JP3133111B2 - 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 detecting the light transmittance of washing liquid related to the degree of soiling of laundry and controlling the washing process based on the light transmittance.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a washing machine, in order to wash laundry efficiently and reliably, the washing time depends on the amount of laundry and the degree of dirt, and the type and amount of detergent used. It is necessary to set the amount of water supply properly.

[0003] In view of the above, attention is paid to a change in the light transmittance of the washing liquid due to stain removal along with the progress of washing, and information on the detergent used based on the change in the light transmittance of the washing liquid and the laundry. It has been considered to detect information on dirt and control the washing process from information on these detergents and information on dirt on the laundry. Specifically, a transmittance detecting device for detecting the light transmittance of the washing liquid is provided in the washing tub, thereby detecting the light transmittance of the washing liquid during the washing process, and based on the change in the light transmittance. The washing machine converts the read-only conversion information into information related to the laundry, and controls the washing process from the converted information related to the laundry based on the read-only control information.

[0004]

However, the light transmittance detected by the transmittance detecting means includes various information relating to laundry such as information relating to detergents and information relating to dirt on laundry and information relating to water temperature. I have. For this reason, when trying to detect only the information about one laundry, there is a case where the information about the one laundry that was attempted to be detected due to the influence of the information about the other laundry cannot be accurately detected,
In such a case, there is a possibility that the control of the washing process under an appropriate setting may not be performed.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a washing machine capable of surely controlling a washing process appropriate for each washing condition.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention firstly provides a transmittance detecting means for detecting a light transmittance of a washing liquid in a washing tub, and is provided in the washing tub. A cloth amount detecting means for detecting an amount of the washed laundry, a water level detecting means for detecting a water level in the washing tub, and a plurality of detected by the transmittance detecting means after a lapse of a plurality of predetermined times from the start of washing in a washing process. A washing machine having control means for detecting information on a detergent and information on dirt on laundry from light transmittance, and controlling the washing process based on the information on the detergent and information on dirt on laundry. A supplement that corrects information on the detergent and / or information on soiling of the laundry by at least one of the laundry amount signal detected by the cloth amount detecting unit and the water level signal detected by the water level detecting unit. And summarized in that having means.

Second, in the first configuration, the gist is that the correction means is constituted by a neural network.

[0008]

In the above construction, first, after the washing is started, the washing liquid in the washing tub is such that water, cloth and detergent are agitated. There is a point in time when the state of the washing liquid is dissolved to some extent. The point in time when this state is reached, that is, the point in time when a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of washing, is the point in time when the influence of the detergent is greater than the influence of dirt and the like, and the information on the detergent is detected by detecting the transmittance by the transmittance detecting means. Is done. However, when the amount of laundry (cloth amount) changes, the stirring power of the washing machine changes the rate of absorption by the cloth, and the power for directly dissolving the detergent changes. Also, the agitation power is generated by driving the cloth. Since the flow of the washing liquid also changes, the time required for dissolving the detergent is different. As described above, the light transmittance of the washing liquid at a point in time when a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of washing is greatly affected by the amount of cloth.

The difference between the light transmittance after the lapse of the above-mentioned predetermined time and the lapse of a new predetermined time from now is the change from the state where the detergent is dissolved to some extent in the washing liquid to the state where the cloth is cleaned. Is shown. Thus, information on dirt is detected from the difference in light transmittance. However, like the information on the detergent, the light transmittance of the washing liquid is affected by the amount of cloth. When detecting information on dirt, the ratio of the change in the amount of water to the change in the amount of dirt adhering to the cloth accompanying the change in the amount of cloth, such as the amount of water does not double even when the amount of cloth doubles. Is also one of the factors affecting the transmittance.

Therefore, when detecting the information on the detergent and the information on the dirt from the detected light transmittance of the washing liquid, the information is corrected by at least one of the cloth amount signal and the water level signal, and the corrected information on the detergent and By controlling the washing process on the basis of the information on the dirt, it is possible to surely control the washing process appropriate for each washing condition.

