-in process is a process of putting the wash auxiliary in the water tank by the auxiliary agent automatic putting-in device or the auxiliary agent manual putting-in device.

According to the above configuration, the synergistic effect between the detergent and the wash aid can be improved, and the cleaning performance can be improved.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a washing machine according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a water filling box in the washing machine according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view showing a part of each of a display portion and an operation portion of an operation panel in the washing machine according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an electrical configuration of a control device in the washing machine according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a mode of putting a combination of the kind of detergent and the kind of wash aid in the washing machine according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of the entire washing operation in the washing machine according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the control contents during the washing stroke in the washing machine according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing the control contents in the pre-washing process in the washing machine according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing the control contents in the main washing process in the washing machine according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 10 is a flowchart (1) showing the control contents during the washing stroke in another example of embodiment 1.

Fig. 11 is a flowchart (2) showing the control contents during the washing stroke in another example of embodiment 1.

Fig. 12 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the washing machine according to embodiment 2.

Fig. 13 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a washing machine according to another example of embodiment 1.

Fig. 14 is a view showing a schematic configuration of a washing machine in another example of embodiment 2.

Fig. 15 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the water filling box in another example of embodiment 1 and embodiment 2.

Description of the reference numerals

In the drawing, a 10 … washing machine, a12 … water tub, a13 … spin tub, a15 … drain path, a16 … drain valve, a 21 … detergent automatic input device, a 211 … detergent box, a 23 … adjuvant automatic input device, a 231 … adjuvant box, a 30 … adjuvant manual input device, a 32 … adjuvant box, a 42 … 1 st water supply path, a 43 … 2 nd water supply path, a 45 … switching valve, a 46 … 1 st water supply valve, a 47 … nd 2 nd water supply valve, a 60 … control device, a 70 … operation panel, a 72, 721, 722, 723, 724, 725, 726, 727, 728 … operation part, a 82 … detergent box (detergent box, adjuvant box), and an 83 … post-treatment agent box (post-treatment agent box, adjuvant box).

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, a plurality of embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In each embodiment, substantially the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. In the following embodiments, the terms "1 st" and "2 nd" given to constituent elements and the like are used only for distinguishing similar constituent elements, and do not mean that the constituent elements are superior or inferior or temporal.

In the present specification, the term "associating agent" means: the product used in the washing operation, that is, the product related to washing, is a concept including a washing treatment agent and a washing aid. The washing treatment agent is: examples of the concept include a detergent for cleaning purposes such as a powder detergent and a liquid detergent, and a post-treatment agent for post-treatment of laundry such as a softener and a perfume. The washing aid is: products aimed at assisting or enhancing the performance of detergents or after-treatment agents include, for example, bleaching agents or antibacterial agents, auxiliary agents called so-called accelerators, additives, fluorescent agents, enzymes, anti-redeposition agents, baking soda, and the like.

(embodiment 1)

Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to fig. 1 to 9. The washing machine 10 shown in fig. 1 is: the rotation shaft of the rotary tub 13 is directed to a horizontal-shaft type drum washing machine or an inclined-shaft type drum washing machine which is inclined downward toward the rear. In addition, the washing machine 10 may be: the rotation shaft of the spin basket 13 is directed to a vertical axis type washing machine. The washing machine 10 includes: outer casing 11, water tank 12, rotary tub 13, motor 14, drain path 15, drain valve 16, filter 17, circulation path 18, and circulation pump 19. In fig. 1, a vertical lower side, which is an installation surface side of washing machine 10, is defined as a lower side of washing machine 10, and a vertical upper side, which is an opposite side of the installation surface, is defined as an upper side of washing machine 10. In this case, the water tank 12 and the rotary tank 13 function as a washing tank for storing laundry.

In the washing machine 10 shown in fig. 1, the water tank 12 is disposed in the outer casing 11 and is elastically supported by a suspension device, not shown. The rotary tub 13 is rotatably disposed in the water tub 12 and is driven to rotate by a motor 14.

The drain path 15 is a path for draining the water remaining in the water tank 12 to the outside of the washing machine 10. The drain path 15 is formed of, for example, a flexible drain hose, one end of which is connected to the drain valve 16, and the other end of which is drawn out to the outside of the washing machine 10. The drain valve 16 is an opening/closing valve for liquid that can be opened and closed electromagnetically. The drain valve 16 is provided between a drain port 121 provided in the bottom of the water tank 12 and the drain passage 15. The drain valve 16 opens and closes the drain path 15 based on a control signal from the control device 60.

The filter device 17 is disposed between the drain port 121 and the drain valve 16. The filter device 17 has a mesh-like filter 171 therein, and fiber waste or garbage contained in water passing through the filter device 17 can be collected by the filter 171.

Circulation path 18 is a path for drawing up the water stored in water tank 12 and for resupplying the drawn-up water from the upper portion of water tank 12 to water tank 12. Circulation path 18 is provided outside water tub 12. One end of the circulation path 18 is connected to the drain port 121 of the water tank 12 via the filter device 17, and the other end is connected to a nozzle portion 181 provided at an upper portion of the water tank 12. The nozzle portion 181, although not shown in detail, is configured to: the water discharged from the nozzle 181 is discharged in a shower spray toward the center of the water tub 12.

A circulation pump 19 is provided on the circulation path 18. When the circulation pump 19 is driven with the drain path 15 closed by the drain valve 16, the circulation pump 19 draws up the water in the water tank 12 through the drain port 121, and the water is again injected into the water tank 12 from the nozzle portion 181. Accordingly, the circulation pump 19 can circulate the water stored in the water tank 12 through the circulation path 18.

The washing machine 10 is provided with an automatic related agent loading device 20 and a manual auxiliary agent loading device 30. The automatic associating agent loading device 20 and the manual auxiliary agent loading device 30 are both provided on the upper portion of the outer case 11. The automatic associating agent putting device 20 has the following functions: the detergent or the wash aid, which is a relevant agent required for a plurality of washing operations, is stored in advance, and a necessary amount of the detergent or the wash aid is automatically put into the water tank 12 as the washing operation proceeds. In addition, the auxiliary agent manual-insertion device 30 has the following functions: the washing aid required for 1 washing operation manually put by the user before the start of the washing operation is previously stored, and the stored washing aid is put into the water tank 12 as the washing operation is performed. The user may choose to use the adjuvant manually placed into the device 30 as desired. In the present embodiment, the washing operation means: a series of steps including a washing step, a dehydrating step, and a rinsing step.

The automatic associating agent loading device 20 includes: an automatic detergent dispenser 21, an automatic post-treatment agent dispenser 22, an automatic auxiliary agent dispenser 23, and a mixing box 24. The automatic detergent dispenser 21 has the following functions: the detergent required for the washing operation is stored in advance, and a necessary amount of detergent is automatically put into the water tank 12 as the washing operation is performed. The automatic detergent dispenser 21 has a detergent box 211 and a detergent pump 212. The detergent box 211 is made of, for example, resin, and is configured in a container shape capable of storing detergent. The detergent pump 212 is constituted by, for example, a piston pump, and has a function of sucking the detergent stored in the detergent box 211 and supplying the same to the mixing box 24.

The automatic post-treatment agent loading device 22 has the following functions: the post-treatment agent required for the washing operation is stored in advance, and a necessary amount of the post-treatment agent is automatically put into the water tank 12 as the washing operation is performed. The automatic post-treatment agent loading device 22 has a post-treatment agent box 221 and a post-treatment agent pump 222. The post-treatment agent cartridge 221 is made of, for example, resin, and is configured in a container shape capable of storing a post-treatment agent. The post-treatment agent pump 222 is constituted by, for example, a piston pump, and has a function of sucking the post-treatment agent remaining in the post-treatment agent cartridge 221 and supplying the post-treatment agent to the mixing cartridge 24.

