JP2011152251A - Drum washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately detect the state of a washing liquid without largely changing the structure of a drainage path. <P>SOLUTION: The washing machine includes: a bottomed cylindrical drum 3 having a water hole on the peripheral side surface; an outer tub 2 for rotatably housing the drum 3; a motor 4 for rotationally driving the drum 3 forward/backward; a drain valve 7 disposed in the drainage path 6 continued to a drain 5 in the outer tub 2; washing liquid state detecting means 10 for detecting the state of the washing liquid passing through the drainage path 6; and control means 14 for controlling the motor 4. The washing machine also has a water flow blocking plate 9 between the drum 3 and the drainage path 6 for blocking the water flow when the drum 3 is rotated, so that the state of the washing liquid can be accurately detected by the washing liquid state detecting means 10, and washing can be more appropriately controlled by the control means 14 based on the detected state of the washing liquid. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a drum type washing machine for washing clothes and the like.

  Conventionally, as a means to detect the state of the washing liquid in the washing machine, a dirt detection sensor such as a turbidity sensor or a conductivity sensor has been installed near the bottom of the outer tub to detect the state of the washing liquid. It is considered to control the water supply, washing and rinsing operations. It is considered that the dirt detection sensor is installed in a drainage channel between a drainage port provided at the lowermost part of the outer tub and a drainage valve (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 59-19495 A

  However, in the case of a vertical washing machine that is installed with the bottom surface of the dewatering tub downward as described in the above-mentioned patent document, washing is performed by the rotational drive of the stirring body, and the dehydration tub is provided except during dehydration. A configuration that does not rotate is common. Therefore, during the washing process, the influence of the water flow is small on the dirt detection sensor unit installed in the drainage channel, and the output variation of the dirt detection sensor is small.

  However, in the case of a drum-type washing machine, since the drum is rotated during the washing process, the influence of the water flow due to the rotation of the drum on the dirt detection sensor unit installed in the drainage channel becomes large, and the output of the dirt detection sensor is increased. There was a problem that variations were likely to occur.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide a drum-type washing machine that can accurately detect the state of the washing liquid without greatly changing the structure of the drainage channel.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, the drum type washing machine of the present invention includes a drain valve provided in a drainage channel connected to a drainage port of an outer tub, and a washing liquid that detects the state of the washing fluid passing through the drainage channel. A state detecting means and a control means for controlling the motor are provided, and a water flow obstruction plate is provided between the drum and the drainage passage so as to block a part of the water flowing when the drum rotates.

  This makes it difficult for the water flow caused by the rotation of the drum to flow into the drainage channel by the water flow obstruction plate, and the state of the washing liquid can be accurately detected without being affected by the water flow.

  Further, the drum type washing machine of the present invention controls a drain valve provided in a drainage channel connected to a drainage port of the outer tub, a washing liquid state detecting means for detecting a state of the washing fluid passing through the drainage channel, and a motor. And a bending portion is provided between the washing liquid state detecting means and the drain port.

  As a result, the bent portion located in the drainage channel between the drain outlet and the washing liquid state detection means weakens the water flow at the position of the washing liquid state detection means. The state of the washing liquid over time can be detected by the washing liquid state detecting means.

  Further, the drum type washing machine of the present invention controls a drain valve provided in a drainage channel connected to a drainage port of the outer tub, a washing liquid state detecting means for detecting a state of the washing fluid passing through the drainage channel, and a motor. And when the drum rotates in a direction opposite to the direction in which the drainage channel is tilted, or when the drum is stopped. The state of the washing water is detected by the washing liquid state detecting means.

  Thereby, the state of the washing liquid can be accurately detected without being affected by the water flow.

  Further, the drum type washing machine of the present invention controls a drain valve provided in a drainage channel connected to a drainage port of the outer tub, a washing liquid state detecting means for detecting a state of the washing fluid passing through the drainage channel, and a motor. The drain outlet is provided at a position shifted to the left or right of the lowest point of the outer tub, and when the drum rotates in a direction opposite to the offset direction of the drain outlet, or stopped. The washing liquid state detecting means sometimes detects the state of the washing water.

