JP2002224491A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a washing machine which enables washing or rinsing with the quantity of water suitable for the volume of washings by clearly determining the quantity of water suitable for the volume of the washings prior to the supply of water to a washing tub. SOLUTION: An index 30 pertaining to the water level is provided on the inner wall of the washing tub 5.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fully automatic washing machine for performing a washing process including washing, rinsing, and dewatering.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional washing machine, the amount of laundry is automatically determined by detecting a load amount, the amount of water is determined, and water is supplied. However, since the user does not know the height of the washing tub to which water is to be supplied until the end of the water supply, the user cannot determine whether or not the amount of water is appropriate for the washing amount.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a washing machine in which the amount of water suitable for the amount of laundry can be determined before water is supplied to the washing tub, and washing can be easily performed with the amount of water suitable for the amount of laundry.

[0004]

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention A first washing machine according to the present invention stores water in a washing tub, performs washing,
In a washing machine that performs rinsing or the like, an operation panel is provided with a water amount setting unit, and an index regarding the water surface is given to the inner wall of the washing tub so that the water surface related to the water amount set by the water amount setting unit can be known before water supply. It is characterized by the following.

Therefore, the user can easily know the water level after water supply by actually looking into the washing tub before water supply, and determine whether the water level at the water level is appropriate for the washing amount and before the water supply ends. I can judge.

A second washing machine according to the present invention is a washing machine that stores water in a washing tub, performs washing, rinsing, and the like. While detecting the amount of water on the display unit,
Further, an index relating to the water surface is provided on the inner wall of the washing tub so that the water surface relating to the amount of water displayed on the display unit can be known before water supply.

Accordingly, the user can easily know the water level after water supply by actually looking into the washing tub before water supply, and the water amount automatically displayed on the display unit is a function of the laundry amount. Can be determined before the end of water supply.

[0008] A third washing machine according to the present invention is a washing machine for storing water in a washing tub to perform washing, rinsing, etc., wherein an index relating to the height of the laundry is provided on the inner wall of the washing tub. And a water amount setting unit for setting a water amount value with respect to the height, and further setting a water amount value with respect to the height of the laundry when the laundry is put into the washing tub.

Therefore, the user can know the predetermined amount of water with respect to the height of the laundry in advance, so that the user can be conscious of saving water.

[0010] A fourth washing machine according to the present invention is a washing machine in which water is collected in a washing tub to perform washing, rinsing, and the like. , The rank for this height is shown numerically,
A water amount setting unit for setting a number for the height of the laundry amount when the laundry is put into the washing tub is provided, and the water amount is determined based on the number set in the water amount setting unit. I do.

Therefore, the user can determine whether the amount of water is appropriate for the height of the laundry before the end of the water supply.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a washing machine for storing, washing, and rinsing water in a washing tub, wherein an index relating to a height of the laundry is provided on an inner wall of the washing tub. , The rank for this height is shown numerically,
A water amount setting unit for setting a number corresponding to a height of the laundry when the laundry is put into the washing tub; and a course setting unit for inputting a type of the laundry and a laundry course. Provided,
The water amount is determined based on information from the water amount setting unit and the course setting unit.

[0013] Therefore, the appropriate amount of water is automatically determined based on the height of the laundry, the type of the laundry, and the washing cost, so that the user does not need to confirm whether the amount of water is appropriate.

A sixth washing machine according to the present invention is characterized in that the determined water amount is displayed on an operation panel.

Accordingly, the user can know the amount of water to be supplied, and can be conscious of saving water.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A fully automatic washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 is a side sectional view of a fully automatic washing machine, FIG. 2 is a plan view of an operation panel, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a washing tub, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control circuit of the washing machine main body.

FIG. 1 will be described below.

The fully automatic washing machine 1 is provided with a box-shaped housing 2 having an opening on the upper surface, and an openable / closable upper lid 3 is attached to this opening. An operation panel 6 is arranged on the upper surface of the housing 2. The fully automatic washing machine further includes an outer tub 4 suspended from the housing 2 by a suspension bar (not shown) with a spring, and a washing tub 5 provided in the outer tub 4. The washing tub 5 can store laundry through the upper opening of the housing 2.

Above the outer tub 4, there is provided a detergent storage section 7 for storing a detergent used for washing. The other end of the water supply passage 8 whose one end protrudes from the upper surface of the housing 2 is connected to the detergent storage section 7. Housing 2 for water supply channel 8
For example, a water supply hose 9 extending from a water tap (not shown) is connected to a portion protruding from the upper surface of the water supply hose. In addition, a water supply valve 10 constituted by, for example, an electromagnetic valve is disposed in the middle of the water supply passage 8. With this configuration, when the water supply valve 10 is opened, a water supply hose 9 and a water supply passage 8 are connected from a water tap (not shown).
The tap water supplied to the detergent accommodating section 7 through the tank flows into the washing tub 5 together with the detergent contained in the detergent accommodating section 7 and is stored in the outer tub 4.

