JP2016083105A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a washing machine capable of determining the cloth quality of clothing with sufficiently high accuracy.SOLUTION: The washing machine in an embodiment includes a tub for accommodating clothing, a sensor which measures the reflectance of light having a specific wavelength from the clothing in the tub, determination means which determines the amount of water held by the clothing based on the measurements results of the sensor, and operation control means which controls the operation using the determination by the determination means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a washing machine.

  In a washing machine, for example, a drum-type fully automatic washing machine, it is known to determine the quality of clothing contained in a drum and use the determination result for operation control (see, for example, Patent Document 1). . In this case, the cloth quality determination includes the result of the weight determination of the dry clothes before water supply and the torque characteristics (rotation sensor signal of the washing machine motor during the drum stirring operation after the intermediate dehydration process after the first washing process. And the measurement result of the motor current value, etc.), and it was determined whether the cloth quality of the garment belongs to one of the three stages of cotton, blended fiber, and synthetic fiber.

JP 2008-6179 A

  Since the quality of laundry in conventional washing machines is determined based on the motor current when the drum is rotated for a short time by the washing machine motor, it is easily affected by the operating environment (voltage and temperature). It was. For this reason, the cloth quality determination may not be performed with sufficiently high accuracy.

  Accordingly, a washing machine is provided that can perform the cloth quality determination of clothes with sufficiently high accuracy.

  The washing machine of the embodiment includes a tub in which clothing is stored, a sensor that measures the reflectance of light of a specific wavelength in the garment in the tub, and a determination that determines the moisture retention amount of the garment from the measurement result of the sensor. And an operation control means for controlling the operation while utilizing the determination of the determination means.

1 shows an embodiment, and is a vertical right side view schematically showing the overall configuration of the washing machine. Block diagram schematically showing the electrical configuration The figure which shows the relationship between the wavelength of light and the reflectance about clothes of some moisture retention The flowchart which shows the processing procedure of the cloth quality judgment at the time of completion | finish of an intermediate | middle dehydration process Flow chart showing the control procedure of the drying process Flow chart showing processing procedure of cloth quality judgment in drying process Flow chart showing processing procedure for dryness detection

  Hereinafter, an embodiment applied to a fully automatic washing machine having a vertical axis with a drying function will be described with reference to the drawings. First, FIG. 1 schematically shows a configuration of a washing machine (fully automatic washing machine) 1 according to the present embodiment. Here, the washing machine 1 includes an outer box 2 made of, for example, a steel plate and having a rectangular shape as a whole. A water tank 3 for storing washing water is provided in the outer box 2 while being elastically supported (suspended) by an elastic suspension mechanism 4. As shown only partially, the elastic suspension mechanism 4 has, for example, four suspension rods 4a provided at the four corners of the outer box 2, and springs 4b disposed at the lower end portions of the suspension rods 4a. The known configuration is provided.

  A drain port 5 is formed at the bottom of the water tank 3, and a drain channel 7 having an electronically controlled drain valve 6 is connected to the drain port 5. And in the water tank 3, the vertical axis | shaft type rotary tank 8 which makes a bottomed cylindrical shape is provided rotatably. For example, a liquid-filled rotary balancer 9 is attached to the upper end of the rotary tank 8. Further, a dewatering hole 8 a is formed in the peripheral wall portion of the rotating tub 8. A stirring body (pulsator) 10 is disposed at the inner bottom of the rotating tank 8. Clothes (laundry) (not shown) are accommodated in the rotating tub 8, and various processes such as washing, rinsing, dehydration, and drying of clothes are performed in the rotating tub 8.

  A water tank cover 11 is attached to the upper part of the water tank 6. The water tank cover 11 is provided with an opening 11a for putting in and out the laundry substantially at the center, and an inner lid 12 for opening and closing the opening 11a is attached. A water supply port (not shown) for water supply is provided at the rear portion on the upper surface of the water tank cover 11, and a hot air outlet 14 for supplying hot air supplied from a drying unit 13 described later into the water tank 3 or the like. Is provided. As will be described in detail later, in this embodiment, a camera 15 and a light source 16 as sensors are provided in the aquarium cover 11 portion.

