JP3167538B2 - Fully automatic 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 an improvement in a rinsing operation in a washing machine. In particular, the present invention relates to an improvement in a dehydration rinsing operation in which water is contained in laundry and then dehydration is performed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in order to reduce the amount of water used for rinsing, dehydration rinsing in which water is contained in laundry in a washing tub to dehydrate water has been performed. In the dehydration rinsing, first, water is supplied into the washing tub to such an extent that the water soaks into the entire laundry. Thereafter, the water supply is stopped, and the washing tub is rotated at a high speed to perform a dehydration treatment. At this time, the laundry is subjected to centrifugal force, and the detergent remaining in the laundry is scattered with the water soaked, and the laundry is rinsed. As a fully automatic washing machine for performing dehydration rinsing according to the amount of laundry, there is one described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 22000/2000. Here, a washing amount detection device is provided, and the water supply for dehydration rinsing, the required time for dehydration and the number of repetitions are changed according to the amount of washing. That is, the water absorption capacity of the cloth is limited, and the problem is that the remaining water supply is wasted if the water absorption capacity is saturated when the water supply time is lengthened unnecessarily. Further, it is also conceivable that the washing tub is rotated slowly by repeatedly turning on and off the motor while supplying water to the washing tub so that the laundry in the washing tub contains sufficient water.

The ON / OFF time and the amount of water supplied to the motor are controlled by the flow rate of water supplied to the washing tub. That is, since the flow rate (supply flow rate) of the water supplied to the washing tub is proportional to the water level height, the time required for the water to reach another water level from the water level in the washing tub is measured to detect the supply flow rate. Was. In addition, the water supply time is set so that the product of the detected supply flow rate and the water supply time becomes the required water amount.

[0004]

However, experiments have revealed the following. In other words, in general, when the amount of laundry in the washing tub is large, the time from the above-mentioned one water level to another water level becomes short. Thus, the detected supply flow rate is
If the amount of laundry is large, it is considered that it is larger than the actual supply flow rate,
Conversely, if the amount of laundry is small, it is considered that it is less than the actual supply flow rate.

As a result, the following problems have occurred. That is, if the detected supply flow rate is considered to be higher than the actual supply flow rate, the amount of water supplied into the washing tub is smaller than the required amount of water. Therefore, rinsing is not performed sufficiently. Further, if the detected supply flow rate is considered to be smaller than the actual supply flow rate, the amount of water supplied into the washing tub becomes larger than the required amount of water. As a result, washing water is wasted. In addition, the water supply time becomes longer than necessary and is wasted.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above technical problems and to provide a fully automatic washing machine in which rinsing is sufficiently performed and time and water are not wasted.

[0007]

To achieve the above object, a fully automatic washing machine according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a dehydration rinse for dehydrating laundry after water is contained in laundry in a washing tub. In a fully automatic washing machine for performing washing, a laundry amount detecting means for detecting an amount of laundry in a washing tub, a water supply means for supplying water into the washing tub, and a water supply means for supplying water to the washing tub containing the laundry. Is supplied, another water level from a preset water level
The time to reach the water level or the water level to reach a certain set time is detected.
Water supply detecting means and the laundry amount detecting means.
Based on the amount of laundry and the detection result of the water supply detecting means.
Water amount determining means for determining the amount of water required when performing dehydration rinsing , and in the dehydration rinsing, prior to dehydration of the laundry, water of the water amount determined by the water amount determining means by the water supply means in the washing tub. Water supply control means for supplying water to the water supply means, wherein the water amount determination means detects by the water supply detection means
The same detection result is detected by the laundry amount detection means.
The larger the amount of laundry that has been washed, the more the supply flow rate from the water supply means.
It is determined that the supply flow rate is smaller and the laundry amount is
The smaller the number, the larger the supply flow rate from the water supply means
Flow rate, and using the thus determined supply flow rate,
It is characterized in that the amount of water required for water rinsing is determined .

