JP3126950B2 - Washing water supply method and 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 method and an apparatus for supplying washing water to a fully automatic washing machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art If hot water is used for washing clothes, dirt is easily removed and the washing time is shortened. For this reason, the remaining hot water in a bath is reused or hot water from a water heater is used. Conventionally, when using bathtub residual water, the residual water is pumped out using a pump and used, and when heating clean water, a hot water tap of a water heater is provided near a washing machine.

Conventionally, there has been proposed a bath water heater (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-143547) in which the remaining hot water and hot water boiled by a water heater can be selected as required and supplied to a fully automatic washing machine. This bath hot water supply device supplies the remaining hot water of the bath, that is, the bathtub remaining water or the heated bathtub remaining water to a fully automatic washing machine, and supplies clean water or heated clean water to the fully automatic washing machine.

[0004]

However, such a bath water heater does not select the contents of water supply in accordance with the mode of washing, rinsing and the like, and it is not sanitary to use bathtub residual water for rinsing. .

However, normally, it is impossible to externally or electrically know the washing, draining, rinsing, and dehydrating washing modes in a fully automatic washing machine. Is very annoying.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a washing water supply method and a washing water supply method in which washing is switched to tap water or bath tub residual water and rinsing is switched to tap water to reuse and clean the bath tub residual water. Aim.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a washing water supply method and apparatus for supplying tap water or bathtub remaining water to a washing machine (fully automatic washing machine 19), wherein the washing machine (19) supplies water. It is detected that the water is shut off, and the supply state of the bathtub remaining water is maintained for a certain time after the detection of the cutoff. After the predetermined time has elapsed, the water supply to the washing machine (19) is changed from the supply state of the bathtub remaining water. By switching to the water supply state,
Washing is performed with remaining water in the bathtub or clean water, and rinsing is performed with clean water, in order to reuse and clean the bathtub remaining water.

The washing water supply method of the present invention (Claim 1) is a washing water supply method for supplying tap water or tub residual water to a washing machine, wherein the step of supplying the tub residual water to the washing machine includes the steps of: A step of detecting that the machine side has cut off the water supply, a step of maintaining the supply state of the bathtub residual water for a fixed time from the detection of the cutoff of the water supply, and after the lapse of the fixed time, supplying the water to the washing machine. Switching from the supply state of the bathtub residual water to the supply state of the tap water.

When the on-off valve on the fully automatic washing machine side is opened, that is, when the washing mode is entered, water is supplied to the washing tub through the water supply path by the remaining water in the bathtub, and this water supply state is detected by the detecting means. You. This flowing water is detected by, for example, a flowing water sensor installed in the water supply path. When the required amount of water is supplied to the washing tub, the washing machine shifts to the washing mode.

In a washing mode of a fully automatic washing machine, there is a washing machine in which after a water supply, water for a washing operation is divided into a plurality of times by controlling an on-off valve on the washing machine side. For example, a pulsator is provided after each water supply. Is performed. When the predetermined washing is completed, the mode shifts to the rinse mode via the drainage mode and the dehydration mode.

Therefore, in the water supply before shifting to the washing mode, it is detected on the washing machine side that the water supply has been interrupted, and after a certain period of time from this detection, the supply state of the bathtub remaining water is switched to the supply state of clean water. . Here, the certain time is set to a longer time for the water supply interval in the washing mode, and during that time, the supply state of the bathtub remaining water is maintained, the washing machine completes the washing mode, drains, and enters the rinsing mode. It was decided to wait for a period of time to shift to the water supply state. Therefore, when the fully automatic washing machine shifts to the rinsing mode, the rinsing is performed with the tap water according to the preset supply state of the tap water.

[0012] In the washing water supply method of the present invention, the clean water or the bathtub remaining water to be supplied to the washing machine is heated to a predetermined temperature. With such heating,
In the washing mode or the rinsing mode, the water supply temperature is set to a desired temperature, for example, the optimum temperature for washing the wool product, that is,
It can be maintained at around 30 ° C.

