JP2009028113A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a washing machine whose turbidity sensing capability is increased and which performs optimum washing and rinsing processes. <P>SOLUTION: The washing machine is provided with a means 29 for controlling operation of the washing machine, a transmission rate detecting means 22, devices 22a, 22b and 22c for emitting light of wavelengths of light's three primary colors respectively and a light receiving element 22d for receiving the emission wavelengths and converting them into electric signals which are opposed each other. The transmission rate of each of the colors is found from the detected voltage of the electric signals converted by the light receiving element 22d for each of the wavelengths of the light's three primary colors. It is compared to the transmission rate of the early part of the rinsing process. It is estimated whether the type of detergent put in the machine is powder, liquid or powder soap. It is also estimated whether there are many bubbles in the washing water from the range of temporal change of the transmission rate, whether the turbidity of the washing water is changed or not by removal of dirt from the clothes, or whether it is color-dulling of colored clothes. In this way, the washing time, the number of times of rinsing and the like are controlled. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a drum-type washing machine that performs a washing, rinsing, and dewatering processes by rotationally driving a rotating drum that contains laundry.

  A conventional washing machine has a configuration in which a laundry stain (turbidity) state is detected, a stain of clothes is removed (that is, a wash state), and an optimal washing process is controlled (for example, Patent Document 1). reference).

  4 and 5 show a configuration of a drum-type washing machine to which a conventional turbidity sensor detection device is applied, and the configuration will be described below.

  4 (a) and 4 (b) are external perspective views of the turbidity detection device, and FIG. 4 (b) is a perspective view as seen from the back of FIG. 4 (a).

  In FIG. 4, a turbidity sensor 31 has a light-emitting element 31a and a light-receiving element 31b facing each other to detect washing water stains. The turbidity sensor output (hereinafter referred to as sensor voltage) is based on clean water. As the washing and stirring begins to dissolve the detergent and the laundry, the sensor voltage level (maximum value per cycle) is detected as the sensor voltage gradually decreases. It is attached to the auxiliary tank 32.

  The auxiliary tank 32 has an inclined surface 32a that spreads upward, a water supply port 32b is formed on the upper surface, and a bubble removal port 32c is provided on the upper side surface, which is connected to a bubble removal hose 43 described later.

  The mounting portion of the turbidity sensor 31 has a substantially convex cross section, the mounting surface 32d of the turbidity sensor 31 is formed of a transparent material, and a plurality of connecting pipes 32e are disposed on the bottom side surface. The tip of the tube 32e has a half-moon shape with the bottom opened. On the other hand, the bottom 32f is inclined so that the connecting pipe 32e side is lowered.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the drum type washing machine. The outer tub 33 stores washing water. A drum (washing and dewatering tub) 34 is rotatably mounted in the outer tub 33 and the laundry is stirred. The auxiliary tank 32 to which the turbidity sensor 31 described in FIG. 4 is attached is connected to the bottom of the outer tub 33 by a plurality of connecting pipes 32e provided on the bottom side surface. The control means 35 controls the load of the motor 37, the water supply means 38, etc. by the signal of the water level detection means 36 which detects the water supply water level in the turbidity sensor 31 and the outer tank 33, and controls each process of washing, rinsing and dehydration. To do.

  The motor 37 uses a belt for drive connection, and rotates the drum 34 to stir the laundry in the drum 34. The water supply means 38 supplies the washing water into the outer tub 33, and the drainage means 39 discharges the washing water in the outer tub 33 to the outside.

  The water supply means 38 is connected to a detergent case 41 by a water supply hose 40, a cleaning hose 42 branched from the water supply hose 40 is connected to a water supply port 32b of the auxiliary tank 32, and water is branched to the auxiliary tank 32 when water is supplied. ing. The foam removal port 32 c of the auxiliary tank 32 and the upper part of the outer tub 33 are connected by a foam removal hose 43.

  As can be seen from the above configuration of the conventional example, the conventional transmittance detecting means attached to the washing machine is arranged by opposing the light emitting element 31a and the light receiving element 31b that receives the light emission wavelength and converts it into an electrical signal, The light receiving element that has been stored in advance when water is supplied and that passes through washing water close to fresh water and is converted into an electrical signal by the light receiving element, and the washing water that is mixed with dirt that has fallen from the detergent and clothes during the washing process. The difference in the detection voltage converted into an electrical signal is simply detected as a change in turbidity.

