JP2013034544A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a washing machine capable of performing a washing process at an appropriate water level even when a user puts the laundry into a rotary tub in the middle of the washing process, and capable of suppressing the deterioration of washing performance and cloth damage of the laundry.SOLUTION: The washing machine comprises: a water tank capable of storing water; a rotary tub rotatably provided inside the water tank, for storing the laundry; a lid for opening and closing a slot for putting the laundry into the rotary tub; lid opening detection means for detecting the lid opening; water supply means for supplying washing water to the water tank; and water level detection means for detecting a water level of the water tank. When the lid opening detection means detects the lid opening during the washing process (step S6) and then the water level detection means detects the lowering of the water level of the water tank (step S8), the water supply means supplies washing water to the water tank (step S9).

Description

  This embodiment relates to a washing machine.

  Conventionally, as a structure of a washing machine, a rotating tub that serves as both a washing tub and a dewatering tub is rotatably provided in a water tub capable of storing water, and a stirring body is rotatably provided at an inner lower portion of the rotating tub. It is said. In addition, a means for detecting the weight of the laundry and a means for detecting the water level in the aquarium are provided, and in the washing process and the rinsing process, the agitator is rotated under the predetermined water level according to the weight of the laundry and the laundry is washed together with the washing water. Stir things.

  In a washing machine, if the washing process is performed at a level lower than the appropriate level in the washing process, the laundry may not be efficiently stirred in the water and the washing performance may be deteriorated, or the cloth may be severely damaged. is there.

  Therefore, after supplying the wash water to the predetermined water level and rotating the rotating tub, if the water level detected by the means for detecting the water level in the water tub is lower than the predetermined water level, the wash water is added to the water tank to the predetermined water level A washing machine to be supplied has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below).

  However, in the washing machine of Patent Document 1 below, when the washing water is supplied to a predetermined water level, when the user throws the laundry into the rotating tub during the subsequent washing process, the washing water in the tub is thrown in. There is a problem in that it penetrates into the washed laundry, causing a phenomenon of lowering than the predetermined water level set at the beginning, resulting in a state of insufficient water amount not suitable for the washing process.

JP 11-226295 A

  The present invention was made in consideration of the above problems, and even when the user puts the laundry into the rotating tub during the washing process, the washing process can be performed at an appropriate water level, It is an object of the present invention to provide a washing machine capable of suppressing the deterioration of the washing performance and the cloth damage of the laundry.

  The washing machine according to the present invention includes a water tub capable of storing water, a rotating tub provided in the water tub so as to be rotatable therein, and a lid for opening and closing a loading port for loading the laundry into the rotating tub. And a lid opening detection means for detecting the opening of the lid, a water supply means for supplying washing water to the water tank, and a water level detection means for detecting the water level of the water tank, wherein the lid opening detection means in the washing process When the water level detection means detects a drop in the water level of the water tank after detecting the opening of the lid, the water supply means supplies washing water to the water tank.

It is sectional drawing of the washing machine concerning 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the upper part of the washing machine shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of the washing machine shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the washing machine shown in FIG. It is a time chart which shows operation | movement of the washing machine concerning 2nd Embodiment.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

  A washing machine 1 according to this embodiment shown in FIG. 1 has a plurality of suspensions 5 in which a bottomed cylindrical water tank 4 capable of storing water opens upward in an outer box 2 formed in a rectangular box shape. Is supported in a vibration-proof state. In the water tank 4, a bottomed cylindrical rotating tank 6 formed in the same shape as the water tank 4 is provided to open upward and rotate.

  The rotating tub 6 stores laundry therein, functions as a washing tub during the washing process and the rinsing process, and functions as a dehydrating tub during the dehydration process. (Pulsator) 7 is attached so as to be capable of forward and reverse rotation. A large number of small holes 8 through which water can flow are formed in the peripheral wall of the rotating tub 6, and a balancer 11 is provided at the upper end opening.

  One end of a drainage hose 10 provided with a drainage valve 9 is connected to the bottom of the water tank 4, and the other end of the drainage hose 10 is led out of the outer box 2, so that the drainage valve 9 is opened. As a result, the water in the water tank 4 passes through the drain hose 10 and is drained out of the washing machine 1.

  Further, a tube 51 communicating with the inside of the water tank 4 is connected to the bottom of the water tank 4, and a pressure detection type water level sensor 52 is connected to the upper end of the tube 51, and the level of the washing water stored in the water tank 4 Can be detected.