[0008]

[0009]

[0010]

[0011]

According to the construction of the first aspect of the present invention, the amount of laundry in the washing tub is detected by the laundry amount detecting means.
In addition, the water supply detection means allows the
Time from one specified water level to another, or
Detect the water level that reaches the fixed time. Meanwhile, the water in the washing tub
Is mixed with the laundry, and the detection result of
Affected by rinse volume. The water amount determining means is a water supply detecting means.
For the same detection result detected in
The larger the detected amount of laundry, the more the supply flow from the water supply means.
Judge that the supply flow rate is smaller and the amount of laundry is
The supply flow rate from the water supply means
Set. Therefore, the supply flow rate can be correctly estimated without being affected by the laundry amount. Using the correct supply flow rate obtained in this way, the amount of water required for performing the dehydration rinse is determined. By the way, in the dehydration rinsing, first, the laundry is soaked in water in a washing tub, and then dehydration is performed. Therefore, the water supply control means
Prior to the dehydration in the dehydration rinsing, the required amount of water determined by the water amount determining means is supplied into the washing tub by the water supply means. Therefore, the amount of water does not become excessive or insufficient in the dehydration rinsing, the rinsing is sufficiently performed, and no waste of water and water supply time occurs.

[0012]

[0013]

[0014]

[0015]

[0016]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. FIG. 1 is a partial sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a fully automatic washing machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a main body, in which an outer tub 2 capable of storing washing water is attached via a support rod 3 and a spring 4. Outer tub 2
Is provided with a washing tub 5 for storing laundry and washing water. Many small holes 5a are formed in the surface of the washing tub 5. At the bottom of the washing tub 5, a stirring wing 7 having a disk shape and having irregularities on its upper surface is rotatably supported. A bearing portion 6 is fixed to a lower center portion of the bottom of the outer tub 2, and supports a lower shaft 10 and an upper washing tub 5 and a stirring blade 7 in a rotatable and watertight structure. The rotation is transmitted to the washing tub 5 and the stirring blade 7. A pulley 11 is fixed to the shaft 10. A motor 12 is fixed to a lower portion of the main body 1, and a pulley 14 is attached to one end of an output shaft 13. An endless belt 15 is wound around the pulleys 11 and 14, and transmits the rotation of the motor 12 to the shaft 10. The motor 12 rotates only the stirring blade 7 during washing and rinsing, and rotates both the washing tub 5 and the stirring blade 7 in one direction at high speed during dehydration.

A drain port (not shown) is provided at a side portion of the bottom surface of the outer tub 2, and a pipe 17 is connected to and fixed to the drain port. A drain valve 18 composed of an electromagnetic valve is provided in the middle of the pipe 17, and the other end of the pipe 17 is led out of the main body 1. By opening the drain valve 18, the washing water in the outer tub 2 is discharged to the outside of the main body 1 through the drain port, the pipe 17 and the drain valve 18.

The washing tub 5 is located at the center of the upper surface of the main body 1.
A lid 20 is provided above and below so as to be freely opened and closed. Further, a pipe 21 is attached to the upper part of the main body 1, and a water supply valve 22 formed of an electromagnetic valve is provided in the middle of the pipe 21. One end of the pipe 21 is guided above the washing tub 5, and the other end penetrates the rear surface of the main body 1, and is connected to an external water supply facility (not shown) such as tap water. The washing water is supplied from the water supply system into the washing tub 5 through the pipe 21 by opening the water supply valve 22.

An air trap 2a is provided at one corner of the bottom of the outer tank 2, and one end of a pressure hose 8 is connected thereto. The pressure hose 8 is led to the upper part of the main body 1, and a water level sensor 9 is connected to the other end. When the water level of the washing water in the outer tub 2 rises, the water level in the pressure hose 8 also rises at the same time, and the pressure of the air accumulated in the upper part of the pressure hose 8 rises. By detecting this pressure with the water level sensor 9, the water level in the outer tub 2 is detected.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of a control section of the fully automatic washing machine of the present invention. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 30 denotes a control unit. The control unit 30 includes a microcomputer 31 for controlling, an input circuit A32, an input circuit B33, and a ROM 3
4, RAM 35, load detection circuit 36, motor drive circuit 3
7, a drive circuit A38, a drive circuit B39 and a timer 40 are provided. The input circuit A32 receives the output signal of the water level sensor 9, and the input circuit B33 receives the output signal of the operation key 19 and sends a signal to the microcomputer 31.
The load detection circuit 36 outputs a signal from the motor drive circuit 37 to the motor 1.
2 is detected. The motor 12 is connected to the motor drive circuit 37, the water supply valve 22 is connected to the drive circuit A38, and the drain valve 18 is connected to the drive circuit B39. Each device is driven according to a signal received from the microcomputer 31. Control. The ROM 34 stores preset procedures and conditions (programs) executed by the microcomputer 31, and is connected to the microcomputer 31. The variables used in the program and the outputs of various sensors are stored in the RAM 35 and read out as needed. The timer 40 outputs a pulse signal at regular intervals. The microcomputer 31 measures the time set in the program by counting the output pulse signal of the timer 40, and determines the elapsed time.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an outline of a program incorporated in the control unit 30. Hereinafter, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. First, when the laundry is put into the washing tub 5 and the operation is started by the operation key 19,
The control unit 30 drives the motor 12 under a predetermined condition for a short time to rotate the stirring blade 7. The drive current of the motor 12 at this time is detected by the load detection circuit 36. The detection result is compared with a predetermined reference value, the amount of the laundry in the washing tub 5 is roughly determined, and is output in three stages of large, medium and small (step S1). Here, the relationship between the drive current of the motor 12 and the reference value for determining the amount of laundry is obtained in advance through experiments or the like. Next, the water supply valve 22 is opened, and water is supplied into the washing tub 5 until the output of the water level sensor 9 reaches a value corresponding to the set water level. At the same time, the time from a certain water level within the set water level to another certain water level (arrival time So) is measured (step S2).