  Thereby, the state of the washing liquid can be accurately detected without being affected by the water flow.

  In the drum type washing machine of the present invention, the state of the washing liquid can be accurately detected by the washing liquid state detection means, and can be accurately controlled by the control means based on the detected state of the washing liquid.

Configuration diagram of drum-type washing machine in Embodiment 1 of the present invention Front view of the drum-type washing machine near the drain Sectional view of washing liquid state detection means of the drum type washing machine Sectional drawing of the other example of the washing liquid state detection means of the drum type washing machine Sectional drawing of the other example of the washing liquid state detection means of the drum type washing machine Front view of the vicinity of the drain of the drum type washing machine in Embodiment 2 of the present invention Front view of the vicinity of the drain of the drum type washing machine in Embodiment 3 of the present invention Front view of the vicinity of the drain of the drum type washing machine in the fourth embodiment of the present invention

  The first invention is a cylindrical drum with a bottom having a water passage hole on a peripheral side surface, an outer tub that rotatably accommodates the drum, a motor that drives the drum to rotate forward and backward, and drainage of the outer tub. A drain valve provided in the drainage channel connected to the mouth; a washing liquid state detection unit that detects a state of the washing fluid that passes through the drainage channel; and a control unit that controls the motor; the drum and the drainage channel; By providing a running water obstructing plate that blocks a part of running water during the rotation of the drum, the state of the washing liquid can be accurately detected without being influenced by the water flow in the drainage channel.

  In particular, the control means of the first invention is characterized in that the state of the washing water is detected by the washing liquid state detecting means when the drum rotates in the direction opposite to the direction in which the drainage flow blocking plate is located or when the drum stops. Is detected and controlled based on the output of the washing liquid state detecting means, so that when the drum rotates in the direction opposite to the direction where the drainage flow blocking plate is located, or when the drum stops, the flow blocking plate Since flowing water to the drainage channel is restricted, the state of the washing liquid can be detected more stably and accurately.

A third invention is a cylindrical drum having a bottom having a water passage hole on a peripheral side surface, an outer tub that rotatably accommodates the drum, a motor that drives the drum to rotate forward and backward, and drainage of the outer tub. A drainage valve provided in a drainage channel connected to the mouth; a washing liquid state detection unit that detects a state of the washing liquid that passes through the drainage channel; and a control unit that controls the motor, the washing liquid state detection unit, Since the bent portion is provided between the drain port and the bent bent portion located between the drain port and the washing liquid state detecting means, the water flow due to the rotation of the drum is weakened at the position of the washing liquid state detecting means. In addition, the state of the washing liquid at an arbitrary time can be detected by the washing liquid state detecting means regardless of the direction and speed of rotation of the drum.

  A fourth invention is a cylindrical drum with a bottom having a water passage hole on a peripheral side surface, an outer tub that rotatably accommodates the drum, a motor that drives the drum to rotate forward and backward, and drainage of the outer tub. A drainage valve provided in a drainage channel connected to the mouth; a washing liquid state detection unit that detects a state of the washing liquid that passes through the drainage channel; and a control unit that controls the motor. Provided by tilting to either the right or left from the direction directly below the mouth, and when the drum rotates in a direction opposite to the direction in which the drainage channel is tilted or stopped, the washing liquid state detecting means detects the state of the washing water. As a result, when the drum rotates or stops in the direction opposite to the direction in which the drainage channel is inclined, the amount of water flowing in the vicinity of the washing liquid state detecting means is reduced, so that the state of the washing liquid can be detected stably. Can do.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bottomed cylindrical drum having a water passage hole on a peripheral side surface, an outer tub that rotatably accommodates the drum, a motor that drives the drum to rotate forward and backward, and drainage of the outer tub. A drainage valve provided in a drainage channel connected to the mouth; a washing liquid state detection unit that detects a state of the washing fluid that passes through the drainage channel; and a control unit that controls the motor. When the drum rotates in a direction opposite to the direction in which the drain outlet has shifted, or when stopped, the washing liquid state detecting means detects the state of the washing water. By doing so, when the drum rotates in a direction deviating from the lowest point of the outer tub, or when it stops, there is less running water near the washing liquid state detecting means, so the state of the washing liquid is stably detected. can do.

