JP3757819B2 - Washing machine and washing dryer - Google Patents

Washing machine and washing dryer Download PDF

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JP3757819B2
JP3757819B2 JP2001167563A JP2001167563A JP3757819B2 JP 3757819 B2 JP3757819 B2 JP 3757819B2 JP 2001167563 A JP2001167563 A JP 2001167563A JP 2001167563 A JP2001167563 A JP 2001167563A JP 3757819 B2 JP3757819 B2 JP 3757819B2
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washing
detergent
water
laundry
concentration
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JP2002355495A (en
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史朗 大林
敏文 小池
年恭 釜野
功 桧山
典子 嶋崎
嘉代 久村
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Hitachi Ltd
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Hitachi Ltd
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Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、洗濯機および洗濯乾燥機に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
全自動洗濯機は、洗濯兼脱水槽に投入された洗濯衣類の量を検出し、洗濯物（洗濯衣類）の量に相応した量の洗剤を投入し、洗い工程においては、洗濯衣類の量に応じた量の水道水（洗い水）を給水後に、撹拌翼を正逆回転させ、または洗濯兼脱水槽を一方向に回転、または正逆回転させて洗濯衣類に機械力を作用させる洗い工程を実行し、その後、水道水（濯ぎ水）を給水すると共に洗濯衣類に同様に機械力を作用させる濯ぎ工程を実行し、その後、洗濯兼脱水槽を回転させることにより洗濯衣類に含まれる濯ぎ水を遠心脱水する脱水工程を実行する構成である。洗濯衣類の乾燥まで行う洗濯乾燥機では、更にその後に、温風を吹き込んで乾燥させる温風乾燥工程を実行する構成である。
【０００３】
このような全自動洗濯機や洗濯乾燥機において、洗い工程において洗い水に溶解させる合成洗剤の量は、一般的に２０ｇ／３０Ｌ（洗剤量／洗い水量）程度であり、洗い水の洗剤濃度は、０．０７％程度である。
【０００４】
このような洗剤濃度の洗い水で洗いを行う場合、洗剤の化学的な洗浄力はあまり大きくないため、洗濯衣類に付着した汚れを除去するためには、洗濯機の撹拌翼または洗濯兼脱水槽の回転力を強くしたり、洗い時間を長くしたりすることにより、洗濯衣類に作用させる機械力を強くしなければならない。その結果、機械力による洗濯衣類の傷みが激しくなったり、洗濯衣類の絡みが多くなったりする欠点があるのが現状である。
【０００５】
そして、洗濯衣類の絡みが多くなると、洗いむらが多くなり、洗濯衣類の取り出しが困難になる。また、洗濯乾燥機においては、洗濯兼脱水槽内での温風乾燥が、乾燥むら等の発生により困難になったり、洗濯衣類がしわだらけになったりする。温風乾燥を行うためには洗濯衣類に作用させる機械力を小さくし、布からみを少なくすることが必要になり、その結果、汚れ落ちが悪くなる欠点が発生している。
【０００６】
洗い工程において洗濯衣類に作用させる機械力を軽減するために、例えば特開平７−８０１８２号公報には、洗い工程前に洗濯衣類を高濃度洗剤液に浸しておく予浸工程を追加することによって高濃度洗剤による化学的な洗浄力を活用する全自動洗濯機が開示されている。
【０００７】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
洗濯機や洗濯乾燥機は、洗濯、脱水および乾燥を実行するための手段を、限られた形態の筐体（横幅、奥行き、背丈）内に収納することができるように構成することが望ましい。特に、洗剤の化学的な洗浄力を有効に発揮させるために、高濃度の洗剤液を生成して洗濯物に浸透させるための手段は、従来の洗濯機や洗濯乾燥機に追加される新しい手段であり、これらの手段を筐体内に合理的に設置して実用的な洗濯機や洗濯乾燥機を実現するための工夫が必要である。特開平７−８０１８２号公報には、洗濯物重量の倍の水で洗剤を溶解して高濃度洗剤液を生成することが例示されているが、これは、例えば、４ｋｇの洗濯物の洗濯においては、８Ｌの高濃度洗剤液となり、このような多量の高濃度洗剤液を生成して蓄積する手段を設置することは困難であり、実用的でない。
【０００８】
本発明の１つの目的は、水道水圧によらず洗剤を使用して該洗剤の化学的な洗浄力を効果的に発揮せることにより、洗い工程において洗濯物（洗濯衣類）に作用させる機械力を大幅に軽減することができる実用的な洗濯機を提案することにある。
【０００９】
本発明の他の目的は、洗濯兼脱水槽内で脱水した洗濯物を該洗濯兼脱水槽に温風を吹き込むことによって乾燥させる洗濯乾燥機において、洗い工程において洗濯物に作用させる機械力を軽減することにより、汚れ落ちを悪化させることなく洗濯兼脱水槽内の洗濯物の絡みを軽減して乾燥効率を向上させ、乾燥むらを軽減することにある。
【００１０】
本発明の更に他の目的は、粉末合成洗剤を溶解および希釈して洗濯物に散布する高濃度洗剤液によって洗濯物に色むらが発生するのを防止することにある。
【００１１】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明は、洗剤を少量の洗剤溶解水に溶解して洗い水の洗剤濃度よりも高濃度の高濃度洗剤液を生成し、この高濃度洗剤液を水道水圧によらずほぼ一定の時間をかけて洗濯物に散布して浸透させることにより、洗濯物に付着している汚れに作用する洗剤の化学的な洗浄力を利用して洗浄効率を高め、その後の洗いにおいて洗濯物に作用させる機械力を軽減するものである。このとき、主給水電磁弁を開いて洗濯兼脱水槽内に給水して洗濯兼脱水槽内の洗濯物を濡らすプレ給水工程と、洗剤溶解容器に投入された洗剤を補助給水電磁弁を開いて供給した洗剤溶解水で溶解して高濃度洗剤液を生成する高濃度洗剤液生成工程とを同時に実行するとよい。また、高濃度洗剤液を希釈しながら洗濯物に散布して浸透させるとよい。
【００１２】
また、洗濯物に散布して浸透させる洗剤液の濃度は、粉末合成洗剤を水道水で溶解および希釈することによって該水道水に含まれる硬度成分により有効な界面活性剤の量が減少するのを該洗剤に含まれる軟水化剤（例えばゼオライト）の機能によって効果的に抑制することができる程度に制御する。
【００１３】
【発明の実施の形態】
粉末合成洗剤を少量の洗剤溶解水で溶解することによって高濃度洗剤液を生成し、この高濃度洗剤液を洗濯物に浸透させることにより、洗濯物に付着している汚れに高濃度洗剤液の化学的な洗浄力が作用して洗浄作用が発生することから、その後の洗いにおいて洗濯物に作用させる機械力を軽減することができる。化学的な洗浄作用は、洗濯物に浸透させる高濃度洗剤液の濃度の影響を受ける。
【００１４】
洗いに使用する粉末合成洗剤の量は、洗濯物の量に応じて調整されることから、好ましい化学的洗浄力を発生する好適な高濃度洗剤液を生成するためには、この洗剤の量に応じて給水量を調整することが望ましい。具体的には、洗濯物に浸透させる高濃度洗剤液の望ましい洗剤濃度は、洗い水の標準的な洗剤濃度の５〜２０倍であって、好ましい洗剤濃度は、１０倍程度である。例えば、１０倍の洗剤濃度の高濃度洗剤液は、一般的な洗濯機および洗濯乾燥機において、６０Ｌの洗い水を使用する洗濯では、６Ｌの水で粉末合成洗剤を溶解することによって得られる洗剤液に相当することから、このような大きな容積の洗剤溶解容器を使用することは該洗剤溶解容器の設置場所の観点から好ましいことではなく、従って、粉末合成洗剤を水道水で溶解して生成する高濃度洗剤液は、粉末合成洗剤を溶解するために必要な少ない量、例えば２００〜３００ｍＬの水道水によって洗濯物に浸透させる高濃度洗剤液よりも更に高濃度状態、例えば洗い水の洗剤濃度の２００〜３００倍の濃度に生成し、これを好ましい洗剤濃度に希釈しながら洗濯物に降りかけて浸透させるように構成する。
【００１５】
また、蛍光増白剤が含まれる粉末合成洗剤で、生成りや淡色の天然素材の洗濯物を洗うと変色（色むら）が発生する。蛍光増白剤が薄黄色の布に付着し、青紫の光（中心波長４４０ｎｍ）が反射光に加わると、増白され、色が白くなったように見える。色むらは、洗濯物に対する高濃度洗剤液の浸透むらがあると顕著になる。従って、高濃度洗剤液の散布前に、予め少量の水を洗濯物にかて濡らした後に洗濯物を低速回転させながら高濃度洗剤液を散布することによって均一に浸透させるようにすることが望ましい。
【００１６】
本発明は、高濃度洗剤液の化学的洗浄力を有効に活用する洗濯機および洗濯乾燥機に関するものであるが、洗濯機は、洗濯乾燥機の乾燥機構を省略した形態で実施することができるので、以下、洗濯乾燥機の実施の形態を説明する。
【００１７】
この実施の形態における洗濯乾燥機は、洗濯物の量を検出して洗濯水の量（洗濯水位）を決定し、必要な粉末合成洗剤の量を決定する検出工程と、粉末合成洗剤を水で溶解して高濃度洗剤液を生成する高濃度洗剤液生成工程と、洗濯物に水を含ませて湿潤させるプレ給水工程と、粉末合成洗剤を溶解して生成した高濃度洗剤液を希釈しながら濡れた洗濯物に散布して浸透させる浸透工程と、高濃度洗剤液を浸透させた洗濯物を据え置く据え置き工程（必要に応じて省略する）と、洗い工程と、濯ぎ工程と、脱水工程と、温風乾燥工程を実行する。
【００１８】
図１は、本発明の一実施の形態である洗濯乾燥機を縦断面して示す模式図である。
【００１９】
１は、外郭を構成する枠体である。２は、洗濯兼脱水槽であり、その周壁に通水穴２ａを有し、その上縁部に流体バランサー３を備え、底部の内側には回転自在に撹拌翼４を設置する。撹拌翼４は、通水穴４ａを有する。５は、前記洗濯兼脱水槽２を内包する外槽であり、底部の外側には鋼板製の取付けベース７によって駆動装置６を設置する。洗濯兼脱水槽２は、枠体１の上端部の四隅から防振支持装置８によって懸垂するように支持される。
【００２０】
駆動装置６は、駆動電動機と電動操作クラッチ機構と遊星歯車減速機構を内蔵し、洗濯兼脱水槽２を静止させた状態で撹拌翼４を回転（撹拌モード）させ、洗濯兼脱水槽２と撹拌翼４をそれぞれ反対方向に回転（洗濯モード）させ、洗濯兼脱水槽２と撹拌翼４を一体的に同一方向に回転（脱水・乾燥モード）させるような選択的な駆動機能を有する。
【００２１】
衣類投入開口９ａを形成した上面カバー９は、枠体１の上部開口を覆うように該開口端縁に嵌め込み、フロントパネル１０およびバックパネル１１と共に取付けねじで枠体１に取り付ける。
【００２２】
上面カバー９とフロントパネル１０の間に形成されるフロントパネルボックス１２には、電源スイッチ１３と入力スイッチ群および表示素子群を備えた操作パネル１４と、外槽５内の水位に応じた水位信号を発生する水位センサ１５と、コントロールユニット１６を内蔵する。これらは、制御装置を構成する。
【００２３】
上面カバー９とバックパネル１１の間に形成されるバックパネルボックス１７には、洗濯水給水手段と高濃度洗剤液生成手段を横並びに設置するように内蔵する。
【００２４】
洗濯水給水手段は、入水側を水栓接続口１８に接続し、出水側を注水口１９に接続した主給水電磁弁２０を備える。
【００２５】
高濃度洗剤液生成手段は、補助給水電磁弁２２から洗剤溶解容器２１に少量の洗剤溶解水を供給し、この洗剤溶解容器２１内に投入されている粉末合成洗剤を電動駆動式の撹拌翼によって撹拌しながら前記洗剤溶解水で溶解して高濃度洗剤液を生成する。洗剤溶解容器２１は、給水口１９に連なる溢水部（図示省略）を有し、生成した高濃度洗剤液を更なる給水（希釈給水）によって希釈して増量することにより前記溢水部から溢水させて注水口１９に供給する。
【００２６】
高濃度洗剤液を生成するための洗剤溶解水は、洗剤溶解容器２１の溢水部から溢水しない程度の少量に設定し、希釈給水時には、洗濯物に浸透させるのに好ましい洗剤濃度に希釈するために、主給水電磁弁２０も開放して追加の希釈水を注水口１９に供給するように構成する。
【００２７】
洗剤溶解容器２１の大きさは、バックパネルボックス１７内に設置するためには４００〜５００ｍＬ程度であることが望ましい。粉末合成洗剤を溶解して高濃度洗剤液を生成中に、前記溢水部から溢水させないためには、洗剤溶解水の量を１５０〜３００ｍＬとする。洗剤溶解水の量に差があるのは、粉末合成洗剤の種類（銘柄）により、洗剤溶解中の空気の巻き込みによる発泡状態が異なるからである。発泡が多い洗剤は、溶解中に見かけの容積が増加し溢水しやすいため、洗剤溶解水の量を少なくする必要がある。実際には、洗剤の種類と発泡状態は多様であり、溢水を防止するためには、洗剤溶解水量を１５０〜２００ｍＬ程度に設定するのが好ましい。
【００２８】
洗濯容量８ｋｇの洗濯乾燥機の洗い水の量は、２４〜６８Ｌ程度であり、粉末合成洗剤を洗剤溶解水で溶解して生成する高濃度洗剤液の洗剤濃度は、洗い水の洗剤濃度の８０〜５００倍となる。この高濃度洗剤液は、洗濯物に散布して浸透させるときには、５〜２０倍（好ましくは約１０倍）に希釈する。
【００２９】
この高濃度洗剤液生成手段の洗剤溶解容器２１に仕上剤投入手段を付設するときには、更に、この仕上剤投入手段に使用する補助給水電磁弁２２ａを設ける。
【００３０】
