JP2019187578A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a washing machine which has improved washing performance by suppressing foaming, while suppressing increase in cost.SOLUTION: A washing machine includes: a housing 2; an outer tub 9 supported in the housing 2 and for storing washing water; a washing and dewatering tub 8 rotatably supported in the outer tub 9 and for storing the laundry; a driving device 10 for rotationally driving the washing and dewatering tub 8; and water supply means 12 for supplying water to the outer tub 9. In the case where a liquid detergent is inputted, compared to the case where a powder detergent is inputted, the time for high concentration washing performed before main washing is made longer. Or the motor rotational frequency during the high concentration washing is made higher. Or the water amount during the high concentration washing is made smaller.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing machine.

  In Patent Document 1, it is determined whether it is a powder detergent or a liquid detergent by measuring the electrical conductivity of an aqueous solution of the detergent. In the case of a powder detergent, the time for dissolving the detergent is increased, and in the case of a concentrated liquid detergent A washing machine is described that reduces the number of rinsing steps.

JP 2014-64791 A

  If the washing machine is excessively foamed, the foam acts as a cushion and mechanical force is difficult to transmit and the cleaning performance is reduced. Here, in the case of high-concentration washing performed in a state where the amount of water before the main washing is small, foaming tends to occur in the case of a powder detergent. However, the washing machine described in Patent Document 1 does not change the operation at the time of high-concentration washing according to the type of detergent, so that if an unexpected excessive foaming occurs, sufficient washing performance can be ensured. Can not. And if the detergent concentration is increased to increase the cleaning performance, this possibility is further increased.

  Furthermore, as described in Patent Document 1, since it is reasonable to install the conductivity detecting means for detecting the state of the washing liquid at the bottom of the main body, it is not possible to detect bubbles floating above the water surface. Have difficulty. On the other hand, adding a new detection means for detecting an excessive foaming state complicates the main body structure, and there is a concern about further cost increase.

  Even if a liquid detergent is used in consideration of foaming, the detergency operation such as reducing the rotation speed of the rotor blades during high-concentration washing can improve the cleaning power that can be expected in the case of liquid detergent. It can no longer be obtained.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide a washing machine that further enhances the detergency in the case of a liquid detergent while suppressing foaming in the case of a powder detergent.

The present invention includes, as an example, a housing, an outer tub that is supported in the housing and stores washing water, a washing and dewatering tub that is rotatably supported in the outer tub and stores laundry, and the washing and detaching tub. In a washing machine provided with a drive device for rotating and driving the water tub and water supply means for supplying water into the outer tub, when a liquid detergent is introduced, compared with a case where a powder detergent is introduced,
The time for high-concentration cleaning before main cleaning is lengthened, the motor rotation speed during high-concentration cleaning is increased, or the amount of water during high-concentration cleaning is reduced.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the washing machine which raised the cleaning power in the case of a liquid detergent can be provided, suppressing the foaming in the case of a powder detergent.

It is an external appearance perspective view of the washing / drying machine concerning this embodiment. It is the right sectional view which cut and showed a part of case and an outer tub in order to show the internal structure of the washing and drying machine concerning this embodiment. It is a perspective view of the water supply unit of the washing and drying machine concerning this embodiment. It is a functional diagram of a conductivity detection means. It is a functional lineblock diagram of a washing dryer concerning this embodiment. It is process drawing explaining the driving | operation process of the washing operation (washing-rinsing-dehydration) of the washing / drying machine which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which determines the detergent melt | dissolution operation time by the water temperature and electrical conductivity of tap water. It is a flowchart which judges detergent kind by electric conductivity and switches how to wash.

  Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “embodiments”) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. In the present description, the same constituent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a washing machine (washing / drying machine) according to the present embodiment.

  The washing / drying machine 1 is a vertical washing machine (vertical washing / drying machine) in which the rotation axis of the washing and dewatering tub 8 (see FIG. 2) is substantially vertical.

  An upper surface cover 2a is provided on the upper portion of the housing 2 of the washing / drying machine 1, and an outer lid 3 is provided on the upper surface cover 2a. The outer lid 3 is folded in a mountain shape and opened to the rear side, thereby opening the opening 2b (see FIG. 2) and allowing clothes (laundry) to be taken in and out of the washing and dewatering tub 8 (see FIG. 2). ing. A water supply hose connection port 4 from the water tap and a water absorption hose connection port 5 for remaining hot water in the bath are provided on the back side of the upper surface cover 2a. A power switch 6 is provided on the front side of the top cover 2a, and an operation display panel 7 including an operation switch 7a and a display 7b is provided on the front side of the outer lid 3.

  FIG. 2 is a right side cross-sectional view showing a part of the casing and an outer tub cut out in order to show the internal structure of the washing / drying machine according to the present embodiment.

  The bottomed cylindrical washing / dehydrating tub 8 is rotatably supported by the outer tub 9, has a large number of through holes 8b for water flow and ventilation on its outer peripheral wall, and the upper side is open. . The outer tub 9 has a disc-shaped bottom wall portion 9c and a cylindrical peripheral wall portion 9d and is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape. The outer tub 9 encloses the washing / dehydrating tub 8 on the same axis and is open on the upper side. . In addition, an inner lid 9 a is provided on the upper part of the outer tub 9. The user of the washing / drying machine 1 can put clothes in and out of the washing and dewatering tub 8 through the opening 2b by opening the outer lid 3 and the inner lid 9a.

