JP2001314689A - Drum type washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To supply neither too much nor too small amount of water by eliminating a shortage of rinsing. SOLUTION: This drum type washing machine comprises a photosensor 36 for detecting a degree of turbidity of water inside a drum, a washing-water supply valve 33 for supplying water inside the drum, and a microcomputer 43 for reading a detection result of the degree of the turbidity of the photosensor and determining water volume for a next process in a washing process and a plurality of rinsing processes (except the last rinsing process).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a drum type washing machine provided with turbidity detecting means.

[0002]

Conventionally, in a drum type washing machine, a water tub provided in an outer box, a drum provided in the water tub, and a turbidity of water in the drum are measured. A turbidity detecting means for detecting the turbidity of the washing water in the washing step and determining the number of rinsing steps is known. In the rinsing step, a uniquely determined amount of water is supplied, and the drum is rotated for a determined time.

In the above case, however, the number of times of rinsing is determined roughly according to the turbidity in the washing process.
The number of times of rinsing may not be the optimal number (the rinsing degree may be insufficient). For this reason, the number of rinsing strokes is set to be relatively large so as to prevent shortage of rinsing. However, in this case, there is a problem that the amount of supplied water is increased more than necessary.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a drum type washing machine capable of eliminating insufficient water supply as well as insufficient rinse. is there.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a water tank provided in an outer box, a drum provided in the water tank, and a turbidity detecting means for detecting turbidity of water in the drum. A water supply means for supplying water into the drum; and a water supply control means for controlling a subsequent water supply amount based on a turbidity detection result by the turbidity detection means.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the water supply control means detects the turbidity based on the turbidity detection result by the turbidity detection means.
Since the subsequent water supply amount is controlled, the water supply amount can be directly adjusted, unlike the case where the number of rinsing strokes is controlled, and it is possible to eliminate the excess and deficiency of the water supply amount while obtaining a sufficient rinsing effect. .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the water supply control means determines the amount of water to be supplied in the rinsing step based on the turbidity detection result detected in the immediately preceding washing step or rinsing step. The feature is that it is supposed to. According to this, the turbidity detection result can be used for water supply in the next rinsing step, which is further advantageous for preventing excess water supply.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the water supply control means supplies an initial amount of water in the rinsing step, and supplies the initial amount of water in the rinsing step based on a turbidity detection result detected in the rinsing step. The feature is that the amount of additional water supply is determined later. According to this, the turbidity detection result in the currently executed rinsing stroke can be used for adding the water supply in this rinsing stroke, and it is possible to achieve quick and accurate water supply control.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the invention, the initial water supply amount in the rinsing step is determined based on a turbidity detection result detected in the immediately preceding washing step or rinsing step. It is characterized by where it is. The initial water supply amount may be a uniquely determined water supply amount, but it is preferable to increase the water supply amount as the turbidity increases and decrease the water supply amount as the turbidity decreases. However, according to the invention of claim 4, the initial water supply amount is determined based on the turbidity detection result detected in the immediately preceding washing step or rinsing step. A corresponding initial water supply amount can be obtained, and therefore, when the turbidity is detected after supplying the initial water supply amount, the washing water is less likely to be too turbid, and the turbidity detection accuracy itself is improved.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the turbidity detecting means comprises an optical sensor, and the water supply control means sets a predetermined maximum water supply when the light receiving level is lower than a predetermined value and lower than a previous light receiving level. The feature is that it is designed to supply water. By configuring the turbidity detecting means by an optical sensor, the turbidity of the washing water can be directly detected, and the turbidity detection accuracy is high. However, if the light emitting surface or the light receiving surface becomes dirty, the light receiving level decreases, and the turbidity detection accuracy decreases. In this case, if the water supply amount is determined according to the detection result, there is a concern that the water supply amount will exceed the allowable water supply amount. However, according to the invention of claim 5, when the light receiving level is equal to or lower than the predetermined value and equal to or lower than the previous light receiving level, the predetermined maximum water supply amount is supplied, so that the water supply amount exceeds the allowable water supply amount. There is no such thing.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. First, FIG.
3 and FIG. 3, a water tank 2 is disposed inside a rectangular parallelepiped outer box 1 while being elastically supported by, for example, a pair of elastic support devices 3 on the right and left sides. The water tank 2 is disposed in a state of an oblique axis which is downwardly lowered and has a substantially cylindrical shape.
Inside the water tank 2, a drum 4 is rotatably disposed coaxially with the water tank 2 (in a state of an oblique axis falling backward).
The drum 4 has a large number of dewatering holes 4a also serving as ventilation holes on the peripheral side wall and the rear wall, and also functions as a washing tub, a dewatering tub, and a drying tub. An inspection plate 1a is detachably attached to the rear surface of the outer case 1. The drum 4 has a balance ring 4b at its opening edge.
Are provided, and a plurality of baffles 4c are provided on the inner peripheral surface.

