JP2017080229A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a washing machine which automatically supplies a proper amount of a detergent and a softening agent supplied to tanks respectively according to the amount of laundry.SOLUTION: A washing machine includes: a housing (4); a water tub (17) including a rotary drum (20) inside the housing; and washing process liquid automatic input means (30) for supplying a detergent in a water tub. The washing process liquid automatic input means (30) includes: detachable tanks (32, 33) for holding a liquid detergent or a softening agent inside; and pump means (47) for delivering the liquid detergent from the inside of the tank to the outside of the tank by acquiring a driving force; and electric conductivity degree detection means (93) for detecting an electric conductivity degree of the liquid. The electric conductivity detection means (93) detects presence/absence of the detergent and softening agent in the water tub, and according to the detection result, control content of the washing process liquid supply means is changed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a washing machine for washing clothes.

  For example, a drum-type washing machine is configured such that a drum is rotatably arranged in a water tank that is horizontally or substantially horizontally inclined, and the drum is rotated around a rotation axis to wash and rinse laundry. Until dehydration. Some drum-type washing machines perform drying of laundry.

  The drum type washing machine described in Patent Document 1 includes “a housing, a washing tub, and an automatic detergent supply device provided in the housing. The automatic detergent supply device is provided in the detergent tank and the detergent tank. And a control means for controlling the automatic detergent supply device ”(summary).

  Further, the "conveying pump is an immersion type pump including a DC motor and a gear pump" (claims 25, 32, 33).

  The washing machine described in Patent Document 2 describes an outer shell that covers the upper portion of a water receiving tub 3 in which the washing / dehydrating tub 1 is rotatably arranged with a water receiving tub cover 9 and supports the water receiving tub 3 in a vibration-proof manner. An outer cover 15 is provided at the upper part of the cover 6 so as to cover the water receiving tub 3. The outer frame cover 15 is provided with a detergent tank 17 capable of storing a liquid detergent 16 in an amount usable for at least two washings. A configuration is disclosed in which the liquid detergent 16 can be put into the washing and dewatering tub 1 by the device 18 (summary solution).

USP2011 / 0186098A1 JP 2000-300891 A

  In the configurations disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, a configuration in which liquid detergent is supplied using a pump device that directly pumps liquid detergent from the detergent tank is disclosed, but the detergent has been put in the washing tub in advance. Alternatively, when a detergent is introduced from a conventional detergent inlet, there is a problem that the detergent may be excessively introduced from the detergent tank.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a highly reliable washing machine.

  In order to achieve the above object, as an example, the present invention provides, as an example, a washing machine, a housing, a water tank provided inside the housing, and a laundry processing liquid automatic charging means for supplying a laundry processing liquid into the water tank. And a detergent inlet for supplying a laundry treatment liquid into the water tank, a detection means for detecting the presence or absence of the laundry treatment liquid in the water tank, and a control means for controlling the laundry treatment liquid supply means, The washing treatment liquid supply means includes a tank that holds the washing treatment liquid inside, and a transport pump that conveys the washing treatment liquid from the inside of the tank to the outside of the tank, and the detection means The presence or absence of supply of the washing treatment liquid from the detergent inlet is detected, and the control means changes the control content of the washing treatment liquid supply means according to the detection result.

  According to the present invention, a highly reliable washing machine can be provided.

1 is a perspective view of a washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a front view of a washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a top view of a washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is AA sectional drawing of FIG. 3 of the washing machine which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the washing process liquid automatic injection | throwing-in means which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the washing process liquid tank which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is BB sectional drawing which shows the structure of the washing processing liquid automatic injection | throwing-in means based on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the pump part of the washing process liquid automatic injection | throwing-in means which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is CC sectional drawing of FIG. 8 which shows the structure of the pump part which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. The DD sectional view of FIG. 8 of the washing processing liquid automatic charging means according to the first embodiment of the present invention is shown. It is a top view of the washing processing liquid automatic loading means concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention, and shows the state where a motor is rotated forward and detergent is supplied from a detergent tank. It is a top view of the washing processing liquid automatic input means concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention, and shows the state where a motor is reversed and a softening agent is supplied from a softening agent tank. It is the schematic which shows an example of the residual amount detection means of the washing process liquid which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows an example of the residual amount detection means of the washing process liquid which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control circuit of the washing machine which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a control flowchart which shows operation | movement of the washing machine which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view showing a part of the internal configuration by virtually removing the front cover 18. FIG. 3 shows a top view, and FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 3. For the sake of explanation, a cylindrical water tank 17 that is a water receiving tank and a part of the rotating drum 20 are virtually broken. It is illustrated.
Further, in the following description, the up / down / left / right / front / rear directions are based on the up / down / left / right front / rear directions shown in FIG.

  An outer frame 2 composed of a steel plate and a resin molded product is placed on the base 1 to form a washing machine body 4. A lid 3 and a front cover 18 that are doors for taking in and out the laundry 21 are provided on the front surface of the outer frame 2, and a back cover 19 is provided on the back surface.

  A part of the front side of the upper surface of the outer frame 2 is, for example, an operation panel 6 provided with switches and displays for selecting an operation course such as turning on / off the power, turning on / off the washing processing liquid automatic charging means 30, washing and drying. The other part is a detergent inlet 25 provided to be openable and closable.

  A water faucet 7 is provided on the upper surface in the vicinity of the back surface of the washing machine body 4, and a water pipe is connected to supply water to the washing machine body 4.

  Since the configuration is the same as that of a conventional washing machine or washing / drying machine, a detailed description is omitted.

<Detergent inlet>
The detergent charging port 25 includes, for example, a powder detergent charging unit 25a, a liquid detergent charging unit 25b, and a softening agent charging unit 25c, each of which can be charged with a single powder detergent, softening agent, or liquid detergent. it can. The powder detergent, softening agent, or liquid detergent charged into the detergent inlet 25 is supplied through the first water supply pipe 9 at a predetermined point in the washing process, and passes through the first detergent supply pipe 14 together with water. Then, it is introduced into the water tank 17.

<Main body side schematic configuration>
A water tank 17 is elastically supported on the base 1 via a support means 5 having a spring and a damping.

  A cylindrical rotating drum 20 is provided inside the water tank 17 for washing and dewatering with the laundry 21, and a fluid is confined in a plurality of layers concentrically provided on the front end side of the rotating drum 20. In addition, the fluid balancer 22 is provided, and the vibration of the rotating drum 20 due to the unbalance of the laundry 21 is reduced by rotating integrally with the rotating drum 20. The rotating drum 20 has a large number of small holes (not shown) for centrifugal dehydration on the side wall, and is rotated by the drum motor 8.

<Drain valve>
A drain pipe 11 is connected to the bottom surface of the water tank 17 via a drain valve 10 so that the washing water in the water tank 17 can be drained. Further, in the case of a washing and drying machine having a drying function, a drying air passage 13 is connected to the water tank 17, and the humid air in the water tank 17 is discharged to include, for example, a heater or a blowing means (not shown). Dry by drying means.

