washing machine

Abstract

To provide a washing machine which is suppressed in the occurrence of such a problem that lint is discharged to the outside of the machine or is attached to clothing again, when water is drained after washing of a tub.SOLUTION: A washing machine comprises: a housing; an outer tub supported in the housing and storing water; an inner tub included in the outer tub and housing clothing; a circulation pump circulating water in the outer tub; a water passage filter capturing lint included in the water circulating by the circulation pump; and a control device sequentially performing a washing step, a rinsing step and a dewatering step. Between the rinsing step and the dewatering step, the control device rotates the inner tub, in a state where the rinsing water used in the rinsing step is stored in the outer tub, performs a rinsing water wind-up washing step of winding up the rinsing water. Before draining the water wound up in the rinsing water wind-up washing step, the control device performs a lint capturing operation in which the circulation pump is driven and lint is captured in the water passage filter.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

【Technical Field】 【0001】 The present invention relates to a washing machine. 【Background Art】 【0002】 In a washing machine, dirt adheres to the inner tub and the outer tub, so a tub cleaning operation may be performed separately from the washing operation. In such a tub cleaning operation, a dedicated chemical is required and special operations are necessary, so there are washing machines that can automatically clean the tub during normal washing operations. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a washing machine that rotates the inner tub at a rotational speed higher than that during the washing step and lower than that during the dehydration step in the tub cleaning step to lift the water accumulated in the outer tub upward (paragraph 0087, etc.). 【Prior Art Documents】 【Patent Documents】 【0003】 【Patent Document 1】 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-39211 【Summary of the Invention】 【Problems to be Solved by the Invention】 【0004】 However, in a conventional tub cleaning process such as the technique described in Patent Document 1, even if the tub can be cleaned by lifting the water accumulated in the outer tub, it is difficult to collect the fine lint peeled off from the tub with a filter in the drainage path. As a result, when draining after tub cleaning, lint may pass through the filter in the drainage path and be discharged outside the machine, and there is a possibility that the drain trap may become clogged. In addition, the peeled lint may remain at the bottom of the outer tub even after draining, and may reattach to the clothes in the next washing operation or the like. 【0005】 An object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine that suppresses lint from being discharged outside the machine or reattaching to clothes when draining after tub cleaning. 【Means for Solving the Problems】 【0006】 To solve the aforementioned problems, the present invention provides a housing, an outer tank supported within the housing for storing water, an inner tank enclosed within the outer tank for storing clothes, a circulation pump for circulating the water in the outer tank, a water channel filter for collecting lint contained in the water circulated by the circulation pump, and a control device that sequentially executes a washing process, a rinsing process, and a dewatering process. Between the rinsing process and the dewatering process, the control device rotates the inner tank to lift the rinse water while the rinse water used in the rinsing process is accumulated in the outer tank, and performs a rinse water lifting washing process. Before draining the water lifted in the rinse water lifting washing process, the circulation pump is driven to perform a lint collection operation to collect lint in the water channel filter. [Effects of the Invention] 【0007】 According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a washing machine that suppresses the discharge of lint outside the machine or its re-adhesion to clothing during drainage after tub cleaning. [Brief explanation of the drawing] 【0008】 [Figure 1] A perspective view of a drum-type washer-dryer, seen from the front and slightly above. [Figure 2] A cross-sectional view of a drum-type washer-dryer, seen from the right. [Figure 3] Front view of the outer tank and airflow filter, with the housing and inner tank not shown. [Figure 4] A perspective view of a drum-type washer-dryer, seen from a diagonal front angle, when the illustration of the casing is omitted. [Figure 5] A magnified view of the area enclosed by the dotted line in Figure 4. [Figure 6] A cross-sectional view when the section is cut along the front-to-back direction including line AA in Figure 5. [Figure 7] A longitudinal cross-sectional view showing part of the structure of a bellows cleaning device. [Figure 8]A perspective view of a drum-type washer-dryer, taken from diagonally in front and above, with the housing and outer tub cover omitted from the illustration. [Figure 9] A magnified view of the area enclosed by the dotted line in Figure 8. [Figure 10] A flowchart illustrating the overall operation performed by the control unit of a drum-type washer-dryer. [Figure 11] A flowchart illustrating the operation of the rinse water spraying and washing process. [Figure 12] A time chart showing the changes in the rotational speed of the inner tank and the operation of the circulation pump and drain valve during the tank cleaning process. [Figure 13] This diagram shows the water level of the circulating shower when the circulation pump is stopped in the comparative example. [Figure 14] This diagram shows the water level of the circulating shower when the circulation pump is stopped in Example 2. [Modes for carrying out the invention] 【0009】 Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, a drum-type washer-dryer in which the rotation axis of the inner tub is substantially horizontal will be used as an example of a washing machine. [Examples] 【0010】 <Configuration of a drum-type washer-dryer> First, the configuration of the drum-type washer-dryer 1 (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as a washing machine) according to this embodiment will be explained using Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the drum-type washer-dryer seen from the front and slightly above, and Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the drum-type washer-dryer seen from the right. 