washing machine

Abstract

To provide a washing machine capable of reducing a water supply time and suppressing the discoloration of laundry due to a detergent at the same time.SOLUTION: A washing machine includes: a valve unit for controlling water supply from water service; a water-level detection section for detecting the water level of water stored in a washing tub; and a water supply control section for performing a water supply process to store water in the washing tub until the water level reaches a first water level. The valve unit includes: a first water supply port; a second water supply port in which a discharge rate per unit time is less than in the first water supply port; a first water supply valve for opening and closing the first water supply port; and a second water supply valve for opening and closing the second water supply port. In the water supply process, the water supply control section starts the water supply process before the supply of a detergent is started, opens the first water supply valve before the water level reaches a second water level lower than the first water level, and opens the second water supply valve until the amount of the detergent supplied reaches a prescribed amount if the amount of the detergent supplied is less than the prescribed amount at a time when the water level reaches the second water level.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, a liquid detergent dispenser for a washing machine that supplies liquid detergent to a washing machine has been disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] In this liquid detergent dispenser for a washing machine, the liquid detergent is contained in a container and is supplied to the fully automatic washing machine through a pipe connected to the container. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-229293 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In a washing machine, it is preferable to have a short water supply time in order to ensure time for the washing process. However, if the water supply time is too short and the supply of detergent is not completed within the water supply time, there is a risk that the detergent will directly adhere to the laundry and cause discoloration.

[0006] The present disclosure provides a washing machine that can achieve both a reduction in water supply time and suppression of discoloration of laundry items caused by detergent. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A washing machine according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a valve unit that controls the water supply from the tap, a water level detection unit that detects the water level of the water stored in the washing tub, and a water supply control unit that controls the valve unit based on the detection result of the water level detection unit to perform a water supply process of storing water in the washing tub until the water level reaches a first water level, wherein the valve unit has a first water inlet that discharges water from the tap, a second water inlet that discharges water from the tap and has a smaller discharge amount per unit time than the first water inlet, a first water supply valve that opens and closes the first water inlet, and a second water supply valve that opens and closes the second water inlet, and the water supply control unit starts the water supply process before the supply of detergent is started, opens the first water supply valve before the water level reaches a second water level that is lower than the first water level, and if the amount of detergent supplied is less than a predetermined amount when the water level reaches the second water level, opens the second water supply valve until the amount of detergent supplied reaches the predetermined amount. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the exterior of a washing machine according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a valve unit included in the washing machine and a water supply control unit that controls the valve unit. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a time chart of the water supply process performed by the water supply control unit of the same. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a time chart of the water supply process of the first modified example performed by the water supply control unit of the same. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a time chart of the water supply process of the second modified example performed by the water supply control unit of the same. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a time chart of the water supply process of the third modified example by the water supply control unit of the same. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The embodiments and modifications described below are merely examples of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments and modifications. Various modifications other than the embodiments and modifications are possible depending on the design, etc., as long as they do not deviate from the technical concept of the present disclosure.

[0010] (Embodiment) The washing machine 1 according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to Figs. 1 to 3. The following description will be based on the up, down, left, right, front, and back directions shown in Fig. 1. However, these directions are set for the convenience of explanation and do not stipulate the directions when the washing machine is in use.

[0011] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine 1. In Fig. 1, a vertical cross section is shown with the right front portion of the washing machine 1 removed in order to illustrate the internal structure of the washing machine 1.

[0012] The washing machine 1 of this embodiment is a so-called vertical washing machine, and is equipped with a washing tub 112 with an open top. The washing machine 1 is a shoe washing machine designed to wash shoes. The article to be washed is not limited to shoes, and may be any tangible object with a three-dimensional shape.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, washing machine 1 includes an outer box 110, an upper surface member 120, a top cover 130, a base member 140, a drive mechanism 150, etc. The outer shape of outer box 110 is a square tube that opens at the top and bottom. Top surface member 120 is provided on the upper side of outer box 110, and base member 140 is provided on the lower side of outer box 110. Top cover 130 has an opening that penetrates top surface member 120 in the vertical direction and can be opened and closed. Water tub 111 is disposed within outer box 110 and has a generally cylindrical shape with a bottom that opens upward. A drainage section is provided at the bottom of water tub 111 for draining water from water tub 111.

