washing machine

Abstract

To provide a washing machine that can improve reliability. [Solution] The washing machine comprises a water tank, a rotating drum, a water supply valve that opens and closes a water supply path that supplies water from an external water source to the water tank, a detergent tank capable of storing detergent, a dispensing pump that dispenses a predetermined amount of detergent from the detergent tank onto the water supply path, a mixing unit that mixes water from an external water source with the detergent dispensed by the dispensing pump, a spraying unit provided downstream of the mixing unit that sprays the mixed water (water from an external water source and detergent) into the rotating drum, and a control unit that performs a washing operation including a washing process. The control unit can perform a spraying operation in the washing process by controlling the water supply valve and the dispensing pump to spray the mixed water from the spraying unit, and sets the number of times the dispensing pump dispenses detergent based on the amount of detergent to be dispensed in the washing process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to washing machines.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, it has been considered to improve the cleaning effect of laundry by allowing detergent to penetrate the laundry for a long time. In Patent Document 1, in a drum washing machine, when water supplied from a water supply valve flows through a Venturi tube, negative pressure generated causes air and the detergent liquid in the liquid storage tank to be taken into the Venturi tube, and a foam generation module that foams the detergent liquid to generate detergent foam, and a foam discharge nozzle that discharges the detergent foam sent from the foam generation module into the drum are described.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in the conventional technology, when the amount of water in the detergent liquid supplied into the liquid storage tank exceeds the specified amount, the water level in the liquid storage tank reaches the overflow port, and the detergent liquid is configured to overflow from the overflow port. Then, the detergent liquid that has overflowed from the overflow port is discharged into the outer tank through the discharge path. With such a configuration, when a detergent exceeding the specified amount, which is the amount of detergent required in the washing process, is put into the outer tank, on the other hand, the detergent will be discharged into the outer tank at an unintended time. Therefore, in the conventional configuration, there is room for improvement in the reliability of a washing machine having a configuration for discharging detergent to the laundry.

[0005] [[ID=3S]]Thus, a washing machine capable of improving reliability is provided.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The washing machine of the embodiment includes a water tank, a rotating tub rotatably provided in the water tank and capable of holding clothes, a water supply valve connected to an external water source and opening and closing a water supply path that supplies water from the external water source to the water tank, a detergent tank capable of storing detergent, a dispensing pump that dispenses a predetermined amount of the detergent from the detergent tank onto the water supply path, a mixing unit that mixes water from the external water source with the detergent dispensed by the dispensing pump, a spraying unit provided downstream of the mixing unit and spraying the mixed water, which is a mixture of water from the external water source and the detergent, into the rotating tub, and a control unit that performs a washing operation including a washing process. The control unit is capable of performing a spraying operation in the washing process by controlling the water supply valve and the dispensing pump to spray the mixed water from the spraying unit, and sets the number of times the detergent is dispensed by the dispensing pump based on the amount of detergent to be dispensed, which is the amount of detergent to be dispensed in the washing process. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] A longitudinal cross-sectional side view showing an example of a schematic configuration when a drum-type washing machine is applied to a washing machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] This diagram shows an example of the water supply path from an external water source for a washing machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] A perspective view showing an example of a microbubble generator for a washing machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] A cross-sectional view showing an example of a microbubble generator for a washing machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 5] Block diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of a washing machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 6] A flowchart illustrating an example of the entire washing process for a washing machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of the number of times detergent is dispensed according to the detergent amount category for a washing machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of the control content of the washing process when the amount of detergent added to a washing machine according to one embodiment is less than or equal to the specified amount. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of the control content of the washing process when the amount of detergent added exceeds the specified amount for a washing machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of a washing machine according to one embodiment in which the opening time of the shower water supply valve during the spraying operation is shortened according to the number of times the water is used. [Figure 11] This figure shows an example of a washing machine according to one embodiment in which the opening time of the shower water supply valve during the spray operation is shortened according to the operating course being performed. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] An embodiment of a washing machine will be described below with reference to the drawings. The washing machine 1 shown in Figure 1 is, for example, a drum-type washing machine in which the rotation axis Ra of the rotating drum 13 is horizontal or inclined downward toward the rear. The washing machine 1 is equipped with a washing function and can perform a washing operation including the processes of washing, rinsing, and spinning. The washing machine may also be applied to a so-called vertical washing machine in which the rotation axis is vertical. Furthermore, the washing machine 1 may be equipped with a drying function of, for example, a heater type or a heat pump type.

[0009] The washing machine 1 comprises an outer casing 11, a water tank 12, a rotating drum 13, a motor 14, a drainage mechanism 15, a circulation mechanism 16, an operation panel 17, and a water supply device 20. In Figure 1, the side of the washing machine 1 facing the installation surface, i.e., the vertically downward side, is considered the bottom of the washing machine 1, and the side opposite the installation surface, i.e., the vertically upward side, is considered the top of the washing machine 1. The outer casing 11 is formed as a rectangular hollow box by a combination of metal materials such as stainless steel plates or resin materials. The outer casing 11 constitutes the outer shell of the washing machine 1. The outer casing 11 also has an opening on the front side that connects the inside and outside of the outer casing 11, and this opening is opened and closed by a door (not shown).

[0010] Both the water tank 12 and the rotating tank 13 are formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape. The water tank 12 is capable of storing water inside. The water tank 12 is elastically supported by a suspension (not shown) located within the outer casing 11. The water tank 12 has a drain port 121 and a water inlet 122. The drain port 121 and the water inlet 122 communicate the inside and outside of the water tank 12. The drain port 121 is located, for example, at the bottom of the water tank 12 and is the part that discharges water from the water tank 12 to the outside. The water inlet 122 is the part that supplies water into the water tank 12 from an external water source, such as a water supply. The water inlet 122 is located, for example, at the top of the water tank 12 and is positioned to the left of the center of the water tank 12 in the left-right direction. The water inlet 122 is positioned so that the water flowing out of the water inlet 122 strikes the outer surface of the rotating tank 13. In other words, the water that passes through the water inlet 122 is supplied between the water tank 12 and the rotating tank 13.

