Drum type washing machine

Abstract

To provide a drum type washing machine capable of making clothes wetter by washing water fallen from a baffle.SOLUTION: A drum type washing machine includes: a housing; a water tub elastically supported in the housing; a rotary drum provided rotatably in the first rotation direction and the second rotation direction in the water tub, and having a plurality of baffles; and a control part for controlling the rotation of the rotary drum. Each of the baffles includes: a storage space capable of storing washing water stored in the water tub; and a water passing hole communicated with the storage space. The control part executes first control for intermittently rotating the rotary drum at least twice in the first rotation direction, and second control for intermittently rotating the rotary drum at least twice in the second rotation direction after the first control, and in each of the first control and the second control, the control part sets the rotation amount per one rotation of the rotary drum so that at least one baffle stops out of the baffles at different positions in an upper half region in a rotation range of the rotary drum.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a drum-type washing machine. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a drum-type washing machine that includes a rotary drum for storing clothes, a drive device for driving the rotary drum to rotate, and a water supply device for supplying water into the rotary drum.

[0003] The washing machine described in Patent Document 1 has multiple baffles on the inner circumferential surface of the rotating drum, each with a water hole, allowing wash water to be stored inside the baffles. The water stored inside the baffles is dropped onto the clothes, wetting them and washing them. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-218993 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the washing machine of Patent Document 1, the amount of washing water stored in the baffle may be reduced depending on the stopping position of the baffle, or the clothes may not be wetted evenly, so it can be said that there is room for improvement in terms of wetting the clothes.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to solve the above-mentioned problems and to provide a drum-type washing machine that can wet clothes more effectively with the wash water that drops from the baffle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A drum-type washing machine according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a housing, a water tub elastically supported within the housing, a rotating drum rotatable within the water tub in a first rotational direction and a second rotational direction and having a plurality of baffles, and a control unit that controls the rotation of the rotating drum, each of the baffles having a storage space capable of storing wash water stored in the water tub and a water passage hole communicating with the storage space, the control unit performing a first control that rotates the rotating drum intermittently at least twice in the first rotational direction, and a second control that, after the first control, rotates the rotating drum intermittently at least twice in the second rotational direction, and in each of the first control and the second control, the amount of rotation of the rotating drum per rotation is set so that at least one of the baffles stops at a different position in the upper half of the rotational range of the rotating drum. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, laundry can be more wetted by the wash water dropping off the baffle. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] Schematic cross-sectional view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine according to an embodiment; [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view of a baffle according to an embodiment; [Figure 4] Schematic front view of a rotary drum according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] Schematic cross-sectional view of a rotating drum according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] 1 is a graph showing the rotation speed and rotation direction of the rotary drum in a washing course executed by a drum-type washing machine according to an embodiment. [Figure 7A] Schematic front view showing the baffle stop position (m=4, α=144°) [Figure 7B] Schematic front view showing the rotation angle when the baffle stops (m=4, α=144°) [Figure 8A] Schematic front view showing the baffle stop position (m=4, α=168°) [Figure 8B] Schematic front view showing the rotation angle when the baffle stops (m=4, α=168°) [Figure 9A] Schematic front view showing the baffle stop position (m=4, α=192°) [Figure 9B] Schematic front view showing the rotation angle when the baffle stops (m=4, α=192°) [Figure 10A] Schematic front view showing the baffle stop position (m=4, α=216°) [Figure 10B] Schematic front view showing the rotation angle when the baffle stops (m=4, α=216°) [Figure 11] Schematic front view showing the baffle stop position (m=3, α=150°, 210°) [Figure 12] Schematic front view showing the rotation angle relative to the baffle stop position (m=2, α=160°, 200°) [Figure 13] Cross-sectional view showing different baffle immersion conditions [Figure 14] Graph showing rotation patterns of the first washing step and the second washing step in a modified example DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] (Embodiment) A washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0011] <Overall structure> 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a drum type washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, the drum type washing machine 1 includes a housing 2, a water tub 3, and a rotating drum 4.

[0012] Water tub 3 is disposed within housing 2 and is supported in a vibration-isolating manner by vibration dampers (not shown). Rotating drum 4 is contained within water tub 3 and is rotatable by drive unit 5. A plurality of through-holes 40 are provided on the circumferential surface of rotating drum 4. Through-holes 40 connect water tub 3 and rotating drum 4 so that water can flow through them. Water tub 3 and rotating drum 4 are formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom. A drum opening 4A is provided on the front side of rotating drum 4 for loading and unloading clothes, and similarly, a water tub opening 3A is provided on the front side of water tub 3.

