JP-7854664-B2 - Washing machines and washing systems

JP7854664B2JP 7854664 B2JP7854664 B2JP 7854664B2JP-7854664-B2

Inventors

松尾優樹
柴山亜美
工藤慶之

Assignees

パナソニックＩＰマネジメント株式会社

Dates

Publication Date: 20260507
Application Date: 20230213

Claims (13)

A washing tub configured to accommodate laundry, A water supply device for supplying water to the washing tub, A treatment agent supply device that supplies a first treatment agent and a second treatment agent of a different type from the first treatment agent to the washing tub, A fabric quantity detection unit that detects the amount of laundry contained in the washing tub, It comprises a control unit and, The control unit, A first washing step involves supplying the first processing agent to the processing agent supply device, supplying water to the water supply device, and performing a washing operation with water containing the first processing agent. After the first washing step, the second washing step is performed, in which the second processing agent is supplied to the processing agent supply device, and the washing operation is performed with water containing at least a portion of the first processing agent supplied in the first washing step and the second processing agent . A washing machine that determines the second wash water level in the second washing step based on the amount of laundry detected by the fabric quantity detection unit, and determines the first wash water level in the first washing step based on the second wash water level and the type of the first treatment agent .
The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the first wash water level is lower than the second wash water level .
The system further comprises a circulation channel connected to the washing tub, with an inlet and an outlet, and a circulation pump provided in the circulation channel for circulating the water in the washing tub. The washing machine according to claim 2 , wherein the first wash water level is higher than the suction port of the circulation channel.
The system further comprises a circulation channel connected to the washing tub, with an inlet and an outlet, and a circulation pump provided in the circulation channel for circulating the water in the washing tub. The control unit controls the ON/OFF and rotation speed of the circulation pump. The washing machine according to claim 2 , wherein the rotation speed of the circulation pump in the first washing step is set based on the first wash water level and the ON time of the circulation pump.
The washing machine further comprises a drain valve configured to selectively drain the water in the washing tub, The washing machine according to claim 2 , wherein the control unit controls the opening and closing of the drain valve to maintain a closed state between the first washing step and the second washing step.
The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the first washing step comprises a supply step in which the treatment agent supplying device supplies a first treatment agent, which is started before the first washing water level is reached , and an additional supply step in which the treatment agent supplying device supplies an additional first treatment agent, which is started after the first washing water level is reached.
The washing machine according to claim 6 , wherein the first washing step comprises, after the additional supply step , a step in which the washing tub rotates.
The washing machine according to claim 6 , wherein the first washing step includes, together with the additional supply step , a step in which the water supply device supplies additional water.
The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the first washing step includes a step in which, after supplying the first treatment agent, the treatment agent supplying device supplies a third treatment agent of a different type from the first treatment agent to the washing tub.
The washing machine according to claim 9 , wherein the first washing step comprises the steps of the washing tub rotating after the supply of the first treatment agent, and the treatment agent supplying device supplying the third treatment agent after the rotation.
The device further includes an operating unit that allows setting the type of the first treatment agent, The washing machine according to claim 1 , wherein, when the type of the first treatment agent is set, the control unit reduces the mechanical force of the second washing step .
The system further comprises a circulation channel connected to the washing tub, with an inlet and an outlet, and a circulation pump provided in the circulation channel for circulating the water in the washing tub. The washing machine according to claim 11, wherein reducing the mechanical force in the second washing step includes at least one of shortening the rotation time of the washing tub, lowering the rotation speed of the washing tub, and lowering the rotation speed of the circulation pump .
A washing system comprising a washing machine and a processing device that communicates with the washing machine via a network, The aforementioned washing machine, A washing tub configured to accommodate laundry, A water supply device for supplying water to the washing tub, A treatment agent supply device that supplies a first treatment agent and a second treatment agent of a different type from the first treatment agent to the washing tub, A fabric quantity detection unit that detects the amount of laundry contained in the washing tub, A control unit that executes the washing course, It has a first communication unit that receives the operating conditions of the washing course via the network, The aforementioned processing apparatus is A processing unit that stores the operating conditions of the aforementioned washing course, It includes a second communication unit that transmits the operating conditions of the washing course via the network, The aforementioned washing course is A first washing step involves supplying the first processing agent to the processing agent supply device, supplying water to the water supply device, and performing a washing operation with water containing the first processing agent. A second washing step is performed after the first washing step, in which the second processing agent is supplied to the processing agent supply device, and the washing operation is performed with water containing at least a portion of the first processing agent supplied in the first washing step and the second processing agent. Includes, A laundry system in which, based on the amount of laundry detected by the fabric quantity detection unit, the second wash water level in the second washing step is determined, and based on the second wash water level and the type of the first treatment agent, the first wash water level in the first washing step is determined .

