JP2910214B2 - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a control device for a washing machine that automatically detects a quantity of laundry, a degree of contamination of a liquid in a tub, and performs a washing or rinsing operation. .

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a control device for a washing machine that automatically performs a washing or rinsing operation has been required to improve usability and prevent waste of time and detergent.

Conventionally, this type of washing machine control device is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-1725.
As shown in the back of No. 93, the user was asked to select whether the laundry was "severely soiled", "standard" or "lightly soiled", and according to the result and the amount of laundry, the initial detergent Determine the amount to be charged, and if the dirt sensor determines that the dirt on the laundry is insufficient during the subsequent washing process, based on the user's selection result of "severe dirt", "standard" or "light dirt" The additional amount or washing time was determined.

In such a conventional control device for a washing machine, a series of operations is troublesome because the user has to look at the laundry and judge the degree of dirt himself and input the key. There was a problem that. In addition, if there is a large portion of the laundry that has been stained with oil, mud, fruit juice, or the like in the laundry that is hardly soiled, some users wash the “severe soil”. At this time, the amount of detergent to be supplied is large, and if the dirt sensor determines that dirt is not sufficiently removed, additional detergent is added, leading to waste of detergent, further increasing dirty household drainage, and contaminating rivers and seawater. There was a problem of increasing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a first object of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and it is a first object of the present invention to automatically detect the amount of laundry and the degree of dirt and perform washing automatically.

In addition, reduce the amount of initial detergent input and wash with the optimum amount of detergent and agitation according to the degree of soiling of the laundry. Detergent usage, water usage, cloth damage, power usage, washing time, dirty household drainage, etc. It is a second object to reduce.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the first object, the present invention provides a cloth amount detecting means for detecting an amount of laundry, a permeability detecting means for detecting a permeability of a liquid in a tub, Control means for controlling the washing process based on the output data of the amount detecting means and the transmittance detecting means, wherein the controlling means controls the amount of the laundry, and the amplitude of the output data of the transmittance detecting means after the washing operation for a predetermined time. The first problem solving means is to control the washing time, the stirring power, the rinsing time and the like according to the change in the permeability from the reference value.

In order to achieve the second object, in addition to the first means for solving the above-mentioned problems, there is provided a detergent introduction device for introducing a detergent into the tub, and the control means controls the amount of laundry and the transmission after a predetermined time washing operation. A second aspect is that the detergent amount is controlled in accordance with the amplitude of the output data of the degree detection means and the change in the transmittance from the reference value.
Means to solve the problem.

Action According to the first aspect of the present invention, the optimum washing time and agitation power can be set according to the amount of laundry, the degree of soiling of the laundry, or the fiber. In particular, when the amount of laundry is small, the amount of dirt is small, and the amplitude of the output data of the transmittance detecting means is large, the washing time or the stirring power can be greatly reduced, and the damage to the cloth and the power consumption can be reduced.

Further, according to the second means for solving the problem, the optimum amount of detergent is supplied according to the amount of laundry, the degree of soiling of the laundry, or the fiber, and the optimal washing time and stirring power can be set. In particular, when the amount of laundry is small, the amount of dirt is small, and the amplitude of the output data of the permeability detection means is large, the amount of detergent, agitation power, and the amount of washing or rinsing water can be greatly reduced. Domestic wastewater can be reduced. Washing time, rinsing time and cloth damage are also reduced.

Also, judge the amount of foam from the amplitude of the output data of the transmittance detection means.If there is too much foam, reduce the amount of detergent to weaken the water flow.If it is muddy, increase the washing time without increasing the amount of detergent too much. Delicate control, such as increasing the cleaning power by increasing the pressure. In particular, when the amount of greasy soil is large, a relatively large amount of detergent is added to increase the washing time, so that the degree of cleaning of greasy soil that is difficult to remove can be improved.

Embodiment Hereinafter, a case where an embodiment of the present invention is applied to a fully automatic washing machine will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in the figure, the outer frame 1 has a water receiving tank 2 provided therein,
A washing and dewatering tank 4 in which a stirring blade 3 is rotatably mounted is provided in the water receiving tank 2. The power switching mechanism 5 switches the power of the washing / dehydrating motor 6 so that the stirring blade 3 rotates during washing or rinsing, and the washing / dehydrating tub 4 rotates during dehydration. The air pool 7 generates a pressure corresponding to the water level, and the pressure generated in the air pool 7 is transmitted to a water level sensor 9 by an air hose 8. Drain valve
Numeral 10 is for discharging the liquid in the water receiving tank 2 to the outside through a drain hose 11. The water supply valve 12 supplies tap water into the water receiving tank 2 and includes a first water supply path 13 and a second water supply path 14.
Branch to The detergent input device 15 is for putting the detergent stored in advance into the washing / dewatering tub 4 at the time of washing. The optical sensor (permeability detecting means) 16 detects the degree of turbidity of the liquid in the water receiving tank 2, and is washed by the second water supply path 14 each time water is supplied, so that dirt is hardly attached.

