JP3033804B2 - Washing machine detergent input device - 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 detergent feeding device attached to a washing machine body for automatically feeding a detergent into a water tank.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a detergent input device of a washing machine,
There has been known a washing machine in which a detergent accommodating section is provided on an upper plate provided in an upper portion of a washing machine, or a washing / dehydrating tub having a detergent accommodating section.

FIGS. 6 to 8 show an example of a conventional detergent feeding device according to the former method in which a detergent accommodating portion is provided on a top plate portion of a washing machine. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 41 denotes an outer tub constituting the main body of the washing machine.
2 is attached, and an operation panel (not shown) attached to the upper surface plate portion 42 is used to provide an exterior at the top of the washing machine.

A water tank 43 is provided inside the outer tank 41. The water tub 43 is suspended from the outer tub 41 by four support mechanisms 44 disposed around the water tub 43, and a washing and dewatering tub 45 is rotatably disposed inside the water tub 43. Reference numeral 46 denotes a drain valve provided at the bottom of the water tank 43.

A pulsator 47 for stirring the laundry is exposed at the inner bottom of the washing and dewatering tub 45.
A mechanism 48 is provided in the outer tank 41 further below the bottom of the outer tank 41. The mechanism section 48 is linked to a motor 50 via a belt 49, and selectively transmits the drive of the motor 50 to the pulsator 47 and the washing and dewatering tub 45.

As shown in FIG. 7, the upper plate 42 is
A laundry input port 42a is formed in a central portion above the water tub 43, and the laundry input port 42a is opened and closed by an upper lid 42b. Reference numeral 51 denotes a storage case for storing a powder detergent, a liquid bleach, and a liquid softening agent, and is provided in a mounting portion 52 formed at a rear portion of the upper plate portion 42.
It is mounted so that it can enter and exit from the open front of the mounting portion 52.

More specifically, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 8, it is formed in a box shape with a handle attached to the front surface, and the inside thereof is a bleach storage section 53 for storing a liquid bleach, a softener storage section 54 for storing a liquid soft finish, and And a detergent storage section 55 for storing a powder detergent formed between the bleach storage section 53 and the softener storage section 54. The detergent storage 55 is open at the top and at the back in the mounting direction of the storage case 51.

A water supply means is provided on the rear side of the upper plate 42. The water supply means communicates with the dual water supply valve 56 including a first water supply valve 56a used at the time of initial water supply and the like and a second water supply valve 56b used at the time of the rinsing step and the like. And first and second water supply units 57a and 57b. Among them, the first water supply portion 57a is formed in an upper portion from the back end to the front end of the mounting portion 52, as shown in FIG.

In such a conventional configuration, at the start of operation, the first water supply valve 56a is opened, water is supplied from the first water supply valve 56a to the first water supply section 57a via the hose 58, and further the first water supply section 57a is supplied. Is supplied to the bleach storage section 53 and the detergent storage section 55 at the same time. On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
Is passed into the washing and dewatering tub 45 through the inner bottom surface of the container.

FIG. 9 shows, as another conventional example, an example of the latter type of detergent feeding device in which a detergent accommodating section is provided in a washing and dewatering tub. In addition, in the conventional example shown in this figure, parts having the same configuration and operation as those of the conventional example are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted to avoid duplication.

In FIG. 9, a groove 61 is formed vertically along the inner peripheral surface of the washing and dewatering tub 45,
By providing a cover 62 extending from the vicinity of the outer peripheral end of the pulsator 47 to the vicinity of the upper end of the washing and dewatering tub 45 so as to face the open side surface of the groove 61, the upper end opening of the washing and dewatering tub 45 and the lower surface of the pulsator 47 are provided. And a detergent is introduced from the upper open end of the water passage 63 and stored in the water passage 63.

Reference numeral 64 denotes a flange attached to the bottom of the washing and dewatering tub 45, and the flange 64 has a large number of water absorption holes 64a. A pump blade 47a is provided on the back surface of the pulsator 47.
When the pulsator 47 rotates, the pump blades 47a generate a water pump-up action.

In this case, when the operation is started, water is supplied into the washing and dewatering tub 45 until the set water level is reached.
The pulsator 47 is rotated to start washing. At the same time, the rotation of the pump blades 47a causes water in the water tub 43 to flow through the water absorption holes 64a of the flange 64 and the washing and dewatering tub 4
5 and is positively pushed into the water passage 63. Then, the detergent contained in the water passage 63 is injected into the water tank 43 from the upper end opening of the water passage 63 by the flow of water rising in the water passage 63.

