washing machine

Abstract

To provide a washing machine which can sufficiently acquire rinsing performance by a shower rinsing step, irrespective of a magnitude of a water supply flow rate or an amount of laundry.SOLUTION: A fully automatic washing machine 1 includes: a washing and dewatering tub 22 arranged rotatably in an outer tub 20; a drive unit 30 for driving the washing and dewatering tub 22; a water supply unit 50 for performing water supply in the washing and dewatering tub 22 from above the washing and dewatering tub 22; a drain valve 40 for opening / closing a drain port part 20a provided at a bottom part of the outer tub 20; a water level sensor for detecting a water level in the outer tub 20; and a control part for executing a shower rinsing step for performing water supply by the water supply unit 50 while rotating the washing and dewatering tub 22 by the drive unit 30. The control part performs water supply by the water supply unit 50 in the shower rinsing step, in a state where the drain valve 40 is closed, and stops the water supply by the water supply unit 50 on the basis of, the fact that the water level in the outer tub 20 has reached a water supply stop water level set beforehand.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] A washing machine that performs a shower rinse cycle is known in the art. An example of such a washing machine is described in Patent Document 1, for example.

[0003] In the shower rinse process, the washing and spin tub rotates at a low speed and water is supplied from above the tub. This allows the laundry in the washing and spin tub to absorb the water. In the spin cycle following the shower rinse process, the washing and spin tub rotates at a high speed to spin the laundry and remove the detergent from the laundry. The shower rinse process, i.e., the supply of water to the laundry, is carried out for a certain period of time. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 07-163783 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The water supply flow rate from the water faucet to the washing machine may vary depending on the water usage in other parts of the house. As a result, the water supply flow rate during the shower rinsing process may also vary from time to time. Therefore, if water is supplied for a certain period during the shower rinsing process, when the water supply flow rate is low, the laundry may not be sufficiently absorbed, and sufficient rinsing performance may not be achieved.

[0006] Furthermore, if water is supplied for a certain period of time, even when there is a large amount of laundry in the washing and spin-drying tub, it may not be possible to absorb enough water into the laundry, making it difficult to achieve sufficient rinsing performance.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a washing machine that can easily achieve sufficient rinsing performance in the shower rinsing step regardless of the water supply flow rate or the amount of laundry. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A washing machine according to a main aspect of the present invention includes an outer tub elastically supported within a housing, a washing / spinning tub rotatably disposed within the outer tub, a drive unit for driving the washing / spinning tub, a water supply unit for supplying water into the washing / spinning tub from above, a drain valve for opening and closing a drain outlet provided at the bottom of the outer tub, a water level detection unit for detecting the water level in the outer tub, and a control unit for executing a shower rinsing process in which the water supply unit supplies water while the drive unit rotates the washing / spinning tub. Here, during the shower rinsing process, the control unit supplies water from the water supply unit with the drain valve closed, and stops the water supply from the water supply unit when the water level in the outer tub reaches a predetermined water supply stop level. The water supply stop water level is set to a water level lower than the water level at which the water stored in the outer tub contacts the bottom surface of the washing and spin-drying tub.

[0009] With this configuration, the more laundry there is, the more water can be supplied, and even if the water supply flow rate varies, a constant amount of water can be supplied. This allows the laundry in the washing and spin tub to be sufficiently soaked with water, regardless of the amount of laundry or the water supply flow rate, ensuring sufficient rinsing performance.

[0011] According to the above configuration, the water stored in the outer tub is less likely to come into contact with the bottom of the rotating washing and spin-drying tub during the shower rinsing process, thereby preventing the rotational load of the washing and spin-drying tub from increasing due to contact with water.

[0012] In the case of the above configuration, the control unit may further be configured to start increasing the rotation speed of the washing and spin-drying tub, which has been rotating continuously since the shower rinsing process, in the spin-drying process following the shower rinsing process after a predetermined waiting time has elapsed since the end of the shower rinsing process.

[0013] With this configuration, drainage begins in the outer tub from a water supply stop water level that is lower than the bottom of the washing and spin-drying tub. Therefore, even if the standby time is set short, the water level in the outer tub will be sufficiently lower than the bottom of the washing and spin-drying tub when the rotation speed of the washing and spin-drying tub begins to increase. This makes it difficult for water to come into contact with the bottom of the rotating washing and spin-drying tub, even if the water level in the outer tub temporarily rises. Therefore, since the standby time can be set short, the rotation speed of the washing and spin-drying tub can be quickly increased and the spin-drying of the laundry can begin after the shower rinse cycle is completed.

