JP2014083059A - Drum type washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve an excellent energy saving property by detecting a blocked state in a circulation passage and stopping a circulation pump.SOLUTION: A drum type washing machine has a configuration which includes a water circulation system for circulating water by a circulation pump driven by control means through a circulation passage and which has a jetting port for jetting circulation water in a rotary drum. The control means includes water level detection means for detecting a water level of water in a water tank, and stops drive when the water level difference between the driving time and the stop time of the circulation pump is equal to or less than a predetermined value. Notifying means notifies a user of the fact that the water level difference is equal to or less than the predetermined value and urges the user to remove a foreign substance. Thus, the output drop of the pump is suppressed, and a washing effect can be enhanced.

Description

  The present invention relates to a drum type washing and drying machine provided with a circulation device for circulating washing water.

  Conventionally, a drum-type washing machine having a circulation function of circulating washing water in a water tank with a circulation pump is already known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  The drum-type washing machine of Patent Document 1 has a circulation path that uses a pump for injecting washing water into clothes in a washing tub as a driving source for the purpose of improving washing power, and maintains a predetermined water level with a water level sensor. The object to be processed is efficiently cleaned by operating while operating.

JP 2010-36016 A

  However, in the water circulation technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, if the circulation path becomes blocked due to contamination or accumulation of foreign matter in the circulation path, the washing water cannot be circulated and the circulation pump is driven unnecessarily. There was a problem of letting it go.

  A main object of the present invention is to provide a drum type washing machine excellent in energy saving performance by stopping driving of a circulation pump when a closed state of a circulation path is detected.

  In order to achieve the above object, a drum type washing machine according to the present invention includes a rotating drum formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape having an opening on a front surface, a water tank in which the rotating drum is disposed, and the water tank. A control system for executing at least one of a water circulation system for circulating the wash water in the water tank by a circulation pump, a water level detection means for detecting the water level in the water tank, and a washing process and a rinsing process through a circulation path connected to And the control means stops driving the circulation pump when the difference in water level between driving and stopping the circulation pump is equal to or less than a predetermined value.

  When the inside of the circulation path is normal, the volumetric water level that fills the circulation path when the circulation pump is driven and the amount of water required for injection decreases, but when the circulation pump is stopped, the water level is recovered because the water required for the circulation path and injection is recovered. Recovers. However, in actuality, the laundry is in the rotating drum, and when the circulation pump is driven, the water level is further lowered by containing the sprayed washing water. For this reason, the difference in water level between when the circulation pump is driven and when it is stopped is further widened. However, there is a possibility that the circulation path becomes blocked due to the contamination or accumulation of foreign matter in the circulation path, and injection becomes impossible. Therefore, the water level in the water tank may not decrease even when the circulation pump is driven. In addition, since the spraying cannot be performed, the amount of cleaning water contained in the object to be cleaned is reduced, so that the water level does not further decrease. Even if it is not in a completely closed state, the amount of decrease in the water level is reduced because the injection is reduced. The difference in the water level is detected by the water level detection means, and when the circulation pump is driven by detecting the blockage of the circulation path due to contamination or accumulation of foreign matter in the circulation path and stopping the circulation pump drive. Can prevent abnormal noise. Further, since the circulation pump is not unnecessarily driven, energy saving can be improved.

  According to the drum type washing machine of the present invention, since the circulation pump is not unnecessarily driven, energy saving can be improved.

Sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the drum type washing machine in Embodiment 1 of this invention The figure which shows the circulation pump of the drum type washing machine Block diagram of the drum type washing machine Time chart showing the relationship between pump operation and water level of the drum type washing machine

The drum type washing machine of the present invention includes a rotating drum formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape having an opening on the front surface,
A water tank in which the rotating drum is disposed;
A water circulation system for circulating wash water in the water tank by a circulation pump through a circulation path connected to the water tank;
Water level detection means for detecting the water level in the water tank;
Control means for performing at least one of a washing step and a rinsing step,
The control means is configured to stop driving the circulation pump when a difference in water level between driving and stopping the circulation pump is equal to or less than a predetermined value.

