JP2011019607A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the detection accuracy of a wash-liquid-condition detection section for detection of the degree of soiling of a wash liquid. <P>SOLUTION: A washing machine is provided with a circulation path 37 which sucks the wash liquid held in an outer tub 24 and returns the wash liquid again to the outer tub 24, a circulation pump 39 which forcibly circulates the wash liquid to the circulation path 37, and the wash-liquid-condition detection section 40 which detects the condition of the wash liquid, the wash-liquid-condition detection section 40 is provided in the middle of the circulation path 37, and this enables an amount of circulation through the circulatino path 37, i.e., a sufficient amount of circulation of the wash liquid flowing through the wash-liquid-condition detection section 40 to be ensured, control of operation, stop, or the like of the circulation pump 39 is arbitrarily performed, and uniformization of the concentration of soiling of the wash liquid in the outer tub 24 and the circulation path 37 is accelerated. Also, the washing machine is configured to suppress the soiling of a detection portion of the wash-liquid-condition detection section 40, and wash the detection portion in a rinsing process, so that the soiling of the detection portion is suppressed, and the decline of the detection accuracy by the wash-liquid-condition detection section 40 is prevented. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing machine that controls a washing operation in accordance with the state of a washing liquid during washing.

  Conventionally, this type of washing machine has a configuration as shown in FIG. 10 (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Hereinafter, the configuration will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the housing 1, the outer tub 2 supported inside the housing 1, and the bottomed cylindrical shape that accommodates laundry such as clothes and is rotatably provided inside the outer tub 2. The inner tub 3 and a drive motor 4 that rotates the inner tub 3 are provided, and the inner tub 3 is installed in a direction in which the rotation axis is in the horizontal direction. A circulation path 5 through which the washing liquid circulates is provided outside the outer tub 2, and a turbidity sensor 6 that detects the turbidity of the washing liquid is attached to the circulation path 5.

  The washing liquid circulates in the circulation path 5 by the rotation of the inner tub 3, and the washing liquid concentration in the outer tub 2 and the circulation path 5 is made uniform without causing detergent or dirt to accumulate at the bottom of the outer tub 2, thereby creating The sensor 6 detects the state of the washing liquid, and when the dirt is small, the washing time can be optimally controlled such as shortening the washing time.

JP-A-4-240485

  However, in the conventional washing machine, the washing liquid is circulated through the circulation path 5 by the rotation of the inner tub 3. In order to secure a sufficient amount of circulation, it is necessary to increase the rotation speed of the inner tub 3, but the rotation of the inner tub 3 is a stirring means for stirring and washing the laundry. The drum-type washing machine that cleans the laundry by lifting and dropping it has an optimum rotation speed suitable for tapping, and the inner tub 3 can be rotated at a rotation speed higher than the rotation speed. In this case, since the laundry is attached to the inner surface of the inner tub 3 and rotates, the cleaning performance is deteriorated. For this reason, in order to maintain the cleaning power, a sufficient amount of circulation in the circulation path 5 cannot be secured, and the turbidity sensor is delayed by delaying the uniformization of the washing liquid in the outer tub 2 and the circulation path 5. 6 has a problem that the detection accuracy of 6 is deteriorated, and dirt adhering to the detection portion of the turbidity sensor 6 cannot be sufficiently cleaned by the rinsing process.

  Conventionally, there has been a complicated configuration in which water is directly injected to clean the detection portion of the sensor.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described conventional problems, and to increase the detection accuracy of washing liquid stains and to make the detection portions of sensors difficult to get dirty without deteriorating cleaning performance.

In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, a washing machine of the present invention includes a housing, an outer tub supported in the housing to store a washing liquid, and laundry such as clothes, and the like and rotatable in the outer tub. An inner tub provided in the outer tub, a stirring means for stirring the laundry, a circulation path for sucking the washing liquid collected in the outer tub and returning it to the outer tub again, and the washing path provided in the middle of the circulation path A circulation pump that forcibly circulates the liquid, a washing liquid state detection means that detects the state of the washing liquid, and controls the operations of the stirring means and the circulation pump to wash, rinse, and dehydrate Control means for controlling operation, and the washing liquid state detection means is provided in the middle of the circulation path.

  As a result, it is possible to ensure the circulation amount of the circulation path, that is, the circulation amount of the washing liquid flowing through the washing liquid state detection means, without depending on the operation of the agitation means for washing the laundry. Such control can be arbitrarily performed.

  The washing machine of the present invention promotes the uniform concentration of dirt in the washing liquid in the outer tub and the circulation path by ensuring a sufficient circulation amount in the circulation path in which the washing liquid state detection means is installed. Prevents the detection part from becoming dirty by preventing the detection part of the state detection means from being stained or washing the detection part in the rinsing process, and preventing the detection accuracy of the washing liquid state detection means from deteriorating. it can.

