JP2001046779A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To select which of cloth damage reduction and washing power takes priority by providing a cloth damage reduction priority course for driving a motor in a motor driving mode with small cloth damage and a washing priority course for driving the motor in a motor drive mode with high washing power. SOLUTION: This washing machine comprises a course selection switch capable of selectively designating standard course, cloth damage reduction priority course, and washing priority course. When the cloth damage reduction priority course is designated, control circuit 22 controls a washing machine motor 15, for example, so that it is normally rotated up to 50 rpm for 0.1 sec, retained there for 0.9 sec, reduced to 0 rpm for 0.2 sec, and successively reversely rotated in the same pattern. When the washing priority course is designated, the washing machine motor 15 is normally rotated, for example, up to 150 rpm for 0.1 sec, retained there for 1.0 sec, reduced to 0 rpm for 0.2 sec, and successively reversely rotated in the same pattern.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a washing machine provided with control means for controlling a motor to control a washing operation.

[0002]

Conventionally, in a washing machine, the amount of laundry to be washed is small or large, and the cloth quality of the laundry is cotton, synthetic fiber, or relatively small. Some are soft to rough. In the case of a device provided with a control means such as a microcomputer, a normal washing amount such as a standard cloth (for example, synthetic fiber or cotton cutter shirt, cotton underwear, pajamas, etc.) is used as a washing course. In some cases, a standard course in which the drive mode of the motor is predetermined is set so as to be suitable for washing.

[0003] In addition to the standard course, there are so-called small courses and large courses. The small course is suitable for washing supple items or small items (for example, lingerie). To set the drive mode of the motor to a drive mode with less damage to the cloth,
In the large-size course, the drive mode of the motor is set to a drive mode capable of obtaining a strong washing power so that the laundry is suitable for washing rough or large items (for example, jeans).

By the way, since the standard course is most frequently used, the above-mentioned ordinary laundry is
The motor driving mode is set so that the cloth is not damaged and the cleaning power can be obtained to some extent. However, with regard to the washing of ordinary laundry, there has been a recent increase in the demand for reducing the damage to the cloth or washing with a strong washing power. Since there was only a standard course for washing, there was a problem that washing in which priority was given to reducing fabric damage and washing in which washing power was given priority was not possible.

In the standard course, a long time pattern and a short time pattern are set as the ON / OFF time of the motor in order to obtain a certain degree of detergency while reducing damage to the cloth, and each pattern is executed alternately. However, the cleaning power is uniform and the cleaning effect may be insufficient depending on the degree of soiling of the laundry.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a first object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine which normally obtains an appropriate washing power while reducing damage to cloths.
The second object of the present invention is to select and execute washing that prioritizes reduction of cloth damage and washing that prioritizes detergency. A second object is to obtain an optimum detergency according to the degree of soiling of laundry while reducing cloth damage. Is where you can do it.

[0007]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the first object, the invention according to claim 1 comprises a stirrer provided inside a tank, a motor for driving the stirrer to rotate, and a motor for rotating the stirrer. Control means for controlling the washing operation by controlling the motor, wherein the control means drives the motor in a predetermined drive mode to wash the normal laundry, A cloth damage reduction priority course in which the laundry is normally washed by driving in the motor drive mode, and a cleaning priority course in which the motor is driven in the motor drive mode having a large cleaning power to wash the normal laundry are provided. The feature is that it can be selectively executed.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the standard course for washing the ordinary laundry by driving the motor in the predetermined drive mode and the normal course for driving the motor in the motor drive mode with less damage to the cloth are provided. The cloth damage reduction priority course for washing the laundry and the cleaning priority course for washing the normal laundry by driving the motor in the motor drive mode having a large cleaning power can be selectively executed, so that the cloth damage is reduced. In addition, it is possible to select and execute the washing that provides an appropriate washing power, the washing that gives priority to the reduction of the damage to the cloth, and the washing that gives priority to the washing power.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the cloth damage reduction priority course includes a water flow in a motor drive mode in which the motor rotation speed is lower than the motor rotation speed in the standard course, a rotation speed higher than the motor rotation speed of the water flow, and a motor rotation speed. The feature is that the rising time is a pattern of repeating a water flow in a motor drive mode longer than the motor rotation rising time in the standard course. According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to obtain a fir-washing action and a laundry replacing action, and it is possible to obtain a certain degree of detergency while washing the laundry with less cloth damage. become.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the cleaning priority course is a motor drive mode in which the motor rotation speed is higher than the motor rotation speed in the standard course and the motor rotation rise time is shorter than the motor rotation rise time in the standard course. Has features. According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to enhance the washing effect for washing the laundry.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, in the standard course, the cloth damage reduction priority course, and the cleaning priority course, the motor up to that point of the course immediately before the end of the washing process is provided. In the motor drive time period longer than the drive time period, the rotation speed of the motor is first set to the predetermined rotation speed, subsequently to the lower rotation speed, and this rotation control is alternately repeated in the forward and reverse directions. It has features. According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the laundry in the tub is positioned without unevenness, and as a result, when spin-drying is performed after the end of the course, occurrence of unbalance rotation can be prevented.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects of the invention, the motor speed of the standard course and the cleaning priority course does not exceed the motor speed of the course immediately before the end of the washing process. In the range of the rotation speed, the rotation speed of the motor is first set to a predetermined rotation speed, and subsequently to a lower rotation speed, and
A feature is that this rotation control is alternately repeated in the forward and reverse directions.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the laundry in the tub is positioned without unevenness. As a result, when spinning is performed after the end of the course, occurrence of unbalance rotation can be prevented. . In this case, the entanglement of the laundry can be reduced.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the dewatering step, when performing an imbalance correction processing step including a water supply step, a stirring step, and a drainage step, the rotation speed of the motor is reduced during each motor drive time period. It is characterized in that the rotation speed is initially set to a predetermined rotation speed, subsequently to a lower rotation speed, and the rotation speed control is executed in a motor drive mode in which the rotation speed control is alternately repeated in the forward and reverse directions.

