JP2017006574A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a washing machine which finishes an operation at preset time when a reserved operation is performed, while adjusting washing time by detecting the degree of dirt in a washing liquid.SOLUTION: Operation residual time calculation means is provided for calculating operation residual time which is displayed on a control panel 8. The operation residual time calculation means switches calculation algorithm by whether or not a reserved operation is preset by the control panel 8, and in the calculation method of the case where the reserved operation is preset, the operation residual time calculation is started with the case where the degree of dirt in the determination result by washing liquid state detection means for detecting the washing liquid in a water tub 31 is high being a reference. By adjusting washing time based on the result of detecting the degree of dirt in the washing liquid, and in the case where the reserved operation is performed, by starting the calculation of the operation residual time with the case where the degree of dirt is high being a reference, the operation can be finished at the time preset in the reserved operation by setting standby time corresponding to the time in which the washing time is shortened.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing machine capable of reserved operation including a sensor that detects a change in physical properties of a washing liquid with high accuracy.

  In recent years, various types of washing machines have been supplied to the market. Some washing machines use a light sensor to detect the turbidity of the washing liquid, and adjust the washing time based on the turbidity detection result, so that the optimum washing performance is achieved according to the degree of dirt on the laundry. Is obtained (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP2011-67312A

  Patent Document 1 refers to detecting the turbidity of the washing liquid, adjusting the washing time based on the detection result of the turbidity, and further reflecting it in the display of the remaining time, and the reserved operation. However, Patent Document 1 does not mention that the operation ends according to the preset time required for the reserved operation by adjusting the washing time.

  During reserved driving, if driving ends with a significant deviation from the driving time set by the user, the driving will not end against the user's intention, or against the user's intention. There was a problem that the laundry was left for a long time after the operation was finished, and the laundry after the washing was finished smelled and wrinkled.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and in a washing machine in which the washing time is adjusted by the detection result of the turbidity of the washing liquid, the function that the operation ends in accordance with the operation end time set in the reserved operation It aims at realizing.

  In order to solve the conventional problems, a washing machine of the present invention includes an outer box, a water tank provided in the outer box, water supply means for supplying water into the water tank, and rotation in the water tank. A rotating drum provided in a state; an operation display means for displaying an operating state while receiving an operation by a user; and a washing liquid state detecting means for detecting a state of the washing liquid in the water tub. A remaining operation time calculating means for calculating a remaining operation time to be displayed on the operation display means based on a determination result by the detecting means, and the remaining operation time calculating means determines whether or not a reserved operation is set by the operation display means. The calculation algorithm is switched according to the calculation method when the reserved operation is set, and the calculation method of the remaining operation time is based on the case where the degree of dirt is high in the determination result by the washing liquid state detection means. Characterized in that it starts to appear.

  As a result, the optimum operation time is set according to the result of determination by the washing liquid state detection means, and the operation completion time is detected in the normal operation while the operation is completed in accordance with the reserved operation setting time in the reserved operation. The determination result by the means can be immediately reflected in the remaining time display.

  The washing machine according to the present invention can accurately estimate the amount of dirt on the laundry and achieve optimal operation control, and can finish driving in accordance with the reserved driving end time set during reserved driving, In the case of normal operation, the dirt determination result can be immediately reflected in the remaining time display.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a drum-type washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Schematic explanatory diagram of changes in remaining time during normal operation of the drum type washing machine Schematic explanatory diagram of changes in remaining time during reserved operation of the drum type washing machine Schematic explanatory diagram of changes in remaining time during reserved operation of the drum type washing machine Flow chart of remaining time calculation at the time of dirt judgment of the drum type washing machine

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an outer box, a water tank provided in the outer box, a water supply means for supplying water into the water tank, a rotating drum provided in a rotatable state in the water tank, and a user An operation display means for displaying an operation state while receiving an operation, and a washing liquid state detection means for detecting the state of the washing liquid in the water tub are provided, and further, the operation display means is displayed according to a determination result by the washing liquid state detection means. A remaining operation time calculating means for calculating a remaining operation time to be displayed, wherein the remaining operation time calculating means switches a calculation algorithm depending on whether or not a reserved operation is set by the operation display means. The calculation method in the case where it is set is based on the result of the determination by the washing liquid state detecting means, and the calculation of the remaining operation time is started based on the case where the degree of dirt is high. The optimum operation time is set according to the determination result by the intelligent means, and the operation finishes in accordance with the reserved operation set time during the reserved operation, while the determination result by the washing liquid state detection means immediately indicates the operation end time during the normal operation. Can be reflected in the remaining time display.

