JP2016158741A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a washing machine capable of estimating a dirt degree of an object to be washed with good accuracy.SOLUTION: A washing machine includes: a drum 3 for accommodating an object to be washed; a water tub 2 in which the drum 3 is disposed; a water supply port 9 for supplying water to the water tub 2; a detergent receiver 19 in which a detergent is inputted and the detergent is flowed into the water tub 2 together with water at water supply time; a water level sensor 8 for detecting a water level in the water tub 2; a circulation path 12 connected so as to discharge a washing liquid in the water tub 2 into the drum 3; a turbidity sensor 17 for detecting turbidity of the washing liquid; a circulation pump 13 for circulating the washing liquid to the circulation path 12; and a control unit 16 for controlling the circulation pump 13 and the like. The control unit 16 includes a detergent dissolution step in which, after supplying water to a predetermined water level in the water tub 2, the circulation pump 13 is driven for a predetermined time during which the washing liquid does not go into the drum 3, and after the detergent dissolution step is finished, the turbidity sensor 17 measures the turbidity of the washing liquid in which the detergent is dissolved.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing machine that controls a washing operation in accordance with the state of a washing liquid.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a washing machine that detects a turbid state of a washing liquid by providing a dirt sensor and measuring the transmittance when light passes through the washing liquid (for example, Patent Document 1).

  In the washing machine described in Patent Document 1, the turbidity of the washing liquid that changes with the progress of washing includes an initial state before the dirt starts to melt and a state after the dirt starts to melt with the progress. By comparing, the degree of contamination of an object to be cleaned such as clothing is estimated.

  Then, operation control of the washing process and the rinsing process is performed according to the estimated degree of contamination of the object to be cleaned. When there is little dirt, it was possible to perform a less wasteful operation so as to end the operation in a shorter period of time, such as shortening the time or reducing the amount of water.

  In addition, a washing machine is known in which a circulation pump is provided to dissolve detergent in the washing liquid at an early stage, thereby speeding up the uniformization of the washing liquid (for example, Patent Document 2).

  In the washing machine described in Patent Document 2, it is possible to dissolve the detergent and make the washing liquid uniform by driving the circulation pump for a predetermined period of time so that the washing liquid does not enter the washing tub during water supply. Yes.

JP 2011-41586 A JP 2013-192737 A

  However, in the conventional washing machine, the pressure applied to the water level sensor changes by driving the circulation pump during the water supply, the water level cannot be measured correctly, and the amount of water supply cannot be accurately performed.

  For this reason, the dispersion | variation in the turbid state of the washing liquid before dirt begins to melt | dissolve becomes large. Since the level of turbidity before the dirt begins to melt is used as a standard and compared with the state after the dirt has melted as it progresses, the degree of dirt on the laundry such as clothes is estimated. There is a problem that the degree of dirt on an object cannot be accurately estimated.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described conventional problems, and to provide a washing machine capable of accurately estimating the degree of dirt on a laundry to be washed.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and puts in a washing tub for storing laundry, a water tub in which the washing tub is disposed, a water supply port for supplying water into the water tub, and a detergent. A detergent receiver that pours detergent into the water tub together with water when water is supplied, a water level sensor that detects a water level in the water tub, and a circulation path that is connected so that the washing liquid in the water tub is discharged into the laundry tub. A dirt sensor for detecting the turbidity of the washing liquid, a circulation pump for circulating the washing liquid in the circulation path, and a control means for controlling the circulation pump and the like, wherein the control means has a predetermined water level in the water tank. After supplying water, a detergent dissolving process is provided for driving the circulation pump for a predetermined time so that the washing liquid does not enter the washing tub. After the detergent dissolving process is completed, the turbidity of the washing liquid in which the detergent is dissolved by the dirt sensor is set. As measured It is those that form.

  Thus, after the detergent dissolution process is completed, the turbidity of the washing liquid before the dirt is dissolved can be measured by measuring the turbidity of the washing liquid in which the detergent is dissolved by the dirt sensor. It is possible to reduce the variation of.

  The washing machine of the present invention can measure the turbidity of the washing liquid before the dirt is dissolved by measuring the turbidity of the washing liquid in which the detergent is dissolved by the dirt sensor after completion of the detergent dissolution process. Variation in the degree of turbidity of the liquid can be reduced, and the degree of dirt on the laundry such as clothes can be estimated with high accuracy.

Sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the washing machine in embodiment of this invention Flowchart of the washing process of the washing machine in the embodiment of the present invention

  The present invention includes a washing tub for storing laundry, a water tub in which the washing tub is disposed, a water supply port for supplying water into the water tub, and a detergent supplied to the water tub together with water at the time of water supply. A detergent receiver for pouring, a water level sensor for detecting the water level in the water tub, a circulation path connected so that the washing liquid in the water tub is discharged into the washing tub, and a dirt sensor for detecting the turbidity of the washing liquid And a circulation pump for circulating the washing liquid in the circulation path, and a control means for controlling the circulation pump and the like. The control means supplies the circulation pump with the washing liquid after supplying water to a predetermined water level in the water tank. A detergent dissolution process is provided that is driven for a predetermined time so as not to enter the washing tub. After the detergent dissolution process is completed, the turbidity of the laundry liquid in which the detergent is dissolved is measured by the dirt sensor.

  Thus, after the detergent dissolution process is completed, the turbidity of the washing liquid before the dirt is dissolved can be measured by measuring the turbidity of the washing liquid in which the detergent is dissolved by the dirt sensor. The degree of soiling of laundry such as clothes can be estimated with high accuracy.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, a water tub 2 is disposed inside a housing 1 of a washing machine with an opening positioned on the front side of the housing 1. Inside the water tub 2, a drum 3 as a washing tub is disposed so as to be rotatable by a rotating shaft slightly inclined from the horizontal direction or the horizontal direction. The drum 3 has a bottomed cylindrical shape, and a motor 4 is disposed on the back surface on the bottom surface side, and is rotated by the rotation of the motor 4. The drum 3 is provided with a large number of water holes (not shown) on the outer peripheral surface, and the drum 3 is passed through the water holes so that the drum 3 is washed, dewatered, and dried. Functions as a tank.

A water supply port 9 is disposed at the top of the housing 1, and the water supply port 9 is connected to a water supply valve 10 provided at the upper part of the water tank 2. The water supply port 9 is connected to the water supply, and the water supply valve 10 is connected to the water tank 2 according to the operation process.
Supply water. A detergent receiver 19 is installed between the water supply valve 10 and the water tank 2, and the detergent contained in the detergent receiver 19 is poured into the water tank 2 together with water.

  A water intake pipe 5 is connected to the lowest part of the lower part of the water tank 2. The intake pipe 5 is connected to a drain valve 6, and the drain valve 6 is connected to a drain pipe 7 for draining to the outside. A water level sensor 8 that detects the water level of the washing liquid accumulated in the water tank 2 is connected to the water intake pipe 5. The water level sensor 8 is installed at a position to detect immediately after the start of water supply. In the present embodiment, the water level sensor 8 is configured to detect the water level of the washing liquid based on the pressure. For example, the water level is detected by detecting the pressure applied to the diaphragm as a deformation amount of the diaphragm. Detect. As a method for detecting the deformation of the diaphragm, a change in capacitance or a strain gauge is used.

  Further, one end of the circulation path 12 is connected between the intake pipe 5 and the drain valve 6, and the other end of the circulation path 12 is connected to the discharge port 11 provided in the vicinity of the opening of the water tank 2. A circulation pump 13 is provided in the circulation path 12, and the washing liquid in the water tub 2 is circulated through the circulation path 12 by the circulation pump 13. The discharge port 11 of the circulation path 12 opens toward the inside of the drum 3, and the washing liquid is sprayed from the discharge port 11 onto the laundry in the drum 3, and the washing liquid is permeated into the laundry to increase the cleaning power. Improve.

  A dirt sensor is disposed in the circulation path 12, and the dirt amount of the washing liquid can be determined by the dirt sensor. As the dirt sensor, a sensor that measures the light transmittance of the washing liquid as turbidity, a sensor that measures the conductivity of the washing liquid, and the like can be applied.

  In the present embodiment, the turbidity sensor 17 is used as the dirt sensor. The turbidity sensor 17 is composed of, for example, a light emitting element such as an LED and a light receiving element such as a phototransistor, and the light emitting element and the light receiving element are composed of a translucent material formed in a part of the circulation path 12. It is arranged opposite to each other.