<Water supply solenoid valve>
When supplying the powder detergent, softener, or liquid detergent charged into the detergent inlet 25 into the water tank 17, the water electromagnetic valve 12 and the detergent inlet 25 are opened from the water tap 7 by opening the water electromagnetic valve 12. The tap water is supplied to, for example, the liquid detergent inlet 25b in the detergent inlet 25 to dissolve the liquid detergent through the first water supply pipe 9 connected to the water tank 17 while descending from the detergent inlet 25. The water is supplied to the inside of the water tank 17 through the connected first detergent supply pipe 14. Moreover, the presence or absence of a detergent or a softener is determined from the electrical conductivity detected by the electrode sensor 93 installed in the lower part of the water tank 17. For example, a threshold value may be provided, and the presence or absence of a detergent or a softener may be determined using this threshold value. The present invention is not limited to conductivity detection.

<Check valve>
A check valve 16 is provided in the vicinity of the water tank 17 of the first detergent supply pipe 14, and the detergent liquid flowing from the detergent inlet 25 toward the water tank 17 passes, but conversely, from the water tank 17 toward the detergent inlet 25. Thus, it is possible to suppress the passage of air when the pressure in the water tank 17 is increased, or in the case of a washing and drying machine.

<Automatic means for laundering treatment liquid>
On the upper surface of the washing machine main body 4, a washing processing liquid automatic charging means 30, which will be described later in detail, is provided, and an openable / closable tank lid body 31 is provided on the upper surface. At least one or more laundry treatment liquid tanks are provided below the tank lid 31. As an example, two types of laundry treatment liquid tanks are provided, one of which is a quantity of liquid detergent that can be washed multiple times. A detergent tank 32 having a capacity capable of holding a softener, and the other can be a softener tank 33 having a capacity capable of holding, for example, a softener in an amount that can be washed multiple times.

  In a state where the tank lid 31 is opened, the detergent tank 32 and the softener tank 33 can be pulled upward from the opening where the tank lid 31 is opened, and can be set again.

  In the following description, the common configuration of the softener tank 33 and the detergent tank 32 may be simply referred to as “tank”.

<Top surface arrangement of washing treatment liquid automatic charging means>
In this embodiment, since the laundry processing liquid automatic charging means 30 is provided on the upper surface of the washing machine body 4, it is not necessary for the user to bend in order to attach and detach the laundry processing liquid tank, and an easy-to-use washing machine is provided. Can do. In addition, since the detergent insertion port 25 and the laundry processing liquid automatic loading means 30 are both arranged on the left side of the upper surface of the washing machine body 4, they are arranged in a unified position, so that user convenience is further improved. In addition, when the laundry processing liquid automatic charging means 30 is disposed below the water tank 17, there is a risk that water will flow back to the processing liquid automatic charging means 30 from a pipe connecting the laundry processing liquid automatic charging means 30 and the water tank 17. However, in this embodiment, since the washing processing liquid automatic charging means 30 is arranged above the water tank 17, there is no fear of such a backflow, and a highly reliable washing machine can be provided. Further, since the washing processing liquid automatic charging means 30 can be inserted and removed from the upper surface of the washing machine body 4 in the vertical direction, usability is improved.

<The lid opens to the back>
In the present embodiment, the tank lid 31 is pivotally supported around the lid fulcrum 42a, which is a rotation fulcrum, along the side on the rear surface side, and the side on the near side is lifted toward the back side. It is the structure to open. The opening that opens the tank lid 31 is in a state where the front side and the left and right side surfaces are open. Therefore, when inserting a hand from the opening to remove the tanks 32 and 33 upward, Therefore, it is easy to insert the tanks 32 and 33, and it is easy to remove the tanks 32 and 33.

  If the angle when the tank lid 31 is opened is larger than 90 °, for example, about 100 °, the center of gravity of the tank lid 31 moves rearward from the rotation fulcrum, so the opened state is stable. Is preferred.

<Details of automatic loading of washing treatment liquid>
The laundry processing liquid automatic charging means 30 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the laundry processing liquid automatic charging means 30 according to the present embodiment, FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the laundry processing liquid tank, and FIG. -B sectional view, FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the pump part of the washing processing liquid automatic charging means 30, FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. 8, FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line DD, and FIG. FIG. 12 is a top view of the processing liquid automatic charging means, in a state where the motor is rotated forward to supply detergent from the detergent tank 32, and FIG. 12 is a top view of the laundry processing liquid automatic charging means, and the motor is reversed to be flexible. The softener is supplied from the agent tank.

<Storage container>
The tank storage container 34 has a substantially box shape with an open upper surface, and is provided in the washing machine body 4, and can store the detergent tank 32 and the softener tank 33. The detergent tank 32 and the softener tank 33 each include a detergent tank storage area 37 and a softener tank storage area 38 that are divided by the first partition wall 35 in the front-rear direction. The left side surface of the tank storage container 34 is provided with a charging area 39 separated from the detergent tank storage area 37 and the softener tank storage area 38 by the second partition wall 36. The other side of the second water supply pipe 40 having one end connected to the water supply electromagnetic valve 12 is connected to the rear side surface of the charging area 39, and when the water supply electromagnetic valve 12 is opened, Water is supplied into the charging area 39 via the water supply pipe 40.

  One end of a second detergent supply pipe 41 is connected to the lower surface of the charging area 39, and the other end of the second detergent supply pipe 41 is connected to the first detergent supply pipe 14. That is, the detergent or softener introduced into the introduction region 39 flows out into the first detergent supply pipe 14 via the second detergent supply pipe 41 together with the supplied water.

  The detergent and the softener are supplied in the water tank 17 at different timings. As will be described in detail later, the detergent is supplied in the washing process, and the softener is supplied in the final rinse process. By supplying water after supplying the detergent to the inside of the charging area 39, the inside of the charging area 39 is cleaned. Therefore, even if the softening agent is supplied to the same charging area 39, the detergent remains and the softening agent remains. It will not be mixed. Accordingly, only one charging area 39 is required, and it is not necessary to provide the water supply discharge section 57 and the second water supply pipe 40 for supplying water to the charging flow area 39 separately for the detergent and the softener, and the simple structure. It is preferable because it can be configured.

  On the rear upper surface of the tank storage container 34, a lid support portion 43 provided with a support shaft hole 42 for pivotally supporting a lid, which will be described later, so as to be opened and closed is provided.

<Tank>
In the tank storage container 34, two washing processing liquid tanks are provided side by side in the front-rear direction, and a softener tank 33 is provided in the front and a detergent tank 32 is provided in the rear. The softener tank 33 and the detergent tank 32 are arranged substantially symmetrically with respect to the first partition wall 35. As an example, if the size of the detergent tank 32 in the front-rear direction is larger than the size of the softener tank 33 in the front-rear direction, the capacity of the detergent tank 32 can be made larger than that of the softener tank 33.

  The detergent tank 32 and the softener tank 33 have the same configuration except that they are substantially symmetrical with respect to the first partition wall 35 and have different dimensions in the front-rear direction. The configuration of 32 will be described in detail.

  In this embodiment, the detergent tank 32 is detachably divided into an upper tank lid portion 44 and a lower tank main body 45 so that the tank lid portion 44 can be used for replenishing detergent or the interior of the detergent tank 32. In the case of cleaning, the tank body 45 can be removed by releasing a lock means (not shown). The tank lid portion 44 is provided with a tank handle 44a for gripping by hand when the detergent tank 32 is attached and detached.

  When a predetermined amount of detergent is replenished to the detergent tank 32, the tank body 45 is configured so that the liquid level of the detergent has a maximum capacity at a height lower than the boundary between the tank body 45 and the tank lid portion 44. This is preferable because the detergent does not leak out of the detergent tank 32 from the boundary between the tank lid 44 and the tank lid 44.

