JP2011055927A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a washing machine capable of easily and stably measuring the state of washing liquid without greatly changing control of the process of washing. <P>SOLUTION: By a circulation pump 15, the washing liquid enters from a water intake 5 provided to the lower part of an outer tub 2, and the washing liquid is discharged from a discharge port 8 into a drum (washing tub) 3 through a circulation route 9. A washing liquid state detection means 10 for detecting the state of the washing liquid is provided to the circulation route 9, and the circulation route 9 at a part provided with the washing liquid state detection means 10 is configured so that a route cross sectional area on the downstream side becomes larger than a route cross sectional area on the upstream side. A turbidity sensor (first detection means) 12 is provided to the upstream side and a conductivity sensor (second detection means) 11 is provided to the downstream side. Thus, the state of the washing liquid is easily and stably measured. <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.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a stain detection device for a washing machine, it has been considered to provide a circulation path outside the drum outer tub and attach a turbidity sensor to determine dirt from the turbidity of washing water (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ).

  In addition, if measurement is performed in a state where there is a water flow in the washing tub, it is easy to be affected by water flow, bubbles, and contaminants even in measurement in the circulation path, so it is considered that measurement is performed with the water flow stopped (for example, patent document). 2).

JP-A-4-240485 JP-A-2-213396

  However, in the configuration of the washing machine of Patent Document 1, 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 stable dirt is obtained. It was difficult to detect.

  Moreover, in the structure of the washing machine of the said patent document 2, in order to stop a water flow for every measurement time, it was necessary to control rotation stop of a drum or a pulsator.

  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 of the present invention includes a bottomed cylindrical laundry tub having a plurality of water passage holes on a peripheral surface, an outer tub that rotatably accommodates the laundry tub, and a A water intake port provided in the lower portion for receiving the washing liquid, a circulation path communicating with the water intake opening at one end, a discharge port communicating with the other end of the circulation path and discharging the washing liquid into the washing tub, and the circulation path A washing liquid state detecting means for detecting a state of the washing liquid in the washing tub provided in the washing tank, and a circulation pump for taking the washing liquid into the circulation path and discharging the washing liquid into the washing tub from the discharge port. The cross-sectional area of the circulation path of the portion where the washing liquid state detecting means is installed is configured such that the downstream side is wider than the upstream side and the lower side is wider than the portion where the washing liquid detecting means is provided. It is characterized by.

  As a result, the washing liquid entering the washing liquid state detection means proceeds slowly through the expanded circulation path, and the state of the washing liquid itself can be detected for detection by a slow water flow. Since the lower part is configured to be wide, it can be configured such that the detection unit is less likely to be disturbed by the deposition of the sediment precipitated at the lower part of the detection unit.

In the washing machine of the present invention, the washing liquid entering the washing liquid state detection means proceeds slowly through the expanded circulation path, and the state of the washing liquid itself can be detected because detection is performed with a slow water flow. Since the lower part of the state detection unit is configured to be wide, it can be configured such that the detection unit is less likely to be disturbed by the deposition of sediment that has settled on the lower part of the detection unit.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Sectional view seen from above of the washing liquid state detection means to the circulation path of the washing machine Sectional view seen from the side of the washing liquid state detection means to the circulation path of the washing machine

  1st invention is a bottomed cylindrical washing tub which has several water flow holes in the surrounding surface, The outer tub which accommodates the said washing tub rotatably, The lower part of the said outer tub is provided, and a washing liquid enters A water intake port, a circulation path that communicates with the water intake port at one end, a discharge port that communicates with the other end of the circulation path and discharges washing liquid into the washing tub, and the inside of the laundry tub provided in the circulation path. A washing liquid state detecting means for detecting the state of the washing liquid; and a circulation pump for taking the washing liquid into the circulation path and discharging the washing liquid into the washing tub from the discharge port, the washing liquid state detecting means comprising: A cross-sectional area of the circulation path of the installed part is configured such that the downstream side is wider than the upstream side, and the lower side is wider than the part where the washing liquid detection means is provided. Therefore, the washing liquid that enters the washing liquid state detection means It is possible to detect the state of the washing liquid itself because it moves slowly through the circulated circulation path and performs detection with a slow water flow, and the lower part of the washing liquid state detection means is configured to be wide. It is possible to adopt a configuration in which the detection means is less likely to be disturbed by the deposition of the sediment deposited on the substrate.

  In the second invention, in particular, the washing liquid state detection means of the first invention comprises a first detection means installed on the upstream side and a second detection means installed on the downstream side. The position of the second detection means is obtained by providing the washing machine characterized in that the cross-sectional area of the circulation path in which the detection means is installed is wider than the cross-sectional area of the circulation path in which the first detection means is installed. Since the washing liquid entering the circulation path in the water advances slowly by the wide circulation path, and the second detection means performs detection with a slow water flow, the state of the washing liquid itself can be detected, and The detection means that is likely to be dependent on the second detection means can improve the detection accuracy, and further, since the lower part of the second detection means is widened, a large amount of sediment is present in the lower part of the detection means. And can be detected by depositing sediment Can stage interference is configured to hardly occurs.