[0014] A washing tub 112 is provided within the water tub 111, into which shoes, the items to be washed, are placed. Like the water tub 111, the washing tub 112 is generally cylindrical with a bottom and opens upward, and is rotatable relative to the water tub 111. An axis O passing through the center of rotation of the washing tub 112 extends in the vertical direction. A drain section is formed at the bottom of the washing tub 112, and multiple drain holes are formed in the peripheral wall and upper end of the washing tub 112. Shoes are put in and taken out of the washing tub 112 from above through the upper opening of the washing tub 112. A balance ring 114 is provided along the edge of the upper opening of the washing tub 112.

[0015] Washing machine 1 includes rotor 113, which is disposed at the bottom of washing tub 112 and rotates about an axis extending in the vertical direction. Rotator 113 is, for example, a disk-shaped pulsator for agitating the water in washing tub 112. Rotator 113 is rotatable relative to washing tub 112. An axis passing through the rotation center of rotor 113 substantially coincides with axis O of washing tub 112. Drive mechanism 150 is provided below washing tub 112, which drives and rotates washing tub 112 and rotor 113. Clutch 151 switches between a state in which the power of drive mechanism 150 is transmitted to washing tub 112 and rotor 113, and a state in which the power of drive mechanism 150 is transmitted only to rotor 113.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1 , washing machine 1 includes brush holder 103. Brush holder 103 has shaft 160 fixed to the upper side of rotor 113 and brush unit 107 extending from shaft 160 toward inner circumferential surface 112A of washing tub 112, and rotates together with rotor 113. Brush unit 107 is provided from the upper end to the lower end of shaft 160. An axis passing through the center of rotation of brush holder 103 passes through the center of shaft 160 and substantially coincides with axis O of washing tub 112. Therefore, washing tub 112, rotor 113, and brush holder 103 are all rotatable about axis O. The direction of rotation about axis O substantially coincides with the circumferential direction of washing tub 112.

[0017] The washing machine 1 of this embodiment has a coin processing device 100 provided on the upper surface of the upper surface member 120, and is installed in, for example, a coin laundry. When a predetermined amount of coins are inserted into the coin processing device 100, the washing machine 1 washes shoes using water and liquid detergent supplied from outside.

[0018] The washing machine 1 includes a water supply unit 2 that mixes water and detergent supplied from the outside and pours the water into the washing tub 112.

[0019] The water supply unit 2 is provided inside the upper surface member 120. The water supply unit 2 is connected to a water supply hose 301 for supplying water and a detergent hose 401 for supplying detergent.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, the water supply unit 2 has a valve unit 3 and a supply case 4.

[0021] Water is supplied to the dispenser case 4 from the water line via the valve unit 3. In addition, detergent is supplied to the dispenser case 4 from the detergent tank 400 via the detergent pump 61. The dispenser case 4 combines the supplied water and detergent and dispenses them into the washing tub 112.

[0022] The valve unit 3 is connected to the water faucet 300 via a water supply hose 301. The valve unit 3 controls the water supply from the water main. The valve unit 3 has a water supply hose connection portion 31, a first water supply port 32, a second water supply port 33, a first water supply valve 34, and a second water supply valve 35.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1 , water supply hose connection portion 31 is exposed upward from top surface member 120 of washing machine 1, and water supply hose 301 is connected to it. The end of water supply hose 301 opposite water supply hose connection portion 31 is connected to faucet 300. Water is supplied to water supply hose connection portion 31 from a water main via water supply hose 301. The water supplied to water supply hose connection portion 31 is discharged from first water inlet 32 ​​and second water inlet 33. The water discharged from first water inlet 32 ​​and second water inlet 33 is poured into washing tub 112 via supply case 4.