In this configuration, in the unbalance correction process, the laundry in the tub can be positioned without unevenness, and as a result, when dehydration is resumed, occurrence of unbalance rotation can be reliably prevented. Become like

In order to achieve the second object, the invention according to claim 7 is directed to a stirrer provided inside the tank, a motor for rotating this stirrer, and a long time period as the on / off time of the motor. A pattern and a short time pattern are set, and control means for controlling a washing operation by a combination of water flows according to each pattern, and a turbidity sensor for detecting turbidity of water in the tub, wherein the control means, The feature is that at least the ON time of the long time pattern is changed according to the turbidity detection result of the turbidity sensor, and the ON / OFF time of the short time pattern is not changed.

In the present invention, the long-time pattern is suitable for obtaining a cleaning action. Further, the short time period pattern is suitable for eliminating the entanglement of the laundry. Since at least the ON time of the long time pattern is changed according to the result of the turbidity detection by the turbidity sensor, it is possible to obtain a detergency corresponding to the degree of soiling of the laundry. In this case, the tangling of the laundry can be eliminated by driving the motor with the short time period pattern. Since the on / off time of the short time pattern is controlled so as not to be changed, an increase in cloth damage can be suppressed as much as possible. In other words, when the degree of soiling of the laundry is large, that is, when the turbidity detection result is large, at least the ON time of the long time pattern is changed to be longer, but the ON time of the short time pattern is also changed to be longer. Then, cloth damage increases. However, in the present invention, since the on / off time of the short time pattern is controlled so as not to be changed, an increase in cloth damage can be suppressed as much as possible.

In the invention according to claim 8, the control means detects a turbidity change rate from a turbidity detection result when the long-time pattern is executed, and continues the long timed pattern until the detection result reaches a predetermined value. It has a characteristic where

The turbidity of the water in the tub is not so large at the start of the washing operation, but increases as the motor is driven to rotate the stirring body. However, the degree of increase in the turbidity gradually decreases. If the rate of change of the turbidity is large, it means that the laundry is still soiled. Therefore, it is preferable to continue the execution of the long time period pattern until the rate of change of the turbidity reaches a predetermined value. . Conversely, if the rate of change is flat, it means that no dirt will be produced even if washing is continued further. Therefore, it is preferable to stop washing at the time when this level is detected. However, in the invention of claim 8, since the turbidity change rate is detected from the turbidity detection result during the execution of the long-time pattern, the degree of turbidity change can be detected satisfactorily, and this detection result becomes a predetermined value. Since the long time pattern is continued until the cleaning time is reached, in a situation where more dirt comes out of the laundry, the long time pattern with strong cleaning power can be continued, and the cleaning effect can be improved.

A ninth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the control means determines the execution time of the short time pattern according to the duration of the long time pattern. As the duration of the long timed pattern becomes longer, the degree of cloth entanglement may increase accordingly. However, according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, since the execution time of the short time period pattern is determined according to the duration time of the long time period pattern, it is possible to sufficiently eliminate the entanglement.

[0021]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention (corresponding to claims 1 to 6) will be described below with reference to FIGS. First, in FIG. 2 showing an entire configuration of a fully automatic washing machine, an outer box 1 which is a main body of the washing machine includes:
An outer tub 2 for receiving water to be dehydrated is elastically supported via an elastic suspension mechanism 3. Inside the outer tub 2, a rotatable tub 4 serving as a washing tub and a dewatering tub is rotatably disposed. A stirring body 5 is rotatably disposed at the inner bottom of the rotating tank 4.

The rotary tank 4 has a tank body 4a in the form of a tapered cylinder slightly expanding upward, and an inner cylinder 4b provided inside the tank body 4a to form a water passage gap.
And a balance ring 4 provided at the upper end of the tank body 4a.
c. When the rotary tub 4 is rotationally driven, the water inside rises along the inner peripheral surface of the tank main body 4a by centrifugal force, and the dewatering hole 4 formed in the upper part of the tank main body 4a.
d, and is discharged into the outer tank 2. The inner cylinder 4b has a large number of water passage holes 4e.
A water passage 4f is formed at the bottom of the tank body 4a of the rotary tank 4.