[0014] Furthermore, since the standby time is still set, there is no need to excessively lower the water supply cut-off water level, which prevents the water level detector from having difficulty detecting when the water level has reached the water supply cut-off water level.

[0015] Furthermore, since the rotation speed of the washing and spin-drying tub is increased from the rotation speed in the shower rinsing process, it is possible to start spin-drying the laundry more quickly. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, a washing machine can be provided that is likely to provide sufficient rinsing performance in the shower rinsing step regardless of the water supply flow rate or the amount of laundry.

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

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a fully automatic washing machine according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a fully automatic washing machine according to an embodiment. [Figure 3]3(a) and 3(b) are flowcharts showing control processes executed by the control unit in a shower rinsing step and an intermediate spin-drying step following the shower rinsing step, respectively, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 4(a) and 4(b) are diagrams illustrating the shower rinsing step according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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

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

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

[0022] An outer tub 20 having an open top is elastically suspended and supported by four suspension rods 21 equipped with vibration isolation devices within the housing 10. The outer tub 20 has a substantially cylindrical shape with a bottom, and includes a bottom portion 201 and a peripheral portion 202.

[0023] A washing / spinning tub 22 with an open top is disposed within the outer tub 20. The washing / spinning tub 22 rotates around a rotation axis extending vertically. The washing / spinning tub 22 has a substantially cylindrical shape with a bottom, and includes a bottom surface portion 221 and a peripheral surface portion 222. A predetermined gap is provided between the bottom surface portion 221 of the washing / spinning tub 22 and the bottom surface portion 201 of the outer tub 20, and between the peripheral surface portion 222 of the washing / spinning tub 22 and the peripheral surface portion 202 of the outer tub 20.

[0024] A large number of dewatering holes 22a are formed around the entire circumference of the peripheral surface 222 of the washing and dewatering tub 22. A balance ring 23 is provided on the top of the washing and dewatering tub 22. A pulsator 24 is rotatably disposed on the bottom of the washing and dewatering tub 22. A plurality of blades 24a are provided radially on the surface of the pulsator 24.

[0025] A drive unit 30 that generates torque to drive the washing / spinning tub 22 and the pulsator 24 is disposed on the outer bottom of the outer tub 20. The drive unit 30 includes a drive motor 31 and a transmission mechanism 32. The transmission mechanism 32 has a clutch mechanism 32a, and by switching operation of the clutch mechanism 32a, the torque of the drive motor 31 is transmitted only to the pulsator 24 to rotate only the pulsator 24 during the washing process, the reservoir rinse process, and the water injection rinse process, and the torque of the drive motor 31 is transmitted to the pulsator 24 and the washing / spinning tub 22 to rotate the pulsator 24 and the washing / spinning tub 22 integrally during the spin process and the shower rinse process. The drive unit 30 corresponds to the drive unit of the present invention.

[0026] A drain outlet 20a is formed at the outer bottom of outer tub 20. A drain valve 40 is provided at drain outlet 20a for opening and closing drain outlet 20a. Drain valve 40 is connected to a drain hose 41. When drain valve 40 is opened, water stored in washing / spinning tub 22 and outer tub 20 is drained outside the machine through drain outlet 20a and drain hose 41.

[0027] A water supply unit 50 for supplying tap water into the washing and spin-drying tub 22 is disposed at the rear of the top panel 12. The water supply unit 50 has a water supply valve 51. A water inlet 51a of the water supply valve 51 is connected to a water faucet via a water supply hose. When the water supply valve 51 is opened, tap water from the faucet flows through a water supply passage 52 and is supplied into the washing and spin-drying tub 22 through a water inlet 53. The water inlet 53 is directed almost directly downward, and the water released from the water inlet 53 falls near the midpoint between the center of the washing and spin-drying tub 22 and the peripheral surface 222. The water inlet 53 may have a wide opening that extends circumferentially around the washing and spin-drying tub 22. The water supply unit 50 corresponds to the water supply section of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the fully automatic washing machine 1. As shown in FIG.