[0024] The first water inlet 32 ​​and the second water inlet 33 have different discharge rates per unit time. The second water inlet 33 has a lower discharge rate per unit time than the first water inlet 32. For example, the discharge rate per unit time of the first water inlet 32 ​​is 19 liters / minute, and the discharge rate per unit time of the second water inlet 33 is 4 liters / minute. Note that these numerical values ​​are merely examples, and the discharge rate per unit time varies depending on, for example, the water pressure of the tap. In particular, the discharge rate per unit time of the first water inlet 32 ​​is larger than that of the second water inlet 33, and is more susceptible to the influence of water pressure.

[0025] The first water supply valve is, for example, an electromagnetic valve and is configured to open and close the first water supply port 32. The second water supply valve is, for example, an electromagnetic valve and is configured to open and close the second water supply port 33. The first water supply valve and the second water supply valve are controlled to open and close by a water supply control unit 51. The water supply control unit 51 will be described later.

[0026] The dispenser case 4 is also provided with a detergent hose connection part 40. A detergent hose 401 is connected to the detergent hose connection part 40. The detergent hose 401 is connected to a detergent tank 400 via a detergent pump 61. The detergent tank 400 is provided outside the washing machine and contains detergent. The detergent pump 61 is provided inside the coin processing device 100 (see FIG. 1) and is configured to supply the detergent in the detergent tank 400 to the dispenser case 4 when it is operated. The detergent pump 61 is controlled by a detergent control part 52. The detergent control part 52 will be described later.

[0027] The detergent hose 401 is also provided with a detergent sensor 62. The detergent sensor 62 is provided inside the coin processing device 100 and detects the amount of detergent supplied by the detergent pump 61 (hereinafter referred to as the detergent supply amount). The detergent sensor 62 is, for example, an optical sensor including a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element. The detergent hose 401 is translucent. The detergent sensor 62 is provided so that the detergent hose 401 is sandwiched between the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element. The light-receiving state of the emitted light from the light-emitting element changes depending on the presence or absence of detergent in the detergent hose 401. In this embodiment, when detergent is passing through the detergent hose 401, the light-receiving element receives the emitted light from the light-emitting element. The detergent sensor 62 detects the accumulated light-receiving time during which the light-receiving element receives light as the detergent supply amount.

[0028] The processing device 5 is provided inside the upper surface member 120. The processing device 5 includes a water supply control unit 51 and a detergent control unit 52. The processing device 5 is configured, for example, by a microcomputer having a processor and a memory. In other words, the processing device 5 is realized by a computer system having a processor and a memory. The processor executes appropriate programs to function as the water supply control unit 51 and the detergent control unit 52. The programs may be pre-recorded in the memory, or may be provided via a telecommunications line such as the Internet, or may be recorded on a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card. The processor of the computer system is configured by one or more electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) or a large-scale integrated circuit (LSI). The multiple electronic circuits may be integrated into a single chip or distributed across multiple chips. The multiple chips may be integrated into a single device or distributed across multiple devices. For example, the water supply control unit 51 and the detergent control unit 52 may be realized by multiple microcomputers.

[0029] The water supply control unit 51 executes a water supply process when a predetermined amount of coins are inserted into the coin processing device 100. The water supply process is a process of filling the washing tub 112 with water up to a first water level by controlling the opening and closing of the first water supply valve and the second water supply valve. The first water level is the water level required for performing the washing process, and is the water level when 24 liters of water are stored in the washing tub, for example. The washing machine also includes a water level detection unit 63 that detects the level of water stored in the washing tub 112. The water level detection unit 63 includes a tube through which water enters depending on the water level in the washing tub 112, and detects the air pressure inside the tube as the water level in the washing tub 112. The water supply control unit 51 executes the water supply process using the detection result of the water level detection unit 63.

[0030] Furthermore, the detergent control unit 52 executes a detergent supply process when a predetermined amount of coins is inserted into the coin processing device 100. The detergent supply process is a process of operating the detergent pump 61 to supply a predetermined amount of detergent. The detergent control unit 52 executes the detergent supply process using the detection result of the detergent sensor 62. Furthermore, the detergent control unit 52 starts the detergent supply process after the water supply control unit 51 starts the water supply process.