  In a second aspect based on the first aspect, the remaining operation time calculating means is a standby time corresponding to an operation time shortened by a determination result by the washing liquid state detecting means when the reserved operation is set. When the remaining time is calculated, the waiting time is added together to set the optimum operation time according to the determination result by the washing liquid state detection means, and during the reserved operation, the operation is terminated in accordance with the reserved operation set time. Can do.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, when the reserved operation is set, the washing liquid state detecting means is stopped by stopping the operation for a time corresponding to the waiting time before the dehydration step of the washing operation. The optimum operation time can be set according to the determination result of, and the operation can be terminated in accordance with the reserved operation setting time during the reserved operation. Furthermore, by setting the generated waiting time before the dehydrating process after the rinsing process, it is possible to wait while the laundry is immersed in the rinsing water, and it is possible to prevent odors and wrinkles from being left after the dehydrating process. . Moreover, when a softening agent is utilized, since the softening agent is contained in the last rinse water of a rinse, it can further prevent that an odor and a wrinkle are formed. Moreover, the increase in the power consumption and the amount of water required for the washing operation can be prevented by setting the process to stop the operation and simply stand by.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that terms used in the following description, such as “up”, “down”, “left”, and “right”, are merely for the purpose of clarifying the explanation and do not limit the present invention. Not what you want. In addition, the terms “upstream” and / or “downstream” used in the following description refer to the flow of the washing liquid from the outlet of the washing tub described later to the drainage control unit unless otherwise specified. Means “upstream” and / or “downstream”. Further, the present invention is not limited by the present embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a drum type washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a change in remaining time during normal operation of the drum type washing machine, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a change in remaining time during the reserved operation of the drum type washing machine, FIG. 4 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a change in remaining time during the reserved operation of the drum type washing machine, and FIG. It is a flowchart of remaining time calculation at the time of dirt determination. The principle of the present invention can be applied not only to the drum type washing machine shown in FIG. 1 but also to other washing machines (for example, a pulsator type washing machine or a stirring type washing machine).

  In FIG. 1, a drum type washing machine 1 includes a housing 2 (outer box). A washing tub 3 is disposed inside the housing 2. The washing tub 3 has a cylindrical water tank 31 with one end and a bottom end that is supported in a swingable manner inside the housing 2, a rotating drum 32 with a cylindrical structure with one end and a bottom that is rotatably supported in the water tank 31, and And a motor 33 for rotating the drum 32. The motor 33 is attached to the bottom outer surface of the water tank 31. The water tank 31 includes a discharge port 311 for discharging the washing liquid and an inflow port 312 into which the washing liquid flows, and has a structure in which the washing liquid can be circulated and used.

  The housing 2 further includes a water supply system 4 (water supply means) for supplying water into the water tank 31, a drainage system 5 for draining or circulating the washing liquid in the water tank 31, and hot air for drying the laundry. The drying system 6 to be fed into 3 is accommodated. The drying system 6 is not necessarily required.

  The drying system 6 includes a circulation pipe 61 having one end connected to the exhaust port 313 of the water tank 31 and a vent hole for sending drying air from the bottom of the water tank 31. And a blower 62 that causes air to flow in the circulation pipe 61. The drying system 6 includes a filter that collects dust and removes dust as needed, a dehumidifying unit that dehumidifies the introduced air after dust removal, a heating unit that heats the air after dust removal and creates dry high-temperature air; Can be included.

  The drum type washing machine 1 includes an operation panel 8 (operation display means) disposed on the upper front surface of the housing 2. The operation panel 8 allows the user to select a mode such as an operation course of the drum type washing machine 1 and various functions.

  The operation panel 8 includes a control circuit unit 81. The control circuit unit 81 displays information input by the user, the remaining time of the washing process, and the like on the process display unit included in the operation panel 8. The operation panel 8 includes a determination display unit such as an LED that displays a determination result of the state of the washing liquid calculated by the control circuit unit 81 according to a predetermined algorithm from measured values of an optical sensor and a conductive sensor described later. The determination display unit is set to change the display pattern such as lighting and blinking according to the determination result.

  In addition, the operation panel 8 determines the optimum washing time and the number of times of rinsing calculated by a predetermined algorithm built in the control circuit unit 81 from the measured values of the optical sensor and the conductive sensor described later, and the elapsed time and remaining time of the washing process. Etc. can be displayed on the process display section.

  When the operation start of the drum type washing machine 1 is set through the operation panel 8, for example, a liquid level sensor for detecting the liquid level in the water tank 31, and an optical sensor used as a turbidity sensor for detecting the turbidity of the washing liquid. 72, an electrode sensor 73 used as a conductive sensor for detecting the conductivity of the washing liquid, and the like, and based on these detection signals, an electromagnetic valve included in the water supply system 4 and a drain valve 75 included in the drainage system 5. Execute control for etc. The motor 33, the water supply system 4, the drainage system 5, and the drying system 6 are automatically controlled by the control circuit unit 81 in accordance with the mode setting and control program, and can execute at least a washing process, a rinsing process, a dehydrating process, and a drying process. it can.

The water supply system 4 includes a water supply pipe 41 connected to the water tank 31 and a detergent storage portion 42 that stores the detergent. The water supply system 4 can supply water to the water tank 31 in a timely manner through the water supply pipe 41 by the opening / closing operation of the electromagnetic valve (see solid line arrows in FIG. 1). Further, the drum type washing machine 1 shown in FIG. 1 uses the water supply of the water supply system 4 to put the detergent in the detergent container 42 disposed partially across the water supply pipe 41 into the water tank 31. It can be introduced in a timely manner.

