JP2767515B2 - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a washing machine for injecting a liquid finishing agent such as a bleaching agent and a softening agent into a washing tub by a siphon system using water supply.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional fully automatic washing machine, a method of supplying water to a washing tub filled with articles to be washed to a predetermined water level is shown in FIG.
First, the water supply is started, and when the water level in the washing tub reaches the specified water level, the water supply is stopped.

[0003] Then, the pulsator is driven to stir the water and the laundry, so that the laundry is hydrated. Then,
Since the water level in the washing tub slightly decreases due to the water content of the laundry, it is determined whether the water level at this time is equal to or lower than the set water level. If the water level has reached the set water level, the main washing is started.
If the set water level has not been reached, water is supplied until the set water level is reached, and then a washing step, a rinsing step, and a dewatering step are performed. Such a technique is also disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2-43518.

[0004] By these techniques, the laundry can automatically execute the washing process with a proper amount of water without damage to the cloth.

[0005] Recently, a fully automatic washing machine has appeared, in which a case containing a detergent, a bleaching agent and a softening agent is installed on the upper surface of a washing tub, and the detergent and the like are automatically supplied.
The use of this washing machine enables automatic washing in which the finishing time of the article to be washed can be reserved.

[0006] In this washing machine of the automatic detergent introduction system, a storage case is arranged in a water supply path so that a detergent or the like is introduced into a water tank in a state of being mixed in water. At this time, since liquid finishes and the like having good solubility in water and good impregnation with laundry have also appeared, so-called a method of introducing a detergent or the like utilizing a so-called siphon phenomenon has been adopted.

As shown in FIG. 5, water supplied to a storage case for a liquid detergent or the like is drained from drainage tubes 17a, 18a formed at the bottom thereof.
18a is covered with cylindrical caps 17b and 18b,
Finally, the liquid detergent and the like accumulated in the storage case are discharged together with water into the water tank by the siphon phenomenon. If this siphon system is used, a liquid finish can be used in a fully automatic washing machine.

[0008]

However, in a washing machine utilizing the above-mentioned siphon-on type automatic detergent dosing system, when replenishing with water as shown in FIG. 7, regardless of the amount of water reduction after stirring of the laundry, When the replenishment water supply is automatically performed, when the replenishment water supply amount is less than the predetermined amount that causes the siphon phenomenon (the necessary amount of the siphon phenomenon), the water supply is stopped before the siphon phenomenon occurs, and water is accumulated in the storage case. , Causing discomfort to the user.

Further, if water remains in the storage case at the time of the next washing, a problem arises when a required amount of the liquid finish cannot be stored.

[0010] In view of the above, the present invention relates to a washing machine for injecting a liquid finish in a storage case into a washing tub by a siphon-on method using water supply to prevent water from being stored in the storage case. About the machine.

[0011]

As shown in FIG. 1, a washing machine according to the present invention is a washing machine in which water flows into a storage case for storing a washing liquid and is poured into a water tub 2 by a siphon system. An initial water supply means 27 for supplying water to the specified water level in the water tank 2, a preliminary stirring means 28 for stirring the water supplied by the water supply means 27 together with the washing object by the stirrer 5 and causing the washing object to contain water, Pre-stirring means 2
As a result of the agitation by 8, a comparison means 29 for comparing the water reduction amount when the water level in the water tank 2 becomes equal to or lower than the set water level with the water supply amount necessary for causing the siphon-on phenomenon in the storage case 14, As a result of the comparison by the means 29, the replenishment water supply means 30 for supplying water again to the predetermined water level in the water tank 2 when the water reduction amount is larger than the water supply amount with the siphon-on phenomenon, and the replenishment of water supply when the water reduction amount is smaller than the water supply with the siphon-on phenomenon. And a replenishment stopping means 31 for stopping the operation.

[0012]

In the above means for solving the above problems, water is supplied to the water tub 2 to a specified water level by the water supply means 27, and the water in the water tub 2 is stirred by the pre-stirring means 28 together with the object to be washed by the stirrer 5 so that the water in the object to be washed Let it. Then, since the water level in the water tank 2 falls, the amount of water reduction at that time is compared with the amount of water supply necessary for causing the siphon-on phenomenon in the storage case 14,
When the water reduction amount is larger than the water supply amount in which the siphon phenomenon occurs, water is supplied again to the set water level in the water tank 2 by the supplementary water supply means 30.

When the amount of water reduction is smaller than the amount of water supply in which the siphon-on phenomenon occurs, the replenishment stop means 31 stops replenishment of water supply.

[0014]

FIG. 1 is a flow chart of a water supply process of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram of the washing machine of the embodiment. FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a washing machine upper surface, FIG.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a bleach injection section or a softener injection section, and FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a control section.