[0031] The water supply process and detergent supply process will be described in detail below with reference to an operation example shown in FIG.

[0032] When a user inserts coins of a predetermined amount into the coin processing device 100 and performs a predetermined operation on the washing machine, the water supply control unit 51 starts the water supply process.

[0033] First, at time t0, water supply control unit 51 opens both first water supply valve 34 and second water supply valve 35. This causes water to be discharged from first water supply port 32 and second water supply port 33. The water discharged from first water supply port 32 and second water supply port 33 is fed into washing tub 112 via feed case 4. Therefore, water is stored in washing tub 112.

[0034] At time t1, the water level in washing tub 112 reaches the water detection level. The water detection level is a water level lower than the first water level, and is the water level when, for example, 5 liters of water are stored in washing tub 112. When the water level reaches the water detection level, water supply control unit 51 and detergent control unit 52 determine that water is being supplied to washing tub 112 normally.

[0035] When the water level reaches the water detection level, the water supply control unit 51 closes the first water supply valve 34. Therefore, after time t1, only water supply from the second water supply port 33 continues.

[0036] Furthermore, at time t1 when the water level reaches the water detection level, detergent control unit 52 starts the detergent supply process and starts operating detergent pump 61. As a result, detergent is supplied from detergent tank 400 to input case 4. As described above, water supply has started before the detergent supply process starts, and water supply continues even after the detergent supply process starts. Therefore, detergent is supplied while water is flowing in input case 4, and the water and detergent are supplied together to washing tub 112. This makes it possible to prevent discoloration of the items to be washed, which would otherwise be caused by only detergent adhering to the items.

[0037] Furthermore, when the detergent supply process is started, the detergent sensor 62 starts accumulating the light reception time. Immediately after the detergent pump 61 starts, detergent detection may become unstable due to bubbles in the detergent hose 401. Therefore, a predetermined time (for example, about 5 seconds) from the start of the detergent supply process may be excluded from the accumulation of the light reception time as a mask time.

[0038] The water supply control unit 51 closes the first water supply valve 34 and opens only the second water supply valve 35 from time t1, when the water level reaches the water detection level, until a predetermined first period T1 has elapsed. The first period T1 is, for example, 30 seconds. At time t2, when the first period T1 has elapsed since time t1, the water supply control unit 51 opens the first water supply valve 34 and closes the second water supply valve 35. Therefore, at time t2, water supply is switched from the second water supply port 33 to the first water supply port 32.

[0039] Water supply control unit 51 opens first water supply valve 34 until the water level reaches the second water level. The second water level is higher than the water detection level and lower than the first water level, and is approximately 90% of the first water level. The second water level is the water level when, for example, 22 liters of water is stored in washing tub 112. Furthermore, when washing tub 112 is filled with water up to the second water level, brush unit 107 (see FIG. 1) is submerged up to its vertical center. In other words, the second water level is the position of the vertical center of brush unit 107.

[0040] Furthermore, in the washing machine of this embodiment, the rotating body 113 starts rotating at a low speed before the water level reaches the second water level. For example, when the water level reaches the level when 8 liters of water are stored in the washing tub 112, the rotating body 113 starts rotating at a low speed. This allows the water and detergent to mix in the washing tub 112 and be absorbed into the laundry.

[0041] At time t3, when the water level reaches the second water level, the water supply control unit 51 closes the first water supply valve 34 to stop the water supply from the first water supply port 32. As described above, the discharge rate per unit time of the first water supply port 32 may vary depending on, for example, the water pressure of the tap. Therefore, the second period T2 from time t2 to time t3 is determined by the discharge rate per unit time of the first water supply port 32. In this operation example, the second period T2 is set to 47 seconds.