  The drainage system 5 is connected to the first pipe 51 having one end connected to the discharge port 311 of the water tank 31 and the drainage control for receiving the washing liquid from the water tank 31 while being connected to the other end of the first pipe 51. A unit 7 and a second pipe 52 extending between the circulation pump 71 and the water tank 31 provided in the drainage control unit 7 are included. In the drum type washing machine 1 shown in FIG. 1, the circulation pump 71 is fixed to the base plate 712. One end of the second pipe 52 is connected to the discharge port of the circulation pump 71, and the other end of the second pipe 52 is connected to the inlet 312 of the water tank 31. The water tank 31, the first pipe 51, the drainage control unit 7 and the second pipe 52 form a circulation path for the washing liquid. The circulation pump 71 causes the washing liquid to flow and circulate from the discharge port 311 toward the inflow port 312 in the circulation path.

  The drainage control unit 7 includes, in addition to the circulation pump 71, an optical sensor 72 used as a turbidity sensor for detecting the turbidity of the washing liquid, an electrode sensor 73 used as a conductive sensor for detecting the conductivity of the washing liquid, and the washing liquid. Drainage pipe 74 for draining water to the outside, a drain valve 75 that is disposed in the middle of the drain pipe 74 and opens and closes the drain pipe 74, and a lint contained in the washing liquid flowing in from the first pipe 51 The filter part 76 which collects (lint etc.) is included.

  The drain valve 75 is opened as necessary, for example, at the end of the washing process or at the end of the rinsing process. As a result, the wash water that has flowed into the drainage control unit 7 from the first pipeline 51 is subjected to lint removal processing through the filter unit 76 and then discharged to the outside.

  By closing the drain valve 75 and operating the circulation pump 71, the washing liquid existing in the water tank 31 flows into the drain control unit 7 through the first pipe 51. Thereafter, the washing liquid passes through the filter unit 76 disposed in the drainage control unit 7, and the dirt component is removed. After passing through the filter unit 76, the washing liquid flows into the circulation pump 71 through the suction line 711 connected to the suction port of the circulation pump 71 and is connected to the discharge port of the circulation pump 71. It is returned to the water tank 31 through 52. While performing the washing process and the rinsing process, it is possible to improve the functions of the washing process and the rinsing process by repeating the circulation of the washing liquid as necessary.

  The rotation speed of the circulation pump 71 can be made variable. When the rotational speed of the circulation pump 71 is set high (for example, 3500 r / min), the washing liquid that has flowed into the inflow port 312 of the water tank 31 moves along a locus toward the inside of the rotating drum 32 (in FIG. 1, (See arrow Fi). On the other hand, when the rotation speed of the circulation pump 71 is set low (for example, 1000 r / min), the washing liquid that has flowed into the inlet 312 of the water tank 31 is formed between the rotary drum 32 and the water tank 31. Heading inward (see arrow Fo in FIG. 1).

  For example, the circulation pump 71 is rotated at a low speed at the start of at least one of a washing process and a rinsing process. As a result, it is possible to prevent the undissolved detergent at the end of washing or the high-concentration softening agent immediately after the softening agent from being poured into the laundry in the rotary drum 32.

  The washing liquid that has flowed into the space between the rotating drum 32 and the water tank 31 is discharged from the discharge port 311 to the first pipe 51 and returned again to the inlet 312 of the water tank 31 by the circulation pump 71 (circulation in the water tank). Process). By repeating the circulation process in the water tank, the detergent is completely dissolved, and the concentration of the softening agent is made uniform. As a result, it becomes possible to avoid problems such as stains on the laundry caused by undissolved detergent and high-concentration softening agent.

  It is preferable that the water tank circulation step is set, for example, about 10 seconds after the water supply step of the washing step and / or the rinsing step. Alternatively, for example, when a liquid level of about 40 mm is detected from the lower end of the water tank 31, the water tank circulation process is preferably started. As a result, it is possible to avoid the operation of the circulation pump 71 in a state where the washing liquid is not sufficiently filled in the circulation pump 71. As a result, abnormal noise such as foaming noise of the circulation pump 71, abnormal temperature of the circulation pump 71 due to an insufficient amount of washing liquid, and operation of the circulation pump 71 under the abnormal temperature can be avoided.

  In the above example, by reducing the number of rotations of the circulation pump 71, the detergent remaining at the end of washing or the high-concentration softening agent immediately after the softening agent is poured onto the laundry in the rotary drum 32. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the flow rate of the circulation pump may be lowered by operating the rotation at a constant speed and intermittently.

  The drum type washing machine 1 may further include a pump for supplying bath water to the water tank 31. In this case, it is preferable that the water tank circulation step is performed after the bath water is supplied to the water tank 31 by the bath water supply pump. As a result, the bath water supply pump and the circulation pump 71 do not operate at the same time, and it is possible to prevent the generation of loud noise that makes the user uncomfortable.

