JP3026650B2 - 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 determining the load of laundry.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When washing is performed by a washing machine, the amount of laundry, that is, the load of washing, is detected, and various operations in the washing step, rinsing step, dehydrating step, and the like are performed based on the load amount. It is known that when the amount of operation and the operation time are adjusted, washing, rinsing, and dewatering can be performed in an amount appropriate for the amount of laundry, and a good finish of the laundry can be obtained.

In a conventional washing machine, an outer tub is supported in a frame, and a drum, which is a horizontal axis type washing tub, is rotatably or rotatably supported in the outer tub. There is a drum type washing machine in which a washing process and a rinsing process are performed by reciprocating rotation, and the drum is rotated at a high speed to perform a dewatering process. In such a drum type washing machine, the load amount is detected. Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. HEI 1-218494 discloses a technique for detecting a load amount as described below.

In this drum-type washing machine, first, water is supplied into the outer tub until the drum storing the laundry reaches a predetermined reference water level, and then the drum is rotated for a predetermined time, whereby water is added to the laundry. And the water level in this state is detected. Then, a water level difference between the detected water level and the reference water level is calculated, and a load amount in the drum is obtained based on the calculated water level difference. In this case, when water is absorbed by the laundry, the water level decreases by that amount.However, the amount of the reduction increases as the amount of the laundry increases, so that the load amount in the drum is determined based on the water level difference. Desired.

[0005]

However, when the laundry is actually performed, some laundry stored in the drum for performing the laundry contains moisture in advance. When the load of the laundry is detected by the conventional detection method as described above, when the load is detected,
Since only a small amount of water is absorbed, the detection result of the load amount becomes smaller than the actual load amount, and there is a problem that the detection accuracy of the load amount deteriorates.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and has as its object to provide a washing machine capable of accurately detecting a load amount regardless of the water content of laundry. .

[0007]

A washing machine according to the present invention comprises:
After water is supplied to a predetermined water level in a rotary drum that stores and rotates laundry, the laundry is rotated for a predetermined time,
Detecting the water level in said drum, in connection with the detection result Te washing machine odor seeking load of laundry, the predetermined water level
Laundry on the basis of the water level difference between the
Means for assuming the load of water and the water level since the start of water supply
Until the water reaches the predetermined water level, from the bottom of the drum
Means for measuring the time required to supply water in the specific water level section where the water level is high, and the laundry
Judge whether or not it contains moisture, and wash
Modify the assumed load based on the water content of the object
And a means for finally determining the load amount of the laundry .

[0008]

After the water is supplied to the washing tub storing the laundry to a predetermined water level and then the washing tub is rotated for a predetermined time, the laundry absorbs water. It decreases from the water level before the rotation. The water level after the rotation is
As the load on the laundry increases, the amount of absorbed water increases, and therefore, the load decreases as the load increases. Therefore, among the reference values of the water level after rotation stored for each of a plurality of load amounts, the load amount having the reference value with the smallest difference from the water level after rotation is assumed to represent the load amount of the laundry. Is assumed. However, assuming the load as described above for laundry containing water in advance, in laundry containing water in advance,
Since the amount of water supply during rotation is small, there is a possibility that a load amount smaller than the actual load amount may be erroneously assumed. When the time required for water supply in the specific water level section until the water level reaches the predetermined water level is measured, in the laundry assumed to have the same load amount, in the laundry containing water in advance, the laundry not containing water in advance is used. Since the measurement time is shorter due to the difference in the amount of absorbed water, the laundry containing water in advance and the laundry not containing water in advance are distinguished by this measurement time, and The load amount is determined in consideration of the water-containing state.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings showing the embodiments. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a washing machine according to the present invention. In the drawing, reference numeral 1 denotes a bottomed prismatic sheet-metal frame. At the front edge of the upper surface of the frame 1, there is provided a keyboard 11 which accommodates devices such as electronic components and has on the upper surface various operation keys such as a start key for starting operation of the washing machine. An operation portion 9a, which is a top plate made of synthetic resin, is provided, and an accommodation portion 9b, which is a top plate made of synthetic resin, for accommodating equipment such as a water supply device, is formed at the rear edge of the upper surface of the frame 1 by expansion. ing.