At the bottom of the outer tub 4, a drain port 11 for discharging tap water stored in the outer tub 4 out of the housing 2 is formed. A drain pipe 12 extending outside the housing 2 is connected to the drain port 11. A drain valve 13 composed of, for example, an electromagnetic valve is provided in the middle of the drain pipe 12. When the drain valve 13 is opened, the washing water stored in the outer tub 4 passes through the drain pipe 12. It is discharged out of the housing 2.

An air trap 14 is provided at one corner of the bottom of the outer tank 4. The air trap 14 is connected to a water level sensor 15 provided above the housing 2 via an air hose 16. As the water level in the outer tub 4 rises, the air in the air hose 16 is compressed.
The water level sensor 15 detects the water level in the outer tub 4 by measuring the air pressure in the air hose 16.

The washing tub 5 also serves as a dehydration tub,
Many fine dehydration holes (small holes) 5a are formed around it. At the bottom of the washing tub 5, a pulsator 17 for stirring the washing water to generate a water flow is provided. The washing tub 5 and the pulsator 17 are supported by an output shaft 19 of a bearing 18 provided below the outer tub 4 so as to be rotatable forward and backward.

A motor 20 for generating a driving force for rotating the washing tub 5 and the pulsator 17 and a transmission mechanism for transmitting the rotational force of the motor 20 to the bearing 18 are provided at the bottom of the housing 2. 21 are provided. Transmission mechanism 21
Is a small pulley 2 fixed to the output shaft 22 of the motor 20.
3, a large pulley 25 fixed to the lower end of the input shaft 24 of the bearing 18, and a belt 26 bridged over the small pulley 23 and the large pulley 25. The rotational force of the motor 20 is transmitted to the large pulley 25 via the small pulley 23 and the belt 26.
And further transmitted to the bearing 18 via the input shaft 24.

The bearing 18 has a built-in clutch (not shown) so that the washing tub 5 and the pulsator 17 can be individually driven, and the output shaft 19 of the bearing 18 has a double shaft. It is composed of For example, at the time of washing and rinsing, the driving force of the motor 20 is transmitted to the pulsator 17 through the bearing 18, and the pulsator 17 is rotated forward and backward. At the time of spin-drying, the driving force of the motor 20 is transmitted to both the inner tub 5 and the pulsator 17, the washing tub 5 and the pulsator 17 are rotated in one direction at a high speed, and the laundry in the washing tub 5 is centrifuged. Dehydrated by force. Further, a safety switch 27 is provided which is activated when the outer tub 4 is greatly shaken during opening / closing or dehydration of the upper lid 3.

The operation panel 6 shown in FIG. 2 includes a key input unit 28 having setting switches for water volume, washing, rinsing, dehydration and the like, a course selection switch, a start and pause switch, a power on / off switch, and the like. Is provided. Also,
A display unit is provided for indicating the amount of water, the washing time, the number of rinses, and the dehydration time.

Next, a perspective view of the washing tub 5 of FIG. 3 will be described. As shown in the figure, an index 30 relating to the water surface and the amount of water corresponding to the index 30 are displayed on the inner wall of the washing tub 5. Therefore, when the user manually sets the amount of water with the water amount setting key 29, the user can know in advance to which height of the washing tub 5 water will be supplied after the water supply. Can be determined in advance. Also, when the load amount is detected by the load amount detecting means and the water amount is automatically set, and the water amount is displayed on the water amount display section of the operation panel 6, the washing tub is provided after the water supply in the same manner as when the water amount is manually set. Since it is known in advance to which level of water the water is to be supplied, it is possible to determine in advance whether the amount of water is appropriate for the amount of laundry. The load amount is detected by comparing the number of pulses generated by the rotation of the pulsator 17 within a predetermined time with the load amount determination reference data in the reference data storage unit. .
Then, the water amount is automatically set based on the determined load amount.

Next, a block diagram showing a configuration of a control circuit of the main body of the washing machine shown in FIG. 4 will be described. The washing operation including the steps of washing, rinsing, dehydrating and the like is executed under the control of a microcomputer 36 (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer). The microcomputer 36 receives signals from the key input unit 28 of the operation panel 6, the safety switch 27, and the like, in addition to the signal input from the water level sensor 15. The storage unit 3
5 is connected and stores the detection output of the load sensor.

The microcomputer 36 opens and closes the water supply valve 10, opens and closes the drain valve 13, drives and stops the washing motor 20, switches the direction of rotation, and displays a display based on a control program based on the input signals. Control.

