JP2011030921A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a washing machine capable of easily and stably measuring the state of a washing liquid without largely changing the control of a washing step. <P>SOLUTION: The washing machine includes: a water intake 5 connected to a lower part of an outer tub 2 for taking in the washing liquid; a circulation pathway 9 whose one end communicates with the water intake 5; an outlet 8 communicating with the other end of the circulation pathway 9 for discharging the washing liquid into a washing tub 3; a washing liquid state detecting means 10 for detecting the state of the washing liquid within the washing tub 3; a circulation pump 15 for taking in the washing liquid into the circulation pathway 9 and discharging the washing liquid from the outlet 8 into the washing tub 3; and a filter 14 for removing floating particles from the water intake 8 to the circulation pump 15. By setting the washing liquid state detecting means 10 in a discharge pathway of the filter 14, the state of the washing liquid can be easily and stably measured without largely changing the control of the washing step. <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.

  Conventionally, it has been considered to install a turbidity sensor in the lower part of the back surface of an outer tub provided in a slanting axis state of the drum lowering as a stain detection device of a washing machine (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In addition, it is considered that a circulation path is provided outside the drum outer tub, and a turbidity sensor is attached to determine dirt from the turbidity of washing water (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2001-162082 A JP-A-4-240485

  However, in the structure of the washing machine of Patent Document 1 described above, it is difficult to stably detect dirt because the washing liquid moves violently when the drum rotates during the operation of washing too easily. Further, even in the configuration of the washing machine of Patent Document 2 described above, since the washing liquid is circulated to the circulation path by the rotation of the drum, the state of the washing liquid in the circulation path is changed by the washing process and the washing control, so that it is stable. It is difficult to detect dirt.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide a washing machine that can easily and stably measure the state of the washing liquid without greatly changing the control of the washing process.

  In order to solve the above problems, a washing machine according to the present invention includes a water intake port connected to the lower part of the outer tub, into which washing liquid enters, a circulation path that communicates with one end of the water intake, and a laundry that communicates with the other end of the circulation path. The discharge port for discharging the washing liquid into the tub, the washing liquid state detecting means for detecting the state of the washing liquid in the washing tub, the washing liquid is taken into the circulation path, and the washing liquid is discharged from the discharge port into the washing tub. A circulation pump and a filter that removes suspended particles between the water intake and the circulation pump are provided, and the washing liquid state detecting means is installed in the discharge path of the filter.

  As a result, the filter removes suspended dust and the like from the washing liquid entering the circulation path, so that the washing liquid state detecting means can detect the state of the washing liquid itself without floating dirt and large bubbles.

  In the washing machine according to the present invention, the washing liquid state detection means is installed in the discharge path of the filter of the circulation path, so that the filter removes floating dust and the like from the washing liquid entering the circulation water path. The state of the washing liquid itself without floating dust or large bubbles can be detected, and the state of the washing liquid, such as the amount of detergent and dirt, can be detected accurately.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Installation diagram of washing liquid state detection means in the circulation path of the washing machine

  A washing machine according to a first aspect of the present invention is connected to a bottomed cylindrical washing tub having a plurality of water passage holes on a peripheral surface, an outer tub that rotatably accommodates the washing tub, and a lower portion of the outer tub. A water intake port through which the washing liquid enters, a circulation path communicating with one end of the water intake port, a discharge port communicating with the other end of the circulation path and discharging the washing liquid into the washing tub, and the washing liquid in the washing tub A washing liquid state detecting means for detecting the state of the liquid, a circulation pump pump for taking the washing liquid into the circulation path and discharging the washing liquid from the discharge port into the washing tub, and between the water intake port and the circulation pump. And a filter for removing suspended particles, wherein the washing liquid state detecting means is installed in the discharge path of the filter, and the filter removes floating dust and the like from the washing liquid entering the circulation path. So it is floating in the washing liquid state detection means It is possible to detect the dirty state of the washing liquid itself, there is no such or large air bubbles seen.

  The washing machine of the second invention is characterized in that, in particular, the washing liquid state detecting means of the first invention uses a transmittance sensor composed of a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and thereby the washing machine The change in turbidity depending on the degree of contamination of the liquid can be detected as the transmittance.