Second, by using a neural network as the correction means, the influence of the cloth amount and the water level is removed,
The information on the detergent and the information on the dirt can be detected more accurately, and it is possible to more reliably control the washing process appropriate for each washing condition.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 to FIG. 7 are views showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

First, the overall configuration of the washing machine will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, 1 is a washing machine main body, 2 is a washing tub (hereinafter also referred to as an outer tub) elastically suspended by a suspension 4, and 3 is a washing tub (hereinafter, an inner tub) also serving as a dehydration tub for washing and dewatering clothes. A plurality of drain holes 5 are formed in the side wall of the peripheral wall, and a fluid balancer 6 is provided in the upper part. A pulsator 7 for stirring clothes and water is provided at the bottom of the inner tank 3. The mechanism for driving the pulsator 7 includes a drive motor 8 and a mechanical case 9 having a built-in brake and clutch mechanism. On the other hand, a drain hose 1 having a drain valve 11 is provided at the bottom of the outer tank 2.
2 are installed. The drain valve 11 is closed during the washing process, the water supply process, and the rinsing process. In addition, a light-transmitting material is used for a part of the bottom of the outer tub 2, and the light-emitting element 1 constituting the transmittance detecting device 15 as a transmittance detecting means is used for this portion.
3 and a light receiving element 14 are provided. The inner tank 3 in which a number of holes 5 for draining water are formed is a light emitting element 13 and a light receiving element 1.
4 has a function as a blocking portion for preventing the laundry from entering, and between the light emitting element 13 and the light receiving element 14, only the washing liquid including the washing liquid and the rinsing liquid enters to transmit the light. The rate is detected. The transmittance detecting device 15, the light transmittance of the water is set to the output V ₀ defined by experiment. Reference numeral 16 denotes a water level detecting device as a water level detecting means, which communicates with the bottom of the outer tub 2 via a thin tube 17. The water level detecting device 16 detects a water level by detecting a change in air pressure generated in the thin tube 17 with a change in the water level in the washing tub. Although not shown, an electronic circuit unit having a built-in control unit, a microcomputer serving as a correction unit, a cloth amount detection circuit serving as a cloth amount detecting unit, and the like is installed at an upper portion of the main body 1 of the washing machine. FIG. 2 shows a circuit configuration example of the cloth amount detection circuit. It is composed of two comparators 18a, 18b, an exclusive OR gate 19, etc., and the amount of laundry is proportional to the phase difference between the power supply voltage applied to the drive motor 8 and the current flowing through the drive motor 8. The amount of laundry is detected by detecting the phase difference.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to the control flowchart of FIG. 3 and FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIG. 4 shows a change in light transmittance from the start of washing to a predetermined time t ₁ determined by an experiment in the washing process. In the same figure, a solid line a indicates a change in light transmittance when washing with a synthetic detergent at a low water level with a small amount of cloth, and a broken line b indicates a light transmittance change when washing with a synthetic detergent with a large amount of cloth at a high water level. The dashed line c indicates the change in light transmittance when the laundry is washed with a liquid detergent at a high water level with a large amount of cloth. In all three cases, the ratio of the amount of detergent to the amount of water is the same.

FIG. 5 shows a change in light transmittance from the above-mentioned predetermined time t ₁ to a predetermined time t ₂ determined by an experiment. In the figure, a solid line d indicates a change in light transmittance when a large amount of cloth is used and the amount of dirt is small at a high water level, a broken line e indicates a change in light transmittance when a large amount of cloth is used and a large amount of dirt is used at a high water level, and a dashed dotted line f indicates a cloth This is a change in light transmittance when the amount is small, the water level is low, and the amount of dirt is large. In all three cases, the same detergent and the same amount were used.