  On the other hand, a drive mechanism portion 17 is disposed at a lower portion (outer bottom portion) of the water tank 3. Although not described in detail, the drive mechanism 17 includes a washing machine motor 18 (shown only in FIG. 2) composed of an outer rotor type DC three-phase brushless motor, a hollow tank shaft 19, and an agitation that penetrates the tank shaft 19. The shaft 20 includes a clutch mechanism that selectively transmits the rotational driving force of the washing machine motor to the shafts 19 and 10. The rotary tank 8 is connected to the upper end of the tank shaft 19, and the stirring body 10 is connected to the upper end of the stirring shaft 20.

  The clutch mechanism operates in conjunction with the drain valve 6, and when the washing tank is rinsed (washing process), the rotating tub 8 is fixed (stopped), and the driving force of the washing machine motor 18 is applied to the stirring shaft 20. To the stirrer 10 to directly drive the stirrer 10 at normal speeds at low speed. Further, at the time of dehydration (dehydration process), the driving force of the washing machine motor 18 is transmitted to the rotating tub 8 via the tub shaft 19 in a state where the tub shaft 19 and the stirring shaft 20 are connected to each other. The stirring body 10) is directly driven to rotate in one direction at a high speed. In addition to the above, the drive mechanism 17 includes a motor for driving the drain valve 6, a rotation sensor 21 (see FIG. 2) for detecting the rotational position of the rotor of the washing machine motor 18, and a clutch for detecting the position of the clutch. Electrical components such as a position sensor are disposed.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a synthetic resin top cover 22 having a thin hollow box shape is mounted on the outer box 2. In the center of the top surface of the top cover 22, a substantially circular laundry entrance 22a is formed above the rotating tub 8, and a bi-fold type lid 23 is provided for opening and closing the laundry entrance 22a. It has been. An operation panel 24 is provided on the top surface of the front portion of the top cover 22 so that the user can select a course for washing operation and instruct the start of operation. Further, on the back side of the operation panel 24, an operation unit 25 configured to include a computer is provided. As shown in FIG. 2, the operation unit 25 is provided with an operation circuit 26 for processing an operation signal of the operation panel 24, a display circuit 27 for controlling display on the operation panel 24, a buzzer 28 for notification, and the like. ing.

  Although not shown in detail, a water supply mechanism for supplying water into the water tank 3 is provided at the rear portion of the top cover 22. As shown in FIG. 2, the water supply mechanism includes an electromagnetic water supply valve 29, a softer valve 30, and a bath water pump 31. When the water supply valve 29 is opened, water supplied from the water supply is supplied into the rotary tank 8 and the water tank 3 from the water supply port through a water injection case (not shown). When the softer valve 30 is opened, the softer is supplied into the water tank 3 (rotating tank 8). By driving the bath water pump 31, the remaining hot water of the bath can be supplied into the water tank 3 (rotating tank 8).

  The drying unit 13 is provided at the rear portion of the top cover 22. The drying unit 13 is configured by assembling a blower fan 33, a heater 34, and the like to a casing 32. The blower fan 33 sucks and discharges air from the outside of the machine behind, and the discharged air is heated by the heater 34. And warm air is generated. The warm air generated by the drying unit 13 is supplied into the water tank 3 (rotary tank 8) from the warm air outlet 14 through the connection duct 35. The warm air supplied into the water tank 3 contributes to the drying of the clothes in the rotating tank 8, and then is discharged from the upper exhaust duct 37 through the air guide duct 36 formed at the rear part of the water tank 3.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the camera 15 and the light source 16 as sensors are provided in the water tank cover 11 portion. The camera 15 is formed of, for example, a hyperspectral camera, and is mounted on the lower side of the water tank cover 11 so as to be able to photograph clothes in the rotating tank 8. This camera 15 (hyperspectral camera) is capable of measuring spectral information of an object, and reflects light of a specific wavelength (in this case, an infrared region having a wavelength of 0.9 μm or more) in clothing in the rotating tub 8. The rate is to be measured.