  If the tank body 45 is formed of a transparent resin such as acrylic resin or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin, the remaining amount of the detergent or softener when the detergent tank 32 or softener tank 33 is removed from the washing machine body 4. Can be visually confirmed.

  The tank bottom face 46 of the tank body 45 is substantially V-shaped, and if the suction port 48 of the pump means 47 (described later) is provided at the lowest bottom part, the detergent in the tank is sucked to the end. This is preferable because it does not waste detergent.

<Vertical tank>
The detergent tank 32 and the softener tank 33 are configured such that the depth dimension is the smallest among the depth in the front-rear direction, the width in the left-right direction, and the height dimension in the vertical direction. With this configuration, the area where the detergent or softener in the tank is in contact with the air in the tank can be reduced, so that moisture evaporates from the surface of the detergent or softener and the surface viscosity increases. There is an effect that the influence of solidification can be minimized and a supply operation by the pump means 47 described later can be performed reliably.

<Tank arrangement and tank depth>
A preferred relationship between the arrangement, size, and volume of the detergent tank 32 and the softener tank 33 will be described. Here, the case where it is desirable that the capacity of the detergent tank 32 is larger than the capacity of the softener tank 33 will be described. This corresponds to, for example, a case where the detergent is larger than the softener in the container size of the detergent and the softener that are generally marketed and the sales unit sold for refilling.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the water tank 17 is disposed so as to be inclined so that the front lid 3 side is high and becomes lower in the rear. In this case, the gap between the water tank 17 and the upper surface of the washing machine body 4 is smaller toward the front and larger toward the rear. Therefore, when the detergent tank 32 and the softener tank 33 are juxtaposed in the front-rear direction, it is preferable to dispose a tank with a large capacity at the rear because the depth in the vertical direction can be increased. A tank with a small depth and a small capacity is arranged on the front side, and in the present embodiment, it is preferable to arrange the detergent tank 32 on the rear and the softener tank 33 on the front.

  Moreover, since the water tank 17 is cylindrical, the clearance gap between the water tank 17 and the upper surface of the washing machine main body 4 is larger as it is closer to the left and right ends, and is smaller as it is closer to the center. Therefore, when the detergent tank 32 and the softening agent tank 33 are juxtaposed in the left-right direction, a tank with a small capacity (softening agent tank 33) is disposed near the center and the capacity is increased on the end side of the housing. It is desirable to arrange a tank (detergent tank 32). With such an arrangement, the capacity of the detergent tank 32 is further increased by increasing the height of the tank (detergent tank 32) arranged closer to the end than the tank arranged near the center (softener tank 33). This is preferable because it is possible.

<Pump>
The tank lid portion 44 is provided with pump means 47 for sucking the washing processing liquid from the tank main body 45 and feeding it into the aforementioned charging area 39. In the present embodiment, a so-called gear pump is used as an example of the pump means 47.

  The pump means 47 in the present embodiment has a substantially cylindrical shape, is provided inside the detergent tank 32, and extends downward from the tank lid portion 44, and further downwards from the bottom surface of the pump case 49. And a suction pipe 50 whose lower end is close to the bottom surface of the tank body 45. The lower end of the suction pipe 50 is an open suction port 48.

  As shown in FIG. 9, at the lower end of the pump case 49, one is rotatably supported with a pump drive shaft 60 and is rotatably supported around a pump driven shaft 91. The so-called gear pump 51 is composed of a pair of gears that are driven gears 51b, and the detergent can be conveyed from one side of the gear meshing portion 52 to the other by rotating while meshing.

  One end of the gear meshing portion 52 is connected to the upper end of the suction pipe 50 so that the detergent can be sucked through the suction port 48.

  A supply pipe 54 disposed in the vertical direction along the pump case 49 is provided on the other side of the gear meshing part 52, and the lower end of the supply pipe 54 is connected to the other side of the gear meshing part 52, and the detergent delivered from the gear pump 51. Is supplied.

  As the gear pump 51 rotates in the direction of the arrow, the space formed by the gap between adjacent teeth of the drive gear 51a and the driven gear 51b and the gear pump wall 55 provided close to the outer periphery of the gear is filled. The detergent is supplied by moving the detergent from the suction port 48 side toward the supply pipe 54 side. The operation of the gear pump 51 is generally well known, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The upper end of the pump case 49 is a pump cover 53 that covers the upper surface of the pump means 47.

  The upper end of the supply pipe 54 extends substantially horizontally in a direction away from the pump cover 53, and the tip of the supply pipe 54 extends downward, and the tip opens downward to form a detergent discharge port 56.

<Discharge port cleaning>
The second water supply pipe 40 is connected to discharge water from a water supply / discharge section 57 provided on the side surface of the charging area 39 of the tank storage container 34. If the water supply discharge part 57 is arrange | positioned in the vicinity of the discharge outlet 56, and if it arrange | positions so that the water supplied from the water supply discharge part 57 may splash on the discharge outlet 56, the detergent or softening agent adhering to the discharge outlet 56 will dry and solidify. Therefore, there is no clogging of detergents and softeners, and reliability is high.

  The suitable position of the water supply discharge part 57 is demonstrated. When the height of the water supply / discharge portion 57 is close to the second partition wall 36, the discharged water gets over the second partition wall 36 and flows into the detergent tank storage area 37 or the softener tank storage area 38. There is. On the other hand, if the height of the water supply / discharge portion 57 is too close to the bottom surface, the discharged water will not be applied to the discharge port 56, so that the discharge port 56 cannot be washed, and the detergent or soft The agent cannot be washed. Therefore, it is preferable to provide the water supply / discharge portion 57 in the vicinity of the discharge port 56 and at a position lower than the second partition wall 36.

  Another example of a suitable position of the water supply / discharge portion 57 will be described. It is desirable to provide the water supply / discharge portion 57 at a position higher than the discharge port 56. Thereby, the water discharged from the water supply discharge part 57 can be reliably poured on the discharge outlet 56, solidification of the detergent or softening agent of the discharge outlet 56 is suppressed, and reliability improves. Further, the water discharged from the water supply / discharge section 57 may be shower-like. Thereby, solidification of the detergent or softening agent of the discharge port 56 is suppressed, and the reliability is improved.

  Moreover, since the water supply discharge part 57 is connected to the 2nd water supply pipe 40, every time water is supplied to the 2nd water supply pipe 40, the water discharged from the water supply discharge part 57 starts to the discharge port 56, It is possible to further suppress solidification of the detergent or softening agent at the discharge port 56. Further, since a dedicated water supply path for cleaning the discharge port 56 is not required, water saving is improved.

<Gear pump height>
In this embodiment, when the remaining amount of the detergent or softening agent becomes small, the detergent or softening agent is sucked by the negative pressure from the suction port 48 near the bottom surface of each tank 32, 33 to the gear pump 51 part. The If the suction height is large, it is difficult to suck the detergent or softening agent. Therefore, the height of the gear pump 51 is desirably close to the bottom surface. On the other hand, in the configuration in which the height of the gear pump 51 is close to the bottom surface, the volume of the pump case 49 submerged in the detergent or softening agent becomes large, so that the tank capacity of the detergent or softening agent decreases. Therefore, by providing the gear pump 51 at a height near the middle between the tank bottom surface 46 and the tank lid portion 44, the height from the suction port 48 to the gear pump 51 portion provided near the bottom surface of the pump case 49 can be reduced. It is preferable because the capacity of the detergent or softening agent can be secured.