[0011] The rotating tub 13 is capable of holding clothes inside and is rotatably positioned within the water tank 12 around a rotation axis Ra. The rotating tub 13 is rotationally driven by a motor 14. The rotating tub 13 also has baffles (not shown). Multiple baffles are provided on the inner circumferential wall of the rotating tub 13 and have the function of agitating and stirring the clothes contained inside the rotating tub 13 when the tub 13 rotates. The motor 14 is located on the outside of the bottom of the water tank 12 and has the function of rotationally driving the rotating tub 13 relative to the water tank 12. The motor 14 is, for example, a brushless direct-drive motor with a variable rotation speed. The center line between the water tank 12 and the rotating tub 13 coincides with the rotation axis Ra of the rotating tub 13. In this embodiment, the direction in which the rotation axis Ra extends coincides with the front-to-back direction of the washing machine 1.

[0012] The drainage mechanism 15 is for draining water from the water tank 12 to the outside of the washing machine 1. The drainage mechanism 15 has a drain valve 151 and a drain hose 152. The drain valve 151 is configured to be opened and closed electromagnetically. The inlet side of the drain valve 151 is connected to the drain port 121 of the water tank 12 via a connecting hose 181. One end of the drain hose 152 is connected to the drain valve 151, and the other end is led out of the washing machine 1. When the drain valve 151 is opened while water is stored in the water tank 12, the water stored in the water tank 12 is drained to the outside of the washing machine 1 through the drain hose 152. In other words, the drain valve 151 opens and closes a drainage path for draining water stored in the water tank 12 to the outside.

[0013] The circulation mechanism 16 has the function of reinjecting water that has flowed out of the water tank 12 back into the water tank 12. The circulation mechanism 16 includes a circulation pump 161, a circulation hose 162, and a water discharge section 163. The circulation pump 161 has the function of pumping water from the water tank 12. The inlet side of the circulation pump 161 is connected to the drain port 121 of the water tank 12 via connecting hoses 181 and 182. The discharge side of the circulation pump 161 is connected to the water discharge section 163 via the circulation hose 162. The circulation hose 162 is made of, for example, a flexible hose. The water discharge section 163 is provided, for example, on the upper side of the water tank 12 and discharges water into the water tank 12.

[0014] When the circulation pump 161 is driven with the drain valve 151 closed, the circulation pump 161 pumps water from the tank 12 through the drain port 121 and refills the tank 12 through the discharge port 163. The circulation path 164 is formed by the route from the drain port 121 of the tank 12, through the circulation pump 161, and back to the tank 12 through the discharge port 163. The circulation path 164 is located outside the tank 12 and is a path for returning water that has flowed out of the tank 12 back into the tank 12. The circulation pump 161 then circulates the water in the tank 12 through the circulation path 164. The circulation pump 161 functions as a circulation unit that supplies water from the tank 12 to the circulation path 164.

[0015] The operation panel 17 is provided, for example, at the front side portion of the upper surface of the outer box 11. The operation panel 17 has a function of receiving operation inputs regarding the settings and operations of the washing machine 1 from the user and presenting information regarding the settings and operations of the washing machine 1 to the user by means such as display and voice. The operation panel 17 is constituted by, for example, a touch panel display.

[0016] The water supply device 20 is for injecting water supplied from an external water source into the water tank 12. The water supply device 20 has a water injection case 21, a water injection hose 22, an automatic dosing device 23, a plurality of mixing parts 241, 242, an injection part 25, a water supply valve unit 26, a pressurized dissolution device 27, and a microbubble generator 30. The water injection case 21 is made of, for example, resin and has a space formed inside. The water injection case 21 can be formed in a hollow box shape extending along the front-back direction of the washing machine 1. The water injection case 21 has a function of receiving water supplied from an external water source and supplying the water into the water tank 12 via the water injection hose 22.

[0017] The water injection hose 22 is constituted by, for example, a bellows hose having flexibility. The water injection hose 22 is a part connecting the water injection case 21 and the inside of the water tank 12. One end of the water injection hose 22 is connected to the water injection case 21 and the other end is connected to the water injection port 122. The water supplied into the water injection case 21 from an external water source is supplied into the water tank 12 through the water injection hose 22. Inside the water injection case 21, a treatment agent case 211 is provided. The treatment agent case 211 is constituted by, for example, a resin container and is configured to be able to accommodate a washing treatment agent such as detergent and finishing agent in an amount used for one washing operation inside. The treatment agent case 211 is, for example, detachably accommodated inside the water injection case 21. When a washing treatment agent is put into the treatment agent case 211 in a state where the treatment agent case 211 is accommodated inside the water injection case 21, the water supplied from the external water source flowing into the water injection case 21 and the washing treatment agent are mixed inside the water injection case 21 and then supplied into the water tank 12 and the rotary tub 13.

[0018] The automatic dosing device 23 can store an amount of laundry treatment agent used in multiple washing operations and has a function of automatically dosing the necessary amount of laundry treatment agent into the water tank 12 as the washing operation progresses. The water supplied from an external water source is mixed with the laundry treatment agent supplied from the automatic dosing device 23 in the mixing parts 241 and 242 and then supplied into the water tank 12. The automatic dosing device 23 has, for example, a detergent tank 231, a finishing agent tank 232, and a dosing pump 233. The detergent tank 231 and the finishing agent tank 232 function as treatment agent tanks. The detergent tank 231 is for storing a liquid detergent in an amount used for multiple washing operations. The finishing agent tank 232 is for storing a liquid finishing agent in an amount used for multiple washing operations. The dosing pump 233 is, for example, composed of a piston pump and has a function of sucking out a predetermined amount of laundry treatment agent individually from each tank 231, 232 and supplying it to the mixing parts 241, 242 respectively. The predetermined amount is set to be not more than the dosing amount of the laundry treatment agent used in the washing process or the rinsing process.

