JP3162527B2 - 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 provided with a rotary tub for washing and dehydrating operation in an outer tub so as to automatically execute the washing and dehydrating operations.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a fully automatic washing machine, which is a washing machine of this kind, when a washing operation is repeatedly executed, stains such as detergents and soap adhere to the outside of the rotating tub and the inside of the outer tub, and black mold is formed on the stain. Are known to occur. When such dirt increases, a bad smell may be generated, or the dirt may be easily rinsed, peeled off during operation, and adhered to the laundry. On the other hand, conventionally, there is a configuration in which a tank cleaning course for cleaning the tank and removing the dirt is executable, and in this configuration, a user appropriately determines a necessary time for the tank cleaning and performs the tank cleaning. The course was going to run.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional structure, the user often forgets to perform the tank cleaning, or makes a mistake in determining the time when the tank cleaning is necessary, and thus, the stain such as black mold is often caused. Often adhered to the laundry. On the other hand, in the washing machine described in JP-A-4-240486, the number of times the washing operation is performed or the operation time of the washing operation is integrated, and the integrated number of times of the laundry operation or the washing operation time is set to the set value. When it reaches, it is notified that it is time to wash the tank, and the user is urged to execute a tank washing course. However, in this configuration, if a power outage occurs or the power plug is removed from the outlet, the number of washing operations or the washing operation time accumulated up to that point is reset. There was a problem of inaccuracy. In particular, some users remove the power plug from the outlet every time after the end of the washing operation, which has a problem in practical effectiveness.

[0004] Further, the amount of detergent used during execution of the washing operation is not a fixed amount but varies, and the degree of dirt attached to the tub varies depending on the amount of detergent used. If the determination of the necessity of tank cleaning is made only by itself, the accuracy of the determination may be slightly inferior.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine capable of accurately determining when tub cleaning is required and notifying the user when a power failure occurs or when a power plug is removed from an outlet. To offer. It is another object of the present invention to provide a washing machine capable of more accurately determining a time when tub cleaning is required and notifying the user of the time.

[0006]

A washing machine according to the present invention is provided with an integrating means for integrating the number of executions of a washing operation in a washing machine having a rotating tub for washing and dewatering operation in an outer tub.
A nonvolatile memory for storing the accumulated number of washing operations is provided, and the user is prompted to execute a tub washing course for washing the tub when the number of washing operations stored in the nonvolatile memory reaches a set value. It has a feature in that a notification unit for performing notification is provided.

In this case, it is preferable to provide a tub washing setting means for automatically setting a tub washing course when the number of washing operations stored in the nonvolatile memory reaches a set value. It is also conceivable to provide a configuration including a detergent amount detecting means for detecting the amount of detergent used at the time of executing the washing operation and a correcting means for correcting the number of washing operations in accordance with the detected detergent amount.

[0008]

According to the above means, since the number of times of the washing operation is integrated and the number of times of the washing operation as the integration result is stored in the non-volatile memory, a power failure occurs or the power plug is disconnected from the outlet. The number of washing operations is not cleared. When the number of washing operations stored in the non-volatile memory reaches the set value,
Since the notification is performed to prompt the user to execute the tank cleaning course for cleaning the tank, the necessary time for the tank cleaning is accurately determined, and the notification is accurately performed.

In this case, the tub cleaning course is automatically set when the number of washing operations stored in the nonvolatile memory reaches the set value, so that the user can quickly execute the tub cleaning course. And the usability is further improved.

Incidentally, the amount of dirt adhering to the tub may fluctuate depending on the amount of detergent used, and the accuracy of the judgment is slightly inferior if the necessary time for tub cleaning is determined only by the number of washing operations. There is. In response to this, since the amount of detergent used during the execution of the washing operation is detected and the number of washing operations is corrected in accordance with the detected amount of detergent, it is possible to determine when tub cleaning is necessary. Along with becoming more accurate, the notification that the tank cleaning is necessary becomes more accurate.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. First, in FIG. 2 showing the entire configuration of a fully automatic washing machine, a water receiving tub 2 as an outer tub is elastically supported in an outer box 1, and a rotating tub 3 for washing and dewatering is provided in the water receiving tub 2. Are rotatably provided.
A stirring body 4 is rotatably disposed on the inner bottom of the rotary tank 3.