  A rotary blade 8 a is provided on the inner bottom surface of the washing and dewatering tub 8. In addition, a driving device 10 is provided at the outer center of the bottom surface of the outer tub 9. The driving device 10 includes a motor 10a and a clutch mechanism 10b, and a rotating shaft 10c of the driving device 10 passes through the outer tub 9 and is coupled to the washing / dehydrating tub 8 and the rotary blade 8a. The clutch mechanism 10b transmits the rotational power of the motor 10a to the washing and dewatering tub 8 and / or the rotary blade 8a. The motor 10a includes a rotation detection device 28 configured by a Hall element or a photo interrupter that detects the rotation, and a motor current detection device 29 that detects a current flowing through the motor 10a.

  The detergent / finishing agent charging device 11 is provided on the front side of the top cover 2a. The detergent and the finishing agent are charged between the outer tub 9 and the washing / dehydrating tub 8 by the charging hose 11a. The water supply unit 12 is provided on the back side of the top cover 2a. The water supply unit 12 supplies tap water from the water supply hose connection port 4 to a detergent / finishing agent input device 11 and a water-cooled dehumidifying mechanism (not shown) described later. Further, the water supply unit 12 supplies the tap water from the water supply hose connection port 4 and the bath water from the water absorption hose connection port 5 (see FIG. 1) to the outer tub 9 and the washing and dehydration tub 8 through the water injection hose 11b. Water can be poured into the outer tub 9 from between.

  A drop portion 9 b provided on the bottom surface of the outer tub 9 is connected to communicate with the lower communication pipe 13. The lower communication pipe 13 is connected so as to communicate with the washing water drainage path 15 via the drain valve 14. By closing the drain valve 14, washing water and rinsing water can be stored in the outer tub 9. Further, by opening the drain valve 14, the water in the outer tub 9 can be drained outside the washing / drying machine 1 through the washing water drainage channel 15.

  Further, the lower communication pipe 13 is connected so as to communicate with the washing water circulation channel 18 via a foreign matter removing device 16 and a circulation pump 17 installed at the lower part of the housing 2. The washing water circulation channel 18 is connected so as to communicate with a lint removing device 19 provided above the washing and dewatering tub 8. When the circulation pump 17 is driven and rotated in the forward direction, the water in the outer tub 9 flows into the foreign substance removal device 16 through the drop part 9b and the lower communication pipe 13, and the foreign substance is removed, and the suction port of the circulation pump 17 Flow into. The water discharged from the discharge port of the circulation pump 17 flows into the waste thread removing device 19 through the washing water circulation channel 18 to remove the waste thread, and the water from which the waste thread has been removed (circulated water) is the waste thread removing device. Water is poured from 19 to spray into the washing and dewatering tank 8.

  The drying duct 20 is installed in the vertical direction inside the back surface of the housing 2, and the lower part of the duct is connected to the drop portion 9 b of the outer tub 9 by a rubber bellows tube 20 a. A water cooling / dehumidifying mechanism (not shown) is built in the drying duct 20, and cooling water is supplied from the water supply unit 12 to the water cooling / dehumidifying mechanism. The cooling water flows down the wall surface of the drying duct 20 and enters the drop portion 9b, and is discharged outside the machine through the lower communication pipe 13 and the washing water drainage path 15.

  The outlet of the drying duct 20 is connected to the air inlet of the fan 21, and the outlet of the fan 21 is connected to the heater 22. The outlet of the heater 22 is connected to the blowout nozzle 24 via a blower duct 23 and a rubber bellows tube 23a.

  Thus, in the drying process, the air in the outer tub 9 is water-cooled and dehumidified by the drying duct 20 and sucked from the suction port of the fan 21, and the air discharged from the discharge port of the fan 21 is heated by the heater 22. The high-temperature and low-humidity wind can be blown out from the blowing nozzle 24 into the washing / dehydrating tub 8.

  The outer tub 9 is provided with a pneumatic chamber 25a, and a water level sensor 25 for detecting the water level of the washing water stored in the outer tub 9 is provided on the upper side thereof. The air duct 23 is provided with a temperature sensor 26a for detecting the temperature of the air blown toward the washing and dewatering tub 8 during the drying operation. The drop-in part 9b of the outer tub 9 is provided with a temperature sensor 26b that detects the temperature of the washing water and the temperature of the air sucked into the drying duct 20 during the drying operation. Between the lower communication pipe 13 and the drain valve 14, a temperature sensor 26c for detecting the temperature of the washing water and the temperature of the air discharged from the washing water drainage path 15 during the drying operation is provided. An acceleration sensor 27 that detects vibration acceleration due to vibration of the outer tub 9 is provided on the upper side of the outer tub 9. Note that signals detected by the water level sensor 25, the temperature sensors 26a, 26b, 26c, and the acceleration sensor 27 are transmitted to the control device 100.

  Next, the water supply unit 12 is further demonstrated using FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the water supply unit of the washing / drying machine according to the present embodiment.