  The drum type washing machine 1 can set a reserved operation by operating the operation panel 8. When the drum type washing machine 1 is reserved for operation, the water tank circulation step is preferably performed, for example, for a period twice as long as normal. As a result, it is possible to reliably dissolve the detergent that has solidified during the reservation standby (the period from when the reservation is set to when the drum type washing machine 1 actually starts operating). As a result, sufficient cleaning power can be obtained during the reserved operation, and the problem of remaining detergent can be avoided.

  The drum type washing machine 1 can include a temperature sensor as necessary. Depending on the temperature of the wash water measured using the temperature sensor, the length of the water tank circulation step may be changed. For example, when the temperature sensor detects the temperature of 5 ° C. washing water, for example, a water tank circulation step twice as long as when the temperature of 20 ° C. washing water is detected can be executed. This makes it possible to sufficiently dissolve the detergent even at a low water temperature.

  Hereinafter, regarding the washing process performed by the drum type washing machine 1 of the present embodiment, the water supply operation in the washing process, the measurement operation of the optical sensor 72 and the electrode sensor 73, the process display unit in the operation panel 8, and the determination display The time sequence of the display operation in the section will be described in detail.

  First, when the operation start of the drum type washing machine 1 is set through the operation panel 8, tap water is supplied into the water tank 31 by the water supply system 4. This water supply process (hereinafter referred to as the first water supply process) is continued until it is detected by the liquid level sensor that the water has been supplied up to a predetermined water level.

  When the first water supply process is completed, the stirring process in which the rotating drum 32 rotates by the operation of the motor 33 is started. The rotational speed of the rotary drum 32 is preferably about 30 r / min to 60 r / min in order to enhance the cleaning effect by stirring clothes.

  Since the amount of water in the water tank 31 is constant in the stirring process, the control circuit unit 81 starts measurement by the optical sensor 72 and the electrode sensor 73 at a predetermined timing. The measurement can be performed multiple times such as twice or three times during the stirring step.

The circulation pump 71 is configured so that the washing liquid is in a stationary state when the circulation pump 71 is stopped.
Since the measurement by the electrode sensor 73 can be performed in a stable state, it is desirable to stop the circulation pump 71 multiple times such as twice or three times during the stirring process.

  Hereinafter, although the method of using the difference between the two measurement values during the stirring step will be described, the principle of the present embodiment is not limited to the number of measurements and the calculation processing of the measurement values.

  The measured value immediately after the start of the stirring step is X0, the measured value after a predetermined time has elapsed is X1, the control circuit unit 81 stores them, and the difference (X1−X0) is used to include them in the washing liquid. The amount of ionic components and the amount of insoluble components are estimated, and from the amount of dirt components, the control circuit unit 81 estimates the degree of dirt on the laundry according to a built-in algorithm, and determines the optimum washing time.

  Based on the amount of dirt components, the LED of the determination display unit, which is an illumination means provided in the operation panel 8, performs a predetermined display (illumination) operation. For example, when the amount of dirt components is larger than a predetermined value, the display blinks, and when smaller than the predetermined value, the display is turned on.

  In addition, the optimal washing time determined by the control circuit unit 81 or the elapsed time or remaining time of the washing process is changed from the default value at the start of the washing process by a plurality of 7-segment LEDs provided in the process display unit. Displayed in numbers.

  After the control circuit unit 81 determines the amount of dirt components contained in the washing liquid from the measured values of the optical sensor 72 and the electrode sensor 73, or after performing a desired display on the process display unit and the determination display unit of the operation panel 8. For example, when clothing absorbs the washing liquid and the water level in the rotary drum 32 is lowered, water supply is started again into the water tank 31 by the water supply system 4 (hereinafter referred to as a second water supply process). When it is detected by the position sensor that water has been supplied up to a predetermined water level, the second water supply process ends.

  In addition, the water supply process of 3rd, 4th, etc. may be further performed by detecting a water level with a liquid level sensor for every predetermined time.

  With the above configuration, the control circuit unit 81 measures changes in turbidity and conductivity of the washing liquid by the optical sensor 72 and the electrode sensor 73 in the stirring process between the first water supply process and the second water supply process. Since turbidity and conductivity, which are physical property values that greatly depend on the amount of water, are detected in a state where the amount of water is constant, it is possible to detect a change in the state of the washing liquid with high accuracy.

  In addition, after the control circuit unit 81 determines the amount of dirt components contained in the washing liquid from the change values of the optical sensor 72 and the electrode sensor 73, or performs a desired display on the process display unit and the determination display unit of the operation panel 8. After that, since the second water supply process is started by the water supply system 4, the user knows the determination result and the content of the optimum control operation by the process display unit and the determination display unit before the start of the second water supply process. Thus, the user does not have to worry about a decrease in detection accuracy due to the water supply process, and a highly reliable display of the determination result and the content of the optimum control operation is realized.