The outer box 1, the water tub 2 and the drum 4 have openings 5, 6 and 7 for loading and unloading laundry, respectively, on the right front side in the figure. The opening 6 is connected in a watertight manner by an elastically deformable bellows 8. The opening 5 of the outer box 1 is provided with a door 9 for opening and closing the opening.

The drum 4 has a rotating shaft 10 on a back plate. The rotating shaft 10 is rotatably inserted through a housing 11 provided on a back plate 2a of the water tank 2 through a bearing and supported. I have. Further, a stator 13 of a motor 12 is mounted on an outer periphery of the housing 11, and an outer rotor 12 a of the motor 12 is mounted on the rotating shaft 10.
Is installed. The rotation of the motor 12 drives the drum 4 to rotate.

At the lowermost part of the water tank 2, a recess 15 for accommodating a heater 14 for water heating is formed, and at the bottom of the recess 15, a drain 15a is formed. Is connected to a drain valve 16 and a water distribution pipe 17. A drying device 18 as a drying means is provided at a rear portion, an upper portion, and a front upper portion of the water tank 2. The drying device 18 includes a hot air supply device 19 as a hot air supply device and a dehumidifier 20 as a dehumidification device. The hot-air supply device 19 includes a hot-air heater 22 provided in a heater case 21, a fan device 26 including a fan case 23, a fan 24, a fan motor 25, and the like, a front ventilation pipe 27, and a rear portion. And a duct cover 28. A vent 28a (see FIG. 3) is formed slightly below the rear plate 2a of the water tank 2.
The ventilation port 28a and the suction side of the fan case 23 are connected to the rear duct cover 28 attached to the outer surface of the rear plate 2a of the water tank 2 and the dehumidifying duct 28b formed by the outer surface of the rear plate 2a. Is communicated by

The discharge side of the fan case 23 is connected to one end of the heater case 21, and the other end of the heater case 21 is connected to one end of the front ventilation pipe 27. The other end of the front ventilation space 27 communicates with the front opening 7 of the drum 4. Therefore, in the hot air supply device 19, a hot air circulation path 29 passing through the inside of the drum 4 is formed as shown by an arrow in FIG. When hot air is generated by the fan device 26 and the heater 22 during the drying process, the hot air passes through the hot air circulation path 29 in the direction of the arrow.

The dehumidifying device 20 includes a dehumidifying duct 28b and a cooling water supply valve 30 (not shown in FIG. 2,
1) and a cooling water supply pipe 30a. During the drying process, the cooling water supply valve 30 is opened to supply cooling water (for example, tap water) to the upper inside of the dehumidifying duct 28b. Thus, the heat is exchanged with the warm air passing through the dehumidifying duct 28b to dehumidify the air.

A washing water supply device 31 as a water supply means includes a washing water supply valve 33 connected to an external water inlet pipe 32, and a water supply case 34 connected to a discharge port side of the washing water supply valve 33 via a pipe 33a. It is composed of The water supply case 34 is connected to an upper water supply port (not shown) of the water tank 2. The washing water supply valve 33 is opened in the washing process and the rinsing process, and supplies water from the water supply case 34 into the water tank 2. In this case, the water supply case 34
The detergent is stored in the water tank, and at the time of the first water supply (water supply in the washing process), the detergent is supplied together with water to the water tank 2.
It is designed to be supplied inside.

