JP2013123555A - Drum washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a drum washing machine which reliably detects a case that an amount of bubbles of washing liquid is increased, and controls operation of the washing machine to suppress the amount of bubbles to prevent a decrease in washing performance.SOLUTION: The drum washing machine comprises: a drum 3 of a washing tub accommodating the laundry and rotating; an outer tank 2 housing the drum 3; a motor for driving the drum 3; a feed water valve 10 for feeding water; water level detection means 8 for detecting a water level of the outer tank 2 and the drum 3; a water intake 5 connected to a lower part of the outer tank 2, for taking in washing liquid; a circulation pathway 12 whose one end communicates with the water intake 5; an outlet 11 communicating with the other end of the circulation pathway 12, for discharging the washing liquid into the outer tank 2 and the drum 3; a circulation pump 13 for taking in the washing liquid into the circulation pathway 12 and discharging the washing liquid from the outlet 11 into the outer tank 2 and the drum 3; a permeability sensor 14 of washing liquid state detection means, which is installed in the circulation pathway 12, for detecting a state of the washing liquid in the outer tank 2 and the drum 3; and control means for detecting the amount of bubbles by an output of the permeability sensor 14 and a current value of the circulation pump 13.

Description

  The present invention has a drum-type washing machine or a drum-type washing dryer that has a laundry tub that is rotatable and accommodates laundry in an elastically supported outer tub, and performs washing, rinsing, and dehydration of the laundry in the laundry tub Related to the machine.

  In the washing process in the drum type washing machine, after the laundry is put into the washing tub, tap water is supplied from the outside of the washing machine, and the washing tub is accommodated through a detergent receiver in which a predetermined amount of detergent is put in advance. Water is poured from the outer tank. After pouring water, while rotating the washing tub at a low speed, make the washing solution in which the detergent is dissolved in water and at the same time wet the washing sufficiently with the washing solution. Washing is performed by removing dirt by impact when wet laundry falls from the upper part of the washing tub with rotation while rotating at a low speed.

  However, if the amount of the detergent is too much with respect to the amount of dirt on the clothes, foaming increases due to the surfactant that is the main component of the detergent. If the foam rises too much, the foam may leak from the sealing part of the window on the front surface of the washing machine, or the foam may act as a cushion and deteriorate the cleaning performance.

  Therefore, a foam sensor that uses the contact resistance of the washing liquid with an electrode that detects foam in the washing tub has been considered. If too much foam is generated, the washing is stopped and displayed, or dehydration is entered and the rinsing process is started. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  In addition, if washing is performed with as little water as possible, it is not easy to uniformly infiltrate the washing liquid into the clothing. For this reason, the washing liquid is circulated and discharged into the drum using a circulation pump. However, when air enters the circulation path, there is a problem that the circulation pump causes air stagnation and the shower does not come out or becomes weak, thereby reducing the shower effect or generating noise. In particular, since the drum type washing machine has a small amount of water and the foam is located below the clothing, the foam tends to enter the circulation path. For this reason, when many bubbles enter the circulation path, it is necessary to detect as soon as possible. Therefore, it is considered to detect air leakage from the current value of the circulation pump, and when air leakage is detected, control such as suppressing the amount of flowing water of the circulation pump is performed (for example, patents). Reference 2).

JP 59-118195 A JP 2011-041741 A

  However, providing a foam sensor only for foam detection as in the washing machine described in Patent Document 1 leads to an increase in cost. There is also a method of performing bubble detection using a water level sensor using a water pressure for confirming the amount of water supply, but this is not sufficient in accuracy because the water pressure of the bubbles is different from that of water.

In addition, in a washing machine that circulates washing liquid using a circulation pump, such as the washing machine described in Patent Document 2, it is generally possible to determine that there is air leakage due to a decrease in the current of the circulation pump. It is difficult to distinguish air stains when water is low and air stains when foaming is high.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a drum type washing machine that quickly detects the amount of foaming and performs appropriate control.