  The water supply unit 12 includes a detergent water supply electromagnetic valve 12a, a finishing agent water supply electromagnetic valve 12b, a cooling water supply electromagnetic valve 12c, an outer tank water supply electromagnetic valve 12d, a water supply switching electromagnetic valve 12e, a bath water pump 12f, a water supply A route unit 30.

  The detergent water supply solenoid valve 12a is configured to supply tap water from the water supply hose connection port 4 via the hose 12i (see FIG. 2) connected from the water inlet 31 through the water supply path unit 30 to the water outlet 32. Water is supplied to a detergent charging chamber (not shown) 11 (see FIG. 2). The tap water poured into the detergent charging chamber is poured into the outer tub 9 through the charging hose 11a (see FIG. 2) together with the detergent introduced.

  The finishing agent water supply solenoid valve 12b inputs tap water from the water supply hose connection port 4 via the hose 12j (see FIG. 2) connected from the water inlet 33 through the water supply path unit 30 to the water outlet 34. Water is supplied to a finishing agent charging chamber (not shown) of the apparatus 11 (see FIG. 2). The tap water poured into the finishing agent charging chamber is poured into the outer tub 9 through the charging hose 11a (see FIG. 2) together with the finished finishing agent.

  The cooling water supply electromagnetic valve 12c supplies tap water from the water supply hose connection port 4 to a water cooling / dehumidification mechanism (not shown) of the drying duct 20 (see FIG. 2) via a hose connected to the flow path 12g. To do.

  The outer tank water supply electromagnetic valve 12d supplies the tap water from the water supply hose connection port 4 into the washing and dewatering tank 8 from the water injection hose 11b (see FIG. 2) connected to the flow path 12h.

  The water supply switching electromagnetic valve 12e switches whether the water supply by the outer tank water supply electromagnetic valve 12d is performed to the washing / dehydration tank 8 or between the outer tank 9 and the washing / dehydration tank 8.

  The water quality sensor 40 (conductivity detecting means) detects the conductivity of the washing liquid during tap water before washing or washing (washing, rinsing, dehydrating), and the outer peripheral edge of the bottom wall 9c of the outer tub 9 Placed in. The water quality sensor 40 includes a synthetic resin base and a pair of electrodes 42A and 42B, and the groove of the water quality sensor 40 extends in the radial direction S (normal direction) of the outer tub 9. Placed in.

  The surface from the peripheral wall portion 9d of the outer tub 9 through the groove portion of the water quality sensor 40 to the bottom wall portion 9c of the outer tub 9 is configured to be a substantially continuous surface. For example, in the dehydration process during the washing operation, part of the rinse water discharged from the through hole 8b (see FIG. 2) of the washing and dewatering tub 8 to the outer tub 9 flows down along the peripheral wall portion 9d of the outer tub 9. The notch, the groove of the water quality sensor 40, and the bottom wall 9c of the outer tub 9 are made to flow.

  FIG. 4 is a functional diagram of the water quality sensor. The pair of electrodes 42A and 42B are connected to the coil 48a to form a resonance circuit 48. The coil 48 a is magnetically coupled to the coil 49 a, and the coil 49 a is connected to the oscillation circuit 49. The pair of electrodes 42A and 42B, the coil 48a, the coil 49a, and the oscillation circuit 49 form the water quality sensor 40. The oscillation circuit 49 transmits a signal corresponding to the electrical conductivity between the electrodes to a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) 110 of the control device 100 (see FIG. 2), and the capacitance of the capacitor as a component is used. The characteristic changes and the resistance value area of the water quality becomes easier to read.

  FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram illustrating the configuration of the control device for the washing / drying machine according to the present embodiment. The control device 100 is configured around a microcomputer 110. The microcomputer 110 includes an operation pattern database 111, a process control unit 112, a rotation speed calculation unit 113, a clothing weight calculation unit 114, an electrical conductivity measurement unit 115, a detergent amount / wash time determination unit 116, and a detergent state determination. A unit 117 and a foam determination unit 118.

  The microcomputer 110 has a function of calling a driving pattern corresponding to the driving course input from the operation switch 7a from the driving pattern database 111 and starting washing or / and drying. The process control unit 112 has a function of performing operation control of each process of the washing process, the rinsing process, the dehydration process, and the drying process based on the operation pattern called from the operation pattern database 111.

  In each process, the process control unit 112 has a function of controlling the water supply unit 12 and the drain valve 14. Further, the process control unit 112 controls driving of the motor 10 a of the driving device 10 via the motor driving circuit 121, switches the clutch mechanism 10 b via the clutch control circuit 122, and controls ON / OFF of the heater switch 123. Thus, the energization of the heater 22 is controlled, the fan 21 is controlled via the fan drive circuit 124, and the circulation pump 17 is driven and controlled via the circulation pump drive circuit 125.

  The rotation speed calculation unit 113 has a function of calculating the rotation speed of the motor 10a based on the detection value from the rotation detection device 28 that detects the rotation of the motor 10a.

  The clothing weight calculation unit 114 has a function of calculating the weight of clothing in the washing and dewatering tub 8 based on the rotation speed calculated by the rotation speed calculation unit 113 and the detection value of the motor current detection device 29. Since the load for rotating the washing / dehydrating tub 8 is increased due to the increase in the weight of the clothes and a large motor current is required to flow through the motor 10a, the weight of the clothes is determined by the motor current and the rotation speed of the motor 10a. Can be calculated.