Also, the detection voltage converted into an electrical signal by the light receiving element drops due to the influence of bubbles, and it is falsely detected that it is dirty rather than the actual dirt. To prevent this, the influence of bubbles is reduced. It is necessary to do this, and it is arranged at the bottom of the outer tub 33 and corresponds to the defoaming hose 43.
JP 05-154278 A

  However, in the above-described conventional configuration, the wash water changes color due to discoloration when washing colored clothes, but it is not possible to detect the color of the wash water only by detecting the type and amount of dirt that has fallen from the clothes. . For this reason, it is impossible to detect even if the washing water discolors due to the dye falling out of the clothing, and it is not possible to prevent the “transfer” that the dye that has dropped out of the clothing moves to other clothing was there.

  In addition, since the effect of foam is regarded as just noise, it is installed in a place where the effect of foam is less, so it is impossible to detect “low foaming” that affects washing and rinsing effects. It is not possible to determine clearly whether the change in turbidity is due to dirt that has fallen from clothes or the effect of detergent because the difference between the detection voltage in fresh water and the detection voltage in the washing process is simply compared. There was a problem.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and has an object to provide a washing machine that increases the turbidity detection capability of washing water and performs an optimal washing and rinsing process.

  In order to achieve the above object, a drum-type washing machine according to the present invention includes a transmittance detecting unit that detects the transmittance of washing water, and a storage unit that stores conditions for controlling the light-emitting elements in the transmittance detecting unit. And a control means for controlling a series of processes such as washing, rinsing, dehydration, and drying. The transmittance detecting means is an element that individually emits light of the three primary colors of light, and an electrical signal that receives the emission wavelength. The control means sets the washing condition by the output of the transmittance detecting means, and the output voltage value becomes constant before the washing process and at the beginning of the rinsing process. The light quantity of the light emitting element is adjusted, and the washing time and the rinsing condition are set according to the output ratio of the transmittance detecting means after the start of washing.

  As a result, it is possible to detect the time change of the washing water after the start of washing with the detection voltage converted into an electrical signal by the light receiving element for each wavelength of the three primary colors of light, and detect the color fading caused by washing the colored clothes. By supplying water or draining water, it is possible to prevent transfer between clothes, and by detecting the influence of detergent bubbles as the amplitude and noise of the detection voltage in terms of time and noise, there is little foaming of washing water. Detection becomes possible, and an optimal washing and rinsing process can be realized by increasing or decreasing the rinsing time or increasing or decreasing the number of rinsing processes.

  The washing machine of the present invention can improve the turbidity detection capability of washing water by detecting the transmittance of washing water based on the three primary color wavelengths of light, and can realize optimum washing and rinsing for the state of washing water.

  The first invention includes a main body, an outer tub supported by the main body, an inner tub rotatably provided in the outer tub, driving means for driving the inner tub, and washing water in the inner tub. Water supply means for supplying, drainage means for draining the wash water in the inner tub, a water guide groove on the bottom surface of the inner tub, and a transmittance detection for detecting the permeability of the wash water outside the inner tub of the water guide groove Means, a storage means for storing the control conditions of the light emitting element in the transmittance detecting means, and a control means for controlling a series of steps such as washing, rinsing, dehydration, drying, etc., the transmittance detecting means The elements that emit light of the three primary colors individually and the light receiving elements that receive the light emission wavelengths and convert them into electrical signals are arranged opposite to each other, and the control means is washed by the output of the transmittance detecting means. Set the conditions so that the output voltage value is constant before the washing process and at the beginning of the rinsing process. By adjusting the light quantity of the optical element and setting the washing time and the rinsing condition according to the output ratio of the transmittance detecting means after the start of washing, the washing time is set according to the decrease in the detection voltage. In this way, it is possible to control the efficient washing process, and also to detect the change in the wavelength of the three primary colors of each light and to estimate the color fading from the colored clothing, to control the water supply or drainage, etc. Transfer to clothing can be prevented.

  In the second invention, in particular, the control means of the first invention obtains the transmittance of each color from the detection voltage converted into an electric signal by the light receiving element for each wavelength of the three primary colors of light, and the time of the value is large or small. From the amplitude of the washing water, it is determined whether the washing water has a lot of foam or not, and if the time amplitude is large, it is considered that there are a lot of foam, and the time of the rinsing process is set longer, or the number of rinsing processes is increased a plurality of times. Etc., the optimum rinsing process can be controlled.

  In the third invention, in particular, the control means of the first or second invention is detected by the light receiving element converted into an electrical signal for each of the wavelengths of the three primary colors of the washing water light close to fresh water at the initial stage of the rinsing process. The light intensity of each light emitting element is adjusted so that the voltage becomes a constant value, the duty ratio of the voltage applied to the light emitting element at that time is stored in the memory element, and the type of detergent before the washing process is determined. By setting the time standard, washing water turbidity can be detected without the influence of detergent, and more efficient process control is possible.