[0019] The mixing parts 241 and 242 are, for example, configured in a container shape capable of storing a certain amount of laundry treatment agent inside. The certain amount is set to be about 20 g to 30 g, for example. Also, water supplied from an external water source is supplied to the mixing parts 241 and 242. Hereinafter, the mixing part 241 may be referred to as the detergent mixing part 241, and the mixing part 242 may be referred to as the finishing agent mixing part 242. The detergent in the detergent mixing part 241 temporarily stays until the next water supply start after being dosed from the detergent tank 231 by the dosing pump 233. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a check valve 234 is provided between the dosing pump 233 and the detergent mixing part 241. The check valve 234 has a function of allowing the liquid flowing from the dosing pump 233 to the detergent mixing part 241 to pass through but blocking the liquid flowing from the detergent mixing part 241 to the dosing pump 2;33. Thereby, when tap water pressure is applied to the water passage connected to the detergent mixing part 2;41, it is possible to prevent the water supplied from the external water source to the detergent mixing part 241 from flowing into the dosing pump 233 side.

[0020] The finishing agent mixing unit 242 temporarily holds the finishing agent that has been introduced from the finishing agent tank 232 by the pump 233 until the next water supply begins. The finishing agent introduced into the finishing agent mixing unit 242 is mixed with water supplied from an external water source within the finishing agent mixing unit 242 and then supplied to the water tank 12 via the water supply case 21. The detergent mixing unit 241 may also serve as the finishing agent mixing unit 242. In other words, the finishing agent sucked from the finishing agent tank 232 by the pump 233 may be introduced into the detergent mixing unit 241.

[0021] As shown in Figure 1, the spray unit 25 is located downstream of the detergent mixing unit 241 and is connected to the detergent mixing unit 241 via a water supply hose 28. The spray unit 25 is configured either integrally with or separately from the water supply hose 28 by a nozzle having one or more small holes at its outlet that are sufficiently smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the water channel of the water supply hose 28, or by having slit holes that are long in the diffusion direction. In other words, one end of the water supply hose 28 is connected to the detergent mixing unit 241, and the other end is connected to the spray unit 25. The mixed water, which is a mixture of detergent put into the detergent mixing unit 241 and water supplied to the detergent mixing unit 241 from an external water source, is supplied to the spray unit 25 through the water supply hose 28. The spray unit 25 uses, for example, the water pressure from an external water source, such as a tap water source, to spray the mixed water of detergent and water in a shower-like manner. Shower-like is synonymous with spray-like, and means a state in which water with water pressure from, for example, a tap water source, is dispersed and ejected.

[0022] The spray unit 25 is located outside the rotating tank 13, in a position overlooking the inside of the rotating tank 13 from above. The spray unit 25 is located, for example, around the inner circumferential surface of the water tank 12, above the rotation axis Ra. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the spray unit 25 is located at a position circumferentially offset from directly above the rotation axis Ra, for example, offset to the left in a front view. The water sprayed from the spray unit 25 is sprayed directly toward the clothes in the rotating tank 13. Therefore, the detergent initially introduced from the input pump 233 into the detergent mixing unit 241 is dissolved and mixed with water supplied to the detergent mixing unit 241 from an external water source, and then can be directly supplied to the dry clothes in the water tank 12 and rotating tank 13 before water is added via the spray unit 25, which can spray widely in a shower-like manner due to the water pressure. Note that the spray unit 25 may be configured to be located directly above the rotation axis Ra. In other words, the spray unit 25 may be located in a position that includes the center of the water tank 12 in the left-right direction.

[0023] The water supply valve unit 26 has the function of individually opening and closing multiple water supply routes R1, R2, and R3 that lead from an external water source to the water tank 12 via the water supply device 20. The water supply valve unit 26 is configured as a multi-unit type having, for example, multiple water supply valves 261, 262, and 263, and includes a main water supply valve 261, a sub-water supply valve 262, and a shower water supply valve 263. Each of the water supply valves 261, 262, and 263 is an electromagnetically operated on-off valve for liquids. As shown in Figure 1, the washing machine 1 is equipped with a main water supply route R1, a sub-water supply route R2, and a shower water supply route R3. Both the main water supply route R1 and the shower water supply route R3 are routes that supply water from an external water source to the water tank 12. Each of the water supply routes R1, R2, and R3 is a route that leads from the water supply valve unit 26 to the water tank 12 via a different route. The main water supply valve 261 opens and closes the main water supply path R1. The sub-water supply valve 262 opens and closes the sub-water supply path R2. The shower water supply valve 263 opens and closes the shower water supply path R3. The shower water supply valve 263 functions as a water supply valve, and the shower water supply path R3 functions as a water supply path.

[0024] Each of the water supply routes R1, R2, and R3 has the function of supplying water containing mainly nano-order microbubbles, specifically ultrafine bubbles, generated by passing through the microbubble generator 30, to the water tank 12 using tap water pressure. The main water supply route R1 is a route from the main water supply valve 261 to the water tank 12 via the microbubble generator 30, the treatment agent case 211, and the finishing agent mixing unit 242. The main water supply route R1 branches downstream of the microbubble generator 30, and after passing through the treatment agent case 211 or the finishing agent mixing unit 242, the two routes merge inside the water filling case 21. In other words, the main water supply route R1 has the function of supplying the laundry treatment agent put into the treatment agent case 211 to the water tank 12, and also has the function of supplying the finishing agent in the finishing agent tank 232 that has been put into the finishing agent mixing unit 242, through the inside of the water filling case 21 to the water tank 12.