A rectangular upper clothing input port 10a is provided between the operation section 9a and the accommodation section 9b on the upper surface of the frame 1, and the upper clothing input port 10a is indicated by a white arrow in the figure. An upper cover 14 made of a synthetic resin that opens and closes in the direction shown is provided. An outer tub 2 which is a water tank made of a synthetic resin formed in the shape of a horizontal axis drum is disposed inside the frame 1, and a horizontal axis type drum made of a synthetic resin which is a washing tub is provided in the outer tub 2. 3
However, it is arranged coaxially with the outer tank 2 so as to be rotatable and rotatable.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the outside of the outer tub 2 of the washing machine according to the present invention as viewed from the front. The outer tank 2 has a flat bottom 2c, a side 2b curved outward, and an upper
2a is in the form of a horizontal drum protruding upward in the shape of a rectangular tube, and an intermediate clothing input port 10b is opened in the upper part 2a. Then, the upper clothing input port 10a and the intermediate clothing input port
10b is watertightly connected by a rubber packing 12. At the lower part of the side portions 2b, 2b of the outer tub 2, there are formed horizontal support portions 20, 20 having a flat bottom surface, and an iron mounting plate 29 , 29 are fixed.

In the frame 1, the side portions 2b, 2 of the outer tank 2
The upper part of b is elastically suspended and supported from the upper four corners of the frame 1 by upper supports 5, 5,. On the other hand, the lower portion of the outer tub 2 is supported by lower supports 6, 6,... Made of an elastic member disposed between the mounting plates 29, 29 and the bottom of the frame 1.

Also, in the vicinity of one of the upper supports 5, 5,...
An abnormal vibration switch 102, which is a micro switch that is turned on and off by the vibration, is provided. The ON / OFF signal of the abnormal vibration switch 102 is supplied to a first microcomputer 100 described later,
In the microcomputer 100, when the interval of the off-time of the signal is longer than a predetermined time, a process of regarding the vibration of the drum 3 as abnormal vibration is performed.

At the center of the front wall of the outer tub 2, a heater casing 40 having a substantially teardrop shape as viewed from the front is provided. The heater casing 40 is provided with three mounting members 41, 41, 41 inside the heater casing 40 from the outside, and the drying heater 4 having a heating element formed in a horseshoe shape along the side wall of the heater casing 40. Are fixed in the heater casing 40 by these mounting brackets 41, 41, 41. Heater casing
A circulation duct 21 extending upward and communicating with the inside of the outer tub 2 through a circulation port (not shown) opened in the front wall of the outer tub 2 is integrally formed on the left side of the front view 40. A blower fan 22 is provided above the circulation duct 21, and a connection pipe 42 is provided between the top of the circulation duct 21 and the heater casing 40, and circulates through the connection pipe 42. duct
The inside of the heater casing 40 communicates with the inside of the heater casing 40.

On the right side of the heater casing 40 when viewed from the front, there is provided an overflow chamber 23 for drawing out overflow from an overflow port (not shown) which is opened at a half height of the front wall. An overflow hose 230 for draining the overflow in the overflow chamber 23 is connected to the bottom of the overflow chamber 23. An air trap 24 for detecting the water level in the outer tub 2 is formed integrally with a lower portion outside the front wall of the outer tub 2. This air trap
Reference numeral 24 is connected via a pressure hose 26 to a water level detector 25 arranged near the operation section 9a. The water level detector 25 detects a change in the water level in the outer tub 2 as a pressure change in the air trap 24, and moves the magnetic body in the coil according to the pressure change. As a result, the water level change indicates the inductance of the coil. This is detected as a change.

