JP2859119B2 - How to operate a 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, and more particularly to a water-saving washing machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Japanese Patent Publication No. 57-29200 discloses a technique for judging the water supply capacity of a washing and dewatering tub at the time of washing.
A washing machine that controls the time of subsequent rinsing based on this determination is shown. A water level sensor for detecting the water level in the washing and dewatering tub is used for the determination of the water supply capacity, and the water level in the washing and dewatering tub detected by this water level sensor reaches a predetermined value and a predetermined amount of water is supplied to the washing and dewatering tub. The water supply capacity is determined based on the time required for the water to accumulate. It is determined that the longer the required time, the smaller the water supply capacity.

By the way, the above-mentioned rinsing is usually carried out a plurality of times, for example, twice, so-called water-injection rinsing is carried out in which water supply is continued even after a predetermined amount of water is supplied. So-called rinsing in which the water supply is stopped is performed. For this reason, in rinsing, a softening agent is put into the washing and dewatering tub, and the laundry is treated with a softening agent.

However, recently, as a water-saving washing machine, in order to minimize the amount of water used during rinsing, a washing machine in which the first rinsing is replaced by a dehydrating rinsing has been commercialized. In this dehydration rinsing, water is supplied to the washing and dewatering tub to such an extent that water soaks into the entire laundry, and when it soaks, water supply is stopped and the washing and dewatering tub is rotated at high speed to perform dehydration. Rinsed with water. In this dehydration rinsing, it is only necessary to supply water to such an extent that water soaks into the laundry, the amount of water used can be suppressed, and water is saved.

Thus, of the two rinses,
First in the washing machine to perform dehydration rinse, the second time to rinse, in the case of using the above-described technology for controlling the time of rinsing based on the determination of the water supply capacity at the time of washing, regarding the first dehydration rinse, It is advisable to adjust the water supply time so that the water soaks into the laundry. In the second rinse, water is supplied until a predetermined amount of water accumulates, and then water supply is stopped to perform rinsing. Since the rinsing performance is not affected by the water supply capacity, the determination of the water supply capacity is performed. Is not controlled.

[0006]

In the above-mentioned washing machine, the washing and dewatering tub is usually supplied with water from a tap of the tap when washing, and the same is applied to rinsing. However, in order to make effective use of bath water, there is a case where bath water is supplied to a washing and dewatering tub using a bucket, a bath water feed pump, or the like during washing.

In this case, the water supply capability using a bucket, a bath water supply pump, or the like is different from the water supply capability from a water tap performed at the time of rinsing. Therefore, even if the water supply time in the dehydration rinsing at the time of rinsing is adjusted based on the determination of the water supply capacity at the time of washing, satisfactory dehydration rinsing cannot be performed.

[0008] Even when water is supplied from a tap at the time of washing, if the water supply capacity at the time of washing and dehydration rinsing is different due to a change in water pressure, satisfactory dehydration rinsing may not be performed.

In any case, if the water supply capacity at the time of dehydration rinsing can be separately determined, the water supply time at the time of dehydration rinsing can be accurately adjusted based on this determination. However, since the determination of the water supply capacity is based on the time required for a predetermined amount of water to accumulate in the washing and dewatering tub, only when the water soaks into the laundry as in the case of dehydration and rinsing. In a situation where a predetermined amount of water does not accumulate in the washing and dewatering tub without performing, the water supply capacity cannot be determined separately.

The present invention relates to a water-saving type washing machine which sequentially performs dehydration rinsing and normal rinsing (flush rinsing, etc.) after washing, and controls water supply during dehydration rinsing based on the water supply capacity at the time of washing. By supplying bath water during washing to make effective use of bath water, etc.,
When the dehydration rinsing cannot be performed satisfactorily, the rinsing can be performed so that the rinsing can be performed satisfactorily.