  The conductivity measuring unit 115 has a function of measuring the conductivity of tap water and washing liquid using the detection value from the water quality sensor 40.

  The detergent amount / washing time determination unit 116 has a function of determining the amount of detergent and the washing time of clothes based on the conductivity measured by the conductivity measuring unit 115, and will be described in detail later.

  The detergent state determination unit 117 has a function of determining the state of the detergent based on the conductivity measured by the conductivity measuring unit 115, and will be described in detail later.

  The foam determination unit 118 has a function of determining the washing time, the amount of water, and the motor rotation speed according to the state of the washing liquid determined by the conductivity measuring unit 115 and the detergent state determination unit 117, and will be described in detail later.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 6, the operation process of the washing / drying machine according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a process diagram illustrating an operation process of a washing operation (washing-rinsing-dehydration) of the washing / drying machine according to the present embodiment.

  In step S1, the process control unit 112 accepts an input of course selection for the driving process (course selection). Here, the user puts the laundry to be washed into the washing and dewatering tub 8. When the user operates the operation switch 7a, the process control unit 112 rotates the rotary blade 8a, and the clothing weight calculation unit 114 of the microcomputer 110 calculates the amount of cloth for the clothing before water injection.

  In step S2, the process control unit 112 opens the outer tank water supply electromagnetic valve 12d of the water supply unit 12. When the water supply electromagnetic valves 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d are closed, air may be contained in the hose connected to the water supply hose connection port 4. This air is compressed with tap water pressure. When the water supply solenoid valves 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d are opened, the high tap water pressure is released to the atmospheric pressure, and the air in the tap water is rapidly expanded and blown out. When a device provided in the water supply flow path is damaged or when water is supplied to the detergent / finishing agent input device 11, the detergent / finishing agent may be blown off. Therefore, the process control unit 112 opens the outer tank water supply electromagnetic valve 12 d in which no sensor or the like is provided in the water supply path, and discharges compressed air into the outer tank 9 together with tap water.

  In step S3, the detergent amount / washing time determination unit 116 displays the amount of detergent to be put in and the time required for completion of washing on the display 7b based on the amount of clothes and the temperature and hardness of tap water. To do. The water temperature and the water hardness of the tap water are detected when the previous rinsing operation is performed (step S30), stored in the detergent amount / washing time determination unit 116, and used. Tap water temperature and water hardness change only slowly with changes in the outside air temperature, so it is possible to determine the amount of detergent using the tap water temperature and water hardness measured during the previous wash. It is. In the initial operation after installing the washing / drying machine, initial values (for example, a water temperature of 15 ° C. and a hardness of 120 ppm) that do not deteriorate the washing performance are used.

  In step S4, first, the process control unit 112 opens the detergent water supply electromagnetic valve 12a, supplies detergent and water along the outer tub 9, and closes the detergent water supply electromagnetic valve 12a when a predetermined water level is reached. To do.

  The temperature of the water containing the detergent supplied in step S5 is measured by the temperature sensor 26b (or the temperature sensor 26c), and the electrical conductivity is measured by the water quality sensor 40.

  Here, the detergent state determination unit 117 in the water supply to the outer tub in step S4, the water temperature in step S5, and the conductivity measurement will be further described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for determining the operation time for dissolving the detergent based on the water temperature and conductivity of the tap water.

  In step S51, the temperature (water temperature) of the water containing the supplied detergent is measured by the temperature sensor 26b (or the temperature sensor 26c). In step S52, the detergent state determination unit 117 determines that the type of detergent is liquid detergent or powder. It is determined whether it is a detergent (detergent state determination). This detergent state determination will be described later with reference to FIG. If the measured water temperature is higher than the threshold value t1 (Yes in step S53), the process proceeds to step S54. If the measured water temperature is equal to or less than the threshold value t1 (No in step S53), the process proceeds to step S55. Here, since it was experimentally found that the degree of dissolution of the detergent greatly changes around about 10 ° C., in this embodiment, 13 ° C., which is slightly higher than 10 ° C., is set as the threshold value t 1 in consideration of variation.

  When it determines with liquid detergent in step S54 (Yes), it is set as detergent melt | dissolution time T0 (step S56). When it is not determined as a liquid detergent (No in step S54), it is set as a detergent dissolving time T1 (step S57). If it is determined in step S55 that it is a liquid detergent (Yes), it is set as a detergent dissolving time T2 (step S58). If it is not determined as a liquid detergent (No in step S55), it is set as a detergent dissolving time T3 (step S59). .

  In consideration of the solubility of liquid detergent and powder detergent in water, it is better to set the detergent dissolution time T1 longer than the detergent dissolution time T0, or the detergent dissolution time T3 longer than the detergent dissolution time T2, and the water temperature should be lower. Since the detergent becomes difficult to dissolve in water, it is better to set the detergent dissolution time T2 longer than the detergent dissolution time T0 or the detergent dissolution time T3 longer than the detergent dissolution time T1.

  According to the present embodiment, it is possible to set the detergent dissolution time according to the type of detergent and the water temperature, and when the liquid cleaning is used or when the water temperature is high, the detergent operation time is shortened so that the entire operation time is obtained. Can be shortened. In this embodiment, even before the detergent dissolution process is started, the type of detergent can be substantially determined by measuring the conductivity of the liquid supplied into the outer tub. Focused on. Further, before the start of the detergent dissolution process, the rotating blade 8a and the washing / dehydrating tub 8 are stationary, so that the electrical conductivity can be measured with high accuracy.