Also, at the right end of the bottom of the outer tank 2 in FIG.
A drain port 6 is formed. The drain port 6 is provided with a drain valve 7 and a drain hose 8 is connected thereto. The drain port 6 communicates with the water outlet 4f via a drain passage 2a formed in the outer tub 2. The drain valve 7 is a valve that is opened and closed by a drain valve motor 9 (see FIG. 1) as a drain valve driving means, and is configured as a so-called motor type drain valve. In the drain stroke in which the drain valve motor 9 is driven to open the drain valve 7, the water in the rotary tank 4 is drained through the water inlet 4f, the drain passage 2a, the drain 6, the drain valve 7, and the drain hose 8. You.

Further, an auxiliary drain port 10 is formed at the bottom end of the outer tub 2 at the left end in FIG. 2, and the auxiliary drain port 10 is connected to a drain hose 8 via a connecting hose (not shown). . The auxiliary drain port 10 is for draining water that has been dehydrated from its upper part and discharged into the outer tub 2 when the rotary tub 4 is dewatered and rotated.

A mechanism base 11 is attached to the outer bottom of the outer tub 2. A shaft support cylinder 12 is formed at the center of the mechanism base 11 so as to extend in the vertical direction. A hollow tank shaft 13 having an upper end connected to the rotary tank 4 is rotatably inserted into and supported by the shaft support cylinder 12. A stirring shaft 14 having a stirring body 5 connected to the upper end is rotatably inserted and supported inside the tank shaft 13.

The mechanism base 11 is provided with a washing machine motor 15 which is a motor composed of, for example, an outer rotor type brushless motor, and its rotor (outer rotor) 16 has an agitator projecting downward from the tub shaft 13. The lower end of the shaft 14 is connected. Therefore, when the washing machine motor 15 is started, the stirring body 5 rotates integrally with the rotor 16.

Although not shown, a clutch is provided at the lower end of the tank shaft 13. The clutch engages and disengages the tub shaft 13 and the rotor 16 of the washing machine motor 15 when the lever 17 is operated. During the spin-drying operation, the tub shaft 13 is connected to the rotor 1 of the washing machine motor 15.
6 so that the rotary tub 4 is driven to rotate integrally with the stirrer 5. During the washing operation, the connection is released and only the stirrer 5 is driven to rotate by the rotor 16. I have.

FIG. 3 shows the electrical configuration. The electrical configuration of the drive control of the washing machine motor 15 will be described.
9 is connected to the output side of the DC power supply circuit 19, and an inverter main circuit 20 in which switching elements such as IGBTs are connected in a three-phase bridge.

On the output side of the inverter main circuit 20,
The stator coil 15a of the washing machine motor 15 is connected. This washing machine motor 15 includes Hall ICs 21a to 21c as position detecting elements and rotation speed detecting means. The control circuit 22 includes a microcomputer, and has a function as a control unit.

The inverter drive control circuit 23 includes the control circuit 2
2 on / off control of the switching element of the inverter main circuit 20 based on the motor operation command (PWM control command and commutation timing command) from the washing machine motor 1
5 is operated as required. The control circuit 22 includes the rotating tank 4
Water level sensor 24 for detecting the water level inside, switch input unit 2
5. A signal from an unbalance detection switch 26 for detecting unbalance rotation of the rotary tub 4 is given, and a control command signal is output to the drain valve motor 9 and a water supply valve 27 for supplying water into the rotary tub 4. At the same time, a display signal is output to the display unit 28. The switch input unit 25
Is configured to include a course selection switch, a start switch for both temporary stop, and the like. When each switch is operated, a signal corresponding to the switch is provided to the control circuit 22.

The course selection switch is a standard course,
This is for selectively designating the cloth damage reduction priority course and the cleaning priority course. The standard course is a course suitable for washing ordinary laundry such as standard cloth in a standard amount (for example, synthetic fiber or cotton cutter shirt, cotton underwear, pajamas, etc.). There is no damage to the cloth and the detergency is moderate.

The cloth damage reduction priority course is a course in which the priority is given to reduction of cloth damage in washing ordinary laundry.
The washing priority course is a course in which the washing effect is usually given priority for washing the laundry.

When the above-mentioned courses are designated, the control circuit 22 controls the washing machine motor 15 in the washing process as follows. First, when the standard course is designated, the driving is performed in a predetermined driving mode as shown in FIG. That is, the washing machine motor 15 is rotated up to 130 rpm in 0.2 seconds in the forward direction.
pm lasts 0.6 seconds and drops to 0 rpm in 0.2 seconds. Then, after 0.6 seconds, it is rotationally driven in the reverse direction in the same pattern as described above. Such forward / reverse rotation driving is repeated in the set washing time.