【0011】 The drum - type washing and drying machine 1 according to this embodiment includes a housing 2, a door 2a, an outer tub 3, an inner tub 4 (a washing and dewatering tub, a rotating drum), a blowing device 5 (a blower 5a, a warm - air heater 5b, a warm - air outlet 5c, a circulation air passage 5d, an air - passage hose 5e), a drainage passage 6 (an internal drainage passage 6a, a water - passage filter 6b, a drain valve 6c, a drain hose 6d), an air - passage filter 7, a lint - discharge water passage 8, a circulation pump 9, and a detergent - dissolving water passage 10. Also, although not shown in FIG. 2, the drum - type washing and drying machine 1 according to this embodiment further includes a circulation water passage 11, a fluid balancer 12, a bellows cleaning mechanism 13, a hot - water heater 14, a water - level sensor, a water - supply unit, and a control device. 【0012】 As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 2 is a box - shaped member that constitutes the outer shell of the drum - type washing and drying machine 1, and includes a front cover 2b, a pair of left and right side plates 2c, a rear cover 2d, an upper cover 2e, a base 2f, etc. The upper cover 2e is provided with a detergent - inlet and an operation panel, etc. An opening for inserting clothes (laundry) is formed in the front cover 2b of the housing 2. The door 2a closes the opening for inserting clothes and is hinged at 2g so that the user can put clothes in and take them out. 【0013】 As shown in FIG. 2, the outer tub 3 is supported by the housing 2 and can store water inside. An annular outer - tub cover 3a is provided at the front - side opening of the outer tub 3, and an opening for putting clothes in and taking them out is formed near the center of the outer - tub cover 3a. The opening of this outer - tub cover 3a and the clothes - insertion opening of the front cover 2b of the housing 2 are connected via a rubber bellows 15 (see FIG. 7), and water - tightness is ensured between the closed door 2a and the outer tub 3. Also, a drain port 3b is formed at the lower part of the bottom surface of the outer tub 3. 【0014】 The inner tub 4 is enclosed within the outer tub 3 and rotates at a low or high speed around the rotation axis 4a with clothes contained therein during each process of washing, rinsing, dewatering, and drying. A number of through-holes 4b (not shown in FIG. 2) for water passage and ventilation are formed in the peripheral wall and bottom wall of the inner tub 4. The inner tub 4 also has an opening at the front side and is supported such that the opening faces the closed door 2a. Note that the rotation axis 4a of the inner tub 4 may be parallel to the horizontal plane or may be inclined such that the opening is higher than the bottom surface (rear surface). 【0015】 The blower device 5 generates circulating air indicated by the dashed arrow in FIG. 2 during the drying process to dry the clothes. The air blown out from the blower 5a is heated by the downstream hot air heater 5b and then supplied to the inner tub 4 through the hot air outlet 5c. The hot air supplied to the inner tub 4 heats the wet clothes contained in the inner tub 4 to remove moisture, and then flows out through the through-holes 4b of the inner tub 4 into the space between the inner tub 4 and the outer tub 3. Further, it passes through the air duct filter 7 and reaches the circulating air duct 5d connecting the outer tub 3 and the blower 5a. Since the air flowing into the circulating air duct 5d has a higher humidity due to moisture removal from the clothes, cooling water indicated by the solid arrow in FIG. 2 is supplied from the upper part of the circulating air duct 5d to cool the high-humidity air, causing water vapor to condense and dehumidifying the air. Then, the dried air after dehumidification returns to the blower 5a through the air duct hose 5e. In this way, the blower device 5 supplies high-temperature drying air to the wet clothes in the inner tub 4 to promote drying of the clothes. 【0016】 <> The drain passage 6 is a path for draining from the outer tub 3 and includes an internal drain passage 6a communicating with the drain port 3b at the bottom surface of the outer tub 3, a waterway filter 6b for collecting lint in the drained water flowing through the internal drain passage 6a, a drain valve 6c that is mainly closed during the washing and rinsing processes and opened during other processes, and a drain hose 6d through which the drain water passes when the drain valve 6c is opened. Note that the lint collected by the waterway filter 6b is cleaned by the user as appropriate. 【0017】 The airflow filter 7 is a mesh filter designed to collect lint contained in the circulating airflow, and is installed between the lower (upstream) side of the circulating airflow path 5d and the back of the outer tank 3. Details regarding the collection and discharge of lint by the airflow filter 7 will be described later. 【0018】 The lint discharge channel 8 connects the lower part of the circulating air channel 5d to the internal drainage channel 6a. 【0019】 The circulation pump 9 is a pump that circulates the water in the outer tank 3. Although not shown in the diagram, it consists of a motor, impeller, casing, etc. The casing has one inlet and two outlets. The inlet is connected to the downstream side of the water channel filter 6b, the first outlet is connected to the circulation water channel 11, and the second outlet is connected to the detergent dissolving water channel 10. 【0020】 The circulating water channel 11 (see Figure 4 or Figure 5) is a channel that guides wash water or rinse water from the first discharge port of the circulation pump 9 to a water spray nozzle (not shown) formed on the outer peripheral surface of the upper front side of the outer tank cover 3a. The water spray nozzle is formed in a slit shape so that the water sprayed into the inner tank 4 spreads out in a thin film. 