  As a result, when the circulation path is normal, the volumetric water level that fills the circulation path when the circulation pump is driven and is required for injection is reduced, but the water required for the circulation path and injection is recovered when the circulation pump is stopped. Therefore, the water level recovers. Actually, the laundry is in the drum, and when the circulating pump is driven, the water level is further lowered by including the sprayed washing water, so the difference between the water level when the circulating pump is driven and when the circulating pump is stopped is further widened. However, due to contamination and accumulation of foreign matter in the circulation path, the circulation path becomes clogged, and in the worst case not only injection is impossible, but it is also impossible to fill the circulation path, so even when the circulation pump is driven The water level does not drop. In addition, since the spraying cannot be performed, the amount of cleaning water contained in the object to be cleaned is reduced, so that the water level does not further decrease. Even if it is not in a completely closed state, the amount of decrease in the water level is reduced because the injection is reduced. This difference in water level drop can be detected by the water level detection means. The difference in the water level is detected by the water level detection means, and when the circulation pump is driven by detecting the blockage of the circulation path due to contamination or accumulation of foreign matter in the circulation path and stopping the circulation pump drive. Can prevent abnormal noise. Further, since the circulation pump is not unnecessarily driven, energy saving can be improved.

  Furthermore, the said structure WHEREIN: You may provide the alerting | reporting means to alert | report when the difference in the water level at the time of the drive of the said circulation pump and a stop is below a predetermined value.

  As a result, when the difference between the water level when the circulation pump is driven and when it is stopped is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the above can be notified to the user by notifying the user that the circulation path is clogged with foreign matter. it can.

  The said structure WHEREIN: The filter which collects the removable foreign material is provided in the said circulation path of the upstream of the said circulation pump, The said alerting | reporting means may be made to alert | report urging | cleaning of the said filter.

  Thereby, since the user himself can perform the maintenance of the filter, the cleaning effect can be enhanced by simply suppressing the decrease in the output of the pump. The user can be informed and urged to remove foreign substances. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the output of the circulation pump and enhance the cleaning effect.

  The said structure WHEREIN: The said control means is good also as determining the drive stop of the said circulation pump by the difference of the average value of the water level of the predetermined time between the time of the said circulation pump drive and a stop.

  Thereby, it becomes possible to improve the accuracy by suppressing the influence of the water level fluctuations such as the fluctuation of the water level due to the return of the washing water from the laundry and the rotation of the drum.

In the above configuration, it has load amount detection means at the time of driving the circulation pump,
The control means may determine a difference in water level between when the circulation pump is driven and when the circulation pump is stopped when the load amount of the circulation pump is a predetermined value or less.

  Thereby, it becomes possible to further improve the accuracy by detecting not only the water level fluctuation but also the load of the circulation pump.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic structure of a drum type washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, FIG. 2 (a) is a front sectional view of a circulation pump of the drum type washing machine, and FIG. 3 is a side view of the circulation pump of the drum type washing machine, FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the drum type washing machine, and FIG. 4 is a time chart showing the relationship between the operation of the pump of the drum type washing machine and the water level.

  The drum type washing machine according to the first embodiment automatically controls the motor 6, the water supply system 7, the drainage system 8, and the drying system 9 shown in FIG. A so-called drum-type washing and drying machine having a function of performing a process and a drying process is configured. In addition to the above, washing water in the water tub 3 is circulated in the water circulation system 15 as necessary at the time of the cleaning preparation process, the cleaning process, the rinsing process, etc. It also has a function to improve the function.

  A water tub 3 is housed in the washing machine body 2 so as to be swingable. A rotating drum 4 is disposed in the water tub 3 so as to be rotatable around a rotation shaft 4a. The rotating shaft 4 a of the rotating drum 4 is directly connected to a motor 6 attached to the outside of the back surface of the water tank 3, and the rotating drum 4 is driven to rotate by this motor 6.

  The rotating drum 4 is provided with a plurality of through-holes 4e over the entire wall surface so that water can be passed and vented between the water tank 3 and the rotating drum 4. In addition, a plurality of stirring protrusions 4 d are provided on the inner surface of the wall surface of the rotating drum 4, and the laundry in the rotating drum 4 is lifted by the rotation of the rotating drum 4. The through hole 4e is provided over the entire peripheral wall 4c of the rotating drum 4, but may be partially formed on the wall surface 4c of the rotating drum 4. In short, the air permeability between the water tank 3 and the rotating drum 4 is essential. In addition, it should be set so that water permeability can be ensured and washing does not hinder drying.

  The rotating shaft 4a of the rotating drum 4 is inclined so as to face downward from the opening front side toward the back side as the bottom. Specifically, it is arranged to be inclined downward, for example, 20 ± 10 degrees from the horizontal direction. By tilting the rotating shaft 4a in this way, the water tank opening 3b on the front side of the water tank 3 can be arranged on the upper side, and the user can take the posture through the water tank opening 3b without taking a posture of bending greatly. The laundry in the rotating drum 4 can be taken out. Compared with the case where the rotating shaft 4a is set in the horizontal direction, the water supplied into the water tank 3 accumulates on the back side, and a deep water storage state can be obtained even with a small amount of water. In order to efficiently supply water to the laundry in the rotating drum 4, the water tank 3 is provided along the vicinity thereof with the same inclination as the rotating drum 4. If the amount of water supply is not taken into consideration, the rotating drum 4 may be horizontal or the inclination angle θ may be less than 10 degrees.