In addition, the automatic auxiliary agent introducing device 23 has the following functions: the washing aid required for the washing operation is stored in advance, and a necessary amount of washing aid is automatically put into the water tank 12 as the washing operation is performed. The auxiliary agent automatic insertion device 23 includes an auxiliary agent box 231 and an auxiliary agent pump 232. The auxiliary agent box 231 is made of, for example, resin, and is configured in a container shape capable of storing a washing auxiliary agent. The auxiliary agent pump 232 is constituted by, for example, a piston pump, and has a function of sucking the wash auxiliary agent remaining in the auxiliary agent case 231 and supplying the same to the mixing box 24.

The capacities of the cartridges 211, 221, and 231 may be the same or different. That is, for example, when the replenishment timing of each cartridge 211, 221, 231 is set to be the same, the amount of wash aid used in 1 washing operation is relatively small compared to the detergent or the post-treatment agent, and therefore, the capacity of the aid cartridge 231 may be set to be: smaller than the capacity of the detergent box 211 or the post-treatment agent box 221. Accordingly, even when the auxiliary agent automatic introduction device 23 is provided, the increase in the installation space of the automatic auxiliary agent introduction device 20 in the washing machine 10 can be suppressed as much as possible.

The pump system of each of the pumps 212, 222, and 232 is not limited to the configuration of a piston pump, and may be configured by another pump system such as a solenoid pump or a gear pump. In the case of the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 1, the respective manual loading devices 21, 22, and 23 are arranged in the left-right direction when viewed from the front, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the manual loading devices may be configured such that: in an overlapping position when viewed from the front, i.e., arranged in the front-to-back direction.

The mixing box 24 is constituted by: for example, a container shape in which a certain amount of a washing treatment agent or washing aid can be stored. The discharge side of each pump 212, 222, 232 is connected to the mixing box 24, and the washing treatment agent and the washing aid sucked from each box 211, 221, 231 by each pump 212, 222, 232 are put into the mixing box 24.

The manual auxiliary agent introducing device 30 has a water injection cartridge 31 and an auxiliary agent cartridge 32. The cartridge 31 constitutes a housing of the auxiliary agent manual insertion device 30, and is made of, for example, resin, and is formed in a box shape having a space inside. The water filling box 31 communicates with the inside of the water tank 12 through a water filling port 301.

The auxiliary agent box 32 is provided: the cartridge 31 can be inserted and removed by pushing and pulling. The user pulls the assistant agent case 32 out of the water injection case 31 and puts the wash aid into the assistant agent case 32, and then pushes the assistant agent case 32 into the water injection case 31. Water supplied from an external water supply source flows into the water injection cartridge 31 and is mixed with the wash aid remaining in the aid cartridge 32.

When the wash aid put into the aid box 32 is assumed to be liquid, the aid box 32 includes a siphon mechanism 321. The mixed water obtained by mixing the water supplied into the auxiliary agent box 32 with the wash aid flows out of the auxiliary agent box 32 through the siphon mechanism 321. That is, the water level of the mixed water in the auxiliary agent box 32 rises by the water supply, and when the mixed water rises above the siphon mechanism 321, the mixed water starts to flow from the water passage 322, and thereafter, the mixed water is maintained to flow out toward the lower side of the auxiliary agent box 32 by the principle of the siphon. When the wash aid put into the aid box 32 is assumed to be powder, the aid box 32 may not have the siphon mechanism 321.

The water filling port 301 is provided at the lower portion of the water filling cartridge 31, communicates the water filling cartridge 31 with the outside, and is open toward the water tank 12. The water filling port 301 has: the function of injecting water into the water tank 12 after the water flows into the auxiliary agent case 32 inside the water injection case 31 and is mixed with the wash aid.

Further, the washing machine 10 includes: a connection port 41, a1 st water supply path 42, a 2 nd water supply path 43, a main water supply valve 44, and a switching valve 45. The connection port 41 is connected to an external water supply source such as a water tap of a water pipe via a hose 100. The downstream side of the connection port 41 is branched into a plurality of paths, 2 paths in this case, and connected to the water tank 12.

Both of the 1 st water supply path 42 and the 2 nd water supply path 43 are water supply paths that connect an external water supply source to the water tank 12 and can supply water from the external water supply source to the water tank 12. The 1 st water supply path 42 and the 2 nd water supply path 43 are paths common from the connection port 41 as a starting point to the switching valve 45, start branching at the switching valve 45, respectively go to different paths, join together again at the water injection box 31, and connect from the water injection port 301 to the water tank 12 as an end point. That is, the 1 st water supply path 42 and the 2 nd water supply path 43 are configured to: at least the sections from the switching valve 45 to the cartridge 31, that is, the auxiliary agent manual insertion device 30 are independent from each other. In this case, the 1 st water supply path 42 is configured as a path through which the auxiliary agent box 32 does not pass. Therefore, there is no occurrence of: the wash aid put into the aid box 32 is washed away by the water flowing through the 1 st water supply path 42. The 1 st water supply path 42 and the 2 nd water supply path 43 are indirectly connected to the water tank 12 via the water filling box 31. The 1 st water supply path 42 may be directly connected to the water tank 12 without passing through the water filling box 31.

The 1 st water supply path 42 is a path leading to the water tank 12 through the mixing box 24 and the water filling box 31. In this case, the 1 st water supply path 42 is connected to the automatic loading device 20 for the relevant agent on the way of the path. That is, the washing treatment agent or the washing aid put into the mixing box 24 by the automatic relevance agent putting device 20 is mixed with the water flowing through the 1 st water supply path 42 in the mixing box 24, passes through the water filling box 31 as indicated by an arrow a in fig. 2, and is supplied into the water tank 12 from the water filling port 301. Accordingly, the water flowing through the 1 st water supply path 42 can be directly mixed with the washing treatment agent and the wash aid in the 1 st water supply path 42, and then the mixed water can be supplied into the water tank 12.

On the other hand, the 2 nd water supply path 43 is a path leading to the water tank 12 through the auxiliary agent box 32 of the water filling box 31. That is, when the wash aid is retained in the aid box 32, the wash aid is mixed with the water flowing through the 2 nd water supply path 43 in the aid box 32, and is supplied from the water injection port 301 into the water tank 12 as indicated by an arrow B in fig. 2.

The main water supply valve 44 is an opening/closing valve for liquid that can be opened and closed electromagnetically. As shown in fig. 1, main water supply valve 44 is provided between connection port 41 and switching valve 45, and has a function of opening and closing water supply path 1 42 and water supply path 2 43.

The switching valve 45 is provided upstream of the 1 st water supply path 42 and the 2 nd water supply path 43, and in this case, is provided at a branching portion between the 1 st water supply path 42 and the 2 nd water supply path 43, and controls water supplied to the 1 st water supply path 42 and the 2 nd water supply path 43. The switching valve 45 is constituted by, for example, a three-way valve, an inlet side of the switching valve 45 is connected to the main water supply valve 44 side, and an outlet side of the switching valve 45 is branched into the 1 st water supply path 42 and the 2 nd water supply path 43. The switching valve 45 is driven under the control of the control device 60 and can be switched to the 1 st water supply path 42 or the 2 nd water supply path 43 alternatively. That is, in a state where the 1 st water supply path 42 is opened by the switching valve 45, water does not flow out from the 2 nd water supply path 43, and in a state where the 2 nd water supply path 43 is opened by the switching valve 45, water does not flow out from the 1 st water supply path 42.

Further, the washing machine 10 includes: water level sensor 51, flow meter 52, current sensor 53, operation panel 70, and control device 60. The water level sensor 51 can detect the water level in the water tank 12. The flow meter 52 is provided between the main water supply valve 44 and the switching valve 45, for example, and measures the flow rate of water flowing through the water supply paths 42 and 43. The current sensor 53 is capable of monitoring the current flowing in the motor 14.

The operation panel 70 is provided at, for example, an upper end portion of the front side of the outer box 11. The operation panel 70 receives an input operation by a user, and displays the input operation content, the operation status, and the like. As shown in fig. 4, the operation panel 70 includes, for example, a display portion 71 and an operation portion 72. The display section 71 includes: and a function of presenting various information such as setting contents and operation information to a user. The operation unit 72 includes: a function of accepting an input operation relating to the operation of washing machine 10 performed by the user. The user can change various settings such as the operation contents by operating the operation unit 72. Further, the operation panel 70 may be configured to: the touch panel display includes a display unit 71 and an operation unit 72.