  The light source 16 is formed of, for example, an infrared lamp, and is provided at a slightly forward position of the water tank cover 11 (a target position with respect to the rotation axis of the rotary tank 8 with respect to the camera 15). The light source 16 is configured to irradiate the clothes in the rotating tub 8 with light including an infrared region having a wavelength of 0.9 μm or more. Here, since all the substances have light reflection characteristics corresponding to their physical properties, it is possible to grasp the characteristics of the substances by examining the spectrum with the camera 15 (hyperspectral camera). At this time, in the case of water, since the reflectance of the wavelength in the infrared region is 0, the moisture content of the clothing can be estimated by examining the reflectance of the wavelength in the clothing.

  And although not shown in figure, the electronic unit is provided in the lower part by the side of the back wall in the outer case 2. As shown in FIG. This electronic unit includes a power supply circuit, an inverter circuit for driving the washing machine motor 18, a control device 38 (see FIG. 2) for controlling the washing machine 1 as a whole, and the like. As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 38 includes a microcomputer 39. A non-volatile memory (EEPROM) 40 is connected to the control device 38. The nonvolatile memory 40 stores an operation control program, necessary data, and the like.

  FIG. 2 shows an electrical configuration centering on the control device 38 in the washing machine 1. The control device 38 receives an operation signal from the operation circuit 26 and a signal from the water level sensor 42 for detecting the water level in the water tank 3 and the rotation sensor 21. A signal from the camera 15 is also input. Further, the control device 38 is connected to the washing machine motor 18, the water supply valve 29, the softer valve 30, the bath water pump 31, the drain valve 6, the heater 34, the blower fan 33, the light source 16, and the display circuit via the drive circuit 44. 27, the buzzer 28, the lid lock mechanism 43, and the like.

  At this time, the control device 38 controls each mechanism according to the operation control program based on the operation signal from the operation circuit 26, the signal from the sensor, and the like, and each washing process such as washing, rinsing and dehydration and the drying process. Is automatically executed. In the course of the washing operation, for example, after the well-known weight detection of clothing is performed, a process of water supply and washing is performed, and a process of intermediate dehydration and shower rinsing is performed after drainage. Thereafter, a process of water supply and rinsing is performed, and a process of dewatering after draining is performed. In the drying process after the washing operation, the rotation of the rotating tub 8 and the stirring by the stirring body 10 are alternately performed a plurality of times while the blower fan 33 and the heater 34 are turned on.

  And in this embodiment, the control apparatus 38 controls the camera 15 and the light source 16, and measures the reflectance of the light of the infrared region (area | region whose wavelength is 0.9 micrometer or more) of the clothing in the rotary tank 8. It is designed to detect the moisture content of clothing. Here, as shown in FIG. 3, in the infrared region (wavelength region of 0.9 μm or more), see a clear correlation between the moisture content (weight conversion) and the reflectance of clothing (cloth products). Can do. Specifically, when the wavelength is around 0.9 μm, the reflectance of water is almost 0, about 20% when the water holding amount is 60%, and about 40% when the water holding amount is 40%. Thus, the reflectance increases as the moisture content of the clothing decreases.

  Thereby, based on measuring the reflectance of the light of the wavelength in clothing by the camera 15, the control apparatus 38 can determine the moisture retention amount of clothing. As a result, since the moisture retention amount of clothing varies depending on the fabric quality, the fabric quality of the clothing can be determined from the moisture retention amount. And based on the cloth quality determination of clothing, the water level in the rinsing process can be adjusted, the rinsing time, the dehydration time can be adjusted, the drying time can be adjusted, etc. It can be performed.