  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 configuration diagram of a drum-type washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view of the vicinity of a drain outlet of the drum-type washing machine, and FIG. 3 is a laundry of the drum-type washing machine. It is sectional drawing of a liquid state detection means.

  1 to 3, reference numeral 1 denotes an outer box of the entire washing machine, in which an outer tub 2 is disposed, and a drum 3 as a washing tub is slightly inclined upward from the horizontal direction inside the outer tub 2. The rotating shaft is arranged so as to be rotatable. The drum 3 is rotated by a rotational drive of a motor 4 attached to the back surface of the outer tub 2. The drum 3 is provided with a plurality of water passage holes (not shown) on the outer peripheral surface, and functions as a drying tub when it has a washing tub, a dewatering tub, and a drying function.

  A drainage port 5 is connected to the lowest part of the outer tub 2 and is connected to a drainage valve 7 through a drainage channel 6. The drainage valve 7 is connected to a drainage pipe 8. The drainage port 5 is provided with a running water blocking plate 9 that partially blocks the flowing water from the outer tub 2 from flowing into the drainage port 5 when the drum 3 rotates in a certain direction. As shown in the front view in the vicinity of the drainage channel 6 in FIG. 2, the flowing water blocking plate 9 is configured to block only the right side of the drainage port 5 when the drum 3 rotating left and right is viewed from the front.

The drainage channel 6 is provided with a washing liquid state detecting means 10 for detecting the state of the washing liquid. As shown in the cross-sectional view of the drainage channel 6 in FIG. 3, the washing liquid state detection means 10 is configured such that a permeability sensor composed of a light emitting element 11 such as an LED and a light receiving element 12 such as a phototransistor passes through the drainage channel 6. The drainage channel 6 in the portion sandwiched between these elements is made of a light-transmitting material, and the light emitted from the light emitting element 11 is received through the washing liquid in the drainage channel 6. Light is received by the element 12, converted into a voltage, and output. For this reason, the washing liquid state detection means 10 has a light-shielded sealed structure so that the light receiving element 12 does not receive light from the outside.

  The light emission control of the light emitting element 11 and the capture of the output of the light receiving element 12 are performed by the control means 14 configured by a control circuit such as a microcomputer, and the output value from the light receiving element 12 is processed as the permeability of the washing liquid in the drainage channel 6. Based on this permeability, the control means 14 controls the washing process and the rinsing process.

  The washing liquid in the washing process gradually becomes cloudy as the dirt from the laundry is dissolved by the detergent and stirring. For this reason, it is possible to determine the amount of dirt and the completion of cleaning by observing the change in the permeability of the detergent liquid and the permeability with time.

  Next, the operation | movement which detects the permeability of the drum type washing machine of this Embodiment is demonstrated. When the drum 3 is rotated counterclockwise counterclockwise in the direction of A to B during washing or rinsing, the washing liquid in the drum 3 and the outer tub 2 enters the drainage channel 6 from the drainage port 5 and the drainage valve 7 is closed. Therefore, the drainage channel 6 provided with the washing liquid state detecting means 10 is filled with the washing liquid. Thereby, the water in the drainage channel 6 is always equal to the washing liquid in the drum 3 and the outer tub 2.

  Next, when the drum 3 is rotated clockwise from B to A in the clockwise direction, the water flow hardly flows into the drainage channel 6 by the flowing water blocking plate 9, and most of the water circulates in the drum 3 and the outer tub 2. For this reason, there is little water flow in the drainage channel 6 and the washing liquid state detecting means 10, and the washing liquid state detecting means 10 measures the permeability of the washing liquid at this timing.

  For example, if the rotation of the drum 3 is switched to the left / right rotation every minute, the washing liquid state detection means 10 stops at the timing when the rotation of the drum 3 is the right rotation or because the left / right rotation is switched. The light is emitted from the light emitting element 11 every 2 minutes, which is the timing at which the light is received, and the output received by the light receiving element 12 is used as the permeability of the washing liquid at that time to control the washing process and the rinsing process.