  The washing machine of the third invention is characterized in that, in particular, the washing liquid state detecting means of the first or second invention uses a conductivity sensor constituted by a pair of electrodes immersed in the circulation path. Thus, it can be detected as the resistance of the detergent solution between the electrodes that the conductivity changes according to the degree of dirt of the washing solution.

  The washing machine of the fourth invention is characterized in that, in particular, the washing liquid state detecting means of any one of the first to third inventions is installed at a place where the circulation path is arranged in the vertical direction. As a result, even when the circulation pump is stopped, the foam does not stagnate at the position of the washing liquid state detection means and is discharged toward the discharge port, so that the state of the washing liquid itself is always accurately detected. be able to.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an installation diagram of a washing liquid state detecting means in a circulation path of the washing machine.

  In FIG. 1, an outer tub 2 is arranged inside an outer box 1 of the entire washing machine, and a drum 3 as a washing tub is rotatable inside a outer tub 2 by a rotating shaft slightly inclined from the horizontal direction. It is arranged. The drum 3 has a motor 4 connected to the back surface, and the drum 3 is rotated by the rotation of the motor 4. The drum 3 is provided with a plurality of water holes on the outer peripheral surface, and functions as a washing tub, a dewatering tub, and a drying tub.

  A water intake 5 is connected to the lowest part of the outer tub 2 and is connected to a drain valve 6. The drain valve 6 is connected to a drain pipe 7.

  Further, a filter 14 for removing suspended waste is provided between the water intake 5 and the drain valve 6, and a circulation path 9 connected to the discharge port 8 for discharging the washing liquid taken from the water intake 5 to the drum 3 is communicated. The washing pump and the rinsing liquid in the outer tub 2 can be circulated by the circulation pump 15.

  In the discharge path of the filter of the circulation path 9, the washing liquid state detecting means 10 is installed to detect the state of the washing liquid.

  As shown in the sectional view of the circulation path 9 in FIG. 2, the washing liquid state detection means 10 measures the conductivity by the conductivity sensor 11 having a shape in which a pair of electrodes 13 a and electrodes 13 b are inserted into the circulation path 9. . The conductivity is measured by, for example, forming an RC oscillation circuit with the impedance of the washing liquid between the electrodes 13a and 13b and a capacitor on a control circuit (not shown), and outputting the change in the washing liquid impedance as a frequency change. Further, this may be converted into a voltage value.

  Before that, a turbidity sensor 12 composed of a light-emitting element 16 such as an LED and a light-receiving element 17 such as a phototransistor is placed opposite to and sandwiched between the circulation paths 9, and is sandwiched between these elements. The partial circulation path 9 is made of a translucent material, and the light emitted from the light emitting element is received by the light receiving element through the washing liquid in the circulation path 9 and converted into a voltage for output. For this reason, at least the turbidity sensor portion of the washing liquid state detection means 10 has a light-shielded sealed structure so that the light receiving element does not receive light from the outside.

  The turbidity sensor 12 of the washing liquid state detection means 10 is installed at a position where the circulation path 9 is arranged in the horizontal direction with respect to the ground, and the light emitting element 16 and the light receiving element 17 are arranged below the center in the cross section of the circulation path 9. Are arranged on the left and right respectively.

  The light emission control of the light emitting element 16 and the capture of the output of the light receiving element 17 are performed by a control circuit (not shown) such as a microcomputer, and the output value from the light receiving element 17 is used as the turbidity of the washing liquid passing through the circulation path 9. Processing is performed, and the washing process and the rinsing process are controlled based on the turbidity.

  In the washing liquid in the washing process, dirt from the laundry is dissolved by the detergent and stirring, and the conductivity and turbidity gradually increase. For this reason, it is possible to determine the amount of dirt and the completion of cleaning by observing changes in the conductivity and turbidity of the detergent liquid.

  Next, an operation for detecting the state of the washing liquid according to the first embodiment will be described.

  By operating the circulation pump 15 at the time of washing and rinsing, the washing liquid in the drum 3 and the outer tub 2 enters from the water intake 5 and circulates to the drum 3 through the circulation path 9 having the washing liquid state detecting means 10. (Arrow a). As a result, the water in the circulation path 9 is always equal to the washing liquid in the drum 3 and the outer tub 2.