  In order to solve the above problems, the drum type washing machine of the present invention is provided with a circulation pump that takes in the washing liquid into the circulation path and discharges the washing liquid from the discharge port into the outer tub or the washing tub, and the circulation path. Control means for detecting the amount of foam based on the output value of the washing liquid state detecting means and the current value of the circulation pump, comprising: a washing liquid state detecting means for detecting the state of the washing liquid in the outer tub and the washing tub It is equipped with.

  Thus, when the washing liquid passes through the circulation path, it is possible to quickly detect that the foam in the washing liquid has increased due to the output value of the washing liquid state detecting means and the current value of the circulation pump, the washing time, Foaming can be suppressed by appropriately increasing or decreasing at least one of the stirring operation ratio, the stirring rotation speed, the circulation pump operation ratio, and the circulation pump operation rotation speed.

  The drum type washing machine according to the present invention quickly detects that the amount of foam in the washing liquid is increased by the output value of the washing liquid state detecting means and the current value of the circulation pump when the washing liquid passes through the circulation path. Since the control which suppresses a bubble is performed, the fall of the cleaning performance by a bubble can be suppressed.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a drum-type washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart which shows the washing | cleaning control of the drum type washing machine in 1st embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the output of the washing | cleaning liquid state detection means at the time of the normal circulation pump drive in 1st embodiment of this invention, and the electric current value of a circulation pump The figure which shows the output of the washing | cleaning liquid state detection means at the time of the circulation pump drive when there are many bubbles in 1st embodiment of this invention, and the electric current value of a circulation pump The figure which shows the output of the washing | cleaning-liquid state detection means at the time of the circulation pump drive when the amount of washing liquid in the first embodiment of this invention is low, and air has entered the circulation path, and the current value of the circulation pump

  A drum-type washing machine according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a laundry tub that accommodates and rotates laundry, an outer tub that accommodates the laundry tub, a motor that drives the laundry tub, and a water supply valve that supplies water. A water level detecting means for detecting the water level of the outer tub and the washing tub, a water intake port connected to a lower part of the outer tub, and a washing liquid entering the washing tub, a circulation path communicating with one end of the water intake, and the circulation path. A discharge port for discharging the washing liquid into the outer tub or the washing tub, and a washing liquid taken into the circulation path and discharged from the discharge port into the outer tub or the washing tub. A circulation pump that is installed in the circulation path, detects the state of the washing liquid in the outer tub and the washing tub, the output value of the washing liquid state detection means, and the current of the circulation pump Because it has a control means to detect the amount of foam by value, washing liquid When passing through the circulation path, the washing liquid state detection means output and the current value of the circulation pump quickly detect that foam has increased in the washing liquid and control the foam to control the washing performance by foam. The decrease can be suppressed.

A drum type washing machine according to a second invention is the drum type washing machine according to the first invention, wherein the output value of the washing liquid state detecting means increases to exceed the first threshold value, and the current value of the circulation pump decreases to Since it is determined that foam has increased when the value is below the threshold of 2, it is possible to reliably detect the increase in washing liquid foam, not air with insufficient water volume, and control for foaming should be performed reliably. Can do.

  In the drum type washing machine according to the third invention, in the second invention, when the increase in the output value of the washing liquid state detection means and the decrease in the current value of the circulation pump occur at the same time, the foam increased. Since it is determined, it is possible to reliably detect not only air with insufficient water volume but also an increase in foam of the washing liquid, and thus control over foaming can be reliably performed.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a drum type washing machine as a program for causing a computer to execute at least one means in the washing machine according to any one of the first to third aspects. Since the program can be changed or added during operation by downloading, it is possible to cope with a new specification change.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. An outer tub 2 is arranged inside an outer box 1 of the entire washing machine, and further inside an outer tub 2. A drum 3 as a washing tub is disposed in a state where it can be rotated by a rotating shaft slightly inclined from the horizontal direction. The drum 3 is connected to the motor 4 on 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 passage holes on the outer peripheral surface, and functions as a washing tub, a dewatering tub, and a drying tub.

  The water supply port 9 is connected to the water supply, and when the water supply valve 10 is opened, water containing the detergent is supplied to the outer tub 2 and the drum 3 through the detergent receiver 17 in which the detergent has been put in advance. It should be noted that the detergent may be put directly by hand without using the detergent receiver 17, or another automatic feeding device may be provided.