The washing machine 10 is constituted: as the detergent, for example, 3 kinds of detergents, i.e., a weak alkali detergent, a neutral detergent, and a weak acid detergent, can be used alternatively. In this case, as shown in fig. 3, the operation panel 70 displays, for example, a detergent type display portion 711 and a plurality of, in this case, 3 detergent selection operation portions 721, 722, 723 arranged in parallel with the detergent type display portion 711. The detergent type display unit 711 is one specific example of the display unit 71, and displays, for example, a content for a user to select a detergent type. The detergent selection operation portions 721, 722, and 723 are specific examples of the operation portion 72. In this case, for example, the detergent selection operation part 721 selects a weak alkali detergent as the detergent to be used. The detergent selection operation unit 722 is used to select a neutral detergent as a detergent to be used. Further, the detergent selection operation unit 723 is for selecting a weakly acidic detergent as the detergent to be used. The user can select 1 detergent to be used in the washing operation by operating 1 of the detergent selection operation units 721, 722, and 723.

Further, the washing machine 10 is configured to: as the washing aids, for example, 5 kinds of washing aids, i.e., an alkaline agent, an alkaline bleaching agent, an alkaline bactericide, an acidic bleaching agent, and a weakly acidic bactericide, can be alternatively used. In this case, as shown in fig. 3, the operation panel 70 displays, for example: the auxiliary agent type display unit 712, and a plurality of auxiliary agent selection operation units 724, 725, 726, 727, 728 arranged side by side with the auxiliary agent type display unit 712, in this case, 5 auxiliary agent selection operation units. The auxiliary type display unit 712 is one specific example of the display unit 71, and displays, for example, the content of the wash auxiliary that the user wants to select. The auxiliary agent selection operation units 724, 725, 726, 727, 728 are specific examples of the operation unit 72. In this case, the auxiliary agent selection operation unit 724 is used to select an alkaline agent such as sodium bicarbonate as the washing auxiliary agent to be used. The auxiliary agent selection operation portion 725 selects an alkaline bleaching agent as a wash auxiliary agent to be used. The auxiliary agent selection operation part 726 is used to select an alkaline bactericide as a wash auxiliary agent to be used. The auxiliary agent selection operation 727 is for selecting an acidic bleaching agent as a wash auxiliary agent to be used. The auxiliary agent selection operation unit 728 is used to select a weakly acidic disinfectant as a wash auxiliary agent to be used.

As shown in fig. 4, control device 60 is mainly configured by a microcomputer having, for example, a CPU601 or a storage area 602 such as a ROM, a RAM, and a rewritable flash memory, and controls the overall operation of washing machine 10. To the control device 60, there are electrically connected: a motor 14, a drain valve 16, a circulation pump 19, a main water supply valve 44, a switching valve 45, a water level sensor 51, a flow meter 52, a current sensor 53, and an operation panel 70. These motor 14, drain valve 16, circulation pump 19, main water supply valve 44, switching valve 45, water level sensor 51, flow meter 52, current sensor 53, and operation panel 70 are controlled by control device 60.

Further, the manual auxiliary agent introducing device 30 may be configured to introduce an auxiliary agent for washing, but may be configured to: a treating agent manual-insertion device which also serves to manually insert a detergent or a post-treating agent. The manual treating agent loading device is configured as a structure of a conventional washing machine, and comprises a detergent box for loading the detergent or a post-treating agent box for loading the post-treating agent.

For example, when the user performs an input operation on the operation panel 70, the control device 60 is set to input the washing treatment agent from the related agent automatic input device 20, and is set to input the auxiliary agent from the auxiliary agent manual input device 30, the auxiliary agent manual input device can cause the conventional detergent box or post-treatment agent box to function as the auxiliary agent box 32. Accordingly, in the case of using the automatic auxiliary feeding device 20 and the manual auxiliary feeding device 30 together, it is not necessary to separately provide the auxiliary agent case 32 for storing the wash auxiliary in the manual auxiliary feeding device 30, and the structure of the manual auxiliary feeding device 30 can be simplified. As a result, the space inside the washing machine 10 can be saved, and the cost of the washing machine 10 can be reduced.

The storage area 602 stores: an operation control program for executing washing operations such as a washing process, a rinsing process, and a spin-drying process. The control device 60 executes the operation control program in the CPU601, thereby virtually realizing the weight monitoring processing portion 61, the treating agent loading processing portion 62, the auxiliary agent loading processing portion 63, the pre-cleaning processing portion 64, the main cleaning processing portion 65, and the setting processing portion 66 by software. That is, the CPU601 executes the computer program stored in the storage area 602 and executes the processing corresponding to the computer program, thereby realizing the processing units 61 to 66 of the control device 60, that is, realizing the processing units 61 to 66 by software. The processing units 61 to 66 may be realized by hardware as an integrated circuit integrated with the control device 60, or may be realized by a combination of software and hardware.

The weight monitoring processing section 61 can execute the weight monitoring processing. The weight monitoring process includes a process of monitoring the weight of the laundry in the spin basket 13. The weight monitoring processing unit 61 is executed at an initial stage of the washing operation, specifically, before the washing stroke, and monitors the weight of the laundry in a dry state, that is, in a state not including water generated by the supply of water. The weight monitoring processing unit 61 monitors the weight of the laundry by measuring the q-axis current of the motor 14 by the current sensor 53 when, for example, the rotary tub 13 is rotated at a low speed. Further, the weight monitoring processing unit 61 may be configured to: the weight of the laundry in the rotary tub 13 is directly measured physically by a weight scale or the like.

The treatment agent loading processing unit 62 can execute treatment agent loading processing. The treatment agent putting treatment comprises: the detergent loading treatment in which the detergent is loaded into the water tank 12 by the automatic detergent loading device 21, and the post-treatment agent loading treatment in which the post-treatment agent is loaded into the water tank 12 by the automatic post-treatment agent loading device 22. In this case, the detergent containing process is performed by driving the detergent pump 212 to contain a predetermined amount of the detergent stored in the detergent box 211 into the mixing box 24, opening the main water supply valve 44, and controlling the switching valve 45 to supply water from the 1 st water supply path 42. In this way, in the detergent putting-in process, the mixed water obtained by mixing the water flowing through the 1 st water supply path 42 and the detergent in the mixing box 24 is supplied into the water tank 12.

The post-treatment agent loading process is performed by driving the post-treatment agent pump 222 to load a predetermined amount of the post-treatment agent stored in the post-treatment agent cartridge 221 into the mixing box 24, opening the main water supply valve 44, and controlling the selector valve 45 to supply water from the 1 st water supply path 42. In this way, in the post-treatment agent loading treatment, the mixed water obtained by mixing the water flowing through the 1 st water supply path 42 and the post-treatment agent in the mixing box 24 is supplied into the water tank 12.

The auxiliary agent introduction processing portion 63 can perform auxiliary agent introduction processing. The auxiliary agent putting treatment comprises the following steps: the washing aid is put into the water tank 12 by the aid automatic putting device 23 or the aid manual putting device 30. When the auxiliary agent automatic loading device 23 is used, the auxiliary agent loading process is performed by driving the auxiliary agent pump 232 to load a predetermined amount of the washing auxiliary agent stored in the auxiliary agent box 231 into the mixing box 24, opening the main water supply valve 44, and controlling the switching valve 45 to supply water from the 1 st water supply path 42.

In contrast, in the case of using the auxiliary agent manual introduction device 30, the auxiliary agent introduction process is performed by opening the main water supply valve 44 and controlling the switching valve 45 to supply water from the 2 nd water supply path 43 in a state where the wash auxiliary agent is left in the auxiliary agent box 32. In this way, in the auxiliary agent introducing process, the water flowing through the 1 st water supply path 42 and the wash auxiliary agent in the mixing box 24 or the mixed water obtained by mixing the water flowing through the 2 nd water supply path 43 and the wash auxiliary agent in the auxiliary agent box 32 are supplied into the water tank 12.