Note that the water supply system 7 can supply water in a timely manner as indicated by solid arrows by opening and closing the electromagnetic valve, and the water supply can be used to supply the detergent in the detergent container into the water tank 3 in a timely manner. The drainage system 8 can be drained when necessary, such as at the end of the cleaning process or at the end of the rinsing process, by opening and closing the drain valve 19. Further, the water circulation system 15 repeatedly sucks the washing water in the water tank 3 by the circulation pump 20 and returns it to the water tank 3.

  The mode such as the driving course and various functions are selected by inputting from the operating means 21 provided on the front upper portion of the washing machine body 2, and the control means 22 displays the display means 23 on the operating means 21 based on the input information ( When the start of operation is set by the input setting means in the operation means 21, the data from the water level detection means 61 or the like for detecting the water level in the water tank 3 is input. Start driving, control the operation of drain valve, water supply valve, etc., and perform operations such as washing, dehydration, and drying.

  A water supply system 7 having a water supply valve 7 a and a detergent container 7 b is provided at the upper part of the water tank 3. Water is supplied from the outside of the washing machine by opening and closing the water supply valve 7a. The supplied water is supplied into the water tank 3 together with the detergent in the detergent container 7b through the water supply path.

  A water circulation system 15 that circulates washing water is provided below the water tank 3. The water circulation system 15 includes a water circulation path 16 that is a path through which water circulates, a circulation pump 20 that sucks and pushes water, and a filter 55 that collects and removes foreign matters in the wash water. The water circulation path 16 includes a suction side path 16 a upstream from the circulation pump 20 and a discharge side path 16 b downstream from the circulation pump 20.

  The circulation pump 20 is fixed to the base plate 2a, and the discharge side path 16b from the circulation pump 20 of the water circulation path 16 extends toward the front of the washing machine body 2 where the opening 13 of the water tank 3 is located. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, in the circulation pump 20, a resin-made pump casing 20b containing an impeller 20a is applied to a bearing partition wall 20d1 at the front end of the motor casing 20d of the circulation motor 20c. It is assumed that the impeller 20a is directly connected to the motor shaft 20e and is fitted to a resin mounting seat 35.

  The washing water pressurized by the circulation pump 20 injects the washing water between the back surface of the front end wall 3 h and the front surface of the front end wall of the rotating drum 4 corresponding thereto via the discharge side passage 16 b of the water circulation passage 16. The liquid is discharged into the rotary drum 4 through the flow path 52 formed between them. These operations are performed by the control means 22 that controls the driving of the circulation motor 20c.

  A water level detection means 61 is provided in the middle of the suction side path 16a. The water level detection means 61 detects the amount of water supplied into the rotary drum 4. The water level detecting means 61 is formed by connecting an air trap portion disposed at a predetermined position near the lowest portion of the water tank 3 and a pressure detecting portion disposed above the water tank 3 with a hose. The pressure detector is composed of a ferrite integrated with the bellows part that moves by pressure and a fixed coil that surrounds the outer periphery of the ferrite, and converts the moving stroke distance into the trap internal pressure using the change in inductance. . The water level detection means 61 is in an open air state when the cleaning water does not enter the air trap portion, and the output is constant.

  Thus, the water level detection means 61 is generally sensing by air internal pressure measurement by an air trap mechanism, and measuring the time until the air internal pressure changes from the stable atmospheric open pressure affects the variation of the water level sensor. It is an appropriate calculation method that is not subject to

The output of the water level detecting means 61 changes depending on the rotation speed of the rotary drum 4 because the output changes depending on the rotation of the rotary drum 4 during the washing operation, such as whether or not the rotary drum 4 is rotating. Have multiple tables. That is, the water level can be recognized while the rotating drum 4 is stationary or rotating.

  FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing fluctuations in the water level in the water tank 3 due to the driving of the circulation pump 20. FIG. 4A is a normal time, and FIG. 4B is a time when the filter 55 is clogged.