On the outer bottom of the water receiving tank 2, a motor 5 and a mechanism 6 for washing and dehydrating operation are provided. The mechanism section 6 reduces the rotational force of the motor 5 during washing and transmits it to the stirrer 4 to rotate the stirrer 4 forward and reverse. During dehydration, the rotational force of the motor 5 is transmitted to the rotary tub 3 and the stirrer 4. The transmission is performed so that both are integrally rotated at a high speed in one direction.

Further, a drain valve 8 and a water distribution pipe 9 are provided at a drain port 7 formed outside the bottom of the water receiving tank 2. An air trap 10 is provided adjacent to the drain port 7, and a water level sensor 11 (see FIG. 1) is connected to the air trap 10 via an air tube 12. The water level sensor 11 is provided at a rear portion inside the upper cover 13 of the outer box 1, and a water supply valve 14 is provided at a rear portion inside the upper cover 13.

In the valve case 8a of the drain valve 8, a turbidity sensor 15 as a detergent amount detecting means is provided.
The turbidity sensor 15 has a light emitting element such as an LED and a light receiving element such as a phototransistor, and is configured such that these elements are opposed to each other. The turbidity sensor 15
Outputs a turbidity detection signal of a level corresponding to the turbidity of the washing water by locating the washing water stored in the water receiving tank 2 (the rotating tub 3) between the light emitting element and the light receiving element. It has become. Here, the level (voltage level) of the turbidity detection signal output from the turbidity sensor 15 changes according to the amount of detergent charged into the water receiving tank 2, that is, the detergent concentration at a relatively early stage of the washing operation. . Thereby, the turbidity sensor 15
It is possible to detect the amount of detergent put into the water receiving tub 2, that is, the amount of detergent used in the washing operation, based on the turbidity detection signal output from.

The level of the turbidity detection signal output from the turbidity sensor 15 changes according to the amount of dirt contained in the washing water in the water receiving tank 2. Thus, the amount of dirt contained in the washing water in the water receiving tub 2 can be detected based on the turbidity detection signal output from the turbidity sensor 15.

On the other hand, an operation panel 16 (see FIG. 3) is provided at the front right end of the upper cover 13. As shown in FIG. 3, a start / stop switch 17 for starting and temporarily stopping a washing operation is provided on the operation panel 16, and six operation switches 18 to 23 are provided on the right side. Are arranged side by side. These 6
Among the operation switches 18 to 23, a timer switch 18 for making a timer reservation is provided at an uppermost portion, and a water level switch 19 for setting a washing water level, a washing switch 20 for setting a washing operation time, and a number of times of rinsing are provided below the timer switch 18. , A dehydration switch 22 for setting a dehydration operation time, and a course changeover switch 23 for selecting and setting a washing course.

On the upper left side of the operation panel 16,
A water level display section 24 for displaying a set water level is provided, and a digital display section 2 comprising a 7-segment LED for displaying a time, a washing time, a rinsing frequency, a dehydration time, and the like below the water level display section 24.
5, further below, a course display section 26 for selecting and displaying various types of automatic washing courses and tub washing courses is provided.

In FIG. 1 showing the electrical configuration, a control circuit such as a microcomputer 27 stores a control program for controlling the entire washing operation and dehydration operation in an internal memory. The microcomputer 27 has a function of integrating means and correcting means. And the microcomputer 2
Reference numeral 7 denotes a water level detection signal from the water level sensor 11 and a switch input circuit 2 having various switches on the operation panel 16.
8 and a turbidity detection signal from the turbidity sensor 15.