On the other hand, a concave portion 35 which protrudes outward is formed in the lower part of the back of the water tank 2 as shown in FIG. 4, and a deep portion of the concave portion 35 is formed as shown in FIGS. To
An optical sensor 36 as turbidity detecting means is provided. The light sensor 36 includes a light emitting element 38 in a transparent case 37.
And a light receiving element 39. Light emitting element 3
8 emits light, the light is emitted to the light emitting surface 37 a of the case 37.
The light enters the light receiving element 39 through the light receiving surface 37b. The light receiving element 39 outputs a detection signal corresponding to the amount of received light (light receiving level). In this case, the light receiving level is classified from “0” to “100”.

Further, an air trap 4 is provided below the water tank 2.
0 is provided, and an air pressure corresponding to the water pressure generated in the air trap 40 is guided through a tube 41 to a water level sensor 42 (see FIGS. 1 and 3). The water level sensor 42 detects an air pressure corresponding to the water pressure and outputs a water level detection signal corresponding to the water pressure.

Next, the electrical configuration will be described with reference to FIG. An input from the switch input unit 44 and the light receiving element 39 of the optical sensor 36 is provided to a microcomputer 43 that controls the entire washing and drying operation.
The switch input unit 44 has various switches such as a course selection switch and a start switch. The microcomputer 43 controls the driving of the motor 12 via the inverter circuit 45, and also controls the water heater 14, the drain valve 16, the warm air heater 22, the fan motor 25, the cooling water supply valve 30, and the washing water. The drive of the water supply valve 33 is controlled via a drive circuit 46.

The microcomputer 43 controls the overall operation of the washing operation and the drying operation, and also functions as a water supply control means. The functions as the washing operation control and the water supply control means will be described. The description of the drying operation is omitted because it is not directly related to the present invention. FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of the control contents of the microcomputer 43. This flowchart starts when the automatic washing course is selected by the course selection switch and the start switch is operated.

First, in steps P1 to P5, the washing process is controlled. In Step P1, the laundry amount (weight) is determined. This is performed as follows. After the drum 4 and the motor 12 are started up to, for example, 600 rpm, the power is cut off, and the rotation speed becomes, for example, 330 rpm.
pm is measured, and it is determined that the shorter the time, the greater the amount of laundry. This laundry amount is "small",
Judgment is made in three stages of “medium” and “many”. Then, the water supply amount Qw is determined according to the laundry amount determination result.

Next, in step P2, water is supplied until the determined water supply amount Qw is reached. That is, the water supply valve 33 for washing is opened and the water level is detected by the water level sensor 42, and the water supply valve 33 for washing is closed when the detected water level reaches the water level corresponding to the water supply amount Qw. As a result, the water
And the detergent in the water supply case 34 is supplied into the water tank 2 together with the water. Since the drum 4 can pass water, water and detergent are also supplied into the drum 4.

Next, the program proceeds to step P3, in which the drum 4 and the motor 12 are rotated forward and backward to wash the laundry with detergent. The forward and reverse rotation of the drum 12 is performed for a preset time. When the forward / reverse rotation of the drum 4 is completed, the process proceeds to step P4, where turbidity is detected and the next water supply amount Q1
To determine. That is, in the microcomputer 43, as shown in FIG. 7A, the light receiving level γ of the light receiving element 39 of the optical sensor 36 is divided into three stages as a first turbidity detection data table. Is "0≤
γ ≦ 30 ”,“ 30 <γ ≦ 60 ”,“ 60 <γ ≦ 10
0 ". In this case, the aforementioned laundry amount "small", "medium",
The water level is determined taking into account “many”. For example, when the laundry amount is “medium”, the light reception level γ is “30 <γ ≦ 6”.
When it is "0", the next water supply amount Q1 is determined to be a water level equivalent to "12 liters". Thereafter, in step P5, after the rotation of the motor 12 is stopped, that is, the rotation of the drum 4 is stopped, the drain valve 16 is opened to drain water.