  When the inside of the water circulation path 16 is normal, it fills the inside of the water circulation path 16 when the circulation pump 20 is driven, and the volume and water level necessary for the injection are lowered. However, when the circulation pump 20 is stopped, it is necessary for the inside of the water circulation path 16 and the injection. The water level is recovered because water is recovered. Actually, the laundry is in the rotary drum 4, and when the circulating pump 20 is driven, the water level is further lowered by containing the sprayed washing water, so the difference between the water level when the circulating pump 20 is driven and when it is stopped. Expands further. However, since the water circulation path 16 becomes blocked due to the contamination or accumulation of foreign matter in the water circulation path 16 and not only becomes injectable in the worst case, but the water circulation path 16 cannot be filled. The water level does not decrease even at 20 driving. In addition, since the spraying cannot be performed, the amount of cleaning water contained in the object to be cleaned is reduced, so that the water level does not further decrease. Even if it is not in a completely closed state, the amount of decrease in the water level is reduced because the injection is reduced. The difference in the drop in the water level is detected by the water level detecting means, and the water circulation path 16 can be detected to be in a blocked state due to contamination or accumulation of foreign matter in the water circulation path 16.

  The operation and action of the above drum type washing machine will be described below.

  First, the user puts the laundry into the rotating drum 4 and starts the washing operation by the operation means 21. After detecting the amount of cloth, the control means 22 starts water supply by the water supply valve 7a and rotates the motor 6 to rotate the rotating drum 4 and perform the washing process. When the washing process is performed for a predetermined time, the dehydration process is performed through the drainage operation by the opening operation of the drain valve 19. Then, the cloth amount detection operation in a state where the laundry is wet is performed in the same manner as before the laundry is wet.

  After the cloth amount is detected, the water supply valve 7a is opened, washing water is supplied into the water tank 3, and the washing process is started. When the motor 6 is driven, the rotary drum 4 rotates. In the rotating drum 4, the laundry is lifted upward in the rotating drum 4 by the stirring protrusion 4d. When the laundry reaches upward, it falls downward due to gravity. At the time of this tumbling, the laundry is effectively cleaned by being struck against the peripheral wall 4c of the rotary drum 4. In the washing process, when the circulation pump 20 is appropriately driven, the washing water in the water tub 3 is discharged again to the laundry through the water circulation path 16. In this way, it is possible to wash efficiently even with a small amount of water.

  When the washing process is finished, the drain valve 19 is opened, and the washing water in the water tub 3 is drained out of the washing machine body 2. Thereafter, the rotating drum 4 is rotated at a high speed by driving the motor 6, and the washing water is removed from the laundry by centrifugal force. After this dehydration operation, the drain valve 19 is closed and a rinsing process is performed.

  Also in the rinsing process, as in the washing process, the water supply valve 7a is opened, and washing water corresponding to the amount of cloth is supplied to the water tank 3. When the operation of the water supply valve 7a is completed, the rinsing operation is performed by the rotation of the rotating drum 4. Thereafter, rinsing is performed again through drainage and dehydration.

  When the rinsing process is completed, the process proceeds to the dehydration process. The rotating drum 4 sticks to the peripheral wall 4c of the rotating drum 4 by rotating at a rotation speed faster than the gravity of the laundry. Washing water is removed from the stuck laundry by centrifugal force. When the dehydration process is finished, the washing is finished.

Foreign matter such as lint is generated from the laundry by tumbling and dehydrating operations. The foreign matter enters the water circulation path 16 by driving the circulation pump 20. The entered foreign matter is collected by the filter 55. Therefore, the circulating washing water passes through the filter 55, so that foreign matters are removed and discharged to the laundry.

  The user is required to periodically clean the filter 55. However, some users forget to clean the filter 55. In such a case, foreign matter accumulates on the filter 55. Washing water taken into the suction side path 16a of the water circulation path 16 cannot reach the discharge side path 16b due to accumulated foreign matter.

  In the case of the normally cleaned filter 55, the wash water taken into the water circulation path 16 is discharged from the water tank opening 3b to the laundry, so that the water level is higher than when the circulation pump 20 is not driven. Decreases. This is because the laundry absorbs the washing water and holds it for a certain period of time.

  However, when the wash water cannot enter the discharge side path 16b of the water circulation path 16 due to the accumulation of the filter 55, the wash water is not discharged to the laundry. Thus, the moisture content of the laundry is reduced. Therefore, the water level in the water tank 3 is not lowered as compared with a normal level.

  The control means 22 stores in advance the amount of water level decrease when the circulation pump 20 is driven during normal operation. When it is determined that the water level difference h between when the circulating pump 20 is stopped and when it is driven, the circulating pump 20 is stopped. At this time, the control means 22 performs determination based on the difference between the average values of the water levels during a predetermined time when the circulating pump 20 is driven and when it is stopped. As a result, it is possible to improve the accuracy by suppressing the influence of the fluctuation of the water level due to the delay in returning the washing water from the laundry and the fluctuation of the water level such as the rotation of the rotating drum 4.