  A drive unit 12 having a motor 12a as a power source and a clutch mechanism 12b for switching transmission of power from the motor 12a is attached to the center of the rear surface of the bottom of the water tank 4. The rotational power of the drive unit 12 is switched and transmitted to the washing shaft 13 for rotating the stirring member 7 or the dehydrating shaft 14 for rotating the rotating tub 6 via the clutch mechanism 12b.

  That is, in the washing process and the rinsing process, the rotational power is transmitted to the washing shaft 13 by the clutch mechanism 12b, and the laundry is washed by rotating the stirrer 7 forward and backward. On the other hand, in the dehydration process, rotational power is transmitted to the dewatering shaft 14 by the clutch mechanism 12b, and the rotating tub 6 is rotated at a high speed in one direction to perform centrifugal dehydration on the laundry.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a top cover 3 is provided on the upper portion of the washing machine 1 so as to cover the upper surface of the outer box 2. An operation panel 15 and a back cover 16 are provided at the front portion and the rear portion of the top cover 3, respectively, and a substantially circular laundry input port 17 is formed at the center portion of the top cover 3.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a placing portion 18 having a concave step is formed around the laundry input port 17 between the operation panel 15 and the back cover 16. The lid 19 is provided so as to be able to come into contact with and separate from the placement portion 18 so that the center of rotation is located at the rear end portion of the placement portion 18 and opens and closes the laundry input port 17.

  The back cover 16 is provided with a water supply port 20a of a water supply valve 20, and a hose connected to an external water source (not shown) such as a water tap is connected to the water supply port 20a. It enables water supply.

  The lid 19 is formed in a substantially circular shape by rotatably connecting the front lid portion 21 and the rear lid portion 22 and can be folded in half. Shaft portions 23 provided on the left and right sides of the rear end portion of the rear lid portion 22 are pivotally supported by bearings (not shown) formed on the left and right rear end portions of the mounting portion 18 so as to be able to rotate. Is rotatably attached to the top cover 3.

  The front lid portion 21 has a substantially semicircular shape and has a concave shape that is gently inclined downward toward the front, and a substantially arch-shaped front lid cover 25 is attached to the substantially semicircular outer peripheral portion in plan view. The front lid cover 25 has substantially the same height as the entire lid 19. Therefore, the lid 19 mainly includes a front lid portion 21, a front lid cover 25 attached to the front lid portion 21, and a rear lid portion 22.

  In a state where the lid 19 is placed on the upper surface of the placement portion 18 and the laundry input port 17 is closed, the lid 19 is fitted into the stepped recess of the placement portion 18, and the top cover 3 and the front lid cover 25. And the rear cover part 22 is formed so that the upper surfaces thereof are substantially flush with each other.

  A handle member 26 as a handle recess with a rear wall opened is disposed in a space portion sandwiched between the front cover cover 25 and the front cover portion 21 in the center front side of the upper surface of the front cover portion 21. It is installed. For example, when the upper surface opening of the handle member 26 is fixed to the lower surface of the front lid cover 25, the upper surface opening portion of the handle member 26 is closed by the front lid cover 25, and from the rear open side. A finger is inserted to function as a recess for handling the lid 19.

  Thus, when fingers are inserted into the handle member 26 opened rearward and the lid 19 is pulled up, the front lid portion 21 and the rear lid portion 22 are united and rotate upward about the shaft portion 23. And the lid | cover 19 stands | starts up substantially perpendicular | vertical, and the laundry input port 17 is open | released. In addition, if it operates so that it may bend in the connection part of the front cover part 21 and the rear cover part 22, as shown to the dashed-two dotted line of FIG. 1, the laundry input port 17 will be made with the cover 19 folded in two. Can be kept open.

  A magnet 28 (see FIG. 2) is attached to the front end portion of the front lid portion 21 and on the right side of the handle member 26. A magnetic detection element 29 such as a reed switch is arranged at a position facing the magnet 28 on the top cover 3 side with the lid 19 closed, and the lid opening / closing detection means 27 is constituted by the magnet 28 and the magnetic detection element 29. (See FIG. 1). The lid opening / closing detection means 27 detects the closed state of the lid 19 placed on the top cover 3 side when the magnetic detection element 29 detects the magnetism of the magnet 28, and the magnetic detection element 29 detects the magnet 28. When the magnetism is not detected, the open state of the lid 19 is detected.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a lid locking device 30 is disposed on the left and right side (for example, the left side) of the front lid portion 21 and inside the top cover 3. The lid lock device 30 advances and retracts the lock pin 31 and inserts and removes the lock pin 31 to and from a locking member 34 disposed on the back surface of the front lid cover 25, so that the washing process and the rinsing process of the washing machine 1 are performed. And the lid 19 is held unopenable during the dehydration process.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic electrical configuration of the washing machine 1. The control device 50 is composed of a microcomputer, for example. The control device 50 includes a water level detection signal from a water level sensor 52 provided to detect the water level in the water tank 4, an operation signal from the operation unit 15 a provided in the operation panel 15, and a lid opening / closing detection unit 27. A signal or the like for detecting opening / closing of the lid 19 is input. Further, the control device 50 receives a rotation speed detection signal from a rotation sensor 53 provided to detect the rotation speed of the motor 12a.