  In addition, the control circuit unit 81 causes the LED of the determination display unit, which is an illumination unit included in the operation panel 8, to be turned on or blinked according to the determined amount of dirt components, so that the user can visually light easily. Convenience that the determination result of the dirt amount by the sensor 72 and the electrode sensor 73 can be known is realized.

  Further, since the optimal washing time determined by the control circuit unit 81 or the elapsed time or remaining time of the washing process is displayed numerically by a plurality of 7-segment LEDs provided in the process display unit, the control circuit unit 81 The convenience that the user can easily and quantitatively grasp the state of the optimal control operation of the washing machine is realized.

  Next, the remaining time display displayed on the operation panel 8 of the drum type washing machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 2 shows the time displayed as the remaining time displayed on the operation panel 8 when the operation is started without setting the reserved operation, and the drum type washing machine 1 is turned on on the vertical axis and on the horizontal axis. It shows the elapsed time after.

  The remaining time display in the left area in the figure shows a state of initial standby until the operation start on the operation panel 8 is operated after the power is turned on. The remaining time displayed here is represented as an initial remaining time 200. The initial remaining time 200 is calculated by the sum of the initial washing process time 205, the rinsing process time 206, and the dehydration process time 207, which is assumed in the initial stage.

  The initial washing process time is determined by the control circuit unit 81 estimating the degree of dirt on the laundry in the course of the above-described washing process, determining the optimum washing time, and displaying the remaining time on the operation panel 8. It means that it is the time before reflection.

  Here, the movement of the remaining time display in the case where the degree of soiling of the laundry is a standard level which is neither high nor low will be described. In this case, the operation continues along the transition of the process when the degree of contamination at the bottom of FIG. 2 is standard. That is, the washing process time does not change from the initial washing process time 205 described above. As a result, the remaining time display line in FIG. 2 continuously changes with the elapsed time even after the estimation of the degree of contamination during the washing process, and the final operation time is the washing process time 205 and the rinsing process time 206. Therefore, it coincides with the initial remaining time 200, which is the sum of the dehydration process time 207.

  Next, the movement of the remaining time display when the degree of dirt is high in the dirt judgment during the washing process will be described. In this case, the operation continues along the transition of the process when the degree of contamination at the lower part of FIG. 2 is high. The control circuit unit 81 operates as the remaining operation time calculating means at the timing when it is determined that the degree of dirt is high during the washing process, and the operation is performed according to the determination result by the washing liquid state detecting means such as the optical sensor 72 and the electrode sensor 73. It is determined to calculate the remaining time and extend the time of the washing process. The extension of the time of the washing process is reflected in the remaining time display at that time, and the time of the washing process is extended from the time when the dirt is determined by the extension time of 201 minutes. Thereafter, as the elapsed time of driving advances, the remaining time decreases. The resulting washing process time 204 is a time obtained by adding the extension time 201 to the washing process time 205 when the degree of contamination is standard. Since the time required for rinsing and dehydration is the same as when the degree of soiling was standard, the final operation time is a value obtained by adding the initial initial remaining time 200 to 201 of the washing process extension time 201. .

Next, the movement of the remaining time display when the degree of dirt is low in the dirt judgment during the washing process will be described. In this case, the operation continues along the transition of the process when the degree of contamination at the lower part of FIG. 2 is low. In the middle of the washing process, the control circuit unit 81 operates as a remaining operation time calculating unit at a timing when it is determined that the degree of dirt is low, and the operation is performed according to the determination result by the washing liquid state detecting unit such as the optical sensor 72 and the electrode sensor 73. It is determined to calculate the remaining time and reduce the time of the washing process. The shortening of the time of the washing process is reflected in the remaining time display at that time, and the time of the washing process is shortened from the time when the dirt is determined by the shortening time of 202 minutes. Thereafter, as the elapsed time of driving advances, the remaining time decreases. The resulting washing process time 203 is a time obtained by subtracting the shortening time 202 from the washing process time 205 when the degree of dirt is standard. Since the time required for rinsing and dehydration is the same as when the degree of soiling is standard, the final operation time is a value obtained by subtracting the initial initial remaining time 200 from the shortening time 202 of the washing process.

  As described above, a rough operation time can be presented to the user by first displaying the operation time in the case of standard dirt on the initial remaining time display. In addition, when the degree of dirt on the laundry is judged during the washing process, the final operation time is presented to the user as early as possible by reflecting the increase / decrease in the washing process time on the remaining time display. The determination result of the amount of dirt can be notified.

  Next, the remaining time display when the reserved operation is performed will be described with reference to FIG. 3, particularly when the stain level is high in the stain determination.

  The reserved operation is a function capable of reserving the time when the washing operation ends by operating the operation panel 8. In FIG. 3, the time set to finish the washing operation is shown as a reserved operation setting time 301. The control circuit unit 81 subtracts an estimated driving time 300 and a margin time 302 for securing a certain margin from the reserved driving setting time 301 that is set after the user starts a reserved driving operation. During the remaining reservation waiting time 303, the operation is started after waiting for the start of operation as waiting for reservation.