In the present embodiment, when the user performs the auxiliary agent putting process, the user can select: the wash aid is put in by the aid automatic putting-in device 23 or by the aid manual putting-in device 30. When the user selects the manual auxiliary agent introducing device 30 to introduce the wash auxiliary agent, a predetermined amount of wash auxiliary agent is previously introduced into the auxiliary agent box 32 before the washing operation is started.

The pre-cleaning processing section 64 can execute a pre-cleaning process. The pre-cleaning treatment comprises the following steps: the main water supply valve 44 is opened to supply water from the 1 st water supply path 42 or the 2 nd water supply path 43 into the water tank 12, and thereafter, either of the detergent containing process or the auxiliary agent containing process and the washing operation are performed. In addition, the pre-cleaning process includes: after the washing operation is performed, the drain valve 16 is opened to drain the washing water containing the dirt from the drain path 15, and then the laundry is dehydrated.

Here, the cleaning operation means: in the case of a drum-type washing machine, the rotation tub 13 is alternately rotated in the normal direction and the reverse direction at a predetermined rotation speed, for example, 50rpm, and repeated at predetermined intervals, for example, 20 seconds. On the other hand, in the case of the vertical axis type washing machine, the not-shown paddle is alternately rotated in the normal direction and the reverse direction at a predetermined rotation speed, for example, 50rpm, and is alternately repeated at predetermined time intervals, for example, 20 seconds.

The main cleaning processing section 65 can execute the main cleaning processing. In the main cleaning process, after the pre-cleaning process is performed, the main water supply valve 44 is opened to supply water from the 1 st water supply path 42 or the 2 nd water supply path 43 into the water tank 12, and after the other detergent containing process or the auxiliary agent containing process, which is not performed in the pre-cleaning process, is performed into the water tank 12, the cleaning operation is performed. In this case, although the contents of the rotation control of the rotary tub 13 in the cleaning operation in the pre-cleaning process and the cleaning operation in the main cleaning process are the same, the execution time of the cleaning operation is set to be longer than that in the pre-cleaning process.

The contents of the rotation control of the rotary tub 13 in the cleaning operation performed in the pre-cleaning process and the cleaning operation performed in the main cleaning process may be different. For example, in the cleaning operation performed in the pre-cleaning process, the normal rotation operation and the reverse rotation operation may be performed at a rotation speed at which the laundry does not adhere to the rotary tub 13, and the cleaning operation performed in the main cleaning process may be an operation in which the rotary tub 13 is rotated at a speed at which the laundry is knocked down from near the apex of the rotary tub 13.

The setting processing unit 66 can execute setting processing. The setting process includes: the process of setting the timing for executing the detergent putting-in process and the auxiliary agent putting-in process is set based on the content of the input operation panel 70. Here, in the case of the present embodiment, the detergent and the wash aid are used in the washing process, and the post-treatment agent is used in the rinsing process. Therefore, the post-treatment agent and the detergent or the wash aid are not mixed in the water tank 12 in principle, and therefore, the effects of the post-treatment agent and the detergent or the wash aid are small. On the other hand, since the detergent and the wash aid are used in the same washing step or in a step similar to the pre-washing step, the main washing step, or the like, the detergent and the wash aid may be mixed in the water tank 12 and brought into contact with each other at high concentrations. Therefore, the detergent and the wash aid have a large influence on each other, and if used in an appropriate manner, the detergent can improve the washing performance by a synergistic effect, but if used in an incorrect manner, the detergent may adversely affect the performance.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, as described above, the user can select, by input operation to the operation unit 72: the type of detergent used in the washing operation, and the type of wash aid. Further, the setting process further includes: the process of setting the timing for executing the detergent putting-in process and the auxiliary agent putting-in process is set in accordance with the combination of the kind of the detergent and the kind of the wash auxiliary agent selected by the operation portion 72. In the present embodiment, the following are set: the combination of the kind of the detergent and the kind of the wash aid establishes a corresponding relationship with the detergent putting-in process and the putting-in mode during the execution period of the aid putting-in process. The detergent and the detergent auxiliary agent may be placed at the time of: the user can arbitrarily set.

The putting mode is set with 2 putting modes, namely, the putting mode is used for firstly executing the detergent putting treatment and then executing the auxiliary agent putting treatment; and an input mode in which the auxiliary agent input process is executed first and then the detergent input process is executed. In this case, for example, the detergent input process or the auxiliary input process, which is executed first, is executed at the time of the pre-washing process, and the detergent input process or the auxiliary input process, which is executed later, is executed at the time of the main washing process. The first and second detergent input treatments are not limited to those executed at different processing times, and may be executed at the same processing time, which is a time when both treatments are repeated. In the following description, an input mode in which the detergent input process is performed first and then the auxiliary input process is performed is sometimes referred to as a1 st input mode, and an input mode in which the auxiliary input process is performed first and then the detergent input process is performed is sometimes referred to as a 2 nd input mode.

Next, an example of the determination method of the entry mode will be described with reference to fig. 5. First, in the setting process, it is determined that: whether a combination of the kind of detergent and the kind of wash aid selected by the user is appropriate. For example, when a weakly acidic detergent is used in combination with an alkaline disinfectant containing sodium hypochlorite as a main component, toxic gases are generated, and therefore, it is judged that such a combination is not appropriate. In the case where the combination of the selected kind of detergent and the kind of wash aid is not appropriate, as shown in "-" in fig. 5, there is no corresponding putting pattern. In this case, control device 60 causes display portion 71 of operation panel 70 to perform: for example, a display urging the user to pay attention such as "the combination cannot be selected". The urging of the user is not limited to the case of being displayed on the display unit 71, and may be notified by a sound such as a buzzer sound.

On the other hand, when the combination of the selected type of detergent and the type of wash aid is appropriate, the putting mode is determined in accordance with the combination. Thus, the execution timing suitable for the detergent putting-in process and the auxiliary agent putting-in process is automatically selected in accordance with the kind of detergent used and the kind of wash auxiliary agent. Accordingly, the synergistic effect between the detergent and the washing treatment agent can be effectively improved. Further, the detergent loading process and the auxiliary loading process can be efficiently executed by a simple method in which the user selects the type of detergent to be used and the type of wash auxiliary for the operation unit 72. That is, since it is not necessary for the user to set the execution timing of the detergent putting process and the auxiliary agent putting process in accordance with the detergent or the wash auxiliary agent to be used, it is possible to suppress the user from feeling troublesome, and as a result, it is possible to improve the convenience of the washing machine 10. The insertion mode shown in fig. 5 is merely an example, and is not limited thereto.

Control device 60 receives an operation of operation panel 70 by the user, or performs a washing operation according to a preset reservation content. As shown in fig. 6, when the washing operation is started, the control device 60 determines the input mode by the setting processing unit 66 according to the operation content of the operation panel 70 operated by the user (step S11), monitors the weight of the laundry by the weight monitoring processing unit 61 (step S12), performs the washing stroke (step S13), the rinsing stroke (step S14), and the spinning stroke (step S15) in this order, and then ends the washing operation (end). In this case, either the 1 st insertion mode or the 2 nd insertion mode among the insertion modes is determined.

Hereinafter, the control content in the washing stroke will be described with reference to fig. 7 to 9. In the following description, all the processes performed by the treating agent inlet processing portion 62, the auxiliary agent inlet processing portion 63, the pre-cleaning processing portion 64, the main cleaning processing portion 65, and the setting processing portion 66 are mainly performed by the control device 60.

When the control device 60 executes the washing stroke of step S13 in fig. 6, first, in step a11 in fig. 7, the water supply amount is determined based on the weight of the laundry monitored by the weight monitoring processing unit 61. Thereafter, in step a12, the control device 60 determines the detergent input amount based on the weight of the laundry monitored by the weight monitoring processing unit 61.