Thereafter, steps P6 to P10
To the control of the first rinsing stroke. First, step P6
Then, while the drain valve 16 is kept open, the motor 12 is rotated at a relatively high speed in one direction to perform dehydration, the dehydration is performed for a preset dehydration time, and the motor 12 is stopped when the dehydration time ends. At the same time, the drain valve 16 is closed.
Next, in step P7, water is supplied until the water supply amount Q1 determined in the previous washing step is reached. The water supply amount in this case is a water supply amount according to the turbidity detection result. Then, in Step P8, the motor 12 is rotated forward and backward to rotate the drum 4 forward and backward.

In the next step P9, turbidity is detected and the next water supply level is determined. That is, in the microcomputer 43, as shown in FIG. 7B, the light receiving level γ of the light receiving element 39 of the optical sensor 36 is divided into three stages as a second turbidity detection data table. , “0 ≦ γ ≦ 15”, “15 <γ ≦ 30”, “3
0 <γ ”. Also in this case, the aforementioned laundry amount "small",
The water level is determined taking into account “medium” and “many”. For example, when the laundry amount is “medium”, the light reception level γ is “15 <
When γ ≦ 30 ”, the next water supply amount Q2 is set to“ 10
Liters ". Thereafter, in step P10, the rotation of the drum 4 is stopped, and the drain valve 16 is opened to perform drainage.

Thereafter, steps P11 through P
At 15, the second rinsing stroke is controlled. The control of the second rinsing stroke is basically the same as the control of the first rinsing stroke. In step P12, water is supplied so as to have the water supply amount Q2 determined in the first rinsing step, which is the previous step. In step P14, turbidity detection is performed and the next water supply level is determined. That is, in the microcomputer 43, as shown in FIG. 7C, the third turbidity detection data table
The light receiving levels γ of the six light receiving elements 39 are divided into three stages, which are “0 ≦ γ ≦ 8” and “8 <γ ≦ 1”.
5 "and" 15 <γ ". Also in this case, the water level is determined in consideration of the above-mentioned laundry amounts “small”, “medium”, and “high”.

Steps P11 to P15
Is completed, the process shifts to the control of the third rinsing process in steps P16 to P19. In this case, in step P17, water is supplied so as to have the water supply amount Q2 set in the first rinsing stroke, which is the previous stroke. When the control of the third rinsing step is completed, the process shifts to Step P20 to execute the final dewatering step in a preset time. FIG. 8 shows an example of a change in turbidity.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the optical sensor 3
6. Since the subsequent water supply is controlled based on the turbidity detection result obtained by Step 6, unlike the case where the number of rinsing steps is controlled, the water supply can be directly adjusted, and the water supply can be performed while obtaining a sufficient rinsing effect. It is possible to eliminate excess and deficiency.

In particular, according to this embodiment, the amount of water to be supplied in the first to third rinsing steps is determined based on the turbidity detection result detected in the immediately preceding washing step or rinsing step. As a result, the turbidity detection result can be used for water supply in the next rinsing step, which is further advantageous for preventing excess water supply. Further, according to the present embodiment, since the turbidity detecting means is constituted by the optical sensor 36, the turbidity of the washing water can be directly detected, and the turbidity detection accuracy is high.

FIGS. 9 to 15 show a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, in the rinsing process, an initial amount of water is supplied first, and then the water is detected in the rinsing process. It is characterized in that the amount of additional water supply after this in the rinsing process is determined based on the turbidity detection result. Hereinafter, points different from the first embodiment will be described. From Step R1 to Step R3,
Steps P1 to P3 in the first embodiment
Steps R4 to R
Step 7 is the same as steps P5 to P8 in the first embodiment. In this case, the water supply amount Qw in step R6 is the initial water supply amount,
It is determined based on the laundry amount determined in step 1. After the rotation of the drum 4 in step R7 has been performed for a predetermined time, the process proceeds to step R8.