  Furthermore, if the height of the gear pump 51 is arranged at a position lower than the liquid level when the detergent tank 32 or softener tank 33 is replenished with the detergent or softener, when the detergent or softener is replenished. The gear pump 51 is immersed in a detergent or softening agent, that is, in a state of so-called “priming water”. That is, it is not necessary to suck the detergent or softener to the height of the gear pump 51 by the negative pressure of air, which is preferable because the detergent or softener can be supplied reliably.

  If the gear pump 51 is provided close to the bottom surfaces of the tanks 32 and 33, the liquid level of the detergent or softener is always higher than that of the gear pump 51, so that the detergent or softener can be reliably supplied.

<Filter structure>
In this embodiment, a filter 58 is provided in which the lower end of the suction port 48 close to the bottom surfaces of the tanks 32 and 33 is enlarged. The filter 58 has, for example, a disk shape, and a plurality of slits 59 having a width of, for example, about 0.5 mm are provided on the upper surface thereof. Since the filter 58 is provided close to the tank bottom surface 46 of the tanks 32 and 33, the detergent in the detergent charging port 25 passes through the slit and reaches the suction port 48 provided in the substantially central portion of the filter 58. Suction is performed by the gear pump 51. With such a configuration, when foreign matter is mixed into the detergent or softener, it is collected by the slit 59 of the filter 58, so that the foreign matter may enter the gear pump 51 from the suction port 48 through the suction pipe 50. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the gear pump portion from being clogged with foreign matter, and to provide a highly reliable washing processing liquid automatic charging means 30.

<Pump drive unit>
A configuration for driving the drive gear 51a will be described. As shown in FIGS. 7 to 8, the pump drive shaft 60 is rotatably supported by a pump case 49 and a pump cover 53, and a drive gear 51a is fixed to the lower end of the pump drive shaft 60. The upper end of the drive shaft 60 protrudes from the upper surface of the pump case 49, and the coupling 61 is fixed so as to be rotatable integrally with the pump drive shaft 60. The coupling 61 is configured to receive a rotational driving force from driving means 62 provided on the tank lid body 31 described later.

  That is, when the coupling 61 is rotated by the driving means 62, the gear pump 51 is rotated via the pump drive shaft 60, and the gear pump 51 operates to suck the detergent in the detergent tank 32 from the suction port 48, and the gear pump 51. In this configuration, the liquid is delivered from the discharge port 56 through the supply pipe 54. The detergent delivered from the discharge port 56 is supplied to the input area 39 of the tank storage container 34.

<Coupling>
The coupling 61 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and its upper surface has a tapered tapered cone shape. Coupling protrusions 63 projecting to the outer peripheral side are provided at a plurality of positions on the outer periphery of the coupling 61, in this embodiment, at three positions every 120 °. In the upper part of the coupling 61 and the tapered conical portion, the coupling protrusion 63 also has a tapered shape that becomes thinner upward along the conical surface.

<Cover body / drive means>
The tank lid 31 is pivotally supported so as to be openable and closable around a support shaft hole 42 provided in the lid support portion 43. Inside the tank lid 31, there are a supply motor 65, a gear, and a drive means 62. A speed reduction means 66 having a row and a coupling receiving portion 64 that meshes with the coupling 61 and transmits a driving force to the coupling 61 are provided. The driving force by the supply motor 65 is decelerated to an appropriate rotational speed through, for example, a reduction gear 66 comprising a worm gear 67 and a reduction gear train having a plurality of spur gears, and rotates the coupling receiver 64. Two sets of coupling receiving portions 64 are provided. When the tank lid 31 is closed, the coupling 61 is provided in the coupling 61 (detergent supply coupling) provided in the detergent tank 32 and the softener tank 33, respectively. The coupling 61 (softener supply coupling) is disposed so as to be engaged with each other. Since the coupling 61 and the coupling protrusion 63 have a tapered shape that becomes thinner toward the upper side, when the coupling receiving portion 64 is engaged with the coupling 61 by closing the tank lid body 31, the coupling 61 and the coupling protrusion 63 may contact each other. And can be fitted smoothly.

<Coupling receiver>
The inner periphery of the coupling receiving portion 64 is a cylindrical recess 68 having a diameter larger than the outer periphery of the coupling protrusion 63 provided on the outer periphery of the coupling 61, and is centered on the inner peripheral side of the cylindrical recess 68. A meshing protrusion 69 that protrudes toward the surface is provided. In the present embodiment, the meshing protrusions 69 are provided at six locations every 60 °, and the inner diameter of the meshing protrusion 69 is larger than the diameter of the coupling 61.

  That is, the coupling 61 has a dimensional relationship that can be fitted inside the coupling receiving portion 64, and the coupling protrusion 63 is disposed between adjacent meshing protrusions 69 provided on the coupling receiving portion 64. Thus, the coupling protrusion 63 and the engagement protrusion 69 do not interfere with each other.

<Coupling engagement>
FIG. 10 is a DD sectional view showing a state in which the coupling 61 is fitted inside the coupling receiving portion 64. The coupling receiving portion 64 rotates counterclockwise in the drawing, and the meshing protrusion 69 becomes the coupling protrusion. A state is shown in which the driving force is transmitted from the coupling receiving portion 64 to the coupling 61 by abutting on the coupling 63 to rotationally drive the coupling 61.

  The coupling 61 and the coupling receiving portion 64 are detachable from each other, and constitute a driving force coupling means 29 that can transmit a rotational driving force when fitted to each other.

Three coupling projections 63 are provided on the outer periphery of the coupling 61 every 120 °, and six engagement projections 69 are provided on the inner periphery of the coupling receiving portion 64 every 60 °.
By providing twice the number of coupling protrusions 69 on the inner periphery of the coupling receiving portion 64 relative to the number of coupling protrusions 63 provided on the outer periphery of the coupling 61, the coupling protrusion 63 is adjacent to the engagement protrusion 63. Since it can arrange | position between 69, the fitting of the coupling 61 and the coupling receiving part 64 is reliable and suitable.

  When the tank lid 31 is closed and the coupling 61 and the coupling receiving portion 64 are fitted, and then the supply motor 65 is energized to rotate the coupling receiving portion 64, the meshing protrusion 69 contacts the coupling protrusion 63. Then, the coupling receiving portion 64 idles until the state shown in FIG. 10 is reached, and then the coupling 61 rotates together with the coupling receiving portion 64. The maximum value of the idling angle is φ in FIG. 10, and in this embodiment, the angle is smaller than the angle of the meshing protrusion 69 and the coupling protrusion 63 in the circumferential direction by less than 60 degrees that is the angle of the adjacent meshing protrusion 69. Become. This angle φ is an angular region where the gear pump 51 does not rotate even when the supply motor 65 is energized when the tank lid body 31 is closed, and this causes an error in the amount of detergent or softener supplied, but the angle is at most 60 °. The ratio of the error to the supply amount of the detergent or softener used in one washing process is as small as not causing a problem.

  With the above configuration, the supply pump 65 is rotationally driven in a state where the openable / closable tank lid 31 is closed, so that the gear pump 51 is rotationally driven via the coupling receiving portion 64 and the coupling 61, thereby the tank 32. , 33 can be supplied to an input area 39 provided in the tank storage container 34.