First, the schematic structure of the fully automatic washing machine of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 2, 1 is an outer tank,
2 is a water tank, 3 is a four support mechanism for suspending the water tank 2,
Is a washing and dewatering tub, 5 is a pulsator that stirs the laundry,
Reference numeral 6 denotes a mechanism for driving the pulsator 5 and to which the washing and dewatering tub 4 is attached. Reference numeral 7 denotes a motor for transmitting rotation to the mechanism 6 via a belt 8. Reference numeral 9 denotes a drain valve. Reference numeral 10 denotes an upper part of the washing machine. An upper surface plate portion having a panel operation portion and the like, 11 is a dual water supply valve, 13 is a water level sensor that detects a water level in a stepless manner, 1
Reference numeral 4 denotes a storage case for storing a powder detergent, a liquid bleach, and a liquid softener.

As shown in FIG. 3, the upper plate 10 is provided with a water tank 2.
An opening 10a is formed on the side surface on the side of the water tank 2 so that the storage case 14 can be freely inserted and removed.
Further, inside the upper surface plate portion 10, a dual water supply valve 11 composed of a first water supply valve 11a used at the time of initial water supply and the like and a second water supply valve 11b used at the time of a rinsing stroke and the like is arranged. I have.

As shown in FIG. 3, the storage case 14 is box-shaped, has a handle 15 attached to a side wall, and has a detergent charging section 16 for charging powder detergent S and a bleach charging section 17 for charging liquid bleach H. And a softener charging section 18 for charging the liquid softening agent Z, and a bleach charging section 17 and a softener charging section 18
And a detergent input section 16 is formed between them.

As shown in FIG. 4, the detergent introduction section 16 is open at the top and at the back side in the insertion direction of the storage case 14, and the bleach introduction section 17 and the softener introduction section 18 have four sides as shown in FIG. The upper portion is opened by being surrounded by the side walls, and hollow cylindrical drainage tubes 17a, 18a are formed projecting inward from the bottom, and cylindrical caps 17b, 18b are drained around the drainage tubes 17a, 18a. The cylinders 17a and 18a and the bottom thereof are arranged with a slight gap. As a result, the liquid bleaching agent H and the softening agent Z in the bleaching agent charging section 17 and the softening agent charging section 18 are discharged by a siphon phenomenon when a predetermined amount or more of water is supplied to the charging sections 17 and 18.

When the storage case 14 is inserted into the upper plate 10, water from the first water supply valve 11a is supplied through the hose 19a from the back side of the storage case 14 to the upper side as shown in FIGS. A first water supply section 20 for simultaneously supplying water to the bleach supply section 17 and the detergent supply section 16, and a second water supply for supplying water from the second water supply valve 11b to the softener supply section 18 via a hose 19b. The portion 21 is the upper plate portion 1
It is integrally formed in the inside.

The first water supply section 20 and the second water supply section 21
Has a substantially L-shaped appearance and is hollow, and has upstream connecting portions 20a and 21a for connecting with the hoses 19a and 19b.
Is provided on the downstream side, and a water supply port 20 communicating with each input section is provided on the downstream side.
b, 21b are formed. The water supplied from the first water supply unit 20 is supplied at a ratio of 1 for the bleach supply unit 17 and 9 for the detergent supply unit 16.

Then, when the storage case 14 is inserted, a slight distance is provided between the first side water supply section 20 and the second water supply section 21 between the back side walls 17c, 18c of the bleach supply section 17 and the softener supply section 18. Side walls 17c, 1 so that a gap is created
8c is set. This is because the side walls 17c, 1
This is for causing overflow when water is supplied at a height of 8c or more. Further, the length of the bottom portion is set so that a gap is also formed between the bottom portion of the detergent input section 16 and the first water supply section 20. This is a discharge port 16a for discharging water flowing into the detergent input section 16.

A guide plate 22 for guiding the detergent-containing water discharged from the storage case 14 to the water tank 2 is projected from the lower part of the first water supply section 20 and the second water supply section 21 in the direction of the water tank 2. Has been established.

As described above, when the storage case 14 is inserted, the water from the first water supply valve 11a flows into the water tank 2 through the first water supply unit 20, the bleaching agent charging unit 17 and the detergent charging unit 16, and the like. One water supply path 23 and the second water supply valve 11b
And a second water supply passage 24 through which the water from the container passes through the softener charging section 18 and flows into the water tank 2.

The top plate 10 is provided with a control unit 25 composed of a micro computer for controlling water supply to the water tank 2. The control unit 25 includes an initial water supply unit 27 for supplying water to the specified water level in the water tank 2,
Pulsator 5 with the water supplied by 7 together with the laundry
Pre-stirring means 28 to stir and to impregnate the laundry
And a comparison between the water reduction amount when the water level in the water tank 2 becomes equal to or lower than the set water level as a result of the stirring by the preliminary stirring means 28 and the water supply amount necessary for causing the siphon-on phenomenon in the storage case 14. As a result of the comparison by the means 29 and the comparing means 29, when the water reduction amount is larger than the water supply amount in which the siphon phenomenon has occurred, the replenishment water supply means 30 for supplying water to the water tank 2 to a predetermined water level again, A replenishment stopping means 31 for stopping replenishment of water supply when the water supply amount is small is provided.

In the above configuration, when clothes are put into the washing tub 4 and washing is started, the first water supply valve 1 of the dual water supply valve 11 is started.
1a is opened, and water flows from the water supply hose 19a through the first water supply section 20 to the detergent input section 16 and the bleach input section 17 of the storage case 14.