The washing water supply device of the present invention is a washing water supply device for supplying tap water or bathtub remaining water to a washing machine, and a supply path (supply pipe 7, supply pipe 7) for supplying the washing machine with water or the bathtub remaining water.
8, piping 11, 13, washing machine piping 15, hose 21)
Switching means (three-way valve 10) provided in this supply path to selectively switch the water supply to the washing machine between the clean water and the bathtub remaining water; and the washing machine side provided in the supply path. Detecting means (flowing water sensor 22) for detecting that the water supply has been shut off, and by the switching control of the switching means, the state of supply of the remaining water in the bathtub is maintained for a certain time from the detection of the cutoff of the water supply; After the lapse of time, the state of supply of the bathtub residual water is switched to the state of supply to the clean water.

That is, the supply path connecting the water supply side to the washing machine and the bathtub side to the washing machine is provided with switching means for selectively switching each path to the water supply side or the bathtub remaining water side. Then, tap water or bathtub remaining water is supplied to the washing machine side through this path, and the flowing water is detected by the detecting means. Water supply to the washing machine is arbitrarily selected by the washing machine side, and the means for detecting running water is means for detecting whether or not the washing machine side is in a water supply state. Then, when the washing machine enters the washing mode, water is supplied to the washing tub through the water supply path by the remaining water in the bathtub, and this water supply state is detected by the detecting means. And when the required amount of water is supplied to the washing tub,
The washing machine transitions to the washing mode.

The stop of the water supply is detected by the detecting means,
After a certain time from this detection, the state of supply of the bathtub residual water is switched to the state of supply of clean water. That is, the switching means provided in the supply path is switched to the water supply side, the water supply side is connected to the washing machine, and the water supply state can be supplied before the rinsing mode. Therefore, when the washing machine shifts to the rinsing mode, rinsing is performed with the clean water according to the preset supply state of clean water.

[0016] In the washing water supply apparatus of the present invention, the supply path includes a heating means for heating the passing water or the remaining water in the bathtub, and heating the water or the remaining water in the bathtub to a predetermined temperature to wash the water. Machine. By such heating, in the washing mode or the rinsing mode,
The water supply temperature can be maintained at a desired temperature, for example, the optimum temperature for washing wool products, ie, around 30 ° C.

In the laundry water supply apparatus according to the present invention, the detecting means is a running water sensor installed in the supply path. The flowing water sensor is a means for electrically or mechanically detecting the presence or absence of flowing water in the supply path.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show an embodiment of a washing water supply method and an apparatus therefor. A is a water supply device main body, which is configured by a hot water supply / reheating device. This water supply device A
The apparatus includes first and second heat exchangers 1 and 2 using a heating means (not shown) such as a gas burner as a heating source.

The heat exchanger 1 is connected to tap water through a water supply pipe as a supply path, is supplied with tap water as tap water, and heats the tap water. On the downstream side of the heat exchanger 1, there is provided a hot / water mixing valve 3 for merging hot water passing through the heat exchanger 1 and tap water on the upstream side to mix. The hot and cold water mixing valve 3 is provided with a valve element operated by a heat responsive element or the like, and the operation of the valve element changes the mixing amount of hot water and water, thereby adjusting the temperature of the hot water.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a hopper for opening to the atmosphere. Hot water is supplied to the hopper 4 from the output side of the hot and cold water mixing valve 3 through a supply pipe 7, and tap water is supplied from an upstream side of the heat exchanger 1 through a supply pipe 8. The supply pipe 7 is provided with an on-off valve 5 such as an electromagnetic valve, and the supply pipe 8 is provided with an on-off valve 6 such as an electromagnetic valve.
Adjusted by 6. The output side of the hopper 4 is connected to one selection port of a first three-way valve 10 through a pipe 9.

A common port 10c of the three-way valve 10 is connected to the upstream side of the heat exchanger 2 through a pipe 11, and a pump 12 is installed in the pipe 11, that is, between the heat exchanger 2 and the three-way valve 10. Is provided with a pump 12. The common port 14 c of the second three-way valve 14 is connected to the downstream side of the heat exchanger 2 through a pipe 13. A washing machine pipe 15 is connected to one selection port 14 a of the three-way valve 14, and a bathtub 16 is connected to the other selection port 14 b through a going pipe 17. In the bathtub 16, return pipe 1
8 is connected to the other selection port 10b of the three-way valve 10.