Description

This disclosure relates to washing machines and washing systems. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a washing machine that can perform optimal washing according to the level of soiling of the laundry and the water temperature of the wash water. The washing machine described in Patent Document 1 comprises a drum, an automatic detergent dispenser, and a dirt detection unit. The dirt detection unit's signal determines the level of soiling of the laundry. If this soiling level exceeds a predetermined value, additional detergent is dispensed, and the washing time is extended. Japanese Patent Publication No. 2018-122015 Schematic front view of the washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosureschematic cross-section of a washing machinePerspective view of the automatic dispensing unit and manual dispensing case.Schematic diagram of automatic feeding unit and manual feeding case.Flowchart for the first cycle of a washing machineFlowchart of the main washing processFlowchart of the pre-washing processDiagram illustrating the operation during the pre-washing process.Flowchart of the main washing processDiagram showing the operation in the pre-washing process according to Modification 1Flowchart of the first cycle of a washing machine according to variation 2Block diagram of the laundry system of Embodiment 2 according to this disclosure (Embodiment 1) The washing machine 1 according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure will be described. Figure 1 is a schematic front view of the washing machine 1 according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure. Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the washing machine 1. The washing machine 1 according to Embodiment 1 is a drum-type washing machine having a washing function. The washing machine 1 may also have a drying function. As shown in Figure 1, the washing machine 1 comprises a housing 2, an outer tub 3, a drum 4, a drive unit 5 (Figure 2), a water supply valve 10, a drain valve 11, a water level sensor 12, a circulation channel 13, a circulation pump 14, a fabric load detection unit 15 (Figure 2), a control unit 16, and an operation unit 17. The washing machine 1 further comprises an automatic dispensing unit 6, a manual dispensing case 7, and a connecting channel 8, which supply the treatment agent to the outer tub 3. The treatment agent is used when processing clothes, towels, sheets, etc., in the washing machine 1. In Embodiment 1, the treatment agent is in liquid form. However, the treatment agent is not limited to liquid form; it may also be a solid treatment agent such as a tablet. The casing 2 is a component that forms the exterior of the washing machine 1. As shown in Figure 2, the front of the casing 2 is provided with an opening 20 and a door 21 that can be opened and closed to cover the opening 20. The outer tub 3 is a roughly cylindrical member located inside the housing 2, with the function of holding washing water. The outer tub 3 may also be referred to as a water tank or tub. The outer tub 3 is positioned at an opening 31 facing the opening 20 of the housing 2, and the edge of the opening 31 is connected to the opening 20 by a bellows 32. The central axis V0 is defined as the axis passing through the center of the bottom of the outer tub 3. The outer tub 3 is positioned at an inclination such that the central axis V0 is at an angle to the horizontal. The drum 4 is a roughly cylindrical member rotatably mounted inside the outer tub 3 around a central axis V0 and capable of holding laundry. The drum 4 may also be referred to as a washing tub, inner tub, or storage tub. The drum 4 has numerous through-holes 40, which connect the drum 4 to the outer tub 3. The drum 4 has openings 41 facing the opening 20 of the housing 2 and the opening 31 of the outer tub 3. When the user opens the door 21, they can place laundry into the drum 4 through the openings 20, 31, and 41. The drive unit 5 is a component that rotates the drum 4 around its central axis V0. The drive unit 5, for example, includes a motor that rotates the drum 4. The automatic dispensing unit 6 is a device that automatically dispenses a predetermined amount of treatment agent from a tank storing multiple doses of the treatment agent into the outer tank 3. The predetermined amount of treatment agent in the automatic dispensing unit 6 is, for example, an appropriate amount of the appropriate type of treatment agent determined by the control unit 16 based on the water supply amount or user input. The treatment agent supplied from the tank of the automatic dispensing unit 6 to the outer tub 3 includes the main detergent (second treatment agent) and an auxiliary agent (first treatment agent). The main detergent is a treatment agent for removing ordinary dirt and is supplied to the outer tub 3 during the main washing process. The main detergent is a treatment agent that removes dirt through actions such as penetration, wetting, emulsification, solubilization, and dispersion. In Embodiment