A drain 71 having a drain (not shown) for draining water in the outer tub 2 is provided at the bottom of the outer tub 2. The drain 71 has a drain 71. A drain hose 72 for leading drainage from the outside to the machine is connected. The overflow chamber 23 is connected to the drain hose 72 via an overflow hose 230, and the overflow flowing into the overflow chamber 23 is led out of the machine by the drain hose 72.
A drainage electric valve 73 for opening and closing the drainage port of the drainage part 71 is provided between the drainage part 71 and the drainage hose 72,
As is well known, the valve is opened by winding the wire with the rotational force of a drain motor 79 disposed below the outer tub 2, while the valve is opened by cutting off the rotational force. It returns to the closed state by the urging force.

A double water supply solenoid valve 8 is provided in the housing 9b (see FIG. 1). The water supply solenoid valve 8 includes a first water supply hose 80 having one end connected to the side wall of the upper part 2a of the outer tub 2 and a second water supply hose (one shown in the drawing) having one end connected to the front wall of the upper part 2a of the outer tub 2. Is connected.
The water supplied from the water supply solenoid valve 8 is the first water supply hose.
The water is supplied into the outer tub 2 via the second water supply hose 80 and reaches the drain port 71 along the inner wall of the outer tub 2.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the inside of the drum 3 of the washing machine according to the present invention as viewed from the front, and FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the inside of the drum 3 as seen from the side. The drum 3 includes a horizontal axis type bottomed cylindrical body 31, a fluid balancer 32 mounted on the opening side of the body 31, and a front plate 33 fixed outside the fluid balancer 32. The front plate 33 is disposed in the outer tub 2 with the front plate 33 facing the front of the washing machine.

At the center of the front plate 33, a suction port 34 formed by forming an axial flow fan also serving as a filter for sucking dry air is formed so as to protrude. One end of a support shaft 35 serving as a rotation shaft on the front side of the drum 3 is fixed to the center of the suction port 34, while the other end of the body 31 on the opposite side to which the front plate 33 is fixed is fixed. At the center, one end of a support shaft 36, which is provided on the same axis as the support shaft 35 and serves as the other rotation shaft of the drum 3, is fixed. The other end of the support shaft 35 is supported by a front bearing 350 disposed at the center of the heater casing 40, and the other end of the support shaft 36 is located at the center of the rear wall of the outer tub 2. The drum 3 is rotatable and rotatable around a support shaft 35 and a support shaft 36.

A baffle having a triangular cross section is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the body 31 of the drum 3 so as to protrude toward the axis of the body 31.
31a, 31b, and 31c are arranged in three equal parts.
The b and 31c are designed to lift the clothes in the drum 3 when the drum 3 rotates and rotates. Also, the drum of drum 3
A number of lateral ribs 301, 301,... Extending in the axial direction of the drum 3 are formed on the inner and outer peripheral surfaces of the 31. Further, a large number of through holes 302, 302,... Are formed in the body portion 31 so that water is supplied to and discharged from the drum 3 through the through holes 302, 302,.

A recess 31d is formed in the outer periphery of the body 31 by reducing the diameter of an arc portion having a central angle of 120 degrees in the body 31. A recess 31d is formed at the bottom of the recess 31d. Place 31d A lower clothing inlet 10c having a rectangular shape in a plan view occupying approximately one-half the area of the bottom is opened. Slide grooves 390, 390 are provided at the front edge and the rear edge of the recess 31d to slidably attach a synthetic resin lid 38 for opening and closing the lower clothing slot 10c.
Extend in the circumferential direction. The slide grooves 390, 390 are formed by attaching strip-shaped slide covers 392, 392 on the respective upper portions of the ridges 391, 391 provided in the circumferential direction of the body 31.

The lid 38 is supported in slide grooves 390, 390, and slides in the slide grooves 390, 390 to open and close the lower garment inlet 10c. Lid
Between one side edge of 38 and the lip of the lower clothing input port 10c,
An engagement / disengagement mechanism 37 is provided for engaging and disengaging the lid 38 when the lower clothing input port 10c is closed by the lid 38. A storage section for storing laundry treatment agents such as a detergent, a bleaching agent and a softening agent in advance is provided at the center of the upper surface of the lid 38.
380 is recessed.