  In the present embodiment, a tank lid 31 having a driving means 62 above the detergent tank 32 and the softener tank 33 is supported so as to be rotatable around a fulcrum 90. By rotating the tank lid 31 around the fulcrum, the coupling 61 and the coupling receiving portion 64 are separated from each other, and the upper surfaces of the detergent tank 32 and the softener tank 33 can be opened. Therefore, it is not necessary to move the detergent tank 32 and the softener tank 33 in order to separate the connection of the drive system, and the detergent tank 32 and the softener tank 33 can be pulled upward only by opening the tank lid 31. It is easy to replenish detergent and softener and clean the tank.

<Cover hinge wiring>
The tank lid body 31 can be opened and closed, and a wiring 87 from the drive circuit 154 provided in the washing machine body 4 to the supply motor 65 is provided. As a path through which the wire 87 is inserted from the washing machine main body 4 to the inside of the tank lid body 31, it is preferable that the wire 87 is passed through the support shaft hole 42 that is the opening / closing rotation center of the tank lid body 31. Even if the tank lid body 31 is opened and closed, the wiring 87 is only twisted within the range of the opening and closing angle and is not pulled. Therefore, the reliability of the wiring 87 is ensured and a highly reliable washing machine can be provided. .

<Lid dimensions and tank attachment / detachment>
The opening dimension when the tank lid 31 is opened is larger than the dimension in which the detergent tank 32 and the softener tank 33 are juxtaposed in a top view, and the detergent tank 32 and the softener are opened from the opening when the tank lid 31 is opened. The dimensions are such that the tank 33 can be removed and attached.

  With the above configuration, when the tank lid 31 is opened, the coupling 61 and the coupling receiving portion 64 as the driving force coupling means 29 are separated from each other, and the detergent tank is opened from the opening when the tank lid 31 is opened. The detergent tank 32 and the softener tank 33 can be easily removed simply by pulling up the 32 and the softener tank 33 upward.

  Conversely, the detergent tank 32 and the softener tank 33 can be easily mounted from above through the opening when the tank lid 31 is opened.

  After that, when the tank lid 31 is closed, the coupling receiving portion 64 and the coupling 61 are fitted, the driving force from the supply motor 65 is transmitted to the pump means 47 and the gear pump 51 is driven, and the detergent or softener Can be supplied into the water tank 17 from the detergent tank 32 or the softener tank 33 via the first detergent supply pipe 14, respectively.

<Quantitative supply>
As is well known, the gear pump 51 is a so-called metering pump, and the amount of fluid supplied is proportional to the rotational speed of the gear. That is, when supplying a predetermined amount of detergent, for example, the voltage applied to the supply motor 65 is fixed, the rotation speed of the supply motor 65 is determined, and the drive time of the supply motor 65 is adjusted to a predetermined time. By setting the number of rotations to a predetermined value, a desired amount of detergent can be supplied.

  As an example, the supply motor 65 is a DC motor, and the rotation speed can be made constant by making the voltage applied to the supply motor 65 constant. Alternatively, the supply motor 65 may be a stepping motor, and the rotation speed may be constant at a predetermined speed by making the frequency of pulses applied to the supply motor 65 constant.

<Switching action>
Next, an example of a configuration for switching between detergent supply and softener supply will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. FIGS. 11 and 12 are top views of the laundry processing liquid automatic charging means 30 provided on the tank lid 31 through the tank lid 31 to the detergent tank 32 and the softener tank 33. An example of the structure of the drive means 62 is shown. In the present embodiment, since the detergent motor and the softening agent can be selectively supplied by reversing the rotation direction of the supply motor 65 between normal rotation and reverse rotation, the configuration and operation will be described.

<Detergent supply>
FIG. 11 shows a state in which the supply motor 65 is operated in the forward rotation direction to supply the detergent, and FIG. 12 shows a state in which the supply motor 65 is operated in the reverse rotation direction to supply the softening agent. .

  In FIG. 11, a worm gear 67 is provided on the rotation shaft of the supply motor 65, and a worm wheel 70 rotatably supported by the worm gear 67 is engaged with the worm gear 67. 70. The first reduction gear 71 provided coaxially with the worm wheel 70 has a swing gear 73 which is a second gear rotatably supported by a rotation center shaft 77 along a swing groove 72. Are engaged in the first engagement 74a. The oscillating gear 73 is located at one end of the oscillating groove 72 close to the first pump drive gear 75 and is engaged with the first pump drive gear 75. As shown in FIG. 8, the first pump drive gear 75 is configured to rotate integrally with the coupling receiving portion 64. In FIG. 11, the worm wheel 70, the swing gear 73, and the first pump drive gear 75 are The pump means 47 provided in the detergent tank 32 is driven by rotating in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure, and the detergent is supplied to the charging area 39.

<Softener supply>
In FIG. 12, the rocking gear 73 has a rotation center at the other end of the rocking groove 72 and meshes with the third reduction gear 78. The third reduction gear 78 is further meshed with the second pump drive gear 76. Similarly to the first pump drive gear 75, the second pump drive gear 76 rotates integrally with the coupling receiving portion 64. In FIG. 12, the worm wheel 70, the swing gear 73, and the third reduction gear. 78 and the second pump drive gear 76 rotate in the direction indicated by the arrows to drive the pump means 47 provided in the softener tank 33 to supply the softener to the charging area 39.

<Motor forward / reverse switching>
Here, at the time of forward rotation shown in FIG. 11, the swing gear 73 is rotated by receiving a substantially tangential force in the rotational drive direction from the first reduction gear 71 in the first meshing 74 a, and at the same time, the swing groove 72, the first pump drive gear 75 and the second mesh 74b mesh with each other and rotate. When the supply motor 65 is reversely rotated from this state, the first reduction gear 71 is also rotated in the reverse rotation direction, so that the oscillating gear 73 receives a force in the reverse substantially tangential direction from the first reduction gear 71, At the same time, it moves from one end to the other end along the rocking groove 72 and engages with the first pump drive gear 75, that is, the second meshing 74b is disengaged, while the third reduction gear 78 is the fourth. The mesh 75d is meshed and rotates. Since the oscillating gear 73 moves along the oscillating groove 72, the mesh with the first reduction gear 71 moves to the third mesh 74c. That is, when the supply motor 65 is reversely rotated, the state shown in FIG. 11 is shifted to the state shown in FIG. 12 and rotated in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. .

  When the supply motor 65 is rotated forward from the state of FIG. 12, the first reduction gear 71 also rotates in the forward direction, so that the oscillating gear 73 receives a force in the substantially tangential direction in the positive direction from the first reduction gear 71. Therefore, while rotating in the forward rotation direction, it moves from the other end toward the one end along the swing groove 72 and disengages from the third reduction gear 78, while meshing with the first pump drive gear 75. Rotate. That is, when the supply motor 65 is rotated forward, the state of FIG. 12 is shifted to FIG. 11 and the detergent is supplied from the detergent tank 32.

  Here, the distance between the one end and the other end of the swing groove 72 is such that the swing gear 73 and the third reduction gear 78 are separated when the swing gear 73 and the first pump drive gear 75 are engaged with each other. And when the oscillating gear 73 and the third reduction gear 78 are engaged with each other, it is sufficient to satisfy the condition that the oscillating gear 73 and the first pump drive gear 75 are not engaged with each other. Such a condition can be obtained if the distance is equal to or greater than the height of the teeth.

<Oscillating gear meshing>
Since the oscillating gear 73 moves to the other end of the oscillating groove 72, the meshing position of the oscillating gear 73 and the first reduction gear 71 moves from the first mesh 74a to the third mesh 74c. Needless to say, since the swing gear 73 has a small distance between one end and the other end of the swing groove 72, the distance between the first mesh 74a and the third mesh 74c is small. The meshing state with the reduction gear 71 does not deteriorate.