The control device 17 includes a washing and dewatering motor 6, a drain valve 10, and a water supply valve 1.
2, which sequentially controls the detergent dispensing device 15 and the like, and comprises a water level sensor 9, an optical sensor 16, an operation display circuit 18, a cloth amount detecting circuit (cloth amount detecting means) 19, a switching circuit 20, a signal control circuit 21, and the like. Then, the operation display circuit 18 sets which process of washing, rinsing, and dehydration is to be operated, a water level, and the like, and notifies the user of the set contents and the progress of washing. The laundry amount detection circuit 19 detects the amount of laundry put into the washing and dewatering tub 4. The signal control circuit 21 includes the water level sensor 9 and the optical sensor 1
6, the switching circuit 20 and the like are controlled to drive various loads based on various state inputs of the cloth amount detection circuit 19 and input signals from the operation display circuit 18. Reference numeral 22 denotes a phase advance capacitor of the washing and spinning motor 6, and reference numeral 23 denotes an AC power supply.

The optical sensor 16 includes a light emitting element 24 and a light receiving element 25, and is controlled by an optical sensor driving circuit 29. A microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) 27 converts the optical sensor output voltage Vo to A /
The signal is input after D conversion, and the optical sensor drive circuit 26 is controlled by pulse width control (PWM control) and switching control to detect dirt. The storage means 28 stores optical sensor output adjustment data, PMW control data, and the like even when the AC power supply 23 is cut off. The signal control circuit 21 includes the optical sensor drive circuit 26, the microcomputer 27, the storage means 28, and the like. Microcomputer 27 is PWM
By changing the value, the output voltage of the D / A conversion circuit 260, that is, the base potential of the transistor 261 is changed to change the light emitting element 24.
And the emission power is changed. Further, the transistor 262 is turned ON / OFF from the SW terminal to switch the emitter resistance value of the light receiving element 25 to adjust the sensitivity.

FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b) show an example of a change in the output voltage Vo of the optical sensor 16 during washing. FIG. 4 (a) shows a change in the output voltage of the optical sensor 16 for dirt on everyday clothes, and FIG. 4 (b) shows a change in the output voltage of the optical sensor 16 when washing a synthetic fiber such as a mat. Wash start time T0
And T1 is a set value k at which the voltage changes over time (ΔV / Δt)
Assuming that the washing time has elapsed, grease stains have a longer time T1 and mud stains have a shorter stain removal time T1 and permeability (V1 / Vs, where Vs is the set reference value for rinsing water supply, V1
Since the sensor output voltage at time T1 decreases, the type of dirt can be determined. Further, in the case of a synthetic fiber in which dirt does not easily adhere to the fiber, since the dirt is small and there are many bubbles, the amplitude Vp of the transmittance at the time of washing becomes large. This is because the light is blocked by the bubbles, the transmittance is reduced, and it is random. In other words, if the amount of bubbles is large, it can be determined that the synthetic fiber has less stain.

The operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5 showing the control contents of the microcomputer 27 from the start of water supply to the end of washing in the washing process.