温風循環乾燥手段は、外槽５の底部近くの側壁に形成した吸い出し口５ａから該外槽５の後側の外壁面に沿って垂直状態で上向きに伸びるように形成して前記吸い出し口５ａから浸入した洗濯水を堰き止める水冷除湿ダクト２３と、この水冷除湿ダクト２３内の上部に位置して該ダクト内に冷却水を供給する冷却散水部２４と、洗濯工程における外槽５の水位よりも高い位置で折り返して該外槽５の外壁面に沿って該外槽５の下側に向かって垂直に伸びる下降風路ダクト２５と、外槽５の下側の空間に配置されて前記下降風路ダクト２５から空気を吸い込んで循環空気を生成する循環ファン２６と、この循環ファン２６の吐出口から外槽５の外壁面に沿って上方向に垂直状態に伸びる上昇風路ダクト２７と、外槽上カバー２８上に設置されて前記上昇風路ダクト２７から送り込まれる循環空気を加熱するヒータ（ＰＴＣヒータ）２９と、ヒータ２９によって加熱された循環空気を洗濯兼脱水槽２内に向けて吹き込む吹き出し口３０を備える。
【００３１】
前記水冷除湿ダクト２３、下降風路ダクト２５および上昇風路ダクト２７は、外槽５の後側の外壁面に該外槽５の周方向に並べて実装する。
【００３２】
そして、この温風循環乾燥手段は、洗濯後に外槽５内の洗濯水を排水し、洗濯兼脱水槽２を高速回転させて脱水した後に低速回転させながら、循環ファン２６を運転することによって、外槽５および洗濯兼脱水槽３内の湿潤空気を吸い出し口５ａから吸い出し、水冷除湿ダクト２３内を上昇させる過程において冷却散水部２４から該水冷除湿ダクト２３内に供給される冷却水によって冷却して除湿する。その後、冷却除湿した空気は、下降風路ダクト２５を下降させて循環ファン２６に吸い込み、この循環ファン２６から上昇風路ダクト２７とヒータ２９を通して吹き出し口３０に送り込み、ヒータ２９によって加熱して洗濯兼脱水槽２内の内壁面付近に向けて該洗濯兼脱水槽２の回転方向に対して逆向きに吹き込む。このように洗濯兼脱水槽２に吹き込まれた循環空気は、洗濯兼脱水槽２内の洗濯物に触れて該洗濯物を乾燥する。
【００３３】
上面カバー９に形成した衣類投入開口９ａは、外蓋３１によって開閉自在に覆い、外槽上カバー２８に形成した開口２８ａは、内蓋３２によって開閉自在に覆うように構成する。
【００３４】
外槽５の底に形成した排水口５ｂは、排水電磁弁３３を介して排水ホース３４に接続する。エアートラップ５ｃは、エアーチューブ３５を介して前記水位センサ１５に接続する。枠体１の下端縁には、四隅に脚３６を取り付けた合成樹脂で成形されたベース３７を装着する。
【００３５】
なお、参照符号３８は、洗濯兼脱水槽２内に投入された洗濯物である。
【００３６】
図２は、前述した洗濯乾燥機の具体的な構成を示す縦断側面図である。図１の説明と重複する説明は一部省略する。
【００３７】
駆動装置６は、駆動電動機６１と電動操作クラッチ機構６２と遊星歯車減速機構６３と中心出力軸６４と外側出力軸６５を備え、鋼板製の取付けベース７の下面上に一体的に組み立て、この取付けベース７を外槽５の底下面にねじ止めすることにより取り付ける。
【００３８】
駆動電動機６１は、複数段または無段変速の可逆回転型の電動機を使用する。この実施の形態においては、布量検出時に撹拌翼４を回転させる回転速度と、プレ給水時に洗濯兼脱水槽２と撹拌翼４を回転させる回転速度と、高濃度洗剤液を洗濯物に散布して浸透させるときに洗濯兼脱水槽２および／または撹拌翼４を回転させる回転速度と、洗濯時に遊星歯車減速機構の太陽歯車を回転させる回転速度と、脱水時に洗濯兼脱水槽２と撹拌翼４を一体的に回転させる回転速度と、温風乾燥時に洗濯兼脱水槽２と撹拌翼４を一体的に回転させ、撹拌翼４を単独で回転させる回転速度を好ましい値に制御することができるように構成する。
【００３９】
遊星歯車減速機構６３は、遊星歯車を支持するキャリアを中心出力軸６４に結合し、内歯車を外側出力軸６５に結合し、太陽歯車を駆動電動機６１に直に結合した構成である。
【００４０】
そして、電動操作クラッチ機構６２は、電動操作機６２ａによって操作レバー６２ｂを操作することによって、撹拌モードと洗濯モードと脱水・乾燥モードに選択的に設定する。撹拌モードでは、遊星歯車減速機構６３の内歯車を静止部材に係合させることによって洗濯兼脱水槽２に静止力を作用させた状態で駆動電動機６１の回転力を遊星歯車減速機構６３と中心出力軸６４を介して撹拌翼４に伝達して該撹拌翼４を回転させて該撹拌翼４に作用する負荷量に基づく布量検出および布質検出を実行させる。洗濯モードでは、遊星歯車減速機構６３の内歯車を回転自由にした状態で駆動電動機６１によって太陽歯車を回転させることによって該駆動電動機６１の回転力を中心出力軸６４および外側出力軸６５の双方に反対向きに伝達して洗濯兼脱水槽２と撹拌翼４に反対向きに繰り返し正逆回転させて洗濯を実行させる。そして、脱水・乾燥モードでは、遊星歯車減速機構６２の内歯車を駆動電動機６１と連結状態として該駆動電動機６１によって太陽歯車と内歯車を一体的に回転駆動し、中心出力軸６４および外側出力軸６５を同一方向に回転させて洗濯兼脱水槽２と撹拌翼４に同一方向に低速回転させてプレ給水を実行させ、高速回転させて遠心脱水を実行させ、低速回転させて温風乾燥を実行させる構成である。
【００４１】
図３は、この洗濯乾燥機の電気的構成を示すブロック図である。
【００４２】
電源スイッチ１３を介して受電するコントロールユニット１６は、マイクロコンピュータ１６ａを中心にして構成し、電源回路１６ｂと、駆動装置６と主給水電磁弁２０と補助給水電磁弁２２と洗剤撹拌電動機３９と排水電磁弁３３と循環ファン２６とヒータ２９と冷却散水電磁弁２４ａへの給電を制御するための半導体交流スイッチング素子（ＦＬＳ）群を有する駆動回路１６ｃとを備える。
【００４３】
前記駆動装置６の駆動電動機６１は、固定子巻線６１ａと回転センサ６１ｂを有し、電動操作クラッチ機構６２は、電動操作機６２ａと動作位置を検出する位置センサ６２ｃを有する。
【００４４】
そして、前記駆動回路１６ｃは、駆動装置６における前記駆動電動機６１の固定子巻線６１ａへの給電制御に関しては、正逆回転制御用に２つの半導体交流スイッチング素子（ＦＬＳ）１６ｃ1、１６ｃ2を備える。ＦＬＳ１６ｃ1は、正回転給電制御用の半導体スイッチング素子、ＦＬＳ１６ｃ2は逆回転給電制御用の半導体交流スイッチング素子である。この実施の形態において、駆動電動機６１の回転速度制御は、固定子巻線６１ａへの給電をＦＬＳ１６ｃ1、１６ｃ2によって位相制御することによって行うように構成しているが、インバータ駆動のブラシレス電動機を使用する構成においては、ＰＷＭ制御やＰＡＭ制御によって行うように構成することができる。また、駆動装置６における電動操作クラッチ機構６２の電動操作機６２ａへの給電を制御するためのＦＬＳ１６ｃ3を備える。
【００４５】
また、駆動回路１６ｃは、主給水電磁弁２０、給水電磁弁２２、洗剤撹拌電動機３９、排水電磁弁３３、循環ファン２６、ヒータ２９、冷却散水電磁弁２４ａへの給電を制御するＦＬＳ１６ｃ4〜１６ｃ10を備える。そして、この駆動回路１６ｃは、マイクロコンピュータ１６ａからの指示に従ってＦＬＳ１６ｃ1〜ＦＬＳ１６ｃ10の導通状態を制御して従属する負荷への給電制御を行う。
【００４６】
マイクロコンピュータ１６ａは、更に、前記駆動電動機６１の回転センサ６１ｂ、電動操作クラッチ機構６２の位置センサ６２ｃ、外槽５内の洗濯水位を検出する水位センサ１５、洗剤溶解容器２１内に洗剤が投入されたことを検知する洗剤センサ４０、操作パネル１４に接続され、予め組み込まれた制御処理プログラムを実行することにより、操作パネル１４の入力スイッチ群１４ａと水位センサ１５と回転センサ６１ｂおよび位置センサ６２ｃからの信号を取り込み、駆動回路１６ｃを制御することによって、布量検出、高濃度洗剤液生成、プレ給水、高濃度洗剤液浸透、据え置き、洗い、濯ぎ、脱水および温風乾燥の各工程を実行し、操作パネル１４の表示素子群１４ｂを制御することによってその進行状況を表示する。
【００４７】
操作パネル１４の入力スイッチ群１４ａは、洗濯コース（標準、強力、ソフト、ドライ、手造り、ふとんなど）を設定するスイッチ、乾燥コース（標準、ワイシャツ、仕上げ、ドライなど）を設定するスイッチ、洗い時間や脱水時間、水量、すすぎ回数等洗濯条件を設定するスイッチ、洗濯から乾燥までを連続して行う場合の乾燥コース（標準、ワイシャツ、毛布など）を設定するスイッチなどを備える。
【００４８】
次に、前記各工程について、高濃度洗剤液を洗濯物に浸透させることにより洗剤の化学的な洗浄力を効果的に発生させて洗濯、脱水および乾燥する場合を例示して説明する。
【００４９】
次に、このように構成された洗濯乾燥機の各工程の動作を説明する。図４は、コントロールユニット１６内のマイクロコンピュータ１６ａが実行する前記各工程のフローチャートである。
【００５０】
マイクロコンピュータ１６ａは、入力スイッチ群１４ａの洗濯開始ボタンスイッチが投入されると次のような制御処理を実行する。
【００５１】
ステップ４０１
使用者が、洗濯兼脱水槽２に洗濯衣類３８を投入し、操作パネル１４の入力スイッチ群１４ａを操作して初期設定を行い、洗濯開始ボタンスイッチを押すと、マイクロコンピュータ１６ａは、各工程の自動運転制御処理をスタートする。
【００５２】
前記初期設定では、洗濯物に合わせた洗濯コース、必要に応じて、洗い時間や脱水時間、水量、すすぎ回数等を設定する。さらに、洗濯の後、乾燥まで行う場合は洗濯乾燥コースを設定する。
【００５３】
ステップ４０２
洗濯物３８の布量の検出制御処理を行う。この布量検出は、給水前の乾布状態において、駆動装置６の電動操作クラッチ機構６２を撹拌モードに制御し、駆動電動機６１を短時間通電して撹拌翼４を回転駆動し、回転増速時の加速特性もしくは、駆動電動機６１への通電停止時の惰性回転における減速特性に基づいて検出する。この検出結果（洗濯物の布量）に基づいて、洗い水量および好ましい洗剤濃度の洗い水を生成するための洗剤量を演算して決定し、この洗剤量を表示素子群１４ｂによって表示する。使用者は、表示された洗剤量を参考に、洗剤溶解容器２１に粉末合成洗剤を投入する。
【００５４】
ステップ４０３
高濃度洗剤液の生成を行う。洗剤センサ４０により洗剤溶解容器２１に粉末合成洗剤が投入されたことを検知すると、補助給水電磁弁２２を開いて洗剤溶解容器２１に溢水しない程度の少量の水道水（洗剤溶解水）を供給する。そして、洗剤撹拌電動機３９に通電し撹拌翼を回転駆動し、洗剤溶解容器２１内の粉末合成洗剤を撹拌しながら溶解することによって高濃度洗剤液を生成する。
【００５５】
洗剤溶解水の量は、洗剤溶解容器２１の容量（大きさ）や洗いに使用する量の粉末合成洗剤を撹拌翼によって撹拌しながら均一に効率良く溶解し、しかも、撹拌中の洗剤の発泡による溢水が発生しない水量とする。例えば、洗剤溶解容器２１の容量が５００ｍＬ（溢水部までの容量４００ｍＬ）の場合、洗剤溶解水の量を１５０〜２００ｍＬに設定する。洗剤溶解水は、補助給水電磁弁２２の開弁時間によって制御する。生成される高濃度洗剤液の濃度は、洗剤溶解容器２１に投入された洗剤量（洗濯物の量、洗い水量）により異なる。例えば、洗濯容量８ｋｇの洗濯乾燥機の洗い水の量は、２４〜６８Ｌ程度であり、高濃度洗剤液は、洗い水の洗剤濃度の８０〜５００倍となる。
【００５６】
溶解時間は、２〜３分必要である。溶解時間は、粉末合成洗剤の種類により異なるが、溶けにくい洗剤でも２〜３分で溶解率が９５〜１００％となり、大部分の洗剤を溶かすことができるからである。
【００５７】
ステップ４０４
駆動装置６の電動操作クラッチ機構６２を脱水・乾燥モードに制御し、駆動電動機６１を低速運転して洗濯兼脱水槽２と撹拌翼４を低速回転させながら主給水電磁弁２０を開いて水道水を注水口１９に直に供給して該水道水を洗濯兼脱水槽２内の洗濯物３８上に散布するプレ給水を行う。プレ給水量は、少なくとも洗濯物の最上面から布数枚程度の部分までが濡れる量とする。
【００５８】
生成りや淡色の天然素材でできた衣料の色むらの原因となる粉末合成洗剤に含まれる蛍光増白剤は、染料の一種であり、洗濯物に触れるとすぐに吸着する。このため、高濃度洗剤液が直接かかる洗濯物最上部が最も蛍光増白剤が吸着しやすい。従って、乾いた洗濯物に高濃度洗剤液を散布すると、高濃度洗剤液の浸透過程で高濃度洗剤液が多く流れた部分とそうでない部分で蛍光増白剤の吸着量に差が生じすため、色むらが発生する。一方、洗濯物最上部からある程度離れると、浸透してきた高濃度洗剤液中の蛍光増白剤はほとんどなくなっており、蛍光増白剤の影響を受けにくくなる。プレ給水を行い、洗濯物を濡らすことで、高濃度洗剤液がより浸透しやすくなるため、高濃度洗剤液が洗濯物内に均一に拡散するため、蛍光増白剤が洗濯物に均一に吸着し色むらが防げる。ただし、変色（色むら）に対する官能試験によれば、プレ給水により蛍光増白剤の影響が許せる範囲は、高濃度洗剤液の濃度が２０倍以下（好ましくは１０倍以下にすると、ほとんど気にならないレベルになる）であり、これ以上の濃度では、プレ給水を行っても変色がやや気になるレベルになってしまう。このことから、変色（色むら）に関しては、高濃度洗剤液の濃度は２０倍以下に抑える必要がある。
【００５９】
また、プレ給水量は、好ましくは、布量検出工程によって検出した洗濯物３８の量に応じて制御し、洗濯物３８の量が少ないときには少なくし、多くなるにつれて多くなるように制御する。これは、洗濯物が濡れていると、高濃度洗剤液がより浸透しやすくなるため、洗濯物全体に均一に高濃度洗剤液を浸透することができる。プレ給水量は、主給水電磁弁２０の開弁時間によって制御する。
【００６０】
ただし、プレ給水量が多すぎると、散布された高濃度洗剤液がすぐに希釈され洗浄力の向上割合が小さくなる。図１３は、洗濯物の量に対するプレ給水量と洗浄力の特性図である。高濃度洗剤液の濃度は１０倍である。どの洗濯物量においても、プレ給水量がある値を超えると洗浄力が低下し、洗濯物の量が２ｋｇではプレ給水量が４Ｌ、４ｋｇと８ｋｇは１０Ｌを越えると洗浄力が低下している。このことから、プレ給水量は、洗濯物３８の量が４ｋｇ未満の場合は４Ｌ程度、４〜８ｋｇの場合は１０Ｌ程度とすることで、洗浄力の低下を防ぐことができる。
なお、本プレ給水工程は、ステップ４０３の高濃度洗剤液生成工程と同時に行う。これは、上述のように、洗剤溶解に２〜３分必要で、この間にプレ給水工程を行うことで、洗濯時間を短縮できるからである。さらに、プレ給水終了後から洗剤溶解終了までの時間が据え置き時間となるため、水道水を洗濯物３８内に十分に浸透させることができる。例えば、主給水電磁弁２０からの給水流量が毎分１５Ｌでプレ給水量が１０Ｌとすると、プレ給水は４０秒で終了する。洗剤溶解時間が２分とすると、１分２０秒の据え置き時間がとれる。
【００６１】
ステップ４０５