[0029] In addition to the above-described configuration, the fully automatic washing machine 1 includes an operation unit 61 and a water level sensor 62. The fully automatic washing machine 1 also includes a control unit 100. The control unit 100 includes a control unit 101, a memory unit 102, a motor drive unit 103, a clutch drive unit 104, a water supply drive unit 105, and a drain drive unit 106.

[0030] The operation unit 61 includes various operation buttons such as a power button for turning on and off the power of the fully-automatic washing machine 1, a start / pause button for starting and pausing operation, a course selection button for selecting an operation course from a plurality of operation courses related to washing operation, etc. The operation unit 61 outputs an input signal to the control unit 101 according to the operation button operated by the user.

[0031] Water level sensor 62 detects the water level in washing and spin-drying tub 22, i.e., outer tub 20, and outputs a water level signal corresponding to the detected water level to control unit 101. In this embodiment, water level sensor 62 can detect the water supply stop water level in outer tub 20, which is the water level lower than the position of bottom portion 221 of washing and spin-drying tub 22. The water supply stop water level is set in advance and is used for control in the shower rinsing process. Water level sensor 62 corresponds to the water level detection unit of the present invention.

[0032] The water level sensor 62 can be configured, for example, by a diaphragm-type pressure sensor. In this case, the pressure sensor is connected via a hose to an air trap installed at the bottom of the outer tank 20 and detects the air pressure inside the air trap, which changes depending on the water level. The performance of the pressure sensor and the location of the air trap are determined so that the water supply stop water level can be detected.

[0033] The motor driving unit 103 drives the drive motor 31 in accordance with a control signal output from the control unit 101. The motor driving unit 103 includes a rotation sensor that detects the rotation speed of the drive motor 31, an inverter circuit, etc., and adjusts the drive power so that the drive motor 31 rotates at the rotation speed set by the control unit 101.

[0034] The clutch driving unit 104 drives the clutch mechanism 32a of the transmission mechanism unit 32 in accordance with a control signal output from the control unit 101. The water supply driving unit 105 drives the water supply valve 51 in accordance with a control signal from the control unit 101. The drain driving unit 106 drives the drain valve 40 in accordance with a control signal from the control unit 101.

[0035] The storage unit 102 includes an EEPROM, a RAM, etc. The storage unit 102 stores programs for executing various operation courses of the washing operation. The storage unit 102 also stores various operation conditions used in the washing operation.

[0036] The control unit 101 includes a CPU and the like, and controls the motor drive unit 103, clutch drive unit 104, water supply drive unit 105, drain drive unit 106, and the like in accordance with a program stored in the storage unit .

[0037] In the fully automatic washing machine 1, various operation courses of washing operations are performed under the control of the control unit 101. In the washing operation, a washing step, an intermediate spin-drying step, a rinsing step, and a final spin-drying step are performed in this order.

[0038] In the washing and rinsing steps, the pulsator 24 rotates forward and backward while water containing detergent is stored in the washing and spin-drying tub 22. The rotation of the pulsator 24 generates a water flow in the washing and spin-drying tub 22, and the laundry is washed by the water flow and detergent.

[0039] The rinse process can be selected from a pool rinse process, a water rinse process, or a shower rinse process, depending on the operating program or user settings. The rinse process may be performed twice, with an intermediate spin-drying process in between. In this case, the shower rinse process is often the first rinse process.

[0040] In the water-filled rinsing process and the water-filled rinsing process, the pulsator 24 rotates forward and backward while water is stored in the washing and spin-drying tub 22, generating a water flow within the washing and spin-drying tub 22. The generated water flow rinses the laundry, and the detergent contained in the laundry is discharged into the water. In the water-filled rinsing process, water continues to be supplied even while the pulsator 24 is rotating, and water containing detergent is discharged from an overflow port (not shown) located at the top of the outer tub 20.

[0041] In the shower rinsing process, water is supplied into the washing and spin-drying tub 22 while the washing and spin-drying tub 22 rotates at a low speed together with the pulsator 24. Water is poured onto the laundry, and the laundry absorbs the water. At this time, the drain valve 40 is closed, and water not absorbed by the laundry accumulates at the bottom of the outer tub 20, i.e., in a portion lower than the bottom surface 221 of the washing and spin-drying tub 22. In the intermediate spin-drying process that follows, the detergent contained in the laundry is discharged together with the water. The shower rinsing process and the intermediate spin-drying process may be collectively referred to as the spin-drying rinsing process.