[0042] In this operation example, it is assumed that the amount of detergent supplied is less than the predetermined amount at time t3 when the water level reaches the second water level. The detergent supply speed is determined by factors such as the capacity of the detergent pump 61. In this embodiment, it is assumed that if detergent is being supplied normally from the detergent pump 61, it takes approximately 1 minute and 40 seconds for the amount of detergent supplied to reach the predetermined amount. In this operation example, the period from time t1 when the detergent supply process starts to time t3 when the water level reaches the second water level (first period T1 + second period T2) is 1 minute and 17 seconds. Therefore, at time t3, the amount of detergent supplied has not reached the predetermined amount. Note that if there is foam or the like in the detergent hose 401, it may take longer than normal for the amount of detergent supplied to reach the predetermined amount.

[0043] If the amount of detergent supplied has not reached the predetermined amount at time t3 when the water level reaches the second water level, water supply control unit 51 opens second water supply valve 35 and supplies water from second water supply port 33 at least until the amount of detergent supplied reaches the predetermined amount. This allows water to be supplied continuously during the detergent supply process, thereby preventing discoloration of the items to be washed, which may occur due to the detergent only adhering to the items.

[0044] At time t4, when the amount of detergent supplied reaches a predetermined amount, the detergent control unit 52 ends the detergent supply process. That is, at time t4, the detergent pump 61 stops. Also at time t4, the water supply control unit 51 closes the second water supply valve 35 to stop the water supply from the second water supply port 33. Therefore, at time t4, both the first water supply valve 34 and the second water supply valve 35 are closed, and the water supply to the washing tub 112 stops.

[0045] Then, at time t5, which is a predetermined third period T3 after time t3 when the water level reaches the second water level, water supply control unit 51 opens first water supply valve 34 and starts supplying water from first water supply port 32. Third period T3 is a waiting time for the detergent supply process to be completed, and is, for example, 30 seconds.

[0046] The water supply control unit 51 opens the first water supply valve 34 until the water level reaches the first water level. At time t6 when the water level reaches the first water level, the water supply control unit 51 closes the first water supply valve 34 to stop the water supply from the first water supply port 32. This ends the water supply process, and the rotator 113 is rotated to start the washing process of washing the laundry. After the water level reaches the first water level, the water supply control unit 51 may open the first water supply valve 34 for a short time to supply a small amount of water from the first water supply port 32. This makes it possible to prevent detergent from remaining in the input case 4.

[0047] For example, if the water pressure from the tap is low, the period from time t1, when the water level reaches the water detection level and the detergent supply process is initiated, to time t3, when the water level reaches the second level, becomes long, and the detergent supply process may be completed during this period. In this case, because the detergent supply amount has reached the predetermined amount at time t3, the water supply control unit 51 keeps the second water supply valve 35 closed and does not supply water from the second water supply port 33. Then, from time t5, when the third period T3 has elapsed since time t3, the water supply control unit 51 opens the first water supply valve 34 until the water level reaches the first water level.

[0048] As described above, the washing machine of this embodiment determines whether the detergent supply amount has reached a predetermined amount at the timing (time t3) when the water level in washing tub 112 reaches the second water level, which is lower than the first water level required for the washing process. If the detergent supply amount has not reached the predetermined amount, water is supplied from second water supply port 33 until the detergent supply amount reaches the predetermined amount. Since second water supply port 33 has a smaller discharge amount per unit time than first water supply port 32, the water level rises slowly. Therefore, the detergent supply amount reaches the predetermined amount and the detergent supply process can be completed before the water level reaches the first water level and water supply is stopped. This makes it possible to prevent discoloration of the laundry, etc., caused by only detergent adhering to the laundry.

[0049] Furthermore, during the water supply process, the period until the water level reaches the second water level includes a period (second period T2) during which the first water supply valve 34 is opened and water is supplied from the first water supply port 32. The first water supply port 32 has a larger discharge amount per unit time than the second water supply port 33. Therefore, the time required to fill the water up to the second water level can be reduced compared to when only water is supplied from the second water supply port 33. This reduces the water supply time required to fill the water up to the first water level, thereby ensuring more time for the washing process.