  Next, the conductivity measuring unit 115, the detergent state determining unit 117, and the foaming determining unit 118 in the detergent state determination in step S52 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart of determining the detergent type based on the conductivity, estimating the ease of foaming based on the result, and switching the washing time, water amount, and motor rotation speed.

  In step S <b> 521, the conductivity measuring unit 115 measures the conductivity of water including the supplied detergent by the water quality sensor 40. When measuring the electrical conductivity, the water supply to the outer tub 9 by the outer tub water supply valve 12d, the circulation by the circulation pump 17, the rotation of the washing and dewatering tub 8 and the rotating blade 8a are stopped in order to increase the measurement accuracy. It is desirable that

  In step S522, when the electrical conductivity is smaller than the threshold value EC1 (Yes), the process proceeds to step S524, where the liquid detergent (concentration) is determined, and the characteristics of the water quality sensor 40 are switched accordingly. If the electrical conductivity is equal to or higher than the threshold EC1 (No in Step S522) and is smaller than the threshold EC2 (Yes in Step S523), the process proceeds to Step S525 and is determined as a liquid detergent (twice rinse). If the electrical conductivity is greater than or equal to the threshold value EC2 (No in step S523), the process proceeds to step S526, where it is determined as a powder detergent, and the washing method is changed by changing the washing time, the amount of water, and the motor rotation speed. For example, powder detergents tend to foam, so compared to liquid detergents (concentrated), the washing time is shortened, the amount of water is increased, the detergent concentration is reduced, and the motor speed is reduced to reduce foam. By making it difficult to make, it is possible to suppress foaming and to prevent the cleaning performance from being too low and insufficient. Since liquid detergents (concentrations) tend to be less prone to foaming, foaming can be reduced by increasing the washing time, reducing the amount of water and increasing the detergent concentration, and increasing the motor speed compared to powder detergents. Cleaning performance can be improved with low risk. Liquid detergents tend to be in the middle of powder detergents and liquid detergents (concentrations), so by setting the washing method in the middle, it becomes an appropriate washing method. Therefore, since it can be changed to an optimum washing method by detecting the type of detergent instead of foaming itself, it is not necessary to install a sensor for foaming detection. In addition, it is good also as the same washing | cleaning method regardless of the kind of liquid detergent, without distinguishing whether a liquid detergent is a concentration type.

  Although not shown, the foam determination unit 118 detects not only the type of detergent but also factors related to easiness of foaming such as water temperature, water hardness, and bath water usage status in steps S524, S525, and S526. Thus, the accuracy of the foam determination unit 118 can be increased.

  The concentration type liquid detergent that can be rinsed once only has a lower electrical conductivity than the liquid detergent that is rinsed twice, so the number of times of rinsing is changed based on the determination result in the foam determination unit 118. You may do it.

  In step S6, the process control unit 112 drives the circulation pump 17 for the detergent dissolution time determined in step S5 to rotate it reversely, stirs the water and the detergent, dissolves the detergent, and generates a highly concentrated detergent solution. The method for producing a high-concentration detergent solution is not limited to the method using the circulation pump 17, and both the rotating blade 8a and the washing / dehydrating tub 8 are rotated or only the rotating blade 8a is rotated. And the method of stirring water and detergent using the generated water flow may be used.

  In step S7, the electrical conductivity measuring unit 115 measures the electrical conductivity of the generated detergent solution by the water quality sensor 40, the detergent state determining unit 117 reviews the determined detergent type, and the actually introduced detergent. Determine the concentration. Since the generated detergent solution dissolves the detergent in a certain amount of water, a change in the concentration of the detergent can be detected as an amount of change in conductivity. When the amount of detergent input is large (concentration of detergent is high), the electrical conductivity is higher than when the amount of detergent input is small (concentration of detergent is low). For this reason, even if it is determined that the rinsing operation is performed once by the foaming determination unit 118, the rinsing operation can be changed to twice when the amount of detergent input is large. In step S7, the washing and dewatering tub 8 and the rotating blade 8a that have been rotated for dissolving the detergent are temporarily stopped to increase the measurement accuracy of the conductivity, and then the rotation is started again in the next step S8. I am letting. Therefore, if this step S7 is skipped, the entire operation time can be further shortened.

  In step S8, the process control unit 112 drives the circulation pump 17 while rotating the washing / dehydrating tub 8 and / or the rotary blade 8a to remove the high-concentration detergent solution from the lint removing device 19 into the washing / dehydrating tub. Apply to clothing in 8.

  In step S9, the clothes are washed in a state where the amount of water is smaller than the amount of water in the subsequent main washing steps (S13 to S19), that is, with a high-concentration detergent solution. In this embodiment, in the case of liquid detergents and liquid detergents (concentration), high-concentration cleaning is performed while rotating the motor (rotary blade 8a) at a higher rotational speed than in the case of powder detergents. Thereby, at the time of high-concentration cleaning that easily foams, it is possible to further increase the cleaning power when a liquid detergent is used while suppressing foaming when a powder detergent is used.