[0014]

However, any of the above conventional structures has the following problems.
First, in the former conventional example using a method in which a detergent is stored in the upper surface plate portion 42 and the detergent is poured into the water tank 43 by water supply, the amount of flowing water at the time of water supply depends on tap water pressure, how the water tap is opened, and the like. If the amount is smaller than the required amount, the detergent is not completely put into the washing / dewatering tub 45 but remains in the detergent storage portion 55. Therefore, at the time of washing, the concentration of the detergent contained in the water becomes low, and the stains on the laundry become poor.
In addition, there is a problem that the detergent is mixed into the supplied rinsing water during rinsing.

In the latter conventional example using a system in which a detergent is stored in the washing and dewatering tub 45, when the water level at the time of washing is low, the pump blades 47a of the pulsator 47 are:
It is not possible to generate a sufficient pump-up capacity to feed the detergent into the water tank 43 from the upper end opening of the water passage 63 in which the detergent is stored. Therefore, the detergent is supplied from the lower end opening of the water passage 63 to the water tank 43, and the water tank 4
There was a problem that the detergent was difficult to spread over the entire area of No. 3.

The present invention drastically solves the above-mentioned problems of the conventional detergent dispensing system using a detergent dispensing method, and can stably supply detergent to a washing and dewatering tub without excess or shortage. It is an object of the present invention to provide a detergent input device of a washing machine capable of supplying a sufficient amount of detergent in a washing and dewatering tub.

[0017]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a container container provided with an inflow port and an outflow port of water and externally.
A detergent agitating container having a detergent input port into which a detergent is introduced into the body, and an inlet of the detergent agitating container from a bottom opening of a water tank provided in the main body of the washing machine, via the outlet, the inside of the water tank. A water passage leading to an upper part, a circulation pump for circulating water in a circulation passage surrounding the water tank and the water passage, opening / closing means for opening / closing a detergent inlet of the detergent stirring container, and a pump drive for driving the circulation pump Means and operation control means.

When the detergent is charged into the detergent stirring container by the operation control means, the detergent inlet is opened,
After the detergent is supplied, the operation of the opening / closing means is controlled so as to close the detergent input port, and after the detergent input port is closed by the opening / closing means, the pump driving means is controlled to operate the circulation pump. ing.

In the above configuration, the detergent agitating container is provided at a position lower than the lowest water level in the water tank, while a water shutoff valve is provided in a water passage portion between the detergent agitating container and the water tank. A drain valve for draining water in the water passage is provided below, and a water stop valve driving unit for opening and closing the water stop valve and a drain valve driving unit for opening and closing the drain valve can be added. .

In this case, the operation control means controls the water stop valve driving means and the drain valve drive means so as to close the water stop valve and open the drain valve when the detergent is charged into the detergent stirring container. After the water in the circulation channel is completely drained,
The opening / closing means is configured to control the opening and closing means so as to open a detergent introduction port for introducing the detergent into the detergent stirring container.

Further, in the above construction, there is provided a detergent discharging means having a detergent storing portion for storing the detergent, and a measuring portion for measuring the detergent stored in the detergent storing portion and discharging a predetermined amount. It can be configured that the detergent is injected into the detergent stirring container by the detergent discharging means.

Further, in the detergent agitating container, the inflow port faces the outer peripheral portion inside the container body, and the outflow port faces the substantially central portion inside the container body, and the internal shape of the container body changes from the inflow port. It is desirable that the water flowing to the outlet form a vortex inside the container body.

[0023]

According to the above construction, a set amount of detergent is supplied by charging a detergent into a detergent agitating container provided in a circulation water channel and circulating water by a circulation pump. Regardless of the water supply condition, the washing liquid having the optimum underwater detergent concentration is always poured into the water tank under stable conditions.

By setting the installation level of the detergent agitating vessel lower than the water level of the water tank, the interior of the detergent agitating vessel necessarily becomes full when the water stop valve is opened. Therefore, even if the detergent is supplied to a deviated position in the detergent agitating container, the detergent is surely dissolved in the water stream and transported regardless of the supplied position. Also, during the washing, open the water stop valve,
By closing the drain valve, the water in the detergent stirring container can be drained, so that the detergent can be added.

Further, the convenience can be improved by introducing the detergent into the container by the detergent discharging means. Further, by forming the detergent agitating container into a shape such that a vortex is formed therein, the water flow passing through the detergent agitating container becomes a vortex, so that the detergent can be transported while being efficiently dissolved.

