Washing machine

Abstract

To provide a washing machine which hardly induces an excessive temperature rise of a bath water pump, and which can easily maintain a water saving effect by the use of bath water.SOLUTION: A full automatic washing machine 1 includes: a washing and dewatering tub 22 arranged in an outer tub 20; a pulsator 24 arranged at a bottom part of the washing and dewatering tub 22; a drive part 30 for driving the washing and dewatering tub 22 and the pulsator 24; a bath water pump 52 for supplying bath water to the outer tub 20; and a control part. In a washing step, in the case where the bath water pump 52 is operated and bath water is supplied into the outer tub 20 up to a setting water level, the control part stops the bath water pump 52 after elapse of the limited time before the water level in the outer tub 20 reaches the setting water level, and after elapse of the downtime after stopping the bath water pump 52, the control part operates the bath water pump 52 until the water level in the outer tub 20 reaches the setting water level or the additional time has elapsed, and while the bath water pump 52 is resting during the downtime, the control part drives the pulsator 24 by the drive part 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a washing machine. [Background technology]

[0002] In washing machines equipped with a bath water pump that supplies bath water into the washing tub, if the suction hose connected to the bath water pump is long or the filter at the end of the suction hose is clogged, the water absorption efficiency will decrease, causing the bath water pump to operate for an excessively long time when supplying water, which may result in a shortened lifespan due to excessive temperature rise.

[0003] The following Patent Document 1 describes a washing machine that switches the water supply to the washing tub to tap water supplied by a water supply valve when the water intake pump (bath water pump) has been operating for a predetermined cumulative time, in order to extend the life of the water intake pump. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-57684 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Although the above washing machine is unlikely to cause excessive temperature rise in the intake pump, there is a concern that switching to tap water supply will reduce the water-saving effect of using bath water.

[0006] To provide a washing machine which is unlikely to cause an excessive temperature rise in a bath water pump and can easily maintain the water-saving effect by using bath water. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A washing machine according to a principal aspect of the present invention comprises a washing / spinning tub rotatably disposed within an outer tub, a pulsator rotatably disposed at the bottom of the washing / spinning tub, a drive unit for driving the washing / spinning tub and the pulsator, a bath water pump for supplying bath water into the outer tub, a water level detection unit for detecting the water level in the outer tub, and a control unit for controlling the drive unit and the bath water pump. Here, a time limit is set for limiting operation of the bath water pump due to a temperature rise. When the bath water pump is operated to supply bath water to the outer tub up to a set water level during a washing cycle, the control unit stops the bath water pump if the time limit elapses before the water level in the outer tub reaches the set water level. After a pause time has elapsed since the bath water pump was stopped, the control unit continues to operate the bath water pump until the water level in the outer tub reaches the set water level or until an additional time has elapsed. While the bath water pump is paused during the pause time, the drive unit drives the pulsator.

[0008] The control unit may drive the pulsator only during the pause time, or may continue to drive the pulsator even after the pause time has elapsed.

[0009] According to this washing machine, even if the bath water pump does not finish supplying bath water up to the set water level by the time limit, the bath water pump will pause and its temperature will drop, and then the bath water will resume supplying bath water, making it easier to fill the outer tub to the set water level. This makes it easier to maintain the water-saving effect of using bath water while preventing the bath water pump from excessively increasing in temperature. Moreover, laundry can be washed while the bath water pump is paused, so the pause time is not wasted.

[0010] In the washing machine of this aspect, the control unit can be configured to shorten the washing time during which the pulsator operates after the set water level is reached when the bath water pump is paused during the pause time.

[0011] According to the above configuration, when the bath water pump is paused and washing is performed by operating the pulsator during the pause, the washing time is shorter than when there is no pause and washing is not performed, so that the washing process can be prevented from being prolonged by the time the bath water pump is paused while maintaining the washing performance.