[0050] That is, in this embodiment, until the water level in the washing tub 112 reaches the second water level, which is slightly lower than the first water level required for the washing process, the water supply speed is increased by supplying water from the first water supply port 32, thereby shortening the time it takes to reach the second water level. Then, if the detergent supply process is not complete when the water level reaches the second water level, the water supply is switched to supply water from the second water supply port 33 and the water supply speed is reduced, thereby ensuring time for the detergent supply process to be completed. This makes it possible to shorten the water supply time until the water level in the washing tub 112 reaches the first water level and to prevent discoloration of the laundry due to only the detergent adhering to the laundry.

[0051] In this embodiment, only one of the first water supply valve 34 and the second water supply valve 35 is open during the water supply adjustment period T10 (first period T1+second period T2), which begins at time t1 when the water level reaches the water detection level and the detergent supply process is initiated, and ends at time t3 when the water level reaches the second level. Specifically, during the water supply adjustment period T10, the first water supply valve 34 and the second water supply valve 35 are opened, one at a time. This prevents the water supply adjustment period T10 from becoming too short, ensuring a certain amount of time for the detergent supply process during the water supply adjustment period T10. Therefore, the period from time t3 when the water level reaches the second level to time t4 when the detergent supply process is completed can be shortened and kept within the third period T3. Furthermore, when the water pressure from the tap is low, the water supply adjustment period T10 is extended, making it possible to complete the detergent supply process within the water supply adjustment period T10.

[0052] In this embodiment, during the water supply adjustment period T10, the second water supply valve 35 is opened, followed by the first water supply valve 34. That is, during the water supply adjustment period T10, water is supplied from the second water supply inlet 33, and then switched to the first water supply inlet 32. Because the second water supply inlet 33 has a smaller discharge volume per unit time than the first water supply inlet 32, it is easier to adjust the length of the first period T1 during which the second water supply valve 35 is open. Therefore, even if the discharge volume per unit time from the first water supply inlet 32 ​​is large and the second period T2 during which the first water supply valve 34 is open is short, by setting the first period T1 during which the second water supply valve 35 is open long, it is possible to ensure a certain amount of time for the detergent supply process. Note that when the discharge volume per unit time from the first water supply inlet 32 ​​is small, the second period T2 is long, and the detergent supply process can be completed within the water supply adjustment period T10.

[0053] (Variation) The water supply process by the water supply control unit 51 is not limited to the above example. Various modified examples of the water supply process will be described below.

[0054] (First Modification) In the above example, during the water supply adjustment period T10, from time t1 when the water level reaches the water detection level and the detergent supply process is initiated until time t3 when the water level reaches the second level, the first water supply valve 34 and the second water supply valve 35 are opened one by one in sequence. However, this is not limited to this. As shown in FIG. 4 , the water supply control unit 51 may open both the first water supply valve 34 and the second water supply valve 35 during the water supply adjustment period T10 in the water supply process of the first modification. That is, the water supply control unit 51 opens both the first water supply valve 34 and the second water supply valve 35 during the water supply process until the water level reaches the second level. This allows water to be supplied from both the first water inlet 32 ​​and the second water inlet 33 during the water supply adjustment period T10. For example, the installer of the washing machine 1 may set the water supply control unit 51 to perform the water supply process of the first modification when the water pressure of the mains water supply in the environment where the washing machine 1 is installed is low. This prevents the water supply adjustment period T10 from becoming too long, and prevents the time it takes for the water level to reach the first water level from becoming unnecessarily long.

[0055] (Second Modification) In the above example, during the third period T3, which starts at time t3 when the water level reaches the second water level, water supply is stopped after time t4 when the detergent supply process is completed. However, this is not limited to this. As shown in Fig. 5, in the water supply process of the second modified example, the water supply control unit 51 keeps the second water supply valve 35 open and continues supplying water from the second water supply port 33 even after time t4 when the detergent supply amount reaches a predetermined amount within the third period T3. This shortens the time from the end of the third period T3 until the water level reaches the first water level.

[0056] During the water supply process, the water supply control unit 51 may open both the first water supply valve 34 and the second water supply valve 35 after time t4 when the amount of detergent supply reaches a predetermined amount within the third period T3. In this case, there is a possibility that the water level will reach the first water level within the third period T3. In this case, the water supply control unit 51 closes the first water supply valve 34 and the second water supply valve 35 when the water level reaches the first water level.