[0026]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 schematically shows a configuration of a washing machine equipped with a detergent introduction device according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, 1
Is an outer tub constituting a washing machine main body, and a water tub 2 is provided inside the outer tub 1 in a state of being suspended by four support mechanisms (not shown) arranged therearound. ing.

A washing and dewatering tub 3 is rotatably disposed inside the water tub 2. A pulsator 4 for stirring the laundry faces the inner bottom of the washing and dewatering tub 3.
A mechanism 5 is provided in the outer tank 1, which is further below the bottom of the water tank 2.
Is provided. The mechanism unit 5 is linked to a motor 7 via a belt 6 and is configured to selectively transmit the drive of the motor 7 to the pulsator 4 and the washing and dewatering tub 3.

Numeral 8 is an upper surface plate mounted around the upper end opening of the outer tank, which is provided with an operation panel (not shown).
The exterior of the upper part of the washing machine is provided by this operation panel.
At the center of the upper plate 8, a laundry input opening 8a which is opened and closed by an upper lid 9 is formed.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a reinforcing flange attached to the bottom of the washing and dewatering tub, and the flange 10 has a large number of water absorption holes 10a. A pump blade 4a is provided on the back of the pulsator 4.
When the pulsator 4 rotates, the pump blade 4a generates a water pump-up action.

Now, in order to start the washing operation, the laundry is put into the washing and dewatering tub 3 and the motor 7 is driven. The rotation of the motor 7 is driven by the pulsator via the belt 6 and the mechanism 5. The laundry and the water in the washing / dewatering tub 3 are stirred by the forward / reverse drive of the pulsator 4. When the spin-drying operation is performed, the drive transmission system of the mechanism unit 5 is switched to a state in which the driving force of the motor 7 is transmitted to the washing and spin-drying tub 3. From this state, the motor 7 is driven. Then, the washing and spin-drying tub 3 is driven to rotate, and a spin-drying operation is performed.

In the washing machine constructed and operated as described above, the detergent dispensing device of this embodiment is provided in the outer tub 1 and includes a detergent discharging device 11, a detergent stirring container 12, an opening / closing mechanism 13, and a water passage. Circulating pipe 14, circulating pump 15
And a water stop valve 16 and a drain valve 17.

FIG. 2 shows the detergent discharging device 11. As shown in this figure, a detergent storage 19 for storing a powder detergent is formed in a main body 18 of the detergent discharge device 11 by partitions 20. In the center of the bottom of the discharge device main body 18, a supply port 21 for introducing the detergent from the detergent storage unit 19 into the detergent stirring container 12 is formed. Reference numeral 22 denotes a detergent delivery mechanism disposed in the detergent storage section 19, which operates so as to deliver the detergent in the detergent storage section 19 to the supply port 21 side.

A measuring section 23 is provided between the detergent storing section 19 and the supply port 21. The measuring section 23 measures the detergent delivered from the detergent storage section 19 by the detergent delivery mechanism 22 at predetermined intervals and guides the detergent to the supply port 21. Reference numeral 24 denotes a shutter for opening and closing the supply port 21;
Reference numeral 5 denotes a drive motor capable of rotating forward and backward. The detergent delivery mechanism 22, the metering unit 23, and the shutter 24 are interlocked with each other by a drive force of a drive motor 25 being transmitted via a drive transmission mechanism 26. It is configured to be driven.

FIG. 3 shows the detergent stirring container 12. As shown in this figure, the detergent agitating container 12 is provided with a water inlet 28 in a tangential direction from an inner peripheral end of a short cylindrical container main body 27.
And an outlet 29 is provided vertically downward from substantially the center of the bottom wall of the container body, and a detergent is provided on the upper wall of the container body opposite to the inlet 28 with respect to the center of the container body 27. An input port 30 is provided.

In the detergent agitating container 12, a detergent inlet 30 located at the upper end is provided at a position lower than the lowest minimum water level in the water tank 2, and water entering from the inflow port 28 is used as shown in FIG.
As shown by the arrow, while passing along the inner peripheral wall of the cylindrical container main body toward the outlet 29, a vortex is formed in the container main body 27, and the detergent inlet 3 is formed.
The detergent introduced from 0 is stirred in the vortex. In addition, the detergent stirring container 12 shown in FIG. 3 is only an example, and the shape is not particularly limited as long as a spiral water flow is formed in the container main body 27.

Returning to FIG. 1, the opening / closing mechanism 13 is provided on the detergent inlet 30 of the detergent agitating container 12, and is opened only when the detergent is injected from the detergent discharging device 11 into the detergent agitating container 11. At other times, the detergent inlet 30 is closed while the closed state is maintained.

