JP2024082333A - washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a washing machine capable of suppressing tangling of cloth without impairing washing performance.
[Solution] The washing machine includes a housing, an outer tub supported within the housing, a washing/spin-drying tub rotatably supported within the outer tub and containing laundry, a rotor rotatably supported at the bottom of the washing/spin-drying tub, a water supply unit that supplies water into the outer tub, and a control device that controls the water supply unit. During washing operation 200, the control device supplies water to a second water level using the water supply unit (step S006) before a fabric untangling process (step S007) that untangles tangled fabric in the laundry.
[Selected figure] Figure 4

Description

The present invention relates to a washing machine.

Various methods have been proposed for preventing fabric tangling in vertical washing machines. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a loosening process in which the agitator (pulsator) rotates forward and reverse at a shorter cycle than the reversal cycle during the washing cycle, and at a higher rotation speed. Patent Document 2 describes changing the number of times fabric is loosened depending on the amount of laundry.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-242693 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-182082

However, the washing machines described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 both perform the detangling operation by controlling the rotation of the pulsator, so if control is performed to prevent fabric tangling, the rotation of the pulsator must be weakened, which impairs cleaning performance. Conversely, if the rotation of the pulsator is increased to improve cleaning performance, it becomes difficult to prevent fabric tangling.

The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems of the conventional washing machine and provide a washing machine that can reduce tangling of fabrics without compromising the washing performance.

The present invention comprises a housing, an outer tub supported within the housing, a washing and spin-drying tub rotatably supported within the outer tub and containing laundry, a rotor rotatably supported at the bottom of the washing and spin-drying tub, a water supply unit that supplies water to the outer tub, and a control unit that controls the water supply unit, and the control unit is characterized in that during the washing operation, water is supplied by the water supply unit after the washing step and before the fabric untangling step that untangles the tangled fabric of the laundry.

The present invention provides a washing machine that can reduce fabric tangling without compromising cleaning performance.

1 is an external perspective view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; 1 is a diagram showing an internal structure of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control device of the washing machine according to the embodiment. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the washing machine according to the present embodiment.

Hereinafter, the embodiment of the present invention (referred to as the "present embodiment") will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a washing machine according to the present embodiment.
As shown in Fig. 1, the washing machine 1 is a vertical washing and drying machine in which the axis of rotation of the washing and spin-drying tub 8 (see Fig. 2) is substantially vertical. The washing machine 1 is configured to include a housing 2, a top cover 2a, an outer lid 3, a water supply hose connection port 4, a water suction hose connection port 5, a power switch 6, and an operation panel 7.

A top cover 2a is provided on the top of the housing 2 of the washing machine 1. An outer lid 3 is provided on the top cover 2a. The outer lid 3 opens backwards while bending in a mountain shape to open an opening 2b (see FIG. 2), allowing clothes (laundry) to be put in and taken out of the washing and spin-drying tub 8. A hose (not shown) connected to a water faucet is connected to the water supply hose connection port 4. A hose (not shown) is connected to the water suction hose connection port 5 when washing laundry using leftover bath water.

The operation panel 7 is configured with a group of operation switches 7a and a display 7b. The operation panel 7 is provided on the front side of the upper part of the housing 2. The operation panel 7 is also electrically connected to the control device (control unit) 100 (see FIG. 2).

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the internal structure of the washing machine according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 2, the washing machine 1 includes a washing/spinning tub 8, an outer tub 9, a drive device 10, a detergent/finishing agent dispenser 11, and a water supply unit 12.

The washing and spin-drying tub 8 is cylindrical with a bottom. The washing and spin-drying tub 8 is open at the top, and has a number of through holes 8b in its outer wall. The washing and spin-drying tub 8 is rotatably supported by the outer tub 9.