駆動装置６の電動操作クラッチ機構６２を脱水・乾燥モードに制御し、駆動電動機６１を低速運転して洗濯兼脱水槽２と撹拌翼４を低速度で回転させながら補助給水電磁弁２２を開いて洗剤溶解容器２１に希釈給水することによって高濃度洗剤液を希釈して溢水部から溢水させることにより注水口１９に送り込む。同時に、主給水電磁弁２０を開いて注水口１９に給水して高濃度洗剤液を好ましい高濃度洗剤液に希釈して洗濯兼脱水槽２内の洗濯物３８に散布して該洗濯物３８に浸透させる。このときの高濃度洗剤液の好ましい洗剤濃度については、後述する。洗濯兼脱水槽２内の洗濯物３８は該洗濯兼脱水槽２と共に回転しているので、注水口１９から降りかけられる高濃度洗剤液は、洗濯物３８に均一に降りかけられて浸透する。洗濯物３８の回転は、洗濯兼脱水槽２を静止させた状態で撹拌翼４を回転させて行ってもよい。回転翼４を正逆回転させることで、洗濯物３８が撹拌され洗濯兼脱水槽２内における位置が変化するため、さらに洗剤液の浸透を均一化できる。
【００６２】
洗濯物３８に降りかけられた高濃度洗剤液は、速やかに洗濯物３８の内部に浸透して浸透し、洗濯物３８に付着した汚れに洗剤成分を作用させる。
【００６３】
ステップ４０６
高濃度洗剤液を降りかけて浸透させた洗濯物３８を、所定時間据え置く。この据え置きは、洗濯物３８に対する高濃度洗剤液の浸透と汚れ対する洗剤の化学的洗浄力の作用を一層促進させるための時間であって、必要に応じて省略する。
【００６４】
ここで、高濃度洗剤液による洗浄度の向上について説明する。
【００６５】
粉末合成洗剤は、洗剤成分として、汚れを落とす界面活性剤と、活性剤を補助するアルカリ剤、ゼオライト、酵素、再付着防止剤などのビルダー、蛍光増白剤などの添加剤を含んでいる。これらの成分のうち、高濃度洗剤液とした場合に洗浄力効能に寄与するのは、主に界面活性剤、ゼオライト、アルカリ剤、酵素である。
【００６６】
界面活性剤は、その親油基を汚れの表面に向けて集まり汚れに吸着し、浸透作用で汚れと洗濯物にしみ込み、乳化作用で油汚れを水に溶かし、分散作用で親油性固体粒子を水と混ざり合いやすくする働きがある。そして、洗濯機の機械作用を加えることで、汚れは洗濯物から引き離なされ、洗い水中に移動する。
【００６７】
図５は、洗濯物に浸透させる洗剤液濃度と洗浄率の関係を示すビーカ試験の結果である。この試験は、硬度１００ｐｐｍの洗剤溶解水で粉末合成洗剤を溶解して生成した洗剤液に、人工汚染布を５分間浸漬した（機械力は加えない）場合の洗剤濃度と洗浄率の関係を観察したものである。洗い水の洗剤濃度（１倍）における洗浄率は約３％であるが、５倍の洗剤濃度では洗浄率が１２％と急激に上昇し、１０倍で１５％、２０倍で１７％の洗浄率となるが、１０倍から２０倍では洗浄率の上昇は飽和傾向となる。この結果から、高濃度洗剤液の濃度は、５倍以上で最高でも２０倍程度でよいことがわかる。このように、高濃度洗剤液では、界面活性剤の働きが増強されるため、汚れを落とす作用が大幅に向上する。市販されているプレケア洗剤は、洗濯前に襟や袖などの汚れ部分に直接塗布する高濃度の液体洗剤であるが、図５の効果を利用したものである。なお、プレケア洗剤の洗浄力は、洗剤濃度１０倍の洗剤液と同等である。通常の粉末合成洗剤で作った高濃度洗剤液を洗濯物に浸透させることで、プレケア洗剤の効果を面倒な前処理を行うことなく実現できる。
【００６８】
また、界面活性剤の濃度が高くなると、洗濯物に対する洗剤液の浸透速度が向上する。図６は、人工汚染布に対する洗剤液の浸透速度と洗剤液濃度の関係を測定した結果である。浸透速度は、水道水に対する比で表してある。浸透速度比は、洗剤濃度にほぼ比例している。洗剤濃度が洗い水と同じ１倍の場合は、浸透速度比は１．１程度で水道水とほとんど変わらないが、洗剤濃度が５倍では約３倍、１０倍で約４倍、２０倍で約８倍となる。このように、高濃度洗剤液を洗濯物に散布すると、浸透速度が大きいため、洗剤液が洗濯物に高速で浸透して素早く汚れに到達し、高濃度の洗剤成分が汚れに強力に作用し洗浄力が向上する。さらに、洗剤液が洗濯物に高速で浸透していくため、散布した洗剤液が洗濯物へ浸透せずに洗濯槽底部（外槽）に流出することがないため、高濃度洗剤液を有効に洗濯物に浸透させることができる。
【００６９】
ゼオライトは、水道水に含まれている金属イオン（硬度成分）を除去（軟水化）して、界面活性剤と硬度成分が結合することにより発生する金属石鹸の生成を抑制する。すなわち、洗い水中の有効な界面活性剤の量の減少を抑制するように機能する。しかし、粉末合成洗剤の一般的な使用量である２０ｇ／３０Ｌ（洗剤量／洗い水量）程度では、ゼオライトの量が不足して有効な界面活性剤が大幅に減少してしまう。
【００７０】
しかしながら、少量の水道水（洗剤溶解水）で粉末合成洗剤を溶解して生成した高濃度洗剤液（例えば、洗い水の洗剤濃度の１０倍の洗剤濃度）は、金属イオンの量が少ないことから、ゼオライトが十分に機能して有効な界面活性剤の減少を極めて少量（約２％程度）に抑制することができる。
【００７１】
図７は、ゼオライト入り粉末合成洗剤を使用した場合の、洗剤溶解水の硬度と有効界面活性剤量（汚れに働きかけることができる界面活性剤量）との関係である。有効界面活性剤量は、投入した界面活性剤量に対する比率で表してある。すなわち、１００％は投入した界面活性剤がすべて有効なことを示し、割合が小さいほど硬度成分と界面活性剤が結合し金属石鹸化して、界面活性剤量が減少することを示す。
【００７２】
硬度が高いほど、有効界面活性剤量が減少する。硬度１００ｐｐｍにおける有効界面活性剤の割合は、洗剤濃度１倍では９０％と有効界面活性剤量が１０％も減少するのに対して、濃度５〜１０倍の高濃度洗剤液では９８％と有効界面活性剤量の減少は２％に止まる。
【００７３】
このように、高濃度洗剤液では、洗剤溶解水量に対してゼオライトの量が多いため、洗剤溶解水から金属イオンが除去（軟水化）され、有効界面活性剤量を確保することができる。従って、上述の界面活性剤の作用が十二分に発揮され、高い洗浄力を得ることができる。
【００７４】
アルカリ剤は、洗剤液のアルカリ度（ＰＨ）調整と皮脂汚れ中の遊離脂肪酸を石鹸化し、汚れを取り除きやすくする働きがある。図８は、洗剤液の洗剤濃度とアルカリ度（ＰＨ）の関係を示す特性図である。アルカリ度は、水道水（ＰＨ７．３）から洗い水の洗剤濃度（洗剤濃度１倍）になると急激に上昇し、ＰＨ約１０となる。その後洗剤濃度が高くなるにつれて緩やかに上昇し、１０倍の高洗剤濃度ではＰＨ約１１となる。
【００７５】
図９は、洗剤濃度１倍の洗い水におけるアルカリ度（ＰＨ）と化学的洗浄率の関係を示すビーカ試験の特性図である。この試験は、硬度０ｐｐｍの洗剤溶解水で粉末合成洗剤を溶解して生成した洗剤濃度１倍の洗剤液（洗い水）にアルカリ剤を添加してアルカリ度を変化させたときの洗浄率の変化を観察したものである。アルカリ度１０（洗剤濃度１倍の洗い水に相当）における洗浄率は約６％であるが、アルカリ度１１（１０倍の洗剤濃度の洗剤液に相当）では約８％の洗浄率となり、アルカリ度の向上で洗浄力が増加することがわかる。
【００７６】
酵素は、汚れ中のたんぱく質や脂質を分解する作用があり、界面活性剤による汚れの除去を容易にする。図１０は、酵素の有無による洗剤液の洗剤濃度と洗浄力の関係を示すビーカ試験の特性図である。この試験は、酵素配合の有無のみが異なる粉末合成洗剤を硬度０ｐｐｍの洗剤溶解水で溶解して生成した洗剤液の濃度と洗浄率の関係を観察したものである。酵素を配合した粉末合成洗剤の方が、洗剤濃度が高くなるに従って洗浄率が大幅に増加しており、高濃度酵素によりたんぱく質汚れや脂質汚れの分解が促進されることがわかる。
【００７７】
以上のように、高濃度洗剤液を洗濯物に散布浸透させることで、高濃度の界面活性剤、ゼオライト、アルカリ剤、酵素の働きにより大幅な洗浄力を向上させることができる。
【００７８】
ところで、洗濯乾燥機が使用される一般家庭の水道水圧は、０．０３〜０．８ＭＰａの範囲にあり、設置される家庭ごとに水道水圧が異なる。主給水電磁弁２０を流れる流量は、水道水圧が０．０３ＭＰａでは毎分５Ｌ程度、０．８ＭＰａでは毎分２０Ｌ程度と大きく異なる。このため、ステップ４０５の高濃度洗剤液の散布・浸透工程で、洗剤溶解容器２１の溢水部から溢水してくる高濃度洗剤液を主給水電磁弁２０からの給水で希釈し散布するときの洗剤液濃度が水道水圧により異なるため（水道水圧が低いほど洗剤液濃度が高い）、洗浄性能に影響を及ぼすことになる。また、水道水圧が高く流量が多いと、希釈散布時の洗剤液濃度が低くなるため、図６で説明したように洗剤液の洗濯物３８への浸透速度が小さくなり、洗濯物への洗剤液の浸透が間に合わず、希釈された洗剤液が洗濯兼脱水槽２外（外槽５）へ流出してしまう可能性がある。図１４は、高濃度洗剤液の希釈散布時の流量と洗浄力の関係を表す特性図である。図からわかるように、流量が毎分１０Ｌを越すと洗浄比が低下していくのがわかる。
【００７９】
洗浄比の低下を防ぐためには、流量が毎分１０Ｌを超える範囲で、主給水電磁弁２０を流れる流量を少なくすればよい。このためには、水道水圧が高い場合、主給水電磁弁２０の流量制御を行えばよい。例えば、主給水電磁弁２０の流路面積が可変の電磁弁の使用や、主給水電磁弁２０の開閉を間欠的に行うことで実現できる。上述のように、洗濯機が使用される水圧範囲では、流量は毎分５〜２０Ｌである。そこで、流量が毎分１０Ｌ以下の範囲ではそのまま流し、流量が毎分１０を越える範囲では流量を略半減するように制御することで、すべての水道水圧範囲で毎分１０Ｌ以下の流量とすることができる。水道水圧の測定方法については、後述する。
【００８０】
ステップ４０７
主給水電磁弁２０および補助給水電磁弁２２を開いて水道水（洗い水）の給水を開始する。この洗い水の給水は、ステップ４０２において決定した水量まで行うが、給水の途中で洗濯物３８の布量（湿布値）、布質を検出するために中断する。この中断水位は、マイクロコンピュータ１６ａに予め設定された湿布布量および布質検出に適した水位である。なお、補助給水電磁弁２２は、洗剤溶解容器２１を洗浄するために開放する。洗濯兼脱水槽２と撹拌翼４は、ステップ４０５と同様低速度で回転させた方がよい。これは、水道水を給水すると洗濯物３８に浸透していた約１０倍濃度の洗剤液が徐々に希釈されていくが、洗濯兼脱水槽２を回転させ洗濯物３８を回転させながら給水することで、洗濯物中の洗剤液が均一に希釈され、汚れ落ちのばらつきを小さくできるからである。中断水位まで給水すると、洗剤液の濃度は約２倍となるため、これ以降、洗濯兼脱水槽２を回転させながら給水する必要はない。
【００８１】
ステップ４０８
湿布布量と布質を検出して洗い水給水量の補正と洗濯工程（洗い工程と濯ぎ工程）の決定を行う。この布質検出は、所定の低水位で給水を中断して駆動装置６の電動操作クラッチ機構６２を撹拌モードに制御し、駆動電動機６１を短時間付勢して撹拌翼４を回転駆動し、消勢時の惰性回転における第１の減速特性（湿布布量）を検出し、次いで、給水を再開して所定の高水位まで洗い水を補給した後に給水を中断して駆動装置６の駆動電動機６１を短時間付勢して撹拌翼４を回転駆動し、消勢時の惰性回転における第２の減速特性を検出し、この第１の減衰特性と第２の減衰特性の差に基づいて洗濯物３８の布質を検出する。この布質検出制御は、初期設定により不要になったときには、省略する。そして、布質に応じて、洗いおよび濯ぎ工程における時間と水流（機械的撹拌の強さ）を決定する。
【００８２】
ステップ４０９
ステップ４０２で決定した水量（水位）まで水道水を給水する。この給水により、洗い水は、高濃度洗剤液を希釈して洗いに好ましい洗剤濃度（１倍）となる。これにより、洗濯物３８は、洗濯兼脱水槽２内で所定の洗剤濃度（１倍）の洗い水に浸した状態となる。
【００８３】
ステップ４０７〜４０９の給水において高濃度洗剤液は高硬度の水道水で希釈されることになるが、洗剤成分は高濃度状態で洗濯物に浸透して汚れに作用した後であるので、これらの給水によって洗剤成分の洗浄作用が阻害されることはない。
【００８４】
ステップ４１０
ステップ４０８において設定した洗い水流と洗い時間の洗い工程を行うように駆動装置６を制御する。この洗い工程においては、駆動装置６は、電動操作クラッチ機構６２を洗濯モードに制御し、駆動電動機６１の正逆運転を繰り返すことによって洗濯兼脱水槽２と撹拌翼４を反対向きに繰り返し正逆回転させる。
【００８５】
ここで、洗い工程における洗い時間と洗浄度と布絡み率の関係について説明する。
【００８６】
図１１は、洗い時間と洗浄度の関係を示している。洗い工程においては、洗濯物３８に付着した汚れを落とすために、洗濯兼脱水槽２と撹拌翼４を反対向きに繰り返し正逆回転させて洗濯物３８に機械力を作用させる。また、洗濯物３８の汚れには、洗剤の化学的な洗浄力が作用している。
【００８７】
特性曲線１００１は、洗濯物３８に高濃度洗剤液を浸透させる工程を行わないで洗剤を洗い水で溶解して洗い工程を実行したときのものである。すなわち、従来の洗濯方法で洗い工程を実行した場合の洗い時間と洗浄度を表わしたものである。従来の洗濯方法は、洗いに必要な洗剤量である２０ｇ／３０Ｌの割合で洗剤を投入して洗濯物を洗うものである。
【００８８】
洗いは、洗濯物の汚れに対する洗剤の化学力と洗濯機の機械力の相乗効果で該汚れを洗濯物から除去することから、図１１に示す洗い時間と洗浄度指数の関係に従って洗浄度が向上する。従来の洗い時間は、約８〜１０分程度が一般的であり、このときの洗浄度指数は５０位となっている。
【００８９】
特性曲線１００２は、高濃度洗剤液を洗濯物３８に浸透させた後に洗い（撹拌）工程を実行したときのものである。この実施の形態においては、高濃度洗剤液を洗濯物３８に浸透させた後に洗い工程を実行しているので、特性曲線１００２に従った洗浄度を得ることができ、従って、比較的に短い洗い時間での小さい機械力によって必要な洗浄度を得ることができる。
【００９０】
このように、高濃度洗剤液を浸透させ後に洗い工程へ移行して約８分間程度の撹拌を行うことにより、９０の洗浄度を実現することができる。
【００９１】
このことから、高濃度洗剤液を洗濯物３８に降りかけて浸透させる洗浄方式を採用することにより、洗い時間を５分以内としても、洗濯物３８の汚れは従来よりも良く落ちる。このために、洗濯機の機械力を低減しても洗浄力が向上する高濃度洗剤液浸透洗浄方式を提供することができる。
【００９２】