  The turbidity sensor 17 receives the light emitted from the light emitting element by the light receiving element through the washing liquid, converts it into a voltage, and outputs it. For example, the light emitting element can adjust the light emission amount by adjusting the light emission time by PWM. In addition, the light receiving element can switch the characteristic to high sensitivity for example when the light transmittance of the washing liquid is low by switching the load resistance that determines the output voltage of the phototransistor.

  Turbidity indicates the amount of dirt in the washing liquid, and is obtained by conversion from the output voltage of the light receiving element of the turbidity sensor 17. The higher the turbidity, the higher the output voltage of the light receiving element. That is, when a lot of dirt of the laundry is dissolved in the washing liquid passing through the circulation path 12 and the turbidity increases, a high voltage is output. The amount of light emitted from the light emitting element in the initial stage of the turbidity sensor 17 is set in advance so that the output voltage of the light receiving element is 1 V in a state where clean water that is not soiled passes, for example.

  A heating unit 14 made of a sheathed heater or the like is disposed at the bottom of the water tank 2. The washing liquid in the water tub 2 is heated by the heating unit 14 to wash the laundry in the drum 3 with warm water, thereby improving the washing efficiency. A water temperature sensor 18 for detecting the water temperature is disposed in the vicinity of the heating unit 14.

  A filter 15 is installed in the intake pipe 5. The filter 15 removes foreign matters such as laundry fibers and hair from the washing liquid flowing into the circulation path 12 to prevent the circulation pump 13 and the drain pipe 7 from being clogged.

A control unit 16 is disposed at the bottom of the housing 1. The control part 16 is comprised by the microcomputer etc. and controls all the processes in driving | operation of a washing machine. For example, the control unit 16 inputs signals from the water level sensor 8 and the water temperature sensor 18, and opens and closes the drain valve 6 and the water supply valve 10, and controls the motor 4, the circulation pump 13, and the heating unit 14. In addition, the control unit 16 has a function as a cloth amount detection unit that detects a current signal flowing through the motor 4 and a rotation angle and determines the amount of laundry from the weight of the entire drum 3. Further, the control unit 16 has a function of adjusting the light emission amount of the light emitting element of the turbidity sensor 17 and a function of switching the sensitivity of the light receiving element, and a function of converting the voltage output from the turbidity sensor 17 into turbidity. Have.

  Next, the operation of the washing process in the washing machine of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the control flowchart shown in FIG.

  When the laundry is put into the drum 3 and the laundry is started, the control unit 16 determines the amount of the laundry that has been put in first (step S1). The determination of the amount of laundry is information regarding at least one motor operation such as the magnitude of the current of the motor 4 when the motor 4 is driven to rotate the drum 3 together with the laundry, the amount of change in current, and the change in rotation angle. Do by detecting.

  The control unit 16 determines “washing water level”, “washing time”, and “soil amount estimation time” based on the amount of laundry detected in step S1 (step S2).

  For example, “washing water level” is “low” water level when the amount of laundry is determined as “low”, and “medium” water level when the amount of laundry is determined as “medium”. If it is determined that the amount of water is “high”, the water level is “high”.

  In addition, the “washing time” is set shorter when the amount of laundry is determined to be “small” than when the amount of laundry is determined to be “medium”, and conversely is determined to be “high”. If so, set it longer.

  When the amount of laundry is determined to be “low”, the “time for estimating the amount of dirt” is set to a shorter time than the other cases.

  Next, the control part 16 starts a water supply process. In the water supply step, first, water supply from the water supply connected to the water supply port 9 by opening the water supply valve 10 is started (step S10). Thereby, tap water is poured into the water tank 2 through the detergent receiver 19. A detergent is put in the detergent receptacle 19 in advance, and the tap water flows into the water tank 2 as a washing liquid in which the detergent is dissolved.

  When the control unit 16 reaches a predetermined detergent determination water level that is lower than the washing water level (YES in step S11), the control unit 16 measures the turbidity of the washing liquid from the output of the turbidity sensor 17, and acquires the turbidity D0. (Step S12). The control unit 16 determines the type of detergent used based on the turbidity D0.