  In the fourth invention, in particular, the control means of any one of the first to third inventions is put into the inner tub with clothes, washing water and detergent, stirred for a certain period of time, stopped once, and the three primary colors of light The light intensity of each light emitting element is adjusted so that the detection voltage converted into an electric signal by the light receiving element becomes a constant value for each wavelength of light, and the transmittance of each color is obtained from the detection voltage after the washing process with the light intensity. By doing so, it becomes possible to grasp the change in the turbidity of the washing water by eliminating the influence of the detergent, and more accurate process control becomes possible.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings to provide an understanding of the present invention. In addition, the following description is a specific example of this invention, Comprising: The content of description of a claim is not limited.

(Embodiment 1)
1 is a cross-sectional view of a washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an external view of the transmittance detecting means of the washing machine, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the transmittance detecting means of the washing machine. Show.

  In FIG. 1, a cylindrical outer tub 3 elastically supported by a plurality of suspensions 2 is provided inside a main body 1, and vibrations during washing and dehydration are absorbed by the suspension 2. Inside the outer tub 3, a cylindrical inner tub 5 that accommodates the garment 4 is rotatably provided and is driven to rotate by a motor 6 that is a driving means, and the outer tub 3 is in a washing process or a rinsing process. It collects washing water.

  On the front surface of the main body 1, an opening 1 a for inserting and removing clothes 4 and a door 7 for opening and closing the opening 1 a are provided. A similar opening is provided on the front side of the outer tub 3 and the inner tub 5, and the opening of the outer tub 3 is water-tightly connected to the opening 1 a of the main body 1 by a bellows 8.

  The upper part of the outer tub 3 has a water supply means 23 for supplying washing water, and a drainage port (drainage means) 9 for discharging the washing water at the bottom, and is connected to a drain valve 10 for opening and closing the drainage. During washing, the drain valve 10 is closed and a predetermined amount of washing water can be stored in the outer tub 3.

  The bottom of the inner tub 5 is provided with a water guide groove 21 having a convex shape in cross section and a transmittance detecting means 22 for detecting the transmittance of washing water in the vicinity of the water guide groove 21, and below the main body 1, In addition to controlling the operation and process of the washing machine, a control means 29 including a storage means for storing conditions for controlling the light emitting elements in the transmittance detecting means 22 is provided.

  In the external view of FIG. 2A and the rear view thereof (b), the transmittance detecting means 22 is the RGB of the three primary colors (red: R, green: G, blue: B) (hereinafter simply referred to as RGB). A red wavelength light emitting element 22a, a green wavelength light emitting element 22b, and a blue wavelength light emitting element 22c that individually emit the wavelengths of light, and a light receiving element 22d that receives the light emission wavelength through the water guide groove 21 and converts it into an electrical signal. Is done.

  A cross-sectional view (b) in FIG. 3 shows a cross-section along the line AA in FIG. 2 (a). The light emission lines of the light-emitting elements 22a, 22b, and 22c, which are the three primary colors of light, are arranged in an angle line B. And arranged so as to be directed to one light receiving element 22d via the water guide groove 21.

  3A shows a CC cross section of FIG. 3B, and the water guide groove 21 is formed in a convex shape having a cross-sectional mountain shape having a mountain-shaped inclined portion 21a from the wall surface of the outer tub 3. The turbidity of the washing water inside is detected by light emission from each light emitting element 22a, 22b, 22c.

  About the washing machine comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.

  By detecting the temporal change in the turbidity of the washing water after the start of washing with the transmitted light amount of the three primary colors (RGB), any dirt from the clothing is removed during the washing process, and the washing water in the inner tub 5 becomes cloudy. When the degree change occurs, the transmittance decreases, so that the detection voltage obtained by converting the light amount of the RGB wavelength into the electric signal by the light receiving element 22d decreases while keeping constant. From this, it is possible to control the efficient washing process by detecting the size of the clothing stain from the magnitude of the decrease in the detection voltage, and extending or shortening the washing time depending on the detected size of the clothing stain.

  Further, if the detection voltage obtained by converting the light amount of the RGB wavelength into an electrical signal by the light receiving element 22d is, for example, red, the light amount of the R (red) wavelength is reduced depending on the color of the washing water. Then, the detection voltage converted into the electrical signal from the light receiving element 22d that receives the wavelength of R (red) decreases, and thereby the control unit 29 detects that the color is lost due to washing of the colored clothes, Transfer of clothes can be prevented by supplying water or draining water.

  Further, since the transmittance detecting means 22 is installed on the bottom surface below the outer tub 3, when the inner tub 5 is rotated by the driving motor 6, detergent bubbles positively enter the water guide groove. At this time, since the bubbles enter between the RGB light emitting elements 22a, 22b, 22c and the light receiving element 22d of the transmittance detecting means 22, all of the RGB wavelength light is diffusely reflected, thereby preventing the light from reaching the light receiving element. The influence of bubbles appears as the amplitude and noise of the detected voltage over time.

