Abstract: A washing machine according to the present invention includes a pressure sensor provided at a rod holding plate holding a suspension rod with which an outer tub is suspended. The pressure sensor is constructed so that a coil is wound around a magnetostrictive element whose magnetic characteristic changes when it is expanded, compressed or twisted by an external force. The change in the magnetic characteristic is converted to the change in the inductance of the coil, and an oscillating signal of a frequency corresponding to the inductance generated. Based on the frequency of the signal, the load on the pressure sensor is detected. Before supplying water, the amount of the laundry contained in a wash-and-extraction tub is detected based on the output of the pressure sensor, and an object water level corresponding to the amount is determined. After that, a water supply valve is opened to start supplying water into the wash-and-extraction tub.

Abstract: A machine with vibration source includes a frame for carrying a vibration source such as a motor. A housing is attached to a bottom of the frame, in which a sphere made of a rigid material is housed rotation free in a manner that a portion of the sphere is projected from an opening at the bottom of the housing. The surface of a plate made of a rigid material contacts the portion of the sphere projecting from the housing and the plate is surrounded by a member of an elastic material. The elastic member has an upwardly extending portion which surrounds the housing, and therefore, the elastic member controls the relative position between the sphere and the plate, and resultingly, rolling of the machine can be suppressed. In addition, since the sphere can be rotated on the plate, horizontal vibration of the machine is absorbed to be suppressed. Furthermore, since the sphere is supported by the plate and the plate is supported by a floor via the elastic member, vertical vibration of the machine is also suppressed.

Abstract: A washing machine having a water store tank comprising a washing tank also serving as a water extraction tank, a water transfer means for tranferring water from the washing tank to the water store tank or from the water store tank to the washing tank, and adapted to preform washing by a step of carrying out at least one cycle of operation of soaking washing products for a predetermined of time in the washing tank, thereafter, transferring water once to the water store tank and then returning water to the washing tank again by means of water transfer means, a step of transferring water to the water store tank and, thereafter, rotating the washing tank to perform water extraction in the above step and a step of soaking the washing products for a predetermined of time after the completion of the above step, followed by draining.

Abstract: A washing machine having a water store tank comprising a washing tank also serving as a water extraction tank, a water transfer means for transferring water from the washing tank to the water store tank or from the water store tank to the washing tank, and adapted to perform washing by a step of carrying out at least one cycle of operation of soaking washing products for a predetermined of time in the washing tank, thereafter, transferring water once to the water store tank and then returning water to the washing tank again by means of water transfer means, a step of transferring water to the water store tank and, thereafter, rotating the washing tank to perform water extraction in the above step and a step of soaking the washing products for a predetermined of time after the completion of the above step, followed by draining.