  The powder detergent has a much higher turbidity when dissolved in water than that of a liquid detergent. Therefore, the powder detergent can be easily distinguished from the liquid detergent by the turbidity. In particular, it is possible to make a discrimination in a state where the detergent concentration is high by making a discrimination in water supply with less water than the washing water level, and it is easier to discriminate by increasing the difference between the turbidity due to powder detergent and turbidity due to liquid detergent. Can be.

  Thereafter, the control unit 16 switches the light receiving sensitivity of the turbidity sensor 17 and sets a dirt amount threshold value used for estimating the dirt amount. As the stain amount threshold, a value corresponding to the detergent type is set.

If the turbidity D0 is equal to or less than the predetermined value K0 (D0 ≦ K0) (YES in step S13), it is determined that the detergent used is a liquid detergent, and a stain amount threshold for the liquid detergent is set (step S14). ). If the turbidity D0 is greater than the predetermined value K0 (D0> K0) (NO in step S13), it is determined that the detergent used is a powder detergent, and the sensitivity of the light receiving element of the turbidity sensor 17 is determined. Is switched to high sensitivity (step S15), and a stain amount threshold value for the powder detergent is set (step S16).

  When the detergent type determination is finished, the control unit 16 closes the water supply valve 10 (step S18) and ends the water supply process when the detergent dissolved water level is reached (YES in step 17).

  Next, the control part 16 starts a detergent melt | dissolution process.

  When starting the detergent dissolution process, the control unit 16 starts circulation pump drive control (step S20). If the circulating water is discharged from the discharge port 11 into the drum 3 vigorously, water is applied to the clothes in the drum 3 and the clothes dirt is dissolved in the washing liquid. Therefore, the driving time of the circulation pump 13 is shortened to such an extent that circulating water is not discharged into the drum 3.

  The driving time of the circulation pump 13 is set to a required time so that the detergent liquid in the circulation path 12 does not enter the drum 3. In this embodiment, the driving time is 0.1 seconds, and the circulation pump 13 is stopped when 0.1 seconds have elapsed. To do. When 4.9 seconds elapse after the circulation pump 13 is stopped, the circulation pump 13 is driven again for 0.1 seconds. As described above, the washing liquid is repeatedly moved within the circulation path 12 to promote the dissolution of the detergent into the water. When the detergent dissolution time has elapsed (YES in step S21), the circulation pump 13 is stopped (step S22).

  In this detergent dissolving step, when water supply and circulation pump operation are performed simultaneously, the pressure applied to the water level sensor 8 is changed by driving the circulation pump 13, so that the water level cannot be measured accurately. As a result, since an accurate amount of water cannot be supplied, the variation in the degree of turbidity of the washing liquid before the dirt begins to melt increases. In order to measure the turbidity of the washing liquid before the stain starts to dissolve and to estimate the amount of the stain, water is not supplied in the detergent dissolving step.

  After completion of the detergent dissolution process, the control unit 16 performs a stirring process.

The control unit 16 measures the output of the turbidity sensor 17 and acquires the turbidity D1 of the laundry liquid in which only the detergent is dissolved (step S30). After acquiring the turbidity D1, the control unit 16 performs circulation pump drive control (step S31) and stirring control of the motor 4 (step S32). During this time, if the water level falls below the wash water level, water is supplied. (Steps S33-35, S39-41)
In the circulation pump drive control (step S31), the control unit 16 controls the circulation pump 13, and the laundry liquid supplied together with the detergent is discharged from the discharge port 11 into the drum 3 through the circulation path 12, and the laundry is washed with the detergent. Improves wettability by applying a washing solution in which the material is dissolved, and promotes separation of dirt from the laundry.

  In the circulation pump drive control (step S31), the control unit 16 stops the circulation of the washing liquid by stopping the circulation pump 13 when, for example, 30 seconds elapses after the circulation pump 13 is activated. When a predetermined time elapses after the circulation pump 13 is stopped, for example, when 90 seconds elapse, the circulation pump 13 is driven again for 30 seconds. As described above, when the circulation pump 13 is repeatedly driven and stopped and stirred by the rotation of the drum 3, the laundry liquid sufficiently permeates into the laundry, and dissolution of the laundry stain into the laundry liquid starts.