[0011]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a washing step of supplying water to a washing and dewatering tub to execute washing, and a first water supply for judging a water supply capacity in the washing step. After the ability determining step and the washing step, the first
Water supply control for the washing and dewatering tub based on the water supply capacity determination result in the water supply capacity determining step, and a dehydration rinsing step of performing high-speed rotation control of the washing and dewatering tub to perform dehydration rinsing, and after the dehydration rinsing step, A normal rinsing step of supplying water to the washing and dewatering tub to perform rinsing,
A second water supply capacity determining step of determining the water supply capacity in the normal rinsing step, comparing the respective water supply capacity determination results in the first and second water supply capacity determining steps, and performing the normal rinsing based on the comparison result. An operation method of a washing machine for controlling rinsing in a process.

Further, as the configuration of the second aspect, the larger the water supply capacity determined in the first water supply capacity determination step is,
In the water supply control of the dehydration and rinsing step, the present invention relates to a method of operating a washing machine for shortening a water supply time.

Further, according to a third aspect of the present invention, when the comparison result shows that the water supply capacity determined in the second water supply capacity determination step is inferior to the water supply capacity determined in the first water supply capacity determination step, The present invention relates to a method of operating a washing machine that controls rinsing in a rinsing step so as to increase the number of times of rinsing.

Further, according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when the comparison result indicates that the water supply capacity determined in the second water supply capacity determination step is inferior to the water supply capacity determined in the first water supply capacity determination step, The present invention relates to a method of operating a washing machine that controls rinsing in a rinsing step so as to extend a rinsing time.

Further, according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the first and second water supply capacity determining steps include comparing a time required for a predetermined amount of water to accumulate in the washing and dewatering tub with a reference time to determine a water supply capacity. A method for operating a washing machine having a determination mode, wherein the reference time in the second water supply capacity determination step is longer than the reference time in the first water supply capacity determination step.

[0016]

According to the structure of the first aspect, after washing, dehydration rinsing and normal rinsing are sequentially performed, and water supply control during dehydration rinsing is performed based on the water supply capacity at the time of washing. At this time, the bath water is supplied to the washing and dewatering tub during washing in order to make effective use of the bath water, while the water supply capacity during washing and dehydration rinsing is different in a situation where water is supplied from a water tap during dehydration and rinsing. Even if water supply control at the time of dehydration rinsing is performed based on the water supply capacity at that time, dehydration rinsing cannot be performed satisfactorily. However, the water supply capacity is determined at the time of normal rinsing, the water supply capacity is compared with the water supply capacity at the time of washing, and the normal rinsing is controlled based on the comparison result. Therefore, it is covered that the dehydration rinsing cannot be performed satisfactorily, and the rinsing becomes satisfactory as a whole.

In the structure of the second aspect, the greater the water supply capacity at the time of washing, the shorter the water supply time in the water supply control at the time of dehydration and rinsing. Therefore, when water is supplied from the water tap for both washing and dehydration rinsing,
Water supply control during dehydration rinsing is performed with high accuracy, and satisfactory dehydration rinsing is performed.

In the third aspect of the present invention, the water supply capacity determined during normal rinsing after dehydration rinsing is compared with the water supply capacity determined during washing, and if the former is inferior to the latter, the following determination is made. I do. That is, although water is supplied from a water tap at the time of dehydration rinsing and normal rinsing, bath water is quickly supplied using a bucket or a bath water supply pump at the time of washing, and based on the water supply capacity determined at the time of washing. In the dehydration rinsing with water supply control, it is determined that the water supply is not performed satisfactorily and the dehydration rinsing is not performed satisfactorily. Thus, under such a judgment, the number of times of rinsing is usually increased. This covers any dehydration rinses that were not performed satisfactorily, resulting in a satisfactory overall rinse.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the rinsing time of the rinsing is usually extended as a method for covering the dehydration rinsing that has not been performed satisfactorily. Therefore, the rinsing is also satisfactory at this time.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the water supply capacity for washing and the water supply capacity for normal rinsing are determined by comparing the time required for a predetermined amount of water to accumulate in the washing and dewatering tub with a reference time. At the same time, the reference time used for determining the water supply capacity during the normal rinsing is longer than the reference time used for determining the water supply capacity during the washing.