  The control device 50 and the rotation sensor 53 constitute weight detection means for detecting the weight of the laundry accommodated in the rotation tub 6. Specifically, the control device 50 drives the motor 12a to rotate the stirrer 7, and rotates based on the magnitude of the rotation speed of the rotation sensor 53 at that time and the data that the control device 50 has in advance. The weight of the laundry stored in the tub 6 is determined. When the amount (weight) of the laundry accommodated in the rotating tub 6 is large, the rotation number detected by the rotation sensor 53 is low, and when the amount (weight) of the laundry is small, the rotation sensor 53 detects. The number of rotations to be increased.

  The control device 50 performs the above-described weight detection and controls the motor 12a, the clutch mechanism 12b, the drain valve 9, the water supply valve 20, the lid lock device 30 and the like via the drive circuit 54, and is provided on the operation panel 15. Various displays are performed on the display unit 15b, and control is performed to execute various operation courses of the overall operation of the washing machine 1 (for example, a washing process, a rinsing process, and a dehydrating process).

  Next, the operation of the washing machine 1 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the washing machine 1, first, after the laundry is stored in the rotating tub 6, when the washing machine 1 is turned on and the operation of the washing process is started, the control device 50 causes the rotating tub 6 to be detected by the weight detection unit described above. The weight of the laundry accommodated in the interior is detected (step S1).

  Next, the control device 50 has data in which a plurality of water levels and a plurality of times are set according to the weight of the laundry, and based on the data and the weight of the laundry detected in step S1. Then, the water level required for washing (specified water level) and the time for executing the washing process (specified time) are determined (step S2).

  Next, the control device 50 opens the water supply valve 20 with the drain valve 9 closed to start water supply, and supplies the washing water to the water tank 4 until the water level detected by the water level sensor 52 reaches the specified water level. (Step S3).

  Next, when the washing water accumulates in the water tank 4 to the specified water level, the control device 50 controls the motor 12a and the clutch mechanism 12b to execute a washing process for rotating the stirring body 7 forward and backward for a specified time (step S4, Step S5).

  During the washing process, the control device 50 monitors whether the lid 19 is opened by the lid opening / closing detection means 27 and monitors the water level in the water tank 4 by the water level sensor 52 (step S6).

  Then, when the lid opening / closing detection means 27 detects the opening of the lid 19 and the detection signal is input to the control device 50, the elapsed time since the control device 50 detected the opening of the lid 19 in step S 7. Is within the predetermined time T. If it is within the predetermined time T, the process proceeds to step S8, and if the predetermined time T has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S10.

  In step S8, it is determined whether or not the water level in the water tank 4 has decreased. Specifically, the water level L in the water tank 4 detected by the water level sensor 52 immediately before the lid opening / closing detection means 27 detects the opening of the lid 19 and the water level Lt in the water tank 4 detected by the water level sensor 52 at the present time. When the water level difference ΔL (L−Lt) becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the control device 50 determines that the water level in the water tank 4 has decreased, and proceeds to step S9, and returns to step S7 if the water level difference ΔL is less than the predetermined value. Step S8 for determining whether or not the water level in the water tank 4 has decreased until the predetermined time T has elapsed is repeated.

  In the present embodiment, the water level Lt in the water tank 4 detected by the water level sensor 52 at the present time is the water level L in the water tank 4 detected by the water level sensor 52 immediately before the lid opening / closing detection means 27 detects the opening of the lid 19. , The water level difference ΔL is detected. For example, the water level in the water tank 4 detected by the water level sensor 52 immediately after the lid opening / closing detection means 27 detects the opening of the lid 19 or set in step S2. The water level difference ΔL may be detected by comparing with the specified water level.

  In step S9, assuming that the laundry is added in the rotary tub 6 during the washing process, the control device 50 opens the water supply valve 20, supplies water into the water tub 4, and replenishes the washing water. The washing process is performed until the specified time has elapsed after returning.

  In addition, as the amount of water supplied into the water tank 4 in step S9, the water level detected by the water level sensor 52 may be set to a water amount that reaches a water level one step higher than the specified water level determined in step S2. You may set to the amount of water proportional to said water level difference (DELTA) L defined based on the data which the apparatus 50 has beforehand.