First, in step 101, the storage means 28 transfers the PWM value for driving the optical sensor 16, the sensor output setting reference value Vs at the time of rinsing water supply, and the transistor 262 on / off control signal SW, and thereafter uses it for controlling the optical sensor 16. These values are determined during the first water supply of the first rinse of the previous washing. To briefly explain these values, first, the water supply valve 12 is turned on to start water supply, and then the drain valve 10 is turned on for a predetermined time ( ON only for 5 seconds)
I do. This is to drain the foam generated in the immediately preceding intermediate dehydration. Next, it is determined whether or not the predetermined minimum water level, and then the output voltage Vo of the optical sensor 16 is set to the reference value Vs.
Adjust the PWM value and SW value. This is the emission output control or sensitivity adjustment of the optical sensor 16, and these values are transferred to the storage means 28. Now, in step 102, the water supply valve 12
Is turned on to start the water supply, at step 103, it is determined by the water level sensor 9 whether or not the minimum water level, that is, the cloth amount detection water level has been reached. When the minimum water level is reached, the water supply valve 12 is turned off at step 104. In step 105, the amount of laundry is detected by the cloth amount detection circuit 19, and thereafter, the water level and the water flow are controlled to be suitable for the amount of laundry. In step 106, the detergent input device 15 is controlled to input the minimum detergent amount (50 to 60% of the standard detergent amount) according to the cloth amount. After the water supply valve 12 is turned on in step 107 to restart water supply, in step 108, the water level sensor 9 determines whether or not the 80% water level of the setting determined in the cloth amount determination in step 105 has been reached. If step 109
After turning off the water supply valve 12 with, washing and stirring are started from step 110. This is shown in FIG. 4 (a).
At T0, as the washing proceeds, the soil of the laundry is dissolved in the washing liquid and becomes turbid, and the output voltage Vo of the optical sensor 16 decreases. Step 111 is a washing end determination, and in step 112,
The transmittance is detected from the output voltage of the optical sensor 16. Light sensor
The ratio (Vo / Vs) between the 16 output voltage values Vo and the reference value Vs is defined as the transmittance. It is determined that the lower the Vo is, the smaller the transmittance is and the larger the stain is. Step 113 is a bubble detection subroutine for detecting the amount of bubbles based on the amplitude of the transmittance. If it is determined in step 114 that there are many bubbles, the stirring power is reduced in step 115 according to the bubbles. A step 116 detects a detection flag of a temporal change of the transmittance (the gradient k of the sensor output voltage Vo in FIG. 4), and a step 117 determines whether or not the temporal change of the transmittance (ΔV / Δt) is equal to or less than a predetermined value. And if Y, add in step 118 according to the transmittance (or sensor voltage V1), the stain removal time T1 (the washing time when the temporal change of the transmittance has become a predetermined value or less), and the bubble (Vp). Set the amount of detergent, washing time, water flow, etc. In step 119, a tilt flag is set, the detergent determined in step 120 is additionally charged, and in step 121, the water supply valve 12 is turned on. In step 122, it is determined whether or not the water level is set. If Y, the water supply valve 12 is turned off in step 123.

As described above, according to the control device for the washing machine of the embodiment of the present invention, the microcomputer 27 controls the washing time, the stirring power, or the detergent in accordance with the amount of foam, the degree of contamination, and the amount of cloth detected by the change in the transmittance of the optical sensor 16. Since the amount is controlled, it is possible to automatically perform optimal washing according to the amount of laundry and the degree of dirt, and the user can control the degree of dirt of the laundry, the type of dirt, the amount of cloth, and the type of cloth. It is not necessary to perform the key operation by judging, and also, the initial detergent input amount is set to 50 to 60% of the standard amount with respect to the water level,
If the dirt is large, the cleaning power can be increased by additionally adding a detergent.

 Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The signal control circuit 21 in FIG. 2 uses the data such as the transmittance from the optical sensor 16, the stain removal time, the amplitude of the output data of the transmittance detection means, and the cloth amount data of the cloth amount detection circuit 19 to determine the cleaning agent, The fuzzy control of the stirring amount or the washing time is the same as that of the above embodiment.

6 (a), 6 (b), 6 (c) and 6 (d) are triangular membership functions of transmittance, stain removal time, cloth amount, and amplitude of output data of the transmittance detection means as the antecedent parts. Yes, 7th
FIGS. 7A and 7B are triangular membership functions of the detergent input amount and the washing time, which are the consequent parts of the fuzzy control.