【0021】 The detergent dissolving water channel 10 (see Figure 5) is a water channel that guides wash water or rinse water from the second discharge port of the circulation pump 9 to an inlet 3c formed in front of a concave recess 3d at the bottom of the outer tank 3. 【0022】 The fluid balancer (see Figure 7) is a component that suppresses eccentricity caused by uneven distribution of clothing, and is installed near the edge of the opening of the inner tub 4, rotating together with the inner tub 4. The hot water heater 14 (see Figure 9) heats the wash water accumulated at the bottom of the outer tub 3 and is installed in the recessed portion 3d of the outer tub 3. The water level sensor (not shown) detects the water level by measuring the pressure of the water accumulated in the outer tub 3. The water supply unit (not shown) includes a detergent water supply solenoid valve, a softener water supply solenoid valve, a cooling water supply solenoid valve, and a shower water supply solenoid valve. When the shower water supply solenoid valve opens, the water supply branches into three: shower water that is sprayed into the inner tub 4, bellows water (see Figure 7) that washes away lint attached to the inner surface of the bellows, and duct cleaning that washes away lint attached to the circulating air passage 5d. The control device (not shown) controls the opening and closing of each solenoid valve and drain valve 6c of the water supply unit, the rotation of the motors that drive the inner tank 4 and circulation pump 9, and the operation of the blower 5 and hot water heater 14, etc. 【0023】 <Collection and discharge of lint using airflow filters> Figure 3 is a front view of the outer tub and airflow filter, with the housing and inner tub omitted from the illustration. In this embodiment of the washing machine, since the blower 5a is located on the upper right side of the outer tub 3, the circulating airflow path 5d from the outer tub 3 to the blower 5a is located below the blower 5a and at the rear of the outer tub 3 to connect the two over the shortest distance. In addition, in this embodiment of the washing machine, in order to reduce the airflow resistance from the outer tub 3 to the blower 5a and increase the airflow of the circulating air, a large vertical air intake 3e is provided on the back of the outer tub 3, and this air intake 3e is covered with a large-area airflow filter 7. 【0024】 In a washing machine, during the washing and rinsing cycles, mechanical forces from clothes rubbing against each other in the inner tub 4, and during the drying cycle, mechanical forces from the air supplied to the inner tub 4, cause the fibers of the clothes to detach and generate lint. Initially, the generated lint is heavy and wet, so it does not float, but as drying progresses, it becomes lighter and begins to float. Of the floating lint, lint larger than the mesh of the airflow filter 7 is collected by the airflow filter 7 and discharged into the internal drain channel 6a after the completion of subsequent washing and rinsing cycles. 【0025】 On the other hand, of the lint suspended during the drying process, lint smaller than the mesh of the airflow filter 7 passes through the airflow filter 7 and enters the circulating airflow 5d. The fine lint that enters the circulating airflow 5d absorbs the cooling water supplied into the airflow for dehumidification during the drying process, or the water supplied to the water tank during the washing or rinsing process, and combines with the surrounding lint to form lint clumps that accumulate on the back of the filter. However, since the lint clumps in the initial stages are sufficiently small, they are discharged through the lint discharge channel 8 to the internal drain channel 6a along with the cooling water during the drying process, or along with the drainage from the outer tank 3 during the drainage after the washing or rinsing process. At this time, it is desirable that the lint discharge channel airflow side connection part 8a be located lower than the maximum height reached by the water flow agitated by the high-speed rotation of the inner tank 4 during the rinse water swirling wash or tap water swirling wash described later. This allows for more reliable lint discharge by combining the lint discharge action by the cooling water alone with the discharge action by the water used for washing. 【0026】 The diameter of the lint discharge channel 8 may be as small as a few millimeters, but it is desirable to design the lint discharge channel 8 to have a diameter of about 6 to 10 mm so that even lint clumps that have grown to a certain extent can be discharged. Furthermore, it is desirable to connect the lint discharge channel drainage channel side connection part 8b, which is provided at the lower end of the lint discharge channel 8, to the upstream side of the channel filter 6b so that the lint discharged via the lint discharge channel 8 can be collected by the channel filter 6b, but it is also acceptable to connect the lint discharge channel drainage channel side connection part 8b to the downstream side of the channel filter 6b so that the lint clumps are directly discharged into a sewer or the like. 【0027】 <Rotation direction of the circulation pump and the resulting water flow> Figure 4 is a perspective view of a drum-type washer-dryer as seen from the front at an angle, with the housing not shown; Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the area enclosed by the dotted line in Figure 4; and Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the front-to-back cross section including line AA in Figure 5. 【0028】 When the motor of the circulation pump 9 rotates forward, the wash water or rinse water accumulated at the bottom of the outer tank 3 is guided to the water channel filter 6b via the drain port 3b and the internal drain channel 6a. The water from which lint has been removed by the water channel filter 6b flows into the casing via the intake port, becomes a swirling flow due to the centrifugal force of the impeller, and is discharged from the first discharge port. The water discharged from the first discharge port is guided to the watering nozzle via the circulation water channel 11, and is sprayed into the inner tank 4 as a circulating shower from the watering nozzle. The sprayed water is then circulated again to the drain port 3b of the outer tank 3 via the through hole 4b of the inner tank 4. The water flow generated when the motor of the circulation pump 9 rotates forward is shown by the black arrows in Figures 4 and 5. 