  In step S10, it is determined whether or not the water level in the water tank 4 has decreased after a predetermined time T has elapsed since the lid opening / closing detection means 27 detected the opening of the lid 19. Specifically, as in step S8 described above, the water level L in the water tank 4 detected by the water level sensor 52 immediately before the lid open / close detection means 27 detects the opening of the lid 19 and the water level sensor 52 at the present time detect. When the water level difference ΔL with respect to the water level Lt in the water tank 4 becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the control device 50 determines that the water level in the water tank 4 has decreased, and when the water level difference ΔL is less than the predetermined value, the control device 50 determines that the water level 4 It is judged that the water level in the water has not dropped.

  If it is determined in step S10 that the water level in the water tank 4 has dropped, the washing process is terminated and the operation of the washing machine 1 is stopped, as necessary, as a drop in water level due to water leakage due to poor closing of the drain valve 9 or the like. Then, the abnormality may be displayed on the display unit 15b of the operation panel 15.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S10 that the water level in the water tank 4 has not decreased, the process returns to step S5 again, and the washing process is executed until the specified time elapses. When the specified time elapses, the washing process is terminated.

  As described above, in the washing machine 1 of the present embodiment, when the water level sensor 52 detects the water level drop in the water tank 4 after the lid opening / closing detection means 27 detects the opening of the lid 19 in the washing process, the control device 50 The water supply valve 20 is opened to supply washing water into the water tank 4. Therefore, even when the user puts the laundry into the rotating tub during the washing process, the washing process can be performed at an appropriate water level, and the deterioration of the washing performance and the damage of the laundry cloth can be suppressed. .

  Further, assuming that the laundry is added in the rotary tub 6 during the washing process, the water level detected by the water level sensor 52 is determined in step S2 as the amount of water that the control device 50 replenishes the water in the water tub 4. By setting the amount of water to reach a level one level higher than the specified level, the amount of water to be replenished in the water tank 4 can be determined using the existing setting of the control device 50, and the control configuration is simplified. be able to.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, if the time from when the lid opening / closing detection means 27 detects the opening of the lid 19 until the water level sensor 52 detects a decrease in the water level in the water tank 4 is within a predetermined time T. Washing water is replenished in the water tub 4, and if the predetermined time T has elapsed, the washing process is terminated and the operation of the washing machine 1 is stopped. Therefore, the laundry is added to the rotating tub 6 during the washing process. In this case, the water tank 4 can be replenished with washing water to prevent deterioration in washing performance and damage to the laundry, and when there is water leakage in the water tank 4, the abnormality is detected and the operation of the washing machine 1 is stopped. can do.

  In addition, in the washing machine 1 of the present embodiment, the control device 50 performs the washing process when the washing process is performed until the specified time elapses after returning to step S5 after replenishing the washing tank 4 with the washing water in step S9. Even if the time for rotating the stirrer 7 in the process is increased or the specified time for executing the process is extended, the operation intensity of the process is adjusted in consideration of the weight of the added laundry. Well, not only in the washing process, but also in the rinsing process and the dehydrating process that are performed after the washing process is completed, the rotation time of the stirrer 7 and the operation time of each process in consideration of the weight of the laundry added during the washing process The operating intensity of the rinsing process or the dehydrating process may be adjusted, for example, by extending the rotation speed or increasing the rotation speed of the rotating tank 6.

  Further, in the washing machine 1 of the present embodiment, the control device 50 does not detect the opening of the lid 19 until the next opening of the lid 19 is detected after the lid opening / closing detection means 27 detects the opening of the lid 19 during the same washing process. When the water level sensor 52 detects a decrease in the water level in the water tank 4 a plurality of times (for example, twice), the water level of the water tank 4 is determined regardless of whether or not the predetermined time T has elapsed since the opening of the lid 19 was detected. As a drop in the water level due to water leakage, the washing process may be terminated and the operation of the washing machine 1 may be stopped.

  In this embodiment, the lid opening / closing detecting means 27 for detecting the open state and the closed state of the lid 19 is used as the lid opening detecting means for detecting the opening of the lid 19. When the lock pin 31 is pulled out from the stop member 34 and the state in which the lid 19 cannot be opened is released, an operation of detecting the opening of the lid 19 or temporarily stopping the washing process by the operation unit 15a of the operation panel 15 during the washing process is performed. When the input is input, the opening of the lid 19 is detected, or the lid 19 is opened when the washing process is resumed from the operation unit 15a of the operation panel 15 from the temporarily stopped state of the washing process by the operation unit 15a of the operation panel 15. It may be detected.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

  The washing machine 1 of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment described above in that the wash water is supplied to the water tank 4 in a plurality of times when the wash water is supplied to the water tank 4 to the specified water level in the washing process. It differs from a washing machine.