The outer tub 9 is supported within the housing 2 and stores wash water. The outer tub 9 has a disk-shaped bottom wall portion 9d and a cylindrical peripheral wall portion 9e. The outer tub 9 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom, and contains the washing and spin-drying tub 8 coaxially. The outer tub 9 is open at the top, and a tub cover 9b is provided above the outer tub 9. An opening 2b is provided in the top cover 2a provided above the outer tub 9. The tub cover 9b is provided with an opening 9f and an inner lid 9a that covers the opening 9f. By opening the outer lid 3 and inner lid 9a of the washing machine 1, the user can put clothes in and take them out of the washing and spin-drying tub 8 through the openings 2b and 9f.

The washing and spin-drying tub 8 is rotatably supported within the outer tub 9 and contains the laundry. A rotor 8a (also called a pulsator) is provided on the inside bottom surface of the washing and spin-drying tub 8. The rotor 8a is rotatably supported within the washing and spin-drying tub 8 and agitates the laundry. An upwardly protruding agitation rib is formed on the top surface of the rotor 8a. A drive unit 10 is provided on the center of the outside (lower) of the bottom surface of the outer tub 9.

The drive unit 10 drives the rotor 8a to rotate. The drive unit 10 is composed of a motor 10a, a clutch mechanism 10b, and a rotor shaft 10c. The rotor shaft 10c of the drive unit 10 passes through the outer tub 9 and is connected to the washing and spin-drying tub 8 and the rotor 8a. In the spin-drying mode, the clutch mechanism 10b transmits the rotational power of the motor 10a to the washing and spin-drying tub 8 and the rotor 8a. In the agitation mode, the clutch mechanism 10b fixes the washing and spin-drying tub 8 or allows it to rotate freely, and transmits the rotational power of the motor 10a to the rotor 8a.

The motor 10a is configured with a rotation sensor 28 and a motor current sensor 29. The rotation sensor 28 is configured with a Hall element (not shown) that detects the rotation of the motor 10a, or a photointerrupter (not shown), etc. The motor current sensor 29 detects the current flowing through the motor 10a.

The detergent and finishing agent dispenser 11 dispenses detergent and finishing agents into the washing and spin-drying tub 8. The detergent and finishing agent dispenser 11 is provided in front of the top cover 2a. The detergent and finishing agents are dispensed through the dispenser hose 11a into the space between the washing and spin-drying tub 8 and the outer tub 9.

The water supply unit 12 supplies water into the outer tub 9. The water supply unit 12 is provided on the rear side of the top cover 2a. The water supply unit 12 is composed of a water supply box (not shown) having multiple water channels inside, an in-tub water supply solenoid valve (not shown) connected to each water channel, a detergent water supply solenoid valve (not shown), a finishing agent water supply solenoid valve (not shown), and a cooling water supply solenoid valve (not shown). The water supply unit 12 supplies tap water from the water supply hose connection port 4 to the washing and spin tub 8, the detergent and finishing agent dispenser 11, and the water-cooled dehumidification mechanism (not shown).

A bath water suction pump (not shown) is connected to the suction hose connection port 5 (see Figure 1), and bath water is injected into the washing and spin-drying tub 8 via the water injection hose 11b. Tap water from the in-tub water supply solenoid valve passes through the water injection hose 11b and is supplied into the washing and spin-drying tub 8. Tap water from the detergent water supply solenoid valve passes through the water supply hose 12i and is supplied to the detergent injection chamber of the detergent and finishing agent injection device 11. Tap water from the finishing agent water supply solenoid valve passes through the water supply hose 12j and is supplied to the finishing agent injection chamber of the detergent and finishing agent injection device 11.

The washing machine 1 is also configured to include a drop section 9c, a lower connecting pipe 13, a drain valve 14, a washing water drain channel 15, a foreign object removal device 16, a circulation pump 17, a washing water circulation channel 18, a lint removal device 19, a drying duct 20, a fan 21, a heater 22, an air duct 23, a bellows tube 23a, and an outlet nozzle 24. Note that, although the present embodiment will be described using a configuration including the circulation pump 17 and the washing water circulation channel 18 as an example, the washing machine may not include such a configuration.