  Further, the degree of decrease in the water level varies depending on the amount of cloth and the quality of the cloth. Therefore, the amount of water level reduction due to the amount of cloth and the cloth quality is stored as a table. Thereby, the system of the clogging detection of the circulation pump 20 can be improved.

  Thus, since the circulation pump 20 is not driven unnecessarily, a drum type washing machine having excellent energy saving performance can be supplied. Further, it is possible to prevent abnormal noise generated by driving the circulation pump 20 when the filter 55 is clogged.

  Furthermore, the display means 23 issues a warning to the user when the difference in water level between when the circulating pump 20 is stopped and when it is driven is equal to or less than a predetermined value. For example, the display unit 23 displays a message prompting the user to clean the filter 55, such as “The filter is clogged. Please clean it”. In addition, although the display means 23 was illustrated as an alerting | reporting means, it is not restricted to this, The audio | voice leaving by a speaker may be sufficient.

  In this way, the notification means can notify the user and prompt the user to eliminate foreign substances. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the output of the circulation pump and enhance the cleaning effect. In addition, it is possible to enhance the cleaning effect by notifying the user and prompting the removal of foreign matters to suppress the decrease in the output of the circulation pump 20.

  Further, the control means 22 has a load amount detection means when the circulation pump 20 is driven, and when the load amount is equal to or less than a predetermined value, it is possible to determine a difference in water level between when the circulation pump 20 is driven and when the circulation pump 20 is stopped. Good. Thus, it is possible to further improve the accuracy by detecting not only the water level fluctuation but also the load of the circulation pump 20. As the load detection means, load detection means for measuring the load of the motor 6 of the circulation pump 20 as a current value or a power value is provided by the control means 22, and the load detection means is compared with a predetermined load value.

  Generally, the circulation pump 20 has a large load at a high flow rate and a small load at a low flow rate. If the water circulation path 16 becomes blocked due to foreign matter mixing or accumulation in the water circulation path 16, pressure loss occurs, the flow rate decreases, and the load on the circulation pump decreases. By utilizing this change in the load of the circulation pump, when the water circulation path 16 falls below a predetermined load set with the assumption of product variation with respect to the blockage state of the water circulation path 16, an abnormality such as a blockage state of the water circulation path 16 may be detected. It becomes possible. When the detection by the water level detection means 61 has poor detection accuracy due to fluctuations in the water level or bubbles generated by a detergent, the detection accuracy can be improved by combining with the load detection means.

  According to the drum type washing machine of the present invention, the water level detection means detects the clogged state of the circulation path due to the inclusion or accumulation of foreign substances in the circulation path, and informs the user to promote the removal of foreign substances, It is possible to enhance the cleaning effect by suppressing the decrease in the output of the pump, and it is useful as a drum type washing machine for washing the laundry stored in the rotating drum.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 Washing machine main body 2b Main body opening 3 Water tank 3b Water tank opening 4 Rotating drum 4b Drum opening 5 Opening and closing door 7 Water supply system 8 Drainage system 15 Water circulation system 16 Water circulation path 16a Suction side path 16b Discharge side path 19 Drain valve 20 Circulation pump 21 Operation means 22 control means 23 display means (notification means)
61 Water level detection means

Claims (5)

A rotating drum formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape having an opening on the front surface;
A water tank in which the rotating drum is disposed;
A water circulation system for circulating wash water in the water tank by a circulation pump through a circulation path connected to the water tank;
Water level detection means for detecting the water level in the water tank;
Control means for performing at least one of a washing step and a rinsing step,
The drum-type washing machine, wherein the control means stops driving the circulation pump when a difference in water level between driving and stopping the circulation pump is a predetermined value or less. The drum type washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising a notifying unit for notifying when a difference in water level between driving and stopping of the circulation pump is not more than a predetermined value. The circulation path upstream of the circulation pump is provided with a filter that collects removable foreign matter,
The drum type washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the notification means performs notification for prompting cleaning of the filter. The drum type according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control means determines whether or not the circulation pump is stopped based on a difference in an average value of a water level for a predetermined time between when the circulation pump is driven and when the circulation pump is stopped. Washing machine. A load amount detecting means for driving the circulation pump;
5. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines a difference in water level between when the circulating pump is driven and when the circulating pump is stopped when a load amount of the circulating pump is a predetermined value or less. Drum type washing machine.