[0013] A housing opening 2A is provided on the front surface of housing 2 so as to face water tub opening 3A and drum opening 4A. A door 21 that can be opened and closed to cover housing opening 2A is provided on the front surface of housing 2. A user opens door 21 and loads laundry into rotating drum 4 through housing opening 2A, water tub opening 3A, and drum opening 4A.

[0014] A packing 32 is provided at the front interior portion of the housing 2. The packing 32 is a member that provides a watertight seal between the housing opening 2A and the water tank opening 3A. A first end of the packing 32 is connected to the housing opening 2A, and a second end is connected to the water tank opening 3A.

[0015] A water supply unit 120 is provided in an upper interior portion of the housing 2. The water supply unit 120 includes a water supply valve 121, a water supply path 122, and a detergent case 125.

[0016] Water supply valve 121 is provided so as to be able to be opened and closed freely. Water supply path 122 connects water supply valve 121 and water tub 3. Detergent case 125 is provided midway along water supply path 122. When water supply valve 121 is opened, wash water introduced into housing 2 passes through water supply path 122 and is poured into water tub 3 while dissolving the detergent contained in detergent case 125.

[0017] A drainage section 130 is provided in the lower inner portion of the housing 2. The drainage section 130 includes a drainage path 131 and a drainage valve 132.

[0018] Drain path 131 is a path that connects the bottom of water tub 3 to the outside of drum type washing machine 1. Drain valve 132 is a valve that can be opened and closed and is provided midway along drain path 131. When drain valve 132 is opened, the wash water in water tub 3 is drained to the outside of drum type washing machine 1.

[0019] A washing water circulation unit 140 that circulates the washing water in the water tub 3 is provided inside the housing 2. The washing water circulation unit 140 includes a circulation path 141, a circulation pump 142, and a discharge port 143.

[0020] Circulation path 141 branches off from drain path 131 at a point upstream of drain valve 132 and is connected to wash water supply unit 140. Circulation pump 142 is a pump provided midway along circulation path 141, and is driven by a pump motor (not shown) whose rotation speed is variable, and sends the wash water flowing into circulation path 141 to discharge outlet 143. By discharging the wash water from discharge outlet 143 toward the interior space of rotating drum 4, the clothes stored in rotating drum 4 can be further wetted, improving the washing effect.

[0021] The control unit 12 is a component that controls the operation of the drum type washing machine 1. The control unit 12 controls components of the drum type washing machine 1, such as the drive unit 5, the water supply valve 121, and the drain valve 131. The control unit 12 controls the rotational operation of the rotating drum 4 by controlling the drive unit 5. The control unit 12 may include, for example, a memory (not shown) that stores a program and a processing circuit (not shown) corresponding to a processor such as a CPU, and function as these elements by the processor executing the program.

[0022] An operation display unit 185 is provided on the upper front surface of the housing 2. The operation display unit 185 receives instructions from the user regarding the washing operation. The operation display unit 185 displays information regarding the operation status and the like.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the drum type washing machine 1. As shown in FIG.

[0024] 2, the rotating drum 4 has a bottom portion 42 through which the rotation axis V0 passes, and a cylindrical portion 44 having one end closed by the bottom portion 42. The bottom portion 42 of the rotating drum 4 has a mesh portion 45 in which a large number of through-holes 46 are formed.

[0025] Baffles 47 are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 44. In this embodiment, three baffles 47 are provided at intervals of 120 degrees around the rotation axis V0.

[0026] Returning to FIG. 1, the wash water discharged from the discharge port 143 of the wash water circulation unit 140 has difficulty reaching the lower rear portion of the rotary drum 4. In the drum-type washing machine 1 of this embodiment, the baffle 47 has a structure and function for storing wash water, and the clothes can be wetted by dropping the wash water from the baffle 47 that stores the wash water. This allows the wash water to be supplied to areas that are difficult to reach with the wash water discharged from the discharge port 143 of the wash water circulation unit 140, further improving the cleaning effect.