[0025] The sub-water supply route R2 is a path from the sub-water supply valve 262 through the pressurized dissolution device 27, the microbubble generator 30, and the water supply case 21 to the water tank 12. In this case, the sub-water supply route R2 has the function of supplying microbubble water, which is water supplied from an external water source with microbubbles added, to the water tank 12. Microbubble water means that the concentration of microbubbles generated among the fine bubbles contained in the water is greater than the concentration of fine bubbles belonging to other orders, such as nano-order or milli-order. The sub-water supply route R2 functions as a microbubble water supply route.

[0026] In this embodiment, the sub-water supply path R2 is configured as a path that reaches the water tank 12 without passing through the treatment agent case 211 within the water injection case 21, as shown in Figure 2. For example, when a laundry treatment agent is put into the treatment agent case 211 and water flows simultaneously from the main water supply path R1 and the sub-water supply path R2, the water flowing through the main water supply path R1 and the sub-water supply path R2 is mixed within the water injection case 21 before being supplied to the water tank 12. The water inlet 122 constitutes the outlet for the main water supply path R1 and the sub-water supply path R2. In other words, the main water supply path R1 and the sub-water supply path R2 are paths that supply water from an external water source between the water tank 12 and the rotating tub 13 via the water inlet 122.

[0027] The shower water supply path R3 is a path that goes from the shower water supply valve 263 through the microbubble generator 30, the detergent mixing unit 241, and the spray unit 25 to the water tank 12. The spray unit 25 constitutes the outlet of the shower water supply path R3. The mixed water supplied to the spray unit 25 contains detergent and microbubble water. Furthermore, when the shower water supply valve 263 is opened while no detergent has been added to the detergent mixing unit 241, the spray unit 25 sprays detergent-free microbubble water in a shower-like manner using the water pressure from the tap.

[0028] The pressurized dissolution device 27 is located on the sub-water supply path R2, between the sub-water supply valve 262 and the microbubble generator 30. The pressurized dissolution device 27 pressurizes water supplied from an external water source using the pressure of that water to dissolve air components. The pressurized dissolution device 27 is composed of a container-like member that is airtight, watertight, and pressure-resistant. The pressurized dissolution device 27 has a well-known configuration, so a detailed explanation will be omitted, but for example, the flow path area of ​​the inlet into the pressurized dissolution device 27 is larger than the flow path area of ​​the outlet from which water flows out of the pressurized dissolution device 27. Therefore, the amount of water flowing into the pressurized dissolution device 27 is greater than the amount of water flowing out of the pressurized dissolution device 27, so that the water inside the pressurized dissolution device 27 can be pressurized using only the water pressure. The pressurized dissolution device 27 then pressurizes the water and increases the internal pressure, making it easier to dissolve the air inside the pressurized dissolution device 27 into the water stored inside the pressurized dissolution device 27. As a result, the pressurized dissolution device 27 can supply water to the downstream side of the pressurized dissolution device 27 that contains a larger amount of dissolved air compared to ordinary water that does not pass through the pressurized dissolution device 27.

[0029] The microbubble generator 30 has the function of generating microbubbles containing ultrafine bubbles in a liquid, such as water supplied from an external water source, as the liquid passes through the inside of the microbubble generator 30. Ultrafine bubbles are bubbles with a particle size of 50 nm to less than 1,000 nm. Because of their small particle size, ultrafine bubbles can penetrate even into intricate parts, such as deep within the fibers of clothing, and can exhibit a cleaning effect that can remove dirt from objects that cannot be completely removed by other microbubbles, such as microbubbles, which have a larger particle size than ultrafine bubbles, due to their low penetration ability. In addition, ultrafine bubbles have the properties of having a nano-order particle size, low buoyancy, and high hydrophobicity, making them difficult to dissolve in water, resulting in a long residence time in liquids.

[0030] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the microbubble generator 30 is located downstream of each water supply valve 261, 262, and 263, and is installed outside the water injection case 21. The microbubble generator 30 is made of synthetic resin, for example, and has a diameter and overall length of, for example, several millimeters to several tens of millimeters, specifically a maximum diameter of about 15 mm and a length of about 10 mm. As shown in Figure 3, the microbubble generator 30 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a flange, for example. The microbubble generator 30 has a main body 40 and an impact part 50. The main body 40 is located on the upstream side of the microbubble generator 30.

[0031] The main body 40 is formed in a cylindrical shape, for example, with a step on its outer surface. The main body 40 has an inlet 41, an outlet 42, and a flow path 43. The inlet 41 and outlet 42 are formed in a cylindrical shape, for example. The inlet 41 is the part through which water flows into the main body 40 from the outside. Water that has passed through the water supply valves 261 and 262 from an external water source is introduced into the main body 40 through the inlet 41. The outlet 42 is the part through which water flows out of the main body 40 from the inside to the outside. The inner diameter of the outlet 42 is smaller than the inner diameter of the inlet 41. The flow path 43 is provided inside the main body 40, connects the inlet 41 and the outlet 42, and allows liquid to pass through.

[0032] The flow path 43 is composed of a constricted section 431 and a straight section 432. The constricted section 431 and the straight section 432 are provided around the entire circumference of the inner circumferential surface of the main body 40. The constricted section 431 is provided on the inlet side, i.e., the upstream side, of the main body 40. The constricted section 431 is connected to the inlet section 41 and is provided between the inlet section 41 and the outlet section 42. The constricted section 431 is formed so as to gradually decrease the cross-sectional area, i.e., the inner diameter, of the flow path 43 from the inlet section 41 to the middle portion in the direction extending from the main body 40. In this embodiment, the constricted section 431 is formed in the shape of a so-called truncated cone tapered tube, which continuously and gradually decreases the cross-sectional area, i.e., the inner diameter, of the flow path 43. The constricted section 431 may also be configured to gradually decrease the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path 43 in a step-like manner.

[0033] The straight section 432 is located downstream of the constricted section 431. The straight section 432 is connected to the outlet section 42. The straight section 432 is formed in a cylindrical, so-called straight tube shape, in which the inner diameter does not change, that is, the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path 43, i.e., the area through which liquid can pass, does not change. The inner diameter of the straight section 432 is set to be approximately the same as the minimum inner diameter of the constricted section 431.