  At this time, as will be described in the following description of the action (description of the flowchart), in the present embodiment, the control device 38 determines the moisture retention amount of the clothing and determines the cloth quality at the end of the intermediate dehydration process. Also, during the drying process, the moisture content of the clothes is determined to determine the cloth quality. Furthermore, the moisture retention amount of the clothing at the end of the drying process is determined to detect drying. Therefore, the control device 38 functions as a determination unit that determines the moisture retention amount of the clothing from the measurement result by the camera 15 and an operation control unit that controls the operation while using the determination.

  Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the flowchart of FIG. 4 shows the processing procedure of the cloth quality determination at the end of the intermediate dehydration process, which is executed by the control device 38. That is, when the intermediate dehydration process is completed in step S1, the reflectance of light in the infrared region of the clothing in the rotating tub 8 is measured by the camera 15 in the next step S2. In step S3, it is determined whether the moisture retention amount of the clothes is less than 60%. If the moisture retention amount of the clothes is 60% or more (No in step S3), it is determined in next step S4 whether the moisture retention amount of the clothes is less than 70%.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 3, when the wavelength is in the vicinity of 0.9 μm, a clear correlation can be seen between the moisture retention amount and the reflectance of the clothing, and the moisture retention amount is obtained from the reflectance. Can do. At this time, in the dehydration process, depending on the cloth quality of the clothing, there is a situation in which the moisture removal with respect to the dehydration operation time is different such that the moisture is more easily removed from the synthetic fiber than the cotton. Therefore, when the moisture retention amount is small, it can be determined that the fabric is synthetic fiber, and when the moisture retention amount is relatively large, it can be determined that the fabric quality is cotton.

  In the present embodiment, if the moisture retention amount of the clothing is less than 60% (Yes in Step S3), it is determined in Step S5 that the cloth quality is “synthetic fiber”. If the moisture retention amount of the clothes is 70% or more (No in step S4), it is determined in step S6 that the cloth quality is “cotton”. If the moisture retention amount of the clothes is 60% or more and less than 70% (Yes in Step S4), it is determined in Step S7 that the cloth quality is “mixed”. The result of the cloth quality determination is used for control (adjustment) of the water level and the execution time in the rinsing process and the execution time of the dewatering process after that.

  Next, the flowchart of FIG. 5 shows the overall control procedure of the drying process executed by the control device 38. Moreover, the flowchart of FIG. 6 shows the specific procedure of the process (step S17 of FIG. 5) of the cloth quality determination in the drying process which the control apparatus 38 performs. Further, the flowchart of FIG. 7 shows a specific procedure of the drying detection process (step S14 of FIG. 5) executed by the control device 38. Hereinafter, it demonstrates in order.

  That is, in FIG. 5, when the drying process is started, first, in step S11, the weight of the clothes is detected by a known process. Next, in step S12, the heater 34 and the blower fan 33 are turned on, and in step S13, the rotating operation of the rotating layer 8 is performed, for example, for 5 minutes. In the next step S14, a dryness detection process is performed. Details of this drying detection process will be described later. In step S15, it is determined whether or not the drying by the drying detection is confirmed.

  If the drying by the drying detection is not confirmed (No in step S15), it is determined in step S16 whether or not the cloth quality determination process has already been performed. If the cloth quality determination process has not yet been performed (No in step S16), the cloth quality determination process is executed in step S17. When the cloth quality determination process in step S17 is completed or the cloth quality determination process has already been completed (Yes in step S16), the process proceeds to step S18, and the stirring operation by driving the stirring body 10 is performed, for example, for 10 minutes. Is called. Then, it returns to step S12.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 6, the details of the cloth quality determination processing in step S17 will be described. In step S31, it is determined whether or not the tank rotation operation (step S13 in FIG. 5) is the first time. If it is the time when the first tank rotation operation is finished (Yes in step S31), the moisture content measurement operation 1 of the clothing by the camera 15 is executed in step S32, and the moisture retention amount 1 is stored. After that, the process returns to the drying process (step S18 in FIG. 5) (at this time, the cloth quality determination process is not yet completed).