  The estimated operation time 300 is the sum of the washing time 304 that is the maximum washing process time calculated as a result of the dirt determination by the control circuit unit 81 that is the remaining operation time calculation means, the rinsing process time, and the dehydration process time. is there. Compared with FIG. 2, the washing time 304 becomes the same value as the washing time 204 when the degree of dirt in FIG. 2 is high, and the estimated driving time 300 is obtained by adding the washing extension time 201 to the initial remaining time 200 of FIG. It will be a thing.

  Since the above estimated operation time 300 is used as the remaining time at the start of operation, it is determined that the degree of contamination is high in the contamination determination in the middle of the washing process after the operation is started. Does not change. For this reason, the remaining time display moves continuously decreasing with the elapsed time of operation.

  As a result, the final operation time is the same as the initial estimated operation time 300, and the operation of the washing machine is ended earlier than the reserved operation setting time 301 set by the user by a margin time 302. Become.

  In the above description, the steps of washing, rinsing, and dehydration are described as ideal movements when they are finished in the expected time.

  Actually, at the time of water supply when washing too easily, the time required for water supply varies depending on the target water level depending on the water supply environment connected to the drum type washing machine 1 and the amount of clothes to be washed. Similarly, at the time of rinsing or dewatering, the time required for drainage varies depending on the drainage environment connected to the drum type washing machine 1 and the variation of the drainage control unit 7 of the drum type washing machine 1. Further, when the rotating drum 32 is rotated at a high speed during rinsing or dehydration, after the high-speed rotation is once stopped by detecting the balance state of the laundry in the rotating drum 32, an additional process for improving the balance is performed. Since the operation such as repeating the high-speed rotation again is performed, the time required for the operation changes.

  If the expected time of each process exceeds the actual operation time of each process due to the time change as described above, the remaining time until each process is completed even if the operation time has elapsed Keep the display unchanged. Conversely, when the actual operation time of each process is shorter than the expected time of each process, the remaining time display is skipped.

  By doing this, the remaining time display can hold an appropriate value in a timely manner as the driving progresses, but the final operating time changes compared to the initial expected driving time. become. With respect to the final change in the driving time, the margin time 302 is set as the margin time so that the driving is completed within the range of the reserved operation setting time 301 by the user.

  In addition, here, as each process, three processes of washing, rinsing and dehydration are given, but if the same process time is set in a fine process obtained by further dividing this process, a more appropriate display of remaining time will be displayed in a timely manner. Can be held. For example, the rinsing process may be divided into a series of processes such as drainage, dehydration by high-speed rotation of the rotary drum 32, water supply, and stirring, and the process time may be set for each.

  Here, a description will be given of a case where, in the dirt determination in the middle of the washing process, when the degree of dirt is standard or low, it is directly reflected in the remaining time display. In this case, during washing, the shortening time 305 corresponding to the difference between the washing time when the degree of dirt is standard and the washing time when the degree of dirt is high, or the difference between the washing time when the degree of dirt is low. The washing time is shortened by adding the corresponding shortening time 306, and then the remaining time display decreases as the operation proceeds and the elapsed operation time advances.

  In this way, as a result, when the degree of contamination at which the driving is completed earliest is low, the margin time 302, the shortening time 305, and the shortening time 306 are added to the reserved driving setting time 301 set by the user. Driving will end earlier by hours. Although the user has finished within the range of the reserved operation set time 301 set by the user, the user is assumed to perform processing after washing in accordance with the set reserved operation set time 301. The laundry after washing is left in the washing machine for a long time before the processing after washing is performed. As a result, it is assumed that problems such as odors and wrinkles occur in the laundry.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, when the dirt level is standard or low when the dirt is judged during the washing process, how is the processing performed in the washing machine of this embodiment? This will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 4 explains the remaining time display when the reserved operation is performed except for the case where the degree of dirt is high particularly in the dirt judgment.

  Here, the margin time 402 is the same as the margin time 302 of FIG. Further, the initial estimated operation time 400 is the same as the estimated operation time 300 in FIG. This is because the process transition assumed at the start of operation shown in the lower part of FIG. 4 is assumed before the start of operation or before the determination of the degree of contamination during the washing process. The process time 406 is the same as the washing process time 304 of FIG.

  In FIG. 4, if the reserved operation setting time 401 set by the user is the same as the reserved operation setting time 301 in FIG. 3, the reservation waiting time 403 for performing the reservation waiting is also the same as the reserved waiting time 303 in FIG. . That is, the operation of the drum type washing machine 1 is exactly the same as the operation when the degree of dirt is high in the dirt determination until the beginning of the washing process.