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

  In the vicinity of the water intake 5, a water level sensor 8 that is a water level detecting means for detecting the water level supplied to the outer tub 2 and the drum 3 is installed. The water level sensor 8 is installed at a position where the water level is immediately immersed after the start of water supply, and detects the water level by detecting, for example, the pressure applied to the diaphragm (diaphragm) as a deformation of the membrane. As a method for detecting the deformation of the diaphragm, a change in capacitance or a strain gauge is used.

  Further, a circulation path 12 connected to the discharge port 11 for discharging the washing liquid taken in from the water intake port 5 to the outer tub 2 and the drum 3 communicates between the water intake port 5 and the drain valve 6. The washing liquid filling the drum 3 can be circulated. Since water is circulated in the circulation path 12 using the circulation pump 13, the washing liquid can be circulated by the circulation path 12 only by controlling the circulation pump 13, and is related to the control of the water flow by the rotation of the drum 3. It is possible to circulate without.

  If the washing liquid at the time of circulation contains a lot of foreign matters such as laundry fibers and hair, the circulation pump 13 and the drain pipe 7 may be clogged. Therefore, the filter 15 is provided between the water intake 5 and the circulation pump 13. To remove foreign matter such as textile fibers and hair.

  In the circulation path 12, a permeability sensor 14 that functions as a washing liquid state detection means is installed. The transmittance sensor 14 is composed of, for example, a light emitting element such as an LED and a light receiving element such as a phototransistor, and the path between the elements is made of a light transmissive material. The emitted light is received by the light receiving element through the washing liquid, converted into a voltage and output.

  The transmittance is converted from the output voltage of the light receiving element of the transmittance sensor 14, and the higher the transmittance, the lower the voltage. That is, a high voltage is output when there are a lot of dirt and bubbles in the washing liquid passing through the circulation path 12 and the permeability is low.

  The control means 16 is composed of a microcomputer or the like, inputs a water level detection signal from the water level sensor 8, opens and closes the drain valve 6 and the water supply valve 10, controls the motor 4 and the circulation pump 13, etc. The washing process is controlled. In addition, an input process is performed using the output value from the light receiving element of the permeability sensor 14 as the permeability of the washing liquid, and the amount of dirt and the amount of foam of the washing liquid is determined based on this permeability. Further, it also functions as a cloth amount detection means that detects the current signal flowing through the motor 4 and the rotation angle of the motor 4 to detect the weight of the drum 3, that is, the weight of the laundry, and determines the amount of the laundry. Have.

  Next, operation | movement of the washing machine of this Embodiment is demonstrated, referring the flowchart which shows the washing process of FIG. When the laundry is put into the washing machine and washing is started, the control means 16 detects the weight of the laundry (S1). The detection of the weight of the laundry relates to at least one motor operation such as the magnitude of the current signal of the motor 4, the amount of change in the current, and the change in the rotation angle when the drum 4 is rotated together with the laundry by controlling the motor 4. This is done by detecting information.

  The basic water supply is determined based on the amount of laundry. For example, when it is determined that the amount of laundry is “low”, the water level is “low”. When it is determined that the amount of laundry is “medium”, the water level is “medium”. In addition, when it is determined that the amount of laundry is “large”, the water level is “high”. At the same time, a set time for washing corresponding to the amount of each laundry is determined (S2).

  Next, the control means 16 opens the water supply valve 10 and starts water supply from the water supply connected to the water supply port 9 (S3), and supplies water to the outer tub 2 and the drum 3 until the set water level is reached (S4). .

  During the water supply until the set water level is reached, the circulation pump 13 is controlled by the control means 16 and the washing water supplied together with the detergent is circulated from the discharge port 11 to the outer tub 2 via the circulation path 12. Promotes water solubility. When the circulating water is discharged from the discharge port 11 into the drum 3, clothing absorbs water before the detergent is sufficiently dissolved in water. It is desirable to make it weak enough not to discharge. Or, intermittent operation is performed for a very short time.