In the case where the information on the detergent is detected based on the light transmittance and the amount of cloth, as shown in FIG. 4, even if the ratio of the amount of detergent to the amount of water is equal, when the amount of cloth is large, the amount of cloth is small. In comparison, the difference ΔV ₀₁ in light transmittance tends to increase (ΔV _01a <ΔV _01b , for example, ΔV _01a = V
Is ₀ -V _1a). In the conventional method, when the amount of cloth is large, as shown by the solid line a in FIG. 4, when the amount of cloth is small despite the use of the synthetic detergent, the liquid detergent and the washing machine (ΔV _01a ≒ Δ
V _01c ). For this reason, in the present embodiment, a correction means for obtaining the relationship between the difference ΔV _{01 in} light transmittance and the information on the detergent for each cloth amount by experiment and putting the relationship into the storage unit of the microcomputer is used. The microcomputer from the relationship obtained by experiments, obtains the relationship between the laundry amount, the relationship between the information on the difference [Delta] V ₀₁ and detergent in light transmittance cloth of representatives, the relationship between the amount of laundry There is also a correction unit to be stored in the storage unit. There is also a method of obtaining the relationship by using a neural network shown in FIG. This neural network is configured by providing input items of light transmittance and cloth amount in an input layer, using output items of information on detergent in an output layer, and configuring a hidden layer using five items in one stage. This neural net removes the influence of the amount of cloth and makes it possible to more accurately detect detergent-related information as compared with the related art.

Next, in the case of detecting information on dirt based on the light transmittance and the cloth amount, as shown in FIG. 5, even if the washing liquid is in the same state at the elapse of the predetermined time t ₁ , the cloth amount is not changed. When the amount is large, the light transmittance difference Δ is larger than when the amount of cloth is small.
There is a tendency that V ₁₂ increases (ΔV _12e> ΔV _12f).
In the conventional method, if the amount of cloth is large,
As indicated by the dashed-dotted line f, when the degree of dirt is high but the amount of cloth is small, the washing machine determines that the degree of dirt is low (ΔV _12d ≒ ΔV _12f ). For this reason, for each cloth amount, a correction means for obtaining the relationship between the difference ΔV ₁₂ in the light transmittance and the information on the detergent by an experiment and putting the relationship into the storage unit of the microcomputer is used. Further, a relational expression is obtained from the relation obtained by the experiment, and the difference ΔΔ in the light transmittance at the representative cloth amount is obtained.
To the relationship between V ₁₂ and the dirt information about, the correction means contain a relational expression between laundry weight in the storage unit of the microcomputer there. There is also a method of obtaining the relationship by using a neural network shown in FIG. In this neural network, input items of light transmittance and cloth amount are provided in an input layer, output items of information relating to dirt are used in an output layer, and a hidden layer is configured using five items in one stage.
This neural net removes the influence of the amount of cloth and makes it possible to more accurately detect dirt information as compared with the related art.

When the user of the washing machine sets the water level without using the cloth amount detecting means, the water level is detected by the water level detecting device 16 and the cloth amount information is obtained from the relationship between the cloth amount and the water level determined by experiments. Detect.

In FIG. 3, water is supplied to the minimum water level from the start of washing, and the water is stirred by the drive motor 8 for a predetermined time determined experimentally, whereby the cloth amount is detected by the cloth amount detection circuit (steps 20 to 22). Based on the detection result, the water level is set from the relationship between the cloth amount and the water level determined in advance by experiments, and the water is supplied to a predetermined water level and the washing process starts. During the predetermined time t ₁ determined by the experiment, the stirring is performed by the drive motor 8, the output V ₁ , which is the light transmittance of the washing liquid, is detected by the transmittance detector 16, and the output V ₁ is compared with the light transmittance V _{0 in} water. Difference Δ
To detect the V ₀₁ (step 23 to 26). Detecting information about the detergent from the difference [Delta] V ₀₁ and fabric of the detected light transmittance (step 27). Then, the drive motor 8 continues for a predetermined time (t ₂ −t ₁ ) determined by experiments.
In laundry and wash liquid is stirred and detects the output V ₂ in transmittance detection device 15 is a light transmittance of the washing liquid, detecting the difference [Delta] V ₁₂ of the light transmittance of V ₁ of the washing liquid (step 28 to 2
9). Differences [Delta] V ₁₂ and fabric of the detected light transmittance for detecting information about the contamination (Step 30). Then, washing control for setting the remaining washing time is performed based on the detected information on the detergent and the information on the dirt (steps 31 to 32). Thereby, the washing control from the detergent and the laundry used by the user is made more accurate by performing the correction based on the cloth amount information.

