Washing machine

Abstract

A washing machine is provided. The washing machine includes: a washing tub having an axis extending longitudinally; a circulation path configured to draw detergent solution mixed with a detergent in the washing tub and return the detergent solution into the washing tub from an upper side; a pump configured to pump the detergent solution in the washing tub into the circulation path and allow the detergent solution to rise in the circulation path; and a controller configured to execute a washing operation. The washing operation includes a circulation-soaking process during which a circulation process and a soaking process are conducted alternately and repeatedly. The detergent solution is circulated between the washing tub and the circulation path by driving the pump and sprayed onto washings in the circulation process. The pump is stopped from being driven and, the washings are soaked with the detergent solution in the washing tub in the soaking process.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A washing machine, comprising:
 a washing tub having an axis extending longitudinally, wherein the washing tub is configured to accommodate washings and is capable of storing water;   a circulation path configured to draw detergent solution mixed with a detergent in the washing tub and return the detergent solution into the washing tub from an upper side;   a pump configured to pump the detergent solution in the washing tub into the circulation path and allow the detergent solution to rise in the circulation path; and   an execution unit configured to execute a washing operation, wherein the washing operation comprises a circulation-soaking process during which a circulation process and a soaking process are conducted alternately and repeatedly, wherein the detergent solution is circulated between the washing tub and the circulation path by driving the pump and sprayed onto washings in the circulation process, and the pump is stopped from being driven and the washings are soaked with the detergent solution in the washing tub in the soaking process.   
     
     
         2 . The washing machine according to  claim 1 , further comprising a motor for rotating the washing tub, wherein the execution unit is configured to drive the motor to rotate the washing tub at a low speed below a predetermined rotation speed in at least one circulation process. 
     
     
         3 . The washing machine according to  claim 1 , further comprising a motor for rotating the washing tub, wherein the execution unit is configured to drive the motor to rotate the washing tub repeatedly an intermittently in at least one circulation process. 
     
     
         4 . The washing machine according to  claim 1 , further comprising a motor for rotating the washing tub, during the circulation-soaking process, the execution unit is configured to cause the washing tub to stop in the circulation process, and drive the motor to rotate the washing tub merely for a predetermined angle prior to starting a next circulation process. 
     
     
         5 . The washing machine according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a water supply path configured to supply water to the washing tub, and   a water supply valve configured to open and close the water supply path,   wherein the washing operation comprises a washing process consisting of the circulation-soaking process and a normal washing process, in the normal washing process, water is accumulated in the washing tub to perform a normal washing of the washings after the circulation-soaking process, wherein   during the circulation-soaking process, the execution unit is configured to open the water supply valve, so as to supply a part of a total water supply amount in the whole washing process to the washing tub and generate the detergent solution.   
     
     
         6 . The washing machine according to  claim 5 , further comprising a detergent container connected to the water supply path and containing the detergent, wherein the water supply path is provided with a discharge opening, and water flowing through the water supply path after passing through the detergent container is discharged from the discharge opening toward a position away from the washings in the washing tub. 
     
     
         7 . The washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the execution unit is configured to change a time for performing the circulation process and a time for performing the soaking process according to load amount of the washings inside the washing tub. 
     
     
         8 . The washing machine according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a water supply path configured to supply water to the washing tub, and   a water supply valve configured to open and close the water supply path,   
       wherein the washing operation comprises a washing process consisting of the circulation-soaking process and a normal washing process, in the normal washing process, water is accumulated in the washing tub to perform a normal washing of the washings after the circulation-soaking process, wherein
 during the circulation-soaking process, the execution unit is configured to open the water supply valve, so as to supply a part of a total water supply amount in the whole washing process to the washing tub and generate the detergent solution. 
 
     
     
         9 . The washing machine according to  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a water supply path configured to supply water to the washing tub, and   a water supply valve configured to open and close the water supply path,   wherein the washing operation comprises a washing process consisting of the circulation-soaking process and a normal washing process, in the normal washing process, water is accumulated in the washing tub to perform a normal washing of the washings after the circulation-soaking process, wherein   during the circulation-soaking process, the execution unit is configured to open the water supply valve, so as to supply a part of a total water supply amount in the whole washing process to the washing tub and generate the detergent solution.   
     
     
         10 . The washing machine according to  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a water supply path configured to supply water to the washing tub, and   a water supply valve configured to open and close the water supply path,   
       wherein the washing operation comprises a washing process consisting of the circulation-soaking process and a normal washing process, in the normal washing process, water is accumulated in the washing tub to perform a normal washing of the washings after the circulation-soaking process, wherein
 during the circulation-soaking process, the execution unit is configured to open the water supply valve, so as to supply a part of a total water supply amount in the whole washing process to the washing tub and generate the detergent solution. 
 
     
     
         11 . The washing machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the execution unit is configured to change a time for performing the circulation process and a time for performing the soaking process according to load amount of the washings inside the washing tub. 
     
     
         12 . The washing machine according to  claim 3 , wherein the execution unit is configured to change a time for performing the circulation process and a time for performing the soaking process according to load amount of the washings inside the washing tub. 
     
     
         13 . The washing machine according to  claim 4 , wherein the execution unit is configured to change a time for performing the circulation process and a time for performing the soaking process according to load amount of the washings inside the washing tub. 
     
     
         14 . The washing machine according to  claim 5 , wherein the execution unit is configured to change a time for performing the circulation process and a time for performing the soaking process according to load amount of the washings inside the washing tub. 
     
     
         15 . The washing machine according to  claim 6 , wherein the execution unit is configured to change a time for performing the circulation process and a time for performing the soaking process according to load amount of the washings inside the washing tub.