[0034] The impact section 50 is designed to generate fine bubbles in the liquid passing through the flow path 43 by locally reducing the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path 43. The ratio of the cross-sectional area of ​​the impact section 50 to the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path 43 can be set to approximately 25% to 45%. As shown in Figure 4, the impact section 50 is located near the downstream end of the main body 40, with at least a portion of it provided in the straight section 432. The impact section 50 is formed integrally with the main body 40, for example, by injection molding of a synthetic resin material. The impact section 50 is not limited to being integrated with the main body 40; it may also be constructed as a separate part.

[0035] The impact section 50 is composed of, for example, three rod-shaped protrusions 51, which protrude into the flow path 43 from the inner circumferential surface of the outlet section 42 and the straight section 432. In this case, the impact section 50 divides the flow path 43 into multiple sections, in this case three, radially with respect to the center of the flow path 43 along the direction in which the liquid flows. Each protrusion 51 is connected at its tip and integrated into a roughly Y-shape. The area of ​​the gap formed between each protrusion 51 becomes the minimum cross-sectional area through which water can pass in the microbubble generator 30. Note that there can be four or more protrusions 51.

[0036] When water flows upstream of the microbubble generator 30, the flow path cross-sectional area is narrowed in the throttling section 431, which is formed to gradually decrease its inner diameter. Based on Bernoulli's principle of fluid dynamics, this increases the flow velocity and generates cavitation due to the reduced pressure. The shear force acting on this high-speed flow as it collides with the impact section 50, and the negative pressure generated in the negative pressure region, for example, below -1.0 MPa, formed near the downstream end face of the impact section 50, subdivides the flow into microbubbles. As a result, the microbubble generator 30 generates a large amount of microbubbles from the air dissolved in the water passing through it, supplying microbubble water containing a larger amount of microbubbles than before it passed through the microbubble generator 30. Furthermore, the microbubble generator 30 can dramatically improve the amount of microbubbles generated by increasing the amount of air dissolved in the water passing through it using the pressurized dissolution device 27.

[0037] In this embodiment, the microbubble generator 30 is located on the shower water supply path R3. Therefore, using the water that has passed through the shower water supply path R3, microbubble water containing ultrafine bubbles can be sprayed onto the clothes in the rotating tub 13 at an appropriate time during the washing operation. This is expected to improve the washing effect, such as removing relatively small dirt particles attached to intricately interwoven fibers of the laundry.

[0038] The operation of the washing machine 1 is controlled by the control unit 60 shown in Figure 5. The control unit 60 is mainly composed of a microcomputer having memory areas such as a CPU, ROM, RAM, and rewritable flash memory, and controls the operation of the entire washing machine 1. The washing machine 1 also includes a weight detection unit 61, a rotation speed detection unit 62, and a water level detection unit 63. Detection signals from the weight detection unit 61, the rotation speed detection unit 62, and the water level detection unit 63 are input to the control unit 60.

[0039] The weight detection unit 61 has the function of detecting the weight of the clothes stored in the rotating tub 13. The weight detection unit 61 can measure the load acting on the motor 14 by measuring the current flowing to the motor 14 when the rotating tub 13 is rotated, and can detect the weight of the clothes stored in the rotating tub 13 based on that load. The rotation speed detection unit 62 has the function of detecting the rotation speed of the rotating tub 13. The rotation speed detection unit 62 is composed of, for example, an encoder, and detects the rotation speed of the rotating tub 13 by measuring the rotation speed of the motor 14. The water level detection unit 63 has the function of detecting the water level in the water tank 12. The water level detection unit 63 is composed of, for example, a water level sensor or a pressure sensor.

[0040] The motor 14, drain valve 151, circulation pump 161, operation panel 17, input pump 233, main water supply valve 261, sub water supply valve 262, and shower water supply valve 263 are electrically connected to the control unit 60 and operate under control from the control unit 60. The memory area of ​​the control unit 60 stores a control program for controlling the washing machine 1 and executing its operation. Each process of the control unit 60 is realized by the CPU executing the control program. The control unit 60 receives detection signals from various detection units 61 to 63 and, based on the control program, controls the operation of the motor 14, drain valve 151, circulation pump 161, operation panel 17, input pump 233, main water supply valve 261, sub water supply valve 262, and shower water supply valve 263 to execute the operation.

[0041] The control unit 60 controls the opening and closing of the main water supply valve 261 or the shower water supply valve 263 based on the settings for an automatic dispensing mode, in which detergent is supplied to the water tank 12 by the automatic dispensing device 23, and a manual dispensing mode, in which the user manually puts detergent into the processing agent case 211 and supplies it to the water tank 12. The user can set either the automatic dispensing mode or the manual dispensing mode by making an input operation on the operation panel 17, for example, before starting a washing operation. When the automatic dispensing mode is set, the control unit 60 opens the shower water supply valve 263 and the main water supply valve 261 during the period when detergent is supplied to the water tank 12. On the other hand, when the manual dispensing mode is set, the control unit 60 opens the main water supply valve 261 and closes the shower water supply valve 263 during the period when detergent is supplied to the water tank 12.

[0042] When the user initiates a washing operation via the control panel 17, the control unit 60 starts the flow shown in Figure 6 (start). First, the control unit 60 detects the weight of the clothes in the rotating tub 13 (step S11). Next, the control unit 60 uses the control panel 17 to display information about the operation, such as the amount of water supplied and the amount of detergent added during the washing process (step S12). Subsequently, the control unit 60 sequentially executes the washing process (step S13), the rinsing process (step S14), and the dewatering process (step S15).