Main sectional drawing of washing machine of Embodiment 1 of the present invention Partial sectional view of the discharge port of the washing machine Main cross section of the washing machine Main cross section of the washing machine Partial sectional view of washing liquid state detection means of the washing machine Partial sectional view of the discharge port of the washing machine Main sectional view of another form of the washing machine Main sectional view of a washing machine of Embodiment 2 of the present invention Main sectional view of another form of the washing machine Main cross section of a conventional washing machine

  The first invention includes a housing, an outer tub that is supported in the housing and stores a washing liquid, an inner tub that accommodates laundry such as clothes and is rotatably provided in the outer tub, and the laundry Stirring means for agitating, a circulation path for sucking the washing liquid accumulated in the outer tub and returning it to the outer tub again, a circulation pump provided in the middle of the circulation path for forcibly circulating the washing liquid, Washing liquid state detection means for detecting the state of the washing liquid, and control means for controlling the operation of each step such as washing, rinsing, dehydration, etc. by controlling the operation of the stirring means and the circulation pump, The washing liquid state detecting means is a washing machine provided in the middle of the circulation path, so that the washing liquid state detecting means detects the washing liquid soiled by dirt away from the laundry such as clothes. Estimate the degree of dirt on the laundry, this Depending on the constant, the operating time and the water supply amount of each step, changing the like driving sequence inversion or the like of the inner tank, if dirt is small, it is possible to perform the optimum operation of such a more water-saving and time reduction.

Further, the circulation of the washing liquid flowing through the circulation path provided with the washing liquid state detecting means is performed by the operation of the circulation pump, and this circulation does not depend on the operation of the agitation means, so that the washing power is adversely affected, for example. Therefore, the necessary amount of circulation can be ensured without stopping the operation of the circulation pump. For this reason, it is possible to prevent dirt from adhering to the detection part of the washing liquid state detection means, or to remove dirt from the detection part during the rinsing process, and it is possible to suppress a decrease in detection performance due to dirt adhering to the detection part. In addition, by ensuring a sufficient amount of circulation, the dirt state of the washing liquid in the outer tub can be made uniform more quickly, the detection accuracy can be improved, and the speed of the determination can be increased. The degree of dirt on the laundry can be estimated at an earlier stage, and the amount of water supplied in the washing process is optimized according to the dirt, thereby saving water and changing the displayed amount of detergent according to the amount of dirt. Can also be displayed.

  Furthermore, when the circulation amount of the circulation path is too large, the detection accuracy by the washing liquid state detection means may deteriorate due to foaming of the detergent, etc., but when the circulation is obtained by the stirring means, the rotation speed of the stirring means The detergency is reduced. However, by using a circulation pump to circulate, it is only necessary to reduce the flow rate of the circulation pump without changing the stirring means, and while maintaining the cleaning power, the detection performance of the washing liquid state detection means is reduced due to foaming of detergent, etc. Can be prevented.

  In the second invention, in particular, the control means of the first invention operates the circulation pump intermittently during the washing process, and the washing liquid state detection means detects the state of the washing liquid while the circulation pump is stopped. When the washing liquid is circulating in the circulation path, the detection performance of the washing liquid state detection means deteriorates due to the influence of foam, particles, flow, etc. By detecting in a state where the washing is stopped, it is possible to create a more stable washing liquid with less error, improve the detection accuracy of the washing liquid state detection means, and estimate the degree of dirt on the laundry with higher accuracy . At this time, since the circulation of the circulation path can be stopped without stopping the driving of the stirring means that contributes to cleaning, high detection accuracy can be obtained while ensuring the cleaning power.

  The third invention is characterized in that, in particular, the circulation path of the first or second invention is configured such that the washing liquid can be injected into the inner tub. Even if the laundry is sprayed directly into the laundry and the laundry is not completely immersed in the washing liquid, the clothes can be quickly wetted, so that the dirt can be released quickly and the amount of dirt attached to the clothes can be reduced in a short time. It can be detected.

  The fourth aspect of the invention is characterized in that the control means of any one of the first to third aspects of the invention is characterized in that the operation cycle of the stirring means and the operation cycle of the circulation pump are synchronized. By synchronizing the operation of the circulation pump and the agitation means that may affect the detection accuracy of the liquid state detection means, it is possible to detect constantly under certain conditions such as the stop time of the circulation pump and the agitation means, and more detection Can improve the accuracy.

  The fifth aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in particular, the control means of any one of the first to fourth aspects of the invention stops driving the stirring means after a predetermined time after stopping the circulation pump. After the pump is stopped and the washing liquid in the circulation path to be detected is allowed to stand for a predetermined time, the stirring means is also stopped, and the washing liquid state detection means detects the state with less disturbance, thereby stopping the stirring means. The detection system can be improved while keeping the time short.