Then, in the next step a13, control device 60 determines whether wash aid is to be put in by using automatic aid putting device 23 or manual aid putting device 30, based on the operation content of the user operating operation panel 70. When the wash aid is manually put in the aid manual-putting device 30 (NO in step a 13), the control device 60 transfers the process to step a 15. Therefore, when the wash aid is manually put in by the aid manual-putting device 30, the pre-washing process is directly performed without determining the amount of the wash aid to be put in (step a 15).

On the other hand, when wash aid is put in by the automatic aid-putting device 23 (YES in step a 13), the control device 60 shifts the process to step a14, and determines the amount of wash aid put in from the automatic aid-putting device 23 based on the amount of water supplied. Next, in step a15, the control device 60 executes the pre-cleaning process by the process of the pre-cleaning process section 64. Thereafter, the controller 60 shifts the process to step a16, and executes the main cleaning process by the process of the main cleaning processing unit 65. Then, control device 60 returns the process to the flow of fig. 6 (return in fig. 7) to execute the rinsing stroke of step S14 shown in fig. 6.

As shown in fig. 8, in the preliminary cleaning process of step a15, controller 60 supplies water into water tank 12 until a predetermined water amount is reached, in step B11. Thereafter, in step B12, the control device 60 executes either the detergent loading process by the process of the treating agent loading process section 62 or the auxiliary agent loading process by the process of the auxiliary agent loading process section 63 based on the loading mode determined by the setting process section 66, and the process proceeds to step B13. In this case, the detergent loading process is performed when the determined loading mode is the 1 st loading mode, and the auxiliary loading process is performed when the determined loading mode is the 2 nd loading mode.

Next, at step B13, controller 60 executes a cleaning operation for a predetermined time, for example, 3 minutes, and thereafter, discharges the washing water containing dirt in water tub 12 (step B14). Thereafter, at step B15, controller 60 performs dehydration for a predetermined time, for example, 1 minute, and then returns the process to the flow in fig. 7 (return in fig. 8), and executes the main cleaning process of step a16 shown in fig. 7.

When the main washing process is executed, as shown in fig. 9, the controller 60 first supplies water into the water tank 12 until a predetermined amount of water is reached in step C11. Thereafter, in step C12, the control device 60 executes the other detergent loading process or auxiliary agent loading process based on the loading mode determined by the setting processing unit 66, and the process proceeds to step C13. In this case, the auxiliary agent loading process is executed when the determined loading mode is the 1 st loading mode, and the detergent loading process is executed when the determined loading mode is the 2 nd loading mode.

Next, in step C13, control device 60 executes a cleaning operation for a predetermined time, for example, 10 minutes. Then, control device 60 ends the main cleaning process of fig. 9, returns the process to the flow in fig. 7 (return in fig. 9), and ends the cleaning stroke in fig. 7, returns the process to the flow in fig. 6 (return in fig. 7), and shifts the process to the rinsing stroke of step S14.

In the present embodiment, the execution timing of the detergent loading process and the auxiliary agent loading process is based on the loading pattern determined by the process of the setting processing unit 66, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be configured such that: the user inputs the execution timing of the detergent putting in process and the auxiliary agent putting in process to the operation panel 70 before the washing operation is started. In this way, the user can arbitrarily set: the time of putting the detergent and the time of putting the washing assistant into the water tank 12. Accordingly, the detergent and the wash aid can be more efficiently put into the water tank 12 according to the degree of dirt of the laundry, and the synergistic effect between the detergent and the wash aid can be improved, thereby improving the cleaning performance.

Further, the following may be configured: in the washing stroke, as shown in fig. 10, drainage and dehydration are not performed in the preliminary washing process. In this case, for example, in the example of fig. 10, the control device 60 is configured to: in the cleaning process, a pre-cleaning process and a main cleaning process are performed as a series of processes. The control content of the cleaning routine shown in fig. 10 is the processing from step D11 to step D15 in addition to the processing from step a11 to step a14 shown in fig. 7.

Specifically, when executing the cleaning stroke, the controller 60 executes the processing from step a11 to step a14, and shifts the processing to step D11. Then, in step D11, the controller 60 supplies water into the water tank 12 until a predetermined amount of water is reached. Thereafter, in step D12, the control device 60 executes either the detergent loading process or the auxiliary agent loading process based on the loading mode determined by the setting processing unit 66, and the process proceeds to step D13. In this case, the detergent loading process is performed when the determined loading mode is the 1 st loading mode, and the auxiliary loading process is performed when the determined loading mode is the 2 nd loading mode.

Next, at step D13, controller 60 executes a cleaning operation for a predetermined time, for example, 3 minutes, and the process proceeds to step D14. Thereafter, at step D14, the control device 60 executes the other detergent loading process or auxiliary loading process based on the loading mode, and moves the process to step D15. In this case, the auxiliary agent loading process is executed when the determined loading mode is the 1 st loading mode, and the detergent loading process is executed when the determined loading mode is the 2 nd loading mode. Thereafter, at step D15, controller 60 performs a cleaning operation for a predetermined time, for example, 10 minutes, and then returns the process to the flow in fig. 6 (return in fig. 10) and shifts the process to the rinsing stroke in step S14.

In this case, steps D11, D12, and D13 in fig. 10 belong to the pre-cleaning process, and steps D14 and D15 belong to the main cleaning process. That is, the configuration in fig. 10 omits the preliminary cleaning process of step a15 shown in fig. 7, and is equivalent to: in the main washing process of step a16, a detergent and a wash aid are put in. In the example of fig. 10, the duration of the cleaning operation or the mechanical force applied to the laundry may be different between the cleaning operation in step D13 in the preliminary cleaning process and the cleaning operation in step D15 in the main cleaning process. In this case, for example, the cleaning operation in step D13 which is the pre-cleaning process may be performed to such an extent that the detergent or the wash aid put into the water tank 12 is sufficiently stirred with the water, and therefore, the cleaning operation in step D13 can reduce the rotation speed of the rotary tub 13 or shorten the operation time as compared with the cleaning operation in step D15.

Accordingly, for example, when the degree of dirt on the laundry is low, drainage and dehydration are not performed in the middle of the washing stroke, and thus the time required for the washing stroke can be prevented from being extended. In the case of the 1 st input mode, after the detergent input process is performed, the auxiliary input process is performed instead of discharging the washing water in the water tank 12. Accordingly, when the detergency of the detergent is lowered by the reaction of the detergent component with the dirt adhering to the laundry, the detergency can be enhanced by additionally placing the detergent auxiliary in the water tank 12.

In the case of the 2 nd loading mode, after the auxiliary agent loading process is performed, the detergent loading process is performed instead of discharging the washing water in the water tank 12. Accordingly, the cleaning effect can be improved by dissolving the oil stain and the like of the laundry in advance with the wash aid and then performing main cleaning using the detergent water.

Further, the following may be configured: in the cleaning stroke, only 1 cleaning operation is performed. For example, in the example of fig. 11, instead of step D13 in the control flow of fig. 10, "a prescribed time has elapsed? "decision step E11. That is, the following configurations are possible: after one of the detergent loading treatments or the auxiliary loading treatments is performed in the loading mode, the laundry is immersed in the washing water in the water tank 12 for a predetermined time, for example, about 15 minutes, and thereafter, after the other of the detergent loading treatments or the auxiliary loading treatments is performed, only 1 washing operation is performed. Accordingly, it is possible to avoid: for example, when a mechanical force due to the rotation of the rotary tub 13 during a washing operation is excessively applied to sensitive clothes which are likely to be damaged or deformed, the washing effect can be improved by soaking to remove solid dirt with a detergent or by a bleaching effect with a wash aid.

In addition, whether or not drainage and dehydration are performed in the preliminary cleaning process may be configured as follows: the user performs an input operation on the operation panel 70 according to the degree of contamination of laundry. The determination of whether or not to execute the drainage and the dehydration in the preliminary cleaning process is not limited to this, and may be configured such that: a turbidity sensor, not shown, for example, is provided in the water tank 12 or the circulation path 18, and the degree of contamination of the washing water is determined based on the light transmittance of the light measured by the turbidity sensor with respect to the washing water, the conductivity of the washing water, or the like.