When the cloth damage reduction priority course is designated, as shown in FIG. 1B, the washing machine motor 15 is driven in a motor drive mode with less cloth damage. That is, the washing machine motor 15 is moved in the forward direction for 50 seconds in 0.1 second.
pm (which is lower than the motor rotation speed of 130 rpm in the standard course described above).
The pm lasts 0.9 seconds and drops to 0 rpm in 0.2 seconds. Then, after 0.2 seconds, it is rotationally driven in the reverse direction in the same pattern as described above. Such forward / reverse rotation is repeated twice. Thereby, a water flow is formed in the rotary tank 4.

After a predetermined time, the washing machine motor 15 is rotated in the forward direction in 0.6 seconds to 110 rpm, which is a rotation speed higher than the above-mentioned 50 rpm, and this 110 rpm is maintained for 0.9 seconds, and 0.2 seconds. Drop to 0 rpm in seconds. Then, after 0.6 seconds, it is rotationally driven in the reverse direction in the same pattern as described above. Such forward / reverse rotation is performed once. This creates a different form of water flow than described above. Such a water flow is alternately repeated. In this case, the so-called fir washing action, that is,
A washing action with less damage to the cloth can be expected. In this case, it is difficult to wash the entire laundry evenly with only this water flow, but the following B-pattern driving mode can be expected to replace the laundry, thereby reducing the damage to the cloth when washing the normal laundry. In addition, the whole laundry can be washed with a certain degree of detergency.

When the cleaning priority course is designated, as shown in FIG. 1C, the washing machine motor 15 is driven in a motor drive mode with less damage to the cloth. That is, the washing machine motor 15 is moved in the forward direction by
Spin to 150 rpm, keep this 150 rpm for 1.0 second, and drop to 0 rpm in 0.2 seconds. Then, after 0.7 seconds, it is rotationally driven in the reverse direction in the same pattern as described above. Such a reversal is repeated. In this case, since the motor drive mode is higher than the motor rotation speed in the standard course and the motor rotation rise time is shorter than the motor rotation rise time in the standard course, it is possible to enhance the washing effect for washing the normal laundry. .

The control circuit 22 performs a dehydration step (intermediate dehydration) after the detergent washing step or the intermediate rinsing step in each of the standard course, the cloth damage reduction priority course, and the cleaning priority course. A final dehydration step is performed after the step, but a motor control as shown in FIG. 4B is performed immediately before the end of the washing step such as the detergent washing step or the rinsing step.

That is, in the motor drive time period of 3.7 seconds, which is longer than the previous motor drive time period of the course, the rotation speed of the washing machine motor 15 is initially set to a predetermined value for a short time (0.5 seconds). Speed 120r in this case
pm, followed by a longer time (2.
(5 seconds), a rotation speed lower than this, for example, 60 rpm, is performed, and this rotation control is alternately repeated in the forward and reverse directions.

By doing so, the laundry in the rotating tub 4 can be positioned without offset. That is, by rotating the washing machine motor 15 in a short time and at a high rotation speed of 120 rpm, the laundry can be instantaneously moved, and a lower rotation speed of 60 rpm can be obtained.
By rotating the washing machine motor 15 at rpm,
The movement of the laundry can be moderated to make the laundry uniformly distributed. As a result, when performing the dehydration step after the end of the washing step, occurrence of unbalance rotation can be prevented.

When the driving mode of FIG. 4B is compared with the driving modes of the standard course and the cleaning priority course, the motor rotation speed up to that point of the course (13 in the standard course).
Since the above-described motor rotation drive is performed within a rotation speed range of 0 rpm and a rotation speed not exceeding 150 rpm in the washing priority course, the laundry can be uniformly distributed while minimizing damage to the cloth.

FIG. 5 shows the control contents of the dehydration process by the control circuit 22. In the dehydration process, after the drainage process is performed (step S1), the washing machine motor 1
A spin-drying operation is performed in which 5 is rotated at a high rotation speed (step S2). Thereafter, the unbalance detection switch 26
It is determined whether or not the occurrence of unbalance rotation has been detected (step S3). If not detected, it is determined whether or not the elapsed time up to this time has elapsed (step S4). Washing machine motor 1 if passed
5 is stopped to stop the dehydration operation (step S5).

If the occurrence of unbalance rotation is detected here, if the number of times of detection is less than three (step S
6), the process proceeds to the imbalance correction process (steps S7 to S9). The imbalance correction process includes a water supply process (step S7), a stirring process (step S8), and a drain process (step S9). In particular, the stirring process (step S8) is shown in FIG. It is executed in the motor drive mode. That is, as described above, the rotation speed of the washing machine motor 15 is initially set to a predetermined rotation speed for a short time (0.5 seconds), in this case, 120 rpm, and subsequently, for a longer time (2.5 seconds). A low rotation speed of, for example, 60 rpm is performed, and this rotation control is alternately repeated in the forward and reverse directions. When the number of times of imbalance detection reaches the third time, an error message is displayed on the display unit 28 and the dehydration process is terminated (stopped).

By doing so, the laundry in the rotating tub 4 can be positioned without unevenness in the unbalance correction process. As a result, when the dehydration is restarted, the occurrence of unbalance rotation occurs. It can be prevented reliably.