In step R8, step R
After a predetermined time has elapsed after the rotation of the drum 4 of No. 7, three minutes have passed. In step R9, turbidity is detected. In step R11, the light receiving level γ, which is the turbidity detection value, is detected.
Determines whether the additional water supply is equal to or more than the first turbidity reference value K1 and the additional water supply in the rinsing step is equal to or less than the third time, and the additional water supply is equal to or more than the first turbidity reference value K1 and is equal to or less than the third time. And it transfers to step R11 and performs additional water supply. FIGS. 10 (a) to 10 (c)
As shown in (1), the first, second, and third additional water supply amounts Q11, Q12, and Q13 are predetermined. Thereafter, the process returns to step R8 and further proceeds to step R8.
9. Step R10 is performed. If the additional water supply exceeds three times, the process proceeds to step R12, in which the rotation of the drum 4 and therefore the motor 12 is stopped, and then the drainage is performed. In addition,
FIG. 13 shows a change in turbidity when the additional water supply is performed three times in the first rinsing stroke.

Thereafter, steps R13 to R
The control shifts to the control of the second rinsing stroke indicated by reference numeral 20. This is basically the same as the above-described control of the first rinsing process (steps R5 to R12). However, the second turbidity reference value K2 in step R18 is set lower than the first turbidity reference value K1. Step R1
The additional water supply amount of No. 9 is Q in Figs. 11 (a), (b) and (c).
21, Q22 and Q23. FIG. 14 shows a change in turbidity when the additional water supply is performed three times in the second rinsing step.

After the control of the second rinsing stroke, the process shifts to the control of the second rinsing stroke shown in steps R21 to R28. This is basically the same as the above-described control of the first rinsing stroke (steps R13 to R20). However, the third turbidity reference value K3 in step R26 is set lower than the second turbidity reference value K2. The additional water supply amount in step R27 is shown in FIG.
(A), (b) and (c) show Q31, Q32 and Q33. FIG. 15 shows a change in turbidity when the additional water supply is performed three times in the third rinsing step.

According to the second embodiment, the result of turbidity detection in the currently executed rinsing process can be utilized for adding the amount of water supply in this rinsing process, and quick and accurate water supply control is achieved. It becomes possible.

The initial water supply amount in each rinsing stroke (Step R6, Step R14, Step R22)
Is set based on the laundry amount detected in step R1, but may be determined in the second and third rinsing steps based on the turbidity detection result detected in the immediately preceding rinsing step. . That is, the initial water supply amount of the first rinsing step is determined according to the turbidity detection result in the washing step which is the immediately preceding step, and the initial water supply amount of the second rinsing step is
It is determined according to the turbidity detection result in the first rinsing step which is the immediately preceding step, and the initial water supply amount in the third rinsing step is determined in the second rinsing step which is the immediately preceding step. May be determined according to the turbidity detection result. In this manner, the initial water supply amount according to the previous turbidity detection result can be obtained, and therefore, when the turbidity is detected after the supply of the initial water supply amount, the washing water is less likely to be too turbid, Turbidity detection accuracy itself is improved.

Further, the present invention may be implemented as follows. That is, it is determined whether the light receiving level of the optical sensor 36 is equal to or lower than a predetermined value and equal to or lower than the previous light receiving level,
When the light reception level is equal to or lower than a predetermined value and equal to or lower than the previous light reception level, a predetermined maximum water supply amount may be supplied. In this way, it is possible to prevent water from being supplied beyond the allowable water supply amount. In other words, if the light emitting surface 37a or the light receiving surface 37b of the optical sensor 36 becomes dirty, the light receiving level decreases, and the turbidity detection accuracy decreases. In this case, if the water supply amount is determined based on the detection result, there is a concern that the water supply amount may exceed the allowable water supply amount.However, when the light reception level is equal to or lower than the predetermined value and equal to or lower than the previous light reception level, the water supply amount is set in advance. If the maximum water supply is provided, the allowable water supply will not be exceeded.