  The sixth aspect of the invention is characterized in that the control means of any one of the first to fifth aspects of the invention is characterized in that the circulation pump is operated during the rinsing step, whereby the clean washing liquid during the rinsing step is provided. Thus, it is possible to clean the detection part of the washing liquid state detection means, to suppress the secular change due to dirt adhesion, and to maintain high detection accuracy.

  The seventh invention is characterized in that, in particular, the stirring means of any one of the first to sixth inventions is the rotation of the inner tub, so that the clothes are lifted by the rotation of the inner tub as the stirring means and dropped. The drum-type washing machine that cleans the laundry by securing a sufficient amount of circulation in the circulation path where the washing liquid state detection means is installed, makes it possible to equalize the dirt concentration of the washing liquid in the outer tub and the circulation path. In addition, the detection part of the washing liquid state detection means is less likely to become dirty, or the detection part is washed in the rinsing process to prevent the detection part from becoming dirty. A reduction in accuracy can be prevented.

  The eighth invention is characterized in that, in particular, the inner tank of any one of the first to sixth inventions is provided with a stirrer rotatably and the stirring means is rotation of the stirrer. Yes, it is a vertical pulsator-type washing machine that rotates by stirring means such as a pulsator in the inner tub, and by securing a sufficient amount of circulation in the circulation path where the washing liquid state detecting means is installed, It promotes the uniform concentration of dirt in the washing liquid in the circulation path, makes the detection part dirty by making it difficult to get dirt on the detection part of the washing liquid state detection means, and washing the detection part in the rinsing process. This can be suppressed, and a decrease in detection accuracy by the washing liquid state detection means can be prevented.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a main cross-sectional view of the washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  An outer tub 24 supported by support means such as a spring 22 and a damping means 23 is provided inside the housing 21, and an inner tub 25 is rotatably provided inside the outer tub 24. A drive motor 26 for rotationally driving the inner tank 25 is installed on the back surface of the inner tank 25. This washing machine is a so-called drum-type washing machine that is installed in a state where the rotation axis of the inner tub 25 is inclined so that the front is higher than the horizontal or horizontal. The door body 27 provided in the housing 21 is provided so that the front opening of the outer tub 24 can be opened and closed through a water seal packing 28. A plurality of protrusions 29 are provided on the inner surface of the cylindrical portion of the inner tub 25, and the laundry is lifted upward by the protrusions 29 when the inner tub 25 is rotated at a low speed.

  A water supply valve 30 for connecting the other end of a water supply hose, one end of which is connected to a water tap, and a detergent charging unit 31 for a user to add a detergent in advance are provided at the top of the housing 21. A water supply path 32 connected to the outer tub 24 via the detergent charging unit 31 is provided.

  A water intake 33 is provided at the lowermost part of the outer tub 25, and is connected via a drainage filter 34 and a drainage valve 35 to a drainage path 36 for discharging the washing liquid to the outside of the machine. In addition, a circulation path 37 that branches from between the intake port 33 and the drain valve 35 and returns the washing liquid taken in from the intake port 33 to the outer tub is provided. The outer tub 24 is provided so as to spray the washing liquid directly into the tub 25. A path from the intake port 33 to the discharge port 38 is a circulation path 37. In the middle of the circulation path 37, a circulation pump 39 that forcibly circulates the washing liquid in the circulation path 37 is provided, and a washing liquid state detecting means 40 that detects the state of the washing liquid is installed. In addition, although the circulation path 37 branched from between the intake port 33 and the drain valve 35, you may take from the intake port provided separately from the intake port of the drain path.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the discharge port of the circulation path of the washing machine of the first embodiment. A discharge port 38 is provided between the outer tub 24 and the inner tub 25, and the injection (symbol B) is configured to inject the washing liquid into the inner tub 25 through the gap between the outer tub 24 and the inner tub 25. Has been. The discharge port 38 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 2, and the discharge port 38 is provided in an exposed portion of the outer tub 24 as shown in FIG. 3 and is directly injected into the inner tub 25 (symbol C). Even in the configuration, as shown in FIG. 4, a discharge port 38 is provided between the outer tub 24 and the inner tub 25, and the spray is not injected into the inner tub 25, but between the outer tub 24 and the inner tub 25. The structure which injects a washing | cleaning liquid may be sufficient.

  The washing liquid state detection means 40 includes an optical sensor 41 for detecting the turbidity of the washing liquid and an electrode sensor 42 for detecting the conductivity of the washing liquid. From above the washing liquid state detection means 40 in FIG. As shown in the cross-sectional view, the optical sensor 41 includes an LED 43 that is a light emitting element and a phototransistor 44 that is a light receiving element, and is disposed opposite to the left and right substantially horizontal positions across the circulation path 37. . The electrode sensor 42 includes a pair of electrodes 45 (45a and 45b) on one side of the side wall of the circulation path 37.