  In step S10, first, the clothing weight calculation unit 114 calculates the weight of the clothing containing water. Then, the cloth quality (water absorption) of the clothing is determined from the weight of the clothing not including water calculated in step S1 and the weight of the clothing including water calculated in step S10. The following steps are controlled according to the determined clothing quality.

  In step S11, the water temperature before the washing process is acquired, and when the water temperature is high, the chemical action of the detergent is improved and the cleaning power is improved, so that the washing time can be shortened. By measuring the water temperature before the washing step, for example, the accurate water temperature can be detected even during washing using remaining hot water in the bath, and the washing time can be changed.

  When the measured water temperature is high or the water hardness is low, the washing time can be shortened by skipping step S18 or step S19.

  In this way, the ease of foaming during the washing process is measured by measuring the conductivity of the washing liquid using the water quality sensor 40, and the foaming determination unit 118 controls, thereby controlling (shortening or extending) the washing time. Is possible. The detergent amount / washing time determination unit 116 stores in advance a table for determining the washing time (shortening or extension time) according to the degree of contamination. A plurality of threshold values may be set according to the cloth amount calculated in step S1.

  When the main washing is completed, the unbalanced state of the clothing is monitored in step S20, and it is determined whether or not to shift to dehydration.

  In step S <b> 21, the process control unit 112 opens the drain valve 14 and drains the wash water in the outer tub 9. After the drainage is completed, in step S22, the process control unit 112 rotates the washing and dewatering tank 8 to dehydrate water (wash water) contained in the clothes.

  The process control unit 112 closes the drain valve 14, switches the water supply switching electromagnetic valve 12 e, opens the outer tank water supply electromagnetic valve 12 d, and supplies rinsing water to the washing and dewatering tank 8. Then, rinsing water is sprayed on the clothes in the washing / dehydrating tub 8 while rotating the washing / dehydrating tub 8 (step S23).

  The process control unit 112 closes the outer tub water supply electromagnetic valve 12d while rotating the washing and dewatering tub 8, and dehydrates the rinsing water from the clothes (step S24).

  The process control unit 112 sprays rinsing water on the clothes in the washing / dehydrating tub 8 while rotating the washing / dehydrating tub 8 (step S25).

  The process control unit 112 stops the washing / dehydrating tub 8, opens the drain valve 14, and drains the rinsing water in the outer tub 9 (step S26). After the end of drainage, the process control unit 112 rotates the washing / dehydrating tub 8 to dehydrate water (rinse water) contained in the clothes (step S27).

  Execution of the rotary shower rinsing in step S23 and step S25 is determined by the foaming determination unit 118. When the number of times of rinsing is determined to be one, a command to skip step S23 to step S27 is transmitted to the process control unit 112. Thus, the rinsing operation can be performed once.

  When the dehydration is completed normally, there is no water in the outer tub 9, and the water quality sensor 40 is operated to measure the conductivity without water (step S28). The conductivity measured here is stored in the conductivity measuring unit 115 as an initial value, and is used for correcting a secular change caused by a failure determination of the water quality sensor 40 or adhesion of dirt to the electrode unit.

  The process control unit 112 closes the drain valve 14, opens the outer tank water supply electromagnetic valve 12d, and supplies rinsing water to the outer tank 9 to the water level at which water hardness is detected (step S29).

  The conductivity measuring unit 115 operates the water quality sensor 40 and the temperature sensor 26b (or the temperature sensor 26c), measures the water temperature and conductivity of the rinse water, and calculates the hardness of the water (step S30). The water temperature and water hardness measured here are stored in the detergent amount / washing time determination unit 116 and are used to determine the next detergent amount and washing time.

  The process control unit 112 supplies water to the set water level (step S31), and rotates the rotary blade 8a (or the washing / dehydration tank 8) while the rinse water is accumulated in the outer tub 9 to finish the clothes while stirring the clothes. The agent water supply valve 12b is opened, and the finishing agent is put into the washing and dewatering tank 8 (step S32).

  It is possible to detect the degree of rinsing of the laundry by operating the water quality sensor 40 and detecting the change in conductivity of the rinsing water during the step S33 to the step S35 (2 rinsing steps). Incidentally, since the water quality sensor 40 in this embodiment is provided in the lower part (bottom part) of the outer tank 9, it is the state which the water quality sensor 40 is submerged at the time of a rinse process, and measures the electrical conductivity of rinse water. be able to.

  Thus, by measuring the conductivity of the rinse water using the water quality sensor 40 during the rinsing process, it becomes possible to control (shorten or extend) the rinsing time. A table for determining the rinsing time (shortening or extension time) from the amount of change in rinsing water is stored in advance. Moreover, you may judge the variation | change_quantity of rinse water compared with the electrical conductivity of the tap water measured by step S30.

  The amount of change in the rinse water can be used to increase or decrease the number of rinses in addition to shortening or extending the rinse time. Therefore, even if the detergent state determination unit 117 determines that the liquid detergent is a concentrated liquid detergent that can be rinsed only once, the foam determination unit 118 determines that the rinse operation is insufficient even if the rinse operation is determined to be one time. Sometimes it is possible to perform additional rinsing operations.

  The timing for operating the water quality sensor 40 during the rinsing process is not limited to the time from step S33 to step S35, and the rinsing time may be controlled (shortened or extended) by operating at step S23 or step S25. Good.