[0027] <Baffle> Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a baffle 47 provided on the inner circumferential surface of the rotating drum 4. As shown in Fig. 3, the baffle 47 has a plurality of water passage holes 48, namely, water passage holes 48A, 48B, and 48C. Water passage hole 48A is provided on a side surface 50 of the baffle 47, water passage hole 48B is provided on a side surface 52 of the baffle 47, and water passage hole 48C is provided on a top surface 54 of the baffle 47. The positions and number of water passage holes 48 are not limited to those shown in Fig. 3 and may be any positions and numbers.

[0028] The baffle 47 has an internal storage space surrounded by the side surfaces 50, 52 and the top surface 54 that can store water. When wash water is stored inside the rotary drum 4, the wash water flows into the storage space of the baffle 47 through the water passage holes 48A-48C of the baffle 47 and accumulates therein. Some of the wash water stored in the storage space falls through the water passage holes 48A-48C and hits the clothes stored in the rotary drum 4 when the rotary drum 4 rotates and the baffle 47 rotates. On the other hand, most of the wash water stored in the storage space falls through the water passage holes 48A-48C and hits the clothes stored in the rotary drum 4 when the baffle 47 stops in its upper rotation position. Wetting and washing clothes with the wash water dropping from the baffle 47 allows delicate clothes such as sweaters to be washed while minimizing damage. Hereinafter, the wash water dropping from the baffle 47 will be referred to as "baffle water" as appropriate.

[0029] 4 and 5 are respectively a front view and a cross-sectional view that schematically show the rotating drum 4. Fig. 4 shows the rotating drum 4 as viewed from the front side toward the rear side along the rotation axis V0.

[0030] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the rotating drum 4 is rotatable around a rotation axis V0 in a first rotation direction R1 and a second rotation direction R2 that is opposite to the first rotation direction R1. The rotation range of the rotating drum 4 is divided into a lower region A1, which is the lower half, and an upper region A2, which is the upper half. With a plane P1 that includes the central axis V0 as a reference, the region below the plane P1 is the lower region A1, and the region above the plane P1 is the upper region A2. The plane P1 passes through the central axis V0 and is inclined at an angle θ1 with respect to the horizontal plane P2 shown in Figure 5.

[0031] When the baffle 47 (baffle 47C in FIG. 4) is stopped in the lower area A1, it can store the wash water by letting it flow in through the water passage holes 48. When the baffle 47 (baffles 47A and 47B in FIG. 4) is stopped in the upper area A1, it can drop the wash water stored therein through the water passage holes 48, so that the clothes are wet with the baffle water (see arrow W1).

[0032] When a washing course in which clothes are wetted with baffle water is performed, it is desirable that each baffle 47 alternately stops in the lower area A1 and stops in the upper area A2.

[0033] <Washing course> An example of a washing course in which clothes are wetted with baffle water executed by the drum type washing machine 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 6 and subsequent drawings.

[0034] 6 is a graph showing the rotation speed and rotation direction of the rotary drum in a washing course using baffle water. In FIG. 6, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the rotation speed and rotation direction of the rotary drum 4.

[0035] When a user of drum type washing machine 1 operates an operation panel provided on housing 2 to select a desired washing course, the washing course corresponding to the control shown in FIG. 6 is executed. Control unit 12 of drum type washing machine 1 alternately executes a first control for intermittently rotating rotating drum 4 in first rotation direction R1 and a second control for intermittently rotating rotating drum 4 in a second rotation direction R2, depending on the selected washing course. Each of the first control and second control needs to be executed at least once, and may be executed multiple times. In this embodiment, the washing course corresponding to the control shown in FIG. 6 is executed without operating wash water circulating unit 140 shown in FIG. 1.

[0036] In the first control, the control unit 12 intermittently rotates the rotating drum 4 m times in the first rotation direction. In the second control, the control unit 12 intermittently rotates the rotating drum 4 m times in the second direction. In the example shown in Fig. 6, m = 4.

[0037] In the example shown in Fig. 6, the first control and the second control have different rotation directions of the rotating drum 4, but the rotation amount α, rotation time t1, and stop time t2 of the rotating drum 4 per rotation are the same. The rotation amount α of the rotating drum per rotation is calculated by multiplying the rotation speed S1 and rotation time t1 shown in Fig. 6.

[0038] In particular, by setting the number of times m that the rotating drum 4 rotates and the rotation amount α per rotation to be the same in the first control and the second control, the total rotation amount of the rotating drum 4 in the first control and the second control will be the same. If the total rotation amount of the rotating drum 4 in the first control and the second control were different, tangling of clothes would be promoted as the washing and rinsing processes progressed. However, by setting the total rotation amount of the rotating drum 4 in the first control and the second control to be the same, tangling of clothes can be reduced. This makes it possible to prevent damage caused by tangling of clothes, imbalance of clothes during spin drying, and wrinkles in clothes at the end of the operation.