ここで、機械力は、洗濯兼脱水槽２および撹拌翼４の正逆回転のＯＮ−ＯＦＦ時限を調整したり、回転数を調整したり、洗い（撹拌）時間を調整したりすることによって制御することができる。
【００９３】
図１２は、洗い時間と布絡み率の関係を示している。特性曲線１１０１は、小さい機械力で洗い工程を実行したときのものであり、特性曲線１１０２は、大きな機械力で洗い工程を実行したときのものである。洗い工程における機械力は、洗濯兼脱水槽２と撹拌翼４の撹拌力（正逆回転角度や回転速度）の大きさに比例することから、大きな機械力を発生させるためには、洗濯兼脱水槽２と撹拌翼４の回転角度が大きくなって布絡み率が大きくなる。この実施の形態においては、小さい機械力で必要な洗浄力を得ることができることから、特性曲線１１０１の布絡み率で洗い工程を実行することができ、１０％以下の布絡み率を実現することができる。すなわち、高濃度洗剤液浸透洗浄方式を採用することにより、小さい機械力でも従来の洗浄方式よりも洗濯物３８の汚れが良く落ちるようになることから、洗濯機の機械力を小さくして洗濯物３８の傷みや絡みを低減することができる。
【００９４】
ステップ４１１
排水電磁弁３３を開いて洗い水を機外に排水する
ステップ４１２
主給水電磁弁２０と補助給水電磁弁２２を開いて濯ぎ水（水道水）を設定水量まで給水する。このとき（複数回の濯ぎを行うときには最終濯ぎのための給水時）には、必要に応じて、補助給水電磁弁２２ａも開いて柔軟仕上剤を投入する。
【００９５】
ステップ４１３
駆動装置６を制御して濯ぎ工程を実行する。高濃度洗剤液浸透洗浄方式による洗い工程では、高濃度洗剤液中のゼオライトによる軟水化作用が働くため、洗濯物３８への界面活性剤の吸着を増加させる金属石鹸の発生量が抑制される。このため、すすぎにおける界面活性剤の離脱が促進され、すすぎ性能が向上（希釈度が約２０％低減、希釈度：洗い水中の界面活性剤量に対するすすぎ水中の界面活性剤量の比）し、少ない濯ぎ力（機械力）で所定の濯ぎを実行することができる。
【００９６】
ステップ４１４
排水電磁弁３３を開いて濯ぎ水を機外に排水する。
【００９７】
ステップ４１５
排水電磁弁３３を開いたままにして駆動装置６の電動操作クラッチ機構６２を脱水・乾燥モードに制御し、駆動電動機６１を高速運転することによって洗濯兼脱水槽２と撹拌翼４を一体的に高速度で回転させることにより洗濯物３８の水分を遠心脱水する。この遠心脱水が終了した状態では、洗濯物３８は、洗濯兼脱水槽２の側壁に押し付けられて付着した状態にある。
【００９８】
ステップ４１６
駆動装置６の電動操作クラッチ機構６２を脱水・乾燥モードに制御し、駆動電動機６１を低速運転して洗濯兼脱水槽２と撹拌翼４を低速度で回転させながら送風機２６を運転して外槽５内の空気を吸い出し口５ａから吸い出し、水冷除湿ダクト２３内を上昇する過程において冷却散水部２４から該水冷除湿ダクト２３内に供給する冷却水によって冷却除湿し、下降風路ダクト２５を通して循環ファン２６に吸い込み、この循環ファン２６から上昇風路ダクト２７とヒータ２９を通して吹き出し口３０に送り込み、ヒータ２９によって加熱して洗濯兼脱水槽２内の内壁面付近に向けて該洗濯兼脱水槽２の回転方向に対して逆向きに吹き込む循環空気を生成し、洗濯兼脱水槽２内の洗濯物を乾燥する。
【００９９】
遠心脱水されて洗濯兼脱水槽２の側壁に付着した状態のままの洗濯物３８を温風乾燥すると該洗濯物３８に皺が発生するために、乾燥時間中は、定期的に撹拌翼４を正逆回転させて洗濯物３８を動かしながら乾燥させるようにする。
【０１００】
布絡み率が１０％以下であれば、最終脱水終了後にそのまま前述したように温風乾燥しても乾燥むらや皺の発生を防止することができる。
【０１０１】
この実施の形態において、洗濯物に水を含ませて湿潤させる湿潤工程におけるための湿潤給水流量や、粉末合成洗剤を溶解して高濃度洗剤液を生成するための洗剤溶解給水流量や、高濃度洗剤液を希釈するための希釈給水流量と水量は、これらの給水を実行する主給水電磁弁２０と補助給水電磁弁２２の通水流量（通水流路面積）と給水時間によって設定するが、実際の給水流量は水源（水道）の水圧によって変動する。従って、主給水電磁弁２０と補助給水電磁弁２２の通水流量は、予想し得る最低水圧における通水流量を基準にして設定し、水位センサ１５を監視して所定の水位まで給水するときの実際の給水時間を計測し、計測した給水時間に基づいた演算処理によって水源の水圧を求めて記憶しておき、前記湿潤給水、洗剤溶解給水、希釈給水時には、主給水電磁弁２０および補助給水電磁弁２２を断続的に開閉して間欠給水することによってその平均値が所定の流量となるような流量制御を行う。
【０１０２】
以上に述べた実施の形態は、全自動の洗濯乾燥機であるが、乾燥機能をもたない洗濯機として実施する場合には、前述した実施の形態における温風循環乾燥手段およびその制御処理を省略することにより、同様にして、実施することができる。すなわち、前述した実施の形態において、温風循環乾燥手段を省略し、制御装置におけるコントロールユニット１６が実行する乾燥制御処理ステップ４１６を省略することにより、乾燥機能をもたない全自動の洗濯機を実現することができる。
【０１０３】
また、本発明の洗濯機および洗濯乾燥機は、洗いおよび濯ぎに関しても、それぞれ、異なる方式を採用することができる。
【０１０４】
前述した実施の形態では、縦形の洗濯兼脱水槽２を例示したが、横形の洗濯兼脱水槽の一般的に呼称されているドラム式タイプとすることもできる。
【０１０５】
また、洗濯兼脱水槽の中央部に位置して洗濯物を正逆撹拌する撹拌翼４は、円盤上に羽根を付けたパルセータパイプと称する撹拌翼や、大きな羽根を３６０度以内で正逆回転させて洗濯するアジテータタイプと称する撹拌翼を使用することができる。また、洗濯兼脱水槽の底部に洗濯物を動かすパルセータ形状をした撹拌翼を該洗濯兼脱水槽と一体化して設けた構成とすることもできる。
【０１０６】
また、使用する粉末合成洗剤は、同様な洗剤成分の液体合成洗剤に変えることもできる。
【０１０７】
【発明の効果】
本発明は、洗剤を少量の洗剤溶解水に溶解して高濃度洗剤液を生成し、この高濃度洗剤液を予め濡らした洗濯物に、水道水圧によらず毎分５〜１０Ｌの流量で散布し浸透させることにより洗剤の化学的な洗浄力を効果的に発揮させるようにしたことにより、洗い工程において洗濯物に作用させる機械力を効果的に軽減することができる。また、プレ給水工程と高濃度洗剤液生成工程とを同時に実行することで、洗濯時間を短縮できる。
【０１０８】
また、本発明は、洗濯物の量に応じて洗濯物を予め濡らすための水量を変えることにより、洗濯物の色むらを防ぐとともに洗浄力の低下を防ぐことができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の一実施の形態である洗濯乾燥機を縦断面して示す模式図である。
【図２】図１に示した洗濯乾燥機の具体的な構成を示す縦断側面図である。
【図３】図１および図２に示した洗濯乾燥機の電気的構成を示すブロック図である。
【図４】図１および図２に示した洗濯乾燥機機のコントロールユニットにおけるマイクロコンピュータが実行する各工程の制御処理のフローチャートである。
【図５】洗濯物に浸透させる洗剤液濃度と化学的洗浄率の関係を示すビーカ試験の特性図である。
【図６】洗剤濃度と洗剤液の洗濯物への浸透速度の関係を示す特性図である。
【図７】洗剤を溶解する水の硬度と洗剤濃度と有効な界面活性剤の量の関係を示す特性図である。
【図８】粉末合成洗剤を溶解して生成した洗剤液の洗剤濃度とアルカリ度の関係を示す特性図である。
【図９】洗剤濃度１倍の洗い水におけるアルカリ度（ＰＨ）と化学的洗浄率の関係を示すビーカ試験の特性図である。
【図１０】洗剤液の洗剤濃度と酵素の有無による化学的洗浄力の関係の関係を示すビーカ試験の特性図である。
【図１１】洗い時間と洗浄度の関係を示す特性図である。
【図１２】洗い時間と布絡みの関係を示す特性図である。
【図１３】プレ給水水量と洗浄比の関係を示す特性図である。
【図１４】高濃度洗剤液の希釈散布時の流量と洗浄比の関係を示す特性図である。
【符号の説明】
２…洗濯兼脱水槽、４…撹拌翼、５…外槽、６…駆動装置、１４…操作パネル、１６…コントロールユニット、１９…注水口、２０…主給水電磁弁、２１…洗剤溶解容器、２２…補助給水電磁弁、２３…水冷除湿ダクト、２４…冷却散水部、２６…循環ファン、２９…ヒータ。[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a washing machine and a washing / drying machine.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The fully automatic washing machine detects the amount of laundry put into the washing and dehydrating tub, and puts in an amount of detergent corresponding to the amount of laundry (laundry clothing). After supplying the appropriate amount of tap water (washing water), the washing step is to rotate the stirring blade forward or reverse, or rotate the washing and dewatering tank in one direction, or forward and reverse to apply mechanical force to the laundry clothes. After that, a rinsing process is performed in which tap water (rinsing water) is supplied and mechanical power is similarly applied to the washing clothes, and then the washing / dehydrating tub is rotated to remove the rinsing water contained in the washing clothes. It is the structure which performs the spin-drying | dehydration process which carries out centrifugal dehydration. In the washing / drying machine which performs the drying of the laundry clothes, the hot air drying process is further performed to blow and dry the hot air thereafter.
[0003]
In such a fully automatic washing machine and a washing / drying machine, the amount of the synthetic detergent dissolved in the washing water in the washing process is generally about 20 g / 30 L (detergent quantity / wash water quantity). , About 0.07%.
[0004]
When washing with washing water of such detergent concentration, the chemical cleaning power of the detergent is not so great, so in order to remove the dirt adhering to the laundry clothes, the washing blade of the washing machine or the washing / dehydrating tank The mechanical force acting on the laundry should be strengthened by increasing the rotational force of the cloth or by increasing the washing time. As a result, the present situation is that there are drawbacks in that the laundry clothes are severely damaged by the mechanical force, and the laundry clothes become more entangled.
[0005]
When the tangling of the laundry clothes increases, the unevenness of the washing clothes increases and it becomes difficult to take out the laundry clothes. Further, in the washing and drying machine, warm air drying in the washing and dewatering tank becomes difficult due to the occurrence of uneven drying, and the laundry clothes become wrinkled. In order to carry out hot air drying, it is necessary to reduce the mechanical force applied to the laundry and to reduce the amount of tangling on the cloth. As a result, there is a disadvantage that the stain removal is worsened.