  If it is after the second tank rotation operation (passed through step S13 of FIG. 5 twice or more) (No in step S31), in the next step S33, is the tank rotation operation the fifth time? Judgment is made. If the tank rotation operation has not yet reached 5 times (No in step S33), the process returns to the drying process (step S18 in FIG. 5).

  When such a process is repeated and the fifth tank rotation operation is finished (Yes in step S33), in step S34, the moisture content measurement operation 2 of the clothing by the camera 15 is executed. The moisture retention amount 2 is stored. In step S35, the difference between the moisture retention amount 1 and the moisture retention amount 2 is calculated. In the next step S36, it is determined whether or not the difference between the moisture retention amount 1 and the moisture retention amount 2 is 3% or more. If the difference is less than 3% (No in step S36), it is determined in the next step S37 whether the difference is 2% or more.

  In this case, the moisture retention amount of the garment gradually decreases as the drying process proceeds. However, due to the cloth quality of the garment, there is a situation in which the drying of the synthetic fiber is faster than the cotton (water evaporation). . Therefore, if the difference in the moisture retention amount is 3% or more (Yes in step S36), it is determined in step S38 that the fabric quality is synthetic. If the difference in moisture retention is less than 2% (No in step S37), it is determined in step S39 that the fabric quality is “cotton”. If the difference in moisture retention is less than 3% and 2% or more (Yes in step S37), it is determined in step S40 that the fabric quality is “mixed”. Thus, the cloth quality determination process ends (step S41), and the process returns to the drying process (step S18).

  Next, with reference to FIG. 7, the details of the drying detection process in step S14 will be described. In step S51, the moisture retention amount of the clothing is measured by the camera 15 after the tank rotation operation. In the next step S52, a difference from the moisture retention amount of the clothing measured last time is calculated, and in step S53, it is determined whether or not the difference value is smaller than 0.2%. Here, when the difference value is relatively large, it means that the drying (evaporation of water) is still frequently performed. When the drying progresses and approaches the end of drying, the difference value is extremely small ( Less than 0.2%).

  Therefore, when the difference value is smaller than 0.2% (Yes in Step S53), the drying detection count is incremented by +1 in the next Step S54, and the process proceeds to Step S56. On the other hand, if the difference value is 0.2% or more (No in step S53), the process proceeds to step S56 after the drying detection count is cleared to 0 in the next step S55.

  In step S56, it is determined whether or not the dryness detection count has reached 5 or more. When the dry detection count becomes 5 (Yes in step S56), the drying is confirmed in step S57, and the process returns to the drying process (step S15 in FIG. 5). If the drying detection count is less than 5 (No in step S56), the process returns to the drying process.

  Returning to FIG. 5, when the drying is confirmed by the drying detection (Yes in Step S15), the heater 34 is turned off in Step S19 (the blower fan 33 is continuously driven). Thereafter, the tank rotation operation and the stirring operation are alternately repeated until the predetermined air blowing time ends (No in step S20). When the air blowing time ends (Yes in step S20), the air blowing fan 33 and the like are stopped, and the drying process ends.

  Thus, according to this embodiment, there is a correlation between the moisture content (water retention amount) in clothing and the reflectance of light of a specific wavelength (infrared region having a wavelength of 0.9 μm or more). Attention is paid to the determination of the moisture retention amount of the clothing based on the measurement of the reflectance of the light of the specific wavelength in the clothing in the rotating tub 8 by the camera 15. As a result, it is possible to determine the moisture retention amount of clothing, and consequently the quality of clothing, and it is possible to control washing and drying operations suitable for the quality of clothing based on the judgment of clothing quality. It was.