[0039] As explained with reference to Figures 4 and 5, to encourage each baffle 47 to alternate between (1) stopping in the lower area A1 and (2) stopping in the upper area A2, the rotation amount α per rotation can be set to 180 degrees as a reference. However, if α = 180°, the baffle 47 will stop in the same position every two rotations of the rotating drum 4, making it difficult to uniformly wet the entire garment. Therefore, it is desirable that α ≠ 180°.

[0040] Similarly, since three baffles 47 are provided at intervals of 120° in this embodiment, it is desirable that α≠120×x (x is a natural number).

[0041] Furthermore, if α<120°, the baffle 47 will not catch up with the previous stopping position of the adjacent baffle 47 even after one rotation of the rotating drum 4, and the cycle of (1) stopping in the lower area A1 and (2) stopping in the upper area A2 will be easily disrupted. Therefore, it is desirable that α>120°.

[0042] By setting α to be greater than 120°, it is possible to ensure that at least one baffle 47 passes through the lowest point of the rotation range when the rotating drum 4 rotates once, regardless of the stopping position of the baffle 47. This makes it easier for water to accumulate in the baffle 47.

[0043] Furthermore, when α>240°, even after one rotation of the rotating drum 4, the baffle 47 that was stopped in the lower region A1 is likely to stop again in the lower region A1, and the baffle 47 that was stopped in the upper region A2 is likely to stop again in the upper region A2. When the baffle 47 rotates from the lower region A1 and stops again in the lower region A1, the baffle 47 passes through the upper region A2, but is less likely to drop baffle water than when it stops in the upper region A2. Similarly, when the baffle 47 rotates from the upper region A2 and stops again in the upper region A2, the baffle 47 passes through the lower region A1, but is less likely to collect water in the baffle 47 than when it stops in the lower region A1. For this reason, α<240° is desirable.

[0044] Considering the above, α can be set based on the following formula 1. (Formula 1) 120°<α<240°and α≠180°

[0045] By setting α based on Equation 1, the cycle of storing water in the baffle 47 and dropping the water from the baffle can be efficiently executed, thereby making it possible to wet the clothes more.

[0046] Next, with regard to the operation of stopping the baffle 47 in the upper region A2, the baffle water can be more evenly dropped onto the clothes if the stopping position of the baffle 47 is different for each rotation of the baffle 47. Taking this into consideration, α can be set, for example, based on the following equation 2. (Formula 2) α=120°+{120° / (m+1)}×n n: an integer between 1 and m

[0047] Because n is an integer between 1 and m, {120° / (m+1)}×n is greater than 0° and less than 120°. Therefore, the value of α in Equation 2 is greater than 120° and less than 240°, satisfying the condition of Equation 1, 120°<α<240.

[0048] For example, when m = 4, n = 1, 2, 3, 4, and α = 144°, 168°, 192°, 216°. Here, the stopping positions of baffle 47 when α = 144°, 168°, 192°, 216° will be described with reference to Figures 7A, 7B, 8A, 8B, 9A, 9B, 10A, and 10B.

[0049] 7A, 8A, 9A, and 10A are front views showing the stop positions of baffles 47A to 47C when α = 144°, 168°, 192°, and 216°, respectively. 7A, 8A, 9A, and 10A show the stop positions of baffle 47 when rotating drum 4 is rotated in first rotation direction R1 by α° increments under first control, with the rotation position where baffle 47 is at its uppermost position set to 0°.

[0050] 7B, 8B, 9B, and 10B are tables showing the rotational positions at which baffles 47A to 47C stop when α=144°, 168°, 192°, and 216°, respectively. In FIGS. 7B, 8B, 9B, and 10B, the horizontal axis shows one of the three baffles 47A to 47C, and the vertical axis shows the rotational positions at which baffles 47A to 47C stop. "Initial position" indicates the stop position of baffle 47 at the start of first control, and each time rotating drum 4 rotates by α° from the initial position, baffle 47 stops in the order of "Stop 1," "Stop 2," "Stop 3," and "Stop 4."

[0051] 7B, 8B, 9B, and 10B, the rotational positions where the baffle 47 stops in the upper region A2 are circled.