[0057] Furthermore, the water supply control unit 51 may open both the first water supply valve 34 and the second water supply valve 35 from the end of the third period T3 until the water level reaches the first water level.

[0058] (Third Modification) In the example described above, if the amount of detergent supplied is less than a predetermined amount when the water level reaches the second water level, only the second water supply valve 35 is opened until the amount of detergent supplied reaches the predetermined amount. However, this is not limited to this. As shown in FIG. 6, in the water supply process of the third modified example, if the amount of detergent supplied is less than a predetermined amount when the water level reaches the second water level (time t3), the water supply control unit 51 opens both the first water supply valve 34 and the second water supply valve 35 until the amount of detergent supplied reaches the predetermined amount and the water level reaches the first water level (time t6). For example, the installer of the washing machine 1 sets the water supply control unit 51 to perform the water supply process of the first modified example when the water pressure of the mains in the environment where the washing machine 1 is installed is low. This shortens the time it takes for the water level to reach the first water level. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 1 washing machine 3 Valve Unit 32 1st water supply port 33 2nd water supply port 34 First water supply valve 35 Second water supply valve 51 Water supply control section 63 Water level detection unit 107 Brush unit 112 washing machine tub 160 Shaft T10 Water supply adjustment period

Claims

1. a valve unit for controlling water supply from the waterworks; a water level detection unit that detects the level of water stored in the washing tub; a detergent pump for supplying detergent; a detergent sensor that detects the amount of detergent supplied by the detergent pump; a detergent control unit that controls the detergent pump based on a detection result of the detergent sensor; a water supply control unit that controls the valve unit based on a detection result of the water level detection unit and a detection result of the detergent sensor to perform a water supply process of storing water in the washing tub until the water level reaches a first water level, The valve unit includes: a first water supply port for discharging water from the water main; a second water inlet that discharges water from the water main and has a discharge amount per unit time that is smaller than that of the first water inlet; a first water supply valve that opens and closes the first water supply port; a second water supply valve that opens and closes the second water supply port, The water supply control unit, in the water supply process, Starts before detergent supply begins, opening the first water supply valve before the water level reaches a second water level that is lower than the first water level; If the amount of detergent supplied is less than a predetermined amount when the water level reaches the second water level, the second water supply valve is opened until the amount of detergent supplied reaches the predetermined amount. washing machine.

2. the water supply control unit, in the water supply process, includes a water supply adjustment period in which only one of the first water supply valve and the second water supply valve is opened during a period until the water level reaches the second water level. The washing machine according to claim 1.

3. the water supply control unit sequentially opens the first water supply valve and the second water supply valve one at a time during the water supply adjustment period; The washing machine according to claim 2.

4. the water supply control unit opens only the second water supply valve and then opens only the first water supply valve during the water supply adjustment period; The washing machine according to claim 3.

5. the water supply control unit opens only the second water supply valve for a predetermined period during the water supply adjustment period, and then opens only the first water supply valve until the water level reaches the second water level. The washing machine according to claim 4.

6. the water supply control unit opens both the first water supply valve and the second water supply valve until the water level reaches the second water level during the water supply process. The washing machine according to claim 1.

7. the water supply control unit, in the water supply process, if the supply amount of detergent is less than the predetermined amount when the water level reaches the second water level, opens the second water supply valve until the supply amount of detergent reaches the predetermined amount and until a predetermined time has elapsed since the water level reached the second water level. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. the water supply control unit, in the water supply process, if the amount of detergent supplied is less than the predetermined amount when the water level reaches the second water level, opens both the first water supply valve and the second water supply valve until the amount of detergent supplied reaches the predetermined amount and the water level reaches the first water level. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

9. A shaft portion provided in the washing tub and extending in the vertical direction; a brush unit extending from the shaft portion to the inner circumferential surface side of the washing tub, The second water level is a position at the center of the brush unit in the vertical direction. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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