The drop portion 9c is provided on the bottom surface of the outer tub 9. The drop portion 9c is connected to the lower connecting pipe 13. The lower connecting pipe 13 is connected to the wash water drain channel 15 via the drain valve 14. The lower connecting pipe 13 stores wash water and rinse water in the outer tub 9 by closing the drain valve 14. In addition, the lower connecting pipe 13 drains the water in the outer tub 9 to the outside of the washing machine 1 via the wash water drain channel 15 by opening the drain valve 14.

The lower connecting pipe 13 is connected to a washing water circulation channel 18 via a foreign object removal device 16 and a circulation pump 17 installed at the bottom of the housing 2. The washing water circulation channel 18 is connected to a lint removal device 19 installed above the washing and spin-drying tub 8.

When the circulation pump 17 is driven, the water in the outer tub 9 flows into the foreign matter removal device 16 via the drop 9c and the lower connecting pipe 13, and the water flows into the suction port of the circulation pump 17 while removing foreign matter. The water discharged from the outlet of the circulation pump 17 flows into the lint removal device 19 via the washing water circulation waterway 18, and the lint is removed. The water from which the lint has been removed (circulated water) is sprayed from the lint removal device 19 into the washing and spin tub 8 (see the arrow in Figure 2).

The drying duct 20 is installed vertically on the inside of the rear of the housing 2. The lower part of the drying duct 20 is connected to the drop 9c of the outer tub 9 and a rubber bellows tube 20a. A water-cooled dehumidification mechanism is built into the drying duct 20, and cooling water is supplied to the water-cooled dehumidification mechanism from the cooling water supply solenoid valve of the water supply unit 12. The cooling water flows down the wall of the drying duct 20 and enters the drop 9c. The cooling water passes through the lower connecting pipe 13 and the wash water drain 15 and is discharged outside the machine.

The outlet of the drying duct 20 is connected to the intake of the fan 21. The outlet of the fan 21 is connected to the heater 22. The outlet of the heater 22 is connected to the blowing nozzle 24 via the air supply duct 23 and the rubber bellows tube 23a. In the drying process, the drying duct 20 water-cools and dehumidifies the hot and humid air containing moisture evaporated from the clothes in the outer tub 9. The fan 21 sucks in the dehumidified air from the intake of the fan 21 and discharges it from the outlet of the fan 21. The heater 22 heats the dehumidified air. The heater 22 is provided at the top of the housing 2 and blows high-temperature, low-humidity air from the blowing nozzle 24 toward the inside of the washing and spin-drying tub 8. In this way, the heater 22 generates high-temperature, low-humidity dry air and blows the dry air toward the inside of the washing and spin-drying tub 8. As a result, the heater 22 can dry the laundry stored in the washing and spin-drying tub 8.

The washing machine 1 also includes a water level sensor 25 that detects the level of the wash water stored in the outer tub 9. The water level sensor 25 has an air pressure chamber 25a at the bottom of the rear end face of the outer tub 9, and detects the water level in the outer tub 9 by connecting the air pressure chamber 25a to a sensor unit via a tube 25b. The signal detected by the water level sensor 25 is output to the control device 100.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control device of the washing machine 1 according to this embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 3, the control device 100 includes a microcomputer 50 and controls the water supply unit 12, the drain valve 14, the motor 10a, the clutch mechanism 10b, the fan 21, the heater 22, and the circulation pump 17 via a drive circuit 54.

The control device 100 is also connected to a power supply circuit 63. When the power switch 6 is turned on, the power supply circuit 63 converts the power supply voltage, for example, 100V AC input from a commercial power supply 61 via a transformer 62, into a drive voltage Vcc (for example, 5V) for the control device 100, and supplies it to the microcomputer 50, the light-emitting diode 52, the buzzer 53, etc. Note that Vss indicates the ground voltage.