  Specifically, the control device 50 detects the weight of the laundry accommodated in the rotating tub 6 by the weight detection means (step S1), and determines the specified water level necessary for washing according to the detected weight of the laundry. Then, a predetermined time for executing the washing process is determined (step S2).

  Next, in step S3, the control device 50 rotates the stirring member 7 while opening the water supply valve 20 as shown in FIG. 5 and closing the water supply valve 20 to temporarily stop the supply of the laundry water. The driving agitation is repeatedly performed, and the water supply process for supplying the washing water to the water tank 4 is performed by dividing the washing water into a plurality of times (in this embodiment, for example, three times) until the specified water level is reached. As described above, the washing water is supplied to the water tank 4 in a plurality of times, and the stirring member 7 is driven to rotate at a water level lower than the specified water level, thereby promoting the dissolution of the detergent and adding a high concentration detergent solution to the laundry. Impregnation and cleaning performance can be improved.

  In the water supply process in which the supply of the washing water and the stirring by the stirring body 7 are repeated, the control device 50 determines whether the lid 19 is opened by the lid opening / closing detection means 27 and the water level in the water tank 4 by the water level sensor 52. And monitor. Then, in the water supply stroke, when the lid opening / closing detection means 27 detects the opening of the lid 19 and the detection signal is input to the control device 50, the water level sensor 52 detects a decrease in the water level in the water tank 4. The apparatus 50 changes the amount of water supplied into the water tank 4 so as to reach a water level higher than the specified water level determined in step S2, assuming that laundry is added in the rotary tank 6 during the water supply stroke.

  As described above, in the washing machine 1 of the present embodiment, when the washing water is supplied to the water tank 4 in a plurality of times until the predetermined water level is reached in the washing process, the user puts the laundry into the rotating tub. Even if there is, the amount of water supplied into the aquarium 4 is changed so that the water level reaches a level higher than the specified water level, so the washing process can be performed at an appropriate water level, and the deterioration of the washing performance and the damage to the laundry cloth can be suppressed. Can do.

  In addition, except the above-mentioned structure and effect, it is the same as that of 1st Embodiment, and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, these embodiment was shown as an example and is not intending limiting the range of invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof as well as included in the scope and gist of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Washing machine 2 ... Outer box 3 ... Top cover 4 ... Water tank 5 ... Suspension 6 ... Rotating tank 7 ... Stirring body 8 ... Small hole 9 ... Drain valve 10 ... Drain hose 11 ... Balancer 12 ... Drive part 12a ... Motor 12b ... Clutch mechanism 17 ... Laundry input port 19 ... Lid 27 ... Lid opening / closing detection means 30 ... Lid lock device 34 ... Locking member 50 ... Control device 52 ... Water level sensor

Claims (4)

A water tub capable of storing water, a rotating tub provided inside the water tub to accommodate the laundry, a lid for opening and closing an inlet for loading the laundry into the rotatory tub, and detecting the opening of the lid A lid opening detection means, a water supply means for supplying washing water to the water tank, and a water level detection means for detecting the water level of the water tank,
Washing characterized in that the water supply means supplies wash water to the water tank when the water level detection means detects a drop in the water level of the water tank after the lid open detection means detects the opening of the lid in the washing process. Machine.   The water supply means supplies the wash water to the water tank in a plurality of times until the predetermined water level is reached in the washing step, and the lid opening detection means detects the opening of the lid before reaching the predetermined water level. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein when the water level detecting means detects a drop in the water level of the water tank later, the water supply means supplies the washing water to the water tank to a water level higher than the predetermined water level. Comprising weight detection means for detecting the weight of the laundry contained in the rotating tub;
The water supply means supplies wash water to the aquarium up to one water level selected from a plurality of water levels according to the weight of the laundry detected by the weight detection means in the washing step,
After the lid opening detection means detects the opening of the lid, when the water level detection means detects a drop in the water level of the water tank, the water supply means supplies wash water to the water tank to a water level one step higher than the selected water level. The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: When the water level detecting means detects a drop in the water level of the water tank within a predetermined time after the lid open detecting means detects the opening of the lid, the water supply means supplies wash water to the water tank,
4. The washing step is terminated when the water level detecting means detects a drop in the water level of the water tank after a predetermined time after the lid opening detecting means detects the opening of the lid. The washing machine according to any one of the above.

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