The washing machine 19 is a fully automatic washing machine for supplying tap water or bathtub remaining water in the bathtub 16. This washing machine 1
9, an on-off valve 2 such as a solenoid valve is provided downstream of the water supply connection.
0 is provided. This water supply connection and piping 1 for the washing machine
In the drawing, the connection of the water supply connection portions formed as an extension of the fifth embodiment is such that water is supplied by connecting with a hose 21. And
In the supply path, a flowing water detecting means is provided. In this embodiment, a flowing water sensor 22 is provided between a water supply connection portion on the water supply device side and one of the selection ports 14 a of the three-way valve 14.

Next, the operation will be described.

It is assumed that the on-off valve 20 of the fully automatic washing machine 19 is open. As shown by hatching in FIG. 1, the three-way valve 10 is connected to the selection port 10a and the common port 10c.
And the three-way valve 14 communicates the selection port 14a and the common port 14c to perform a water supply operation. At this time, the tap water is supplied from the hopper 4 by the operation of the pump 12,
Piping 11 through common port 10c and selection port 10a
Flows through the heat exchanger 2 and the pipe 13 to reach the common port 14 c of the three-way valve 14. Then, this common port 14
c, flows into the washing machine pipe 15 through the selection port 14a, and is supplied to the washing tub 23 of the washing machine 19 through the flowing water sensor 22, the hose 21, and the on-off valve 20.

When only the on-off valve 6 is opened, tap water not heated by the heat exchanger 1 is supplied into the hopper 4, and the tap water is supplied into the washing tub 23. When only the on-off valve 6 is opened and the heating means of the heat exchanger 1 is operated, the tap water heated by the heat exchanger 1 is added to the hot and cold water mixing valve 3 and mixed with the tap water to adjust the temperature. The supplied tap water is supplied into the washing tub 23 through the hopper 4 by a route.

Next, as shown by hatching in FIG. 2, the three-way valve 10 is connected to the selection port 10b and the common port 10c.
When the water supply operation is performed by connecting the three-way valve 14 to the selection port 14a and the common port 14c, residual water in the bathtub flows from the return pipe 18 into the pipe 11 through the selection port 10b of the three-way valve 10, the common port 10c. The water flows into the washing tub 23 of the washing machine 19 and is supplied.

When the heating means of the heat exchanger 2 is operated, the bathtub residual water is heated by the heat exchanger 2 and supplied into the washing tub 23. Therefore, the heat exchanger 2 does not show the supply temperature adjusting means as in the heat exchanger 1, but has an appropriate supply temperature adjusting means.

As described above, in the three-way valve 10, the water to be supplied to the washing tub 23 can be switched between tap water and bath tub water by selecting the selection ports 10a and 10b communicating with the common port 10c. The valve 10 constitutes a means for switching the water supply.

On the other hand, when the three-way valve 14 is switched from the above-mentioned state to allow the common port 14c to communicate with the selection port 14b, tap water or bath water reaching the common port 14c of the three-way valve 14 flows from the selection port 14b. The water can be supplied to the bath 16 via the heater 17, and by operating the heating means together with this operation, hot water can be supplied to the bath 16 or refired. Therefore, the three-way valve 14 constitutes a bath or washing selecting means.

Each of the above-described heating selection means and water supply selection means can be set in advance in an operation section which is a control section of the water supply apparatus to perform desired water supply. The operation unit can be installed at the installation location of the washing machine separately from the water supply device A.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the operation unit. The operation unit includes an operation switch 24, a standby switch 26, a washing switch 27, a display unit 28, a rinsing switch 29, a display unit 30, an OFF switch 31, and a hot water washing wool switch 32.

The operation switch 24 turns on and off the operation of the main body A of the water supply device. Reference numeral 26 denotes a standby switch. When the standby switch 26 is in an ON state, the standby switch 26 can perform an operation that follows an operation of an opening / closing valve of the washing machine 19. The standby switch 26 is configured to interlock the bath and washing selecting means. That is, when the standby switch 26 is ON, the three-way valve 14 switches to the washing side where the selection port 14a is in communication with the common port 14c. , OFF, the other selected port 14b is switched to the bath which is in communication with the common port 14c. The standby switch 26 is managed by a timer, and is automatically turned off when a predetermined time elapses after the standby switch 26 is turned on. By default, the operation of the bath is given priority.