The microcomputer 50 is connected to the operation button input circuit 51, the water level sensor 25, the rotation sensor 28, and the motor current sensor 29. The operation button input circuit 51 is connected to the operation switch group 7a. The microcomputer 50 receives various information signals for the washing and drying operations by the user's button operation.

The microcomputer 50 is configured with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown), a RAM (Random Access Memory) (not shown), a ROM (Read Only Memory) (not shown), and a storage unit (not shown). The CPU realizes various functions by reading and executing various programs stored in the ROM. The ROM stores a control program that controls the washing machine 1. The RAM is realized, for example, by a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), and functions as a working memory that temporarily stores data necessary for the CPU to execute the control program.

With this configuration, the control device 100 according to this embodiment controls two courses: a washing course and a washing and drying course. The washing course performs washing (washing process), rinsing (rinsing process), and spin-drying (spin-drying process) on the laundry. In other words, the washing course executes from the washing process to the spin-drying process.

During the washing operation, the control device 100 supplies water using the water supply unit 12 after the washing step and before the fabric disentangling step in which the tangled fabric of the laundry is untangled (disentangled) (water is supplied between the washing step and the fabric disentangling step). The control device 100 also sets a first water level that is set by the washing step in the washing step, and a second water level that is set by the fabric disentangling step in the washing step. This second water level is set higher than the first water level.

Figure 4 is a flow chart showing the operation of the washing machine according to this embodiment. The control device 100 starts up when the power switch 6 is pressed, and the microcomputer 50 reads out the control program for the washing and drying course from the ROM and executes it.

As shown in FIG. 4, in step S001, the control device 100 initializes the configuration related to control and processing, and then initializes the clutch mechanism 10b. Specifically, the control device 100 controls the clutch mechanism 10b so that it is in the stirring mode.

In step S002, the control device 100 turns on the display 7b of the operation panel 7 and sets the washing/drying course according to the instruction input from the operation switch group 7a. In this embodiment, the operation control when the standard mode of the washing/drying course is selected will be described. The control device 100 starts washing when the start switch is pressed.

In step S003, the control device 100 detects the amount of laundry (load). In this laundry amount detection, the control device 100 energizes the motor 10a for a short time in the dry laundry state before water is supplied, and rotates the rotor 8a. The control device 100 detects the amount of laundry based on the rotational load acting on the rotor 8a. The control device 100 calculates and determines the amount of wash water (first water level) and the amount of detergent based on the detected amount of laundry, and displays this amount of detergent on the display 7b. Note that the control device 100 calculates the amount of detergent to generate wash water with an ideal detergent concentration.

In step S004, the control device 100 opens the detergent water supply solenoid valve of the water supply unit 12, and supplies the detergent placed in the detergent input chamber of the detergent/finishing agent input device 11 along the outer tub 9 via the input hose 11a. The control device 100 opens the detergent water supply solenoid valve until the amount of water (first water level) required for the washing process (washing) is reached, and supplies water into the outer tub 9 (washing and spin-drying tub 8). This first water level is set to a water level corresponding to the amount of laundry (load) or a water level lower than the water level corresponding to the amount of laundry (load). Note that a water level lower than the water level corresponding to the amount of laundry would be a water level in which the entire laundry is immersed in the detergent liquid in the conventional case, but in this embodiment, the water level is a water level in which only a part of the laundry is immersed in the detergent liquid, and the entire laundry is impregnated with the detergent liquid by rotating the rotor 8a to agitate the laundry. By setting the water level lower than the water level corresponding to the amount of laundry in this way, the detergent concentration can be increased more than before, and the washing performance can be improved.

If the user forgets to open the water tap and it remains closed, the washing machine 1 cannot supply water and cannot move on to the next step. Therefore, if the water volume is not reached even after a preset specified time has elapsed, the user is notified of an abnormality in the water supply operation and operation is temporarily stopped.