As described above, the drum 3 includes the support shaft 35 and the support shaft.
The rear bearing 360 is supported by a front bearing 350 and a rear bearing 360 by a shaft 36. The shaft end of the rear bearing 360 projects outward from the rear wall of the outer tub 2, and a driving pulley 74 is provided at the shaft end. Attached. A motor 75, which is a three-phase induction motor, which is a power source of the drum 3, is provided outside the bottom surface of the outer tub 2. A drive shaft of the motor 75 and the drive pulley 74 are connected via a belt 76. Connected.

A magnet 77 is mounted on the outer tub 2 side of the driving pulley 74, and a magnet is provided on the outer surface of the rear wall of the outer tub 2.
A reed switch 78 is provided at a position facing the motor 77, and the reed switch 78 is closed when the magnet 77 approaches, and opens when the magnet 77 is separated, as the driving pulley 74 rotates. ing. That is, when the reed switch 78 is 1
When the drum 3 is opened and closed, the drum 3 has made one rotation. The output signal of the reed switch 78 is supplied to a first microcomputer 100, which will be described later. In the first microcomputer 100, based on the output signal of the reed switch 78, while the drum 3 makes one rotation, The rotation speed (rpm) of the drum 3 can be detected from the time.

The temperature of the mounting member 41 is detected by detecting the temperature of the mounting member 41 on any one of the mounting members 41, 41, 41.
Temperature detector consisting of a thermistor that detects the temperature of the drum
43 is installed. Further, a heater 27 having a heating element mounted in parallel with the bottom surface is fixed to the bottom of the outer tub 2 in the outer tub 2 by a heater mounting bracket 270 for the heater, and the heater 27 is heated with hot water. This is used to warm the water in the outer tub 2. A water temperature detector 28 for detecting the temperature of the water heater heater mounting bracket 270 to detect the temperature of the water in the outer tub 2 is mounted on the water heater heater mounting bracket 270.

Next, the configuration of the control system of the washing machine according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of the washing machine.

In the figure, reference numeral 100 denotes a first control which performs the main control of the washing machine.
A microcomputer 200 is a second microcomputer mainly for controlling the inverter of the motor 75. The first microcomputer 100 and the second microcomputer 200 are connected by a communication line so that information communication can be performed between them via the communication line.

The first microcomputer 100 includes an input key circuit 101 composed of various operation keys as described above, the water level detector 25, the drum temperature detector 43, the water temperature detector 28, and the abnormal vibration switch 102. A signal is input from an upper lid switch 103 which opens and closes in conjunction with the opening and closing of the upper lid 14. The first microcomputer 100 is connected to a first drive circuit 105 and a second drive circuit 107 which are circuits for driving a plurality of devices, respectively, and based on the signals input thereto as described above, A control signal for driving the device is provided. The first microcomputer 100 is connected to the LED display circuit 104 composed of each LED as described above.
From 0, information for LED display, such as setting information of the washing course and information on the operation status of the washing machine, is given to the LED display circuit 104.

The first drive circuit 105 is connected to a power-off AC solenoid 106, a drain motor 79, and a blower fan 22, to which respective drive signals are given from the first drive circuit 105. The second drive circuit 107 includes a water supply electromagnetic valve 8, an auxiliary agent input valve 108 for inputting an auxiliary agent such as a softener into the outer tub 2, an upper cover unlocking solenoid 109 for unlocking the upper cover 14, a water heater 27, The drying heaters 4 are connected, and the respective drive signals are supplied from the second drive circuit 107 to these heaters.

The second microcomputer 200 is connected to an inverter driving circuit 110 for driving the motor 75 with an inverter and detecting a generated voltage when the motor 75 generates power, and a reed switch 78. A signal relating to the rotation of the drum 3 is given from the reed switch 78 to the second microcomputer 200. Then, the motor 75 is supplied from the second microcomputer 200 to the inverter drive circuit 110.
A control signal for rotation control of is provided. Further, the inverter driving circuit 110 includes the second microcomputer 200
A drive signal for forward / reverse rotation control and rotation speed control is supplied to the motor 75 connected thereto based on the control signal given by the control unit.