  In the washing liquid state detection means 10, for example, the outputs of the conductivity sensor and the turbidity sensor are used every minute as the conductivity and turbidity of the washing liquid at that time to control the washing process and the rinsing process. In particular, when measuring the conductivity of the washing liquid, the type of detergent in the washing liquid and the amount of detergent can be determined, and the amount of dirt of ionic components mainly composed of sweat that has melted from the laundry can be determined. More precise control can be performed.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, since the washing liquid always passes through the circulation path 9, the water in the circulation path 9 is always equal to the washing liquid in the drum 3 and the outer tub 2, and the circulation path. 9, the filter 14 removes large particles such as suspended dust and large bubbles, so that the washing liquid state detecting means 10 can detect the state of the washing liquid with little influence of the particles and bubbles, and the electrode 13 It is possible to reduce the adherence of floating waste to the water.

  In particular, since the washing liquid is further stirred when the circulation pump 15 is operated, the foam generation by the circulation pump 15 can be achieved by installing the washing liquid state detection means 10 before the circulation pump 15 as shown in FIG. It is possible to avoid being affected by.

  In addition, since the washing liquid is water containing a detergent, it originally has a lot of bubbles. In the state where the circulation pump 15 is operated, even a large amount of foam in the washing tub is sucked in, so even if it passes through the filter 14, the turbidity is detected to be higher than the actual washing liquid turbidity. For this reason, at least when the turbidity is detected by the turbidity sensor 12, the circulation pump 15 may be stopped.

  The operation of the circulation pump 15 is, for example, operated for 1 minute, and then repeatedly stopped for 1 minute. When the state of the washing liquid in the circulation path 9 after stopping for 1 minute is stabilized, the measurement by the washing liquid state detection means 10 is performed. And the output may be the state of the washing liquid at that time.

  If the washing liquid state detecting means 10 is installed in a place where the circulation path 9 is arranged in the vertical direction, the bubbles are stagnated at the place of the washing liquid state detecting means 10 regardless of the operation state of the circulation pump 15. Therefore, the state of the washing liquid itself can always be accurately detected.

  In addition, the configuration of the washing machine in the above embodiment has been described with a drum-type washing machine in which the washing tub has a rotation axis inclined from the horizontal direction, but the washing tub is a vertical washing machine having a rotation axis in the vertical direction. Even if it exists, if a circulation path is comprised from the water intake connected to the lower part of an outer tank, the effect similar to said content can be acquired.

  As described above, the washing machine according to the present invention can detect the state of the cleaning liquid using the circulation path circulated from the cleaning tub to the cleaning tub with less measurement variation, so that it can be used for a cleaning device such as a fiber. Is also applicable.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Outer box 2 Outer tank 3 Drum 4 Motor 5 Water intake 6 Drain valve 7 Water distribution pipe 8 Discharge port 9 Circulation route 10 Washing liquid state detection means 11 Conductivity sensor 12 Turbidity sensor 13 Electrode 14 Filter 15 Circulation pump 16 Light emitting element 17 Light receiving element

Claims (4)

A bottomed cylindrical washing tub having a plurality of water passage holes on the peripheral surface, an outer tub that rotatably accommodates the washing tub, a water intake port that is connected to a lower portion of the outer tub and into which washing liquid enters, and A circulation path whose one end communicates with the water intake, a discharge port which communicates with the other end of the circulation path and discharges the washing liquid into the washing tub, and a washing liquid state detection which detects the state of the washing liquid in the washing tub Means, a circulation pump that takes the washing liquid into the circulation path and discharges the washing liquid into the washing tub from the discharge port, and a filter that removes suspended particles between the intake port and the circulation pump, The washing machine is characterized in that the washing liquid state detecting means is installed in a discharge path of the filter. 2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the washing liquid state detecting means uses a transmittance sensor composed of a light emitting element and a light receiving element. The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the washing liquid state detection means uses a conductivity sensor composed of a pair of electrodes immersed in the circulation path. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the washing liquid state detecting means is installed at a place where the circulation path is arranged in the vertical direction.

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