Next, the washing switch 27 is set to the fully automatic washing machine 1.
9 is a washing mode, and the washing tub 23 is
Can be sequentially selected in a circulating manner as hot water (heated tap water), water (tap water), remaining hot water heating, and the remaining hot water as they are, and the selected contents are displayed in the corresponding display units 28.
Is displayed on the display lamp.

Next, the rinsing switch 29 circulates water to be supplied to the washing tub 23 every time the washing machine 19 is pressed in the rinsing mode by using only hot water (heated tap water) and water (tap water). The user can make a selection, and the selected content is also displayed on the corresponding display lamp of each display unit 30.

The OFF switch 31 forcibly turns the ON state of the standby switch 26 OFF.

The switch 32 is a switch unique to washing a wool product. When the hot water washing wool switch 32 is ON, the switch 32 is connected to the common port 14c in both the washing mode and the rinsing mode. The washing machine 1 flows into the washing machine pipe 15 through the selection port 14 a, passes through the running water sensor 22, the hose 21, and the on-off valve 20.
The temperature of the water supplied into the washing tub 23 can be maintained at around 30 ° C. That is, the wool switch 32 constitutes the wool washing setting means described above.

In the above configuration, when the operation of the washing machine 19 is started in a state where the operation switch 24 and the standby switch 26 are turned on, the internal state of the water supply device becomes the washing mode similarly to the mode of the washing machine 19.

In this state, the washing machine 19 is turned on and off.
When opening 0, the washing tub 2
Water is supplied into the inside 3, and the flowing water sensor 22 is turned on by this water supply. Accordingly, the water supply device detects the start of water supply by the running water sensor 22 and supplies water to the washing tub 23 through the above-described path under the conditions set in advance by the washing switch 27 or the wool switch 32. When “hot water” or “remaining hot water heating” is selected by the washing switch 27 and the wool switch 32 is OFF, the washing tub 2
The temperature of the water supplied to 3 is controlled by the hot water temperature adjusting means, and is maintained at a temperature suitable for washing (for example, about 35 ° C. to 40 ° C.). On the other hand, when the wool switch 32 is ON, the temperature (approximately 30 ° C.) suitable for washing the wool product is maintained.

The above water supply is performed in a plurality of times in the washing mode, and the pulsator 33 is rotated after each water supply. When the washing operation is completed, the washing machine 1
Reference numeral 9 performs drainage and dehydration operations, and shifts to a rinsing operation. To show specific examples of these operation times, for example, in the washing mode, each water supply interval is 20 seconds / 2 minutes 30 seconds,
The minimum pulsator rotation time after completion of water supply is 2 minutes 30 minutes
Seconds, drainage time is 1 minute to 1 minute 30 seconds, dehydration time is 1 minute to 2 minutes
Minutes and 30 seconds, and after these times have elapsed, the water supply operation in the rinse is started.

That is, in this specific example, the maximum time between each water supply operation in the washing mode is 2 minutes and 30 seconds, whereas after the water supply operation in the washing mode is completed,
The shortest time before the water supply operation in the rinsing mode is started is 4 minutes and 30 seconds, and the latter time is longer. Such a time relationship is observed in most of the washing machines 19. For example, when the time T is set to 3 to 4 minutes, the set time T is longer than the longest time of the former in most of the washing machines 19 and the latter. Is shorter than the shortest time.

Accordingly, the time during which the flowing water sensor 22 does not continuously detect flowing water on the water supply device side is monitored in comparison with the set time T, and when the detected time exceeds the set time T, the operation of the water supply device 22 itself is stopped. Is set to the rinse mode, it is possible to cope with the rinse mode operation of the washing machine 19.

Next, FIGS. 4 and 5 conceptually show the above operation. First, in FIG.
Is ON, the internal state of the water supply device itself is in the washing mode. Next, the operation of the washing machine 19 is started, the on-off valve 20 is controlled in a predetermined sequence, and the water supply in the washing mode is performed a plurality of times. Both intervals t1 and t2 between each water supply in the washing mode are shorter than the set time T, and therefore, the water supply apparatus maintains its own internal state in the washing mode and does not change to another mode.