[0052] 7B, 8B, 9B, and 10B, when α is 144°, 168°, 192°, or 216°, any of baffles 47A to 47C can be stopped at rotational positions of 0°, 24°, 48°, 72°, 288°, 312°, or 316° in upper region A2. By stopping baffle 47 at dispersed positions in upper region A2 in this manner, baffle water can be dropped more evenly onto the entire garment, resulting in greater wetting of the garment.

[0053] Although the case where m=4 has been described, the same applies to the case where m≠4.

[0054] For example, when m = 3, n = 1, 2, 3, and α = 150°, 180°, 210°. Because α ≠ 180, α = 150°, 210°.

[0055] Fig. 11 is a front view showing the rotational positions at which baffles 47A to 47C stop when the first control is executed with m = 3 and α = 150° and 210°. As shown in Fig. 11, when α = 150° and 210°, one of baffles 47A to 47C stops at 0°, 30°, 60°, 300°, or 330° in upper region A2. This allows baffle water to fall more evenly over the entire garment.

[0056] For example, when m=2, n=1, 2, and α=160°, 200°.

[0057] Fig. 12 is a front view showing the rotational positions at which baffles 47A to 47C stop when the first control is executed with m = 2 and α = 160° or 200°. As shown in Fig. 12, when α = 160° or 200°, one of baffles 47A to 47C stops at 0°, 40°, 80°, 280°, or 320° in upper region A2. This allows baffle water to fall more evenly over the entire garment.

[0058] The same applies to m=5 or more, and m is not limited to 2 to 4, and m may be set to 2 or more. In other words, the first control requires rotating the rotating drum 4 at least twice in the first rotation direction R1, and the second control requires rotating the rotating drum 4 at least twice in the second rotation direction R2.

[0059] On the other hand, as m increases, baffles 47 can be stopped at more dispersed positions, but the operation times required for the first control and second control become longer. In consideration of this, in this embodiment, m is set to 4, which prevents the operation time of the washing course from becoming excessively long while allowing baffles 47 to be stopped at dispersed positions.

[0060] The value of α is not limited to the value calculated by Equation 2, and any value within a predetermined range based on this value can achieve the same effect. That is, the allowable range of Equation 2 may be set so that the baffle 47 stops at a position different from the previous stop position in order to wet the clothes. For example, a allowable range of ±120° / (m+1) may be set for the value calculated by Equation 2. In this case, α can be calculated based on Equation 3 below. (Formula 3) 120°+{120° / (m+1)}×n-120° / (m+1)<α<120°+{120° / (m+1)}×n+120° / (m+1)

[0061] For example, when m = 4, the allowable range is ±120° / (m+1) = ±24°. Therefore, when setting α, it can be set as follows: 144°-24°<α<144°+24° (when n=1), 168°-24°<α<168°+24° (when n=2), 192°-24°<α<192°+24° (when n=3), 216°-24°<α<216°+24° (when n=4).

[0062] Note that when α=120°+{120° / (m+1)}×n±120° / (m+1) (when the equality is established), there is a risk that the stopping positions of the baffles 47 will overlap while the baffles 47 are rotated m times. In contrast, by setting -120° / (m+1)<tolerance<120° / (m+1) as in Equation 3, the possibility that the stopping positions of the baffles 47 will overlap can be reduced, making it easier to stop the baffles 47 in a dispersed manner.

[0063] For example, an allowable range of ±120° / {2×(m+1)} may be set for the value calculated by Equation 2. In this case, α can be calculated based on Equation 4 below. (Formula 4) 120°+{120° / (m+1)}×n-120° / {2×(m+1)}≦α≦120°+{120° / (m+1)}×n+120° / {2×(m+1)}

[0064] For example, when m = 4, the allowable range is ±120° / {2 × (m + 1)} = ±12°. In the case of Equation 4, α may be set by applying the upper limit (+12°) and lower limit (-12°) of the allowable range, and in this case, it is still easier to stop the baffle 47 from dispersing.

[0065] 6, after the first control in which the rotating drum 4 is rotated in the first rotation direction R1, the second control in which the rotating drum 4 is rotated in the second rotation direction R2 is executed. By setting the tolerance range as in Equation 3 to α, it becomes possible to shift the rotational position of the baffle 47 between the first control and the second control, making it easier to apply the baffle water to the clothes more evenly.

