JP2818225B2 - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention] (Industrial application field) The present invention relates to a washing machine provided with a detergent supply device.

(Prior Art) In recent years, a washing machine provided with a detergent supply device for automatically supplying a detergent into a washing tub has been provided. In this case, the detergent is supplied in an amount corresponding to the set water level for washing.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) In the washing machine as described above, water supply into the washing tub is
Generally, water is supplied from a tap to a water supply valve. However, depending on the user, bath water may be appropriately supplied by a bucket or a pump. In such a case,
The washing tub may be filled with water at a set water level or higher before the operation starts. However, even for water that has been filled at or above the set water level before the start of operation, the detergent supply device supplies only an amount of detergent corresponding to the set water level,
As a result, there has been a problem in that the amount of detergent is insufficient and a sufficient washing effect cannot be obtained.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and accordingly, the purpose thereof is to adjust the actual storage water level even when bath water or the like is put in the washing tub before the start of operation, at a level higher than the set water level. It is an object of the present invention to provide a washing machine capable of supplying an amount of detergent and ensuring a sufficient washing effect.

[Constitution of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) A washing machine according to the present invention comprises a water level detecting means for detecting a stored water level in a washing tub, a detergent supply device for supplying a detergent into the washing tub,
And control means for controlling the operation of the detergent supply device, wherein the control means is set in the washing tub based on the detection result of the water level detecting means at the start of operation of a course for supplying detergent into the washing tub. It is determined whether or not water above the water level is stored, and when it is determined that water is not stored, the detergent supply device is operated to supply an amount of detergent corresponding to the set water level, and the water is stored. Is determined, the detergent supply device is operated to supply the detergent in an amount corresponding to the detected water level.

(Action) According to the above means, the water level is detected by the water level detecting means, and when the operation of the course for supplying the detergent into the washing tub is started, the water above the set water level is stored in the washing tub. As a result of the determination as to whether or not the water is stored, the control means causes the detergent supply device to supply the detergent in an amount corresponding to the detected water level.

(Example) Hereinafter, one example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, in the main body 1 of the washing machine shown in FIG. 2, various components for washing and dewatering such as a washing tub serving also as a dehydration tub, a washing / dehydrating motor, a water supply valve and a drain valve are provided. Is also not shown in FIG. 1).
An upper cover 2 is provided on the upper surface. On the upper cover 2,
A cover 3 is provided at the center and an operation panel 4 is provided at the front. Further, a rear panel 5 is provided at a rear portion of the operation panel 4.
, A detergent supply device 6, a water level sensor 7 as a water level detecting means, and a power switch 8 are provided.

Here, in the detergent supply device 6, in detail, for example, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the detergent stored in the detergent storage box 9 is used.
The inclined guide path 14 is formed by a coil-shaped detergent delivery member 13 which is rotationally driven by a motor 11 via a gear transmission mechanism 12.
It is sent upward, and is slid on the inclined guide path 14 to be supplied into the washing tub. In addition, FIG. 3 shows the detergent delivery member 13 in the detergent storage box 9.
Also shown are a stirring member 15 which engages with and rotates to stir the detergent 10, and a small lid 16 in which the detergent outlet of the detergent storage box 9 is opened.

The water level sensor 7 is connected to an air trap (not shown) provided in communication with the inner bottom of the washing tub by an air tube 17 shown in FIG. Based on the fluctuation of the air pressure of the air trap based on the diaphragm 18, the inductance of the coil 19 is changed by displacing the iron core 20 in the coil 19, and the stored water level in the washing tub is changed based on the level of the changing inductance. It detects linearly.

Thus, a control device 21 shown in FIG. 6 is provided on the back side of the operation panel 4. This control device 21 is a control means, which is composed of a microcomputer,
A switch input signal is input from a switch input unit 22 including various switches of the operation panel 4, and a water level detection signal is input from the water level sensor 7, and based on the input and a control program stored in advance,
The power supply state of the washing / dehydrating motor 23, the water supply valve 24, the drainage valve 25, and the motor 11 of the detergent supply device 6 is controlled via a drive circuit 26.