By the way, when a predetermined water supply operation in the washing mode of the washing machine 19 is completed and a series of operations proceeds, as shown in FIG. 5, the time during which the flowing water sensor 22 does not continuously detect flowing water is set. At time T, the water supply device changes its internal state to the rinsing mode, and the washing machine 1
The state is set so as to correspond to the water supply in the rinsing mode of No. 9. That is, in this case, the water supply device controls the components of the above-described units, and the water supply selection unit forcibly selects the tap water supply unit so that only the heating selection unit can be operated. Utilization is not possible, and only the tap water is heated or supplied to the washing tub 23 without heating to perform the rinsing operation. Thus, when the on-off valve 20 is opened again after the elapse of the time t3 longer than the set time T, water supply corresponding to the setting of the rinsing mode can be performed.

That is, the water supply device detects the start of water supply by the flowing water sensor 22 and supplies water to the washing tub 23 through the above-described path under the conditions set in advance by the rinse switch 29 or the wool switch 32. . "Water" is selected by the rinse switch 29, and the wool switch 3
When 2 is OFF, the temperature of the water supplied to the washing tub 23 is controlled by the hot water temperature adjusting means, and is maintained at a temperature suitable for washing (for example, about 35 ° C. to 40 ° C.). On the other hand, when the wool switch 32 is ON, the temperature (approximately 30 ° C.) suitable for washing the wool product is maintained.

[0046]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In response to the transition from the washing mode to the rinsing mode in a fully automatic washing machine, the washing mode enables the use of residual water in the tub, and the rinsing mode enables rinsing with clean water, thereby improving the economics of reusing the residual water in the bathtub. And hygienic washing by an automatic washing machine can be realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view showing an embodiment of a washing water supply method and an apparatus thereof according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view showing an embodiment of a washing water supply method and an apparatus thereof according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view illustrating an example of an operation unit of the water supply device.

FIG. 4 is a time chart showing a washing water supply method.

FIG. 5 is a time chart showing a washing water supply method.

[Explanation of symbols]

 5, 6 on-off valve (switching means) 7, 8 supply pipe 9, 11, 13 pipe (supply path) 10 three-way valve (switching means) 15 washing machine pipe (supply path) 16 bathtub 19 fully automatic washing machine 20 on-off valve 21 Hose (supply route) 22 Running water sensor (detection means)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-4-143547 (JP, A) JP-A-62-148693 (JP, A) JP-A-57-119791 (JP, A) 105089 (JP, U) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) D06F 39/08

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A washing water supply method for supplying tap water or bathtub remaining water to a washing machine, comprising the steps of: supplying the bathtub remaining water to the washing machine; and detecting that the washing machine has shut off the water supply. And a step of maintaining the supply state of the bathtub residual water for a fixed time from the detection of the cutoff of the water supply; and after the predetermined time has elapsed, supplying water to the washing machine from the supply state of the bathtub residual water to the water supply. Switching to a supply state. 2. The washing water supply method according to claim 1, wherein the clean water or the bathtub remaining water to be supplied to the washing machine is heated to a predetermined temperature. 3. A washing water supply device for supplying tap water or bathtub residual water to a washing machine, comprising: a supply path for supplying tap water or the bathtub residual water to the washing machine; and a washing path provided in the supply path. Switching means for selectively switching the water supply to the machine between the clean water and the bathtub remaining water; anda detection means provided in the supply path and detecting that the washing machine side has shut off the water supply, By the switching control of the switching means, the supply state of the bathtub remaining water is maintained for a certain period of time from the detection of the cutoff of the water supply, and after the predetermined time has elapsed, the supply state of the bathtub remaining water to the supply state to the clean water is supplied. Washing water supply device characterized by switching to: 4. The heating device according to claim 1, wherein the supply path includes heating means for heating the passing water or the bathtub remaining water, and heating the water or the bathtub remaining water to a predetermined temperature and supplying the water to the washing machine. The washing water supply device according to claim 3, characterized in that: 5. The washing water supply device according to claim 3, wherein said detection means is a running water sensor installed in said supply path.