That is, when the water supply capacity during normal rinsing is inferior to the water supply capacity during washing, the number of times of normal rinsing is increased or the rinsing time is extended. It is not necessary to do this because the rinsing is performed), for example, for washing, dehydration rinsing and normal rinsing, the water is supplied from a water tap, and the water supply capacity itself does not change, but the water supply capacity itself does not change and the required time is not affected. In situations where the measurement time varies and the required time is long in the direction in which the water supply capacity during normal rinsing is judged to be inferior, if the reference time is the same, the required time measured due to mere measurement variation Simply increasing the length may undesirably increase the number of normal rinses or extend the rinse time.

However, as described above, since the reference time used for determining the water supply capacity during rinsing is usually longer than that for washing, the determination of the water supply capacity does not change even if the required time becomes longer due to slight variations. However, it is not determined that the water supply capacity is inferior. Therefore, normal rinsing is normally performed without being affected by the above-mentioned variation.

[0023]

FIG. 1 shows the structure of a fully automatic washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a machine frame, 2 is an outer tank suspended and supported by four hanging bars 3 in the machine frame 1, 4 is a vibration-proof spring or the like, and is interposed between each hanging rod 3 and the outer tank 2. The inserted vibration isolator 5 has a number of dehydration holes (not shown) around it, and is a washing and dehydrating tub rotatably supported in the outer tub 2. Reference numeral 6 denotes a rotating blade rotatably disposed at the bottom of the washing / dewatering tub 5; The motor 7 rotates only the rotating blades 6 during washing and normal rinsing, and rotates both the washing and dewatering tub 5 and the rotating blades 6 in one direction at a high speed during dewatering rinsing and spinning. Reference numeral 9 denotes an electromagnetic water supply valve provided in the middle of the water supply nozzle 10, and reference numeral 11 denotes an electromagnetic water drain valve provided in the middle of the drain pipe 12. 1
Reference numeral 3 denotes a water level sensor connected to an air trap 14 at the bottom of the outer tank 2 via a pressure hose.
Thus, the water level in the washing and dewatering tub 5 is detected, and the amount of water supplied to the washing and dewatering tub 5 can be determined.

FIG. 2 shows a block circuit of the washing machine. Fifteen
Is a control unit composed of a microcomputer that controls the washing machine. The control unit 15 controls the drive of the drive motor 7, the electromagnetic water supply valve 9, and the electromagnetic drain valve 11 based on a key input signal from the key input unit 16 and a detection result of the water level sensor 13.

FIG. 3 shows a basic operation procedure of the washing machine.
The control unit 15 first executes a washing step, then sequentially executes a dehydration rinsing step and a normal rinsing step (for rinsing), and finally executes a dehydrating step.

FIG. 4 shows a flow of a program incorporated in the control unit 15. Hereinafter, the operation of the washing machine will be described with reference to FIG. When a start key signal arrives based on the operation of the start key on the key input unit 16, the control unit 1
5 starts operation, and first executes a washing process. In this washing step, the control unit 15 opens the water supply valve 9 until the water level sensor 13 detects a predetermined water level (until a predetermined amount of water accumulates in the washing and dewatering tub 5). Water is supplied (S1 step). When the predetermined water level is detected, the water supply valve 9 is closed. Then, when a predetermined amount of water is accumulated, the control unit 15 rotates only the rotary wing 6 under the drive of the drive motor 7, whereby washing is performed (S
6 steps).

In the water supply step in step S1 of the washing process, a predetermined amount (1.5 liter) of water is accumulated after the water level sensor 13 detects a certain water level, and the water level rises by 2 cm. Then, a required time T1 until the rising water level is detected by the water level sensor 13 is measured and obtained.