[0006]
In order to reduce the mechanical force acting on the laundry in the washing process, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-80182 adds a pre-soaking process in which the laundry is immersed in a high-concentration detergent solution before the washing process. A fully automatic washing machine that utilizes the chemical cleaning power of a high concentration detergent is disclosed.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
It is desirable that the washing machine and the washing / drying machine be configured so that the means for performing washing, dehydration and drying can be stored in a limited form of housing (width, depth, height). In particular, in order to effectively use the chemical detergency of detergents, the means for producing a high concentration detergent solution and penetrating the laundry is a new means added to conventional washing machines and washing dryers. Therefore, it is necessary to devise in order to realize a practical washing machine and washing / drying machine by rationally installing these means in the housing. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-80182 exemplifies the production of a high-concentration detergent solution by dissolving detergent with water twice the weight of the laundry. Becomes a high concentration detergent solution of 8 L, and it is difficult to install means for producing and accumulating such a large amount of high concentration detergent solution, which is not practical.
[0008]
One object of the present invention is to provide a mechanical force that acts on the laundry (laundry garment) in the washing process by effectively using the detergent and using the detergent regardless of tap water pressure. The object is to propose a practical washing machine that can be greatly reduced.
[0009]
Another object of the present invention is to reduce the mechanical force that acts on the laundry in the washing process in a washing and drying machine that dries the laundry dehydrated in the washing and dehydration tank by blowing warm air into the washing and dehydration tank. By doing so, it is to reduce the entanglement of the laundry in the washing and dewatering tub without increasing the stain removal, improve the drying efficiency, and reduce the unevenness of drying.
[0010]
Still another object of the present invention is to prevent color unevenness from occurring in the laundry due to the high-concentration detergent solution that dissolves and dilutes the powdered synthetic detergent and sprays it onto the laundry.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In the present invention, a detergent is dissolved in a small amount of detergent-dissolved water to produce a high-concentration detergent solution having a concentration higher than the detergent concentration of the wash water. By spraying and infiltrating the laundry, the chemical power of the detergent that acts on the dirt adhering to the laundry is used to increase the cleaning efficiency, and the mechanical force that acts on the laundry in the subsequent washing To alleviate At this timeThe main water supply solenoid valve is opened to supply water into the washing and dewatering tank to wet the laundry in the washing and dewatering tank, and the detergent supplied to the detergent dissolution container is supplied by opening the auxiliary water supply electromagnetic valve. It is preferable to simultaneously perform a high-concentration detergent liquid production step of producing a high-concentration detergent liquid by dissolving with detergent-dissolving water. Also,It is good to spread and infiltrate laundry while diluting a high concentration detergent solution.
[0012]
In addition, the concentration of the detergent solution that is spread and permeated into the laundry can be reduced by dissolving and diluting the powdered synthetic detergent with tap water so that the amount of the effective surfactant is reduced due to the hardness component contained in the tap water. It controls to such an extent that it can be effectively suppressed by the function of the water softening agent (for example, zeolite) contained in the detergent.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A high-concentration detergent solution is produced by dissolving a powdered synthetic detergent with a small amount of detergent-dissolving water, and this high-concentration detergent solution is permeated into the laundry, so that the stains adhering to the laundry are removed from the high-concentration detergent solution. Since the cleaning action is generated by the action of the chemical cleaning force, the mechanical force applied to the laundry in the subsequent washing can be reduced. The chemical cleaning action is affected by the concentration of the high-concentration detergent solution that penetrates the laundry.
[0014]
Since the amount of powdered synthetic detergent used for washing is adjusted according to the amount of laundry, the amount of this detergent is required to produce a suitable high-concentration detergent solution that produces the desired chemical detergency. It is desirable to adjust the amount of water supply accordingly. Specifically, the desirable detergent concentration of the high-concentration detergent liquid that permeates the laundry is 5 to 20 times the standard detergent concentration of washing water, and the preferred detergent concentration is about 10 times. For example, a high-concentration detergent solution having a detergent concentration of 10 times is a detergent obtained by dissolving a powdered synthetic detergent with 6 L of water in a general washing machine and a washing dryer using 60 L of washing water. Since it corresponds to a liquid, it is not preferable to use such a large-volume detergent dissolution container from the viewpoint of the installation location of the detergent dissolution container. Therefore, a powdered synthetic detergent is generated by dissolving with tap water. A high-concentration detergent solution is in a higher concentration state than a high-concentration detergent solution that penetrates laundry with a small amount necessary to dissolve the powdered detergent, for example, 200 to 300 mL of tap water. It is formed so as to have a concentration of 200 to 300 times, and it is configured so as to descend and permeate the laundry while being diluted to a preferable detergent concentration.
[0015]
Further, when a synthetic synthetic powder containing a fluorescent brightening agent is used and a laundry made of a light natural material is washed, discoloration (color unevenness) occurs. When the fluorescent whitening agent adheres to the light yellow cloth and blue-violet light (center wavelength 440 nm) is added to the reflected light, it is whitened and the color appears white. Color unevenness becomes prominent when there is uneven penetration of the high-concentration detergent solution into the laundry. Therefore, it is desirable to uniformly infiltrate by spraying the high-concentration detergent solution while rotating the laundry at a low speed after wetting the laundry with a small amount of water in advance before spraying the high-concentration detergent solution. .
[0016]
The present invention relates to a washing machine and a washing / drying machine that effectively utilize the chemical cleaning power of a high-concentration detergent solution. However, the washing machine can be implemented in a form in which the drying mechanism of the washing / drying machine is omitted. Therefore, an embodiment of the washing / drying machine will be described below.
[0017]
The laundry dryer in this embodiment detects the amount of laundry, determines the amount of washing water (washing water level), determines the amount of powder synthetic detergent required, and the powder synthetic detergent with water. A high-concentration detergent liquid production process that dissolves to produce a high-concentration detergent liquid, a pre-water supply process in which the laundry is moistened with water, and a high-concentration detergent liquid produced by dissolving the powdered synthetic detergent while diluting A permeation process for spraying and infiltrating wet laundry, a stationary process for placing the laundry soaked with high-concentration detergent solution (omitted if necessary), a washing process, a rinsing process, a dehydrating process, A warm air drying process is performed.
[0018]
FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a washing / drying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention in a longitudinal section.
[0019]
Reference numeral 1 denotes a frame constituting the outer shell. Reference numeral 2 denotes a washing and dewatering tub, which has a water passage hole 2a on its peripheral wall, is provided with a fluid balancer 3 on its upper edge, and is provided with a stirring blade 4 on the inside of the bottom so as to be freely rotatable. The stirring blade 4 has a water passage hole 4a. Reference numeral 5 denotes an outer tub containing the washing / dehydrating tub 2, and a driving device 6 is installed on the outside of the bottom portion by means of a steel plate mounting base 7. The washing and dewatering tub 2 is supported so as to be suspended from the four corners of the upper end portion of the frame 1 by a vibration isolating support device 8.
[0020]
The drive device 6 includes a drive motor, an electric operation clutch mechanism, and a planetary gear speed reduction mechanism, and rotates the stirring blade 4 (stirring mode) while the washing / dehydrating tub 2 is stationary, thereby stirring the washing / dehydrating tub 2 and the stirring / dehydrating tub 2. Each of the blades 4 is rotated in the opposite direction (washing mode), and has a selective drive function of rotating the washing / dehydrating tub 2 and the stirring blade 4 integrally in the same direction (dehydration / drying mode).
[0021]
The top cover 9 formed with the clothing input opening 9a is fitted into the opening edge so as to cover the upper opening of the frame 1 and is attached to the frame 1 together with the front panel 10 and the back panel 11 with mounting screws.
[0022]
A front panel box 12 formed between the top cover 9 and the front panel 10 includes a power switch 13, an operation panel 14 having an input switch group and a display element group, and a water level signal corresponding to the water level in the outer tub 5. The water level sensor 15 for generating the pressure and the control unit 16 are incorporated. These constitute a control device.
[0023]
A back panel box 17 formed between the top cover 9 and the back panel 11 incorporates a washing water supply means and a high-concentration detergent liquid generation means so as to be installed side by side.
[0024]
The washing water supply means includes a main water supply electromagnetic valve 20 having a water inlet side connected to a faucet connection port 18 and a water outlet side connected to a water injection port 19.
[0025]
The high-concentration detergent liquid generating means supplies a small amount of detergent-dissolved water from the auxiliary water supply electromagnetic valve 22 to the detergent-dissolving container 21, and the powdered synthetic detergent put in the detergent-dissolving container 21 is driven by an electrically driven stirring blade. Dissolve in the detergent-dissolved water while stirring to produce a high-concentration detergent solution. The detergent dissolution container 21 has an overflow portion (not shown) connected to the water supply port 19, and the generated high-concentration detergent solution is diluted with additional water supply (diluted water supply) to increase the amount of overflow from the overflow portion. Supply to the water inlet 19.
[0026]
In order to dilute the detergent-dissolved water for producing the high-concentration detergent liquid to a preferable detergent concentration so as to penetrate into the laundry when the diluted water is supplied, set to a small amount so as not to overflow from the overflow portion of the detergent-dissolving container 21. The main water supply electromagnetic valve 20 is also opened to supply additional dilution water to the water injection port 19.
[0027]
The size of the detergent dissolution container 21 is preferably about 400 to 500 mL in order to be installed in the back panel box 17. In order to prevent the overflow from the overflow portion during the production of the high-concentration detergent solution by dissolving the powder synthetic detergent, the amount of the detergent-dissolved water is set to 150 to 300 mL. The reason for the difference in the amount of detergent-dissolved water is that the foaming state due to the entrainment of air during dissolution of the detergent differs depending on the type (brand) of the powder synthetic detergent. A detergent with a lot of foaming has an apparent volume that increases during dissolution and is likely to overflow, so the amount of detergent-dissolved water needs to be reduced. Actually, there are various types of detergents and foamed states, and in order to prevent overflow, it is preferable to set the amount of detergent dissolved water to about 150 to 200 mL.
[0028]
The amount of washing water in a washing / drying machine having a washing capacity of 8 kg is about 24 to 68 L, and the detergent concentration of the high-concentration detergent solution produced by dissolving the synthetic powder detergent with detergent-dissolving water is 80 of the washing water detergent concentration. It will be ~ 500 times. This high-concentration detergent solution is diluted 5 to 20 times (preferably about 10 times) when sprayed and permeated into the laundry.
[0029]
When the finishing agent charging means is attached to the detergent dissolution container 21 of the high concentration detergent liquid generating means, an auxiliary water supply electromagnetic valve 22a used for the finishing agent charging means is further provided.
[0030]
The hot air circulation drying means is formed so as to extend upward in the vertical state along the outer wall surface on the rear side of the outer tub 5 from the suction port 5a formed on the side wall near the bottom of the outer tub 5, and the sucking port 5a. From a water-cooled dehumidifying duct 23 that dams washing water that has entered from the inside, a cooling sprinkler 24 that is located in the upper part of the water-cooled dehumidifying duct 23 and supplies cooling water to the duct, and a water level of the outer tub 5 in the washing process And a descending air duct 25 extending vertically toward the lower side of the outer tub 5 along the outer wall surface of the outer tub 5 and the lower airflow duct disposed in the lower space of the outer tub 5. A circulation fan 26 that sucks air from the air duct 25 and generates circulating air; a rising air duct 27 that extends vertically from the outlet of the circulation fan 26 along the outer wall surface of the outer tub 5; Installed on the outer tank upper cover 28 A heater (PTC heater) 29 for heating the circulated air to be fed from the serial rising air duct 27 comprises the outlet 30 blows toward the inside the washing and dewatering tank 2 a circulation air heated by the heater 29.
[0031]
The water-cooled dehumidifying duct 23, the descending air duct 25 and the ascending air duct 27 are mounted on the outer wall surface on the rear side of the outer tub 5 in the circumferential direction of the outer tub 5.
[0032]
And this warm air circulation drying means drains the washing water in the outer tub 5 after washing, and operates the circulation fan 26 while rotating the washing and dewatering tub 2 at a high speed and rotating at a low speed after dehydrating. In the process of sucking out the humid air in the outer tub 5 and the washing / dehydrating tub 3 from the suction port 5a and ascending the water-cooled dehumidifying duct 23, the water is cooled by the cooling water supplied from the cooling water spraying section 24 into the water-cooled dehumidifying duct 23. To dehumidify. Thereafter, the cooled and dehumidified air descends the descending air duct 25 and is sucked into the circulation fan 26, and is sent from the circulation fan 26 through the ascending duct duct 27 and the heater 29 to the outlet 30 and heated by the heater 29 for washing. It blows in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the washing / dehydrating tank 2 toward the vicinity of the inner wall surface in the cum / dehydrating tank 2. The circulating air blown into the washing / dehydrating tub 2 in this way touches the laundry in the washing / dehydrating tub 2 and dries the laundry.
[0033]
The clothing input opening 9 a formed in the upper surface cover 9 is configured to be opened and closed by the outer lid 31, and the opening 28 a formed in the outer tub upper cover 28 is configured to be opened and closed by the inner lid 32.
[0034]
A drain port 5 b formed at the bottom of the outer tub 5 is connected to a drain hose 34 via a drain electromagnetic valve 33. The air trap 5 c is connected to the water level sensor 15 through the air tube 35. At the lower end edge of the frame body 1, a base 37 made of synthetic resin with legs 36 attached to the four corners is attached.
[0035]
Reference numeral 38 denotes a laundry put in the washing and dewatering tub 2.
[0036]
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal side view showing a specific configuration of the above-described washing and drying machine. A part of the description overlapping that of FIG. 1 is omitted.
[0037]
The drive device 6 includes a drive motor 61, an electrically operated clutch mechanism 62, a planetary gear speed reduction mechanism 63, a center output shaft 64, and an outer output shaft 65. The drive device 6 is integrally assembled on the lower surface of the steel mounting base 7, and this attachment is performed. The base 7 is attached to the bottom surface of the outer tub 5 by screwing.
[0038]
As the drive motor 61, a multistage or continuously variable speed reversible motor is used. In this embodiment, the rotational speed for rotating the stirring blade 4 at the time of detecting the amount of cloth, the rotational speed for rotating the washing / dehydrating tub 2 and the stirring blade 4 at the time of pre-watering, and a high-concentration detergent solution are sprayed on the laundry. The rotation speed of rotating the washing / dehydrating tub 2 and / or the stirring blade 4 when permeating and the rotation speed of rotating the sun gear of the planetary gear speed reduction mechanism during washing, and the washing / dehydrating tub 2 and the stirring blade 4 during dehydration It is possible to control the rotation speed of rotating the stirring blade 4 integrally and the rotation speed of rotating the washing / dehydrating tub 2 and the stirring blade 4 integrally at the time of hot air drying so that the stirring blade 4 is rotated independently. Configure.