Next, another embodiment will be described. FIG.
The washing tub 5a shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, an index 31 relating to the height of the laundry is displayed on the inner wall of the washing tub 5a. And the water amount value with respect to the said height is displayed. In this case, the water amount is the water amount at the height of the laundry, and the actual water level is higher than the height of the laundry. The water amount setting unit 32 provided on the operation panel 6a in FIG.
The amount of water with respect to the height of the laundry is set by a water amount setting key 29, and the amount of water is set.

Next, a perspective view of a washing tub 5b will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, an index 31 relating to the height of the laundry is displayed on the inner wall of the washing tub 5b, and the rank for this height is indicated by a numeral. A water amount setting unit 32 for setting a number corresponding to the height of the laundry on the operation panel 6b of FIG.
Then, the water amount is determined based on the number set by the laundry height setting key 33.

Next, another embodiment will be described. The washing tub is the same as the washing tub 5b shown in FIG. The operation panel 6c shown in FIG. 9 is provided with a key 33 for setting the rank of the laundry height in the water amount setting section 32, and further includes a laundry type setting section 34 and a laundry course setting section 37. Is provided. Then, the water amount is automatically determined based on information from the water amount setting unit 32, the laundry type setting unit 34, and the washing course setting unit 37.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to a fully automatic washing machine as an embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to a two-tub washing machine.

[0033]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the user can easily know the water level after water supply before the water supply, and judge whether the water level at the water level is appropriate for the washing amount before the water supply is completed. it can.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the user can easily know the water level after water supply before the water supply, and whether the water amount automatically displayed on the display unit is appropriate for the washing amount or not. You can judge before the end.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the user can know the predetermined amount of water in advance with respect to the height of the laundry, so that the user can be conscious of saving water.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the user can determine whether the water amount is appropriate for the height of the laundry before the end of the water supply.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, an appropriate amount of water is automatically determined based on the height of the laundry, the type of the laundry, and the washing cost. There is no need to check for suitability.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the user can know the amount of water to be supplied and can be conscious of saving water.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a fully automatic washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of an operation panel of the fully automatic washing machine.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a washing tub of the same automatic washing machine.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control circuit of the fully automatic washing machine.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a washing tub of a fully automatic washing machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of an operation panel of the fully automatic washing machine.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a washing tub of a fully automatic washing machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of an operation panel of the fully automatic washing machine.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of an operation panel of a fully automatic washing machine according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 5 washing tub 5a washing tub of other embodiment 5b washing tub of other embodiment 6 operation panel 6a operation panel of other embodiment 6b operation panel of other embodiment 6c operation panel of other embodiment 29 -30 Water surface index 31 Laundry height index 32 Water volume setting section 33 Laundry height setting key 34 Laundry type setting section 35 Storage section 36 Microcomputer 37 Setting laundry course Department

Claims (6)

[Claims] In a washing machine for storing, washing, and rinsing water in a washing tub, a water amount setting unit is provided on an operation panel, and a water level relating to the water amount set by the water amount setting unit can be known before water supply. Thus, an index relating to the water surface is given to the inner wall of the washing tub. 2. A washing machine for storing, washing, and rinsing water in a washing tub, wherein a water amount display section is provided on an operation panel, and the load amount is detected by a load amount detecting means, and the water amount is displayed on the display section. The washing machine further comprises an indicator for indicating the water level on the inner wall of the washing tub so that the water level related to the amount of water displayed on the display unit can be known before water supply. 3. A washing machine for storing, washing, and rinsing water in a washing tub, wherein an index relating to the height of the laundry is given to an inner wall of the washing tub, and a water amount value for this height is given. A washing machine further comprising a water amount setting unit for setting a water amount value with respect to a height of the laundry when the laundry is put in the washing tub. 4. In a washing machine for storing, washing, and rinsing water in a washing tub, an index relating to a height of the laundry is given to an inner wall of the washing tub, and a rank for this height is represented by a numeral. In addition, a water amount setting unit for setting a number corresponding to the height of the laundry amount when the laundry is put in the washing tub is provided, and the water amount is determined based on the number set by the water amount setting unit. A washing machine, characterized in that: 5. In a washing machine for storing, washing, and rinsing water in a washing tub, an index relating to the height of the laundry is given to the inner wall of the washing tub, and a rank for this height is indicated by a numeral. And a water amount setting unit for setting a number corresponding to the height of the laundry amount when the laundry is put into the washing tub, a course for inputting a type of the laundry and a laundry course, and the like. A washing machine, comprising: a setting unit; and determining a water amount based on information from the water amount setting unit and a course setting unit. 6. The washing machine according to claim 5, wherein the determined amount of water is displayed on an operation panel.