According to the embodiment described above, the washing machine 10 includes: a water tank 12, a rotary tank 13, an automatic detergent dispenser 21, and a controller 60. Further, the washing machine 10 includes: at least one or both of the automatic auxiliary agent introducing means 23 and the manual auxiliary agent introducing means 30. In the case of the present embodiment, the washing machine 10 includes both the automatic auxiliary agent loading device 23 and the manual auxiliary agent loading device 30.

The automatic detergent dispenser 21 has a detergent box 211. The detergent box 211 can retain detergent in an amount used for a plurality of washing operations. The automatic detergent dispenser 21 can automatically dispense a predetermined amount of the detergent in the detergent box 211 into the water tank 12 during the washing operation. The adjuvant automatic putting-in device 23 has an adjuvant box 231. The auxiliary agent box 231 can retain an amount of wash auxiliary agent used for a plurality of washing operations. The automatic auxiliary agent loading device 23 can automatically load a predetermined amount of the washing auxiliary agent in the auxiliary agent box 231 into the water tank 12 during the washing operation.

The adjuvant manual-putting device 30 has an adjuvant case 32. The assistant agent box 32 is put with the washing assistant agent in an amount used for 1 washing operation by the user. The manual auxiliary agent introducing device 30 can introduce the wash auxiliary agent, which is introduced into the auxiliary agent box 32, into the water tank 12 during the washing operation. The control device 60 can perform the detergent putting in process and the auxiliary putting in process. The detergent putting treatment comprises the following steps: the detergent is automatically put into the water tank 12 by the detergent automatic putting-in device 21. The auxiliary agent putting treatment comprises the following steps: the washing aid is put into the water tank 12 by the aid automatic putting device 23 or the aid manual putting device 30. Also, the control device 60 can perform the detergent putting-in process and the auxiliary agent putting-in process at different times.

Accordingly, since the wash aid can be automatically put into the water tank 12 by the aid automatic-putting device 23, the user does not need to manually put the wash aid into the washing machine 10 every time washing is performed, and thus, the washing performance can be improved without increasing the number of steps of the user. As a result, the convenience of the washing machine 10 can be improved. Further, since the control device 60 can execute the detergent loading process and the auxiliary agent loading process at different times during the washing process, the detergent and the wash auxiliary agent can be loaded into the water tank 12 at separate times. Accordingly, since the wash aid can be placed in the water tank 12 at a timing at which the effect of the wash aid used can be obtained most, the synergistic effect between the detergent and the wash aid can be improved, and as a result, the cleaning performance can be improved.

The washing machine 10 further includes a1 st water supply path 42 and a 2 nd water supply path 43. The 1 st water supply path 42 connects an external water supply source to the water tank 12 to supply water from the external water supply source to the water tank 12, and the automatic detergent dispenser 21 is connected to a middle of the path. The 2 nd water supply path 43 connects an external water supply source to the water tank 12 to supply water from the external water supply source to the water tank 12, and the auxiliary agent manual-insertion device 30 is provided in the middle of the path. The 1 st water supply path 42 is a path through which the auxiliary agent box 32 does not pass.

Accordingly, when water is supplied to the water tank 12 using the 1 st water supply path 42, the water passing through the 1 st water supply path 42 does not pass through the auxiliary agent box 32, and therefore: the wash aid put in the auxiliary agent case 32 is flowed out to the side of the water tank 12 by the water passing through the 1 st water supply path 42. Thus, the wash aid can be manually put into the water tank 12 from the aid manual-putting-in device 30 at any time regardless of whether water is supplied from the 1 st water supply path 42. Accordingly, the wash aid can be put into the water tank 12 at a time when the effect of the wash aid used is most obtained, and the cleaning performance can be efficiently improved.

The washing machine 10 further includes a switching valve 45. The switching valve 45 is provided upstream of the 1 st water supply path 42 and the 2 nd water supply path 43, is driven under the control of the control device 60, and is selectively switchable between the 1 st water supply path 42 and the 2 nd water supply path 43. That is, in a state where the 1 st water supply path 42 is opened by the switching valve 45, water does not flow out from the 2 nd water supply path 43, and in a state where the 2 nd water supply path 43 is opened by the switching valve 45, water does not flow out from the 1 st water supply path 42.

Accordingly, the controller 60 can switch the 1 st water supply path 42 and the 2 nd water supply path 43 by controlling the switching valve 45, and thus can place the detergent and the wash aid into the water tank 12 independently of each other. Further, by switching the water supply paths 42 and 43, the timing of putting the detergent and the wash aid into the water tank 12 can be effectively adjusted, and the cleaning performance can be improved.

Further, the control device 60 can execute the auxiliary agent loading process after executing the detergent loading process. Accordingly, when the detergency of the detergent is lowered by the reaction of the detergent component with dirt adhering to the laundry, the detergency can be effectively enhanced by additionally introducing the detergent auxiliary. Further, by supplying water during the treatment with detergent, the detergent auxiliary is supplied in a state where the water level in the water tank 12 reaches a certain level, whereby the detergent auxiliary can be dispersed as much as possible in the water tank 12, the detergent auxiliary can be prevented from locally adhering to the laundry, and excessive bleaching or the like of a part of the laundry can be suppressed.

Further, the control device 60 can execute the detergent loading process after the auxiliary agent loading process is executed. Accordingly, the detergent can be improved by adding a detergent auxiliary agent before the detergent is added, dissolving the oil stain and the like of the laundry in advance with the detergent auxiliary agent, and then performing main cleaning using detergent water.

The washing machine 10 further includes an operation panel 70. The operation panel 70 includes: an operation part 72 capable of selecting the type of detergent and the type of wash aid by user operation. Further, control device 60 can execute the setting processing. The setting process includes: the process of setting the timing for executing the detergent putting-in process and the auxiliary agent putting-in process is set in accordance with the combination of the kind of detergent and the kind of wash auxiliary agent selected by the operation portion 72.

Accordingly, the detergent loading process and the auxiliary loading process can be efficiently executed by a simple method in which the user selects the type of detergent and the type of wash auxiliary to be used with respect to the operation unit 72. That is, since it is not necessary for the user to set the execution timing of the detergent putting process and the auxiliary agent putting process separately according to the type of detergent and the type of detergent to be used, it is possible to suppress the user from feeling troublesome, and as a result, it is possible to improve the convenience of the washing machine 10.

Further, the control device 60 can execute the pre-cleaning process and the main cleaning process. The pre-cleaning treatment comprises the following steps: after water is supplied into the water tank 12, either a detergent loading process or an auxiliary agent loading process, and a washing operation are performed. The main cleaning treatment includes: after the pre-cleaning process is performed, water is supplied into the water tank 12, and the other of the detergent containing process and the auxiliary agent containing process is performed in the water tank 12, followed by the cleaning operation.

Accordingly, for example, when the detergent loading process is performed at the time of the pre-washing process and the auxiliary loading process is performed at the time of the main washing process, the bleaching effect of the laundry can be further improved by loading the detergent auxiliary in the main washing process after removing dirt that adheres to the laundry and is relatively easily washed off by the detergent water in the pre-washing process. On the other hand, when the auxiliary agent introducing process is performed at the time of the preliminary cleaning process and the detergent introducing process is performed at the time of the main cleaning process, the detergent effect can be improved by dissolving the oil stains and the like of the laundry in advance with the detergent auxiliary agent at the time of the preliminary cleaning process and then performing the main cleaning process using the detergent water.

The washing machine 10 further includes a drain path 15 and a drain valve 16. The drain path 15 is for discharging water from the water tank 12, and the drain valve 16 has a function of opening and closing the drain path 15. In addition, the pre-cleaning process further comprises: after water is supplied into the water tank 12, either a detergent input process or an auxiliary agent input process and a washing operation are performed, and then the water discharge valve 16 is opened to discharge the washing water containing dirt from the water discharge path 15. Accordingly, since the washing water used in the pre-washing process is discharged before the main washing process, it is possible to suppress: in the case where the dirt removed from the laundry in the preliminary cleaning process is attached to the laundry again in the main cleaning process, the cleaning efficiency can be improved as a result.