The control means 46 controls the operation of the drive motor 26, the water supply valve 30, the drain valve 35, the circulation pump 39, etc., and also reads the output from the washing liquid state detection means 40 and performs an operation etc. to determine the degree of contamination of the washing liquid. Make an estimate.

  Next, the operation of the washing machine of this embodiment and the operation of the washing liquid state detecting means 40 for detecting the state of the washing liquid will be described.

  The user opens the door 27, puts laundry such as clothes into the inner tub 25, closes the door 27, presses the start button, and starts operation. When the operation is started, the control unit 46 drives the drive motor 26 to estimate the amount of clothes from the motor load and the like, and displays the necessary detergent accordingly. Pull out, put a predetermined amount of detergent based on the displayed detergent amount, and push it back to its original position.

  The control means 46 opens the water supply valve 30 after a predetermined time has passed, so that the washing liquid containing the detergent in the outer tub 24 passes through the water supply path 32 provided via the detergent insertion part 31 into which the detergent is introduced. Supply water. The drive motor 26 is driven almost simultaneously with the start of water supply, and the inner tank 25 rotates. When the predetermined amount of water is reached, the water supply valve 30 is closed, while the rotation of the inner tank 25 is continued. If the inner tub 25 having three protrusions 29 on the inner surface rotates, the clothes are lifted, and the laundry is separated from the inner surface of the inner tub 25 in the upper portion of the inner tub 25 and dropped to wash the laundry. Is promoted. There is an optimum rotation speed suitable for performing this washing, and the cleaning performance is deteriorated whether it is higher or lower than the rotation speed. After washing for a predetermined time, the drain valve 35 is opened and the washing liquid is drained from the drain path 36 to the outside of the machine. Thereafter, the inner tub 25 is rotated at a high speed to perform a dehydration process for reducing the washing liquid remaining in the laundry. After stopping, the water supply valve 30 is opened again to supply water to a predetermined water level, and the inner tub 25 is rotated to be rinsed. I do. This dehydration step and the rinsing step are repeated about twice, and finally the dehydration step is executed, and the operation of the series of steps is completed with the laundry being dehydrated.

  Next, the operation of the washing liquid state detection means 40 will be described. The optical sensor 41 detects the turbidity of the washing liquid. The portion of the circulation path 37 sandwiched between the LED 43 and the phototransistor 44 is formed of a light-transmitting resin material, and the light emitted from the light emitting element 43 passes through the washing liquid in the circulation path 37 to receive the light receiving element 44. Then, the output of the light receiving element 44 is taken in by a control means 46 such as a microcomputer, which converts it into a voltage and outputs it. Since the light attenuates according to the turbidity of the washing liquid, if the light receiving element 44 has a small amount of light received, the washing liquid that is turbid is dirty. If the amount of received light is large, the washing liquid has little attenuation and the dirt is not dirty. Indicates. The turbidity of the washing liquid can be quantitatively detected from the degree of the received light amount. And if there is much turbidity of a washing liquid, it can be estimated that the amount of dirt adhering to the laundry was large. Moreover, since the turbidity of the washing liquid also changes depending on the turbidity of the detergent, it is possible to distinguish the type and amount of the detergent depending on the detection timing such as immediately after water supply.

  On the other hand, the electrode sensor 42 measures the conductivity of the washing liquid. The conductivity is measured by, for example, forming an RC oscillation circuit with the impedance of the washing liquid between the electrodes 45a and 45b and the capacitor on the control circuit, and outputting the change in the impedance of the washing liquid as a frequency change, What is necessary is just to convert into a voltage value. If there are many electrolyte components such as sweat in the washing liquid, the conductivity will be high, and the conductivity of the washing liquid can be quantitatively detected from the degree of output. In addition, some of the components contained in the detergent also increase the conductivity. Like the optical sensor 41, the type and amount of the detergent can be distinguished depending on the detection timing.

Detects changes in the output of each of the optical sensor 41 and the electrode sensor 42, performs a calculation such as taking a difference in a certain period, or combines the results of both the optical sensor 41 and the electrode sensor 42 to The degree of dirt on the laundry can be estimated, and operation control of the washing process and the rinsing process is performed according to the estimated degree of dirt on the laundry. When there is little dirt, it is possible to perform less wasteful operations such as shortening the time of the washing process and reducing the amount of water in the washing process and the rinsing process so that the operation is completed more quickly and in a shorter time. .

  What is detected by the washing liquid state detection means 40 is the state of dirt such as turbidity of the washing liquid, and it adheres to clothing by devising the determination algorithm such as the absolute value of the measured value and its rate of change. Although it is necessary to increase the correlation with the amount of dirt, the washing liquid state detection means 40 is installed in the circulation path 37 as in the first embodiment to prevent the dirt from adhering to the detection unit, Since it can be set as the structure which is hard to receive to the influence of a stirring means, and it can contribute to the improvement of the detection accuracy even if it is any determination algorithm, a determination algorithm is not limited. For example, it is possible to determine the degree of dirt of the washing liquid as it is, assuming that it is the degree of dirt of the laundry, and in this case, the operation time and the amount of water are varied according to the degree of dirt of the washing liquid. .