The first microcomputer 100 is supplied with power for its operation from a first power supply circuit 111, and is provided separately from the power supply line.
A reset circuit 113 for initializing the first microcomputer 100 when the power is turned on is provided between the first microcomputer 100 and the first microcomputer 100, and a determination is made as to whether the frequency of the power supplied from the first power circuit 111 is 50 Hz or 60 Hz. Is performed, and the operation synchronized with the frequency of the determination result is performed by the first microcomputer 100.
Frequency synchronizing circuit 115 is connected in parallel.

The second microcomputer 200 is supplied with electric power for its operation from the second power supply circuit 112. The second power supply circuit 112 and the second microcomputer 200 are provided separately from the power supply line. A reset circuit 114 for initializing the second microcomputer 200 when the power is turned on is connected between the reset circuit 114 and the reset circuit 114.

The above-mentioned first drive circuit 105 and the equipment driven by it, the second drive circuit 107 and the equipment driven by it, the inverter drive circuit 110 and the motor 75 driven by it, the first power supply circuit 111, Second power supply circuit
112 is supplied with power from an AC power supply 300. A power switch 116 is provided in a power supply path from the AC power supply 300. When the power switch 116 is turned on, power is supplied to the control system as described above, and the washing machine becomes operable. It has become.

In the washing machine configured as described above, the first microcomputer 100 and the second microcomputer
By the control of 200, the washing course consisting of a washing step, a rinsing step, a dehydrating step, and a drying step is normally executed sequentially, while each step can be selectively executed. Before the washing step is performed, the amount of the laundry stored in the drum 3, that is, the load amount is detected.

When the operation is started, first, the load amount is detected in a procedure described later. In the washing step, first, water is supplied to the outer tub 2 to the set water level, and at the same time, the heater 27 for electric water is energized, and the washing water is heated to the set water temperature set by operating the water temperature setting key 111a. Next, the motor 75 is reciprocated in an operation cycle of, for example, 9 seconds on and 3 seconds off, and this is repeated within a set time. As a result, the drum 3 reciprocates and clothes are baffled in the drum 3.
A so-called tapping washing is performed in which the tanks 31a, 31b, and 31c lift and fall. Further, at the same time when the motor 75 is turned off as described above, the DC braking is applied to the motor 75 for, for example, two seconds. As a result, the drum 3 stops suddenly, so that the clothes are beaten against the inner wall of the drum 3 by the reaction and the washing is performed.

In the rinsing operation during the rinsing step, the same control of the motor 75 as in the washing step is performed, and the rinsing is performed. In the dehydration step, a dehydration operation is performed. When the water level of the outer tub 2 becomes a reset water level indicating a predetermined low water level at which the drum 3 can be rotated for dehydration by drainage, the motor 75 is deactivated. The rotation speed is increased by control as described later, and the drum 3 is rotated in one direction at high speed. Thereby, the clothes in the drum 3 are dehydrated by centrifugal force.

In the drying step, the drum 3 is reciprocated for a predetermined time in an operation cycle of, for example, 15 seconds on and 1 second off, and the drying heater 4 is energized, and the blowing fan 22 and the axial flow fan are turned on. The hot air is sent into the drum 3 by the air blow by the, and the clothes in the drum 3 are dried.

In the washing machine configured as described above,
As described above, the load amount of the drum 3 is detected before the execution of the washing process, and the detection result of the load amount is expressed in a form in which the load amount is classified into three types: a light load, a medium load, and a heavy load. . To explain the specific weight of light load, medium load and heavy load, for example, in the case of a washing machine with a design capacity of 4.5 kg,
The light load represents 0 kg to 1.5 kg, the medium load represents 1.5 kg to 3.0 kg, and the heavy load represents 3.0 kg to 4.5 kg.

The water level of the drum 3 of the horizontal drum type washing machine as described above is obtained by dividing the lower part from the rotation center of the drum 3 into ten equal parts in the radial direction, and the uppermost part of each of the ten equally divided sections. Is designated as 1, 2, 3... 10 degrees from the bottom upward, and the water level when the washing step is performed is set to be 3 degrees to 5 degrees. I have.