In addition, the pre-cleaning process further comprises: after water is supplied into the water tank 12, either a detergent input process or an auxiliary agent input process and a washing operation are performed, the drain valve 16 is opened to drain the washing water containing dirt from the drain passage 15, and then the laundry is dehydrated. Accordingly, the washing efficiency in the main washing process can be further improved by discharging the washing water used in the pre-washing process and removing the detergent or the washing aid impregnated in the laundry as much as possible by dehydration.

In addition, in embodiment 1 above, the washing machine 10 may be configured such that: only one of the automatic auxiliary agent introducing means 23 and the manual auxiliary agent introducing means 30 is provided.

In the above embodiment, the configuration is such that: the washing aid used for each washing may be stored in the aid box 231 and supplied to the water tub 12 by the aid automatic loading device 23, and may be configured as follows: the washing aid used occasionally is put into the aid box 32, and is manually put into the water tank 12 by the aid manual putting device 30.

(embodiment 2)

Next, embodiment 2 will be described with reference to fig. 12. In embodiment 2, the configuration of the water supply path is different from that in embodiment 1. That is, in the present embodiment, the configuration other than the water supply path is the same as that of embodiment 1 described above. Specifically, in the above embodiment 1, the 1 st water supply path 42 and the 2 nd water supply path 43 are: a water supply path branched from a switching valve 45 provided on the downstream side of the connection port 41.

In contrast, in the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 12, the water supply paths 42 and 43 are provided such that: the water supply path is branched at the downstream side of the connection port 41, and the water supply paths 42 and 43 are provided with: water supply valves 46 and 47 corresponding to the water supply paths 42 and 43, respectively. That is, washing machine 10 includes water supply valve 1, water supply valve 46, and water supply valve 2, 47. The 1 st water supply valve 46 is provided upstream of a connection portion between the automatic detergent dispenser 21 and the 1 st water supply path 42, and has a function of opening and closing the 1 st water supply path 42 under the control of the controller 60. The 2 nd water supply valve 47 is provided at a position upstream of the manual auxiliary agent introduction device 30, is a water supply valve different from the 1 st water supply valve 46, and includes: and a function of opening and closing the 2 nd water supply path 43 under the control of the control device 60. The controller 60 can independently control the water supply from the water supply paths 42 and 43 by controlling the water supply valves 46 and 47.

That is, the control device 60 can independently place the detergent stored in the automatic detergent placement device 21 and the wash aid stored in the manual aid placement device 30 into the water tank 12 by controlling the opening and closing of the water supply valves 46 and 47. Accordingly, by adjusting the timing of putting the detergent and the wash aid into the water tank 12, the cleaning performance can be efficiently improved. Further, after the detergent and the wash aid are put into the water tank 12, both the water supply valves 46 and 47 are opened, and water is supplied through the 1 st water supply path 42 and the 2 nd water supply path 43, whereby the water supply time can be shortened, and the time required for the entire washing operation can be shortened.

In the present embodiment, the 1 st water supply path 42 and the 2 nd water supply path 43 are configured to branch from the connection port 41, but are not limited thereto, and may be configured such that: a plurality of, in this case, 2 connection ports are provided on the upstream side of each water supply path 42, 43 so as to correspond to each water supply path 42, 43.

(other embodiments)

The present invention is not limited to the configurations exemplified in the above embodiments, and may be modified or expanded as described below. In addition, some or all of the modifications and extensions described below may be combined arbitrarily.

That is, as shown in fig. 13 to 15, the washing machine 10 of the present embodiment does not include the automatic auxiliary agent introducing device 23, and the manual auxiliary agent introducing device 30 is configured to: the auxiliary agent box 32, which does not have a dedicated function for storing the washing auxiliary agent, is configured to: a treating agent manual-insertion device which is used for manually inserting a cleaning agent or a post-treating agent. That is, in the example of fig. 13 and 14, the washing machine 10 includes an automatic treating agent loading device 20a instead of the automatic treating agent loading device 20 in the above embodiments. The automatic treating agent loading device 20a has an automatic detergent loading device 21 and an automatic post-treating agent loading device 22, and does not have an automatic auxiliary agent loading device 23.

Here, in the example of fig. 13 and the example of fig. 14, the configuration of the 2 nd water supply path 43 is different. Specifically, in the example of fig. 13, the upstream end of the 2 nd water supply path 43 is connected to the switching valve 45, whereas in the example of fig. 14, the upstream end of the 2 nd water supply path 43 is connected to the 2 nd water supply valve 47. That is, the example of fig. 13 corresponds to a modification of embodiment 1, and the example of fig. 14 corresponds to a modification of embodiment 2. In the example of fig. 13 and the example of fig. 14, the configuration of the connection on the upstream side of the 2 nd water supply path 43 is not different.

In the example shown in fig. 13 and 14, the washing machine 10 includes a related-agent manual insertion device 80 instead of the auxiliary-agent manual insertion device 30. The related agent manual insertion device 80 is used to manually insert the detergent, the post-treatment agent, and the wash aid into the water tank 12. The manual associating agent inserting device 80 is constituted by: the manual washing auxiliary agent loading device is used as both a manual washing auxiliary agent loading device for manually loading a washing auxiliary agent into the water tank 12 and a manual auxiliary agent loading device for manually loading a washing auxiliary agent into the water tank 12. The manual treating agent feeding device comprises: a general drum type washing machine and a vertical type full automatic washing machine have been conventionally provided.

As shown in fig. 15, the manual setting device 80 for setting the associating agent further includes: a water injection cartridge 81, a detergent dual-purpose cartridge 82, and a post-treatment agent dual-purpose cartridge 83. The water injection cartridge 81 is constituted by: similar to the cartridge 31 of each of the above embodiments, it constitutes a housing of the related agent manual insertion device 80. The detergent dual-purpose cartridge 82 is constituted by: also used as a detergent box into which detergent is put and an auxiliary agent box into which a washing auxiliary agent is put. The dual-purpose cartridge for detergent 82 is formed in a container shape with an open upper surface, for example, and is installed to be able to be inserted into and removed from the water injection cartridge 81 in a push-pull manner. The user pulls out the dual-purpose cartridge for detergent 82 from the water injection cartridge 81, puts the detergent or the wash aid into the dual-purpose cartridge for detergent 82, and then pushes the dual-purpose cartridge for detergent 82 into the water injection cartridge 81. The detergent dual-purpose cartridge 82 has a water inlet 821. The water passage port 821 is formed as follows: the bottom of the detergent dual-purpose box 82 is penetrated and opened downward. Further, the bottom of the detergent dual-purpose box 82 is inclined downward toward the water inlet 821.

The post-treatment agent cartridge 83 is configured to: also used as a post-treatment agent box for putting in post-treatment agent and an auxiliary agent box for putting in washing auxiliary agent. The post-treatment agent dual-purpose cartridge 83 is provided with: the cartridge 81 can be inserted and removed by pushing and pulling. The user pulls out the cartridge for post-treatment agent 83 from the water pouring cartridge 81, puts the post-treatment agent or the wash aid into the cartridge for post-treatment agent 83, and thereafter pushes the cartridge for post-treatment agent 83 into the water pouring cartridge 81. The post-treatment agent dual-purpose cartridge 83 has a siphon mechanism 831. The mixed water obtained by mixing the water supplied into the cartridge 83 with the wash aid flows out of the cartridge 83 through the siphon mechanism 831. That is, the water level of the mixed water in the cartridge 83 rises by the supply of the water, and when the mixed water rises above the siphon mechanism 831, the mixed water starts to flow through the water passage 832, and thereafter, the mixed water is maintained to flow out toward the lower side of the cartridge 83 by the principle of the siphon.

Here, since the bottom of the detergent dual-purpose box 82 is inclined downward toward the water inlet 821, the detergent auxiliary flows out immediately after being put in the box when the detergent auxiliary is liquid, but the detergent auxiliary may remain at the bottom when the detergent auxiliary is powder. Therefore, the dual-purpose detergent box 82 is suitable for: the introduction of a detergent auxiliary for the powder body is particularly suitable for: the case where the washing aid of the powder body is put in the mode X in which the aid putting treatment is performed after the detergent putting treatment.