  In addition, although two of the optical sensor 41 and the electrode sensor 42 were used as the washing liquid state detecting means 40, it is possible to detect the dirty state of the washing liquid, and both of them are used together. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and only one of the sensors may be used. Further, as a means for measuring turbidity and conductivity, it is used even when used by another means other than the optical sensor 41 and the electrode sensor 42, or for detecting another state of the washing liquid. be able to.

  It is desirable that the light receiving element 44 of the optical sensor 41 has a light shielding configuration so as not to be affected by light from the outside. However, by using an infrared emission wavelength, a component configuration can be reduced without using a special shielding structure. It can also be simplified. Further, the light emitting element 43 and the light receiving element 44 are installed substantially horizontally on both the left and right sides of the circulation path 37, and it is considered that the influence of bubbles and particles circulating with the washing liquid is minimized. It is desirable to detect near the center because bubbles and other lighter substances gather above the pipe, and heavy objects such as sand gather below the pipe. The direction can be detected even in the direction, in the oblique direction, or in the case where both the light emitting element 43 and the light receiving element 44 are arranged on one side of the circulation path 37.

  Similarly, by installing the electrode 45a and the electrode 45b in the vicinity of the upper and lower central portions of the circulation path 37, the influence of bubbles in the path can be reduced as much as possible, and the conductivity can be detected with higher accuracy. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and detection is possible even if it is installed opposite to the left and right sides of the circulation path 37, or in the vertical direction or the diagonal direction.

  By driving the circulation pump 39, the washing liquid accumulated in the outer tub 24 is sucked from the water outlet 33, and the laundry inside the inner tub 25 is washed from the discharge outlet 38 through the washing liquid state detecting means 40 and the drainage filter. The washing liquid is sprayed toward the object. By circulating the washing liquid accumulated in the outer tub 24, the dirt concentration of the washing liquid becomes more uniform, and the degree of dirt of the washing liquid in the washing liquid state detecting means 40 and the outer tub 24 becomes substantially the same. For this reason, if the washing liquid state detection means 40 is installed in the circulation path 37, the degree of contamination of the washing liquid can be detected more accurately and quickly. In addition, by spraying the circulated washing liquid onto clothes, there is also an effect of increasing the cleaning power by increasing the speed at which the clothes get wet after the start of the washing process, or by the mechanical force by the spraying, etc. It becomes possible to determine the contamination.

  Since this circulation is forcibly performed by the circulation pump 39, it can be performed independently of the rotation of the inner tank 25, which is a stirring means for stirring clothes. For this reason, the circulation flow rate and operation timing can be set arbitrarily, and the operation of the agitation means is not affected, so that the cleaning power is not impaired and the operation is performed to increase the detection accuracy. Can be controlled. In addition, by ensuring a large amount of circulation, it is possible to prevent dirt from adhering to the detection portion of the washing liquid state detection means 40.

  Furthermore, if the circulation pump 39 is operated even during the rinsing process, the detection part of the washing liquid state detecting means can be circulated and washed with a washing liquid with less dirt components, and the detergent components and dirt adhering to the washing process can be removed. It is possible to suppress deterioration in detection performance due to contamination of the detection unit.

  In addition, although the discharge port 38 of the circulation path 37 was set as the structure injected to the inner tank 25 from one place below, the structure which branches into two places or several places, and the inner tank 25 sprays simultaneously may be sufficient. Moreover, the structure which injects between the inner tank 25 and the outer tank 24 may be sufficient as a part branched into plurality.

  In the first embodiment, the circulation pump 39 performs an intermittent operation in which the operation and the stop are repeated during the washing process and the rinsing process. When the circulation pump 39 is in operation, the turbidity value is high and the variation increases because bubbles and dirt particles are circulated in the washing liquid. For this reason, the washing | cleaning-liquid state detection means 40 can perform the stable and highly accurate detection by detecting the state of the washing liquid in the state which stopped the circulation pump 39, and the estimation precision of dirt improves. Even after the circulation pump 39 is stopped, since it is not stable for a while due to the influence of bubbles, various methods for improving accuracy such as detection after stopping for a predetermined time or detecting when the turbidity change width becomes below a predetermined value are available. Conceivable. Needless to say, if an operation such as averaging the data of a plurality of points is performed, it is possible to perform detection with higher accuracy without further error. Further, as the washing liquid state detection means 40, it is sufficient to always measure data such as 1 second intervals and use only necessary information.

  The same applies not only to the optical sensor 41 but also to the electrode sensor 42. By measuring when the circulation pump 39 is stopped, the measurement accuracy can be improved. The turbidity and the conductivity need not be detected at the same timing, and may be detected at a timing according to each feature. If there is no problem in accuracy, it is of course possible to detect the state of the washing liquid during operation of the circulation pump 39 and estimate the degree of dirt on the laundry.