[0066] Regarding the operation of stopping the baffle 47 in the lower area A1, as shown in Figure 1, the water surface S0, which is the actual water level in the wash course, is below the rotation axis V0. In addition, the rotation axis V0 extends obliquely, and the water level based on the water surface S0 differs between the front and rear sides. Considering the influence of the water surface S0, the immersion state of the baffle 47 when it stops in the lower area A1 can be assumed to be one of the following three states. State A: The entire baffle 47 is immersed State B: Part of the baffle 47 is immersed Condition C: The entire baffle 47 is not immersed.

[0067] Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the difference in the immersion state when the baffle 47 stops in the lower area A1. As shown in Fig. 13, even when the baffle 47 stops in the lower area A1, there is a difference in that the amount of water stored in the baffle 47 increases in the order of state A > state B > state C. When the baffle 47 is stopped in the lower area A1, it is preferable to set the rotation position of the baffle 47 as close to the lowest point (180°) as possible.

[0068] Taking this into consideration, in this embodiment, m = 4 and α = 192° are set. The stop positions of baffle 47 when m = 4 and α = 192° are as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B. As shown in FIG. 9B, the rotational positions when stopped in upper region A2 are 0°, 24°, 48°, 72°, 288°, 312°, and 336°, and the rotational positions of the previous stop states are 168° (-192°), 192°, 216°, 240°, 96°, 120°, and 144°, respectively. Except for the 96° position, the rotational positions of the previous stop states before stopping in upper region A2 are all away from 90° and 270° and approach the lowest point of 180°. Even considering the up-and-down fluctuation of the water level during the washing course, baffle 47 can be easily stopped in state A or state B, allowing more water to be stored in baffle 47.

[0069] (summary) According to the washing course using baffle water described above, the amount of rotation α of the rotating drum 4 per rotation is set so that at least one of the baffles 47 stops at a different position in the upper region A2 of the rotation range of the rotating drum 4. This allows the cycle of storing water in the baffle 47 and dropping the baffle water to be efficiently executed, resulting in better wetting of the clothes.

[0070] Furthermore, by controlling the rotation amount α of the rotary drum 4 per revolution, it is possible to freely control the "baffle water" and wet the clothes as desired. As described above, it is possible to execute a wash course that wets the clothes more evenly and more thoroughly using the baffle water from the baffle 47 without operating the wash water circulating unit 140 shown in FIG.

[0071] In the above explanation, it is assumed that three baffles 47 are provided at 120-degree intervals, but the number of baffles 47 is not limited to three. If the number of baffles 47 is any number, the amount of rotation α of the rotating drum 4 per cycle in the first control and the second control may be set to greater than 180° and less than 360°. This makes it possible to execute the cycle of storing water in the baffles 47 and dropping the baffle water with some degree of efficiency.

[0072] [effect] The drum type washing machine 1 according to the embodiment can achieve the following effects.

[0073] As described above, the drum-type washing machine 1 of this embodiment comprises a housing 2, a water tub 3 elastically supported within the housing 2, a rotating drum 4 rotatably arranged within the water tub 3 in a first rotation direction R1 and a second rotation direction R2 and having a plurality of baffles 47, and a control unit 12 that controls the rotation of the rotating drum 4, each of the baffles 47 having a storage space capable of storing wash water stored in the water tub 3 and a water passage 48 communicating with the storage space. The control unit 12 executes a first control that rotates the rotating drum 4 intermittently at least twice in the first rotation direction R1, and a second control that rotates the rotating drum 4 intermittently at least twice in the second rotation direction R2 after the first control, and sets the rotation amount α of the rotating drum 4 per rotation so that at least one of the baffles 47 stops at a different position in the upper region A2 of the rotation range of the rotating drum 4 in each of the first control and the second control.

[0074] With this configuration, the wash water stored in baffle 47 can be made to fall over a wide area onto the clothes contained in rotary drum 4, thereby making the clothes wetter.

[0075] In the drum type washing machine 1 of this embodiment, the rotation amount α per rotation is greater than 180 degrees and less than 360 degrees. With this configuration, the cycle of storing water in the baffle 47 and dropping the baffle water can be efficiently executed.

[0076] In the drum type washing machine 1 of this embodiment, the rotation amount α per rotation is set in each of the first control and the second control so that at least one of the baffles 47 passes through the lowest point (180°) in the rotation range during one rotation of the rotating drum 4. This configuration makes it easier to store wash water in the storage space of the baffle 47.