Further, since the cartridge 83 for post-treatment agent has the siphon mechanism 831, the liquid wash aid can be stored in the cartridge 83 for post-treatment agent in advance until water is supplied into the cartridge 83 for post-treatment agent. On the other hand, when the wash aid in the powder form is contained in the cartridge for post-treatment agent 83, the siphon mechanism 831 may be clogged with the wash aid remaining after dissolution. Therefore, the post-treatment agent dual-purpose cartridge 83 is adapted to: the introduction of liquid wash aids is particularly suitable: a case where the liquid wash aid is put in mode X in which the aid putting treatment is performed after the detergent putting treatment.

In the example of fig. 13 and 14, the 2 nd water supply path 43 is: a path leading to the water tank 12 via the detergent dual-purpose cartridge 82 of the water injection cartridge 81. That is, when the wash aid is left in the dual-purpose detergent case 82, the wash aid in the dual-purpose detergent case 82 is mixed with the water flowing through the 2 nd water supply path 43 in the dual-purpose detergent case 82, flows down from the water passage port 821 as indicated by an arrow B in fig. 15, and is then supplied into the water tank 12 from the water injection port 801.

In the example of fig. 13 and 14, washing machine 10 includes 3 rd water supply passage 48 and 3 rd water supply valve 49. The 3 rd water supply path 48 is: a path through which water supplied from an external water supply source to the connection port 41 passes through the 3 rd water supply valve 49 and passes through the cartridge 83 for post-treatment agent of the water injection cartridge 81 to the water tank 12. That is, when the wash aid agent is left in the cartridge 83, the wash aid agent in the cartridge 83 is mixed with the water flowing through the 3 rd water supply path 48 in the cartridge 83, and is supplied from the water inlet 801 into the water tank 12 as shown by an arrow C in fig. 15. The 3 rd water supply valve 49 is: an opening/closing valve for liquid capable of opening/closing electromagnetically. The 3 rd water supply valve 49 is provided on the upstream side of the auxiliary manual insertion device 30, and has: and a function of opening and closing the 3 rd water supply path 48 under the control of the control device 60.

According to this configuration, the washing machine 10 further includes one or both of the detergent-combined box 82 and the post-treatment agent-combined box 83. In the case of the present embodiment, the washing machine 10 includes both the detergent dual-purpose cartridge 82 and the post-treatment agent dual-purpose cartridge 83. The detergent dual-purpose cartridge 82 is loaded with detergent in an amount used for 1 washing operation by the user. The cartridge for post-treatment agent 83 is loaded with the amount of post-treatment agent used for 1 washing operation by the user. Accordingly, even if the configuration does not include the dedicated auxiliary agent box 32, the same operational effects as those of the above embodiment can be obtained. In addition, by collecting the manual treating agent loading device and the manual auxiliary agent loading device in 1 manual related agent loading device 80, it is not necessary to separately provide the manual treating agent loading device and the manual auxiliary agent loading device. As a result, the structure of the washing machine 10 can be simplified, and therefore, the space inside the washing machine 10 can be saved, and the cost of the washing machine 10 can be reduced.

In addition, the above embodiments are also applicable to extraction of components and combination thereof. For example, the automatic loading device 20 for a relating agent according to embodiment 1 may be replaced with an automatic loading device 20a for a treating agent shown in the examples of fig. 13 and 14.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are merely provided as examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. These new embodiments may be implemented in other various ways, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

Claims (11)

1. A washing machine is characterized in that a washing machine is provided,

the washing machine is provided with:

a water tank;

a rotating tub rotatably provided in the water tub;

an automatic detergent loading device having a detergent box capable of storing detergent in an amount used for a plurality of washing operations, the automatic detergent loading device being capable of automatically loading a predetermined amount of detergent in the detergent box into the water tank during a washing operation;

at least one or both of an automatic auxiliary feeding device having an auxiliary agent box capable of storing an amount of wash auxiliary used for performing a plurality of washing operations, and an automatic auxiliary feeding device capable of automatically feeding a predetermined amount of wash auxiliary in the auxiliary agent box into the water tank during a washing operation, and a manual auxiliary feeding device having an auxiliary agent box into which an amount of wash auxiliary used for 1 washing operation is fed by a user, and capable of feeding the wash auxiliary fed into the auxiliary agent box into the water tank during a washing operation; and

a control device capable of performing a detergent putting-in process and an auxiliary putting-in process at different times, wherein the detergent putting-in process is a process of putting the detergent into the water tank by the detergent automatic putting-in device, and the auxiliary putting-in process is a process of putting the wash auxiliary into the water tank by the auxiliary automatic putting-in device or the auxiliary manual putting-in device.

2. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1,

the washing machine further includes:

the adjuvant is manually put into the device;

a1 st water supply path which connects an external water supply source with the water tank and can supply water from the external water supply source to the water tank, wherein the automatic detergent putting-in device is connected to the middle of the path; and

a 2 nd water supply path which connects the external water supply source and the water tank and can supply water from the external water supply source to the water tank, wherein the auxiliary agent manual-insertion device is provided in the middle of the path,

the 1 st water supply path is configured as a path not passing through the auxiliary agent box.

3. A washing machine according to claim 2,

the washing machine further includes: and a switching valve provided upstream of the 1 st water supply path and the 2 nd water supply path, the switching valve being driven by control from the control device and being capable of alternatively switching the 1 st water supply path and the 2 nd water supply path.

4. A washing machine according to claim 3,

the washing machine further comprises a1 st water supply valve and a 2 nd water supply valve,

the 1 st water supply valve is arranged at a position more upstream than a connecting part of the automatic detergent feeding device and the 1 st water supply path, and is controlled by the control device to open and close the 1 st water supply path,

the 2 nd water supply valve is provided upstream of the auxiliary manual introduction means, is a water supply valve different from the 1 st water supply valve, and is controlled by the control means to open and close the 2 nd water supply path.

5. A washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

the control means may be capable of executing the auxiliary agent putting-in process after the detergent putting-in process is executed.

6. A washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

the control means is capable of executing the detergent putting-in process after the auxiliary putting-in process is executed.

7. A washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6,

the washing machine further comprises an operation panel having an operation portion capable of receiving a user's operation to select a kind of the detergent and a kind of the wash aid,

the control device may further be configured to execute a setting process in which a timing for executing the detergent putting-in process and the auxiliary putting-in process is set in accordance with a combination of the kind of the detergent and the kind of the wash auxiliary selected by the operation portion.

8. A washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7,

the control device is also capable of performing a pre-cleaning process and a main cleaning process,

wherein, in the pre-cleaning treatment, water is supplied into the water tank, and then either the detergent loading treatment or the auxiliary loading treatment and a cleaning operation are performed; in the main cleaning process, after the pre-cleaning process is performed, water is supplied into the water tank, and the cleaning operation is performed after the detergent loading process or the auxiliary agent loading process is performed on the other side of the water tank.

9. A washing machine according to claim 8,

the washing machine further includes: a water discharge path for discharging water from the water tank, and a water discharge valve for opening and closing the water discharge path,

the pre-cleaning treatment further comprises: and a step of supplying water into the water tank, performing either the detergent loading process or the auxiliary agent loading process, and performing a cleaning operation, and then opening the drain valve to discharge the washing water containing dirt from the drain path.

10. The washing machine as claimed in claim 9,

the pre-cleaning treatment further comprises: the washing machine is configured to supply water into the water tank, perform the cleaning operation and either the detergent loading process or the auxiliary loading process, open the drain valve, discharge the washing water containing dirt through the drain path, and then dewater the laundry.

11. The washing machine as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10,

the washing machine further includes: either or both of a detergent-compatible cartridge into which detergent or a wash aid is put by a user in an amount used for 1 washing operation and a post-treatment agent-compatible cartridge into which a post-treatment agent or a wash aid is put by a user in an amount used for 1 washing operation.

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