Thereafter, when the washing proceeds, it is time to perform the dirt determination. As a result of this dirt determination, if the degree of dirt is not high, the time of the washing process is shortened. The process transition assumed after the dirt determination in the middle of the washing process in the lower part of FIG. 4 indicates the process transition after the time reduction of the washing process. The washing time is shortened from the initial washing process time 406 to a washing process time 404, and a dehydration standby process is added as a new process corresponding to the shortened time. The dewatering waiting time 405 of this process time is a difference time between the initial washing process time 406 and the washing process time 404 after the soil determination.

  Since the remaining time is managed together with the dehydration standby process, there is no change in the remaining time before and after the result of the dirt judgment even if the washing process time is reduced due to the result of the dirt judgment during the washing process. The change in the remaining time continuously changes as the operation elapsed time. As a result, the final operation time becomes the same as the initial estimated operation time 400, and the operation is ended earlier by a margin time 402 than the reserved operation setting time 401 set by the user.

  The dehydration standby process will be described. The dehydration standby process is a process that literally waits until the next dehydration process is started after the rinsing process is completed. From the time when the rinsing process is completed until the drainage at the beginning of the next dehydration process, the laundry is in a state of being rinsed in the rinsing water. In this state, by waiting for the dehydration waiting time 405 corresponding to the shortening of the washing time, it is possible to prevent odors and wrinkles from being left after dehydration. Moreover, when a softening agent is utilized, since the softening agent is contained in the last rinse water of a rinse, it can anticipate further preventing that an odor and a wrinkle are formed. In addition, the simple standby process does not increase the power consumption or the amount of water required for the washing operation.

  In the dehydration standby process, since the load such as the rotating drum 32 is stopped, it is difficult to determine whether or not the user is operating if the user looks at the drum type washing machine 1 during this process. Although there is a possibility, since the remaining time display on the operation panel 8 decreases with the elapsed time, it can be determined that the operation continues normally. In addition, even when the operation is blinking and displayed by the LED display on the operation panel 8 or the like, the user can be notified that the operation is normally continued.

  Although the dehydration standby process is simply a standby process, rotating the rotating drum 32 in a shorter time compared to the entire dehydration standby time 405 increases the power consumption while preventing more odors and wrinkles. Can be prevented.

  Similarly, by operating the circulation pump 71 in a shorter time compared to the entire dehydration waiting time 405, it is possible to prevent the increase in power consumption while preventing more odors and wrinkles.

  The remaining time calculation process at the time of dirt determination during the washing process will be described with reference to FIG. When the degree of dirt is determined at the dirt judgment timing during the washing process, the remaining time recalculation process in FIG. 5 is performed. When the process is started, first, step S501 for determining whether or not the driving is a reserved driving is executed.

  If it is determined in step S501 that it is a reserved operation, the remaining washing time is subtracted in step S502. As described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, in the case of the reserved operation, the time of the washing process before step S502 is calculated based on the time of the longest washing process in which the degree of contamination is high. The washing time here is only shortened. When the degree of contamination is standard, the subtracted time is time 201 in FIG. When the degree of contamination is low, the subtraction time is the sum of time 201 and time 202 in FIG.

  Following step S502, a dehydration standby time is calculated in step S503. As described above, the dewatering waiting time is the time itself that shortens the time of the washing process.

Following step S503, in step S504, the remaining time is recalculated assuming that there is a dehydration standby process for the dehydration standby time. By adding the time subtracted in step S502 as the dehydration waiting time in step S503, the remaining time as a total becomes this step S5.
It does not change before and after 04.

  If it is determined in step S501 that it is not a reserved operation, the process proceeds to step S505. The time of the washing process before step S505 is calculated based on the washing time 205 when the degree of dirt is standard in FIG. 2, and when the degree of dirt is low, the shortening time 202 is calculated from the time of the washing process. Will be subtracted. On the contrary, when the degree of dirt is high, the increase time 201 is added to the time of the washing process.

  After step S505, the process proceeds to step S506. In step S506, unlike step S504, the remaining time is recalculated without a dehydration standby process. As a result, the total remaining time is added or subtracted by the amount added to or subtracted from the washing time in step S505 before and after step S506, and the remaining time changes depending on the degree of dirt at the dirt judgment timing. Become. The degree of change is as described in FIG.

  In this way, by changing the calculation method of remaining time depending on whether or not it is reserved driving, if it is not reserved driving, the result of judging the degree of dirt is immediately reflected in the remaining time display and the scheduled end time of driving to the user In order to prevent the laundry from being left unattended and causing odors and wrinkles by ending the operation in accordance with the reserved operation set time during reserved operation Can be realized.

  In the first embodiment, the reservation waiting time is calculated by subtracting the reserved operation setting time from the assumed operation time and the predetermined margin time to calculate the reservation waiting time at the reserved operation. Set and wait for the start of operation. As a result, the operation after the start of operation is simply controlled on the assumption that the reserved operation setting time is completely unrelated, but the present invention is not limited to this. As described above, the margin time is for absorbing fluctuations in the actual operation time such as water supply and drainage, so as the operation progresses, the frequency of water supply and drainage decreases. Therefore, future time fluctuations are also reduced. Therefore, the time from the start of the reserved operation is measured, and before entering the dehydration standby process, the dehydration is performed based on the allowance time considering the fluctuation of only the dehydration process, the time from the reserved operation start, and the reserved operation set time. If the standby process time is calculated again, the operation can be finished more accurately in accordance with the reserved operation set time.