【0029】 When the motor of the circulation pump 9 rotates in reverse, the wash water or rinse water accumulated at the bottom of the outer tank 3 is guided to the water channel filter 6b via the drain port 3b and the internal drain channel 6a. The water from which lint has been removed by the water channel filter 6b flows into the casing via the intake port, becomes a swirling flow due to the centrifugal force of the impeller, and is discharged from the second discharge port. The water discharged from the second discharge port is guided to the inlet 3c at the front of the bottom of the outer tank 3 via the detergent dissolving water channel 10, then flows backward and circulates again to the drain port 3b of the outer tank 3. The water flow generated when the motor of the circulation pump 9 rotates in reverse is shown by the white arrows in Figures 4-6. 【0030】 <Structure of a bellows cleaning device> Figure 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a part of the bellows cleaning structure. The bellows cleaning mechanism 13 consists of a shower water supply solenoid valve (not shown), a bellows cleaning water channel 13a, and a bellows cleaning nozzle 13b. The bellows cleaning water channel 13a is a water channel connecting the shower water supply solenoid valve and the bellows cleaning nozzle 13b, and extends inward along the inner surface of the outer tank cover 3a so as to face the fluid balancer. The bellows cleaning nozzle 13b is a nozzle that discharges tap water from the front side of the outer tank cover 3a toward the upper inner circumferential surface of the bellows 15, and the discharged tap water washes away lint adhering to the bellows 15. The washed-away lint, along with the tap water, is discharged into the internal drain channel 6a via the drain port 3b of the outer tank 3 and collected by the water channel filter 6b. 【0031】 <Structure of a hot water heater> Figure 8 is a perspective view of a drum-type washer-dryer, taken from diagonally in front and above, with the housing and outer tub cover omitted from the illustration. Figure 9 is an enlarged view of the area enclosed by the dotted line in Figure 8. As mentioned above, the hot water heater 14 heats the wash water accumulated at the bottom of the outer tub 3 and is installed in the recessed portion 3d of the outer tub 3. Some lint that has been detached from the clothes during the washing and rinsing processes may accumulate around the hot water heater 14. However, when the motor of the circulation pump 9 rotates in reverse while water is accumulated at the bottom of the outer tub 3, a water flow is generated in the recessed portion 3d of the outer tub 3, as indicated by the arrow in Figure 9. This water flow causes the lint attached to the area around the hot water heater 14 to be discharged into the internal drainage channel 6a via the drain port 3b of the outer tub 3 and collected by the water channel filter 6b. 【0032】 <Washer-dryer operation> Figure 10 is a flowchart showing the overall operation performed by the control unit of a drum-type washer-dryer. When the wash-and-dry operation is set and the start button is pressed on the control panel, the control unit sequentially performs the washing process (step S1), rinsing process (step S2), tub cleaning process (steps S3-S5), spin-drying process (step S6), and drying process (step S7), as shown in Figure 10. Each process will be described in detail below. In the following, rotating the motor that drives the inner tub 4 in the forward (reverse) direction may be simply referred to as rotating the inner tub 4 in the forward (reverse) direction, and rotating the motor of the circulation pump 9 in the forward (reverse) direction may be simply referred to as rotating the circulation pump 9 in the forward (reverse) direction. Also, the rotational speed of the motor of the inner tub 4 may be simply referred to as the rotational speed of the inner tub 4, and the rotational speed of the motor of the circulation pump 9 may be simply referred to as the rotational speed of the circulation pump 9. 【0033】 ≪Washing Process≫ First, the control device calculates the amount of laundry before water is added based on the rotation speed and current value of the motor (not shown) when the inner tub 4 is rotated. For example, if the current flowing to the motor is large, it means that the load to rotate the inner tub 4 is large, and the amount of laundry can be considered to be large. 【0034】 Next, the control device opens the detergent water supply solenoid valve and supplies tap water to the detergent dispenser. The tap water supplied to the detergent dispenser, along with the detergent, is supplied to the outer tank 3 via a hose. Furthermore, while keeping the detergent water supply solenoid valve open, the control device rotates the inner tank 4 and reverses the rotation of the circulation pump 9, thereby generating a water flow as shown by the white arrows in Figures 4-6. In the case of powder detergent, this water flow dissolves the detergent, producing a highly concentrated detergent solution. In the case of liquid detergent, the detergent dissolution operation by reversing the rotation of the circulation pump 9 may be omitted. The rotation speed of the circulation pump 9 during detergent dissolution is, for example, 1800 rpm. 【0035】 Subsequently, the control device rotates the circulation pump 9 forward while the inner tank 4 rotates in both forward and reverse directions, performing a pre-wash by spraying a high-concentration detergent solution into the inner tank 4 from the spray nozzle, as shown by the black-filled arrows in Figures 4 and 5. The rotation speed of the circulation pump 9 when spraying water from the spray nozzle is, for example, 2500 rpm. 【0036】 Next, the control device opens the detergent water supply solenoid valve to supply water until the water level reaches a predetermined level, based on the value detected by the water level sensor. After that, the control device rotates the circulation pump 9 forward while the inner tub 4 rotates in both forward and reverse directions to perform the main wash. During the main wash, the hot water heater 14 is turned ON to heat the water at the bottom of the outer tub. 