[0043] The control unit 60 can perform a spray operation in at least one of the washing and rinsing processes by controlling the shower water supply valve 263 to spray water from the spray unit 25. The content of the spray operation performed by the control unit 60 differs between the washing and rinsing processes. In the spray operation during the washing process, the control unit 60 can perform an operation by controlling the shower water supply valve 263 and the detergent dispensing pump 233 to spray a mixture of detergent and microbubble water containing ultrafine bubbles from the spray unit 25. On the other hand, in the spray operation during the rinsing process, the control unit 60 controls the shower water supply valve 263 to spray microbubble water from the spray unit 25. In other words, the control unit 60 drives the dispensing pump 233 in the spray operation performed in the washing process, but does not drive the dispensing pump 233 in the spray operation performed in the rinsing process.

[0044] The spraying action, acting as a shower, allows water to penetrate deep into the fibers of the clothing from the very beginning of the water supply period. In other words, the spraying action provides a cleaning effect equivalent to soaking the clothes in the wash water. Furthermore, if the spraying action is performed during the water supply period, which is earlier than the washing period of the washing process and the rinsing period of the rinsing process, the time required for the subsequent washing and rinsing periods can be shortened compared to when the spraying action is not performed.

[0045] Here, the area around the water supply device 20 inside the washing machine 1 is not spacious due to the placement of various devices, and for example, the size of the detergent mixing unit 241 is limited. If the amount of detergent to be added exceeds the capacity that the detergent mixing unit 241 can store, there is a risk that detergent will leak out of the detergent mixing unit 241 to the spray unit 25. In this case, if the detergent that has leaked out to the spray unit 25 flows through the water supply hose 28 and reaches the spray unit 25, detergent may leak out of the spray unit 25 into the rotating tub 13 at an unintended time. Moreover, unlike spraying, the detergent in this case drips and soaks only into parts of the clothes, which can cause uneven washing.

[0046] Therefore, in this embodiment, the control unit 60 sets the number of times the detergent is dispensed by the dispensing pump 233, Na, based on the detergent dispensing amount Da, which is the amount of detergent to be dispensed in the washing process. The detergent dispensing amount Da is determined by, for example, the weight of the clothes in the rotating tub 13 or an arbitrary setting by the user. The number of times the detergent is dispensed Na is the same as the number of spray operations in the washing process and is set to one or more times. In other words, the control unit 60 determines whether to dispense the detergent all at once or in installments based on the detergent dispensing amount Da.

[0047] The control unit 60 can set the number of dispensing cycles Na based on a comparison between the detergent dispensing amount Da and a preset predetermined dispensing amount Dr. The predetermined dispensing amount Dr can be set, for example, based on the amount of detergent that can be stored in the detergent mixing unit 241. However, the predetermined dispensing amount Dr may also be set based on the limit amount at which detergent actually leaks out of the spray unit 25, exceeding the amount of detergent that can be stored in the detergent mixing unit 241. Specifically, as shown in Figure 7, the control unit 60 sets the number of dispensing cycles Na to one when the detergent dispensing amount Da is less than or equal to the predetermined dispensing amount Dr. In other words, when the detergent dispensing amount Da is less than or equal to the predetermined dispensing amount Dr, the control unit 60 dispenses the entire detergent dispensing amount Da into the rotating tank 13 in a single spray operation.

[0048] On the other hand, if the detergent input amount Da exceeds the specified input amount Dr, the control unit 60 sets the number of inputs Na to multiple times. In other words, if the detergent input amount Da exceeds the specified input amount Dr, the control unit 60 divides the detergent input amount Da into multiple spray operations and puts it into the rotating tank 13. When the number of inputs Na is set to multiple times, the number of inputs Na is divided into n+1 multiples of the specified input amount Dr relative to the detergent input amount Da. n is an integer. For example, if the detergent input amount Da is more than twice the specified input amount Dr but not more than three times, then n=2, and the number of inputs Na is set to 3 times.

[0049] Next, the details of the control content in the washing process when the spray operation is performed will be explained. In the washing process, as shown in Figure 8, etc., drainage is performed after the water supply period and the washing period. In Figure 8, etc., the parts that are driven by the control unit 60, i.e., the parts that are operating, are shown in black, and the parts that are not driven by the control unit 60, i.e., the parts that are stopped, are shown in white. The water supply period in the washing process is a period set at the beginning of the washing process, and is the period during which water is supplied to the water tank 12 from the main water supply path R1 and the shower water supply path R3 until a predetermined water level is reached. In addition, during the water supply period in the washing process, water may be supplied using the sub-water supply path R2 alone or in parallel with the main water supply path R1.

[0050] Furthermore, the control unit 60 can open the main water supply valve 261 while the spraying operation is in progress, allowing water to be supplied into the water tank 12 from the main water supply path R1. This enables rapid supply of water to the specified level in the water tank 12, and because the main water supply path R1 supplies water from between the water tank 12 and the rotating tank 13, the dilution of the high-concentration detergent water supplied by the spraying operation is minimized, allowing the high-concentration cleaning performance to be maintained for a longer period.

[0051] Furthermore, the control unit 60 performs an operation that includes an agitation operation, which involves driving the motor 14 to agitate the clothes in the rotating tank 13 while the spraying operation is in progress. The operation includes a stop operation, which involves stopping the motor 14 to stop the rotation of the rotating tank 13. In this embodiment, the control unit 60 performs the agitation operation by driving the motor 14. The rotation speed of the rotating tank 13 during the agitation operation can be set to a rotation speed at which the clothes in the rotating tank 13 stick to the inner circumferential wall of the rotating tank 13, are lifted up, and then fall due to gravity. This allows the clothes in the rotating tank 13 to be lifted and agitated appropriately while the spraying operation is in progress. Therefore, by effectively replacing the contact surface of the detergent water supplied by the spraying operation with the clothes through the combined use of agitation and spraying, the washing performance of the clothes can be improved evenly. Note that the motor 14 may not be driven continuously during the spraying operation; it may also be driven intermittently, that is, the motor 14 may alternate between operating and stopping.