In step S005, the control device 100 energizes the motor 10a, drives the rotor 8a to rotate, and performs washing (washing process). At this time, the control device 100 controls the motor 10a so that the rotor 8a rotates forward and backward. Specifically, the control device 100 repeats right rotation - stop - left rotation - stop. In this case, the time during which the rotor 8a rotates (on) is called the on time limit, and the time during which the rotor 8a is stopped (off) is called the off time limit.

That is, the on-time limit can be said to be the time for rotating the rotor 8a (rotation time) or the time for driving the rotor 8a (driving time). The time during the on-time limit is preset according to the amount of laundry and the washing and drying mode. Similarly, the rotation speed of the rotor 8a during the on-time limit is preset according to the amount of laundry and the washing and drying mode. Therefore, the control device 100 can agitate the clothes by rotating the rotor 8a forward and backward, and apply mechanical force to the clothes to remove dirt attached to the clothes. Then, the control device 100 performs washing for a predetermined time. Note that in the washing process of step S005, the detergent liquid may soak into the clothes and cause the water level to drop, so in that case, the water supply solenoid valve in the tank of the water supply unit 12 is opened to supply additional water.

In step S006, the control device 100 opens the in-tub water supply solenoid valve and supplies water into the washing and spin-drying tub 8 (inside the outer tub 9) through the water supply hose 11b. The control device 100 opens the in-tub water supply solenoid valve and supplies water into the outer tub 9 (inside the washing and spin-drying tub 8) until the amount of water (second water level) required to untangle the fabric is reached. This second water level is set to a water level higher than the first water level in step S004. The second water level is a water level that makes it easier to untangle the fabric, and is a water level that floats the clothes in the detergent solution (washing water) and reduces the adhesion between the clothes. This makes it easier to untangle the clothes that have become tangled during the washing process.

In step S007, the control device 100 executes the clothes untangling process. The control device 100 drives the motor 10a to rotate with an on time limit and an off time limit for untangling the clothes (tangled fabric). When comparing the on time limit at the second water level in the untangling fabric process in step S007 with the on time limit at the first water level in the washing process in step S005, the control device 100 sets the on time limit at the second water level to be shorter (e.g., equal to or shorter). This causes the clothes that have become tangled in the washing process to be untangled.

Here, washing operation 200 refers to the water supply process (first water level) in step S004, the washing process in step S005, the water supply process (second water level) in step S006, and the fabric untangling process in step S007.

In step S008, the control device 100 executes drainage. The control device 100 opens the drain valve 14 and drains the wash water from the outer tub 9.

In step S009, the control device 100 executes a first high-speed spin-dry (spin-dry process). The control device 100 sets the clutch mechanism 10b to spin-dry mode, energizes the motor 10a, and rotates the washing/spin-drying tub 8 and the rotor 8a together at high speed. Due to the centrifugal force caused by the high-speed rotation, water containing detergent contained in the laundry is discharged from the through-hole 8b provided in the washing/spin-drying tub 8 into the outer tub 9, passes through the washing water drainage channel 15, and is drained outside the washing machine 1. In the first high-speed spin-dry, the control device 100 gradually increases the rotation speed of the motor 10a.

As a result, the control device 100 drains a large amount of water containing detergent from the laundry at the beginning of the spin cycle. In this case, the control device 100 can prevent detergent from accumulating in the outer tub 9 due to the spin cycle exceeding the drainage speed in the spin cycle mode, and can prevent the detergent from foaming due to the rotation of the washing and spin cycle tub 8. After the water contained in the laundry has been sufficiently spin-dried (spin cycle rate is approximately 55-60%), the laundry is stuck to and pressed against the inner wall surface of the washing and spin cycle tub 8.

In addition, in this embodiment, after the washing process in step S005 and before the fabric untangling process in step S007, water is supplied to the second water level, so that the balance of the tub during the first high-speed spin-dry (spin-dry process) can be stabilized, and clothes can be prevented from becoming unevenly distributed, spin-drying not starting, or abnormal vibrations occurring even if spin-drying starts.