[0012] In the washing machine of this embodiment, the pause time and the additional time can be set so that the temperature of the bath water pump when the additional time has elapsed does not become higher than the temperature of the bath water pump when the time limit has elapsed.

[0013] According to the above configuration, the temperature of the bath water pump can be prevented from becoming excessively high due to operation for an additional time.

[0014] The washing machine according to this aspect may further include a load amount detection unit that detects the load amount of laundry in the washing and spinning tub. In this case, the control unit may be configured to increase the set water level and lengthen the pause time and the additional time as the load amount increases.

[0015] According to the above configuration, the additional time and the rest time are set to be longer the greater the load and the greater the likelihood that the amount of water will be insufficient compared to the set water level, thereby making it possible to prevent the rest time from becoming unnecessarily long and to make it easier for the water level in the outer tank to reach the set water level before the additional time has elapsed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, a washing machine can be provided that is less likely to cause an excessive temperature rise in the bath water pump and that can easily maintain the water-saving effect of using bath water.

[0017] The effects and significance of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of the embodiments, however, the following embodiment is merely an example of how the present invention can be put into practice, and the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a fully automatic washing machine according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a fully automatic washing machine according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of a washing operation according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control process executed by the control unit in the washing step according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a bath water supply process executed in the washing step according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a washing process performed in the washing step according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a bath water supply process executed in the washing step according to the first modification. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a bath water supply process executed in the washing step according to the second modification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Hereinafter, a fully automatic washing machine 1, which is one embodiment of a washing machine of the present invention, will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a fully automatic washing machine 1. As shown in FIG.

[0021] The fully automatic washing machine 1 has a housing 10 that forms the exterior. The housing 10 includes a rectangular cylindrical body 11 with open top and bottom faces, a top panel 12 that covers the top face of the body 11, and a base 13 that supports the body 11. A laundry inlet 14 is formed in the top panel 12. The laundry inlet 14 is covered by an openable top lid 15.

[0022] An outer tub 20 with an open top is placed inside the housing 10. The outer tub 20 is elastically suspended and supported by four suspension rods 21 equipped with vibration isolation devices. The outer tub 20 has a substantially cylindrical peripheral surface 201 and a substantially disk-shaped bottom surface 202.

[0023] An open-top washing and dehydrating tub 22 is disposed within outer tub 20. Washing and dehydrating tub 22 has a substantially cylindrical peripheral surface 22a and a substantially disk-shaped bottom surface 22b, and rotates around a vertically extending axis of rotation. A large number of dehydration holes 22c are formed around peripheral surface 22a of washing and dehydrating tub 22.

[0024] A balance ring 23 is provided on the top of washing / dehydrating tub 22. A pulsator 24 is rotatably disposed on the bottom of washing / dehydrating tub 22. A plurality of blades 24a are provided radially on the surface of pulsator 24.

[0025] A drive unit 30 is disposed on the outside of bottom surface 202 of outer tub 20, generating torque to drive washing / spinning tub 22 and pulsator 24. Drive unit 30 includes a drive motor 31 and a transmission mechanism 32. Transmission mechanism 32 has a clutch mechanism 32a, and by switching operation of clutch mechanism 32a, the torque of drive motor 31 is transmitted only to pulsator 24, causing only pulsator 24 to rotate, during the washing and rinsing processes, and the torque of drive motor 31 is transmitted to pulsator 24 and washing / spinning tub 22, causing pulsator 24 and washing / spinning tub 22 to rotate integrally.

[0026] A drain outlet 203 is provided on the bottom surface 202 of the outer tub 20. A drain unit 40 is connected to the drain outlet 203. The drain unit 40 includes a drain valve 41 that opens and closes the drain outlet 203, and a drain hose 42 connected to the drain valve 41. When the drain valve 41 is opened, water stored in the outer tub 20 is drained outside the machine through the drain hose 42.