[0052] During the spraying operation in the washing process, the control unit 60 alternately performs the operations of driving the input pump 233 to dispense detergent from the detergent tank 231 to the detergent mixing unit 241, and opening the shower water supply valve 263 to supply fine-bubble water to the detergent mixing unit 241 using tap water pressure. In other words, during the spraying operation in the washing process, the control unit 60 does not perform the operations of dispensing detergent to the detergent mixing unit 241 and supplying fine-bubble water to the detergent mixing unit 241 simultaneously. This control operation and the function of the check valve 234 prevent problems such as the supply of detergent from the detergent tank 231 via the input pump 233 being interrupted by the water pressure of the fine-bubble water supplied to the detergent mixing unit 241, i.e., the tap water pressure. The standard time ts for opening the shower water supply valve 263 during the spraying operation can be set to, for example, about 20 seconds.

[0053] As shown in Figure 8 and other figures, the control unit 60 performs the operation of adding detergent to the first detergent mixing unit 241 in the washing process at the same time as displaying the detergent amount, which is the operation content, on the operation panel 17 before the washing process. This allows for early detergent addition and mixing with the water supplied to the water tank 12 from the shower water supply path R3, which starts simultaneously with the start of water supply from the main water supply valve 261 when the washing process begins. In the early stages of the washing process, before the detergent-free water from the main water supply path R1 penetrates the fibers of the clothes in the rotating tub 13, the highly concentrated detergent mixture containing ultrafine bubbles and detergent can be effectively delivered deep into the fibers by spraying it directly onto the clothes as a shower, using the mechanical force of the high-speed water supply.

[0054] Then, as described above, the control unit 60 sprays mixed water from the spray unit 25 in a shower-like manner onto the clothes in the rotating tub 13, which are dry and do not contain water supplied from an external water source. By spraying this mixed water, which is a mixture of detergent and fine-bubble water, onto dry clothes, the detergent and fine-bubble water can be effectively impregnated into the clothes before the detergent-free water supplied from an external water source. This improves the cleaning efficiency and shortens the time required for the washing process.

[0055] Figure 8 shows the control process when the detergent input amount Da is less than or equal to the specified input amount Dr, and the number of inputs Na is set to one. In this case, the control unit 60 performs the spraying operation only once during the water supply period. For example, by spraying a predetermined amount of detergent water corresponding to the weight of the clothes into the water tank 12 all at once, the number of operations of the input pump 233 and the shower water supply valve 263 can be reduced, thereby suppressing a decrease in the durability of each. On the other hand, Figure 9 shows the control process when the detergent input amount Da exceeds the specified input amount Dr, and the number of inputs Na is set to multiple times. In this case, the control unit 60 performs the spraying operation in multiple steps during the water supply period. By mixing a predetermined amount of detergent with fine-bubble water in the detergent mixing unit 241 and dividing it before adding it to the water tank 12, the mixture of detergent and fine-bubble water can be applied more uniformly to the clothes in the agitated rotating tank 13.

[0056] Here, if the number of times Na is added exceeds a certain number, and the washing process is performed with the shower water supply valve 263 open for a standard time ts during the spraying operation, it will take time to complete the addition of detergent Da to the rotating tub 13, making it difficult to ensure a long washing time at the detergent concentration of detergent Da. On the other hand, if the number of times Na is added exceeds a certain number, it can be said that uneven detergent adhesion caused by localized detergent addition to the clothes in the rotating tub 13 is less likely to occur.

[0057] Therefore, when the number of times Na is added is a predetermined number Nt, for example 3 times or more, the control unit 60 sets the time for opening the shower water supply valve 263 during the spraying operation to be shorter than the standard time ts when the number of times Na is less than the predetermined number Nt. The upper part of Figure 10 shows an example of the time for opening the shower water supply valve 263 when the number of times Na is added is less than the predetermined number Nt, and the lower part of Figure 10 shows an example of the time for opening the shower water supply valve 263 when the number of times Na is added is the predetermined number Nt or more. The time for opening the shower water supply valve 263 during the spraying operation when the number of times Na is added is the predetermined number Nt or more, which is the time required to secure enough water to supply the detergent added to the detergent mixing unit 241 to the spraying unit 25, and is set to, for example, 5 seconds. This prevents the detergent from flowing out of the detergent mixing unit 241 to the spraying unit 25, while suppressing an increase in the time required to complete the detergent addition.

[0058] Furthermore, depending on the operating course being executed, the control unit 60 may set the time for opening the shower water supply valve 263 during the spraying operation to be shorter than the standard time ts when the number of times Na is increased. In the washing operation, in addition to the standard course in which the washing process proceeds at a standard time, the control unit 60 can also execute a short-time course, for example, which shortens the washing process time to a shorter time than the standard time. The upper diagram of Figure 11 shows an example of the time for opening the shower water supply valve 263 when the number of times Na is increased multiple times in the standard course, and the lower diagram of Figure 10 shows an example of the time for opening the shower water supply valve 263 when the number of times Na is increased multiple times in the short-time course. In the standard course, the time for opening the shower water supply valve 263 during the spraying operation is set to the standard time ts. In this embodiment, when executing the short-time course, the control unit 60 sets the time for opening the shower water supply valve 263 during the spraying operation to be shorter than the standard time ts for opening the shower water supply valve 263 when executing the standard course, when the number of times Na is increased multiple times. This ensures that even when a short cycle is run and a large amount of detergent (Da) is used, the washing time at the required cleaning concentration can be maximized.

[0059] During the washing cycle, the circulation pump 161 and motor 14 are driven to supply water from the circulation path 164 and agitate the clothes in the rotating tub 13. In other words, during the washing process, water is supplied to the water tank 12 from the shower water supply path R3, followed by water supply from the circulation path 164. This allows the clothes to soak for a certain period of time after the mixed water with high-concentration detergent is sprayed onto them from the spray unit 25 through the shower water supply path R3. This prevents the detergent that has soaked into the clothes in the rotating tub 13 from becoming diluted too quickly. This improves the washing performance for the clothes. When draining the water during the washing process, the drain valve 151 is driven by the control unit 60 to open the drain path.