  Further, a straight line connecting the midpoint between one end and the other end of the swing groove 72 and the rotation center of the worm wheel 70 is arranged so as to be orthogonal to a straight line connecting the one end and the other end of the swing groove 72. In this case, the moving direction of the swing gear 73 along the swing groove 72 is a tangential direction of meshing between the swing gear 73 and the worm wheel 70. Since there is almost no change in the center-to-center distance with the first reduction gear 71, it is more preferable.

<Pump rotates in the same direction>
In the forward rotation state of FIG. 11, the first pump drive gear 75 provided with the coupling 61 rotates while meshing with the swing gear 73, so that the pump drive shaft 60 provided in the detergent tank 32 is different from the swing gear 73. Rotate in the opposite direction.

  On the other hand, in the reverse rotation state of FIG. 12, the second pump drive gear 76 provided with the coupling 61 rotates from the swing gear 73 via the third reduction gear 78, and therefore the pump provided in the softener tank 33. The drive shaft 60 rotates in the same direction as the swing gear 73. Since the rotation direction of the oscillating gear is opposite to each other in the forward rotation state and the reverse rotation state, the first pump drive gear 75 and the second pump drive gear 76 rotate in the same direction. That is, the pump means 47 for supplying the detergent and the pump means 47 for supplying the softening agent may be configured to supply the detergent or the softening agent when rotated in the same direction, and can be the same as each other. Since the parts can be shared, there is an advantage that it can be configured at low cost.

<Summary of forward / reverse switching operation>
According to this embodiment, when the supply motor 65 is rotated forward, only the pump means 47 provided in the detergent tank 32 is driven to supply the detergent, and when the supply motor 65 is reversed, the softener tank 33 is provided. Since only the pump means 47 can be driven to supply the softening agent, only one supply motor 65 can be used to select and supply two types of detergent and softening agent, and the structure is simple and inexpensive. The processing liquid automatic charging means 30 can be realized.

  Note that forward rotation and reverse rotation are for convenience in describing this embodiment, and are not limited to such expressions.

<Remaining amount detection>
FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 are schematic views showing an example of the configuration of the laundry processing liquid remaining amount detecting means 79 in the present embodiment.

  For example, a light emitting element 80 such as an LED is provided to face one surface of the detergent tank 32, and a light receiving element 81 is provided on the opposite side of the light emitting element 80 to the detergent tank 32 and coaxially with the light emitting element 80. The light receiving element 81 is an element that converts the intensity of light into an electric signal, such as a phototube or a photodiode.

  Since the tanks 32 and 33 are formed of a transparent resin, the light from the light emitting element 80 passes through the tanks 32 and 33 and reaches the light receiving element 81 when no washing treatment liquid is contained. Produces an electrical signal. On the other hand, when the washing treatment liquid is put in the tanks 32 and 33, the light is shielded, so that no electric signal is generated in the light receiving element 81. Therefore, by arranging the pair of the light emitting element 80 and the light receiving element 81 at a predetermined height from the bottom surface of the tanks 32 and 33, the height of the washing liquid in the tanks 32 and 33 can be detected. .

  In FIG. 14, a pair of light emitting element 80 and light receiving element 81 is provided at two locations from the bottom surface 46 of the tanks 32 and 33 to a height h1 close to the bottom surface 46 and a height h2 above h1. It is shown.

  When the washing treatment liquid is sufficiently in the tank and the liquid level is at the position H2 higher than h2, the first light receiving element 81 and the second light receiving element 81 are both shielded from light. It can be seen that the surface height is higher than h2.

  When the liquid level of the washing treatment liquid is H1 between h1 and h2, the first light receiving element 81 provided at the position of height h1 is shielded from light, and the second light receiving element provided at the position of height h2 is received. Since the element 81 receives light and generates an electrical signal, it can be seen that the liquid level height H1 is between h1 and h2.

  When the liquid level of the washing treatment liquid is lower than the height h1, both the first light receiving element 81 and the second light receiving element 81 receive the light from the light emitting element 80 and generate an electrical signal. It can be seen that the liquid level is in the vicinity of the bottom surface and there is almost no remaining amount of the washing treatment liquid.

  If the liquid level of the washing treatment liquid is H1, the first light receiving element 81 is shielded from light, and the second light receiving element 81 receives light to generate an electrical signal. Here, when the washing treatment liquid is translucent, the first light receiving element 81 is not completely shielded from light, but the amount of electric signal generated decreases because the amount of light decreases. Therefore, if the difference from the electrical signal generated in the second light receiving element 81 is measured, the liquid level is more reliably compared with the first light receiving element 81 and the second light receiving than the measurement of only the increase / decrease in the signal of the single light receiving element. It can be determined that it is located between the light receiving element 81 and the light receiving element 81.

  Here, when the liquid level of the laundry processing liquid becomes H1, the heights of h1 and h2 are set so that the remaining amount of the laundry processing liquid is, for example, two to three times of washing. If a notification means for notifying that the remaining amount of the processing liquid is small is provided, it is possible to notify the user that it is time to replenish the laundry processing liquid, so that the detergent runs out without the user's knowledge. Therefore, it is possible to realize a washing machine equipped with a highly reliable washing processing liquid automatic charging means.

<Tank detachability>
According to the present embodiment, the tanks 32 and 33 do not include, for example, a wiring connection portion for attaching and detaching wiring for driving the supply motor 65 to and from the main body.

  That is, the driving force for driving the gear pump 51 from the supply motor 65 is configured to drive the pump unit 47 from the driving unit 62 provided on the washing machine main body side via the coupling 61 which is a driving force attaching / detaching unit. Furthermore, the light emitting element 80 and the light receiving element 81 which are detection means for detecting the remaining amount of the washing treatment liquid in the tanks 32 and 33 are provided on the washing machine body 4 side. Therefore, when the user removes the tanks 32 and 33 to supply the washing treatment liquid, the coupling 61 is received by coupling by opening the tank lid 31 containing the driving means 62 as shown in FIG. Since they are separated from the portion 64, the tanks 32 and 33 can be easily removed together with the pump means 47 by pulling upward while holding the tank handle 44a.

<Prevents detergent from dripping>
Here, since the tanks 32 and 33 and the pump means 47 are configured to be removed as a unit, it is preferable that the washing processing liquid does not drip when the tanks 32 and 33 are taken out from the main body of the washing machine. When the tanks 32 and 33 are separated from the pump means 47 and only the tanks 32 and 33 are taken out or only the pump means 47 is taken out, the pump means 47 and the tanks 32 and 33 are provided at the suction port 48 of the pump means 47. Need to be separated from each other, and the detergent may sag when the tanks 32, 33 or the pump means 47 are removed.

<Tank cleanability>
The tanks 32 and 33 in the present embodiment are detachably divided into an upper tank lid portion 44 and a lower tank main body 45, and each has no wiring or electrical parts. Alternatively, the inside of the tank lid portion 44 and the tank main body 45 can be freely washed with water, so that the inside of the tanks 32 and 33 can be kept clean.

  In addition, when replacing with a different laundry treatment liquid, the remaining original laundry treatment liquid can be washed out and another new laundry treatment liquid can be put in, so that different laundry treatment liquids are mixed and solidified, or the cleaning power is reduced. There is nothing to do.