  In the above-described first embodiment, the example is shown on the assumption that the remaining time during the initial standby is equal to the remaining time immediately after the start of operation, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, by adding a process to detect the amount of laundry at the timing of the start of driving by the user, including scheduled driving, and setting a more appropriate washing time etc. according to the amount of laundry, more appropriate washing operation This is advantageous because it can be implemented. For the calculation of the remaining time during the reserved operation, the washing time after detecting the amount of laundry may be used.

  In the first embodiment, the example in which the optimum operation is performed by increasing / decreasing the time of the washing process according to the degree of dirt is shown, but the principle of the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can be similarly applied to a case where the operation time cannot be detected before the operation is started and the operation time increases or decreases with the detection during the operation. For example, it is obvious that the temperature of water supplied in the water supply process during washing is detected by a temperature sensor, and when the water temperature is low, the washing time can be extended, and when it is high, the washing time can be shortened. .

  As another example, the number of times of rinsing may be increased or decreased according to the degree of contamination. In this case, when calculating the time of the dehydration standby process, the operation can be similarly applied if the operation time that changes depending on the increase or decrease of the number of times of rinsing is taken into consideration.

  As another example, the weight of the laundry is detected before washing, and the weight is again detected after dehydration during rinsing and compared with the weight of the laundry before washing. There is also an example of estimating the degree of the above and estimating whether it is a type that does not absorb water such as synthetic fiber or a type that absorbs water such as cotton, and then controls the driving operation. In this case, if it is a type such as synthetic fiber, it does not absorb water, so that it is possible to save power by shortening the time of the last dehydration process in the washing process. Even in this case, when calculating the time for the dehydration standby process, the shortening of the dehydration process may be taken into consideration.

  In the first embodiment described above, the degree of stain determination during washing is only three levels of “standard”, “high”, and “low”, but it is obvious that the present invention is not limited to this. is there.

  In the first embodiment, the drainage control unit 7 includes the drainage valve 75. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The drain valve 75 may be eliminated and a drain pump may be provided to drain water.

  In the first embodiment, the optical sensor 72 and the electrode sensor 73 are exemplified as sensors for detecting the state of the washing liquid. However, the principle of the present invention is not limited to this, and the physical property of the washing liquid is detected. Therefore, the present invention can be applied to a washing machine using any sensor.

  In the first embodiment, the optical sensor 72 is used for measuring the turbidity of the washing liquid, but may be used for other measurement purposes. For example, the principle of the present invention can be applied to the optical sensor 72 used for detecting the accumulation of dirt components, and other physical properties or environmental changes that can be suitably measured using the optical sensor 72.

  In the first embodiment described above, the washing machine in which the washing liquid state detecting means is provided in the washing liquid circulation path is illustrated. However, the principle of the present invention is not limited to this, and the circulation path is not limited to this. It is also preferably used for a washing machine that does not have, and in that case, by providing the washing liquid state detection means such as the optical sensor 72 and the electrode sensor 73 at the lower back of the water tank 31 or the lower side of the water tank 31, for example, high accuracy Detection of changes in degree and conductivity will be realized.

  In the first embodiment, the pump is exemplified as the flow device for flowing the washing liquid. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the screw disposed in the circulation path or the flow path. Etc., the washing liquid may be fluidized.

  The present invention is suitably used for various washing machines such as a pulsator type washing machine and an agitation type washing machine in addition to the drum type washing machine described above.

1 Drum-type washing machine 2 Case (outer box)
3 Washing tank 4 Water supply system (water supply means)
5 Drainage system 8 Operation panel (operation display means)
31 Water tank 32 Rotating drum 72 Optical sensor (washing liquid state detection means)
73 Electrode sensor (washing liquid state detection means)
81 Control circuit section (remaining operation time calculation means)

Claims (3)

An outer box, a water tank provided in the outer box, a water supply means for supplying water into the water tank, a rotating drum provided in a rotatable state in the water tank, and an operating state while accepting an operation by a user Operation display means for displaying the state of the washing liquid in the water tub, and a washing liquid state detection means for detecting the state of the washing liquid in the water tub. A remaining operation time calculating means for calculating, and the remaining operation time calculating means switches the calculation algorithm depending on whether or not the reserved operation is set by the operation display means, and when the reserved operation is set The calculation method starts the calculation of the remaining operation time based on a case where the degree of dirt is high as a result of the determination by the washing liquid state detection means. The remaining operation time calculation means calculates a standby time corresponding to the operation time reduced by the determination result by the washing liquid state detection means when the reserved operation is set, and calculates the standby time when calculating the remaining time. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the washing machines are added together. 3. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein when the reserved operation is set, the operation is stopped for a time corresponding to the waiting time before the dehydration process of the washing operation.

Images