In step S010, the control device 100 does not stop the high-speed rotation of the washing and spin-drying tub 8 during the first high-speed spin-drying, but instead decelerates the rotation speed to about 35 rpm, opens the in-tub water supply solenoid valve, and executes a spin shower for a specified time to spray rinsing water onto the laundry in the washing and spin-drying tub 8.

It is generally said that the higher the rotation speed of the washing and spin-drying tub 8 during the spin shower process, the greater the rinsing effect. However, when the rotor 8a is rotated at high speed during an actual spin shower process, the sprayed water is repelled by uneven surfaces on the laundry or travels along only parts of the laundry before being dehydrated, making it difficult for the rinsing water to penetrate into the laundry and achieving a sufficient rinsing effect.

Therefore, in order to efficiently soak the clothes in the wash with rinse water, it is desirable for the control device 100 to set the rotation speed of the washing and spin-drying tub 8 to a low rotation speed (e.g., 35 to 130 rpm) at which primary resonance does not occur. At this rotation speed, even if the laundry is unevenly distributed inside the washing and spin-drying tub 8, the washing and spin-drying tub 8 will not vibrate significantly, and the vibration will not be so great that a process to interrupt spin-drying will not be executed. The control device 100 runs the rotating shower for a predetermined time.

In step S011, the control device 100 executes a second high-speed spin-dry. The control device 100 increases the rotation speed of the rotor 8a without stopping the washing and spin-drying tub 8 from the state of step S010, and spins the laundry at high speed to remove water. After a specified time has elapsed, the control device 100 stops the supply of electricity to the motor 10a, and stops the rotation of the washing and spin-drying tub 8.

In step S012, the control device 100 closes the drain valve 14 and opens the in-tub water supply solenoid valve to supply the rinsing water required for rinsing to the outer tub 9 and the washing and spin-drying tub 8. Here, the control device 100 supplies water to the outer tub 9 up to a predetermined water level.

In step S013, the control device 100 sets the clutch mechanism 10b to the agitation mode, energizes the motor 10a, and rotates the rotor 8a forward and backward to perform a pool rinse, which agitates the laundry. In this case, the solenoid valve for supplying the finishing agent is opened, water is supplied to the detergent/finishing agent dispenser 11, and the finishing agent that was put into the finishing agent chamber of the detergent/finishing agent dispenser 11 is put into the washing/spin tub 8 together with the water. The control device 100 executes the pool rinse for a specified time. Therefore, in the rinsing process, the control device 100 drives the motor 10a to rotate for an on-time limit based on the laundry amount detection result detected in step S003.

In step S014, the control device 100 executes drainage. The control device 100 opens the drainage valve 14 and drains the rinse water from the outer tub 9. Note that in the drainage operation, the control device 100 may move to the final spin-dry in step S015 with a certain amount of rinse water remaining in order to stabilize start-up during spin-drying.

In step S015, the control device 100 sets the clutch mechanism 10b to spin mode, energizes the motor 10a, and performs a final spin. The control device 100 rotates the washing/spinning tub 8 at high speed to spin off the water contained in the laundry. The control device 100 stops the rotation of the washing/spinning tub 8 after a specified time has elapsed.

In step S016, the control device 100 executes drying. The control device 100 energizes the fan 21 and the heater 22 to supply high-temperature, low-humidity dry air to the washing and spin-drying tub 8. Specifically, the heater 22 is provided at the top of the housing 2, generates high-temperature, low-humidity dry air, and blows the dry air toward the inside of the washing and spin-drying tub 8. At this time, the control device 100 alternately drives the rotation of the rotor 8a and the rotation of the washing and spin-drying tub 8 to rotate the laundry so that it is replaced.