[0039]
The planetary gear speed reduction mechanism 63 has a configuration in which a carrier supporting the planetary gear is coupled to the center output shaft 64, an internal gear is coupled to the outer output shaft 65, and a sun gear is directly coupled to the drive motor 61.
[0040]
The electric operation clutch mechanism 62 selectively sets the stirring mode, the washing mode, and the dehydration / drying mode by operating the operation lever 62b by the electric operation device 62a. In the agitation mode, the rotational force of the drive motor 61 is output to the planetary gear reduction mechanism 63 and the center output in a state where the stationary force is applied to the washing and dewatering tub 2 by engaging the internal gear of the planetary gear reduction mechanism 63 with the stationary member. Transmission to the stirring blade 4 via the shaft 64 and rotation of the stirring blade 4 cause the cloth amount detection and the cloth quality detection based on the load applied to the stirring blade 4 to be executed. In the washing mode, the sun gear is rotated by the drive motor 61 with the internal gear of the planetary gear speed reduction mechanism 63 being free to rotate, whereby the rotational force of the drive motor 61 is applied to both the central output shaft 64 and the outer output shaft 65. Transmission is performed in the opposite direction, and the washing and dewatering tub 2 and the stirring blade 4 are repeatedly rotated forward and backward in the opposite direction to execute washing. In the dehydration / drying mode, the internal gear of the planetary gear speed reduction mechanism 62 is connected to the drive motor 61, and the sun gear and the internal gear are integrally rotated by the drive motor 61, and the center output shaft 64 and the outer output shaft are driven. Rotate 65 in the same direction to rotate the washing and dewatering tub 2 and the stirring blade 4 in the same direction at a low speed to execute pre-water supply, rotate at a high speed to perform centrifugal dehydration, rotate at a low speed to perform hot air drying It is the structure to make.
[0041]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the washing / drying machine.
[0042]
The control unit 16 that receives power via the power switch 13 is configured with a microcomputer 16a as the center, and includes a power supply circuit 16b, a driving device 6, a main water supply electromagnetic valve 20, an auxiliary water supply electromagnetic valve 22, a detergent agitation motor 39, and waste water. The drive circuit 16c which has the semiconductor alternating current switching element (FLS) group for controlling the electric power feeding to the solenoid valve 33, the circulation fan 26, the heater 29, and the cooling water spray solenoid valve 24a is provided.
[0043]
The drive motor 61 of the drive device 6 has a stator winding 61a and a rotation sensor 61b, and the electric operation clutch mechanism 62 has an electric operation machine 62a and a position sensor 62c for detecting the operation position.
[0044]
The drive circuit 16c includes two semiconductor AC switching elements (FLS) 16c1 and 16c2 for forward / reverse rotation control with respect to power supply control to the stator winding 61a of the drive motor 61 in the drive device 6. FLS16c1 is a semiconductor switching element for forward rotation power supply control, and FLS16c2 is a semiconductor AC switching element for reverse rotation power supply control. In this embodiment, the rotational speed control of the drive motor 61 is configured by performing phase control on the stator winding 61a with the FLS 16c1 and 16c2, but an inverter-driven brushless motor is used. The configuration can be configured to be performed by PWM control or PAM control. Further, the driving device 6 includes an FLS 16c3 for controlling power supply to the electric operating machine 62a of the electric operating clutch mechanism 62.
[0045]
Further, the drive circuit 16c includes FLSs 16c4 to 16c10 that control power supply to the main water supply electromagnetic valve 20, the water supply electromagnetic valve 22, the detergent stirring motor 39, the drainage electromagnetic valve 33, the circulation fan 26, the heater 29, and the cooling water spraying electromagnetic valve 24a. Prepare. The drive circuit 16c controls the conduction state of the FLS 16c1 to FLS 16c10 in accordance with an instruction from the microcomputer 16a, and performs power feeding control to the subordinate load.
[0046]
The microcomputer 16 a further includes a rotation sensor 61 b of the drive motor 61, a position sensor 62 c of the electric operation clutch mechanism 62, a water level sensor 15 for detecting the washing water level in the outer tub 5, and a detergent in the detergent dissolution container 21. The detergent sensor 40 is connected to the operation panel 14, and a control processing program incorporated in advance is executed, whereby the input switch group 14a, the water level sensor 15, the rotation sensor 61b, and the position sensor 62c of the operation panel 14 are executed. , And control the drive circuit 16c to execute the steps of cloth amount detection, high concentration detergent solution generation, pre-water supply, high concentration detergent solution penetration, stationary, washing, rinsing, dehydration and hot air drying. The progress status is displayed by controlling the display element group 14b of the operation panel 14.
[0047]
The input switch group 14a of the operation panel 14 includes a switch for setting a washing course (standard, strong, soft, dry, handmade, futon, etc.), a switch for setting a drying course (standard, shirt, finish, dry, etc.), and a washing time. And a switch for setting washing conditions such as dehydration time, amount of water, number of times of rinsing, and a switch for setting a drying course (standard, shirt, blanket, etc.) when washing from drying to drying is performed.
[0048]
Next, each of the above steps will be described by exemplifying a case where chemical washing power of the detergent is effectively generated by allowing a high-concentration detergent solution to permeate the laundry to perform washing, dehydration and drying.
[0049]
Next, operation | movement of each process of the washing / drying machine comprised in this way is demonstrated. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of each process executed by the microcomputer 16 a in the control unit 16.
[0050]
When the washing start button switch of the input switch group 14a is turned on, the microcomputer 16a executes the following control process.
[0051]
Step 401
When the user puts the laundry clothes 38 into the washing and dewatering tub 2 and operates the input switch group 14a of the operation panel 14 to perform initial setting and presses the washing start button switch, the microcomputer 16a Start the automatic operation control process.
[0052]
In the initial setting, a washing course according to the laundry, a washing time, a dehydration time, a water amount, the number of times of rinsing, and the like are set as necessary. Furthermore, a washing / drying course is set when drying is performed after washing.
[0053]
Step 402
A detection control process of the amount of cloth of the laundry 38 is performed. This cloth amount detection is performed by controlling the electric operation clutch mechanism 62 of the driving device 6 to the agitation mode in the dry cloth state before water supply, energizing the driving motor 61 for a short time to rotationally drive the agitating blade 4, and at the time of rotational acceleration. This is detected based on the acceleration characteristics of the motor or the deceleration characteristics in inertial rotation when the energization of the drive motor 61 is stopped. Based on the detection result (cloth amount of the laundry), the amount of washing and the amount of detergent for generating washing water having a preferable detergent concentration are calculated and determined, and the amount of detergent is displayed by the display element group 14b. The user puts the powdered synthetic detergent into the detergent dissolution container 21 with reference to the displayed detergent amount.
[0054]
Step 403
A high concentration detergent solution is produced. When the detergent sensor 40 detects that the synthetic powder detergent has been put into the detergent dissolution container 21, the auxiliary water supply electromagnetic valve 22 is opened to supply a small amount of tap water (detergent dissolution water) that does not overflow into the detergent dissolution container 21. . Then, the detergent stirring electric motor 39 is energized, the stirring blade is driven to rotate, and the powder synthetic detergent in the detergent dissolving container 21 is dissolved while stirring to generate a high concentration detergent solution.
[0055]
The amount of detergent-dissolving water is equal to the capacity (size) of the detergent-dissolving container 21 and the amount of powdered synthetic detergent used for washing is uniformly and efficiently dissolved while stirring with a stirring blade. Set the amount of water so that overflow does not occur. For example, when the capacity | capacitance of the detergent dissolution container 21 is 500 mL (400 mL capacity to an overflow part), the quantity of detergent dissolution water is set to 150-200 mL. The detergent-dissolved water is controlled by the valve opening time of the auxiliary water supply electromagnetic valve 22. The concentration of the high-concentration detergent solution to be generated varies depending on the amount of detergent (the amount of laundry and the amount of washing water) charged into the detergent dissolution container 21. For example, the amount of washing water in a washing / drying machine having a washing capacity of 8 kg is about 24 to 68 L, and the high concentration detergent solution is 80 to 500 times the detergent concentration of washing water.
[0056]
The dissolution time needs 2-3 minutes. The dissolution time varies depending on the type of powdered detergent, but even a difficult-to-dissolve detergent has a dissolution rate of 95 to 100% in 2 to 3 minutes and can dissolve most detergents.
[0057]
Step 404
The electric operation clutch mechanism 62 of the drive device 6 is controlled to the dewatering / drying mode, and the main water supply electromagnetic valve 20 is opened while the drive motor 61 is operated at a low speed to rotate the washing and dewatering tub 2 and the stirring blade 4 at a low speed. Is directly supplied to the water injection port 19 and pre-watering is performed to spray the tap water on the laundry 38 in the washing and dewatering tub 2. The pre-water supply amount is set to an amount that wets at least from the uppermost surface of the laundry to about a few pieces of cloth.
[0058]
A fluorescent whitening agent contained in a powdered synthetic detergent that causes uneven coloration of clothing made of light natural materials is a type of dye that is adsorbed as soon as it touches laundry. For this reason, the fluorescent whitening agent is most easily adsorbed on the uppermost part of the laundry directly applied with the high-concentration detergent solution. Therefore, if a high concentration detergent solution is sprayed on dry laundry, there will be a difference in the amount of fluorescent whitening agent adsorbed between the portion where the high concentration detergent solution flows and the portion where it does not. Color unevenness occurs. On the other hand, if it is separated from the uppermost part of the laundry to some extent, the optical brightener in the high-concentration detergent liquid that has permeated has almost disappeared, and is less susceptible to the influence of the optical brightener. By pre-watering and wetting the laundry, it becomes easier for the high-concentration detergent solution to penetrate, so the high-concentration detergent solution spreads uniformly in the laundry, so the fluorescent whitening agent is evenly adsorbed on the laundry. Prevents uneven color. However, according to the sensory test for discoloration (color unevenness), the range in which the influence of the fluorescent whitening agent can be allowed by pre-watering is almost not concerned when the concentration of the high concentration detergent solution is 20 times or less (preferably 10 times or less). If the concentration is higher than this, discoloration will be a little worrisome even if pre-watering is performed. For this reason, regarding discoloration (color unevenness), the concentration of the high-concentration detergent solution needs to be suppressed to 20 times or less.
[0059]
Further, the pre-water supply amount is preferably controlled according to the amount of the laundry 38 detected by the cloth amount detection step, and is controlled so as to decrease when the amount of the laundry 38 is small and to increase as the amount increases. This is because, when the laundry is wet, the high-concentration detergent liquid is more easily penetrated, so that the high-concentration detergent liquid can uniformly penetrate the entire laundry. The pre-water supply amount is controlled by the valve opening time of the main water supply electromagnetic valve 20.
[0060]
However, if the pre-water supply amount is too large, the sprayed high-concentration detergent solution is diluted immediately, and the improvement rate of the cleaning power becomes small. FIG. 13 is a characteristic diagram of the pre-water supply amount and the cleaning power with respect to the amount of laundry. The concentration of the high-concentration detergent solution is 10 times. In any amount of laundry, the detergency decreases when the pre-water supply amount exceeds a certain value, and when the amount of laundry is 2 kg, the detergency decreases when the pre-water supply amount exceeds 4 L, 4 kg, and 8 kg. From this, the pre-water supply amount can be prevented from being reduced by approximately 4 L when the amount of the laundry 38 is less than 4 kg, and approximately 10 L when the amount of the laundry 38 is 4 to 8 kg.
In addition, this pre-water supply process is performed simultaneously with the high concentration detergent liquid production | generation process of step 403. This is because, as described above, 2 to 3 minutes are required for dissolution of the detergent, and the washing time can be shortened by performing the pre-water supply step during this period. Furthermore, since the time from the end of the pre-water supply until the end of the detergent dissolution is a deferment time, the tap water can be sufficiently penetrated into the laundry 38. For example, when the water supply flow rate from the main water supply electromagnetic valve 20 is 15 L / min and the pre-water supply amount is 10 L, the pre-water supply ends in 40 seconds. If the detergent dissolution time is 2 minutes, a stationary time of 1 minute 20 seconds can be taken.
[0061]
Step 405
The electric operation clutch mechanism 62 of the drive device 6 is controlled to the dehydration / drying mode, the drive motor 61 is operated at a low speed, and the auxiliary water supply electromagnetic valve 22 is opened while rotating the washing / dehydration tank 2 and the stirring blade 4 at a low speed. Diluted water is supplied to the detergent dissolution container 21 to dilute the high-concentration detergent liquid, and the water is fed from the overflow portion to the water inlet 19. At the same time, the main water supply solenoid valve 20 is opened and water is supplied to the water inlet 19 to dilute the high-concentration detergent solution into a preferable high-concentration detergent solution and spray it on the laundry 38 in the washing and dehydrating tub 2 to the laundry 38. Infiltrate. The preferable detergent concentration of the high concentration detergent liquid at this time will be described later. Since the laundry 38 in the washing / dehydrating tub 2 rotates together with the washing / dehydrating tub 2, the high-concentration detergent liquid applied from the water inlet 19 is uniformly applied to the laundry 38 and penetrates. The laundry 38 may be rotated by rotating the stirring blade 4 while the washing / dehydrating tub 2 is stationary. By rotating the rotary blade 4 forward and backward, the laundry 38 is stirred and the position in the washing and dewatering tub 2 is changed, so that the penetration of the detergent liquid can be made more uniform.
[0062]
The high-concentration detergent liquid that has fallen on the laundry 38 quickly permeates and penetrates into the laundry 38, causing the detergent components to act on the dirt adhering to the laundry 38.
[0063]
Step 406
The laundry 38 in which the high-concentration detergent solution has been applied and permeated is left for a predetermined time. This deferment is a time for further promoting the penetration of the high-concentration detergent liquid into the laundry 38 and the action of the chemical cleaning power of the detergent against dirt, and is omitted as necessary.
[0064]
Here, the improvement in the degree of cleaning with the high-concentration detergent solution will be described.
[0065]
As a detergent component, the powder synthetic detergent contains a surfactant that removes dirt, an alkali agent that assists the activator, a builder such as a zeolite, an enzyme, an anti-redeposition agent, and an additive such as a fluorescent brightening agent. Among these components, surfactants, zeolites, alkali agents, and enzymes mainly contribute to the detergency effect when a high-concentration detergent solution is used.
[0066]
Surfactant gathers its lipophilic group toward the surface of the dirt and adsorbs it to the dirt, soaks it into the dirt and laundry by osmotic action, dissolves the oil dirt in water by emulsifying action, and oleophilic solid particles by dispersing action. Has a function to make it easy to mix with water. Then, by adding the mechanical action of the washing machine, the dirt is separated from the laundry and moves into the wash water.