  In step S23 or step S25, the rinsing time may be controlled (shortened or extended) according to the cloth quality determined in step S10.

  When the rinsing is finished, the clothing unbalanced state is monitored to determine whether or not to proceed to final dehydration (step S36).

  The process control unit 112 opens the drain valve 14 to drain the rinse water in the outer tub 9 (step S37). In step S37, in order to stabilize the start-up at the time of dehydration, the process may move to step S38 (dehydration process) with a certain amount of rinse water remaining.

  The process control unit 112 rotates the washing / dehydrating tub 8 at high speed to dehydrate water contained in the clothes (step S38). At the time of this step S38 (dehydration process), it is possible to determine the amount of water contained in the laundry by measuring the water dehydrated from the clothing using the water quality sensor 40. As the washing and dewatering tub 8 rotates during the dehydration process, moisture contained in the laundry is separated from the laundry and discharged from the through hole 8b of the washing and dewatering tub 8 toward the inner surface of the peripheral wall portion 9d of the outer tub 9. Is done. The water discharged to the peripheral wall portion 9d flows down the inner surface of the peripheral wall portion 9d by the action of gravity, then flows through the notch portion 9d1, and flows into the groove portion 41d of the water quality sensor 40. Thereby, the water quality sensor 40 can detect the electric conductivity of water at the time of dehydration.

  That is, in the water quality sensor 40 at the time of dehydration, the detection value (conductivity) changes according to the amount of water passing through the groove 41d when water flows into the groove 41d. For example, when the laundry has a high water absorption property such as a bath towel, the amount of discharged water increases, and the detection value (conductivity) increases. On the other hand, for example, when the laundry has a low water absorption such as a shirt, the amount of discharged water is reduced and the detection value (conductivity) is reduced.

  As described above, by measuring the conductivity of water dehydrated from the clothing measured using the water quality sensor 40 during the dehydration process, the dehydration time can be controlled (shortened or extended). The detergent amount / washing time determination unit 116 stores in advance a table for determining the dehydration time (shortening or extension time). A plurality of threshold values may be set according to the cloth amount calculated in step S1.

  Note that the timing of operating the water quality sensor 40 during the dehydration process is not limited to the time of step S38, and the dehydration time is controlled (shortened or extended) by operating at other dehydration process steps S22, S24, and S27. )

  As described above, in the washing / drying machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the type of detergent is determined as liquid detergent or powder detergent by measuring the conductivity of water containing detergent (see S522 and S523), If it is determined that the liquid detergent is not used (No in S54 or No in S55), the detergent dissolution time is set longer than that of the liquid detergent. As a result, the detergent operation will last longer than the liquid detergent, preventing the powder detergent from remaining undissolved, allowing the detergent solution to be uniformly distributed throughout the prewash process, and improving the cleaning performance. it can.

  If it is determined that the detergent is a liquid detergent (Yes in S54 or Yes in S55), the detergent dissolving time is set short, the detergent dissolving operation time is shortened, and the circulation pump 17 (or washing and taking off) is set. The driving time of the water tank 8 or the rotor blade 8a) can be shortened to reduce energy consumption.

  In the present embodiment, the temperature of the water containing the detergent is measured, so that the detergent melting time is changed according to the water temperature. (See S56, S57, S58, and S59). That is, the detergent dissolution time when the water temperature is higher than the threshold t1 and the detergent is easily dissolved is set as the detergent dissolution time T0 (S56) for the liquid detergent, and T1 (S57) for the detergent detergent for the powder detergent. When the water temperature is equal to or lower than the threshold value t1, the detergent dissolution time is set as the detergent dissolution time T2 (S58) for the liquid detergent and the detergent dissolution time T3 (S59) for the powder detergent. In this way, the detergent dissolution time is set so that the powder detergent is longer (T1> T0, T3> T2) than the liquid detergent, and shorter when the water temperature is high (T0 <T2, T1 <T3). Energy consumption can be reduced by shortening the drive time of the circulation pump 17 (or the washing / dehydrating tub 8 or the rotary blade 8a).

  Further, when the conductivity of the water containing the detergent is lower than the threshold value EC1 (for example, in the case of a concentrated liquid detergent that may be rinsed once) (Yes in S522), the number of rinse operations is set to one (S524). When the electrical conductivity is greater than or equal to the threshold value EC1 (for example, when the rinsing operation is performed twice with liquid detergent) (No in S522), the number of rinsing operations is set to 2 (see S525 and S526). Yes. As described above, the state of the detergent (type of detergent) can be determined based on the conductivity, and the number of times of proper rinsing operation can be set. Therefore, the time for the washing operation can be shortened, and the motor 10a at the rinsing process, etc. The operation time can be shortened to reduce energy consumption, and the amount of water used can be reduced.

  Here, it is desirable that the electric conductivity measurement of the water containing the detergent is performed before the detergent dissolving operation (S6), and the time of the detergent dissolving operation is set according to the type of the detergent. The amount of water supplied for the detergent-dissolving operation (S6) is a fixed amount, which is small compared to the amount of water in the main washing steps (S13 to S19), and the detergent concentration is high. The difference in electrical conductivity is obtained to such an extent that a liquid detergent, liquid detergent, powder detergent) can be determined. Based on this determination result, the detergent dissolving operation (S6) is executed, and then the electrical conductivity is measured again (S7), so that it is possible to review whether the determination result of the detergent type is correct or not. Since the amount (concentration of detergent) can also be measured as a difference in conductivity, it is possible to make the detergent state distinctive.