  From this amplitude / noise, a small amount of foaming in the inner tank 5 is detected. When it is detected that foaming in the inner tank 5 is small, it is determined that the amount of detergent is small, and the time of the next rinsing process is reduced or the number of times of rinsing is reduced.

  In addition, at the initial stage of the rinsing process, each of the light emitting elements 22a, 22b, and 22c has a constant value so that the detection voltage converted into an electrical signal by the light receiving element 22d for each RGB wavelength of washing water close to fresh water. The light quantity is adjusted, and the duty ratio of the voltage applied to the light emitting element at that time is stored in the control means 29.

  The stored duty ratio is used as a reference for determining the type of detergent before the washing process when the next operation is performed. That is, each of the RGB light emitting elements emits light at the duty ratio stored at the start of the washing process, and the detection voltage converted into an electrical signal by the light receiving element 22d, and the detection voltage of washing water close to fresh water stored at the beginning of the previous rinsing process, To determine whether the type of detergent introduced is powder, liquid or soap.

  Therefore, by estimating the type of detergent, it is possible to perform optimum control such as the washing time and the number of times of rinsing in the subsequent steps.

  In addition, clothes, washing water and detergent are put into the inner tub 5 and stirred for a certain period of time, and then temporarily stopped, so that the detection voltage converted into an electrical signal by the light receiving element 22d for each RGB wavelength becomes a constant value. By adjusting the light amount of each light emitting element 22a, 22b, 22c, the transmittance of each color can be obtained from the detection voltage after the washing process, ignoring the influence of the detergent.

  Therefore, the change in the turbidity of the washing water can be grasped by eliminating the influence of the detergent, and more accurate process control can be performed.

  As described above, the washing machine according to the present invention makes it possible to accurately correct the influence due to the difference in the type and concentration of the detergent, and to perform optimal washing and rinsing with respect to the state of the washing water. It is useful as a machine.

Side view of the washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. External view of transmittance detecting means of the washing machine Sectional view of transmittance detection means of the washing machine Detailed view of transmittance detection means of a conventional washing machine Cross section of the washing machine

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body 3 Outer tank 5 Inner tank 6 Drive motor (drive means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 9 Drain means 21 Water guide groove 22 Transmittance detection means 22a Red wavelength light emitting element 22b Green wavelength light emitting element 22c Blue wavelength light emitting element 22d Light receiving element 23 Water supply means 29 Control means

Claims (4)

A main body, an outer tub supported by the main body, an inner tub rotatably provided in the outer tub, a driving means for driving the inner tub, a water supply means for supplying washing water into the inner tub, Drainage means for draining the wash water in the inner tub, a water guide groove on the bottom surface of the inner tub, a transmittance detection means for detecting the permeability of the wash water outside the inner tub of the water guide groove, and the transmittance A storage means for storing conditions for controlling the light-emitting elements in the detection means; and a control means for controlling a series of steps such as washing, rinsing, dehydration, and drying, wherein the transmittance detection means determines the wavelengths of the three primary colors of light. An individual light emitting element and a light receiving element that receives the light emission wavelength and converts it into an electrical signal are arranged to face each other, and the control means sets the washing condition according to the output of the transmittance detecting means, and The light intensity of the light emitting element so that the output voltage value is constant before the process and the initial stage Washing machine adjusted, washing time and in accordance with the output ratio of the laundry after the start the transmission sensing means, characterized in that so as to set the rinsing conditions. The control means obtains the transmittance of each color from the detection voltage converted into an electric signal by the light receiving element for each wavelength of the three primary colors of light, and determines whether the washing water has more or less bubbles from the time amplitude of the value. And determining that there are many bubbles when the amplitude of time is large and controlling the setting such that the time of the rinsing process is set longer or the number of times of a plurality of rinsing processes is increased. The washing machine as described in. The control means controls the light quantity of each light emitting element so that the detection voltage converted into an electrical signal by the light receiving element becomes a constant value for each wavelength of the three primary colors of the washing water light close to fresh water at the initial stage of the rinsing process. The duty ratio of the voltage applied to the light emitting element at that time is stored in a storage element, and used as a reference when determining the type of detergent before the washing process. The washing machine described. The control means puts clothes, washing water and detergent into the inner tub, stirs for a certain period of time, stops once, and the detection voltage converted into an electric signal by the light receiving element for each wavelength of the three primary colors of light becomes a constant value. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the light quantity of each light emitting element is adjusted so that the transmittance of each color is obtained from the detected voltage after the washing step with the light quantity. .