Next, a method for detecting the load of the drum 3 will be described. 6 and 7 are flowcharts showing the procedure for detecting the load amount. First, it is determined whether or not a start key for starting the operation of the washing machine has been turned on (step S1). Only when it is determined that the start key has been turned on, the water supply electromagnetic valve 8 is opened and the outer tub is opened. Water supply is started in Step 2 (Step S2).

Then, it is determined whether the water level detected by the water level detector 25 has reached the first set water level a (step S3). If it is determined that the water level has reached the first set water level a, the outer tank 2 is determined. In order to measure the time t ₀ required for supplying water from the first set water level a at which the water does not reach the bottom of the drum 3 to the second set water level b, which is higher than this, a time measurement is started (step S1). S4).

Next, it is determined whether or not the water level detected by the water level detector 25 has reached the second set water level b (step S5).
If it is determined that the set water level b has been reached, the measurement of the time t ₀ is terminated (step S6).

Next, it is determined whether or not the water level detected by the water level detector 25 has reached the third set water level c (for example, 1 degree) (step S7), and it is determined that the water has reached the third set water level c. In this case, time measurement is performed to measure the time t ₁ required for the water in the outer tank 2 to be supplied from the third set water level c to the fourth set water level d (for example, 3 degrees), which is higher than the third set water level c. It is started (step S8).

Next, it is determined whether or not the water level detected by the water level detector 25 has reached the fourth set water level d (step S9).
If it is determined to have reached the set water level d ends the measurement of the time t ₁ (step S10), and stops the water supply by closing the water supply electromagnetic valve 8 (step S11). And then
The drum 3 is rotated for 30 seconds (step S12).

Next, after the rotation for 30 seconds, it is determined whether or not the drum 3 has stopped (step S13). If it is determined that the drum 3 has stopped, 15 seconds after the stop of the drum 3 It is determined whether or not the time has elapsed (step S14). During the 15 seconds, the water level in the drum 3 stops.

In step S14, if it is determined that 15 seconds have elapsed after the stop of the drum 3, the detected water level p of the water level detector 25 at that time is stored in the memory (step S15), and then the water supply is performed again. The electromagnetic valve 8 is opened to start water supply (step S16).

Next, it is determined whether the water level detected by the water level detector 25 has reached the fifth set water level e (for example, 5 degrees) (step S17), and it is determined that the water level has reached the fifth set water level e. In this case, the water supply electromagnetic valve 8 is closed to stop the water supply (step S18). Then, the drum 3 is rotated for one minute (step S19).

Next, after the rotation for one minute, it is determined whether or not the drum 3 has stopped (step S20). If it is determined that the drum 3 has stopped, 15 seconds after the stop of the drum 3 is determined. It is determined whether or not the time has elapsed (step S21). During the 15 seconds, the water level in the drum 3 stops. If it is determined in step S21 that 15 seconds have elapsed after the stop of the drum 3, the detected water level q of the water level detector 25 at that time is stored in the memory (step S22).

When the processing of step S22 is completed, the processing of steps S23 to S35 described later is executed to determine the load amount. Before describing the processing, the load amounts are set to light, medium and heavy loads. In each case, the water level is changed from the fourth set water level d to the detected water level q through the detected water level p.
Explain the standard water level change up to.

FIG. 8 shows a standard water level for each load from the fourth set water level d to the detected water level q through the detected water level p when the load amount is light load, medium load and heavy load. It is a graph showing a change, the vertical axis represents the detected water level, the horizontal axis represents time, and these relationships are shown. However, the characteristics of each of the light load, the medium load, and the heavy load are represented by experimentally representative values representing the respective loads.

After the water level reaches the fourth set water level d, the drum 3
Is rotated for 30 seconds, so that water is absorbed by the laundry, and the water level is reduced by the absorbed amount. The detected water level p is the water level after decreasing in this way, and the water level L _p in the figure at a light load, the water level M _p in the figure at a medium load, and the water level H _{p in the} figure at a heavy load due to the absorption. Until the water level drops. Since the amount of water absorbed by the laundry increases as the load increases, the decrease in the water level from the fourth set water level d to the detected water level p increases as the load increases.