  The circulation of the washing liquid to the circulation path 37 is not performed by the rotation of the inner tub 24 serving as the stirring means, but is performed by the circulation pump 39, so that the circulation can be stopped without stopping the operation of the stirring means for cleaning. In addition, high detection accuracy can be obtained while ensuring cleaning power. Further, by changing the rotational speed of the circulation pump 39 according to the progress of the process, it is possible to further improve the detection accuracy in consideration of the penetration of the washing liquid into the clothes and the degree of foaming.

  Further, the operation and stop of the circulation pump 39 and the sequence of operation, stop and inversion of the drive motor 26 for rotating the inner tank 25 are synchronized. For example, the circulation pump 39 is operated for 1 minute and repeatedly stopped for 1 minute. This 2 minutes is defined as one cycle. During this cycle, the drive motor 26 repeats 30 seconds normal rotation and 30 seconds reverse twice. By synchronizing the operation, detection by the washing liquid state detection means 40 can be performed under the condition that not only the operation timing of the circulation pump 39 but also the operation timing of the inner tub 25 is constant. Although the washing liquid in the outer tub 24 is agitated by the rotation of the inner tub 25, there is a possibility that the washing liquid state detecting means 40 may affect the detection, but this error is minimized by adjusting this cycle. Can be suppressed. Note that the timings do not have to be the same during the washing process, and may be set arbitrarily, such as changing the operation stop period. Further, it is not necessary that the operation and stop times are the same, and the rotational speed of the circulation pump 39 may be changed midway.

If the drive motor 26 is stopped after the circulation pump 39 is stopped for a predetermined time to stop the rotation of the inner tank 25, both the drive means 39 and 26 are stopped, and the timing at which the both stop or at the vicinity thereof is detected. By using data, detection with fewer errors can be performed. The drive motor can be stopped by providing a slight stop period between forward rotation and reverse rotation.

  As described above, the discharge port 38 of the circulation path 37 is installed so as to inject into the gap between the outer tank 24 and the inner tank 25 as shown in FIG. By discharging the washing water into the inner tub 25 from the gap between the two, it is possible to apply the washing liquid circulated to the laundry such as clothes, and to increase the cleaning power such as promoting the wetting of the laundry. . In this configuration, if the rotation speed of the circulation pump 39 is equal to or higher than a predetermined rotation speed, the discharged washing liquid is injected into the inner tank 25 (symbol B) as shown in the figure, and the outer tank 24 and the inner tank 25 are discharged. However, if it is below the predetermined rotational speed, the injection (symbol D) circulates inside the outer tub 24 as shown in FIG. Depending on the rotational speed, the inner tank 25 may not enter directly into the inner tank 25, or both may be injected into and out of the inner tank 25. The detection accuracy can be increased by switching the mode as necessary.

  After the start of operation, the water supply valve 30 is opened, and the detergent introduced into the detergent introduction part 31 together with the water supply flows into the outer tub 24. When the circulation pump 39 is operated at a high speed at this stage of water supply, washing with a high concentration of detergent is performed. The liquid is ejected from the discharge port 38 at once. If this spray is sprayed directly into the inner tub 25, the high-concentration washing liquid is absorbed by clothes and the like, and the detergent concentration of the washing liquid accumulated in the outer tub 24 decreases. Immediately after the start of water supply, it is in the state of the laundry liquid in which only the detergent is dissolved. By measuring this state, it can be determined whether the type of detergent is powder detergent or liquid detergent, or the initial value of the laundry liquid before the washing process starts. However, if a large amount of washing water is sprayed into the inner tub 25, the detection accuracy is deteriorated. Therefore, during the water supply after the start of washing, the rotational speed of the circulation pump 39 is reduced to a predetermined rotational speed or less so that the spray from the discharge port 38 does not spray into the inner tank 25 and falls below the outer tank 24. This solves this problem and improves the detection accuracy of the type of detergent and the initial state before the start of the washing process. Further, if the circulation is stopped, it can be prevented from spraying on the clothes, but in this case, the detection part of the washing liquid state detecting means 40 and the washing liquid accumulated in the outer tub 24 cannot be made uniform, and the detection accuracy Will worsen. That is, the washing liquid is not sprayed into the inner tub 25 and can be circulated inside the outer tub 24, thereby promoting the dissolution of the detergent or the washing liquid in the detection unit of the washing liquid state detecting means 40. The detection accuracy of the type of detergent and the initial state before the start of the washing process is improved, such as the state of the washing liquid accumulated in the outer tub 24 can be made more uniform. As a result, the detection accuracy of the degree of washing water contamination is improved. And, in the middle of the washing process, the circulating water is sprayed onto the laundry in the inner tub 25, so that the cleaning power is further enhanced and the dissolution of dirt from clothes etc. is accelerated, and the dirt is collected at an earlier stage. Effects such as the ability to estimate the amount can be obtained. In this way, even with only one circulation pump 39 and the circulation path 37, more accurate contamination determination can be performed only by controlling the rotational speed of the circulation pump 39.