  Next, when the set water level is reached (YES in S4), the water supply valve 10 is closed (S5), and stirring is started while rotating the drum 3 at a low speed (S6). The rotational speed of the drum 3 is such that the laundry is lifted in the drum 3 and falls from the upper part of the drum 3 due to gravity, and the kinetic energy at the time of dropping is effectively applied to the wall surface of the drum 3 by centrifugal force. The rotation speed must be 50 rpm or less, although it depends on the amount of laundry. The rotation direction of the drum 3 may be the same direction, or may be switched to the opposite direction at any time.

  The circulation pump 13 promotes the penetration of the washing water into the laundry by discharging the washing water in which the detergent is sufficiently dissolved into the drum 3 from the discharge port 11 through the circulation path 12 (S9). For this reason, the rotation speed of the circulation pump 13 is set to a rotation speed at which the circulating water is firmly discharged into the drum 3 and the laundry liquid can easily penetrate into the laundry. The operation interval of the circulation pump 13 may be continuous during the cleaning process, or may be repeatedly turned on and off by setting a predetermined time as shown in S7 to S12 of FIG.

The control means 16 continues to detect the output of the permeability sensor 14 and the current value of the circulation pump 13 while driving the circulation pump 13. Normally, as shown in FIG. 3, when the washing liquid in the circulation path 12 starts to be circulated by the circulation pump 13 (T1), the output of the permeability sensor 14 increases, and when the circulation pump 13 is stopped (T3), the circulation path The circulation of the 12 washing liquids stops and the output of the permeability sensor 14 decreases. The current value of the circulation pump 13 is the same. When the washing liquid in the circulation path 12 starts to circulate (T1), the current value of the circulation pump 13 increases, and when the circulation pump 13 is stopped (T3), the washing of the circulation path 12 is performed. The circulation of the liquid stops and the current value of the circulation pump 13 decreases.

  However, when the amount of foam in the washing liquid increases, as shown in FIG. 4, when the washing liquid in the circulation path 12 starts to circulate by the circulation pump 13 (T1), the output of the permeability sensor 14 increases. However, it rises more rapidly at the time when a lot of bubbles enter, and exceeds the first threshold value S1 provided as the threshold value for transmittance (T2). When the circulation pump 13 is stopped (T3), the circulation of the washing liquid in the circulation path 12 is stopped and the output of the permeability sensor 14 is reduced. However, when bubbles remain, the reduction rate is reduced. When the washing liquid in the circulation path 12 starts to circulate (T1), the current value of the circulation pump 13 increases. However, the current value of the circulation pump 13 decreases rapidly when a lot of bubbles enter, Below the second threshold value S2 set as the threshold value (T2). When the circulation pump 13 is stopped (T3), the circulation of the washing liquid in the circulation path 12 is stopped and the current value of the circulation pump 13 is decreased. In particular, in the drum type washing machine, when the washing liquid bubbles rise, the bubbles between the drum 3 and the outer tub 2 increase, so the bubbles easily enter the circulation path 12.

  Further, when there is little washing liquid and air enters the circulation path 12, as shown in FIG. 5, when the washing liquid in the circulation path 12 starts to circulate by the circulation pump 13 (T1), the output of the permeability sensor 14 Rises and further rises when air stagnation begins to occur in the circulation pump 13, but does not exceed the first threshold value S1 provided as the permeability threshold value (T2). When the circulation pump 13 is stopped (T3), the circulation of the washing liquid in the circulation path 12 is stopped and the output of the permeability sensor 14 is lowered. When the washing liquid in the circulation path 12 starts to circulate (T1), the current value of the circulation pump 13 rises rapidly and decreases rapidly when a large amount of air enters, and the current threshold value It falls below the second threshold value S2 provided as (T2). When the circulation pump 13 is stopped (T3), the circulation of the washing liquid in the circulation path 12 is stopped and the current value of the circulation pump 13 is decreased.