[0067]
FIG. 5 shows the results of the beaker test showing the relationship between the concentration of the detergent liquid that permeates the laundry and the washing rate. This test observed the relationship between detergent concentration and washing rate when an artificially contaminated cloth was immersed for 5 minutes in a detergent solution prepared by dissolving synthetic powder detergent with 100ppm hardness detergent water (no mechanical force applied). It is a thing. The washing rate at the washing water detergent concentration (1x) is about 3%, but at the 5x detergent concentration, the washing rate rises sharply to 12%, and the washing rate is 15% at 10 times and 17% at 20 times. However, from 10 times to 20 times, the increase in the cleaning rate tends to be saturated. From this result, it can be seen that the concentration of the high-concentration detergent solution is 5 times or more and at most about 20 times. Thus, in the high concentration detergent solution, the action of the surfactant is enhanced, so that the action of removing dirt is greatly improved. Commercially available pre-care detergents are high-concentration liquid detergents that are directly applied to soiled parts such as collars and sleeves before washing, and utilize the effect of FIG. The cleaning power of the pre-care detergent is equivalent to that of a detergent solution having a detergent concentration of 10 times. By infiltrating the laundry with a high-concentration detergent solution made of ordinary powder synthetic detergent, the effect of the pre-care detergent can be realized without troublesome pretreatment.
[0068]
Further, when the concentration of the surfactant is increased, the penetration rate of the detergent liquid into the laundry is improved. FIG. 6 shows the results of measuring the relationship between the detergent solution penetration rate and the detergent solution concentration into the artificially contaminated cloth. The permeation rate is expressed as a ratio to tap water. The penetration rate ratio is approximately proportional to the detergent concentration. When the detergent concentration is the same as that of washing water, the permeation rate ratio is about 1.1, which is almost the same as tap water, but when the detergent concentration is 5 times, it is about 3 times, 10 times about 4 times, and 20 times. About 8 times. In this way, when a high-concentration detergent solution is sprayed on the laundry, the penetration rate is high, so the detergent solution penetrates the laundry at a high speed and quickly reaches the dirt, and the high-concentration detergent component acts strongly on the dirt. Detergency improves. In addition, since the detergent solution penetrates into the laundry at high speed, the sprayed detergent solution does not penetrate into the laundry and does not flow out to the bottom of the washing tub (outer tub). Can penetrate into the laundry.
[0069]
Zeolite removes (softens) the metal ions (hardness component) contained in tap water, and suppresses the formation of metal soap generated by the combination of the surfactant and the hardness component. That is, it functions to suppress a decrease in the amount of effective surfactant in the wash water. However, at a level of 20 g / 30 L (detergent amount / washing water amount), which is a general use amount of a powdered synthetic detergent, the amount of zeolite is insufficient and the effective surfactant is greatly reduced.
[0070]
However, a high concentration detergent solution (for example, a detergent concentration 10 times the detergent concentration of washing water) produced by dissolving a synthetic powder detergent with a small amount of tap water (detergent dissolving water) has a small amount of metal ions. Thus, the zeolite can function sufficiently and the decrease in the effective surfactant can be suppressed to a very small amount (about 2%).
[0071]
FIG. 7 shows the relationship between the hardness of detergent-dissolved water and the amount of effective surfactant (the amount of surfactant that can act on soil) when a zeolite-containing powder synthetic detergent is used. The amount of effective surfactant is expressed as a ratio to the amount of surfactant added. That is, 100% indicates that all of the added surfactants are effective, and the smaller the ratio, the harder the component and the surfactant are combined to form a metal soap, and the amount of the surfactant is reduced.
[0072]
The higher the hardness, the lower the amount of effective surfactant. The effective surfactant ratio at a hardness of 100 ppm is 90% at a detergent concentration of 1 and the effective surfactant amount is reduced by 10%, whereas it is effective at 98% in a high concentration detergent solution having a concentration of 5 to 10 times. The decrease in surfactant amount is only 2%.
[0073]
As described above, in the high-concentration detergent liquid, since the amount of zeolite is larger than the amount of detergent-dissolved water, metal ions are removed (softened) from the detergent-dissolved water, and an effective surfactant amount can be ensured. Therefore, the action of the above-described surfactant is fully exhibited, and a high detergency can be obtained.
[0074]
The alkaline agent functions to adjust the alkalinity (PH) of the detergent solution and to soap the free fatty acids in the sebum soil, making it easier to remove the soil. FIG. 8 is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between the detergent concentration and the alkalinity (PH) of the detergent solution. The alkalinity rapidly increases when the detergent concentration of washing water (detergent concentration is 1 time) is changed from tap water (PH 7.3) to PH of about 10. Thereafter, it gradually rises as the detergent concentration increases, and reaches a pH of about 11 at a detergent concentration 10 times higher.
[0075]
FIG. 9 is a characteristic diagram of a beaker test showing the relationship between alkalinity (PH) and chemical cleaning rate in washing water having a detergent concentration of 1 time. In this test, the washing rate changes when the alkalinity is changed by adding an alkaline agent to a detergent solution (washing water) with a detergent concentration of 1 time, which is generated by dissolving a synthetic powder detergent with 0 ppm hardness detergent water. Is observed. The washing rate at an alkalinity of 10 (equivalent to washing water with a detergent concentration of 1) is about 6%, but at an alkalinity of 11 (equivalent to a detergent solution with a washing concentration of 10 times), the washing rate is about 8%. It can be seen that the cleaning power increases with the improvement of the degree.
[0076]
The enzyme has an action of degrading proteins and lipids in the soil, and facilitates removal of the soil by a surfactant. FIG. 10 is a characteristic diagram of a beaker test showing the relationship between the detergent concentration of detergent solution and the cleaning power depending on the presence or absence of an enzyme. In this test, the relationship between the washing rate and the concentration of a detergent solution produced by dissolving powder synthetic detergents that differ only in the presence or absence of an enzyme in detergent-dissolved water having a hardness of 0 ppm is observed. Synthetic powdered detergents containing enzymes have a significantly increased washing rate as the detergent concentration increases, and it can be seen that high-concentration enzymes promote the degradation of protein stains and lipid stains.
[0077]
As described above, by spraying and infiltrating the high concentration detergent liquid into the laundry, it is possible to improve the detergency significantly by the action of the high concentration surfactant, zeolite, alkali agent and enzyme.
[0078]
By the way, the tap water pressure of a general household where the washing / drying machine is used is in a range of 0.03 to 0.8 MPa, and the tap water pressure is different for each installed household. The flow rate flowing through the main water supply electromagnetic valve 20 is significantly different from about 5 L / min when the tap water pressure is 0.03 MPa and about 20 L / min when the tap water pressure is 0.8 MPa. For this reason, the detergent used when diluting and spraying the high-concentration detergent liquid overflowing from the overflow portion of the detergent dissolution container 21 with the feed water from the main water supply solenoid valve 20 in the spraying / penetration process of the high-concentration detergent liquid in Step 405. Since the liquid concentration varies depending on the tap water pressure (the lower the tap water pressure, the higher the detergent liquid concentration), the cleaning performance is affected. Further, when the tap water pressure is high and the flow rate is large, the concentration of the detergent solution at the time of dilution spraying becomes low, so that the penetration rate of the detergent solution into the laundry 38 is reduced as described with reference to FIG. May not be in time, and the diluted detergent solution may flow out of the washing and dehydrating tank 2 (outer tank 5). FIG. 14 is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between the flow rate and the cleaning power when diluting and spraying a high-concentration detergent solution. As can be seen, the cleaning ratio decreases as the flow rate exceeds 10 L / min.
[0079]
In order to prevent a reduction in the cleaning ratio, the flow rate flowing through the main feed water electromagnetic valve 20 may be reduced within a range where the flow rate exceeds 10 L / min. For this purpose, when the tap water pressure is high, the flow control of the main water supply electromagnetic valve 20 may be performed. For example, it can be realized by using an electromagnetic valve having a variable flow path area of the main water supply electromagnetic valve 20 or by opening and closing the main water supply electromagnetic valve 20 intermittently. As mentioned above, in the water pressure range where the washing machine is used, the flow rate is 5-20 L / min. Therefore, the flow rate is 10 L / min or less in a range where the flow rate is 10 L / min or less, and the flow rate is more than half when the flow rate exceeds 10 L / min. Can do. A method for measuring the tap water pressure will be described later.
[0080]
Step 407
The main water supply electromagnetic valve 20 and the auxiliary water supply electromagnetic valve 22 are opened to start supplying tap water (wash water). The washing water is supplied up to the amount of water determined in step 402, but is interrupted in order to detect the amount of cloth (clothing value) and the quality of the laundry 38 during the water supply. This interrupted water level is a water level suitable for detecting the amount and quality of the compress set in advance in the microcomputer 16a. The auxiliary water supply electromagnetic valve 22 is opened to wash the detergent dissolution container 21. The washing and dewatering tub 2 and the stirring blade 4 are preferably rotated at a low speed as in Step 405. This is because when the tap water is supplied, the detergent solution having a concentration of about 10 times that has penetrated into the laundry 38 is gradually diluted, but the laundry and dehydration tub 2 is rotated to supply water while rotating the laundry 38. This is because the detergent solution in the laundry is evenly diluted to reduce the variation in dirt removal. When the water level is interrupted, the concentration of the detergent solution is approximately doubled. Therefore, it is not necessary to supply water while rotating the washing and dewatering tub 2 thereafter.
[0081]
Step 408
The amount of poultice and the quality of the cloth are detected to correct the amount of washing water supplied and determine the washing process (washing process and rinsing process). In this cloth quality detection, water supply is interrupted at a predetermined low water level, the electric operation clutch mechanism 62 of the driving device 6 is controlled to the stirring mode, the driving motor 61 is energized for a short time, and the stirring blade 4 is driven to rotate. The first deceleration characteristic (packet amount) in inertial rotation at the time of extinction is detected, and then the water supply is resumed to supply the washing water to a predetermined high water level, and then the water supply is interrupted to drive the drive motor of the drive device 6 61 is energized for a short time to rotationally drive the stirring blade 4 to detect a second deceleration characteristic in inertial rotation at the time of de-energization, and washing is performed based on the difference between the first attenuation characteristic and the second attenuation characteristic. The cloth quality of the object 38 is detected. This cloth quality detection control is omitted when it becomes unnecessary by the initial setting. Then, the time and water flow (strength of mechanical stirring) in the washing and rinsing steps are determined according to the fabric quality.
[0082]
Step 409
Tap water is supplied up to the amount of water (water level) determined in step 402. With this water supply, the washing water is diluted with a high concentration detergent solution to a detergent concentration (1 time) preferable for washing. As a result, the laundry 38 is immersed in washing water having a predetermined detergent concentration (1 time) in the washing and dewatering tub 2.
[0083]
In the water supply of steps 407 to 409, the high-concentration detergent solution is diluted with tap water having a high hardness. However, since the detergent components penetrate the laundry in a high concentration state and act on the soil, Water supply does not impede the cleaning action of the detergent components.
[0084]
Step 410
The drive device 6 is controlled so as to perform the washing process of the washing water flow and washing time set in step 408. In this washing process, the drive device 6 controls the electric operation clutch mechanism 62 to the washing mode and repeats the forward / reverse operation of the drive motor 61 to repeat the washing / dehydrating tub 2 and the stirring blade 4 in opposite directions. Rotate.
[0085]
Here, the relationship between the washing time, the degree of washing, and the fabric entanglement rate in the washing step will be described.
[0086]
FIG. 11 shows the relationship between the washing time and the degree of washing. In the washing process, in order to remove the dirt adhered to the laundry 38, the washing / dehydrating tub 2 and the stirring blade 4 are rotated in the opposite directions in the forward and reverse directions to apply mechanical force to the laundry 38. Further, the chemical cleaning power of the detergent acts on the dirt of the laundry 38.
[0087]
A characteristic curve 1001 is obtained when the washing step is performed by dissolving the detergent with washing water without performing the step of allowing the high-concentration detergent solution to penetrate into the laundry 38. That is, it represents the washing time and the degree of washing when the washing process is executed by the conventional washing method. The conventional washing method is to wash the laundry by introducing the detergent at a rate of 20 g / 30 L, which is the amount of detergent necessary for washing.
[0088]
Washing removes the dirt from the laundry by the synergistic effect of the chemical power of the detergent and the mechanical power of the washing machine on the dirt of the laundry, so that the degree of washing improves according to the relationship between the washing time and the degree of washing index shown in FIG. To do. The conventional washing time is generally about 8 to 10 minutes, and the degree of washing index at this time is 50th.
[0089]
A characteristic curve 1002 is obtained when the washing (stirring) step is executed after the high-concentration detergent solution has been permeated into the laundry 38. In this embodiment, since the washing process is performed after the high-concentration detergent solution has been permeated into the laundry 38, the degree of washing according to the characteristic curve 1002 can be obtained, and accordingly, a relatively short washing time is obtained. The required degree of cleaning can be obtained with a small mechanical force in time.
[0090]
Thus, 90 degree of washing | cleaning is realizable by making a high concentration detergent liquid osmose | permeate and after moving to a washing process and stirring for about 8 minutes.
[0091]
Therefore, by adopting a cleaning method in which a high-concentration detergent solution is applied to the laundry 38 and permeates it, the dirt on the laundry 38 is better than before even if the washing time is within 5 minutes. For this reason, it is possible to provide a high-concentration detergent liquid penetrating cleaning system that improves the cleaning power even if the mechanical power of the washing machine is reduced.
[0092]
Here, the mechanical force is controlled by adjusting the ON-OFF time limit of the forward / reverse rotation of the washing / dehydrating tub 2 and the stirring blade 4, adjusting the rotation speed, and adjusting the washing (stirring) time. can do.
[0093]
FIG. 12 shows the relationship between the washing time and the fabric entanglement rate. A characteristic curve 1101 is obtained when the washing process is executed with a small mechanical force, and a characteristic curve 1102 is obtained when the washing process is executed with a large mechanical force. Since the mechanical force in the washing process is proportional to the magnitude of the agitation force (forward / reverse rotation angle or rotation speed) of the washing / dehydrating tub 2 and the agitating blade 4, in order to generate a large mechanical force, The rotation angle of the water tank 2 and the stirring blade 4 is increased, and the fabric entanglement rate is increased. In this embodiment, since the necessary cleaning power can be obtained with a small mechanical force, the washing process can be executed with the fabric entanglement rate of the characteristic curve 1101 and the fabric entanglement rate of 10% or less can be realized. Can do. That is, by adopting the high-concentration detergent liquid permeation cleaning method, the laundry 38 can be more easily soiled than the conventional cleaning method even with a small mechanical force. 38 scratches and entanglements can be reduced.