[0027] A water supply device 50 for supplying water into the washing and spin-drying tub 22, i.e., the outer tub 20, is disposed at the rear of the upper panel 12. The water supply device 50 includes a water supply valve 51, a bath water pump 52, a water inlet 53, and a detergent case 54.

[0028] The water inlet 51a of the water supply valve 51 is connected to a water faucet via a water supply hose (not shown). The water outlet 51b of the water supply valve 51 is connected to the water pouring port 53.

[0029] Bath water pump 52 is, for example, a self-priming pump (gas-liquid separation pump). Bath water pump 52 has an impeller arranged inside a pump casing and a pump motor that rotates the impeller. A water suction hose (not shown) is connected to suction port 52a of bath water pump 52. A filter is provided at the suction port at the tip of the suction hose. The discharge port of bath water pump 52 is connected to water inlet port 53 via water supply pipe 55.

[0030] The water inlet portion 53 is formed in a box shape and has an inlet channel inside through which water flows into the detergent case 54 and an outlet channel through which water flows out of the detergent case 54, and has a water inlet 53a on the front side below the detergent case 54 through which water that has flowed through the outlet channel flows out.

[0031] The detergent case is disposed so as to be able to be pulled out forward within the water pouring port portion 53. The detergent case contains a detergent.

[0032] When water supply valve 51 is opened, tap water from the water faucet is sent to water inlet 53. When bath water pump 52 is operated while the water suction hose is immersed in bath water in the bathtub, the bath water is sent to water inlet 53 via the water suction hose and bath water pump 52. The water that flows into water inlet 53 passes through detergent case 54 and is released from water inlet 53a into washing and spin tub 22, i.e., outer tub 20. The detergent in detergent case 54 is supplied to outer tub 20 together with water.

[0033] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the fully automatic washing machine 1. As shown in FIG.

[0034] In addition to the above-described configuration, the fully automatic washing machine 1 includes a control unit 100. The control unit 100 includes a control unit 101, a memory unit 102, a motor drive unit 103, a clutch drive unit 104, a water supply valve drive unit 105, a pump drive unit 106, and a drain valve drive unit 107. The fully automatic washing machine 1 also includes an operation unit 110, a display unit 120, and a water level detection unit 130.

[0035] The operation unit 110 includes various operation buttons such as a power button for turning on and off the power to the fully automatic washing machine 1, a start / pause button for starting and pausing the washing operation, a course selection button for selecting an operation course from a plurality of operation courses related to the washing operation, a bath water setting button for setting the use of bath water, etc. The operation unit 110 outputs an input signal to the control unit 101 according to the operation button operated by the user.

[0036] The display unit 120 includes a display such as a light-emitting element such as an LED or a liquid crystal panel, and displays the selected operation course, the progress of the washing operation, notifies of abnormalities, etc. according to a control signal from the control unit 101.

[0037] The operation unit 110 and the display unit 120 may be configured as an operation display unit such as a touch panel.

[0038] Water level detection unit 130 is a diaphragm-type water level sensor, and is connected via a hose to an air trap provided at the bottom of outer tub 20. Water level detection unit 130 detects the air pressure in the air trap to detect the water level in washing and spin-drying tub 22, i.e., outer tub 20, and outputs a water level signal to control unit 101 according to the detected water level.

[0039] The motor driving unit 103 drives the drive motor 31 in accordance with a control signal output from the control unit 101. The motor driving unit 103 includes a rotation sensor that detects the rotation speed of the drive motor 31, an inverter circuit, etc., and adjusts the drive power so that the drive motor 31 rotates at the rotation speed set by the control unit 101. Furthermore, the motor driving unit 103 includes a current detection circuit that detects the current flowing through the drive motor 31.

[0040] The clutch driving unit 104 drives the clutch mechanism 32a of the transmission mechanism unit 32 in accordance with a control signal output from the control unit 101. The water supply valve driving unit 105 drives the water supply valve 51 in accordance with a control signal from the control unit 101. The pump driving unit 106 drives the bath water pump 52 in accordance with a control signal from the control unit 101. The drain valve driving unit 107 drives the drain valve 41 in accordance with a control signal from the control unit 101.