[0042] In the intermediate spin-drying step and the final spin-drying step, the washing / dehydrating tub 22 and the pulsator 24 rotate together at a predetermined high speed for spin-drying. The washing / dehydrating tub 22 generates centrifugal force to dehydrate the laundry.

[0043] Next, the shower rinsing step and the intermediate dewatering step following the shower rinsing step will be described in detail.

[0044] Fig. 3(a) is a flowchart showing the control process executed by control unit 101 in the shower rinsing step. Fig. 3(b) is a flowchart showing the control process executed by control unit 101 in the intermediate spin-drying step following the shower rinsing step. Figs. 4(a) and 4(b) are diagrams for explaining the shower rinsing step. Fig. 4(a) shows the shower rinsing step when a large amount of laundry is stored in washing and spin-drying tub 22, and Fig. 4(b) shows the shower rinsing step when a small amount of laundry is stored in washing and spin-drying tub 22.

[0045] 3(a), when the shower rinsing process is started, the control unit 101 closes the drain valve 40 (S101). In the intermediate spin-drying process performed before the shower rinsing process, the drain valve 40 is opened to drain water from the outer tub 20.

[0046] Next, control unit 101 starts drive motor 31 to initiate low-speed rotation of washing / spinning tub 22 (S102). At this time, pulsator 24 rotates integrally with washing / spinning tub 22. The rotation speed of washing / spinning tub 22 at this time is, for example, about 30 rpm, which is lower than the rotation speed at the so-called horizontal resonance point at which washing / spinning tub 22 and outer tub 20 vibrate significantly in the horizontal direction due to resonance.

[0047] Furthermore, the control unit 101 opens the water supply valve 51 to start supplying water into the washing and spin-drying tub 22 (S103). The rotation of the washing and spin-drying tub 22 and the water supply may start simultaneously, or the water supply may start before the rotation of the washing and spin-drying tub 22.

[0048] 4(a) and 4(b), as washing / spinning tub 22 rotates, water discharged from water inlet 53 is sprayed onto laundry that has reached the vicinity of directly below water inlet 53, and the sprayed water is absorbed by the laundry. Water that is not absorbed by the laundry and water containing detergent that has escaped from the laundry after absorption is discharged from washing / spinning tub 22 and collected at the bottom of outer tub 20. This causes the water level in outer tub 20 to rise.

[0049] The control unit 101 detects the water level in the outer tub 20 using the water level sensor 62 and monitors whether the water level has reached a preset water supply stop level (S104). As shown in Figures 4(a) and 4(b), the water supply stop level is set to a water level lower than the water level at which the water stored in the outer tub 20 contacts the bottom surface 221 of the washing and spin-drying tub 22.

[0050] When the water level in the outer tub 20 reaches the water supply stop level (S104: YES), the control unit 101 closes the water supply valve 51 to stop the water supply (S105). Then, the control unit 101 closes the drain valve 40 (S106). This starts draining water from the outer tub 20. This completes the shower rinsing process.

[0051] When the amount of laundry in the washing and spin-drying tub 22 is large as shown in Figure 4(a), the amount of water absorbed by the laundry is greater than when the amount of laundry is small as shown in Figure 4(b), and the water is less likely to be discharged into the outer tub 20, so the water level in the outer tub 20 rises more slowly. Therefore, the greater the amount of laundry, the greater the amount of water supplied until the water level in the outer tub 20 reaches the water supply stop level. This makes it possible to fully soak all of the laundry in the washing and spin-drying tub 22 in water, regardless of the amount of laundry.

[0052] Furthermore, even if the water supply flow rate varies, if the amount of laundry is about the same, the amount of water supplied until the water level in outer tub 20 reaches the water supply stop level will be about the same. This makes it possible to sufficiently soak all of the laundry in washing and spin-drying tub 22 in water, regardless of the water supply flow rate.

[0053] Furthermore, since the water stored in outer tub 20 does not come into contact with bottom surface 221 of rotating washing and dehydrating tub 22, the rotation load on washing and dehydrating tub 22 is prevented from increasing due to contact with water.