The circulation pipe 14 is provided with a water supply pipe section 14 a, which is provided between a drain port 31 as a bottom opening provided at the bottom of the water tank 2 and the inlet port 28 of the detergent stirring container 12, and the outlet port 2.
The water supply pipe section 14b extends from the pipe 9 through the circulation pump 15 to the upper end opening of the water tank 2, and a drain pipe section 14c branched from a portion of the water supply pipe section 14b on the near side of the circulation pump 15. In addition, the circulation pump 15 supplies water in the water tank 2 to a circulation waterway around the water tank 2 and the circulation pipe 14.
It operates to circulate from above to below.

The water stop valve 16 is connected between the water tank 2 and the detergent stirring vessel 12.
In order to control the flow of water to the water, the detergent stirring container 12 and the water tank 2
Water supply pipe part 14 of the circulation pipe 14 as a water passage part between
a. The drain valve 17 is provided in the drain pipe portion 14c for draining water in the water passage below the detergent stirring container 12. An operation control unit 32 controls the washing machine and the detergent dispensing device.

FIG. 4 schematically shows the configuration of the operation control unit 32. In this figure, 33 is a water supply valve, 34 is a water supply valve drive circuit that opens and closes the water supply valve 33, 35 is a drain valve drive circuit that opens and closes the drain valve 17, 36 is a water stop valve drive circuit that opens and closes the water stop valve 16, Reference numeral 37 denotes an opening / closing mechanism drive circuit for operating the opening / closing mechanism 13; 38, a discharge device drive circuit for driving the detergent discharge device 11; 39, a pump drive circuit for driving the circulation pump 15; It is constituted by a microcomputer that controls each part of the washing machine and the detergent dispenser through the circuits 34 to 39.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an outline of the operation of the operation control section 32 at the initial stage of the operation. In this figure, when the operation of the washing machine is started in Step # 5, Step # 1 is started.
At 0, the water supply valve 33 is opened via the water supply valve drive circuit 34,
Water supply into the water tank 2 is started. At this time, the water stop valve 16
The drain valve 17 is kept closed, and no water is contained in the detergent stirring container 12.

When the initial detergent input routine is executed in step # 15, the opening / closing mechanism drive circuit 37 is executed in step # 20.
The opening / closing mechanism 13 is opened via the discharge device drive circuit 38 at step # 25, and the operation of the detergent discharge device 11 is started, and the container main body 27 is moved from the detergent input port 30 of the detergent stirring container 12 not containing water. Detergent is supplied. In this case, in the detergent discharging device 11, a predetermined amount of detergent is measured by the measuring unit 23 and then charged into the detergent stirring container 12, so that
If the laundry is in a normal dirty condition, good washing can be performed without adding a detergent.

When a predetermined amount of detergent is thus charged into the detergent agitating container 12, the detergent discharging device 11 is stopped in step # 30, and the opening / closing mechanism 1 is further stopped in step # 35.
3 is closed again. Next, after the opening / closing mechanism 13 is closed, the water stop valve 16 is opened via the water stop valve driving circuit 36 in step # 40, and water in the water tank 2 is supplied from the drain port 31 to the water supply pipe portion of the circulation pipe 14. The detergent is supplied into the detergent stirring container 12 through 14a. At this time, since the upper detergent inlet 30 of the detergent stirring container 12 is held in a closed state by the opening / closing mechanism 13, water does not leak to the outside.

In this state, when the circulation pump 15 is operated via the pump drive circuit 39 in step # 45, the water in the water tank 2 passes through the water supply pipe section 14a of the circulation pipe 14, the water stop valve 16, and further the detergent. Stirring vessel 12, circulation pump 15
Then, the water is returned to the water tank 2 via the water pipe 14b of the circulation pipe 14. At this time, when the water passes through the detergent stirring container 12, the water flows out while generating a spiral water flow by the vortex forming function of the detergent stirring container 12, so that the detergent stored in the detergent stirring container 12 While being dissolved in water, it is put into the water tank 2 by the water flow through the circulation pump 15 and the circulation pipe 16.

When the detergent is once added after the above process and the detergent is to be added as required after the washing is started, the water stop valve 16 is turned on via the water stop valve drive circuit 36. After the closed state, the drain valve 17 is opened via the drain valve drive circuit 35. In this case, the water stop valve 16
The washing liquid accumulated in the detergent agitating container 12, the circulation pump 15 and the circulation pipe 16 due to the closing is discharged to the outside of the machine, after which the drain valve 17 is closed and the opening / closing mechanism 13 is opened,
By activating the detergent discharge device 11, it is possible to perform the additional introduction of the detergent in the same manner as the introduction of the detergent during the initial operation.