<Pump cleanability>
According to this embodiment, the pump means 47 is provided with the drive force connecting means 29 that can be connected and separated from the drive means 62, so that the tank and the pump means 47 can be detached and removed, and the tank and pump means 47 can be removed. Has no wiring for supplying electric power to drive the pump means 47, and since it can be structured to have no wiring connected to the detection means for detecting the remaining amount of the detergent / softener, it can be removed. The inside of the tank and the inside of the pump can be easily cleaned, and a washing machine with improved cleaning properties and reliability can be provided.

  Further, by rotating the coupling 61 by hand with the suction port 48 of the pump means 47 immersed in water, the gear pump 51 rotates and water is discharged from the suction port via the gear pump 51 and the supply pipe 54. By discharging from the outlet 56, the detergent remaining inside the pump can also be diluted and washed away.

  According to the present embodiment, the tanks 32 and 33 can be easily washed with water, and even the inside of the pump means 47 can be easily washed with water, so that no detergent remains inside the pump means 47 and solidifies, or the pump means. Since the washing treatment liquid previously used in 47 and the new washing treatment liquid are not mixed, a washing machine provided with a highly reliable washing treatment liquid automatic charging means 30 can be provided.

  Furthermore, it is preferable to mold the case of the pump means 47 with a transparent resin, since it is possible to visually check whether the detergent or softening agent remains in the pump or whether the cleaning is completed.

<Balancing with manual supply>
According to the present embodiment, as described above, the detergent charging port 25 includes, for example, a powder detergent charging unit 25a, a liquid detergent charging unit 25b, and a softening agent charging unit 25c, each of which is a single powder. In this configuration, a detergent, a softening agent, or a liquid detergent is introduced, and is introduced into the water tank 17 through the first detergent supply pipe 14. Furthermore, the detergent can be automatically introduced into the water tank 17 from the detergent tank 32 via the second water supply pipe 40 and the first water supply pipe 9.

  In other words, according to the user's preference, washing with the detergent in the detergent tank 32 or washing with another detergent put into the liquid detergent throwing portion 25b can be freely used. Therefore, it is possible to provide a washing machine equipped with a good automatic washing processing liquid charging means.

  Similarly, when the softener in the softener tank 33 is used or when another softener charged in the softener charging unit 25c is used, it can be freely used. A washing machine provided with the processing liquid automatic charging means 30 can be provided.

  Further, in the present embodiment, since the washing processing liquid automatic charging means 30 and the detergent charging port 25 are arranged independently, the cleaning performance of the tank and the pump, and the replenishability of the washing processing liquid to the tank are improved. While washing with the laundry processing liquid supplied to the detergent inlet 25, it is possible to extract the tank of the laundry processing liquid automatic input means 30 and the like, which improves usability.

  In addition, by detecting the detergent introduced from the detergent introduction port 25 with the electrode sensor 93, by turning off the control of the laundry processing liquid automatic introduction means 30, it is possible to prevent excessive detergent and softener from being introduced beforehand. it can.

<Control block diagram>
FIG. 15 is a block diagram of the control device 138 of the washing machine. A microcomputer 150 is connected to an operation button input circuit 151 connected to each switch (not shown), a water level sensor 134, a detergent remaining amount detecting means 79a, and a softener remaining amount detecting means 79b. Receive various information signals in the process. An output from the microcomputer 150 is connected to a drive circuit 154 and connected to a water supply electromagnetic valve 116, a drain valve 8, a motor 36, a supply motor 65, and the like, and controls opening / closing, rotation, and energization thereof. Further, it is connected to a display 114 such as a 7-segment light emitting diode, a light emitting diode 156, and a buzzer 157 for informing the user of the operating state of the washing machine.

  The microcomputer 150 is activated when the power switch 139 is pressed and the power is turned on, and executes a washing control processing program as shown in FIG.

<Control processing program>
Step S101
Check the status of the washer / dryer and make initial settings.

Step S102
The display 114 of the operation panel 106 is turned on, and it is set whether or not the detergent and the softener are to be automatically supplied in accordance with an instruction input from an operation button switch (not shown). When automatic charging is set, detergent and softener are automatically charged in the following washing process. On the other hand, when the automatic charging is not set, the user manually inputs the detergent and softening agent into the detergent charging port 25, and the detergent and softening agent supply motor 65 is not driven.

Step S103
The process branches after monitoring an instruction input from a start switch (not shown) on the operation panel 106.

Step S104
The process branches depending on whether or not automatic detergent introduction is set.

Step S105
When automatic detergent introduction is set, the remaining amount of detergent is confirmed based on the output of the detergent remaining amount detecting means 79a, and the process branches.

Step S106
When the automatic detergent introduction is set, the remaining amount of the softening agent is confirmed based on the output of the softening agent remaining amount detecting means 79b, and the process is branched.

Step S107
The rotating drum 20 is rotated, and the rotational driving torque generated in the motor 8 is measured from the current value required to drive the motor 8 at that time, and the amount of cloth put into the rotating drum 20 is determined.

Step S108
The supply amount of the detergent and the softening agent is set based on the determination value of the cloth amount.

Step S109
The water supply electromagnetic valve 116 is opened to supply water, and the detergent supplied into the detergent inlet 25 is melted and supplied into the water tank 17 through the first detergent supply pipe 14.

Step S110
It is determined whether or not the detergent has been manually introduced into the water tank 17, that is, whether or not the detergent has been manually introduced from the detergent inlet 25. This is determined from the conductivity detected by the electrode sensor 93.

Step S111
The process branches depending on whether or not the detergent automatic charging by the laundry processing liquid automatic charging means 30 is set.

Step S112
When the detergent is not manually supplied from the detergent inlet 25 and the automatic detergent input is set to ON, the supply motor 65 is driven in the normal rotation direction for a predetermined time to remove the detergent in the detergent tank 32. A predetermined amount is supplied into the charging area 39. This step is not executed if the automatic detergent charging is not set.

Step S113
When the detergent is not manually supplied from the detergent inlet 25 and the automatic detergent input is set to OFF, the automatic detergent input is changed to the ON setting, and the supply motor 65 is set in the forward rotation direction. A predetermined amount of detergent in the detergent tank 32 is supplied into the charging area 39 by driving for a predetermined time.

Step S114
When the detergent is manually supplied from the detergent inlet 25, and the automatic detergent input is set to ON, the automatic detergent input is changed to the OFF setting, and the detergent automatic by the laundry processing liquid automatic input means 30 is changed. Do not throw in.

Step S115
The washing process is executed, and after the drainage valve 8 is opened to drain the washing water, the rotating drum 20 is rotated at a high speed to perform centrifugal dehydration.

Step S116
The water supply electromagnetic valve 116 is opened to supply water, and rinse water is supplied into the water tank 17.

Step S117
After the rinsing step is completed, the drain valve 8 is opened to drain the rinse water, and then the rotating drum 20 is rotated at high speed to perform centrifugal dehydration.

Step S118
It is determined whether or not the softener has been manually introduced into the water tank 17, that is, whether or not the detergent has been manually introduced from the detergent inlet 25. This is determined from the conductivity detected by the electrode sensor 93.

Step S119
The processing branches depending on whether or not the softening agent automatic charging by the laundry processing liquid automatic charging means 30 is set.

Step S120
When the softener is not manually charged from the detergent inlet 25 and the automatic softener is turned on, the supply motor 65 is driven in the reverse direction for a predetermined time to store the softener in the softener tank 33. A predetermined amount of softening agent is supplied into the charging area 39. This step is not executed when the softener automatic charging is not set.