[0041] The storage unit 102 includes an EEPROM, a RAM, etc. The storage unit 102 stores programs for executing various operation courses of the washing operation. The storage unit 102 also stores various operation conditions used in the washing operation.

[0042] The control unit 101 includes a CPU and controls the display unit 120, motor drive unit 103, clutch drive unit 104, water supply valve drive unit 105, pump drive unit 106, drain valve drive unit 107, etc. in accordance with a program stored in the memory unit 102.

[0043] The fully automatic washing machine 1 performs a washing operation using various operation courses. When the washing operation is performed, the user places laundry in the washing and spin-drying tub 22 and selects a desired operation course. When bath water is to be used in the washing operation, the operation course is selected and the use of bath water is set on the operation unit 110.

[0044] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of the washing operation.

[0045] In the washing operation, the load amount detection step, washing step, intermediate spin-drying step, rinsing step, and final spin-drying step are executed in order (S1 to S5). Depending on the operation course, the intermediate spin-drying step (S3) and the rinsing step (S4) are executed multiple times.

[0046] In the load amount detection step (S1), the control unit 101 operates the drive motor 31 to rotate the pulsator 24, and determines the load amount based on the drive current of the drive motor 31 and the amount of inertial rotation until the drive motor 31 stops. The greater the load amount, the greater the drive current and the smaller the amount of inertial rotation. The control unit 101 sets the amount of water to be supplied to the outer tub 20 during the washing and rinsing steps, i.e., the water level in the outer tub 20, and the amount of detergent to be dispensed during the washing step, based on the detected load amount. The greater the load amount, the greater the set amount of water to be supplied, and therefore the higher the set water level. Furthermore, the greater the load amount, the greater the set amount of detergent to be dispensed. The amount of water to be supplied and the amount of detergent to be dispensed are displayed on the display unit 120. The control unit 101 stores the detected load amount in the memory unit 102.

[0047] Pulsator 24, drive motor 31 and control unit 101 constitute a load amount detection unit that detects the load amount of laundry in washing and spin-drying tub 22.

[0048] In the washing step (S2), the control unit 101 controls the water supply device 50 to supply water into the outer tub 20 up to the set water level for washing, which is set based on the load amount. When supplying water, an amount of detergent set based on the load amount is added to the outer tub 20. This causes water containing detergent to accumulate in the outer tub 20. Next, the control unit 101 controls the drive unit 30 to rotate the pulsator 24 alternately clockwise and counterclockwise. A water flow is generated in the washing and spin-drying tub 22, and the laundry is washed by the force of the water flow and detergent. When a predetermined washing time has elapsed, the control unit 101 opens the drain valve 41 to drain water from the outer tub 20. This completes the washing step. The drain valve 41 remains open.

[0049] In the intermediate spin-drying step (S3), when there is no water stored in outer tub 20, control unit 101 causes drive unit 30 to rotate washing / spin-drying tub 22 together with pulsator 24 at high speed at a predetermined spin-drying rotation speed. The laundry is spin-dried by the action of centrifugal force generated in washing / spin-drying tub 22. When a predetermined spin-drying time has elapsed since the rotation speed of washing / spin-drying tub 22 reaches the spin-drying rotation speed, control unit 101 stops drive motor 31 to stop washing / spin-drying tub 22. Furthermore, control unit 101 closes drain valve 41. This completes the intermediate spin-drying step.

[0050] In the rinsing step (S4), the control unit 101 causes the water supply device 50 to supply water into the outer tub 20 up to the set rinse water level set based on the load amount. This causes water to accumulate in the outer tub 20. Next, the control unit 101 causes the drive unit 30 to rotate the pulsator 24 alternately clockwise and counterclockwise. A water flow is generated in the washing and spin-drying tub 22, and the laundry is rinsed by the force of the generated water flow. After a predetermined rinsing time has elapsed, the control unit 101 opens the drain valve 41 to drain water from the outer tub 20. This completes the rinsing step. The drain valve 41 remains open.