  In addition, it is desirable to make the state which is not injected at all inside the inner tank 25 by reducing the rotational speed of the circulation pump 39. However, the spray and the flow flowing down the wall surface enter the holes and gaps of the inner tank 25. no problem. Further, if at least the amount of the washing liquid sprayed into the inner tub 25 is reduced, the detection accuracy is improved. If at least the flow that circulates in the outer tub 25 without entering the inner tub 25 is created, the effect is improved. Is obtained. This is not only effective when not injected into the inner tank 25 at all. Even when a part of the circulation is injected into the inner tank 25, a part of the circulation is injected between the outer tank 24 and the inner tank 25. By circulating inside the outer tub 24, the detection accuracy of the type of detergent and the initial state before the start of the washing process can be improved, and the detection accuracy of the degree of contamination of the washing water can be increased.

Moreover, it is not limited only to the initial stage of water supply that the state where it is not injected into the inner tank 25 or the state where it is injected into both the inside and outside of the inner tank 25 is effective. For example, if there is much foaming in the latter half, injection into the inner tank 25 further increases foaming, which is not preferable, such as a reduction in cleaning power and remaining foam, but in the latter half by not injecting into the inner tank 25, There is an effect such as suppression of the foaming, and a decrease in detection accuracy due to the bubbles can be suppressed.

  By reducing the rotational speed of the circulation pump 39, the present configuration for switching the injection of the washing liquid does not require a special structure and can be easily realized and can achieve the effect.

  The water supply path 32 connected to the outer tub 24 is configured to supply water between the outer tub 24 and the inner tub 25, and the washing liquid state detection means 40 has a lowermost point (in FIG. 1) inside the inner tub 25. A) is provided below, and the supplied water reaches the washing liquid state detecting means 40 before entering the inner tub 25.

  At the time of rinsing, the water supply from the tap water is directly supplied to the washing liquid state detecting means 40 without passing through the laundry such as clothes including dirt and detergent, and the washing liquid is detected by detecting this state containing as little dirt as possible. It is possible to detect a secular change due to dirt adhering to the detection unit of the state detection means, and to cope with the secular change by correcting the measured value based on this value, and to maintain the detection accuracy.

  At the time of water supply in the washing process, water is supplied at the same time as the detergent supplied to the detergent charging unit 31 in the middle of the water supply path 32. The washing liquid containing this detergent does not enter the inner tub 25 and detects the washing liquid state. The means 40 is reached. For this reason, the washing liquid in a state where only the detergent is dissolved before the detergent component adheres to or is absorbed by the clothing or the like during the water supply, or the dirt component is dissolved out of the clothing, is the washing liquid state detecting means 40. Therefore, detecting this state has the effect of increasing the accuracy of determining the type of detergent, such as whether the detergent is a powder detergent or a liquid detergent, and increasing the precision as the initial value of the washing liquid in the washing process. The detection accuracy can be increased. As a result, it is possible to determine the degree of dirt with higher accuracy, and when there is little dirt, washing with less waste can be performed, such as shortening the washing time or reducing the amount of water used.

  Further, as the water supply progresses, the amount of water supply increases, and the washing liquid containing the detergent enters the inner tub 25, but the water supply path 32 is configured to supply water between the outer tub 24 and the inner tub 25. Therefore, compared to the case where water is supplied directly to the inside of the inner tub 25, the amount of detergent adhering to or adsorbing on the clothes can be remarkably reduced, and the amount of water supply is increased. The effect of improving the accuracy as the initial value of the washing liquid in the process can be obtained.

  By operating the circulation pump 39, there is an effect of increasing the cleaning power, such as dissolving the detergent quickly or allowing the clothes to be quickly applied to the clothes, but at the same time foams the washing liquid. This foam may reduce the detection accuracy of the washing liquid state detection means 40. For this reason, the washing liquid containing the detergent reaches the washing liquid state detecting means 40 before the circulation pump 39 is operated, so that the initial state of the washing liquid can be accurately detected before the foam is generated, and the accuracy of the dirt determination can be improved. I can plan.

  The operation of the circulation pump 39 refers to the state in which the washing liquid circulates in the circulation path 37. Even if the circulation pump 39 is driven, it is the same as the circulation pump 39 not operating unless it is circulated. This is considered as not driving.

  Further, in order to improve the cleaning performance, it is desired to operate the inner tub 25 as a stirring means from an early stage, but at the same time, the washing liquid is bubbled. This foam may reduce the detection accuracy of the washing liquid state detection means 40. For this reason, the washing liquid containing the detergent reaches the washing liquid state detecting means 40 before the stirring means is operated, so that the initial state of the washing liquid before foam generation can be accurately detected and the accuracy of the dirt determination can be improved. .