After the detection of the detected water level p, water is supplied, and after the water level reaches the fifth set water level e, the drum 3 is rotated for one minute. The water level decreases by this absorbed amount. Detection level q is level after falling in this way, until said water level L _q in the figure at light loads by absorption, in the middle load until the water level M _q in the figure, the water level H _q in the heavy load drawing Until,
Water level decreases. Since the amount of water absorbed by the laundry increases as the load increases, the fifth set water level e to the detected water level q
The decrease in water level up to the above increases as the load increases.

The water level L as described above, which was experimentally determined,
_{p, M p, H p,} L q, M q, the value of H _q is used in step S23 ～S25 the memory in advance is to be stored, will be described.

When the processing of step S22 as described above is completed, a light load discrimination index L representing how close the load of the laundry is to the light load is calculated by the following equation (1) (step S23).

L = | (p−L _p ) + (q−L _q ) | (1)

Next, a medium load discrimination index M representing how close the load of the laundry is to the medium load is calculated by the following equation (2) (step S24).

M = | (p−M _p ) + (q−M _q ) | (2)

Next, a heavy load discrimination index H indicating how close the load of the laundry is to the heavy load is calculated by the following equation (3) (step S25).

H = | (p−H _p ) + (q−H _q ) | (3)

Each of the light load discrimination index L, the medium load discrimination index M, and the heavy load discrimination index H thus calculated is
The detected water level p and the detected water level q are the reference water levels L _p , M _p , and H _p of the detected water level p of the target load (light load, medium load, and heavy load), and the reference water level L _{q of} the detected water level _q .
M _q, is intended to represent how close to the H _q,
As for each of the light load discrimination index L, the medium load discrimination index M, and the heavy load discrimination index H, the smaller the value is, the more the actual load amount with respect to the target load (light load, medium load, and heavy load). This indicates that the values are close.

When the light load discrimination index L, the medium load discrimination index M, and the heavy load discrimination index H are calculated, it is determined whether the heavy load discrimination index H is equal to or less than the light load discrimination index L (step S26). .

If it is determined in step S26 that the heavy load identification index H is equal to or less than the light load identification index L, it is determined whether the heavy load identification index H is equal to or less than the medium load identification index M (step S27). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S26 that the heavy load identification index H is not less than the light load identification index L, it is determined whether the middle load identification index M is less than or equal to the light load identification index L (step S26). S28).

If it is determined in step S27 that the heavy load discrimination index H is equal to or less than the medium load discrimination index M, it is determined that the laundry has a heavy load (step S29).

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S27 that the heavy load identification index H is not less than the middle load identification index M, and in step S28, it is determined that the middle load identification index M is less than the light load identification index L. If so, it is assumed that the laundry has a medium load (step S30).

If it is determined in step S28 that the medium load discrimination index M is not less than the light load discrimination index L, it is assumed that the laundry has a light load (step S3).
1).

[0066] In step S30, the laundry when it is assumed that the middle load, the value obtained by dividing the time t ₁ measured as described above at time _{t 0 (t 1 / t 0} ), the first said predetermined It is determined whether it is smaller than the threshold value x (step S32). The value (t ₁ / t ₀ ) obtained by dividing the time t ₁ by the time t ₀ is such that the higher the moisture content of the laundry, the smaller the amount of water absorbed by the laundry, and thus the shorter the time t ₁ , the shorter the washing time. The higher the water content of the laundry, the smaller it becomes, and it is a parameter for determining whether or not the laundry contains water in advance.

In step S32, time t _{1 is changed} to time t
Divided by the ₀ (t ₁ / t ₀₎ is a predetermined first threshold value x
If it is determined that the load is smaller than the threshold value, the process proceeds to step S29, and it is determined that the laundry has a heavy load. On the other hand, time t ₁
Is divided by the time t ₀ (t ₁ / t ₀ ), if it is determined that the value is equal to or more than the first threshold value x, it is determined that the laundry has a medium load (step S33).