The water that has flowed into the detergent charging section 16 mixes with the detergent, flows to the back side, is guided by the guide plate 22 from the drain port 16a, and is guided to the water tank 2. The water that has flowed into the bleach charging section 17 accumulates in the bleach charging section 17, and when it reaches a certain amount or more, is discharged from the drainage cylinder 17a due to the siphon phenomenon, and when further stored, overflows over the back side wall 17c, Both are guided by the guide plate 22 and guided to the water tank 2.

The water level of the water stored in the water tank 2 in the above-described water supply path is detected by the water level sensor 13, and when the water level reaches the specified level, the water supply is stopped. After the water supply is completed, the pulsator 5 is rotated to make the clothes adapt to the water. Due to this adaptation, the clothes are wetted, and the water level in the water tank 2 is reduced.

At this time, the water level in the water tank 2 is detected by the water level sensor 13, and it is determined whether or not the water level is equal to or lower than the set water level. If the water level has reached the set water level, the main washing is started. If the set water level has not been reached, determine the reduced water level for the set water level and measure the amount of water reduction.

For example, assuming that the water reduction level of the water tank 2 is 20 mm, the volume is known from the diameter of the water tank, and the amount of water reduction is known. At this time, if the volume of the water tank 2 is assumed to be 2 l / cm, the water reduction amount is 4 l, and thus 4 l of supplementary water supply is required.

Here, the bleach charging section 1 of the storage case 14
Assuming that the amount of the siphon-on phenomenon-producing water of No. 7 is 0.2 l, when 4 l of water is replenished, the replenishment water is branched approximately 9: 1 from the first water supply unit 20.
l, 0.4 l is replenished to the bleach charging section 17. Since the replenishing water amount (0.4 l) to the bleaching agent charging section 17 is larger than the siphon phenomenon generating water amount (0.2 l),
The siphon phenomenon occurs in the bleach charging section 17 and the replenishment water is discharged from the bleach charging section 17 with almost no remaining. Therefore, in such a case, supplementary water supply is performed.

Conversely, if the reduced water level is 2.5 mm, the required replenishment water supply is 0.5 liter, and 0.45 liter is supplied to the detergent input section 16 and 0.05 liter is supplied to the bleach input section 17. Therefore, the siphon phenomenon does not occur in the bleach charging section 17 and 0.05 l of water remains in the bleach charging section 17. Therefore, in such a case,
Do not perform supplementary water supply. Thereafter, a washing step, a rinsing step, and a dehydration step are performed.

This operation is performed not only at the time of initial water supply but also at the rinsing stroke in the softener charging section 18 of the second water supply path 24. In this case,
Since all the replenishment water flows into the softener charging section 18, it is necessary to timely compare the water reduction amount with the required amount of siphons.

As described above, the replenishment water supply is performed only when the amount of the replenishment water supplied into the bleach supply part 17 and the softener supply part 18 is equal to or more than the amount that can cause the siphon phenomenon. Unit 17 and softener injection unit 1
Eliminate discomfort to the user, such as the replenishment of water remaining in the 8.

Further, it is possible to prevent the water from remaining in the bleaching agent charging section 17 and the softening agent charging section 18 at the time of the next washing, so that the required amount of the bleaching agent and the softening agent cannot be stored.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that many modifications and changes can be made to the above-described embodiment within the scope of the present invention.

For example, the powder detergent may be used as a liquid detergent, and the detergent input section 16 may be structured so as to be a siphon-on type.

[0037]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the replenishment water supply is performed only when the amount of the replenishment water supplied into the storage case is equal to or more than the amount that can cause the siphon phenomenon. Eliminate user discomfort, such as refill water remaining in the case.

In addition, there is an excellent effect that it is possible to prevent that water is left in the storage case at the time of next washing and the required amounts of bleach and softener cannot be stored.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flow chart of a water supply process of a washing machine showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram of the washing machine of the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the upper surface of the washing machine with a storage case pulled out from the main body of the washing machine.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a detergent introduction part.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a bleach injection section or a softener injection section.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a control unit.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of a water supply process of a conventional washing machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Water tank 5 Stirrer 14 Storage case 27 Water supply means 28 Preliminary stirring means 29 Comparison means 30 Replenishment water supply means 31 Replenishment stop means

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A washing machine for injecting water into a storage case for storing a washing liquid and injecting the water into a water tub by a siphon system, wherein an initial water supply means for supplying water to a prescribed water level in the water tub, and the water supply means. Stirring means for stirring the water supplied by the stirrer together with the object to be washed by the stirrer and causing the washing object to contain water, and the amount of water reduction when the water level in the water tank falls below the set water level as a result of the stirring by the preliminary stirring means Means for comparing the water supply amount required to cause the siphon phenomenon in the storage case, and an output signal from the comparison result by the comparing means. Replenishing water supply means for supplying water up to a predetermined water level, and replenishment stopping means for stopping replenishment of water supply when the reduced water amount is smaller than the water supply amount in which the siphon-on phenomenon occurs. Washing machine.