[0077] In the drum type washing machine 1 of this embodiment, the control unit 12 alternately executes the first control and the second control. This configuration makes it easier to apply the baffle water to the clothes more uniformly.

[0078] In the drum type washing machine 1 of this embodiment, the total rotation amount of the rotating drum 4 in the first control is the same as the total rotation amount of the rotating drum 4 in the second control. This configuration can prevent tangling and damage to clothes, imbalance of clothes during spin-drying, and wrinkles in clothes at the end of operation.

[0079] Furthermore, the drum type washing machine 1 of this embodiment is provided with three baffles 47. With this configuration, the baffles 47 can perform the water storing operation and the water draining operation in a distributed manner.

[0080] In the drum-type washing machine 1 of this embodiment, the amount of rotation per rotation is α, where α is in the range of 120°<α<240° and α≠180°. This configuration makes it easier for each baffle 47 to alternate between storing water and draining water, allowing clothes to be wetter.

[0081] In the drum type washing machine 1 of this embodiment, where α is the amount of rotation per rotation, m is the number of times the rotating drum 4 is rotated in the first rotation direction R1 during the first control, and n is an integer between 1 and m, α is set based on 120°+{120° / (m+1)}×n. This configuration makes it easier to vary the position at which the baffle 47 stops for each rotation of the rotating drum 4, allowing clothes to be more uniformly wetted.

[0082] In the drum type washing machine 1 of this embodiment, m = 4, n = 3, and α is set based on 192°. This configuration makes it easier to vary the position at which the baffle 47 stops with each rotation of the rotating drum 4, allowing clothes to be wetted more uniformly. When α is set based on 192°, an allowable range may be set for 192°, for example, as shown in Equation 3 or 4.

[0083] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be embodied in various other forms. For example, in the present embodiment, the first control and the second control are alternately repeated, but the rotation pattern of the rotating drum 4 may be changed midway. An example of this will be described with reference to FIG. 14.

[0084] FIG. 14 is a graph showing rotation patterns of the first control and the second control in the modified example.

[0085] In the example shown in Figure 14, a first washing process including first control and second control is performed, followed by a separate second washing process. The second washing process also includes first control and second control, but the rotation pattern of the rotating drum 4 is different. Specifically, with regard to the stop time per rotation of the rotating drum 4, the stop time t3 in the second washing process is set longer than the stop time t2 in the first washing process. In other words, the ratio (t3 / t1) of the stop time t3 to the rotation time t1 per rotation of the rotating drum 4 in the second control is set larger than the ratio (t2 / t1) of the stop time t2 to the rotation time t1 per rotation of the rotating drum 4 in the second control.

[0086] In the second washing step, the washing water has penetrated the clothes to a certain extent, so by relatively lengthening the stop time t3 of the rotating drum 4, damage to delicate clothes can be suppressed.

[0087] In particular, in the second washing step, since the clothes are wet and tend to sink, they are easily affected by the rotation of the rotating drum 4 and baffle 47, and the clothes tend to spin easily even if the rotating drum 4 is rotated for the same amount of time. In this case, if the clothes are rotated too much, they will be damaged, so by making the stop time t3 longer relative to the stop time t2, the clothes can be rotated after they have been straightened out, thereby minimizing damage to the clothes.

[0088] [effect] In the drum type washing machine 1 according to the modified example, the control unit 12 executes a first washing process including a first control and a second control, and after the first washing process, executes a second washing process including the first control and the second control, and increases the ratio of the stop times t2 and t3 to the rotation time t1 per rotation of the rotating drum 4 in the second washing process compared to the first washing process.

[0089] This configuration can reduce damage to clothing.

[0090] (Outline of the embodiment) A drum-type washing machine in a first aspect includes a housing, a water tub elastically supported within the housing, a rotating drum rotatable in the water tub in a first rotation direction and a second rotation direction and having a plurality of baffles, and a control unit that controls the rotation of the rotating drum, each of the baffles having a storage space capable of storing wash water stored in the water tub and a water passage hole communicating with the storage space, and the control unit executes a first control that rotates the rotating drum intermittently at least two times in the first rotation direction, and a second control that rotates the rotating drum intermittently at least two times in the second rotation direction after the first control, and in each of the first control and the second control, sets the amount of rotation of the rotating drum per rotation so that at least one of the baffles stops at a different position in the upper half of the rotation range of the rotating drum.

[0091] In a second aspect, the drum type washing machine is the drum type washing machine of the first aspect, wherein the amount of rotation per rotation is greater than 180 degrees and less than 360 degrees.