[0054] When the shower rinsing step is completed, the intermediate spin-drying step is started.

[0055] 3(b), the control unit 101 monitors whether a preset waiting time has elapsed since the end of the shower rinsing process, i.e., since the drain valve 40 was opened (S201). The waiting time is set to, for example, about several seconds. During the waiting time, the water level in the outer tub 20 decreases.

[0056] When the standby time has elapsed (S201: YES), control unit 101 increases the rotation speed of drive motor 31, thereby increasing the rotation speed of washing / spinning tub 22 toward a preset spin rotation speed (e.g., 800 rpm) (S202). During the process of increasing the rotation speed, a constant speed period in which the rotation speed is maintained constant may be appropriately provided.

[0057] As the rotation speed of the washing and spin-drying tub 22 increases, water contained in the laundry is more easily discharged. As a result, if a large amount of water is discharged from the laundry, the amount of water discharged may temporarily exceed the amount of water discharged from the outer tub 20, causing the water level in the outer tub 20 to temporarily rise. In this embodiment, the water supply stop water level is set to a water level lower than the position of the bottom surface 221 of the washing and spin-drying tub 22. Therefore, even if the standby time is set short, the water level in the outer tub 20 when the rotation speed of the washing and spin-drying tub 22 begins to increase is sufficiently lower than the bottom surface 221 of the washing and spin-drying tub 22. Therefore, even if the standby time is set short, water is less likely to come into contact with the bottom surface 221 of the rotating washing and spin-drying tub 22 when a temporary rise in the water level in the outer tub 20 occurs. This prevents the rotation load of the washing and spin-drying tub 22 from increasing due to contact with water, and prevents loud noises due to rippling, etc. from occurring. Therefore, since the standby time can be set short, the rotation speed of the washing and spin-drying tub 22 can be quickly increased and the spin-drying of the laundry can begin after the shower rinsing process is completed. Moreover, since the standby time is still set, there is no need to excessively lower the water supply stop level to avoid water contact with the washing and spin-drying tub 22. This prevents the water level sensor 62 from having difficulty detecting when the water level reaches the water supply stop level.

[0058] When the rotation speed of washing / spinning tub 22 reaches the spin rotation speed (S203: YES), control unit 101 maintains the spin rotation speed (S204). Then, when a preset spin time has elapsed (S205: YES), control unit 101 stops drive motor 31 to stop the rotation of washing / spinning tub 22 (S206). In this way, the intermediate spin-drying process is completed.

[0059] The laundry is dehydrated in the intermediate dehydration step, and the detergent is expelled from the laundry along with the water absorbed in the shower rinse step, rinsing the laundry. In the shower rinse step, water is sprayed from above one after another, which causes the water containing the detergent to be expelled from the laundry, thereby rinsing the laundry.

[0060] <Effects of the embodiment> As described above, according to this embodiment, in the shower rinsing process, water is supplied by the water supply unit 50 with the drain valve 40 closed, and the water supply is stopped when the water level in the outer tub 20 reaches a preset water supply stop level. This allows the amount of water supplied to be increased as the amount of laundry increases, and also ensures a constant amount of water supply even if the water supply flow rate varies. This makes it possible to sufficiently soak the laundry in the washing and spin tub 22 with water, regardless of the amount of laundry or the water supply flow rate, thereby ensuring sufficient rinsing performance.

[0061] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the water supply stop water level is set to a water level lower than the water level at which the water stored in outer tub 20 comes into contact with bottom surface 221 of washing and spin-drying tub 22, so that in the shower rinsing process, the water stored in outer tub 20 is less likely to come into contact with bottom surface 221 of rotating washing and spin-drying tub 22. This prevents the rotation load of washing and spin-drying tub 22 from increasing due to contact with water.

[0062] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, drainage in outer tub 20 begins from a water supply stop water level that is lower than the position of bottom surface 221 of washing / spinning tub 22. Therefore, even if the waiting time from the end of the shower rinsing process until the start of increasing the rotation speed of washing / spinning tub 22 is set short, the water level in outer tub 20 when the rotation speed of washing / spinning tub 22 begins to increase will be sufficiently lower than bottom surface 221 of washing / spinning tub 22. As a result, even if a temporary rise in the water level in outer tub 20 occurs, water is less likely to come into contact with bottom surface 221 of rotating washing / spinning tub 22. Therefore, since the waiting time can be set short, the rotation speed of washing / spinning tub 22 can be quickly increased and spin-drying of laundry can be started after the end of the shower rinsing process.