The microcomputer 27 controls the on / off drive of the drain valve 8 and the water supply valve 14 via triacs 29 and 30, and controls the motor 5 via two triacs 31 and 32 for normal rotation and reverse rotation. It is configured to perform on-off drive control. Further, the microcomputer 27 drives and controls a display circuit 33 having various display units of the operation panel 16 and also drives, for example, a buzzer 34 which is a notification unit. The microcomputer 27 is, for example, EE
The configuration is such that data is stored in a non-volatile memory 35 such as a PROM, and the data stored in the non-volatile memory 35 is read. The data stored in the non-volatile memory 35 is not erased when a power failure occurs or the power plug is removed from the outlet.

The microcomputer 27 receives a commercial AC power supply 36 through a rectifying / smoothing circuit 37 and a constant voltage circuit 38 so that a predetermined DC constant voltage is supplied. The DC constant voltage from the constant voltage circuit 38 is supplied to other circuits as needed. The microcomputer 27 includes the motor 5
Detecting means (not shown) for detecting the motor current flowing through the motor
The motor also has a function of detecting the load of the motor 5 in response to the motor current detection signal from the controller and detecting the amount of laundry (cloth amount).

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS.
The description will be made with reference to FIG. The flow charts of FIGS. 4 and 5 schematically show the contents of a control portion for judging and notifying a time when the tank cleaning is required in the control program stored in the microcomputer 27. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a process diagram specifically showing the contents of a tank cleaning course.

When a washing operation is to be performed, laundry and detergent are put into the rotating tub 3 and an automatic washing course or a manual washing course is set, and then the start / stop switch 17 is operated. Accordingly, the process proceeds to "YES" in step S1 of FIG. 4, and it is determined whether the course is a washing course or another course, that is, a tub washing course (step S2). Then, the process proceeds to "YES" in step S2, and the number of washing operations is read from the nonvolatile memory 35 (step S2).
3). The number of washing operations is obtained by integrating the number of washing operations performed up to this time after the tub washing.

Then, the washing process is started (step S).
4). Here, after water is supplied to the set water level, the agitator 4 is driven forward and reverse by the motor 5 to execute the washing operation. In this case, when, for example, 5 minutes have elapsed after the start of the washing operation, the amount of detergent put into the water receiving tank 2 (rotating tank 3) based on the turbidity detection signal output from the turbidity sensor 15, that is, The amount of detergent used in the washing operation is detected (step S5).

Subsequently, the number of washing operations is corrected according to the detected amount of detergent. Specifically, when the amount of detergent is large,
Since the amount of dirt attached to the rotating tank 3 and the water receiving tank 2 increases,
The number of washing operations is increased accordingly. That is, the process proceeds to "YES" in step S6 of FIG. 5, and 1.5 is added as the number of washing operations (step S7). On the other hand, when the amount of the detergent is an appropriate amount (medium amount), since the dirt attached to the rotary tank 3 and the water receiving tank 2 is normal, “N” is set in step S6.
O "and" YES "in step S8, and 1 is added as the number of washing operations (step S8).
9). When the amount of detergent is small, the amount of dirt attached to the rotating tub 3 and the water receiving tub 2 is reduced, and the number of washing operations is reduced accordingly. That is, in step S6, "N
O ", and at step S8," NO "
0.5 is added as the number of washing operations (step S1)
0).

Then, the number of washing operations added (integrated) as described above is written and stored in the nonvolatile memory 35 (step S11). Thereafter, after the washing operation is performed for the set washing operation time, the rinsing operation and the dehydration operation are successively executed.

When all the operations of the set washing course have been completed, the flow advances to "YES" in step S12 to determine whether or not it is time to wash the tub.
Specifically, it is determined whether or not the accumulated number of washing operations has reached a set number of times, for example, 30 (step S1).
3) When the number reaches 30, it is determined that it is time to perform tank cleaning, and the process advances to “YES” in step S13 to notify the user of the execution of a tank cleaning course for cleaning the tank. 34 for 0.25 seconds and 0.25 seconds
A process of repeating one cycle of turning off seconds for 30 cycles is performed (step S14). On the other hand, if it has not reached 30, it is determined that it is not time to perform tank cleaning, and the process proceeds to “NO” in step S13. A process of repeating one cycle of turning off seconds for seven cycles is performed (step S15).