In this embodiment, since the above-described motor rotation drive control is performed immediately before the end of the washing process, the imbalance rotation during the dehydration process hardly occurs in a normal case. However, if laundry is added or partly removed for dehydration, unbalanced rotation may occur. In such a case, the imbalance is corrected in the drive mode shown in FIG. 4B, so that the imbalance can be reliably corrected. FIG. 6 shows a comparison result of the cleaning power and the cloth damage of the cleaning priority course and the cloth damage reduction priority course with respect to the standard course. As can be seen from this, in the cleaning priority course, the cleaning power is increased and the cleaning effect is increased. In this case, the increase in cloth damage is small. Also, in the cloth damage reduction priority course, the cloth damage is considerably reduced, and the detergency is not so large.

FIGS. 7 to 11 show a second embodiment (corresponding to the invention of claim 7) of the present invention. First, in FIG. 7, a turbidity sensor 31 is provided at the mouth of the drain port 6. That is, the turbidity sensor 31 is
a and the light receiving element 31b. in this case,
The light emission of the light emitting element 31a is controlled by the control circuit 22, and the light receiving element 31b generates an output (output voltage) corresponding to the amount of received light and supplies the output to the control circuit 22. This output has a relationship that the output becomes larger as the turbidity becomes lower and becomes smaller as the turbidity becomes higher.

The control circuit 22 as a control means sets a long time pattern and a short time pattern as the ON / OFF time of the washing machine motor 15, and controls the washing operation by a combination of the water flow according to each pattern. In this case, the control circuit 22 changes at least the ON time of the long time pattern according to the result of the turbidity detection by the turbidity sensor 31, and controls so as not to change the ON / OFF time of the short time pattern.

FIG. 11 shows the contents of the long time pattern and the short time pattern. Long-time pattern L1 for long-time pattern
There is a pattern and a long-timed L2 pattern, and the long-timed L1 pattern is “1.5 seconds on / 1.0 seconds off 150 rpm
m "to drive / stop the washing machine motor 15.
The long timed L2 pattern is "1.2 seconds on, 1.0 seconds off 1
At 20 rpm, the washing machine motor 15 is driven and stopped. In this case, forward rotation and reverse rotation are repeated. Also, there is only one short time pattern, "0.8 seconds on.
The washing machine motor 15 is driven / stopped at "off for 0.7 seconds and 140 rpm". Also in this case, forward rotation and reverse rotation are repeated.

Then, the control circuit 22 sets the washing process in FIG.
Is controlled as shown in FIG. The flowchart of FIG.
For example, it starts when a standard course is selected and a start switch is operated. In step T1,
Water is supplied to the water level set in this course. Then, in Step T2, the washing machine motor 15 is turned on for 60 seconds in the initial pattern (1.2 seconds on, 1.0 seconds off, 120 rpm).
It is driven for seconds, during which the output (turbidity) of the turbidity sensor 31 is read.

In the next step T3, it is determined whether or not the turbidity is large. In this case, when the output of the turbidity sensor 31 becomes 30% or less of the initial value (Ko in FIG. 10) within the above 60 seconds, it is determined that the turbidity is large. here,
For example, if it is determined that the turbidity is large, the washing machine motor 15 is controlled as in steps T4 to T9.

That is, in the step T4, the long time period L1 pattern is executed for 90 seconds, and in the next step T5, the short time period pattern is executed for 120 seconds. Step T after this
6 and step T7, step T8 and step T9
Are the same as step T4 and step T5, respectively. When these steps are executed, the process proceeds to step T10, in which the washing machine motor 15 is stopped to end the washing process.

If it is determined that the turbidity is not large, that is, small, the washing machine motor 15 is controlled as in steps T11 to T16. That is, the long time period L2 pattern is executed for 90 seconds in step T11, and the short time period pattern is executed for 120 seconds in the next step T12. Subsequent steps T13 and T1
4. Steps T15 and T16 are the same as steps T11 and T12, respectively.
As can be seen from the above, when the turbidity is large, the on-time is as long as 1.5 seconds, and when the turbidity is small, the on-time is as short as 1.2 seconds.

Here, the long time period pattern is suitable for obtaining the washing action, and the short time period pattern is suitable for eliminating the entanglement of the laundry. And this second
According to the embodiment, since at least the ON time of the long time pattern is changed based on the turbidity detection result of the turbidity sensor 31, it is possible to obtain a detergency corresponding to the degree of soiling of the laundry. In this case, the tangling of the laundry can be eliminated by driving the motor with the short time period pattern. Since the on / off time of the short time pattern is controlled so as not to be changed, an increase in cloth damage can be suppressed as much as possible.