  In addition, the detergent state determination unit 117 corrects the electrical conductivity threshold EC1 and the threshold EC2 based on the electrical conductivity (hardness) measured in step S30 during the previous washing operation and the water temperature measured in step S5. That is, when the water temperature is high or when the water conductivity (hardness) is high, the threshold value EC1 and the threshold value EC2 are set large.

  Thus, since the threshold value of electrical conductivity can be corrected by the water temperature or the electrical conductivity (hardness) of water, the detergent state can be suitably determined.

  In this embodiment, although it demonstrated as what changes the frequency | count of a rinse operation based on the electrical conductivity of a washing | cleaning liquid, the structure which changes the amount of water used at the time of a rinse operation may be sufficient, for example. Specifically, the configuration may be such that as the electrical conductivity is higher, the amount of water used in the rinsing operation is increased. That is, when a large amount of detergent is added (the detergent concentration is high), the detergent may foam more than necessary during the rinsing operation. By increasing the amount of water used, foaming of the detergent can be reduced. . Moreover, the structure which changes the operation time of the pre-washing process or the main washing process and the amount of water to be used may be used based on the conductivity of the washing liquid.

  As described above, as the washing machine according to the present embodiment, the vertical washing / drying machine in which the rotation axis of the washing / dehydrating tub is substantially vertical has been described. ) May be a drum-type washing / drying machine having a substantially horizontal direction, or may be a vertical-type washing machine or a drum-type washing machine having no drying function.

  Further, the water quality sensor 40 (conductivity detection means) is not limited to the configuration of the present embodiment, and may be any configuration that can detect the conductivity of the detergent liquid. For example, although it has been described that the capacitance of the capacitor of the oscillation circuit 49 is changed and the characteristics are switched, a resistor or a coil may be used instead of the capacitor.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Washing dryer 2 Case 4 Water supply hose connection port 5 Water absorption hose connection port 7 Operation display panel 8 Washing and dehydration tank (detergent dissolution means) 8a Rotary blade (detergent dissolution means) 8b Through-hole 9 Outer tank 9b Drop part 9c2 Bottom face 9d Peripheral wall portion (peripheral wall surface) 9d1 Notch portion 10 Drive device (drive means) 10a Motor 10b Clutch mechanism 10c Rotating shaft 11 Input device 12 Water supply unit (water supply means) 12a Detergent water supply electromagnetic valve (detergent supply means) 12b Finishing agent water supply electromagnetic Valve 12c Cooling water supply solenoid valve 12d Outer tank water supply solenoid valve 12e Water supply switching solenoid valve 12f Bath water pump 12g Channel 12h Channel 13 Lower communication pipe 14 Drain valve 15 Washing water drain 17 Circulation pump (detergent dissolving means) 25 Water pressure Sensor 26a, 26b, 26c Temperature sensor (temperature detection means) 7 Acceleration sensor 28 Rotation detection device 29 Motor current detection device 30 Water supply path unit 40 Water quality sensor (conductivity detection means) 42A, 42B Electrode (pair of electrodes) 100 Control device (operation control means) 110 Microcomputer 111 Operation pattern database 112 Process control unit (operation control unit) 113 Rotational speed calculation unit 114 Clothing weight calculation unit (laundry amount determination unit) 115 Conductivity measurement unit (conductivity detection unit) 116 Detergent amount / wash time determination unit (operation control unit) 117 Foaming Determination unit 118

Claims (3)

A housing, an outer tub that is supported in the housing and stores washing water, a washing / dehydration tub that is rotatably supported in the outer tub and stores laundry, and a drive device that rotationally drives the washing / dehydration tub And a water supply means for supplying water into the outer tub,
When liquid detergent is added, compared with powder detergent,
A washing machine characterized by lengthening the time of high-concentration washing before main washing, increasing the motor rotation speed during the high-concentration washing, or reducing the amount of water during the high-concentration washing . A housing, an outer tub that is supported in the housing and stores washing water, a washing / dehydration tub that is rotatably supported in the outer tub and stores laundry, and a drive device that rotationally drives the washing / dehydration tub In a washing machine comprising: a water supply means for supplying water into the outer tub; and an electric conductivity detection means for detecting electric conductivity of the liquid in the outer tub.
When the electrical conductivity detected by the electrical conductivity detection means is low, compared with the case where the electrical conductivity is high,
A washing machine characterized by lengthening the time of high-concentration washing before main washing, increasing the motor rotation speed during the high-concentration washing, or reducing the amount of water during the high-concentration washing . A housing, an outer tub that is supported in the housing and stores washing water, a washing / dehydration tub that is rotatably supported in the outer tub and stores laundry, and a drive device that rotationally drives the washing / dehydration tub And water supply means for supplying water into the outer tub,
In a washing machine having a washing process, a rinsing process, and a dehydrating process,
A washing machine characterized in that when the liquid detergent is introduced, the motor rotation speed during the washing step is increased as compared with the case where the powder detergent is introduced.

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