In order to improve the washing performance, it is desirable to rotate the rotor 8a (pulsator) strongly to apply strong mechanical force to the laundry, but doing so can cause fabric tangling. Conversely, if the rotation of the rotor 8a (pulsator) is weakened to suppress fabric tangling, the washing performance will decrease. In addition, as a means for improving the washing performance, it is desirable to wash with a relatively low water level and a high detergent concentration, as well as to increase the mechanical force. Conversely, in order to suppress fabric tangling, it is desirable to wash with a relatively high water level. In addition, after the washing process (step S005), the machine moves to the spin-drying process (the first high-speed spin-drying in step S009). If fabric tangling remains in this spin-drying process, the balance during spin-drying will be poor, clothes will be shifted to one side, spin-drying will not start, or abnormal vibrations will occur even if it starts. Therefore, until now, the washing process and the process for eliminating fabric tangling have been performed at a water level that provides a good balance between washing performance and performance to suppress fabric tangling. Therefore, in this embodiment, the water level has been changed from the same level previously set for the washing process and the fabric untangling process to different water levels (first water level and second water level).

As described above, the washing machine 1 in this embodiment includes a housing 2, an outer tub 9 supported in the housing 2, a washing and spin-drying tub 8 rotatably supported in the outer tub 9 and containing laundry, a rotor 8a rotatably supported at the bottom of the washing and spin-drying tub 8, a water supply unit 12 that supplies water to the outer tub 9, and a control device 100 (control unit) that controls the water supply unit 12. In the washing operation 200 (steps S004 to S007), the control device 100 opens the water supply solenoid valve in the tub of the water supply unit 12 after the washing step (step S005) and before the cloth untangling step to supply water. This makes it possible to eliminate tangled clothes (cloth tangles) because the density of the clothes in the washing water (detergent solution) is lower than the density of the clothes in the washing step. In addition, by eliminating tangled fabric, it is possible to stabilize the balance during the subsequent spin cycle (first high-speed spin cycle in step S009) and prevent clothes from becoming unevenly distributed, which in turn prevents abnormalities such as spin cycle not starting or abnormal vibrations occurring even if it does start.

In addition, in this embodiment, the control device 100 sets a first water level (step S004) in the washing process (step S005), and sets a second water level (step S006) in the fabric untangling process (step S007). This second water level is set higher than the first water level. According to this, by performing the washing process at the first water level, the water level can be lower than conventionally, so that the detergent concentration can be increased and laundry can be washed with a detergent solution of a higher concentration. Moreover, by performing the fabric untangling process at the second water level, which is higher than the first water level, it becomes easier to untangle tangled clothes.

In addition, in this embodiment, the first water level is set according to the laundry load (amount of fabric). This allows the laundry to be washed with an appropriate amount of detergent without compromising washing performance.

In addition, in this embodiment, the first water level is set to a level lower than the water level set according to the laundry load. This allows the concentration of the detergent liquid to be increased, improving cleaning performance.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but may include various modified examples. For example, the above-described embodiment has been described using a washing machine 1 with a drying function as an example, but the present invention can also be applied to a washing machine that does not have a drying function (drying duct 20, fan 21, heater 22).

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Washing machine 2 Housing 8 Washing and spin-drying tub 8a Rotor 9 Outer tub 10 Drive device 12 Water supply unit 25 Water level sensor 100 Control device (control unit)

Claims (4)

A housing and
an outer tank supported within the housing;
a washing/spinning tub that is rotatably supported within the outer tub and that contains laundry;
A rotor supported rotatably on the bottom of the washing/spinning tub;
A water supply unit that supplies water into the outer tank;
A control unit that controls the water supply unit,
The control unit controls the water supply unit to supply water during a washing operation after a washing step and before a cloth untangling step for untangling cloth of the laundry. The washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit sets a first water level in the washing process and a second water level in the untangling process, and sets the second water level higher than the first water level. The washing machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the first water level is set according to the load of the laundry. The washing machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the first water level is set to a water level lower than the water level set according to the load of the laundry.

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