FIGS. 12 to 14 show a third embodiment of the present invention (corresponding to the eighth and ninth aspects of the present invention). In this embodiment, the following points are different from the second embodiment. . That is, in the long-time L1 pattern when the turbidity is determined to be large (in steps U4, U6, and U8), determination control as to whether or not to continue motor driving in this pattern is performed. The contents of steps U4, U6 and U8 are shown as a subroutine in FIG. That is, in step V1, the washing machine motor 15 is driven in the long timed L1 pattern, and T1 (for example, 90 seconds) is set as the execution time. In step V2, the output of the turbidity sensor 31 is read, and the output change rate is detected after a predetermined time. That is, the turbidity change rate is detected. The purpose of the change rate detection is as follows. That is, as can be seen from FIG. 10 described above, the turbidity of the water in the rotating tub 4 is not so large at the start of the washing operation, but increases as the washing machine motor 15 is driven and the stirring body 5 is rotated. go. However, the degree of increase in the turbidity gradually decreases. If the rate of change of the turbidity is large, it means that the laundry is still soiled. Therefore, it is preferable to continue the execution of the long time period pattern until the rate of change of the turbidity reaches a predetermined value. . Conversely, if the rate of change is flat, it means that no dirt will be produced even if washing is continued further. Therefore, it is preferable to stop washing at the time when this level is detected.

In step V3, the rate of change of the turbidity is a predetermined value (for example, a value at which the rate of change is substantially flat).
Is determined, and if not, step V is performed.
Return to 2. Then, when the turbidity change rate reaches a predetermined value,
It is determined whether or not the elapsed time from the drive start time in this long time period pattern to this time has exceeded the set time T1, and if not, the process proceeds to step V5.
The washing machine motor 15 is driven until the set time T1, and thereafter, the process proceeds to step V6, where the washing machine motor 15 is stopped.

Here, if it is determined in step V4 that the elapsed time from the start of driving in this long timed pattern to this time has exceeded the set time T1,
The process proceeds to step V7 to determine the operation continuation time from the set time T1, that is, the extension time dt1.

Step U after step U4 in FIG.
5. In step U7 after step U6 and step U9 after step U8, control as a subroutine shown in FIG. 14 is performed. That is, in step W1, the washing machine motor 15 is driven in a short time pattern, and T2 (for example, 120 seconds) is set as the execution time. In the next step W2, it is determined whether or not the time has been extended in the immediately preceding long-time pattern, and if there is a time extension, an extended time dt2 that is longer as the extended time dt1 is longer is set. And step W
At 4, it is determined whether or not the elapsed time so far has exceeded the total time of the set time T2 and the set extension time dt2. When the total time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step W5, and the washing machine motor 15 is stopped. If it is determined in step W2 that there is no time extension in the immediately preceding long-time pattern, the process waits for the set time T2 to elapse (step W6), and proceeds to step W5 described above.

According to the third embodiment, the turbidity change rate is detected from the turbidity detection result when the long-time pattern is executed,
Since the long time pattern is continued until the detection result reaches a predetermined value, in a situation where more dirt comes out of the laundry, the long time pattern with strong detergency can be continued to improve the cleaning effect. Improvement can be achieved.

Further, since the execution time of the short time period pattern is determined according to the continuation time of the long time period pattern, that is, the extension time, the entanglement can be sufficiently eliminated. In other words, as the duration of the long timed pattern becomes longer, that is, as the extension time becomes longer, the degree of cloth entanglement may increase accordingly. However, according to this embodiment, the execution time of the short time period pattern is determined according to the duration time of the long time period pattern, so that the entanglement can be sufficiently eliminated.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a long time pattern and a short time pattern are set by turbidity and the amount of laundry. In FIG. 15, in step X1, the washing machine motor 15 is driven in a constant power cut-off pattern before water is supplied, and the number of rotations of the motor 15 during a predetermined time is measured. Is determined to be large. In this case, as shown in FIG. 16, it is determined to be one of “large amount”, “medium amount”, and “small amount”. Then, the water supply water level is set to one of “high water level”, “medium water level”, and “small water level” according to the determined amount of laundry.

In step X2, water is supplied to the set water level. Then, in step X3, the washing machine motor 15 is set to the initial pattern (1.2 seconds on, 1.0 seconds off 120r
pm) for 60 seconds, during which time the turbidity sensor 31
(Turbidity) is read, and whether the turbidity is large or small is detected.

In step X4, a long time pattern and a short time pattern are set based on the determined amount of laundry and turbidity as shown in FIG. As can be seen from FIG. 16, the ON time of the long time pattern becomes longer as the amount of laundry increases, and both the ON time and the OFF time become longer in the short time pattern. However, under the same laundry amount condition, the short time period pattern is constant regardless of the magnitude of the turbidity.

Here, for example, when looking at the laundry amount “medium amount”, when the turbidity is large, the long time pattern shown in the column LL3 is set, and as the short time pattern, the pattern shown in the column SS2 is set. You. When the laundry amount is the same and the turbidity is small under the same conditions, the long time pattern shown in the column LL4 is set, and the same pattern (the pattern shown in the column SS2) is set as the short time pattern. In other words, when the laundry amount is different, the set values of the long time pattern and the short time pattern are different, but when the laundry amount is the same, the long time pattern changes depending on the turbidity, but the short time pattern changes. Is not changed. In the following step X5, the washing machine motor 15 is driven for a set time according to the set long time pattern and the short time pattern.