  In particular, the third invention is a turbidity sensor in which the first detection means of the first or second invention detects the turbidity of the washing liquid, and the second detection means detects the conductivity of the washing liquid. Since the washing machine is characterized by being a conductivity sensor, the flow rate of the washing liquid does not decrease in the circulation path of the installation position of the turbidity detection means that detects particulate dirt that tends to settle. It is possible to detect turbidity with high accuracy, and the flow rate of the washing liquid is slow in the circulation path at the position where the conductivity sensor that detects ionic dissolved substances is installed. The soiling substance is precipitated at the lower part of the circulation path having a wide cross-sectional area, so that the detection accuracy can be improved and the detection can be prevented from being disturbed by the deposited sediment.

  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 the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view seen from above of a washing liquid state detection means to a circulation path of the washing machine, and FIG. Sectional drawing seen from the side of the washing | cleaning liquid state detection means to the circulation path of the washing machine is shown.

  In FIG. 1, an outer tub 2 is arranged inside an outer box 1 of the entire washing machine, and a drum (washing tub) 3 is rotatable on a rotating shaft slightly inclined from the horizontal direction inside the outer tub 2. 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 provided at 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 for draining outside the apparatus.

  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.

  A washing liquid state detection means 10 is installed downstream of the filter of the circulation path 9 to detect the state of the washing liquid.

  The washing liquid state detection means 10 includes a conductivity sensor (second detection means) 11 and a turbidity sensor (first detection means) 12.

  The conductivity sensor 11 has a shape in which a pair of electrodes 13a and 13b are inserted into the circulation path 9, and detects the state of the washing liquid by measuring the conductivity between the electrodes 13a and 13b. 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.

  The turbidity sensor 12 is composed of a light emitting element 16 such as an LED and a light receiving element 17 such as a phototransistor, and the light emitting element 16 and the light receiving element 17 are disposed facing each other across the circulation path 9. The portion of the circulation path 9 sandwiched between the light emitting element 16 and the light receiving element 17 is formed of a translucent material, and the light emitted from the light emitting element 16 is received by the light receiving element 17 through the washing liquid in the circulation path 9. And convert it to voltage and output it. 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 17 does not receive light from the outside.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the circulation path 9 in the portion where the washing liquid state detecting means 10 is provided is configured such that the downstream path cross-sectional area is larger than the upstream path cross-sectional area. Has been. A turbidity sensor 12 is provided on the upstream side, and a conductivity sensor 11 is provided on the downstream side. Further, the lower part of the attachment position of the electrodes 13a and 13b of the conductivity sensor 11 is widened.

  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 or rinsing, the washing liquid in the drum 3 or the outer tub 2 enters from the water intake 5, passes through the circulation path 9 with the washing liquid state detecting means 10, and then the discharge outlet. It is circulated by being discharged from 8 to the drum 3 (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, according to 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. The state of the washing liquid can be accurately detected by the liquid state detection means 10.

  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 detergent or dirt, a lot of particulate substances originally exist and adhere to the electrodes 13a and 13b and become an obstructing substance for the conductivity sensor 11. As shown in FIG. 3, since the water flow can be made gentle by widening the circulation path 9 where the electrodes 13a and 13b are installed from the upstream side, the particulate matter is precipitated at the lower part and is separated from the electrodes 13a and 13b. Therefore, more accurate conductivity detection can be realized.

  Furthermore, by spreading the lower part of the mounting position of the electrodes 13a and 13b, it is possible to prevent the particulate matter from adhering to the electrodes 13a and 13b due to precipitation and deposition in large quantities.

  Furthermore, if the state is detected when the circulation pump 15 is stopped, it is possible to detect the washing liquid in a more stable state. For example, the pump circulation pump 15 is operated for 30 seconds and then repeatedly stopped for 30 seconds. When the state of the washing liquid in the circulation path 9 after the 30-second stop is stabilized, the washing liquid state detecting means 10 And the output may be the state of the washing liquid at that time.

  In addition, although the structure of the washing machine in said Embodiment 1 demonstrated the drum-type washing machine in which the washing tub has the rotating shaft inclined from the horizontal direction, the vertical washing machine in which a washing tub has the rotating shaft of a perpendicular direction. Even so, if the circulation path is configured from the water intake port connected to the lower part of the outer tub, the same effect as described above can be obtained.

  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.

2 Outer tub 3 Drum (washing tub)
5 Water intake 8 Discharge 9 Circulation path 10 Washing liquid state detection means 11 Conductivity sensor (second detection means)
12 Turbidity sensor (first detection means)
15 Circulation pump

Claims (3)

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 provided at a lower portion of the outer tub and into which the washing liquid enters, and the water intake Detecting a circulation path that communicates with one end of the mouth, a discharge port that communicates with the other end of the circulation path and discharges the washing liquid into the washing tub, and a state of the washing liquid in the washing tub provided in the circulation path And 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 the circulation of the portion where the washing liquid state detection means is installed The washing machine is characterized in that the cross-sectional area of the path is wider on the downstream side than on the upstream side, and wider on the lower side than the portion where the washing liquid detecting means is provided. The washing liquid state detection means includes a first detection means installed on the upstream side and a second detection means installed on the downstream side, and the cross-sectional area of the circulation path in which the second detection means is installed is 2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the washing machine is wider than a cross-sectional area of the circulation path in which the first detection means is installed. The first detection means is a turbidity sensor for detecting the turbidity of the washing liquid, and the second detection means is a conductivity sensor for detecting the conductivity of the washing liquid. The washing machine described.

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