[0060] According to the embodiment described above, the washing machine 1 comprises a water tank 12, a rotating tub 13 rotatably provided within the water tank 12 and capable of holding clothes, a shower water supply valve 263, a detergent tank 231, a dispensing pump 233, a detergent mixing unit 241, a spray unit 25, and a control unit 60. The shower water supply valve 263 is connected to an external water source and opens and closes a shower water supply path R3 that supplies water from the external water source to the water tank 12. The detergent tank 231 is capable of storing detergent. The dispensing pump 233 dispenses a predetermined amount of detergent from the detergent tank 231 onto the shower water supply path R3. The detergent mixing unit 241 mixes water from the external water source with the detergent dispensed by the dispensing pump 233. The spray unit 25 is provided downstream of the detergent mixing unit 241 and sprays the mixed water, which is a mixture of water from the external water source and detergent, into the rotating tub 13. The control unit 60 performs a washing operation, including a washing process.

[0061] The control unit 60 can then control the shower water supply valve 263 and the dispensing pump 233 during the washing process to perform a spraying operation in which mixed water is sprayed from the spraying unit 25. Based on the detergent dispensing amount Da, which is the amount of detergent to be dispensed during the washing process, the control unit 60 sets the number of dispensing cycles Na, which is the number of times the dispensing pump 233 dispenses detergent. By determining the number of dispensing cycles Na based on the detergent dispensing amount Da, it is possible to prevent detergent from flowing out of the detergent mixing unit 241 to the spraying unit 25. This allows the detergent mixing unit 241 to be made as small as possible and improves the reliability of the washing machine 1.

[0062] The control unit 60 sets the number of dispensing cycles Na to multiple times if the amount of detergent Da exceeds a preset amount Dr. By setting the number of dispensing cycles Na to multiple times, the outflow of detergent from the detergent mixing unit 241 to the spraying unit 25 can be effectively suppressed. This allows the detergent mixing unit 241 to be made as small as possible and improves the reliability of the washing machine 1.

[0063] The control unit 60 sets the number of times the detergent is dispensed, Na, to one if the amount of detergent dispensed, Da, is less than or equal to the specified amount, Dr. This prevents an excessive increase in the number of times the dispensed Na is increased and the number of times the mixed water is sprayed from the spray unit 25 when there is little possibility of detergent leaking from the detergent mixing unit 241 to the spray unit 25. This allows the dispenser to spray mixed water containing a high concentration of detergent onto the clothes in the rotating tank 13 while suppressing an increase in operating time.

[0064] The control unit 60 sets the time for opening the shower water supply valve 263 during the spraying operation to be shorter than the standard time ts for opening the shower water supply valve 263 when the number of times Na is dispensed is less than a predetermined number Nt. This prevents the time until the detergent is dispensed from becoming longer, while also preventing the detergent from leaking out from the detergent mixing unit 241 to the spraying unit 25. This further improves the reliability of the washing machine 1.

[0065] When executing a short-time course to shorten the washing process time, the control unit 60 sets the time for opening the shower water supply valve 263 during the spraying operation to be shorter than the standard time ts for opening the shower water supply valve 263 when executing a standard course, if the number of times Na is added is multiple. This suppresses the prolongation of the time until detergent is added when executing a short-time course, and ensures a longer washing time at the detergent concentration of the detergent added Da. This ensures washing performance while preventing detergent from flowing out from the detergent mixing unit 241 to the spraying unit 25.

[0066] The washing machine 1 further includes a microbubble generator 30. The microbubble generator 30 is located downstream of the shower water supply valve 263 and generates microbubble water by incorporating microbubbles into the water passing through it. This allows for high washing performance due to the penetrating power of the microbubble water into the fibers.

[0067] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 1...Washing machine, 12...Water tank, 13...Rotating drum, 14...Motor, 231...Detergent tank, 233...Dispensing pump, 241...Detergent mixing unit (mixing unit), 25...Spray unit, 263...Shower water supply valve (water supply valve), 60...Control unit, R3...Shower water supply path (water supply path)

Claims

1. A fish tank and A rotating tank is provided rotatably within the aforementioned water tank and capable of accommodating clothing, A water supply valve that is connected to an external water source and opens and closes a water supply path that supplies water from the external water source to the water tank, A detergent tank capable of storing detergent, An input pump that dispenses a predetermined amount of the detergent from the detergent tank onto the water supply path, A mixing unit that mixes water from the external water source with the detergent introduced by the pump, A spray unit is provided downstream of the mixing unit and sprays a mixed water, which is a mixture of water from the external water source and the detergent, into the inside of the rotating tank. It comprises a control unit that performs a washing operation including a washing process, The control unit, In the washing process, the water supply valve and the input pump are controlled to perform a spraying operation in which the mixed water is sprayed from the spraying unit. Based on the amount of detergent to be added in the washing process, the number of times the detergent is added by the pump is set. washing machine.

2. The control unit, if the amount of detergent to be added exceeds a predetermined amount, sets the number of times to be added to multiple times. The washing machine according to claim 1.

3. The control unit sets the number of times to one if the amount of detergent to be added is less than or equal to a predetermined amount. The washing machine according to claim 1.

4. The control unit sets the time for opening the water supply valve during the injection operation to be shorter than the standard time for opening the water supply valve when the number of injections exceeds a predetermined number. The washing machine according to claim 1.

5. When the control unit is running a short-time course to shorten the washing process time, if the number of times the water is added is multiple, the time for opening the water supply valve in the spraying operation is set to be shorter than the standard time for opening the water supply valve when running a standard course. The washing machine according to claim 1.

6. The system further includes a microbubble generator provided downstream of the water supply valve, which generates microbubbled water by incorporating microbubbles into the water passing through it. A washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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