  As mentioned above, since the water flow at the time of rotation of the drum 3 to the drainage channel 6 is restricted by the flowing water obstruction plate 9 provided in the vicinity of the drainage port 5, the change in the waterflow of the drainage channel 6 due to the rotation of the drum 3 Thus, it is possible to prevent variations in the detection of the state of the washing liquid.

  In the present embodiment, the light emitting element 11 and the light receiving element 12 of the washing liquid state detecting means 10 are installed outside the drainage channel 6, respectively. It is good also as a shape which inserts the element 12. FIG. According to this method, it is not necessary to use a light-transmitting material for the drainage channel 6, and the light receiving level at the light receiving element 12 is not deteriorated due to contamination of the wall surface of the drainage channel 6. Further, the washing liquid state detecting means 10 is made waterproof by inserting the light emitting element 11 and the light receiving element 12 into the drainage channel 6, thereby eliminating the need for a light-tight sealed structure.

  FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of another example of the washing liquid state detecting means 10, in which the conductivity is detected by a conductivity sensor in which a pair of electrodes 13 a and 13 b are inserted into the drainage channel 6. is there.

According to the above configuration, by detecting the conductivity at the same timing as in the first embodiment, the conductivity of the washing liquid at that time can be used for controlling the washing process and the rinsing process.
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.

  When the conductivity of the washing liquid is measured, the type of detergent and the amount of detergent in the washing liquid can be determined. Moreover, since the amount of dirt of the conductive component mainly composed of sweat dissolved from the laundry can be determined, the washing process can be controlled.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of another example of the washing liquid state detecting means 10, in which a permeability sensor composed of the light emitting element 11 and the light receiving element 12 is installed facing the drainage channel 6. A conductivity sensor for measuring the conductivity of a configuration in which a pair of electrodes 13a and 13b is inserted on the left and right of the drainage channel 6 is also installed.

  According to the above configuration, by detecting two states of transmittance and conductivity, for example, if the conductivity is lower than a predetermined value but the transmittance is higher than another predetermined value, the liquid Judging that the detergent has been put in and controlling the washing process, or if the conductivity is higher than the standard value even if the permeability is equivalent to tap water, it is judged that the rinse is insufficient and the rinse is extended. If the conductivity is lower than the reference value, the rinsing process can be terminated.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 6 is a front view of the vicinity of the drain outlet of the drum type washing machine in the second embodiment of the present invention. The feature of this embodiment is that a bent portion 6 a is provided between the washing liquid state detecting means 10 and the drain port 5. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and those in the first embodiment are used for the detailed description.

  According to the present embodiment, since the drainage channel 6 is bent at a substantially right angle by the bent portion 6 a provided in the drainage channel 6 between the drainage port 5 and the washing liquid state detecting means 10, the drum 3 is rotated. The water flow is weakened at the position of the washing liquid state detecting means 10, and the state of the washing liquid at an arbitrary time can be detected by the washing liquid state detecting means 10 regardless of the rotation direction and speed of the drum 3.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 7 is a front view of the vicinity of the drain outlet of the drum type washing machine in the third embodiment of the present invention. The feature of this embodiment is that the drainage channel 6 is provided to be tilted from the drainage port 5 to the left or right from right below, and washing is performed when the drum 3 rotates in the direction opposite to the tilted direction of the drainage channel 6 or stops. The output of the liquid state detection means 10 is used for control. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and those in the first embodiment are used for the detailed description.

  According to the present embodiment, when the drum 3 rotates from the direction A to the direction B in which the drainage channel 6 is inclined, the flowing water flows into the drainage channel 6 and the washing liquid in the vicinity of the washing liquid state detecting means 10 is drummed. 3. When the drum 3 rotates from B to A in the direction opposite to the direction in which the drainage channel 6 is tilted or when it stops, running water in the vicinity of the washing liquid state detecting means 10 Less.

  Therefore, when the drum 3 rotates in the direction A from B in the direction opposite to the direction in which the drainage channel 6 is inclined or stopped, the state of the washing liquid is detected by the washing liquid state detection means 10 by detecting the state of the washing liquid. The state can be detected accurately and stably, and the washing process and the rinsing process can be accurately controlled by the control unit 14 based on the state of the washing liquid detected by the washing liquid state detection unit 10.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 8 is a front view of the vicinity of the drain of the drum type washing machine in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. A feature of the present embodiment is that the drainage port 5 is provided at a position shifted by a predetermined distance L to the left or right of the lowest point P of the outer tub 2. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and those in the first embodiment are used for the detailed description.