【0037】 ≪Rinsing Process≫ The rinsing process basically consists of a first rinse and a second rinse (final rinse). 【0038】 During the first rinse, the control device first opens the drain valve 6c to drain the wash water used in the washing process. After draining is complete, the control device rotates the inner tub 4 at high speed (for example, 700 rpm) (reverse rotation) to remove the wash water contained in the clothes. 【0039】 Next, the control device closes the drain valve 6c and opens the detergent water supply solenoid valve to supply tap water to the outer tank 3. At this time, the control device rotates the inner tank 4 at a low speed and drives the circulation pump 9 in the forward direction, so that rinsing is performed while spraying rinse water into the inner tank 4 from the spray nozzles, as shown by the black arrows in Figures 4 and 5. 【0040】 The control unit first stops the inner tub 4 and the circulation pump 9, and opens the drain valve 6c to drain the rinse water from the outer tub 3. After draining is complete, the control unit rotates the inner tub 4 at high speed to remove the rinse water contained in the clothes. This completes the first rinse cycle. 【0041】 Next, during the second rinse, the control device closes the drain valve 6c and opens the softener water supply solenoid valve to supply tap water to the outer tank 3. Subsequently, it closes the softener water supply solenoid valve and opens the detergent water supply solenoid valve and the shower water supply solenoid valve to supply tap water into the outer tank 3. At this time, the control device rotates the inner tank 4 at a low speed and drives the circulation pump 9 in the forward direction, spraying rinse water containing softener (finishing agent) into the inner tank 4 from the spray nozzles, allowing the softener to penetrate the clothes. When the shower water supply solenoid valve is opened, as described above, tap water reaches the bellows washing nozzle 13b via the bellows washing water channel 13a and is sprayed toward the upper inner surface of the bellows 15, so that the lint attached to the bellows 15 is washed away. The lint washed away at this time includes the lint that attached to the bellows 15 during the drying process in the previous operation. 【0042】 ≪Tank Cleaning Process≫ The tank cleaning process further comprises a rinse water spooling cleaning process, a drainage process, and a tap water spooling cleaning process. In the rinse water spooling cleaning process, the inner tank 4 is rotated forward in the first half to spool up the rinse water, and the inner tank 4 is rotated backward in the second half to spool up the rinse water. Figure 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the rinse water spooling cleaning process, and Figure 12 is a time chart showing the changes in the rotation speed of the inner tank and the changes in the operation of the circulation pump and drain valve during the tank cleaning process. 【0043】 First, in the first half of the rinse water swirl-up washing process, the control device keeps the drain valve 6c closed and rotates the inner tank 4 forward (clockwise when viewed from the front) at a rotational speed of, for example, 150 rpm for a predetermined time. Note that the rotational speed of the inner tank 4 is not limited to 150 rpm, as long as it is higher than the low-speed rotation (for example, 35 rpm) in the washing and rinsing processes, and lower than the high-speed rotation (for example, 700 rpm) in the dewatering process. In this way, with the rinse water used in the rinsing process accumulated in the outer tank 3, when the inner tank 4 rotates forward at a relatively high speed, the rinse water is mainly swirled up to the left, and this water flow washes the inner circumferential surface of the outer tank 3, mainly on the left side, and the outer circumferential surface of the inner tank 4. 【0044】 Subsequently, the control device performs a lint collection operation by driving the circulation pump 9 in the reverse direction at the timing when the inner tank 4 is reversed (switched from forward rotation to reverse rotation). This generates a water flow in the direction indicated by the white arrow in Figures 4-6 at the bottom of the outer tank 3. The lint that has detached from the outer tank 3 and inner tank 4 due to the rinse water spraying and has flowed down to the bottom of the outer tank 3 is discharged along with the rinse water into the internal drain channel 6a via the drain port 3b of the outer tank 3 and collected by the water channel filter 6b. In addition, when the lint collection operation is performed, the generated water flow also discharges the lint accumulated on the hot water heater 14 at the bottom of the outer tank 3 into the internal drain channel 6a via the drain port 3b of the outer tank 3 and is collected by the water channel filter 6b. 【0045】 Furthermore, the timing for starting the reverse drive of the circulation pump 9 is not limited to the moment the inner tank 4 stops for reversal, but may also occur while the inner tank 4 is rotating in the forward direction. However, when the inner tank 4 is rotating at a relatively high speed, the rinse water is stirred up, resulting in less rinse water at the bottom of the outer tank 3 and less rinse water being drawn in from the intake of the circulation pump 9. Therefore, it is desirable to drive the circulation pump 9 when the rotation speed of the inner tank 4 is low (for example, 35 rpm or less). 【0046】 In the latter half of the rinse water spraying and washing process, the control device keeps the drain valve 6c closed and rotates the inner tank 4 in the reverse direction (counterclockwise when viewed from the front) for a predetermined time at a rotational speed of, for example, 100 rpm. In this way, with the rinse water used in the rinsing process accumulated in the outer tank 3, when the inner tank 4 rotates in the reverse direction at a relatively high speed, the rinse water is mainly sprayed upward to the right, and this water flow washes the inner circumferential surface of the outer tank 3, mainly on the right side, and the outer circumferential surface of the inner tank 4. 