  The control means 16 starts the operation of the circulation pump 13, the output of the permeability sensor 14 after a predetermined elapsed time D1 exceeds the first threshold value S1, and the current value of the circulation pump 13 becomes the second threshold value S2. If it is below, it is judged that the amount of foam of the washing liquid is large (Yes in S10), and foaming is suppressed by lowering the rotation speed of the drum 3 to 80% (S11).

  In addition, when there is a lot of foaming, foaming can be suppressed by reducing at least one of the washing time, the stirring operation rate, the circulation pump operation rate, and the circulation pump operation rotational speed instead of reducing the rotational speed of the drum 3. Therefore, what is necessary is just to control combining according to the structure and the condition of a washing machine.

  Further, when the output of the permeability sensor 14 is viewed when the circulation pump 13 is not operated, the amount of dirt due to the dirt of the laundry being melted can be detected. As the dirt melts with time, the value gradually increases, so the amount of dirt on the laundry can be estimated from the value of the permeability sensor 14 after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the washing process. By reducing or increasing at least one of the washing time, the stirring operation ratio, the stirring rotation speed, the circulation pump operation ratio, and the circulation pump operation rotation speed depending on the amount of dirt, it is possible to save time and energy without reducing the cleaning performance.

  When the set time has elapsed (YES in S13), the washing process is terminated, and the process proceeds to the next rinsing and dehydrating process to finish the washing.

  As described above, when the change in the value of the permeability sensor 14 and the current drop of the circulation pump 13 occur at the same time, it is determined that there are a lot of bubbles, so that it is reliably detected that the washing liquid has a lot of bubbles. By reducing at least one of time, stirring operation ratio, stirring rotation speed, circulation pump operation ratio, and circulation pump operation rotation speed, foaming can be suppressed, so that washing performance does not deteriorate even if foaming increases. can do.

  In the present embodiment, the output from the permeability sensor 14 is read to detect the state of the washing liquid. For example, electrodes are installed in two places in the circulation path 12 that are surely submerged. If the conductivity of the washing liquid flowing in the circulation path 12 is detected by sensing the resistance value of water between the electrodes, the amount of conductive dirt such as sweat can be detected, and when there are many bubbles Since the space between the electrodes is filled with bubbles and the resistance value is increased, the amount of bubbles can be detected. In this case, the foam amount of the washing liquid can be detected stably without being affected by the color such as blackening or white turbidity of the washing water as in the transmission sensor using the light emitting and receiving devices.

  As described above, since the washing machine according to the present invention can control the washing process based on the amount of foam of the washing liquid and does not deteriorate the washing performance, it can be applied to uses such as a washing apparatus for fibers and the like.

2 Outer tub 3 Drum (washing tub)
4 Motor 5 Water intake 8 Water level sensor (Water level detection means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Water supply valve 11 Discharge port 12 Circulation path 13 Circulation pump 14 Permeability sensor (washing liquid state detection means)
16 Control means 17 Detergent receiver

Claims (4)

A washing tub that accommodates and rotates laundry, an outer tub that accommodates the washing tub, a motor that drives the washing tub, a water supply valve that supplies water, and water levels of the outer tub and the washing tub are detected. A water level detecting means that connects to the lower part of the outer tub and into which the washing liquid enters, a circulation path that communicates with one end of the water intake, and the other end of the circulation path that communicates with the other end of the outer tub and the washing A discharge port for discharging the washing liquid into the tub, a circulation pump for taking the washing liquid into the circulation path and discharging the washing liquid into the outer tub and the washing tub from the discharge opening, and the circulation path Washing liquid state detecting means for detecting the state of the washing liquid in the outer tub and the washing tub, and control means for detecting the amount of foam based on the output value of the washing liquid state detecting means and the current value of the circulation pump. Drum-type washing machine equipped. 2. It is determined that bubbles have increased when the output value of the washing liquid state detecting means rises and exceeds a first threshold value, and the current value of the circulation pump falls and falls below a second threshold value. The drum type washing machine as described. The drum type washing machine according to claim 2, wherein when the increase in the output value of the washing liquid state detection means and the decrease in the current value of the circulation pump occur simultaneously, it is determined that foam has increased. The program for making a computer perform at least 1 means in the drum type washing machine in any one of Claims 1-3.

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