Thus, the operation of the control device 21 will be described below with reference to FIG.

First, at the start, the control device 21 determines whether or not the course selected by the user is a course for supplying the detergent 10 into the washing tub (step S1). Where detergent 10
If it is determined that this is a course for supplying water, a water level detection signal issued from the water level sensor 7 is read next, and it is determined whether or not water above the water level set by the user is stored in the washing tub. (Step S2), if it is determined that the water is not stored (including the case where no water is contained),
The motor 11 of the detergent supply device 6 is energized to supply the detergent 10 in an amount corresponding to the set water level (step S3). FIG. 7 shows the energizing time of the motor 11 with respect to the set water level in the case of the concentrated detergent.
Seconds, 16 seconds at "medium" set water level, 12 seconds at "low" set water level, 8 at "small" set water level
Each second, the motor 11 is energized and the detergent 10 is supplied. At this time, the water supply valve 24 is also energized to supply water until the set water level is reached in the washing tub (step S4). Then, the operation shifts to "washing" operation (step S5). On the other hand, when it is determined in step S2 that the water of the set water level is stored, the control device 21 sets the detected water level to the detected water level. The required amount of the detergent 10 is calculated (step S6), and then the motor 11 of the detergent supply device 6 is energized according to the calculation result, that is, to supply the amount of the detergent 10 according to the detected water level (step S7). After that, the operation shifts to the “washing” operation shown in step S5 as described above.

If it is determined in the previous step S1 that the course does not supply the detergent 10, the process jumps to step S5.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the water level stored in the washing tub is detected by the water level sensor 7 serving as the water level detecting means, and when the operation of the course for supplying the detergent 10 into the washing tub is started, the water level set in the washing tub is set. It is determined whether or not the above water is stored, and when it is determined that the water is stored, since the amount of detergent 10 according to the detected water level is supplied,
Even in a situation where bath water or the like is put in the washing tub before the start of operation, the detergent 10 can be supplied in an amount corresponding to the actual stored water level, and thus a detergent amount like the conventional one can be supplied. A sufficient washing effect can be reliably obtained without causing a shortage problem.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above and shown in the drawings, and in particular, the specific configurations of the detergent supply device and the water level detecting means are appropriately changed without departing from the gist. Can be implemented.

[Effects of the Invention] As is apparent from the above description, according to the washing machine of the present invention, at the time of starting the operation of the course for supplying the detergent into the washing tub,
The detection result of the water level detection means determines whether or not water is stored in the washing tub or higher than the set water level, and when it is determined that water is not stored, the detergent supply device is set to an amount corresponding to the set water level. The detergent supply device is operated to supply the detergent, and when it is determined that the detergent is stored, the detergent supply device is activated to supply the detergent in an amount corresponding to the detected water level. Even in a situation where bath water or the like is placed above the set water level, it is possible to supply an amount of detergent according to the actual storage water level, and it is possible to obtain an excellent effect that a sufficient washing effect can be reliably obtained. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

Drawings show an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a main operation, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the upper part of a washing machine, FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional front view of a detergent supply device portion, 4th
Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional side view of the same portion, Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional front view of a water level sensor portion, Fig. 6 is a schematic electric configuration diagram, and Fig. 7 shows a relationship between a set water level and an operation time of the detergent supply device. FIG. In the drawings, 6 is a detergent supply device, 7 is a water level sensor (water level detection means), 10 is a detergent, and 21 is a control device (control means).

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A washing machine comprising: a water level detecting means for detecting a stored water level in a washing tub; a detergent supply device for supplying a detergent into the washing tub; and a control means for controlling the operation of the detergent supplying device. The control means, at the start of the operation of the course for supplying the detergent in the washing tub, to determine whether or not water above the set water level is stored in the washing tub based on the detection result of the water level detecting means, When it is determined that it is not stored, the detergent supply device is operated to supply an amount of detergent according to the set water level, and when it is determined that the detergent is stored, the detergent supply device is operated according to the detected water level. A washing machine characterized in that it is operated to supply an amount of detergent.