Next, when the tank cleaning course is to be executed, a tank cleaning detergent (eg, a bleaching agent) is charged into the rotary tank 3 and the course switch 23 is operated to set the tank cleaning course. The start / stop switch 17 is operated. Thereby, the process proceeds to "YES" in step S1, and since the washing course is not performed, "N" is determined in step S2.
The process proceeds to "O", and the number of washing operations in the nonvolatile memory 35 is cleared to zero (step S16).

Subsequently, a bath cleaning course is executed (step S17). Here, a tank cleaning process as shown in FIG. 6 is performed. Specifically, first, the water supply valve 14 is driven to open,
Water is supplied until the high water level is reached, additional water is supplied for another 30 seconds, and then the water supply valve 14 is closed. Next, "Rinse"
For 1 minute. In this case, the motor 5 is driven forward and reverse to rotate the stirrer 4 forward and reverse. After that, the drain valve 8 is driven to open, and after 5 seconds elapse, the “residual water dehydration”
Run for seconds. Here, the motor 5 is driven to rotate forward for 5 seconds to rotate the rotary tub 3 to spin-dry. Then, the drain valve 8 is closed, and after 5 seconds have elapsed, “rinse” is performed for 3 seconds.
Run for a minute. In this case as well, the motor 5 is driven forward and reverse to rotate the stirrer 4 forward and reverse.

Subsequently, the drain valve 8 is driven to open, and the drain is executed until the water level is no longer detected by the water level sensor 11 (until the water level is reset). And "Remaining water dehydration" is 5
Run for 0 seconds. Here, the motor 5 is driven to rotate forward for 50 seconds to rotate the rotating tub 3 to spin-dry. Thereafter, after waiting for 3 seconds to elapse, "dehydration" is executed for 30 seconds. In this case, the motor 5 is driven to rotate forward for 30 seconds, and the rotating tub 3 is rotated by dehydration. Then, after the elapse of the 20-second rest period, the drain valve 8 is closed, and the operation of the tank cleaning process is terminated. Subsequently, when the tank cleaning process is completed, the process proceeds to “YES” in step S18, and the buzzer 3
4 to notify the end of operation (step S1).
5).

According to the present embodiment having such a structure, the number of times of the washing operation is integrated and the number of times of the washing operation, which is the integration result, is stored in the non-volatile memory 35. Even if the power plug is removed from the outlet, the number of washing operations is not cleared. When the number of washing operations stored in the non-volatile memory 35 reaches the set value 30, the buzzer 34 is driven to execute a tub cleaning course for cleaning the tubs (the water receiving tub 2 and the rotary tub 3). Since it is a configuration that prompts the user, it is possible to accurately determine when the tank cleaning is necessary,
The notification can be made accurately.

Incidentally, the amount of dirt adhering to the rotating tub 3 and the outer tub 2 may fluctuate depending on the amount of detergent used. There is a situation that the accuracy is slightly inferior.
In response, the turbidity sensor 15 detects the amount of detergent used during the execution of the washing operation, and corrects the number of washing operations according to the detected amount of detergent. Specifically, When the amount of detergent is large, one time is 1.5 times, when the amount of detergent is small, one time is 0.5 times. Is more accurate, and the notification that the tank cleaning course needs to be performed becomes more accurate.

FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. The difference from the first embodiment is that the user decides the necessary time for tank cleaning and then executes the tank cleaning course. And a tank cleaning course is automatically set. That is, each step shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7 is executed instead of step S14 in the flowchart of FIG.

More specifically, a tub cleaning course is automatically set, the tub cleaning course is displayed on the course display section 26, and the buzzer is used as a notification to prompt the user to execute the tub cleaning course for cleaning the tub. One cycle of turning on 34 for 0.25 seconds and off for 0.25 seconds is repeated for 30 cycles (step A1). In this state, if the start / stop switch 17 is turned on without changing the course (in the same setting state), the process proceeds to “NO” in step A2 and proceeds to “YES” in step A3, and FIG. Then, the process proceeds to step S16 in the flowchart of FIG. On the other hand, if the course is changed in step A2, “YES” is determined in step A2.
Then, the changed cleaning course is set and the cleaning course is displayed on the course display section 26 (step A4).
When the start / stop switch 17 is turned on in this setting state, the set washing course is executed. The control other than the above is the same as the control of the first embodiment.