  In this case, the cloth quality can be easily determined by simply measuring the reflectance with the camera 15, and unlike the case of measuring the load (torque) of the washing machine motor, it is not influenced by the environment. Therefore, it can be made sufficiently accurate. In particular, in the present embodiment, since the hyperspectral camera 15 is used as a sensor, it becomes possible to perform determination with higher accuracy.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, the light source 16 that irradiates the clothing in the rotating tub 8 with light including a specific wavelength is provided. Accordingly, even when the washing machine 1 is operated in a dark place (at night or in a dark room), by operating the light source 16, it is possible to reliably determine the moisture retention amount and thus the cloth quality of the clothing based on the reflectance measurement by the camera 15. can do.

  In the present embodiment, the control device 38 is configured to determine the moisture retention amount of the clothing in the dehydration process. In this case, in the dehydration process, depending on the cloth quality of the clothing, the moisture removal with respect to the dehydration operation time is different such that the moisture is more easily removed from the synthetic fiber than the cotton. Therefore, the cloth quality of the garment can be determined with sufficiently high accuracy by examining the variation in the moisture retention amount of the garment during the dehydration process.

  In the present embodiment, the controller 38 has a drying function, and the control device 38 is configured to determine the moisture retention amount of the clothing in the drying process. In this case, in the drying process, the degree of drying with respect to the drying operation time varies depending on the cloth quality of the clothing, such that the synthetic fiber is easier to dry than the cotton. Accordingly, by examining the moisture retention amount of the clothing during the drying process, the quality of the clothing can be determined with sufficiently high accuracy. At this time, even when only the drying process is executed, the determination result can be used for operation control (control of the execution time of the drying process, etc.) by performing the cloth quality determination in the drying process.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control apparatus 38 was comprised so that the moisture retention amount of the clothing in the last stage of a drying process might be determined. Thereby, drying detection (determination of completion of drying) can be performed with high accuracy, and the drying process can be completed in an appropriate drying time.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the washing operation and the drying operation are performed continuously is taken as an example. However, when only the washing operation is performed, only when the drying operation is performed, the camera 15 is used to keep moisture in the clothing. The amount can be determined. In the drying process, control can be performed using the cloth quality determined during the washing operation as it is. In the above embodiment, in the drying process, both the cloth quality determination of the clothing during the process and the detection of the completion of drying at the end of the process are performed. However, either one may be configured.

  In the above embodiment, in the washing operation, the cloth quality is determined after the intermediate dehydration process. However, after the water supply at the start of the washing process, the water retention amount (how the clothes are wet) is determined using the camera 15. It can also be set as the structure which calculates | requires and calculates | requires a cloth and uses it for control of a subsequent process. Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the hyperspectral camera 15 was employ | adopted as a sensor which measures the reflectance of the light of the specific wavelength in the clothing in a tank, if it can measure the reflectance of an infrared region, other than that Devices such as an infrared sensor can also be employed.

  Furthermore, the present invention can be applied not only to a vertical type washing machine but also to a so-called drum type washing machine. The drying unit (drying function) may have a dehumidifying function using a so-called heat pump (refrigeration cycle). In addition, the specific configuration of the entire washing machine, the position where the sensor and the light source are provided, and the like can be variously modified and implemented as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention.

  In the drawings, 1 is a washing machine, 8 is a rotating tub (tub), 13 is a drying unit, 15 is a camera (sensor), 16 is a light source, 18 is a washing machine motor, and 38 is a control device (determination means, operation control means). Indicates.

Claims (5)

A tank in which clothing is stored;
A sensor for measuring the reflectance of light of a specific wavelength in the clothing in the tank;
Determination means for determining the moisture retention amount of the clothing from the measurement result of the sensor;
A washing machine comprising operation control means for controlling operation while utilizing the determination of the determination means.   The washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising a light source that irradiates light in the tub with light including the specific wavelength.   The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the determination unit determines a moisture retention amount of the clothing in a dehydration process.   4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a drying function for drying clothes in the tank, wherein the determination unit determines a moisture retention amount of the clothes in a drying process. The washing machine described.   5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a drying function for drying the clothes in the tank, wherein the determination unit determines a moisture retention amount of the clothes at the end of the drying process. The washing machine according to item.

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