In this embodiment, since the long time pattern and the short time pattern are set according to the amount of laundry,
It is possible to obtain a detergency corresponding to the amount of the laundry, thereby improving the cleaning effect, and also to prevent an increase in the amount of the laundry to increase the entanglement of the cloth. further,
Under the condition that the amount of laundry is the same, since the long time pattern is changed according to the degree of soiling of the laundry, it is possible to obtain detergency according to the degree of soiling of the laundry, and the on / off time of the short time period pattern is Since control is performed so as not to change, an increase in cloth damage can be suppressed as much as possible.

FIGS. 17 and 18 show a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, steps Y3 and Y5 are different from steps X3 and X5 of the fourth embodiment. That is, in step Y3, the washing machine motor 15 is intermittently driven to rotate in a constant power cut-off pattern, the number of rotations at the time of driving each motor is measured, and the difference in the number of rotations between each time is calculated. If the sum of (absolute values) is larger than a predetermined value, the cloth is determined to be rough, and if smaller than the predetermined value, it is determined to be standard. And step Y
In 5, the long time pattern and the short time pattern are set as shown in FIG. 18 based on the determined laundry amount, cloth quality and turbidity.

As can be seen from FIG. 18, the ON time of the long time pattern becomes longer as the amount of laundry increases, and both the ON time and the OFF time become longer in the short time pattern. Further, under the same laundry conditions, the ON period is generally longer when the fabric quality is rough than when the fabric quality is standard. However, under the same laundry amount condition, the short time period pattern is constant regardless of the size of the cloth and the turbidity.

In the fifth embodiment, since the long time pattern and the short time pattern are set in accordance with the amount of the laundry, it is possible to obtain the detergency according to the amount of the laundry and improve the cleaning effect. In addition, it is possible to prevent an increase in the amount of laundry caused by an increase in the amount of laundry. Further, under the condition that the laundry amount is the same, since the long-time pattern is changed according to the cloth quality and the degree of dirt of the laundry, it is possible to obtain a detergency according to the cloth quality and the degree of dirt of the laundry, and Since the on / off time of the short time pattern is controlled so as not to be changed, the increase in the damage to the cloth can be suppressed as much as possible.

FIGS. 19 and 20 show a sixth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, steps Z3 and Z5 are different from steps Y3 and Y5 of the fifth embodiment. That is, in step Z3, a temperature sensor (not shown) provided at a portion communicating with the rotary tub 4 detects whether the temperature of the washing water is lower or higher than a predetermined value. In step Z5, a long time pattern and a short time pattern are set from the determined amount of laundry, the detected water temperature, and the turbidity as shown in FIG.

As can be seen from FIG. 20, the ON time of the long time pattern is longer as the amount of laundry is larger, and the ON time and the OFF time are longer in the short time pattern. Further, under the same laundry condition, the ON time period is generally longer when the water temperature is low than when it is high. However, under the same laundry amount condition, the short time period pattern is constant regardless of the water temperature and the turbidity.

In the sixth embodiment, since the long time pattern and the short time pattern are set in accordance with the amount of laundry, it is possible to obtain a detergency corresponding to the amount of laundry and improve the cleaning effect. In addition, it is possible to prevent an increase in the amount of laundry caused by an increase in the amount of laundry. Further, under the condition that the laundry amount is the same, since the long time period pattern is changed according to the water temperature and the degree of soiling, it is possible to obtain detergency according to the water temperature of the washing water and the degree of soiling of the laundry. Since the ON / OFF time of the time pattern is controlled so as not to be changed, an increase in the damage to the cloth can be suppressed as much as possible.

[0070]

As apparent from the above description, the present invention has the following effects. According to the first aspect of the present invention, a standard course in which the motor is driven in the predetermined driving mode to wash the normal laundry, and a cloth damage reduction in which the motor is driven in the motor driving mode with less cloth damage to wash the normal laundry. Since the priority course and the cleaning priority course in which the motor is driven in the motor drive mode having a large cleaning power to wash the laundry is selectively performed, an appropriate cleaning power can be obtained while reducing damage to the cloth. It is possible to select and execute washing to obtain, washing to give priority to reduction of cloth damage, and washing to give priority to detergency.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the cloth damage reduction priority course, it is possible to obtain a fir-washing action and an effect of replacing laundry, and it is possible to reduce cloth damage in washing ordinary laundry. In addition, a reduction in the cleaning power can be suppressed as much as possible. According to the third aspect of the present invention, in the washing priority course, the washing effect for washing the ordinary laundry can be enhanced. According to the fourth and fifth aspects of the present invention, the laundry in the tub can be positioned without unevenness, and as a result, when spin-drying is performed after the end of the course, occurrence of unbalance rotation can be prevented. According to the invention of claim 6, in the unbalance correction process, the laundry in the tub can be positioned evenly, and as a result, when dehydration is restarted, occurrence of unbalance rotation can be reliably prevented.

According to the seventh aspect of the invention, at least the ON time of the long time pattern is changed in accordance with the result of the turbidity detection by the turbidity sensor, so that a cleaning power corresponding to the degree of soiling of the laundry can be obtained. In addition, the tangling of the laundry can be eliminated by driving the motor with the short time period pattern, and the on / off time of the short time period pattern is controlled so as not to be changed.