【0047】 The rinse water, which is swirled up during the rinse water swirling process, reaches the airflow filter 7, and the water flow washes away lint attached to the front and rear sides of the airflow filter 7. In particular, in the latter half of the rinse water swirling process, the rinse water is mainly swirled up to the upper right, so the upper end of the airflow filter 7, which is located at the rear right side of the outer tank 3, is efficiently cleaned. 【0048】 Next, during the drainage process, the control device stops the circulation pump 9 and opens the drain valve 6c, increasing the rotation speed of the inner tank 4 while draining the rinse water. At this time, lint washed away from the front side of the airflow filter 7 is discharged directly into the internal drainage channel 6a, and lint washed away from the back side of the airflow filter 7 is discharged into the internal drainage channel 6a via the lint discharge channel 8. The lint discharged into the internal drainage channel 6a is then collected by the channel filter 6b located before it reaches the drain valve 6c. 【0049】 Once draining is complete and the inner tank reaches a predetermined rotational speed (e.g., 380 rpm), the drain valve 6c is closed and the process moves to the tap water swirl-up washing process. Note that the rotational speed of the inner tank 4 is not limited to 380 rpm, as long as it is higher than the rotation in the rinse water swirl-up washing process and lower than the high-speed rotation in the dewatering process. 【0050】 Because the inner tank 4 rotates in a different direction during the first and second halves of the rinse water spooling wash process, the left and right sides of the outer tank 3 can be thoroughly cleaned. Furthermore, since the inner tank 4 rotates in the same direction during the second half of the rinse water spooling wash process and the subsequent tap water spooling wash process, the transition can be made without stopping the inner tank 4, leading to a reduction in operating time. 【0051】 In the tap water spooling and washing process, the drain valve 6c is kept closed, and the detergent water supply solenoid valve and the shower water supply solenoid valve are opened alternately to fill the bottom of the outer tank 3 with tap water. The control device maintains the rotation speed of the inner tank 4 while filling the bottom of the outer tank 3 with tap water, thereby spooling the tap water upwards. When the shower water supply solenoid valve is opened, as described above, the tap water reaches the bellows washing nozzle 13b via the bellows washing water channel 13a and is sprayed toward the upper inner surface of the bellows 15, so that the lint adhering to the bellows 15 is washed away. When the control device detects that a predetermined water level has been reached using the water level sensor, it closes the shower water supply solenoid valve, but maintains the rotation speed of the inner tank 4, and the spooling of tap water continues. 【0052】 In the tap water spray-up cleaning process, tap water is sprayed up to higher positions that could not be reached in the rinse water spray-up cleaning process, so lint adhering to the upper part of the outer tank 3 can also be washed away. In addition, unlike the rinse water spray-up cleaning process, clean water is used in the tap water spray-up cleaning process, so it is possible to prevent lint from re-adhering. 【0053】 Furthermore, the tap water swirled up by the tap water swirling wash reaches the upper end of the airflow filter 7 located on the right rear of the outer tank 3, and the water flow washes away lint that has adhered to the front and rear sides of the airflow filter 7. 【0054】 Subsequently, the control device maintains the rotational speed of the inner tub 4 and opens the drain valve 6c, allowing the lint-containing water to drain without coming into contact with the clothes inside the inner tub 4, and the lint is collected by the water channel filter 6b. Once draining is complete, the process moves on to the dewatering step. 【0055】 ≪Dehydration process≫ During the dewatering process, the control device keeps the drain valve 6c open and further increases the rotation speed of the inner tub 4, rotating it in reverse at high speed (e.g., 700 rpm) to (finally) dewater the clothes. Once the dewatering process has been performed for a predetermined time, the process moves on to the drying process. 【0056】 ≪Drying process≫ In the drying process, the control device opens the cooling water supply solenoid valve, energizes the hot air heater 5b, and drives the blower 5a to accelerate the drying of the clothes. Specifically, the air blown out from the blower 5a is heated by the downstream hot air heater 5b, and then supplied to the inner tank 4 through the hot air outlet 5c. After the hot air supplied to the inner tank 4 removes moisture from the clothes, it passes through the air passage filter 7 through the through-holes in the inner tank 4 and reaches the circulating air passage 5d. The high-humidity air flowing into the circulating air passage 5d is dehumidified by the cooling water supplied from the cooling water supply solenoid valve, and then returns to the blower 5a through the air passage hose 5e. 【0057】 <Effects of Example 1> As described above, in this embodiment, a lint collection operation is incorporated in which the circulation pump 9 is driven to generate a water flow that is drawn into the water channel filter 6b before draining when transitioning from the rinse water spooling wash process to the tap water spooling wash process. As a result, fine lint that has been detached from the outer tank 3 etc. during the rinse water spooling wash process is also collected in the water channel filter 6b, and it is possible to suppress the discharge of lint outside the machine along with the rinse water when the drain valve 6c is opened. 【0058】 If there is no lint collection function, during drainage, fine lint is not only easily discharged outside the machine by passing through the water channel filter 6b, but it is also likely to remain at the bottom of the outer tank 3. The lint remaining at the bottom of the outer tank 3 becomes even finer during the tap water spooling and washing process, where the rotation speed of the inner tank 4 is high, making it even easier to discharge outside the machine. 【0059】 Furthermore, the rotation speed of the circulation pump 9 during lint collection operation should be higher than that used during detergent dissolution (for example, 2500 rpm), as a higher rotation speed increases the water flow and thus the greater the effect of collecting lint. 【0060】 In the lint collection operation, even when the circulation pump 9 is rotated forward, a water flow is generated that is drawn into the water channel filter 6b, so a certain effect can be expected. However, if the rotation speed is the same, rotating the circulation pump 9 in reverse will generate a stronger water flow, thus increasing the effect of collecting lint. Furthermore, when the circulation pump 9 is rotated in reverse, lint and entangled hair that have accumulated on the hot water heater 14 at the bottom of the outer tank 3 can also be detached by the strong water flow. 【0061】 Furthermore, the lint collection operation may be performed before other drainage timings. For example, the circulation pump 9 may be driven (preferably in reverse) before draining when transitioning from the tap water hoisting wash process to the spin-drying process. By driving the circulation pump 9 before draining in this way, fine lint is collected in the water channel filter 6b, preventing lint from being discharged outside the machine and clogging the drain trap. In addition, lint detached from the tub by the hoisting wash is less likely to remain at the bottom of the outer tub 3 after draining, thus suppressing lint reattachment to clothes during subsequent wash cycles. [Examples] 【0062】 Example 2 relates to the control of the circulation pump 9 when stopping the water spraying (circulating shower) from the water spray nozzles during the washing and rinsing processes. 【0063】 As mentioned above, when water is sprayed from the spray nozzle, the circulation pump 9 rotates in the forward direction at a high speed, for example, 2500 rpm. As a comparative example, when stopping water spraying, if the circulation pump 9 suddenly stops while rotating at high speed, a large amount of water lifted by the circulation pump 9 will still remain in the circulation channel 11 when the pump stops. Figure 13 shows the water level of the circulation shower when the circulation pump stops in the comparative example. As shown in Figure 13, if the water level of the circulation shower is higher than the water level accumulated in the outer tank 3, immediately after the circulation pump 9 stops, water equivalent to this difference will return to the water level. As a result, backflow occurs to the circulation pump 9, and the collected lint may overflow from the channel filter 6b. 【0064】 Therefore, when stopping the circulating pump 9 that is rotating in the forward direction, the control device of this embodiment does not stop the high-speed rotating circulating pump 9 abruptly, but rather reduces the rotational speed in stages. As for how to reduce the rotational speed, for example, it may be reduced from 2500 rpm by 500 rpm or 1000 rpm at predetermined time intervals until it is finally stopped, or it may be reduced all at once from 2500 rpm to about 1000 rpm and then stopped after a predetermined time. 【0065】 Figure 14 shows the water level of the circulating shower when the circulation pump is stopped in the case of Example 2. When the control device drives the circulation pump 9 at a low speed of, for example, about 1000 rpm and then stops it, as shown in Figure 14, the water level of the circulating shower when the circulation pump is stopped is lower than the water level accumulated in the outer tank 3. Therefore, even immediately after the circulation pump 9 is stopped, backflow to the circulation pump 9 is unlikely to occur, and the overflow of collected lint from the water channel filter 6b can also be suppressed. If a decrease in the circulation flow rate of the circulating shower can be tolerated, the rotation speed of the circulation pump 9 may be driven at 1000 rpm or less from the beginning. 【0066】 Next, a modified example of Embodiment 2 will be described. In this modified example, the control device controls the rotational speed of the circulation pump 9 based on the value detected by the water level sensor. Specifically, the relationship between the water level in the outer tank 3 and the target rotational speed of the circulation pump 9 is stored in the control device as a table beforehand. The control device then controls the circulation pump 9 to reach the target rotational speed according to the value detected by the water level sensor, and finally stops the circulation pump 9. This has the advantage that the circulation pump 9 can be driven at the highest possible rotational speed before stopping, within a range that prevents backflow after the circulation pump 9 stops. 【0067】 The embodiments described above are detailed to illustrate the present invention clearly and are not necessarily limited to those having all the described configurations. For example, the lint collection operation described above can be applied not only to drum-type washer-dryers but also to top-loading washer-dryers and washing machines without a drying function. Furthermore, it is possible to replace parts of the configuration of one embodiment with those of another embodiment, and to add configurations from other embodiments to the configuration of one embodiment. In addition, it is possible to add, delete, or replace parts of the configuration of each embodiment with those of other embodiments. [Explanation of symbols] 【0068】 1...Drum-type washer-dryer, 2...Casing, 2a...Door, 2b...Front cover, 2c...Side panel, 2d...Rear cover, 2e...Top cover, 2f...Base, 2g...Hinge, 3...Outer tub, 3a...Outer tub cover, 3b...Drain port, 3c...Inlet, 3d...Recess, 3e...Air intake, 4...Inner tub, 4a...Rotating shaft, 4b...Through hole, 5...Blower, 5a...Blower, 5b...Hot air heater, 5c...Hot air outlet, 5d...Circulation air passage, 5e...Air passage hose, 6...Exhaust 6a...Internal drain channel, 6b...Water channel filter, 6c...Drain valve, 6d...Drain hose, 7...Air channel filter, 8...Lint discharge channel, 8a...Lint discharge channel air channel side connection, 8b...Lint discharge channel drain channel side connection, 9...Circulation pump, 10...Detergent dissolving channel, 11...Circulation channel, 12...Fluid balancer, 13...Bellows cleaning mechanism, 13a...Bellows cleaning channel, 13b...Bellows cleaning nozzle, 14...Hot water heater, 15...Bellows

Claims

[Claim 1] The casing and An outer tank supported within the aforementioned housing for storing water, An inner tub enclosed within the outer tub for storing clothing, A circulation pump for circulating the water in the outer tank, A water channel filter that collects lint contained in the water circulating by the aforementioned circulation pump, It includes a control device that sequentially executes a washing process, a rinsing process, and a dewatering process, The control device is Between the rinsing step and the dewatering step, With the rinse water used in the rinsing process accumulated in the outer tank, the inner tank is rotated to perform a rinse water swirl-up washing process, in which the rinse water is swirled up. Before draining the water that was stirred up in the rinse water swirling cleaning process, the circulation pump is driven to perform a lint collection operation in which lint is collected in the water channel filter. In the aforementioned dewatering process, the inner tub rotates in reverse, thereby dewatering the water contained in the clothes. In the rinse water winding washing process described above, the rinse water is wound up as the inner tank rotates in the forward direction, and then the rinse water is wound up as the inner tank rotates in the reverse direction. The lint collection operation is performed when the inner tank rotates in reverse. The washing machine is characterized in that the control device starts driving the circulation pump at the timing when the inner tub is switched from forward rotation to reverse rotation during the rinse water winding wash process. [Claim 2] In the washing machine according to claim 1, The control device is With the inner tank still rotating in reverse, after draining the water that was spurted up in the rinsing water spurting cleaning process, tap water is supplied, and with the tap water accumulated in the outer tank, the tap water spurting cleaning process is executed. A washing machine characterized in that the rotation speed of the inner tub in the tap water spooling wash step is higher than the rotation speed of the inner tub in the rinsing water spooling wash step. [Claim 3] The casing and An outer tank supported within the aforementioned housing for storing water, An inner tub enclosed within the outer tub for storing clothing, A circulation pump for circulating the water in the outer tank, A water channel filter that collects lint contained in the water circulating by the aforementioned circulation pump, A blower that supplies air into the inner tank, An air passage connecting the outer tank and the blower, An airflow filter is provided on the upstream side of the aforementioned airflow path to collect lint contained in the air, It includes a control device that sequentially executes a washing process, a rinsing process, and a dewatering process, The control device is Between the rinsing step and the dewatering step, With the rinse water used in the rinsing process accumulated in the outer tank, the inner tank is rotated to perform a rinse water swirl-up washing process, in which the rinse water is swirled up. Before draining the water that was stirred up in the rinse water swirling cleaning process, the circulation pump is driven to perform a lint collection operation in which lint is collected in the water channel filter. A washing machine characterized in that the rinse water, which is swirled up in the rinse water swirling washing step, reaches the air passage filter. [Claim 4] In the washing machine according to claim 1 or 3, The circulation pump, when rotating forward, sprays water from the top of the outer tank into the inner tank, and when rotating reverse, guides water to an inlet formed at the bottom of the outer tank. The washing machine is characterized in that the circulation pump rotates in reverse during the lint collection operation. [Claim 5] In the washing machine according to claim 4, In the washing process, a detergent dissolving operation is performed in which the circulation pump is rotated in reverse to dissolve the detergent. A washing machine characterized in that the rotational speed of the circulation pump during the lint collection operation is higher than the rotational speed of the circulation pump during the detergent dissolving operation. [Claim 6] In the washing machine according to claim 4, The outer tank is further provided with a hot water heater located at the bottom of the outer tank for heating the water accumulated inside the outer tank, The washing machine is characterized in that, in the lint collection operation, lint adhering to the hot water heater is washed away. [Claim 7] In the washing machine according to claim 1 or 3, An outer tank cover is provided at the front opening of the outer tank, A bellows connecting the clothing input opening of the housing and the outer tub cover, The system further comprises a bellows cleaning nozzle that discharges tap water toward the bellows, A washing machine characterized in that the rinse water that is swept up in the rinse water winding wash step is discharged from the bellows wash nozzle in the rinse step. [Claim 8] In the washing machine according to claim 1 or 3, When the circulation pump rotates in the forward direction, water is sprayed from the top of the outer tank into the inner tank. The washing machine is characterized in that, when the control device stops the circulation pump which is rotating in the forward direction, it gradually reduces the rotational speed of the circulation pump. [Claim 9] In the washing machine according to claim 1 or 3, When the circulation pump rotates in the forward direction, water is sprayed from the top of the outer tank into the inner tank. The washing machine is characterized in that, when the control device rotates the circulation pump in the forward direction, it maintains the rotational speed of the circulation pump at 1000 rpm or less.

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