Step S121
When the softener is not manually supplied from the detergent inlet 25 and the automatic softener input is set to OFF, the automatic softener input is changed to the ON setting and the supply motor 65 is adjusted correctly. A predetermined amount of detergent in the detergent tank 32 is supplied into the charging area 39 by driving in the rolling direction for a predetermined time.

Step S122
In the case where the softener is manually supplied from the detergent inlet 25 and the automatic softener input is set to ON, the softener automatic input is changed to the OFF setting, and the laundry processing liquid automatic input means 30 is set. Do not automatically put in softener.

Step S123
The water supply electromagnetic valve 116 is opened to supply water, the softener supplied in the softener charging section 25c or the charging area 39 is melted, and supplied into the water tank 17 through the first detergent supply pipe 14.

Step S124
The final rinsing process is executed, and after completion, the drain valve 8 is opened to drain the rinse water.

Step S125
The rotating drum 20 is rotated at high speed to perform final dehydration.

Step S126
A series of washing steps are completed.

  As described above, the detergent and softener filled in each tank can be automatically supplied in an appropriate supply amount at a predetermined timing in the washing process or the rinsing process. Furthermore, if it is provided with a cloth amount measuring means and controlled to supply a supply amount corresponding to the measured cloth amount, it is possible to avoid excessive or insufficient use of detergents and softeners. Can provide no washing machine.

  Further, according to the user's preference, washing with the detergent in the detergent tank 32 or washing with another detergent put into the detergent inlet 25 can be freely used. A washing machine provided with a good washing processing liquid automatic charging means 30 can be provided.

  Further, the detergent input from the detergent inlet 25 is detected by the electrode sensor 93, and the control of the laundry processing liquid automatic input means 30 is changed according to the detection result, so that excessive detergent or softener is input or It is possible to prevent the washing performance from being deteriorated by washing with only water. As a result of detection by the electrode sensor 93, when the laundry processing liquid is manually supplied from the detergent inlet 25 and the automatic detergent input is set to ON, the automatic detergent input is changed to OFF. Then, a predetermined amount of the washing treatment liquid is supplied from the washing treatment liquid automatic charging means 30. Thereby, it is possible to prevent an excessive amount of detergent and softener from being added. On the other hand, as a result of detection by the electrode sensor 93, when the laundry washing liquid is not manually charged from the detergent charging port 25 and the automatic detergent charging is set to OFF, the automatic detergent charging is set to ON. And a predetermined amount of the washing treatment liquid is supplied from the washing treatment liquid automatic charging means 30. Thereby, it can prevent beforehand that it wash | cleans only with water and declines cleaning performance.

  Further, even when the automatic detergent charging is set to ON, before the laundry processing liquid is supplied from the laundry processing liquid automatic charging means 30, the electrode sensor 93 is used to manually supply the cleaning liquid. It is detected whether or not the laundry processing liquid has been charged, and the control of the laundry processing liquid automatic charging means 30 is changed according to the detection result. Thereby, it can prevent beforehand that it wash | cleans only with the above-mentioned excess washing process liquid or water, and falls cleaning performance. As described above, a highly reliable washing machine can be provided.

  Moreover, although the said Example demonstrated the drum type washing machine as an example, this invention is not limited to this, It can apply to a vertical type washing machine.

1 Base 2 Outer frame
3 lid
4 Washing machine main body 5 Support means 6 Operation panel 7 Water faucet 8 Drum motor 9 First water supply pipe 10 Drain valve 11 Drain pipe 12 Water supply electromagnetic valve 13 Dry air passage 14 First detergent supply pipe 15 Second detergent supply pipe 16 Check Valve 17 Water Tank 18 Front Cover 19 Back Cover 20 Rotating Drum 21 Laundry 22 Fluid Balancer 25 Detergent Input Port 25a Powder Detergent Input Portion 25b Liquid Detergent Input Portion 25c Softener Input Portion 29 Driving Force Connecting Means 30 Washing Process Automatic Input means 31 Tank lid 32 Detergent tank (first tank)
33 Softener tank (second tank)
34 Tank storage container 35 First partition 36 Second partition 37 Detergent tank storage area 38 Softener tank storage area 39 Input area 40 Second water supply pipe 41 Second detergent supply pipe 42 Support hole 42a Lid fulcrum 43 Lid support part 44 Tank cover part 44a Tank handle 45 Tank body 46 Tank bottom face 47 Pump means 48 Suction port 49 Pump case 50 Suction pipe 51 Gear pump 51a Drive gear 51b Driven gear 52 Gear meshing part 53 Pump cover 54 Supply pipe 55 Gear pump wall 56 Discharge port 57 Water supply / discharge part 58 Filter 59 Slit 60 Pump drive shaft 61 Coupling 62 Drive means 63 Coupling protrusion 64 Coupling receiving part 65 Supply motor 66 Deceleration means 67 Worm gear 68 Cylindrical recess 69 Meshing protrusion 70 Worm wheel 71 First Of the reduction gear 72 Groove 73 Oscillating gear 74a First mesh 74b Second mesh 74c Third mesh 75d Fourth mesh 75 First pump drive gear 76 Second pump drive gear 77 Rotation center shaft 78 Third reduction gear 79 Remaining amount detecting means 79a Detergent remaining amount detecting means 79b Softener remaining amount detecting means 80 Light emitting element 81 Light receiving element 82 Screw pump 83 Male gear 84 Female gear 85 Casing 86 Carrying space 87 Wire 88 Replenishment port 89 Siphon 90 Support point 91 Pump driven shaft 92 Seal member 93 Electrode sensor

Claims (5)

A housing,
A water tank provided inside the housing;
Washing treatment liquid automatic charging means for supplying the washing treatment liquid into the water tank;
A detergent inlet for supplying a washing treatment liquid into the water tank;
Detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the washing treatment liquid in the water tank;
Control means for controlling the washing treatment liquid supply means,
The laundry processing liquid supply means has a tank that holds the laundry processing liquid inside, and a transport pump that transports the laundry processing liquid from the inside of the tank to the outside of the tank,
The detection means detects whether or not the laundry processing liquid is supplied from the detergent inlet, and the control means changes the control content of the laundry processing liquid supply means according to the detection result. Washing machine. The washing machine according to claim 1,
The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the detection means is an electric conductivity detection means for detecting an electric conductivity of the washing treatment liquid and detecting the washing treatment liquid in the water tank. The washing machine according to claim 1,
As a result of detection by the electrical conductivity detection means, when it is determined that the laundry processing liquid is supplied from the detergent inlet, and when the laundry processing liquid automatic input means is set to ON, the control means The washing machine is characterized in that the washing liquid automatic charging means is changed to an off setting. The washing machine according to claim 1,
As a result of detection by the electrical conductivity detection means, when it is determined that the laundry processing liquid is not supplied from the detergent inlet, and the laundry processing liquid automatic input means is set to OFF, the laundry processing liquid The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the automatic charging unit is changed to an on setting, and the control unit controls the laundry processing liquid to be supplied from the laundry processing liquid automatic charging unit to the water tank. The washing machine according to claim 1,
When the laundry processing liquid automatic charging means is set to ON, before the laundry processing liquid is automatically supplied from the laundry processing liquid automatic charging means to the water tank, detection is performed by the conductivity detection means, and the control means Changes the control content of the washing processing liquid supply means according to the detection result.

Images