Then, the control unit 15 determines the required time T1
The first water supply capacity determination is performed based on. That is, the required time T1 is compared with the reference times of 6 seconds and 9 seconds. In particular,
It is checked whether the required time T1 is less than 6 seconds, from 6 seconds to less than 9 seconds, or 9 seconds or more (step S2).
If it is less than 6 seconds, it is determined that the water supply capacity is more than 15 liters / minute, and 1 is set to the washing flow rank R1 (S
3 steps). If it is not less than 6 seconds and less than 9 seconds, it is determined that the water supply capacity is less than 15 liters / minute and more than 10 liters / minute, and the washing flow rank R1 is set to 2 (step S4). If it is more than 9 seconds, the water supply capacity will be 10 liters /
It is determined that it is less than or equal to minutes, and 3 is set as the washing flow rank R1 (S5 step).

The required time T1 can be a time from the start of water supply to the time when the water supply valve 9 is closed. In this case, it goes without saying that the reference time is set according to the reference time.

When the washing step is completed, the control unit 15 executes a dehydration rinsing step. In the dehydration rinsing step, first, the drain valve 11 is opened to discharge the washing water at the time of washing (S7 step). When drainage is completed, dehydration rinsing is performed (Step S8). The drain valve 11 maintains the open state.

That is, referring to FIG. 5, a time t is determined in order to control the water supply to the washing and dewatering tub 5 based on the washing flow rank R1 representing the water supply capacity at the time of washing. During this time, the control unit 15 opens the water supply valve 9 to supply water. The determined time t is as shown in FIG.
The higher the water supply capacity (the smaller the washing flow rank R1), the shorter the water supply capacity.

During the water supply, the control unit 15 repeats the driving of the driving motor 7 for one second and stopping for five seconds. At this time, when the washing and dewatering tub 5 tries to rise to the high-speed rotation state together with the rotary wings 6, it immediately repeats the transition to the coasting rotation state. Eventually, the washing and dewatering tub 5 rotates slowly.

Therefore, water is supplied while the washing and dewatering tub 5 rotates slowly, and the water falls almost evenly on the laundry in the washing and dewatering tub 5, so that the water soaks into the whole of the laundry. When the time t according to the water supply capacity elapses, the water is sufficiently infiltrated.

Thereafter, the water supply valve 9 is closed, and the control unit 15 drives the drive motor 7 for a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes) to rotate the washing and dewatering tub 5 at a high speed to perform dehydration. This causes the detergent to be blown off with the water.

Assuming that a series of flows of supplying water while rotating the washing and dewatering tub 5 slowly and then performing dehydration as one cycle, two cycles are executed in the dehydration and rinsing in step S8.

When the dehydrating and rinsing step is completed, the control unit 15 subsequently executes a normal rinsing step. In this step, as in the case of the washing step, the control unit 15 opens the water supply valve 9 and supplies water from the tap until the water level sensor 13 detects a predetermined water level (S9 step). The drain valve 11 is closed before the dehydration rinsing step. When the predetermined water level is detected, the water supply valve 9 is closed. Then, when a predetermined amount of water is accumulated, the control unit 15 rotates only the rotary wing 6 under the drive of the drive motor 7, thereby performing the rinse (step S15).

In the water supply step in step S9 in the normal rinsing process, a predetermined amount (1.5 liter) of water is accumulated after the water level sensor 13 detects a certain water level to reduce the water level to 2 cm. It rises and the required time T2 until the water level sensor 13 detects this rising water level is measured and obtained.

Then, the control unit 15 determines the required time T2
The second water supply capacity determination is performed based on. That is, the required time T2 is compared with the reference times of 6 seconds and 9 seconds. In particular,
It is checked whether the required time T1 is less than 6 seconds, from 6 seconds to less than 9 seconds, or 9 seconds or more (step S10). If it is shorter than 6 seconds, it is determined that the water supply capacity is more than 15 liters / minute, and 1 is set to the rinse flow rank R2 (step S11). If it is more than 6 seconds and less than 9 seconds,
It is determined that the water supply capacity is equal to or less than 15 liters / minute and exceeds 10 liters / minute, and the rinse flow rank R2 is set to 2 (step S12). If it is 9 seconds or longer, it is determined that the water supply capacity is 10 liters / minute or less, and 3 is set to the rinse flow rank R2 (S13 step).