The inference rule is, for example, "If the amount of cloth is small, the amplitude of the output data of the transmittance detecting means is large, and the dirt removal time is short, the washing time and the detergent input amount are extremely reduced."
`` If the amount of cloth is medium and the transmittance is medium and the amplitude of the output data of the transmittance detecting means is small and the stain removal time is medium, set the washing time to medium and set the detergent input to medium. '' If the stain removal time is medium, set the washing time to medium and reduce the amount of detergent used. "" If the cloth amount is medium and the permeability is medium and the stain removal time is long, increase the washing time and increase the detergent input amount. " If the permeability is medium and the soil removal time is short, the washing time is set to be medium and the amount of detergent to be introduced is reduced. " A fuzzy inference operation is performed based on the above inference rules to perform fuzzy control of the detergent input amount, the washing time, and the like.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment in which the fuzzy inference result of the washing time and the detergent input amount is stored in the microcomputer as a fuzzy control table in accordance with the water level, based on the soil rank and the soil removal time, which are fuzzy inferred from the degree of permeability and the amount of bubbles. (High water level). The larger the amount of dirt, the less bubbles, the lower the transmittance and the higher the dirt rank. Also, if the number of bubbles is large, the amplitude of the transmittance increases and the transmittance decreases, but the fuzzy inference such as "If the amplitude of the output data of the transmittance detection means is large and the transmittance is low, the stain is small". Infer the magnitude of A method of storing a fuzzy control table corresponding to a water level (cloth amount) in a memory of a microcomputer and performing fuzzy control by a table look-up function operates at a high speed and has a small memory capacity, and is best implemented. Of course, if a fuzzy inference operation is performed rather than a membership function, finer control is possible, but there is a drawback that the operation time becomes longer. In addition to fuzzy inference of the dirt rank based on the magnitude of the transmittance and the amplitude of the output data of the transmissivity detecting means, the same effect is obtained by determining the dirt rank based on a functional relationship.

According to the present invention, as apparent from the above embodiments, the control means controls the washing time, stirring power, detergent amount, etc. according to the amount of laundry, the degree of soiling of the washing liquid and the foam. From this, it is possible to automatically perform the optimal washing according to the amount of laundry and the degree of dirt, and the user can determine the degree of dirt of the laundry and the type of dirt, the amount of cloth, the quality of the cloth, etc., and operate the key operation each time. There is an effect that it is not necessary to do.

In addition, the initial amount of detergent added is 5-6 of the standard amount for the water level.
The cleaning power can be increased by adding the detergent at a low cost and adding a detergent when the dirt is large. In particular, ordinary laundry with less dirt and synthetic textiles are washed with less detergent and less washing time, so they are economical and can reduce the amount of water and power used. And environmental pollution such as seawater contamination can be reduced.

Furthermore, when it is determined that the laundry is very dirty, when a detergent is additionally supplied, only an appropriate amount of the detergent corresponding to the degree of the contamination of the laundry is supplied, so that there is an effect that the detergent can be saved.

In addition, by performing fuzzy control by the control means, it is possible to control multiple inputs and multiple outputs of different dimensions and to incorporate the experience and tips of veteran housewives. Subtle controls, such as increasing the washing time as it is, `` small amount of cloth, less foam, less dirt, so reduce the amount of detergent '', `` Synthetic clothing has a lot of dirt, so there is a lot of foam, weakening the stirring power '' etc. Becomes possible.

In addition, when the water temperature is high, the degree of cleaning is high, so that the time required for removing stains is shortened. As a result, the amount of detergent input is reduced, and the amount of detergent is reduced even without a water temperature sensor, which is economical. Conversely, when the water temperature is low, the soil removal time is lengthened, which has the effect of increasing the amount of detergent and increasing the degree of cleaning.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a control device of a washing machine according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a fully automatic washing machine having the control device, and FIG. 3 is control of an optical sensor of the control device. Circuit diagram, 4th
FIGS. 5A and 5B are time charts of the output voltage of the optical sensor during the washing process of the control device, respectively.
FIG. 6 (b) is a control flowchart of the control device, and FIGS. 6 (a), (b), (c) and (d) are members of the antecedent part of the fuzzy control of the control device according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b) show the membership functions of the consequent part of the fuzzy control of the control device, and FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b) show the control functions of the control device. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a fuzzy control table of a washing time and a detergent input amount. 2 ... water receiving tank (tank), 16 ... optical sensor (transmittance detecting means), 19 ... cloth amount detecting circuit (cloth amount detecting means), 21 ... signal control circuit (control means).

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-56-116498 (JP, A) JP-A-1-274797 (JP, A) Real-time opening 55-156678 (JP, U) (58) Field (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) D06F 33/02

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A cloth amount detecting means for detecting a laundry amount, a light transmittance detecting means comprising a light emitting element and a light receiving element for detecting a liquid permeability in a tub, and the cloth amount detecting means and the light transmitting degree detecting means. Control means for controlling the washing process based on the output data, wherein the control means controls the washing time in accordance with the amplitude of the output data of the transmittance detection means, a change in transmittance from a reference value, and a cloth amount. Or a washing machine that controls the stirring power. 2. A washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising a detergent feeding device for feeding a detergent into the tank, wherein the control means controls the amplitude of the output data of the transmittance detecting means, a change in the transmittance from a reference value, and the amount of the detergent in accordance with the amount of cloth. To control the washing machine.