The information on the detergent in this embodiment is as follows.
The detergent that the user of the washing machine inputs is liquid detergent, powdered soap,
This is the result of determining which of the synthetic detergents belongs to.
Since the speed and the ability to remove stains on the cloth are different depending on the difference between these detergents, more optimum washing can be performed by controlling the washing time. The information on dirt in the present embodiment is the result of determining the degree of dirt on the laundry put in by the user. By controlling the washing time according to the degree of dirt, more optimal washing can be performed.

FIG. 8 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, when detecting information on dirt, information on a detergent is also used for the correction.

[0024] detecting the cloth amount detection process (step 40) and the light transmittance of the washing liquid in the light transmission detector 15 after t ₁ hours from the wash start, the information relates to detergent from the difference between the detected light transmittance The detection process (steps 35 to 39) is the same as in the first embodiment. At this time, when detecting information on the detergent, correction is performed based on the cloth amount (steps 40 to 42). Then, the light transmission is detected from the time t ₁ after a predetermined time (t ₂ -t ₁₎ has elapsed, for detecting information about contamination by detecting the difference [Delta] V ₁₂ of the light transmittance (step 43-45). At this time, when detecting information on dirt (step 46), in the case of liquid detergent,
Correction is made with the amount of cloth, and in the case of a synthetic detergent, information on the detergent is used for the correction. As a result, the difference in stain removal depending on the type of detergent can be accurately corrected. Then, the washing control is performed by setting the remaining washing time based on the corrected information on the detergent and the information on the stain (steps 42, 47, and 42).
48-51).

FIGS. 9 and 11 show a third embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the information on the stain detected by the light transmittance is corrected by the information on the detergent.

FIG. 10 shows a change in light transmittance from the start of washing to the washing process. In the figure, a solid line g indicates a case where the washing amount of the synthetic detergent is smaller than the standard amount, and a broken line h indicates a case where the washing amount of the synthetic detergent is larger than the standard amount. This 2
In each case, washing is performed using the same synthetic detergent, the same amount of water, the same amount of cloth, and the same amount of soiling.

At the elapse of the predetermined time t ₁ from the start of washing, the absolute amount of undissolved detergent particles differs between the case of the synthetic detergent less than the standard amount and the case of the synthetic detergent more than the standard amount, and the light transmittance the ratio of the components the detergent is gradually dissolved in the difference [Delta] V ₁₂ are different. In addition, a predetermined time (t ₂ −
Depending on the detergent, the amount of the stain removed during t ₁ ) is shorter in the case of the synthetic detergent less than the standard amount than in the case of the synthetic detergent larger than the standard amount (t ₂ −t).
_The amount of dirt removed between ₁ ) is different. Therefore, in the conventional method, the difference ΔV _12g in light transmittance is equal to the difference ΔV in light transmittance.
_V12h is smaller than _V12h , and the washing machine detects that there is little dirt even with the same degree of dirt on the cloth. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a correction means for obtaining the relationship between the light transmittance difference and the degree of contamination for each of the detergents classified as the information on the detergent by experiment and putting the relationship into the storage unit of the microcomputer is used. Also, from the relationship obtained by experiments, a relational formula between detergents is obtained, and the relationship between the light transmittance difference of representative detergents and the degree of dirt and the relational formula between detergents in the storage unit of the microcomputer are also corrected. is there. There is also a method of obtaining the relationship by using a neural network shown in FIG. In this neural network, input items for information on light transmittance difference and detergent are provided in the input layer, output items for information on dirt are used in the output layer, and the hidden layer is configured using five items in one stage. This neural network is a neural network that removes the influence of the difference in the type of detergent from the difference in light transmittance.