The required time T2 may be a time from the start of water supply to the time when the water supply valve 9 is closed. In this case, it goes without saying that the reference time is set according to the reference time.

After that, the control unit 15 determines the contents of the rinsing flow rate rank R2 based on the second water supply capacity judgment by the first
Is compared with the contents of the washing flow rank R1 based on the water supply capacity judgment (step S14), and the rinse is controlled based on the comparison result (step S16). This will be described later.

When the normal rinsing step is completed, the control unit 15 finally executes a dehydrating step. In the dehydration step, first, the drain valve 11 is opened to discharge the water during the rinsing (step S17). When drainage is completed, the control unit 15 rotates the washing and dewatering tub 5 at high speed, and dehydration is executed (S18 step). The drain valve 11 maintains the open state.

Although water is supplied from a water tap at the time of dehydration rinsing and rinsing, bath water is supplied into the washing and dewatering tub 5 using a bucket, a bath water feed pump or the like at the time of washing in order to make effective use of bath water. In this case, before operating the start key with the key input unit 16, the water tap is manually closed in advance.

When the operation is started by operating the start key, the water supply valve 9 is opened in step S1 but water is not supplied from the water tap. However, at this time, the bath water is separately and quickly supplied into the washing and dewatering tub 5 using a bucket or a bath water supply pump. Thereby, the water level rises and a predetermined water level is detected. The bath water supply is stopped by observing the movement of the rotor 6 at the time of washing in step S6 following the detection of the predetermined water level. At the same time, the faucet is manually opened.

When both water supply from the water tap and bath water supply are performed, it is not necessary to close the water tap, and in this case, the water level rises more quickly.

However, the water supply capacity using a bucket or a bath water supply pump is different from the water supply capacity from a water tap performed at the time of dehydration rinsing or rinsing.
Therefore, even if the time t in the dehydration rinse is determined as described above based on the water supply capacity at the time of washing, the dehydration rinse cannot be performed satisfactorily.

That is, if water is supplied quickly during washing, the water supply capacity is determined to be large, and the washing flow rate rank R
For example, 1 is set to 1. Even if the time t is determined to be shorter based on the contents of the washing flow rank R1, the ability of supplying water from the water tap in the actual dehydration rinse is low, and the time t is too short.

When the bath water is to be effectively used,
Dehydration rinsing cannot be performed satisfactorily, but this is covered by rinsing for the following and the overall rinsing is satisfactory.

This point will be described in detail below. If it is determined that the water supply capacity is large in the effective use of bath water, the process proceeds to S14.
In the step, it is determined that the contents of the rinse flow rank R2 are larger than the contents of the wash flow rank R1. That is, it is determined that the water supply capacity determined at the time of rinsing is inferior to the water supply capacity determined at the time of washing. Then, based on this determination, in step S16, the number of times of rinsing is increased by one. Alternatively, the number of times is kept once and the rinsing time is extended. Thus, the overall rinse is satisfactory.

By the way, the reference time used in the second water supply ability judgment in the rinsing in the step S10 is compared with the reference time 6 seconds and 9 seconds used in the first water supply ability in the washing in the step S2. If the time is 7 seconds and 11 seconds longer than the same 6 seconds and 9 seconds, the performance of the washing machine is further improved.

That is, when the water supply capacity at the time of rinsing is inferior to the water supply capacity at the time of washing, the number of times of rinsing is increased or the rinsing time is extended. (This is not done because rinsing is performed.) For example, for washing, dehydrating rinsing, and rinsing, water is supplied from the water tap, and the water supply capacity itself does not change, but it is necessary to measure the required time due to some influence. In a situation where the required time is long in the direction in which the water supply capacity at the time of rinsing is determined to be inferior due to variation, if the reference time is the same,
Simply increasing the required time measured due to measurement variation undesirably increases the number of times of rinsing or prolongs the rinsing time.