[0051] In the final spin-drying step (S5), similar to the intermediate spin-drying step, control unit 101 causes drive unit 30 to rotate washing / spin-drying tub 22 together with pulsator 24 at high speed at the spin-drying rotation speed. The laundry is dehydrated by the action of centrifugal force generated in washing / spin-drying tub 22. When the spin-drying time has elapsed after the rotation speed of washing / spin-drying tub 22 reaches the spin-drying rotation speed, control unit 101 stops washing / spin-drying tub 22 and closes drain valve 41. In this way, the final spin-drying step ends, and the washing operation is completed.

[0052] Next, the washing step will be described in detail.

[0053] Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the control process executed by the control unit 101 in the washing process. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the bath water supply process executed in the washing process. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the washing process executed in the washing process.

[0054] 4, when the washing step is started, the control unit 101 determines whether or not the setting for using bath water has been made (S11). If the setting for using bath water has not been made (S11: NO), the control unit 101 executes a tap water supply process (S12). That is, the control unit 101 opens the water supply valve 51 and supplies tap water into the outer tub 20 until the set water level is reached.

[0055] If the setting for using bath water has been made (S11: YES), the control unit 101 executes the bath water supply process shown in FIG. 5 (S13).

[0056] 5, the control unit 101 drives the bath water pump 52 (S101). As a result, bath water is supplied from the water supply device 50 into the outer tub 20.

[0057] The control unit 101 monitors whether the water level in the outer tub 20 has reached the set water level (S102), and whether a predetermined time limit has elapsed since the bath water pump 52 started operating (S103). The time limit is set to limit the operation of the bath water pump 52 due to temperature rise, and can be set to a time, for example, about 8 minutes, that will prevent the temperature from exceeding the guaranteed temperature when the bath water pump 52 is operated continuously.

[0058] If the water level in the outer tub 20 reaches the set water level before the time limit elapses (S102: YES), the control unit 101 stops the bath water pump 52 (S104). This stops the supply of bath water to the outer tub 20, and the bath water supply process ends.

[0059] If the distance from the fully automatic washing machine 1 to the bathtub is long, resulting in a long suction hose, or if the suction hose filter is clogged, the water suction efficiency of the bath water pump 52 will decrease. Furthermore, if the laundry load (volume) is large, a large amount of water will be supplied to the outer tub 20, causing the set water level to rise. For example, if the set water level is high in addition to poor water suction efficiency, the time limit may expire before the set water level is reached. Note that in recent years, washing machines have become larger in capacity, and when a large-capacity fully automatic washing machine 1 is used to wash a load of laundry close to the maximum (rated) load, the time limit is likely to expire before the set water level is reached, even if the water suction efficiency of the bath water pump 52 is not particularly poor.

[0060] If the time limit has elapsed before the water level in the outer tub 20 reaches the set water level (S102: NO → S103: YES), the control unit 101 stops the bath water pump 52 (S105). Furthermore, the control unit 101 drives the pulsator 24 by the drive unit 30 (S106). That is, the control unit 101 rotates the pulsator 24 alternately left and right, with periods of stopping. This generates a water flow in the washing and spin-drying tub 22. At this time, the on-time and / or rotation speed of the pulsator 24 when rotating left and right is set to be shorter than the on-time and / or rotation speed during the washing process that is executed after the set water level is reached. As a result, even if the laundry is likely to press against the rotating pulsator 24 because the water level is lower than the set water level, the laundry is less likely to be rubbed hard by the pulsator 24, which reduces the risk of damage to the clothes.