[0092] As a drum type washing machine in a third aspect, in the drum type washing machine in the first or second aspect, in each of the first control and the second control, the amount of rotation per rotation is set so that at least one of the baffles passes through the lowest point in the rotation range during one rotation of the rotating drum.

[0093] As a drum type washing machine in a fourth aspect, in the drum type washing machine in any one of the first to third aspects, the control unit executes a first washing process including the first control and the second control, and after the first washing process, executes a second washing process including the first control and the second control, and increases the ratio of stop time to the rotation time per rotation of the rotating drum in the second washing process compared to the first washing process.

[0094] As the drum type washing machine of a fifth aspect, in the drum type washing machine of any one of the first to fourth aspects, the control unit alternately executes the first control and the second control.

[0095] As a drum type washing machine in a sixth aspect, in the drum type washing machine in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the total rotation amount of the rotating drum in the first control is the same as the total rotation amount of the rotating drum in the second control.

[0096] In a seventh aspect, in the drum type washing machine of any one of the first to sixth aspects, three baffles are provided.

[0097] As a drum type washing machine according to an eighth aspect, in the drum type washing machine according to the seventh aspect, when the amount of rotation per rotation is α, 120°<α<240° and α≠180°.

[0098] As the drum type washing machine of the ninth aspect, in the drum type washing machine of the seventh or eighth aspect, when the amount of rotation per rotation is α, the number of times the rotating drum is rotated in the first rotation direction in the first control is m, and n is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to m, α is set based on 120°+{120° / (m+1)}×n.

[0099] As the drum type washing machine of the tenth embodiment, in the drum type washing machine of the ninth embodiment, m=4, n=3, and α was set based on 192°.

[0100] Although the present disclosure has been fully described in connection with the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and such changes and modifications are to be understood as included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims unless they depart therefrom. [Industrial Applicability]

[0101] The washing machine of the present disclosure is applicable to any drum-type washing machine. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 1. Drum washing machine 2. Case 3. Aquarium 4 rotating drums 5 Drive unit 6. Heat pump equipment 8 Circulation flow path 9. Air blowing means 10. Water supply valve 11 Drain valve 12 Control Unit 47 Baffle 48 Water Vent R1 First rotation direction R2 Second rotation direction V0 rotation axis

Claims

1. The housing and a water tank elastically supported within the housing; a rotating drum provided in the water tank so as to be rotatable in a first rotation direction and a second rotation direction, the rotating drum having a plurality of baffles; a control unit that controls the rotation of the rotary drum, Each of the baffles has a storage space capable of storing the wash water stored in the water tub and a water passage hole communicating with the storage space, the control unit executes a first control of intermittently rotating the rotating drum at least twice in the first rotation direction, and a second control of intermittently rotating the rotating drum at least twice in the second rotation direction after the first control, In each of the first control and the second control, the amount of rotation of the rotating drum per revolution is set so that at least one of the baffles stops at a different position in an upper half region of the rotation range of the rotating drum.

2. The drum-type washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the rotation amount per rotation is greater than 180 degrees and less than 360 degrees.

3. 2. The drum-type washing machine according to claim 1, wherein in each of the first control and the second control, the amount of rotation per rotation is set so that at least one of the baffles passes through a lowest point in the rotation range during one rotation of the rotary drum.

4. 2. The drum-type washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the control unit executes a first washing process including the first control and the second control, and executes a second washing process including the first control and the second control after the first washing process, and increases a ratio of a stop time to a rotation time per rotation of the rotating drum in the second washing process compared to the first washing process.

5. The drum-type washing machine according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit alternately executes the first control and the second control.

6. 2. The drum-type washing machine according to claim 1, wherein a total rotation amount of the rotary drum in the first control is equal to a total rotation amount of the rotary drum in the second control.

7. The drum-type washing machine according to claim 1 , wherein three baffles are provided.

8. If the amount of rotation per rotation is α, then 8. The drum type washing machine according to claim 7, wherein 120°<α<240° and α≠180°.

9. When the amount of rotation per rotation is α, the number of times the rotating drum is rotated in the first rotation direction in the first control is m, and n is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to m, 8. The drum type washing machine according to claim 7, wherein α is set based on 120°+{120° / (m+1)}×n.

10. 10. The drum type washing machine according to claim 9, wherein m=4, n=3, and α are set based on 192°.

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