[0094]
Step 411
Open the drain solenoid valve 33 to drain the washing water out of the machine.
Step 412
The main water supply electromagnetic valve 20 and the auxiliary water supply electromagnetic valve 22 are opened to supply rinsing water (tap water) to a set amount of water. At this time (when water is supplied for final rinsing when a plurality of times of rinsing are performed), the auxiliary water supply electromagnetic valve 22a is also opened and a soft finish is introduced as necessary.
[0095]
Step 413
The rinsing process is executed by controlling the driving device 6. In the washing process using the high-concentration detergent liquid penetrating washing method, the softening action of the zeolite in the high-concentration detergent liquid works, so that the amount of metal soap that increases the adsorption of the surfactant to the laundry 38 is suppressed. For this reason, the detachment of the surfactant during rinsing is promoted, and the rinsing performance is improved (dilution degree is reduced by about 20%, dilution degree: ratio of the surfactant amount in the rinse water to the surfactant amount in the washing water), A predetermined rinsing can be performed with a small rinsing force (mechanical force).
[0096]
Step 414
The drain electromagnetic valve 33 is opened to drain the rinse water out of the machine.
[0097]
Step 415
The draining electromagnetic valve 33 is kept open, the electric operation clutch mechanism 62 of the drive device 6 is controlled to the dehydration / drying mode, and the drive motor 61 is operated at a high speed, whereby the washing / dehydration tub 2 and the stirring blade 4 are integrated. The water of the laundry 38 is centrifugally dehydrated by rotating at a high speed. In the state where the centrifugal dehydration is finished, the laundry 38 is in a state of being pressed against and attached to the side wall of the washing and dewatering tank 2.
[0098]
Step 416
The electric operation clutch mechanism 62 of the driving device 6 is controlled to the dehydrating / drying mode, the driving motor 61 is operated at a low speed, the blower 26 is operated while the washing / dehydrating tub 2 and the stirring blade 4 are rotated at a low speed, and the outer tub is operated. In the process of sucking out the air in the suction port 5 a and ascending in the water-cooled dehumidifying duct 23, it is cooled and dehumidified by the cooling water supplied from the cooling sprinkler 24 to the water-cooled dehumidifying duct 23, and the circulating fan is passed through the descending air duct 25. 26, and is sent from the circulation fan 26 through the ascending air duct 27 and the heater 29 to the outlet 30 and heated by the heater 29 toward the vicinity of the inner wall surface in the washing / dehydrating tub 2. Circulating air blown in the direction opposite to the rotation direction is generated, and the laundry in the washing and dewatering tub 2 is dried.
[0099]
When the laundry 38 that has been centrifugally dehydrated and remains attached to the side wall of the washing / dehydrating tub 2 is dried with warm air, wrinkles are generated in the laundry 38. It is made to dry, rotating the laundry 38 forward and backward.
[0100]
If the fabric entanglement rate is 10% or less, it is possible to prevent drying unevenness and wrinkles even if the hot air is dried as described above after the final dehydration.
[0101]
In this embodiment, the wet water supply flow rate for the wet process in which the laundry is moistened with water, the detergent dissolved water supply flow rate for dissolving the powdered synthetic detergent to produce a high concentration detergent liquid, and the high concentration The dilution feed water flow and the amount of water for diluting the detergent liquid are set according to the water flow (flow passage area) and water supply time of the main water supply electromagnetic valve 20 and the auxiliary water supply electromagnetic valve 22 that execute these water supply. The water supply flow rate varies depending on the water pressure of the water source (water supply). Accordingly, the water flow rate of the main water supply electromagnetic valve 20 and the auxiliary water supply electromagnetic valve 22 is set based on the water flow rate at the lowest water pressure that can be predicted, and the water level sensor 15 is monitored to supply water to a predetermined water level. The actual water supply time is measured, and the water pressure of the water source is obtained and stored by arithmetic processing based on the measured water supply time. During the wet water supply, the detergent-dissolved water supply, and the diluted water supply, the main water supply solenoid valve 20 and the auxiliary water supply solenoid The flow rate control is performed such that the average value becomes a predetermined flow rate by intermittently opening and closing the valve 22 to supply water intermittently.
[0102]
The embodiment described above is a fully automatic washing and drying machine, but when implemented as a washing machine having no drying function, the hot air circulation drying means and its control processing in the above embodiment are performed. By omitting, it can be carried out in the same manner. That is, in the above-described embodiment, the hot air circulation drying means is omitted, and the drying control processing step 416 executed by the control unit 16 in the control device is omitted, so that a fully automatic washing machine having no drying function can be obtained. Can be realized.
[0103]
In addition, the washing machine and the washing / drying machine of the present invention can adopt different methods for washing and rinsing, respectively.
[0104]
In the above-described embodiment, the vertical washing / dehydrating tub 2 is illustrated, but a drum type type generally called a horizontal washing / dehydrating tub can be used.
[0105]
In addition, the stirring blade 4 that is located in the center of the washing and dewatering tank and that agitates the laundry in the forward and reverse directions is a forward and reverse rotation of a stirring blade called a pulsator pipe with blades on a disk or a large blade within 360 degrees. A stirring blade called an agitator type for washing can be used. Moreover, it can also be set as the structure which provided the stirring blade in the shape of the pulsator which moves laundry to the bottom part of a washing and dewatering tank integrally with this washing and dewatering tank.
[0106]
Moreover, the powder synthetic detergent to be used can be changed to a liquid synthetic detergent having the same detergent component.
[0107]
【The invention's effect】
  In the present invention, a detergent is dissolved in a small amount of detergent-dissolved water to produce a high-concentration detergent liquid, and this high-concentration detergent liquid is sprayed on a laundry wetted in advance at a flow rate of 5 to 10 L / min regardless of tap water pressure. Since the chemical detergency of the detergent is effectively exerted by permeation, the mechanical force that acts on the laundry in the washing step can be effectively reduced.Moreover, washing time can be shortened by performing a pre-water supply process and a high concentration detergent liquid production | generation process simultaneously.
[0108]
In addition, according to the present invention, by changing the amount of water for pre-wetting the laundry according to the amount of the laundry, it is possible to prevent the color unevenness of the laundry and prevent the cleaning power from being lowered.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a washing / drying machine as an embodiment of the present invention in a longitudinal section.
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal side view showing a specific configuration of the washing / drying machine shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the washing / drying machine shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;
4 is a flowchart of a control process of each step executed by the microcomputer in the control unit of the washing / drying machine shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a characteristic diagram of a beaker test showing the relationship between the concentration of a detergent solution that permeates laundry and the chemical cleaning rate.
FIG. 6 is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between the detergent concentration and the penetration rate of the detergent liquid into the laundry.
FIG. 7 is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between the hardness of water for dissolving detergent, the concentration of detergent, and the amount of effective surfactant.
FIG. 8 is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between detergent concentration and alkalinity of a detergent solution produced by dissolving a powdered synthetic detergent.
FIG. 9 is a characteristic diagram of a beaker test showing a relationship between alkalinity (PH) and chemical cleaning rate in washing water having a detergent concentration of 1 time.
FIG. 10 is a characteristic diagram of a beaker test showing the relationship between the detergent concentration of a detergent solution and the chemical cleaning power depending on the presence or absence of an enzyme.
FIG. 11 is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between the washing time and the degree of washing.
FIG. 12 is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between washing time and fabric entanglement.
FIG. 13 is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between the amount of pre-feed water and the cleaning ratio.
FIG. 14 is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between the flow rate and the cleaning ratio when diluting and spraying a high concentration detergent solution.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 ... Washing and dewatering tank, 4 ... Stirring blade, 5 ... Outer tub, 6 ... Drive apparatus, 14 ... Operation panel, 16 ... Control unit, 19 ... Water inlet, 20 ... Main water supply solenoid valve, 21 ... Detergent dissolution container, 22 ... Auxiliary water supply solenoid valve, 23 ... Water-cooled dehumidifying duct, 24 ... Cooling sprinkler, 26 ... Circulating fan, 29 ... Heater.

Claims (6)

洗濯兼脱水槽内の洗濯物に対して、洗い水による洗いと濯ぎ水による濯ぎと遠心脱水と温風乾燥に至る各工程を順次に実行する洗濯乾燥機において、
洗濯物の量を検出して洗濯水の量を決定し必要な洗剤の量を決定する検出工程と、主給水電磁弁を開いて洗濯兼脱水槽内に給水して該洗濯兼脱水槽内の洗濯物を濡らすプレ給水工程と、前記プレ給水工程と同時に実行され洗剤溶解容器に投入された洗剤を補助給水電磁弁を開いて供給した洗剤溶解水にて溶解して洗い工程における洗い水に溶解する洗剤濃度よりも高濃度の高濃度洗剤液を生成する高濃度洗剤液生成工程と、前記高濃度洗剤液を主給水電磁弁から給水される水で希釈しながら洗濯兼脱水槽内の前記洗濯物に散布して浸透させる浸透工程と、浸透工程の後に給水して生成した洗い水中で洗濯物に機械力を作用させる洗い工程と、濯ぎおよび脱水する各工程と、洗濯兼脱水槽内に温風を供給して脱水済みの洗濯物を乾燥する乾燥工程を実行するようにし、
前記浸透工程において前記高濃度洗剤液を希釈しながら前記洗濯物に散布する時間が水道水圧に関係なく略一定になるように前記主給水電磁弁で流量制御を行うことを特徴とする洗濯乾燥機。In the washing and drying machine that sequentially executes each process from washing with washing water, rinsing with rinsing water, centrifugal dehydration and hot air drying to the laundry in the washing and dehydrating tub,
Detecting the amount of laundry to determine the amount of washing water and determining the amount of detergent required, and opening the main water supply solenoid valve to supply water into the washing and dehydrating tub and supplying the washing and dehydrating tub A pre-water supply process for wetting the laundry, and a detergent that is executed simultaneously with the pre-water supply process and put into the detergent dissolution container is dissolved in the detergent water supplied by opening the auxiliary water supply solenoid valve and dissolved in the wash water in the washing process. A high-concentration detergent liquid generating step for generating a high-concentration detergent liquid having a higher concentration than the detergent concentration to be performed, and the washing in the washing and dewatering tub while diluting the high-concentration detergent liquid with water supplied from a main water supply solenoid valve A permeation process in which the product is sprayed and permeated, a washing process in which mechanical force is applied to the laundry in the wash water generated by supplying water after the permeation process, each rinsing and dehydration process, and a temperature in the washing and dehydration tub. Dryer supplying air to dry dehydrated laundry So as to the execution,
The washing / drying machine, wherein the main water supply solenoid valve controls the flow rate so that the time for spraying the laundry while diluting the high-concentration detergent solution in the infiltration step is substantially constant regardless of the tap water pressure. . 請求項１に記載の洗濯乾燥機において、前記洗濯物に散布する前記時間は連続散布と間欠散布とを切り替えることで制御することを特徴とする洗濯乾燥機。  The washing / drying machine according to claim 1, wherein the time for spraying the laundry is controlled by switching between continuous spraying and intermittent spraying. 請求項２に記載の洗濯乾燥機において、前記水道水圧が低く前記洗濯物に散布する時の流量が毎分１０Ｌ未満の場合は連続散布、前記水道水圧が高く流量が毎分１０Ｌ以上の場合は間欠散布としたことを特徴とする洗濯乾燥機。  In the washing and drying machine according to claim 2, when the tap water pressure is low and the flow rate when spraying on the laundry is less than 10L / min, continuous spraying, and when the tap water pressure is high and the flow rate is 10L / min or more, Washing and drying machine characterized by intermittent spraying. 洗濯兼脱水槽内の洗濯物を高濃度洗剤液で浸潤した後に給水して洗いおよび濯ぎ工程を実行し、その後に脱水工程を実行する洗濯機において、
洗濯物の量を検出して洗濯水の量を決定し必要な洗剤の量を決定する検出工程と、主給水電磁弁を開いて洗濯兼脱水槽内に給水して該洗濯兼脱水槽内の洗濯物を濡らすプレ給水工程と、前記プレ給水工程と同時に実行され洗剤溶解容器に投入された洗剤を補助給水電磁弁を開いて供給した洗剤溶解水で溶解して高濃度洗剤液を生成する高濃度洗剤液生成工程と、前記高濃度洗剤液を主給水電磁弁から給水される水で希釈しながら洗濯物に散布して浸透させる浸透工程と、浸透工程後に洗いに必要な量の水を供給して生成した洗い水中で洗濯物に機械力を作用させる洗い工程を実行するようにし、
前記浸透工程において前記高濃度洗剤液を希釈しながら前記洗濯物に散布する時間が水道水圧によらず略一定になるように前記主給水電磁弁で流量制御を行うことを特徴とする洗濯機。In the washing machine that performs washing and rinsing processes by supplying water after infiltrating the laundry in the washing and dehydrating tank with a high-concentration detergent solution, and then performing the dehydrating process.
Detecting the amount of laundry to determine the amount of washing water and determining the amount of detergent required, and opening the main water supply solenoid valve to supply water into the washing and dehydrating tub and supplying the washing and dehydrating tub A pre-water supply step for wetting the laundry, and a detergent that is executed simultaneously with the pre-water supply step and is put into the detergent dissolution container is dissolved in the detergent dissolution water that is supplied by opening the auxiliary water supply solenoid valve to generate a high concentration detergent solution. Concentrated detergent liquid generation process, infiltration process to spread and infiltrate the laundry while diluting the high concentration detergent liquid with water supplied from the main water supply solenoid valve, and supply the amount of water necessary for washing after the infiltration process In the washing water generated in this way, the washing process is performed to apply mechanical force to the laundry.
The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the main water supply solenoid valve controls the flow rate so that the time for spraying the laundry while diluting the high-concentration detergent solution in the infiltration step is substantially constant regardless of the tap water pressure. 請求項４に記載の洗濯機において、前記洗濯物に散布する前記時間は連続散布と間欠散布とを切り替えることで制御したことを特徴とする洗濯機。  The washing machine according to claim 4, wherein the time for spraying the laundry is controlled by switching between continuous spraying and intermittent spraying. 請求項５に記載の洗濯機において、前記水道水圧が低く前記洗濯物に散布する時の流量が毎分１０Ｌ未満の場合は連続散布、前記水道水圧が高く流量が毎分１０Ｌ以上の場合は間欠散布としたことを特徴とする洗濯機。  6. The washing machine according to claim 5, wherein when the tap water pressure is low and the flow rate when spraying the laundry is less than 10 L / min, continuous spraying is performed, and when the tap water pressure is high and the flow rate is 10 L / min or more, intermittent A washing machine characterized by spraying.
JP2001167563A 2001-06-04 2001-06-04 Washing machine and washing dryer Expired - Fee Related JP3757819B2 (en)

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