In the agitation control (step S32), the laundry is agitated while controlling the motor 4 and rotating the drum 3 at a low speed. The laundry is lifted in the drum 3 and falls by gravity from the upper part of the drum 3, and the drum 3 is rotated so that the kinetic energy at the time of dropping is effectively applied to the laundry. The rotation speed of the drum 3 at this time is preferably such that the laundry does not stick to the wall surface of the drum 3 due to centrifugal force, and is preferably 60 rpm or less, although it depends on the amount of the laundry. The rotation direction of the drum 3 may be continuously rotated in the same direction, or may be periodically switched between forward and reverse.

  When the time for estimating the amount of dirt is reached (YES in step S36), the control unit 16 measures the output of the turbidity sensor 17 in the circulation path 12 and obtains the turbidity D2 from which the dirt on the laundry has melted ( Step S37). The control unit 16 calculates a difference between the turbidity D1 of the washing liquid in which only the detergent is dissolved and the turbidity D2 in which the dirt is dissolved, and compares the difference with a predetermined dirt amount threshold value for each detergent type, The amount of dirt on the object is estimated (step S38). For example, if it is larger than the stain amount threshold, the stain is large, and if it is small, the stain amount is small. The contamination amount threshold value is not limited to two stages, and may be set to a plurality of stages.

  The controller 16 extends or shortens the washing time and sets the number of times and time of rinsing according to the estimated amount of dirt on the laundry. Since the stain amount threshold is set according to the type of detergent, the stain amount can be determined with high accuracy and the cleaning performance can be improved.

  Thereafter, the stirring operation by the rotation of the drum 3 and the operation of the circulation pump 13 are repeated.

  When the washing time has elapsed (YES in step S42), the washing process is terminated, and the process proceeds to a rinsing process and a dehydrating process.

  In the present embodiment, the value to be compared is turbidity, but is not limited to this. For example, the output value of the turbidity sensor 17 itself may be used, or other values may be calculated based on this output value. It goes without saying that the value of

  Further, when it is determined that the detergent used is a powder detergent, the sensitivity of the light receiving element of the turbidity sensor 17 is set to be high, but the light emission amount of the light emitting element is set to be large. Also good.

  In the present embodiment, the determination of the detergent is performed based on the output of the turbidity sensor 17 at the time when the detergent determination water level is reached. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the detergent may be determined based on the output of the turbidity sensor 17 when a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of water supply. In this case, the detergent type can be determined without using a sensor for detecting the water level, so that the detergent type can be more easily determined.

  As yet another method, the output of the turbidity sensor 17 in the water supply may be constantly or intermittently monitored to determine the detergent based on whether the turbidity exceeds a predetermined value K0 in the water supply. In this case, it is possible to reliably determine the type of detergent even when the degree of dissolution of the detergent in water varies depending on the type of detergent and the water supply speed.

  Although the present embodiment has been described based on the drum type washing machine shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the present invention is not limited to this as long as it is a washing machine that detects the state of the washing liquid and controls the washing operation. For example, a vertical washing machine may be used.

  As described above, the washing machine according to the present invention can accurately estimate the degree of dirt on the laundry such as clothes, and therefore can be applied not only for home use but also for business use.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Case 2 Water tank 3 Drum 4 Motor 5 Water intake pipe 6 Drain valve 7 Drain pipe 8 Water level sensor 9 Water supply port 10 Water supply valve 11 Discharge port 12 Circulation path 13 Circulation pump 14 Heating part 15 Filter 16 Control part 17 Turbidity sensor (dirt Sensor)
18 Water temperature sensor 19 Detergent receiver

Claims (1)

A washing tub for storing the laundry; a water tub in which the washing tub is disposed; a water supply port for supplying water into the water tub; and a detergent receiver for pouring detergent into the water tub together with water when water is supplied. A water level sensor for detecting the water level in the water tub, a circulation path connected so that the washing liquid in the water tub is discharged into the washing tub, a dirt sensor for detecting turbidity of the washing liquid, and the circulation A circulation pump for circulating the washing liquid in the path; and a control means for controlling the circulation pump and the like. The control means supplies the washing liquid to the washing tub after supplying water to the predetermined water level in the water tub. A washing machine configured to provide a detergent dissolution process that is driven for a predetermined time not to enter, and measure the turbidity of the laundry liquid in which the detergent is dissolved by the dirt sensor after the detergent dissolution process is completed.

Images