[0063] Moreover, since the standby time is still set, there is no need to excessively lower the water supply cut-off level, which prevents the water level sensor 62 from having difficulty detecting when the water level has reached the water supply cut-off level.

[0064] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, in the intermediate dehydration process following the shower rinsing process, the rotation speed of the washing and dehydrating tub 22 is increased from the rotation speed in the shower rinsing process, making it possible to start dehydrating the laundry more quickly.

[0065] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications to the embodiments of the present invention are possible.

[0066] For example, in the above embodiment, the water supply stop water level is set to a water level lower than the water level at which the water stored in outer tub 20 contacts bottom surface 221 of washing and spin-drying tub 22. However, the water supply stop water level may be set to a water level equal to or higher than the water level at which the water stored in outer tub 20 contacts bottom surface 221 of washing and spin-drying tub 22.

[0067] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the water level sensor 62 is configured to detect the water level by, for example, detecting changes in water pressure. However, a water level sensor with a different configuration may be used to detect the water level in the outer tub 20. For example, a water level sensor composed of a pair of electrodes may be placed at the bottom of the outer tub 20. In this case, when the water level in the outer tub 20 reaches the water supply stop level, the pair of electrodes become conductive due to the water present between them, and the water level sensor outputs a detection signal to the control unit 101 indicating that the water supply stop level has been reached.

[0068] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the increase in the rotation speed of washing and spin-drying tub 22 begins after the waiting time has elapsed since the end of the shower rinsing process. However, the waiting time may not be set, and the increase in the rotation speed of washing and spin-drying tub 22 may begin immediately after the end of the shower rinsing process.

[0069] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, washing and spin-drying tub 22 continues to rotate even after the shower rinsing process is completed. However, the rotation of washing and spin-drying tub 22 may be stopped when the shower rinsing process is completed. In this case, in the intermediate spin-drying process, washing and spin-drying tub 22 starts to rotate from a stopped state, and its rotation speed increases.

[0070] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the water supply unit 50 is not provided with a detergent container in which detergent is stored beforehand. However, the water supply unit 50 may be provided with a detergent container. In this case, the water coming out of the detergent container flows toward the water inlet 53.

[0071] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example has been shown in which the present invention is applied to the fully automatic washing machine 1. However, the present invention can also be applied to a fully automatic washer-dryer equipped with a clothes drying function.

[0072] In addition, the embodiments of the present invention can be modified in various ways as appropriate within the scope of the technical ideas set forth in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 1. Fully automatic washing machine (washing machine) 10. Cabinet 20 Outer tank 20a Drain port 22 Washing and spinning tub 30 Drive unit (drive section) 40 Drain valve 50 Water supply unit (water supply section) 62 Water level sensor (water level detection part) 101 Control section 221 Bottom part

Claims

1. an outer tank elastically supported within a housing; a washing and dehydrating tub rotatably disposed within the outer tub; a drive unit that drives the washing and spin-drying tub; a water supply unit that supplies water into the washing and dewatering tub from above the washing and dewatering tub; a drain valve for opening and closing a drain outlet provided at the bottom of the outer tank; a water level detection unit that detects the water level in the outer tank; a control unit that executes a shower rinsing process in which the driving unit rotates the washing and dewatering tub while the water supply unit supplies water, The control unit, in the shower rinsing process, The water supply unit supplies water while the drain valve is closed, stopping the water supply by the water supply unit when the water level in the outer tub reaches a predetermined water supply stop water level; The water supply stop water level is set to a water level lower than the water level at which the water stored in the outer tub contacts the bottom surface of the washing and dewatering tub. A washing machine characterized by:

2. The washing machine according to claim 1, The control unit, in the dehydration process following the shower rinsing process, After a preset waiting time has elapsed since the end of the shower rinsing process, the rotation speed of the washing and spinning tub, which has been continuously rotating since the shower rinsing process, is started to increase. A washing machine characterized by:

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