According to the eighth aspect of the invention, the turbidity change rate is detected from the turbidity detection result during the execution of the long-time pattern, so that the turbidity change degree can be detected satisfactorily. Since the long time period pattern is continued until the value reaches the value, in a situation where more dirt comes out of the laundry, the long time period pattern with strong detergency can be continued, and the cleaning effect can be improved. According to the ninth aspect of the present invention,
Since the execution time of the short time period pattern is determined according to the duration time of the long time period pattern, it is possible to sufficiently eliminate the entanglement.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 relates to a first embodiment of the present invention and is a diagram showing a motor drive mode of each course.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional side view of the washing machine.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an electrical configuration.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a motor drive mode of a standard course and a motor drive mode executed at the end of a washing step.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing control contents of a dewatering process.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the cleaning power of each course and the ratio of cloth damage.

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional side view of a washing machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an electrical configuration.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing control contents of a washing process.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a change in the output (turbidity) of a turbidity sensor.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a relationship between turbidity and long-time patterns and short-time patterns set according to the turbidity;

FIG. 12 is a view corresponding to FIG. 9, showing a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing control contents when a long timed pattern is executed.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing control contents when a short time period pattern is executed.

FIG. 15 is a view corresponding to FIG. 9 showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a relationship between a laundry amount, turbidity, and a long time period pattern and a short time period pattern set according to these;

FIG. 17 is a view corresponding to FIG. 9 showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a relationship between a laundry amount, cloth, turbidity, and a long-time pattern and a short-time pattern set in accordance with these;

FIG. 19 is a view corresponding to FIG. 9 showing a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing the relationship between the amount of laundry, water temperature, turbidity, and a long time period pattern and a short time period pattern set in accordance with these;

[Explanation of symbols]

4 is a rotary tub, 5 is a stirring body, 15 is a washing machine motor (motor), 16 is a rotor, 22 is a control circuit (control means), 3
Reference numeral 1 denotes a turbidity sensor.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 3B155 AA01 AA06 AB07 BA09 BA16 BB08 HB05 HB09 KA02 KA15 KB02 LA11 LA14 LB16 LB18 LB31 LC02 LC06 LC07 LC12 LC14 MA01 MA06 MA07 MA08

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A stirrer provided inside a tub, a motor for rotating the stirrer, and control means for controlling the motor to control a washing operation, wherein the control means controls the motor. A standard course for washing normal laundry by driving in a predetermined drive mode, a cloth damage reduction priority course for driving the motor in a motor drive mode for washing normal laundry with less cloth damage, and the motor And a washing priority course for washing the normal laundry by driving the washing machine in a motor drive mode having a large washing power, wherein each course can be selectively executed. 2. The cloth damage reduction priority course includes a water flow in a motor drive mode in which the motor rotation speed is lower than the motor rotation speed in the standard course, a rotation speed higher than the motor rotation speed of the water flow, and a motor rotation rise time in the standard course. 2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the pattern is a pattern in which a water flow in a motor drive mode longer than a motor rotation rising time is repeated. 3. The cleaning priority course is a motor drive mode in which the motor rotation speed is higher than the motor rotation speed in the standard course and the motor rotation rise time is shorter than the motor rotation rise time in the standard course. The washing machine according to 1. 4. In the standard course, the cloth damage reduction priority course, and the cleaning priority course, immediately before the end of the washing process,
In the motor drive time period longer than the previous motor drive time period of the course, the rotation speed of the motor is first set to the predetermined rotation speed and subsequently to the lower rotation speed, and this rotation control is alternately performed in the forward and reverse directions. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the washing is performed repeatedly. 5. In the standard course and the washing priority course, immediately before the end of the washing process, the motor speed is initially set to a predetermined speed within a range of a motor speed not exceeding the previous motor speed of the course, and subsequently The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the rotation speed is lower than the rotation speed, and the rotation control is alternately repeated in the forward and reverse directions. 6. In the dehydration step, when performing an imbalance correction processing step consisting of a water supply step, a stirring step, and a drainage step, the rotation speed of the motor is first set to a predetermined rotation speed in each motor drive time period. 4. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the rotation speed is set to a lower rotation speed, and the rotation speed control is performed in a motor drive mode in which the rotation speed control is alternately repeated in the forward and reverse directions. 7. A stirrer provided inside the tank, a motor for rotating this stirrer, a long time pattern and a short time pattern as on / off time of the motor, and a combination of water flow according to each pattern. And a turbidity sensor for detecting turbidity of water in the tub, wherein the control means includes at least a long timed pattern according to a turbidity detection result by the turbidity sensor. Change the on time period,
A washing machine characterized in that the on / off time of the short time pattern is controlled so as not to be changed. 8. The control means detects a turbidity change rate from a turbidity detection result during execution of a long-time pattern, and continues the long-time pattern until the detection result reaches a predetermined value. The washing machine according to claim 7, characterized in that: 9. The washing machine according to claim 8, wherein the control means determines the execution time of the short time pattern according to the duration of the long time pattern.