[0061] After stopping bath water pump 52, control unit 101 waits for a predetermined pause time to elapse (S107). That is, control unit 101 pauses bath water pump 52 for the pause time, and operates pulsator 24 while bath water pump 52 is paused. During the pause, the temperature of bath water pump 52 drops. Also, during the pause, laundry is washed in detergent water with a higher concentration than that at the set water level, with a weaker water flow than that at the set water level.

[0062] When the pause time has elapsed (S107: YES), the control unit 101 drives the bath water pump 52 (S108). Furthermore, the control unit 101 stops the pulsator 24 (S109). Then, the control unit 101 monitors whether the water level in the outer tub 20 has reached the set water level (S110), and monitors whether a predetermined additional time has elapsed since the bath water pump 52 started operating again (S111).

[0063] The pause time and additional time are set so that the temperature of the bath water pump 52 when the additional time has elapsed does not become higher than the temperature of the bath water pump 52 when the time limit has elapsed, that is, so that the temperature does not exceed the guaranteed temperature.

[0064] For example, by conducting tests in advance, it is possible to estimate the maximum water level (water volume) that will be short of the set water level (set water volume) when the time limit has elapsed. It is also possible to estimate the minimum water supply capacity (water supply flow rate) of the bath water pump 52. Therefore, the additional time can be set, for example, to the time required for the bath water pump 52 to supply the amount of water equivalent to the maximum water level using the minimum water supply capacity. The rest time can then be set to a time that allows the temperature of the bath water pump 52 to drop by more than the amount that would increase during operation of the additional time.

[0065] If the water level in the outer tub 20 reaches the set water level before the additional time has elapsed (S110: YES), the control unit 101 stops the bath water pump 52 (S104), thereby ending the bath water supply process.

[0066] For example, if the actual water supply capacity of the bath water pump 52 is lower than the assumed minimum water supply capacity, it may happen that the water level in the outer tub 20 does not reach the set water level even after additional time has passed.

[0067] If the additional time has elapsed before the water level in the outer tub 20 reaches the set water level (S110: NO → S111: YES), the control unit 101 stops the bath water pump 52 (S112). Then, the control unit 101 opens the water supply valve 51 (S113). This causes tap water to be supplied from the water supply device 50 into the outer tub 20.

[0068] When the water level in the outer tub 20 reaches the set water level (S114: YES), the control unit 101 closes the water supply valve 51 (S115). This stops the supply of tap water to the outer tub 20, and the bath water supply process ends.

[0069] Returning to FIG. 4, when the supply of tap water or bath water into the outer tub 20 is completed, the control unit 101 executes the washing process shown in FIG. 6 (S14).

[0070] Referring to FIG. 6, the control unit 101 determines whether bath water is supplied to the outer tub 20 before the washing process and whether the bath water pump 52 is paused at this time (S201).

[0071] As described above, the pulsator 24 operates to wash laundry while the bath water pump 52 is paused. Therefore, when the washing process starts, the laundry has already been washed to a certain extent. Therefore, when the control unit 101 determines that the bath water pump 52 has been paused (S201: YES), it shortens the washing time (S202). That is, the washing time when there is a pause is made shorter than the washing time when there is no pause.

[0072] In this case, the shortened time may be shorter than the time the pulsator 24 operated before the start of the washing process, i.e., before the set water level was reached, for example, about 80% of the time. This is because when the pulsator 24 operates before the set water level is reached, the on-time and / or rotation speed values ​​are set shorter than the on-time and / or rotation speed values ​​in the washing process, and therefore the washing performance obtained in the same time is likely to be lower than that during the washing process.

[0073] The control unit 101 drives the pulsator 24 by the drive unit 30 (S203). That is, the control unit 101 rotates the pulsator 24 alternately left and right, stopping the pulsator 24 in between. When the wash time has elapsed since the start of operation of the pulsator 24 (S204: YES), the control unit 101 stops the pulsator 24 (S205). This ends the wash process.