Therefore, in the second embodiment, substantially the same functions and effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.
In particular, in the case of the second embodiment, the tub cleaning course is automatically set when the number of washing operations stored in the non-volatile memory 35 reaches the set value 30, so that the user can set the tub cleaning course. There is no need to perform an operation for setting the cleaning course, and the tank cleaning course can be executed quickly, and the usability is further improved.

In each of the above embodiments, the amount of detergent used in the washing operation is detected, the number of washing operations is corrected according to the detected amount of detergent, and the corrected number of washing operations is integrated. The present invention is not limited to this. For example, the detected detergent amount is integrated and stored in the non-volatile memory, and the number of washing operations without correction is integrated and stored in the non-volatile memory. Based on this, it may be configured to judge when the tank cleaning is necessary. In addition, when determining when tub cleaning is necessary, the determination was made in consideration of the number of washing operations and the amount of detergent.
The determination may be made in consideration of the setting conditions such as the type of the detergent and the water level.

[0036]

As is apparent from the above description, the present invention accumulates the number of times the washing operation is performed, stores the accumulated number of times of the washing operation in the nonvolatile memory, and stores the accumulated number of times of the washing operation. It is configured to notify the user to execute a bath cleaning course to clean the bath when the set value is reached, so the bath needs to be cleaned even if a power failure occurs or the power plug is removed from the outlet. It is possible to provide an excellent effect that it is possible to accurately determine a time and to report the time.

In this case, the tub cleaning course is automatically set when the number of washing operations stored in the nonvolatile memory reaches the set value, so that the user can quickly execute the tub cleaning course. And the usability is further improved. Further, since the amount of detergent used during the execution of the washing operation is detected and the number of times of the washing operation is corrected according to the detected amount of the detergent, it is possible to more accurately determine the time required for tub washing. It is possible to more accurately report that the tank cleaning is required.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an electric circuit diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional side view of the entire washing machine.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the operation panel.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart (part 1).

FIG. 5 is a flowchart (part 2);

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a process of a tank cleaning course.

FIG. 7 is a partial flowchart showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 is a water receiving tank (outer tank), 3 is a rotating tank, 4 is a stirring body, 5 is a motor, 15 is a turbidity sensor (detergent amount detecting means), 16 is an operation panel, and 27 is a microcomputer (integrating means, correcting means) ) And 34 are buzzers (notification means), and 35 is a nonvolatile memory.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Yoshiyuki Makino 4-21 Yoshiharacho, Nishi-ku, Nagoya-shi Toshiba Abu E Co., Ltd. Nagoya Office (56) References JP-A-4-240486 (JP, A) JP-A-2-257393 (JP, A) JP-A-2-104393 (JP, A) JP-A-3-128080 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) D06F 33/02

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A washing machine in which a rotating tub for washing and dehydrating operation is provided in an outer tub, an integrating means for integrating the number of executions of the washing operation, and a non-volatile memory for storing the integrated number of washing operations. when the washing operation count stored in the nonvolatile memory has reached a set value, and a notification means for performing notification to prompt the execution of the tank cleaning course for cleaning the tank to the user, stored in said nonvolatile memory The number of washing operations is the set value
Tank cleaning automatically sets the tank cleaning course when it reaches
A washing machine comprising: a cleaning setting means . 2. A rotary tub for washing and dehydrating operation is provided in the outer tub.
In the washing machine, the integrating means for integrating the number of times of the washing operation, a non-volatile memory for storing the integrated number of times of the washing operation, and the number of times of the washing operation stored in the non-volatile memory are set to a set value.
When the tank is reached, use the tank cleaning course run to clean the tank.
Notification means for prompting the user, and detergent amount for detecting the detergent amount used during execution of the washing operation
Detection means and correction for correcting the number of washing operations according to the detected amount of detergent
And a washing machine.