However, as described above, if the reference time used for judging the water supply capacity at the time of rinsing is longer than that at the time of washing, the judgment of the water supply capacity does not change even if the required time becomes longer due to slight variations. However, it is not determined that the water supply capacity is inferior. Therefore, the rinsing is correctly performed without being affected by the variation.

In the above embodiment, the rinsing step is usually performed in the rinsing step. However, instead of the rinsing step, rinsing with water may be performed. In this case, it is needless to say that, in addition to being controlled according to whether or not the dehydration rinsing is performed satisfactorily as described above, the water rinsing is also controlled by the water supply capacity in the water rinsing.

[0053]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a water-saving type washing machine which sequentially executes dehydration rinsing and normal rinsing after washing, and controls water supply during dehydration rinsing based on the water supply capacity at the time of washing. In the above, by supplying bath water at the time of washing in order to make effective use of bath water or the like, even if dehydration rinsing cannot be performed satisfactorily, satisfactory rinsing can be performed as a whole.

Further, according to the second aspect, the greater the water supply capacity at the time of washing, the shorter the water supply time in the water supply control at the time of dehydration and rinsing. When the water is supplied from the water, the water supply control at the time of dehydration rinsing can be performed with high accuracy, and satisfactory dehydration rinsing can be performed.

Further, according to the third aspect, when it is determined that the dehydration rinsing is not performed satisfactorily, the number of times of the normal rinsing is increased, so that the rinsing as a whole can be performed satisfactorily.

Further, according to the fourth aspect, when it is determined that the dehydration rinsing is not performed satisfactorily, the rinsing time of the normal rinsing is extended, so that the rinsing can be performed satisfactorily as a whole.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the water supply capacity is determined by comparing a required time required for a predetermined amount of water to accumulate in the washing and dewatering tub with a reference time. Even if a variation occurs, the variation can be prevented from being affected, and the rinsing can be normally performed normally.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a fully automatic washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block circuit diagram of the washing machine.

FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing a basic operation procedure of the washing machine.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a program incorporated in a control unit of the washing machine.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing a drive timing of a main part at the time of dehydration rinsing of the washing machine.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a relationship between a water supply time and a water supply capacity during dehydration and rinsing of the washing machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 5 washing and dewatering tank 7 drive motor 9 electromagnetic water supply valve 11 electromagnetic water drain valve 13 water level sensor 15 control unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-63-294899 (JP, A) JP-B-57-29200 (JP, B2) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) D06F 33 / 02,41 / 00

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A washing step of supplying water to a washing and dewatering tub to perform washing, a first water supply capacity determining step of determining a water supply capacity in the washing step, and after the washing step, the first water supply. Water supply control to the washing and dewatering tub based on the water supply capacity determination result in the capacity determining step, and a dehydration rinsing step of performing high-speed rotation control of the washing and dehydrating tub to perform dehydration rinsing, and after the dehydration and rinsing step, A normal rinsing step of supplying water to the washing and dewatering tub to perform rinsing; and a second water supply capacity determining step of determining a water supply capacity in the normal rinsing step. Compare each water supply capacity judgment result,
A method for operating a washing machine, comprising controlling rinsing in the normal rinsing step based on the comparison result. 2. The washing according to claim 1, wherein the larger the water supply capacity determined in the first water supply capacity determination step, the shorter the water supply time in the water supply control in the dehydration and rinsing step. How to operate the machine. 3. In the comparison result, if the water supply capacity determined in the second water supply capacity determination step is inferior to the water supply capacity determined in the first water supply capacity determination step, rinsing in the normal rinsing step is performed. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the control is performed so as to increase the number of times. 4. In the comparison result, if the water supply capacity determined in the second water supply capacity determination step is lower than the water supply capacity determined in the first water supply capacity determination step, the rinsing in the normal rinsing step is performed. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control is performed so as to extend the time. 5. The first and second water supply capacity determining steps,
The water supply capacity is determined by comparing a time required for a predetermined amount of water to accumulate in the washing and dewatering tub with a reference time, and the reference time in the second water supply capacity determination step is determined by the first water supply capacity determination. The method according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the reference time is longer than a reference time in the process.