[0074] 4, when the washing process is completed, the control unit 101 executes a draining process (S15). That is, the control unit 101 opens the drain valve 41 to drain water from the outer tub 20. When the draining process is completed, the washing step is completed.

[0075] <Effects of the embodiment> According to this embodiment, when the control unit 101 operates the bath water pump 52 to supply bath water to the outer tub 20 up to the set water level during the washing process, if the time limit elapses before the water level in the outer tub 20 reaches the set water level, the control unit 101 pauses the bath water pump 52 for the pause time and then operates the bath water pump 52 again until the water level in the outer tub 20 reaches the set water level or the additional time has elapsed. Then, while the bath water pump 52 is paused for the pause time, the control unit 101 drives the pulsator 24 via the drive unit 30.

[0076] With this configuration, even if the bath water pump 52 does not finish supplying bath water up to the set water level by the time limit has elapsed, the bath water pump 52 will pause and the temperature will drop, and then the bath water will resume supplying bath water, making it easier to fill the outer tub 20 with bath water up to the set water level. This makes it easier to maintain the water-saving effect of using bath water while preventing the bath water pump 52 from excessively increasing in temperature. Moreover, laundry can be washed while the bath water pump 52 is paused, so the pause time is not wasted.

[0077] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when the bath water pump 52 is stopped, the control unit 101 shortens the washing time during which the pulsator 24 operates after the set water level is reached.

[0078] According to this configuration, when the bath water pump 52 is paused and washing is performed by operating the pulsator 24 during the pause, the washing time is shorter than when there is no pause and washing is not performed, so that the washing process can be prevented from being prolonged by the pause time of the bath water pump 52 while maintaining the washing performance.

[0079] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the pause time and additional time are set so that the temperature of the bath water pump 52 when the additional time has elapsed does not become higher than the temperature of the bath water pump 52 when the time limit has elapsed.

[0080] This configuration prevents the temperature of the bath water pump 52 from becoming excessively high due to operation for an additional period of time.

[0081] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications to the embodiments of the present invention are possible.

[0082] <Change example 1> FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a bath water supply process executed in the washing step according to the first modification.

[0083] In this modified example, when the bath water supply process is started, the control unit 101 sets the additional time and the pause time according to the load amount (S121). In the load amount detection step (S1) in FIG. 3, the control unit 101 sets the set water level higher as the load amount increases. Therefore, the greater the load amount, the more likely it is that the amount of water will be insufficient compared to the set water level when the time limit has elapsed. Therefore, the greater the load amount, the longer the additional time, and the longer the pause time will be accordingly.

[0084] Then, in S107, the control unit 101 determines whether or not the pause time set in S121 has elapsed. Furthermore, in S111, the control unit 101 determines whether or not the additional time set in S121 has elapsed.

[0085] According to this modified example, the additional time and the rest time are set to be longer as the load increases and the amount of water that is likely to be insufficient increases, thereby making it possible to prevent the rest time from becoming unnecessarily long and to make it easier for the water level in the outer tank 20 to reach the set water level before the additional time has elapsed.

[0086] <Change example 2> FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a bath water supply process executed in the washing step according to the second modification.

[0087] In this modified example, when the control unit 101 stops the bath water pump 52 based on the elapse of the time limit, it estimates the water shortage relative to the set water level and the water supply capacity of the bath water pump 52 (S131). The water shortage is the amount of water equivalent to the difference between the set water level and the water level when the bath water pump 52 is stopped. The water supply capacity is the water supply flow rate by the bath water pump 52, and is calculated by dividing the water supply amount equivalent to the water level when the bath water pump 52 is stopped by the time limit.

[0088] The control unit 101 sets the additional time and the pause time based on the estimated water shortage and water supply capacity (water supply flow rate) (S132). Because the time required to reach the set water level can be estimated from the water shortage and water absorption capacity, the additional time is set to a time slightly longer than the estimated time. The pause time is then set to a time that will allow the temperature of the bath water pump 52 to drop by at least the amount of temperature increase during the operation of the set additional time.