Although the washing water accumulated in the outer tub 24 is stirred or foamed by the rotation of the inner tub 25 as the stirring means, the washing liquid state detection means 40 is provided at a position away from the water intake in the middle of the circulation path 37. In addition, by installing the detection unit at a position that does not directly face the inner tub 25, the adverse effect of the rotation of the inner tub 25 on the detection of the washing liquid state detection means 40 can be suppressed, and the detection accuracy is further improved. be able to. In addition to providing the washing liquid state detection means 40 at the bent position as shown in FIG. 1, a state in which the partition wall is provided between the inner tub 25 and the like can be made not directly opposed.

  In the first embodiment, the configuration of the drum-type washing machine in which the rotation axis of the inner tub 25 is oriented substantially in the horizontal direction is shown. However, as shown in the main cross-sectional view of the other embodiment in FIG. Even when the washing liquid state detecting means 40 is mounted in a vertical washing machine having 25 vertical rotation axes, the same operation and effect as in the case of the drum type washing machine can be obtained. Although the stirring means is the rotation of the stirring body 47 provided on the bottom surface of the inner tank 25, the configuration of the stirring means is not limited.

  Moreover, although the water supply path 32 is configured to supply water between the inner tank 25 and the outer tank 24, the same effect as described above can be obtained, but the water supply path 32 is configured to supply water directly into the inner tank 25. Even in this case, the effect of installing the washing liquid state detecting means 40 in the circulation path 37 by the circulation pump 39 can be obtained.

  Moreover, it goes without saying that even when installed in a washing / drying machine having a drying function, the effect is exhibited during washing.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 8 is a main cross-sectional view of the washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 8, a switching valve 48 is provided in the circulation path 37, and is branched into an inner tank circulation path 49 and an outer tank circulation path 50. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals are given and description thereof is omitted.

  The configuration shown in FIG. 8 provides the same operations and effects as those of the first embodiment. In particular, since the circulation path 37 can be arbitrarily switched by the switching valve 48, the outer tank circulation path immediately after the start of water supply. By switching the path to 50, a state in which the circulating water does not directly enter the inner tank 25 is obtained, and the initial state of only the detergent can be detected with higher accuracy. Further, it is not necessary to lower the rotation of the circulation pump 39 to reduce the circulation amount, the circulation amount can be maintained, and the cleaning performance can be improved by increasing the dissolution rate of the detergent. It is possible to achieve both cleaning performance.

  In FIG. 8, the switching valve 48 is provided. However, as shown in the main cross-sectional view of the other form of FIG. 9, the pump output path can be switched between forward rotation and reverse rotation of the circulation pump 39. By doing so, it becomes possible to supply the washing liquid to each of the inner tub circulation path 49 and the outer tub circulation path 50, and the same effect as the case of the washing machine shown in FIG. 8 can be obtained.

  As described above, the washing machine according to the present invention can perform optimum operation control according to the dirt by accurately detecting the dirt of the washing liquid, and is a washing machine other than the washing machine for washing clothes and the like. Etc.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 Case 24 Outer tank 25 Inner tank 30 Water supply valve 31 Detergent input part 32 Water supply path 36 Drainage path 37 Circulation path 39 Control means 40 Washing liquid state detection means 41 Optical sensor (washing liquid state detection means)
42 Electrode sensor (washing liquid state detection means)
46 Control means 47 Stirrer 48 Switching valve 51 Second water supply path

Claims (8)

A housing, an outer tub that is supported in the housing and stores a washing liquid, an inner tub that accommodates laundry such as clothes and is rotatably provided in the outer tub, and an agitation unit that agitates the laundry A circulation path for sucking the washing liquid accumulated in the outer tub and returning it again into the outer tub, a circulation pump provided in the middle of the circulation path for forcibly circulating the washing liquid, and a state of the washing liquid. Washing liquid state detection means for detecting, and control means for controlling the operation of each step such as washing, rinsing and dehydration by controlling the operation of the stirring means and the circulation pump, the washing liquid state detection means, The washing machine is provided in the middle of the circulation path. 2. The control means, wherein the circulation pump is operated intermittently during the washing process, and the washing liquid state detection means detects the state of the washing liquid while the circulation pump is stopped. The washing machine described. The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the circulation path is configured such that the washing liquid can be sprayed into the inner tub. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control means synchronizes the operation cycle of the stirring means and the operation cycle of the circulation pump. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control means stops driving of the stirring means after a predetermined time after the circulation pump is stopped. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control means operates the circulation pump during the rinsing process. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the stirring means is rotation of the inner tub. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein an agitator is rotatably provided in an inner bottom portion of the inner tub, and the agitating means is rotation of the agitator.

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