[0028] In FIG. 9, after the start wash step, the predetermined time t ₁ is determined by experiments, and stirred by a drive motor 8, detects the output V ₁ is the light transmittance of the washing liquid in transmittance detector 15 And the difference in light transmittance between the change in water and the washing liquid Δ
V ₀₁ is detected (steps 55 to 57). The difference [Delta] V ₀₁ of the detected light transmittance for detecting information about the detergent (step 58). Subsequently, for a predetermined period of time (t ₂ -t ₁ ) determined by experiments, stirring is performed by the drive motor 8, the output V ₂ , which is the light transmittance of the washing liquid, is detected by the transmittance detecting device 15, and the washing liquid is detected. The difference ΔV ₁₂ in the light transmittance is detected based on the change (steps 59 and 60). Based on the detected difference ΔV _{12 in} light transmittance and the detected information on the detergent, information on dirt is detected (step 61). Then, based on the detected information on the detergent and the information on the stain, the washing control for setting the remaining washing time is performed based on the relationship determined by the experiment (steps 62 and 63).
Thus, the portion related to the washing control based on the degree of soiling of the laundry becomes more accurate by performing the correction based on the information on the detergent, and more appropriate control of the washing process can be performed.

[0029]

As described above, according to the present invention,
First, information on the detergent detected from the light transmittance based on at least one of the laundry amount signal detected by the cloth amount detecting unit and the water level signal detected by the water level detecting unit, and / or
Alternatively, the information on the stain on the laundry is corrected, and the washing process is controlled based on the information on the detergent after the correction and the information on the stain. Therefore, the information on the detergent detected from the light transmittance and the information on the stain on the laundry. Therefore, the effect of the laundry amount or the water level is appropriately corrected, and the control of the washing process corresponding to each washing state can be reliably performed.

Second, by using a neural network as the correction means, the effects of the laundry amount and the water level are removed, and the information on the detergent and the information on the soiling of the laundry can be detected more accurately. Appropriate control of the washing process in accordance with the washing state can be performed more reliably.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of a first embodiment of a washing machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a circuit configuration example of a cloth amount detection circuit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a control flowchart for explaining the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a change in light transmittance during a washing process in the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a change in light transmittance during a washing step in the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a neural network for outputting information on a detergent in the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a neural network that outputs information on dirt in the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a control flowchart for explaining the operation of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a control flowchart for explaining the operation of the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a change in light transmittance during a washing step in a third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a neural network that outputs information on dirt in the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2, 3 washing tub 15 Transmittance detector (transmittance detector) 16 Water level detector (water level detector)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Naoki Tatsumi 4-21 Yoshiwara-cho, Nishi-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi Pref. Toshiba Corporation Nagoya Plant (56) References JP-A-3-237997 (JP, A) JP-A-61 -50595 (JP, A) JP-A-61-159997 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) D06F 33/02 D06F 39/02

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A transmittance detecting means for detecting a light transmittance of a washing liquid in a washing tub; a cloth amount detecting means for detecting an amount of laundry put into the washing tub; A water level detecting means for detecting a water level, and information on a detergent and information on soiling of laundry are detected from a plurality of light transmittances detected by the transmittance detecting means after a plurality of predetermined times have elapsed from the start of washing in a washing step; A control means for controlling the washing process based on the information on the detergent and the information on the stain on the laundry, wherein the laundry amount signal detected by the cloth amount detecting means or the water level detected by the water level detecting means. A washing machine comprising a correction means for correcting the information on the detergent and / or the information on soiling of the laundry by at least one of the signals. 2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein said correction means is constituted by a neural network.