[0089] Then, in S107, the control unit 101 determines whether or not the pause time set in S132 has elapsed. Furthermore, in S111, the control unit 101 determines whether or not the additional time set in S132 has elapsed.

[0090] According to this modified example, the amount of water shortfall relative to the set water level and the water supply capacity of the bath water pump 52 are estimated, and the additional time and pause time are set based on the estimated results, thereby making it less likely that the pause time will be unnecessarily long and making it easier for the water level in the outer tub 20 to reach the set water level before the additional time has elapsed.

[0091] <Other change examples> In the above embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5, the control unit 101 stops the pulsator 24 when the pause time has elapsed and the bath water pump 52 is driven again (S107 to S109). However, the control unit 101 may continue to operate the pulsator 24 even after the pause time has elapsed. In this case, the control unit 101 may operate the pulsator 24 until the water level in the outer tub 20 reaches the set water level, or may stop the pulsator 24 before that. If the pulsator 24 operates until the set water level is reached, the process of S203 of the washing process in Fig. 6 is not performed, and the pulsator 24 continues to operate even after the set water level is reached.

[0092] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5, if the set water level is not reached by operating the bath water pump 52 for one additional time, the control unit 101 opens the water supply valve 51 and switches from supplying bath water to supplying tap water (S111-S115). However, if the water level in the outer tub 20 does not reach the set water level, the control unit 101 may repeat the processes of S106-S112, i.e., pausing the bath water pump 52 for the pause time and operating for the additional time, multiple times. In this case, the upper limit on the number of repetitions may be increased as the load increases.

[0093] Furthermore, the fully automatic washing machine 1 may have a detergent tank that can store enough liquid detergent for multiple washes, and may be equipped with an automatic detergent dispenser that automatically dispenses the liquid detergent into the outer tub 20.

[0094] Furthermore, the present invention can also be applied to a fully automatic washer / dryer having a laundry drying function.

[0095] In addition, the embodiments of the present invention can be modified in various ways as appropriate within the scope of the technical ideas set forth in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0096] 1. Fully automatic washing machine (washing machine) 20 Outer tank 22 Washing and spinning tub 24 Pulsator (load detector) 30 Drive unit 31 Drive motor (load detection unit) 52 Bath water pump 101 control unit (load amount detection unit) 130 Water level detection unit

Claims

1. a washing and spin-drying tub rotatably disposed within the outer tub; a pulsator rotatably disposed at the bottom of the washing and dewatering tub; a drive unit that drives the washing and dewatering tub and the pulsator; a bath water pump for supplying bath water into the outer tub; a water level detection unit that detects the water level in the outer tank; a control unit that controls the driving unit and the bath water pump, A time limit is set to limit the operation of the bath water pump due to a temperature rise, When the control unit operates the bath water pump to supply bath water to the outer tub up to a set water level during the washing process, If the time limit elapses before the water level in the outer tub reaches the set water level, the bath water pump is stopped. After a rest time has elapsed since the bath water pump was stopped, the bath water pump is operated until the water level in the outer tub reaches the set water level or an additional time has elapsed; While the bath water pump is stopped during the stop time, the drive unit drives the pulsator. A washing machine characterized by:

2. The washing machine according to claim 1, When the bath water pump is paused during the pause time, the control unit shortens the washing time during which the pulsator operates after the set water level is reached. A washing machine characterized by:

3. The washing machine according to claim 1, The pause time and the additional time are set so that the temperature of the bath water pump when the additional time has elapsed will not be higher than the temperature of the bath water pump when the time limit has elapsed. A washing machine characterized by:

4. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The washing and spin-drying machine further includes a load amount detection unit that detects the load amount of laundry in the washing and spin-drying tub, The control unit increases the set water level and lengthens the pause time and the additional time as the load amount increases. A washing machine characterized by:

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