[0045]

As described above, according to the present invention, when by the washing machine detergent dosing device of the present invention, the detergent in the detergent stirred vessel provided in a circular water channel when turned on, the container, detergent is introduced
Since the detergent inlet is opened to supply the detergent, the inlet is then closed, and after the detergent inlet is closed by the opening / closing means, the water is circulated by the circulation pump. Regardless of the water level and the state of water supply from the tap water, the entire amount of the detergent in the detergent agitating container is reliably injected into the water tank. In particular, an opening / closing means should be provided at the detergent inlet of the detergent stirring container.
Are kept closed during stirring.
And no water leaks to the outside.
It can be put into the water tank without fail.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the installation level of the detergent agitation container is set lower than the water level of the water tank, the interior of the detergent agitation container is necessarily filled with water when the water stop valve is opened. it can. Therefore, even if the detergent is charged at a deviated position in the detergent stirring container, the detergent can be surely dissolved in the water stream and transported irrespective of the charged position. Further, even during the washing, the water in the detergent agitating container can be drained by opening the water stop valve and closing the drain valve, so that the detergent can be arbitrarily added.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the detergent is injected into the container by the detergent discharging means, so that the amount of the detergent corresponding to the amount of the laundry can be measured and accurately added. It will be expensive.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the detergent agitating container is formed in such a shape that a vortex is formed therein, the water flow passing through the detergent agitating container can be made into a spiral flow. It can be transported while melting efficiently.

In short, according to the present invention, the detergent can be stably introduced into the washing and dewatering tub without excess or shortage, and the detergent can be supplied so as to be sufficiently distributed in the washing and dewatering tub. A good detergent dosing device can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a configuration of a washing machine equipped with a detergent introduction device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a detergent discharge device.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing a detergent stirring container.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of an operation control unit.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of an operation control unit in an initial operation.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a configuration of a washing machine equipped with a conventional detergent introduction device.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part thereof.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part thereof.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a configuration of a washing machine equipped with another conventional detergent feeding device.

[Description of Signs] 1 Outer tub 2 Water tub 11 Detergent discharge device 12 Detergent stirring container 13 Opening / closing mechanism 14 Circulation pipe 14a Water supply pipe section 14b Water supply pipe section 14c Drain pipe section 15 Circulation pump 16 Water stop valve 17 Drain valve 19 Drainage storage section 23 Measuring unit 28 Inlet 29 Outlet 30 Detergent inlet 31 Drain 32 Operation control unit 35 Drain valve drive circuit 36 Water stop valve drive circuit 39 Pump drive circuit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) D06F 33/02 D06F 39/02

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A container main body from an inlet and an outlet of water and from outside.
A detergent agitating container having a detergent input port into which a detergent is introduced into the body, and an inlet of the detergent agitating container from a bottom opening of a water tank provided in the main body of the washing machine, via the outlet, the inside of the water tank. A water passage leading to an upper part, a circulation pump for circulating water in a circulation passage surrounding the water tank and the water passage, opening / closing means for opening / closing a detergent inlet of the detergent stirring container, and a pump drive for driving the circulation pump Means for controlling the operation of the opening / closing means so that the detergent inlet is opened when the detergent is charged into the detergent stirring container, and the detergent inlet is closed after the detergent is charged; An operation control means for controlling the pump driving means to operate the circulating pump after closing the input port. 2. A detergent stirring container is provided at a position lower than the lowest water level in the water tank, a water shutoff valve is provided in a water passage portion between the detergent stirring container and the water tank, and a water passage is provided below the detergent stirring container. A drain valve for draining the water therein, a water shutoff valve driving means for opening and closing the water shutoff valve, and a drainage valve driving means for opening and closing the drainage valve, while the operation control means comprises a detergent stirring container. When the detergent is introduced into the inside, the water stop valve driving means and the water discharge valve drive means are controlled so as to close the water stop valve and open the drain valve. 2. The detergent input device of a washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the opening / closing means is controlled so as to open the detergent input port to input the detergent into the container. 3. Detergent discharging means having a detergent storing part for storing detergent, and a measuring part for measuring a detergent stored in the detergent storing part and discharging a predetermined amount thereof is provided. 3. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the washing machine is configured to charge the detergent into the washing container. 4. The detergent stirring container has an inflow opening facing an outer peripheral portion inside the container main body, and an outflow opening facing almost the center portion inside the container main body, and has an inner shape of the container main body from the inflow opening. 4. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the water flowing to the outlet forms a vortex inside the container body.