In step S31, if it is assumed that the laundry is lightly loaded, the time t measured as described above is used.
A value obtained by dividing ₁ by the time t ₀ (t ₁ / t ₀ ) is a predetermined second value.
It is determined whether it is smaller than the threshold value y (step S3)
Four).

In step S34, time t _{1 is changed} to time t
_The value (t ₁ / t ₀ ) divided by ₀ is a predetermined second threshold value y
If it is determined that the load is smaller than the threshold value, the process proceeds to step S33, and it is determined that the laundry has a medium load. On the other hand, time t ₁
Is divided by the time t ₀ (t ₁ / t ₀ ), it is determined that the laundry is lightly loaded (step S35).

When the load of the laundry is determined as described above, the process returns to the main routine for controlling the washing machine. Then, the steps after the washing step are sequentially executed.

The load amount determined as described above is used as a parameter for adjusting the operation time or the operation amount in the control performed thereafter. For example, in the washing step, control is performed to make the washing time longer than a specified time as the load increases, in the rinsing step, control is performed to make the rinsing time longer than the specified time as the load increases, In each step, the optimal operation according to the load is controlled, such as controlling the dehydration time to be longer than the specified time as the amount increases, and performing the control to increase the drying time as the load increases in the drying step. It can be carried out.

When the load is obtained in this manner, it is not necessary to rotate the drum 3 until the laundry has sufficiently absorbed the water, so that the load can be obtained in a shorter time than in the prior art. Since the load amount is determined in consideration of whether or not the article contains moisture in advance, the load amount can be accurately determined regardless of the water content of the laundry.

[0073]

As described above in detail, in the washing machine according to the present invention, after the water is supplied to the washing tub storing the laundry to a predetermined water level, the water level after the washing tub is rotated for a predetermined time. It is assumed that the load having the reference value of the water level after rotation having the smallest difference with the load represents the load of the laundry, but is required for water supply in a specific water level section until the water level reaches the predetermined water level. Based on the measured time value, the laundry containing water in advance and the laundry not containing water in advance are distinguished, and the load amount is determined so as not to make an erroneous determination of the load amount due to the water content of the laundry. It is possible to detect the load accurately regardless of the moisture content of the laundry, and the load is detected even if the laundry does not sufficiently absorb water. The present invention has an excellent effect, for example, That.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a washing machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the outside of the outer tub viewed from the front.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the inside of the drum as viewed from the front.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the inside of the drum as viewed from the side.

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control system of the washing machine.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure for detecting a load amount.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure for detecting a load amount.

FIG. 8 is a graph showing a standard water level change from a fourth set water level when the load amount is a light load, a medium load, and a heavy load.

[Explanation of symbols]

 3 Drum 25 Water level detector 100 First microcomputer

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Shigetaka Hattori 2-18-18 Keihanhondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kentaro Mochizuki 2-18-18 Keihanhondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka (72) Inventor Yoshikazu Baba 2-18-18 Keihanhondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Kenji Fujii 2-18-18 Keihanhondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka Sanyo Electric (56) References JP-A-60-207698 (JP, A) JP-A-61-137598 (JP, A) JP-A-62-47399 (JP, A) JP-A-63-24991 (JP, A A) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) D06F 33 / 02,39 / 00,39 / 08

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. After water is supplied to a predetermined water level in a rotating drum that stores and rotates laundry, the laundry is rotated for a predetermined time , and the water level in the drum is detected. in connection with this detection result Te washing machine odor seeking load of laundry, based on the level difference between the water level after the drum rotation and the predetermined water level
Means for assuming the load amount of the laundry based on the water level from when the water supply is started until the water level reaches the predetermined water level.
Time measuring means for measuring a time required for supplying water in a specific water level section having a higher water level than the drum bottom, and the laundry contains moisture from the measurement result of the time measuring means.
Whether the laundry is wet or not.
Then, the assumed load is corrected and the load of the laundry is corrected.
And a means for finally determining the following .