[0038]

As apparent from the above description, the present invention has the following effects. According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the subsequent water supply is controlled based on the turbidity detection result by the turbidity detecting means, the water supply is directly adjusted unlike the case where the number of rinsing strokes is controlled. It is possible to eliminate the excess and deficiency of water supply while obtaining a sufficient rinsing effect.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the amount of water supplied in the rinsing step is determined based on the turbidity detection result detected in the immediately preceding washing step or rinsing step. The detection result can be used for water supply in the next rinsing step, which is further advantageous for preventing excess water supply.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the initial water supply amount is supplied in the rinsing step, and the additional water supply amount in the rinsing step is determined based on the turbidity detection result detected in the rinsing step. Therefore, the result of turbidity detection in the currently executed rinsing process can be used for adding the amount of water supply in the rinsing process, and quick and accurate water supply control can be achieved.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the initial water supply amount in the rinsing step is determined based on the turbidity detection result detected in the immediately preceding washing step or rinsing step. It is possible to obtain the initial water supply amount according to the turbidity detection result, and therefore, when the turbidity is detected after supplying the initial water supply amount, the washing water is less likely to be too turbid, and the turbidity detection accuracy itself is improved. I do.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the turbidity detecting means is constituted by an optical sensor, when the light receiving level is equal to or lower than a predetermined value and equal to or lower than the previous light receiving level, a predetermined maximum is set. Since the water supply amount is supplied, the water supply amount does not exceed the allowable water supply amount even if the light emitting surface and the light receiving surface become dirty and the light receiving level drops.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electrical configuration showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional side view of a drum type washing machine.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the drum type washing machine with a check plate removed.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional side view of an optical sensor portion.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional plan view of the optical sensor.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing control contents.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a database of water supply amount.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a turbidity change.

FIG. 9 is a view corresponding to FIG. 6, showing a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a water supply amount database in the control of the first rinsing stroke;

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a water supply amount database in the control of the second rinsing stroke;

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a water supply amount database in a third rinsing stroke control;

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a change in turbidity in the first rinsing process.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a change in turbidity in the second rinsing process.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a change in turbidity in a third rinsing process.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 is an outer bar code, 2 is a water tank, 4 is a drum, 12 is a motor, 31 is a water supply device for washing (water supply means), 33 is a supply water valve for washing, 36 is an optical sensor (turbidity detecting means), and 37 is A case, 38 is a light emitting element, 39 is a light receiving element, 42 is a water level sensor, and 43 is a microcomputer (water supply control means).

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 3B155 AA17 BA23 BB19 CA02 KA15 KB14 LA14 LB29 LC15 LC33 MA01 MA02 MA05 MA06 MA07 MA08

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A water tank provided inside an outer box, a drum provided inside the water tank, turbidity detecting means for detecting turbidity of water in the drum, and supplying water into the drum. A drum type washing machine comprising: a water supply unit; and a water supply control unit that controls a subsequent water supply amount based on a turbidity detection result by the turbidity detection unit. 2. The water supply control means according to claim 1, wherein a water supply amount supplied in the rinsing step is determined based on a turbidity detection result detected in the immediately preceding washing step or rinsing step. Item 4. A drum type washing machine according to Item 1. 3. The water supply control means supplies an initial water supply amount in a rinsing stroke, and determines a subsequent additional water supply amount in the rinsing stroke based on a turbidity detection result detected in the rinsing stroke. The drum type washing machine according to claim 1, wherein 4. The drum according to claim 3, wherein the initial water supply amount in the rinsing step is determined based on a turbidity detection result detected in the immediately preceding washing step or rinsing step. Type washing machine. 5. The turbidity detecting means comprises an optical sensor, and the water supply control means supplies a preset maximum water supply amount when the light receiving level is below a predetermined value and below a previous light receiving level. The drum-type washing machine according to claim 1, wherein: