阅读说明：本技术 洗衣机 (Washing machine ) 是由 胁田克也 池水麦平 于 2019-03-19 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明的洗衣机包括：滚筒(3),其设置在水槽(2)内；电动机(7),其驱动滚筒(3)；供水阀(9),其用于向水槽(2)内供给洗涤水；排水阀(13),其用于排出洗涤水；加热器(19),其对水槽(2)内的水进行加热；以及控制部(22),其控制洗涤运转。控制部(22)控制对水槽(2)和滚筒(3)进行清洗的槽清洗运转,槽清洗运转执行以下步骤：除菌步骤,利用加热器(19)对水槽(2)内的水进行加热,利用所产生的蒸汽对水槽(2)内进行除菌；清洗步骤,在除菌步骤之后对水槽(2)内进行清洗；以及排水步骤,排出水槽(2)内的水。由此,防止在下一次洗涤时因细菌、霉菌附着于衣物而产生污垢、异味。(The washing machine of the present invention comprises: a drum (3) disposed in the water tank (2); a motor (7) that drives the drum (3); a water supply valve (9) for supplying washing water into the water tank (2); a drain valve (13) for discharging the washing water; a heater (19) that heats water in the water tank (2); and a control unit (22) for controlling the washing operation. The control unit (22) controls a tank cleaning operation for cleaning the water tank (2) and the drum (3), and the tank cleaning operation executes the following steps: a sterilization step of heating the water in the water tank (2) by a heater (19) and sterilizing the water tank (2) by the generated steam; a cleaning step of cleaning the inside of the water tank (2) after the sterilization step; and a water discharge step of discharging water in the water tank (2). This prevents the next washing from causing dirt and odor due to adhesion of bacteria and mold to the clothes.)

1. A washing machine is provided with:

a washing tank rotatably provided in the water tank;

a motor for rotationally driving the washing tub;

a water supply unit for supplying washing water into the water tank;

a drain part for draining the washing water in the water tank;

a heating unit that heats the water stored in the water tank; and

a control part for controlling the washing operation and the tank cleaning operation,

wherein the control unit executes the following steps in the tank cleaning operation: a sterilization step of heating the water stored in the water tank by the heating unit and sterilizing the water tank by the generated steam; a cleaning step of cleaning the inside of the water tank after the sterilization step; and a water discharge step of discharging the water in the water tank.

2. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1,

the control unit controls the heating unit based on an output of a temperature detection unit for detecting the temperature of the water tank in the sterilization step, and heats the upper portion of the water tank to a predetermined temperature.

3. A washing machine according to claim 2,

the control unit maintains the predetermined temperature for a predetermined time.

4. A washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

the controller agitates the heated water stored in the water tank by the rotational driving of the washing tank in the sterilization step.

5. A washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

the washing machine further has:

a circulating water passage provided to guide the water in the water tank from a bottom of the water tank into the washing tank; and

a pump for circulating the water in the water tank through the circulating water passage,

the control unit drives the pump during the tank cleaning operation to circulate the water in the water tank through the circulation water passage.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a washing machine for washing laundry and the like.

Background

In general, a washing machine deposits detergent residue and dirt on an inner surface of a water tub and an outer surface of a washing tub due to long-term use. Thus, bacteria and mold propagate detergent residues and dirt as a nutrient source and in living places. Therefore, after washing, a part of unpleasant odor and dirt from the inside of the washing machine and the laundry may adhere to the washed laundry.

In recent years, there is a washing machine provided with a spraying function of spraying washing water to laundry to be washed in order to improve washing performance. The washing machine having this structure is provided with a circulating water passage for circulating the washing water in the water tank into the washing tank. However, since maintenance of the inside of the circulating water passage is difficult, fouling substances accumulate in the circulating water passage. Therefore, bacteria and mold may propagate as a living place and generate unpleasant odor. In addition, adhesion of bacteria/mold to laundry after washing, adhesion of metabolites of bacteria/mold, and adhesion of biofilm to laundry after washing may occur. As a result, the laundry may be soiled despite the washing.

In order to solve the above problem, the following washing machine has been proposed (for example, see patent document 1).

The washing machine described in patent document 1 first performs a tank cleaning step using a tank cleaning detergent or the like to clean the washing tank.

Subsequently, after the tank cleaning step, a sterilization step is performed. Specifically, the air in the washing tub is heated by the heating unit. Then, the air heated by the heating is sent into the washing tank through the air blowing part so that the temperature in the washing tank is high.

Then, in a state where the temperature in the washing tank is raised, a small amount of water is further supplied into the heating unit or the washing tank, and the inside of the washing tank is brought into a high-temperature and high-humidity environment. In this way, a method of sterilizing the inside of the washing tub has been proposed.

However, in the structure of the washing machine of patent document 1, the sterilization step is performed after the tank cleaning step is performed using a tank cleaning agent or the like. Therefore, the dirt such as bacteria and mold which is eliminated in the sterilizing step is retained on the wall surface of the washing tub. Then, in the next washing, a biofilm formed by the survival of bacteria and mold, the bacteria and mold that have been destroyed are peeled off from the wall surface of the washing tank. Thus, biofilm, bacteria, mold, and the like, which are attached again to laundry, may be a source of dirt and odor after washing.

In addition, in the tank cleaning step using the tank cleaning agent or the like, it is necessary to prepare a dedicated tank cleaning agent separately from the cleaning detergent. Further, since the time required for cleaning the tank is generally several hours, it is difficult to remove the bacteria/mold group in a state where the biofilm is formed and is growing. In this case, even when the tank cleaning agent contains a sterilizing component such as a bleaching agent, only partial sterilization can be performed.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention provides a washing machine capable of inhibiting dirt and peculiar smell generated by bacteria, mold and the like attached to clothes during washing.

The washing machine of the present invention comprises: a washing tank rotatably provided in the water tank; a motor for rotationally driving the washing tub; a water supply unit for supplying washing water into the water tank; a drain part for draining the washing water in the water tank; a heating unit that heats water stored in the water tank; and a control part for controlling the washing operation and the tank cleaning operation. The control unit is configured to execute the following steps in the tank cleaning operation: a sterilization step of heating the water stored in the water tank by the heating unit and sterilizing the water tank by the generated steam; a cleaning step of cleaning the inside of the water tank after the sterilization step; and a water discharge step of discharging water in the water tank.

According to this configuration, the temperature and humidity in the water tank can be increased by the steam generated in the water tank during the tank cleaning operation. Thus, bacteria and mold living on the surfaces of the water tank and the washing tank can be eliminated by using heat and moisture of a certain level or more. Then, the killed bacteria, mold, biofilm, etc. are washed and discharged to the outside of the machine. This can prevent bacteria, mold, biofilm, and the like from being detached from the water tank or the washing tank at the next washing. As a result, it is possible to suppress adhesion of bacteria, mold, biofilm, and the like to the laundry, and to wash the laundry into a clean state.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a washing machine according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram of the structure of the washing machine.

Fig. 3 is a time chart showing an operation in the tub cleaning operation of the washing machine.

Fig. 4 is a graph showing a relationship between the temperature of the washing machine and the sterilization effect.

Fig. 5 is a time chart showing operations of another example in the tank washing operation of the washing machine.

Fig. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of a washing machine according to embodiment 2 of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiment.

(embodiment mode 1)

Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a washing machine according to embodiment 1 of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a block diagram of the structure of the washing machine. Fig. 3 is a time chart showing an operation in the tub cleaning operation of the washing machine. Fig. 4 is a graph showing a relationship between the temperature of the washing machine and the sterilization effect.

The washing machine according to embodiment 1 is a so-called drum-type washing machine in which a rotary shaft 3a of a drum 3 serving as a washing tub 3 is arranged in a horizontal direction (including an inclination).

As shown in fig. 1, the washing machine according to embodiment 1 includes a casing 1, a water tank 2 elastically supported in the casing 1, and the like. Water tub 2 includes a drum 3 provided rotatably as a washing tub 3 and having a closed bottom. The rotary shaft 3a of the drum 3 is disposed at an angle θ (for example, 10 degrees) inclined forward and upward (upward left direction in the drawing).

Hereinafter, the door 25 side, the motor 7 side, the detergent box 10 side, and the drain path 12 side will be described as front, rear, upper, and lower sides, respectively.

The drum 3 is provided with a plurality of protrusions 4 protruding inward toward the rotation center of the drum 3 and a plurality of small holes 5 communicating with the inside of the water tank 2 on the inner circumferential side surface. The drum 3 further includes an opening portion 6 provided on the front surface side. A user can insert laundry (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "laundry") such as laundry into drum 3 and take the laundry out of drum 3 through opening 6.

The water tub 2 includes a motor 7, and the motor 7 is attached to a rear surface and rotationally drives the drum 3. The motor 7 is, for example, a brushless dc motor that performs inverter control. The motor 7 is driven to a freely variable rotation speed by frequency conversion control.

A water supply pipe 8 for supplying washing water into the water tub 2 is connected to a faucet (not shown) of a tap water pipe, for example, and is provided with a water supply valve 9 as a water supply unit. The water supply pipe 8 is connected to a detergent box 10 for feeding detergent. The detergent box 10 is connected to the water tank 2 through a water supply passage 11. Thereby, the washing water flows from the water supply pipe 8 through the detergent box 10 and the water supply passage 11 and is supplied into the water tub 2. In addition, the washing water includes not only water in which detergent is dissolved but also water in a simple sense.

The washing water supplied into the tub 2 is discharged to the outside of the washing machine through the drainage path 12.

The drain path 12 includes a drain valve 13 as a drain unit and a drain filter 14. That is, when the drain valve 13 is opened, the washing water is discharged from the drain port 15 provided at the bottom of the tub 2 to the outside of the washing machine through the drain filter 14 and the drain valve 13. The drain filter 14 is provided at a position where the washing water circulates during the washing for trapping, for example, buttons or the like detached from the object to be washed. The drain filter 14 is configured to be detachable from the front surface side of the housing 1.

Circulating water passage 16 is disposed to guide the washing water in water tub 2 from water discharge port 15 of water tub 2 to opening 6 side of drum 3 located at the front portion in water tub 2. The circulating water passage 16 includes a pump 17 for circulating the washing water and a discharge port 18. The pump 17 is provided at the bottom in the casing 1 and is disposed downstream of the drain filter 14. The washing water in water tub 2 is discharged from discharge port 18 into drum 3 by driving of pump 17.

The heater 19 constitutes a heating portion that heats the water accumulated in the water tank 2, and is disposed at the bottom in the water tank 2. When a predetermined amount of water is accumulated in the water tank 2, the heater 19 is disposed at a position submerged in the water.

The water amount detector 20 detects the amount of the washing water supplied into the water tub 2. The temperature detection unit 21 is disposed near the front surface of the upper part of the water tank 2, and detects the temperature near the upper part of the water tank 2. The temperature detection unit 21 is formed of, for example, a thermistor.

The cloth amount detecting unit 23 detects the amount of the object to be cleaned put into the drum 3. The rotation detecting unit 24 detects a driving amount of the drum 3 such as a rotation speed.

The control unit 22 is disposed in the casing 1, and controls various components based on input information to perform a washing operation, a tub cleaning operation, and the like.

Specifically, as shown in fig. 2, the control unit 22 receives information such as the amount of the object to be washed detected by the cloth amount detection unit 23, the amount of the washing water detected by the water amount detection unit 20, the temperature in the water tank 2 detected by the temperature detection unit 21, and the driving amount (e.g., the number of revolutions) of the drum 3 detected by the revolution detection unit 24.

Then, the control unit 22 controls the motor 7, the water supply valve 9, the drain valve 13, the pump 17, the heater 19, and the like based on these input information, and sequentially controls the washing step, the rinsing step, the spin-drying step, and the like to perform the washing operation.

The controller 22 also performs a tank cleaning operation, which will be described later, to clean the water tank 2, the drum 3, the circulating water passage 16, and the like.

When the washing machine is used, the user first opens the door 25 openably and closably provided on the front surface of the casing 1. This enables the objects to be washed to be taken out and put in from the opening 6 of the drum 3 provided on the front surface side of the drum 3.

Further, the operation display portion 26 is provided at an upper portion of the front surface side of the housing 1. The user inputs settings for operating the washing machine via the operation display unit 26. The setting input by the operation display unit 26 is output to the control unit 22. Thus, the control unit 22 executes the washing operation, the tank cleaning operation, and the like based on the inputted setting contents. The operation display unit 26 obtains and displays the setting contents and the operating conditions of the washing machine from the control unit 22. This enables the user to grasp the setting contents, the operating conditions, and the like, and to correct the setting contents as needed.