  According to the present embodiment, when the drum 3 rotates in the direction from A to B, which is opposite to the direction shifted from the lowest point P of the outer tub 2, the flowing water flows into the drainage channel 6 to detect the washing liquid state. When the washing liquid in the vicinity of the means 10 is made the same as the state of the drum 3 and the outer tub 2, and when the drum 3 rotates from B to A in the direction deviated from the lowest point P of the outer tub 2, and when it stops The running water in the vicinity of the washing liquid state detecting means 10 is reduced.

  Accordingly, when the drum 3 rotates in the direction B to A in the direction opposite to the direction in which the drainage channel 6 has shifted, or when the drum 3 is stopped, the state of the washing liquid is detected by the washing liquid state detection means 10. The washing means and the rinsing process can be accurately controlled by the control means 14 based on the washing liquid state detected by the washing liquid state detection means 10.

  It should be noted that the above-described embodiments can be implemented in combination, or a part thereof can be combined.

  As described above, the drum type washing machine according to the present invention can accurately detect the state of the washing liquid by the washing liquid state detection unit, and can be accurately controlled by the control unit based on the detected state of the washing liquid. Therefore, it is useful as a drum-type washing machine.

2 Outer tub 3 Drum 4 Motor 5 Drainage port 6 Drainage channel 7 Drainage valve 9 Flowing water obstruction plate 10 Washing liquid state detection means 14 Control means

Claims (5)

A bottomed cylindrical drum having a water passage hole on a peripheral side surface, an outer tub that rotatably accommodates the drum, a motor that drives the drum to rotate forward and backward, and a drainage channel that is connected to a drainage port of the outer tub A drain valve provided; a washing liquid state detecting means for detecting the state of the washing liquid passing through the drainage path; and a control means for controlling the motor, wherein the drum rotates between the drum and the drainage path. A drum-type washing machine with a running-water blocking plate that blocks part of the running water. The control means detects the state of the washing water by the washing liquid state detecting means when the drum rotates in the direction opposite to the direction in which the water flow obstruction plate of the drain outlet is located or stops, and outputs the washing liquid state detecting means to the output of the washing liquid state detecting means. 2. The drum type washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the drum type washing machine is controlled on the basis of the control. A bottomed cylindrical drum having a water passage hole on a peripheral side surface, an outer tub that rotatably accommodates the drum, a motor that drives the drum to rotate forward and backward, and a drainage channel that is connected to a drainage port of the outer tub A drainage valve provided; a washing liquid state detecting means for detecting the state of the washing liquid passing through the drainage channel; and a control means for controlling the motor; between the washing liquid state detecting means and the drain outlet. A drum-type washing machine with a bend at the top. A bottomed cylindrical drum having a water passage hole on a peripheral side surface, an outer tub that rotatably accommodates the drum, a motor that drives the drum to rotate forward and backward, and a drainage channel that is connected to a drainage port of the outer tub A drain valve provided; a washing liquid state detecting means for detecting a state of the washing liquid passing through the drain path; and a control means for controlling the motor; The drum-type washing is provided so as to be detected by the washing liquid state detecting means when the drum rotates in the direction opposite to the direction in which the drainage channel is inclined or when the drum is stopped. Machine. A bottomed cylindrical drum having a water passage hole on a peripheral side surface, an outer tub that rotatably accommodates the drum, a motor that drives the drum to rotate forward and backward, and a drainage channel that is connected to a drainage port of the outer tub A drain valve provided, a washing liquid state detecting means for detecting the state of the washing liquid passing through the drain passage, and a control means for controlling the motor, wherein the drain port is located on the left and right sides of the lowest point of the outer tub. Drum-type washing that is provided at a position shifted to any position and that detects the state of washing water when the drum rotates in a direction opposite to the direction in which the drain outlet has shifted or when the drum stops. Machine.

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