Next, in step S3, steps S4 to S4 are performed according to the laundry amount output in step S1.
Step 6 is performed to determine the supply flow rate. That is, when the laundry amount is large, the determination is made as follows. The supply flow rate is assumed to be large when 0 seconds ≦ the arrival time So <6 seconds, the supply flow rate is standard when 6 seconds ≦ the arrival time So ≦ 15 seconds, and the supply flow rate is assumed to be small when 15 seconds <the arrival time So. (Step S4). If the laundry amount is medium, the determination is made as follows.
When 0 seconds ≦ arrival time So <9 seconds, the supply flow rate is assumed to be large,
The supply flow rate is standard when 9 seconds ≦ the arrival time So ≦ 20 seconds, and the supply flow rate is small when 20 seconds <the arrival time So (step S5). If the amount of laundry is small, the determination is made as follows. The supply flow rate is assumed to be large when 0 seconds ≦ the arrival time So <12 seconds, the supply flow rate is standard when 12 seconds ≦ the arrival time So ≦ 25 seconds, and the supply flow rate is assumed to be small when 25 seconds <the arrival time So. (Step S6).

Next, a washing process is performed under preset conditions (step S7). Next, the drain valve 18 is opened, and the washing water in the washing tub 5 is once discharged. Then, the laundry inside the washing tub 5 is dehydrated (step S8). Next, a rinsing process is performed. In the rinsing process, first, dehydration rinsing is performed twice, and later rinsing is performed. First, the drain valve 18 is closed, the water supply valve 22 is opened, and water is supplied into the washing tub 5 in preparation for the rinsing process. At the same time, water is supplied for a predetermined time while rotating the motor 12 slowly so that the laundry contains sufficient water. Here, according to the water supply flow rate determined in steps S4 to S6, the above-described water supply time and the motor 1 are adjusted so that the water amount becomes appropriate for the laundry amount detected in step S1.
The second rotation condition is determined. Then, the drain valve 18 is opened, and dehydration is performed for a predetermined time (step S9). Then, the process of step S9 is repeated twice (step S10). Next, a sample rinse is performed. That is, the drain valve 18 is closed, the water supply valve 22 is opened, and a predetermined amount of water is supplied into the washing tub 5. Then, the motor 12 is driven under the preset conditions, the stirring blade 7 is rotated, and a rinsing process is performed (step S11). Next, drain valve 1
8 is opened and drained, dehydration is performed for a predetermined time (step S12), and all the steps are completed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, as the laundry amount detecting mechanism, the load detecting circuit 36 for measuring the load current of the motor 12 and the measurement result are compared with a preset value to obtain a stepwise approximate result. Step S1 of outputting the amount of laundry in the washing tub 5 is performed. Water supply time detection is performed to detect the amount of water, and the relationship between the water level change in the washing tub 5 and the water supply time is detected. Specifically, the water level sensor 9 detects, in step S2, the time So in which the washing water supplied into the washing tub 5 reaches a predetermined water level to another water level. There is a relationship that the supply flow rate is inversely proportional to the arrival time So, which is the time to fill the volume determined by these two water levels. Therefore, if this relationship is obtained in advance, the supply flow rate can be estimated from the arrival time So. However, the volume determined by the two water levels includes laundry,
The estimated supply flow rate is affected by the amount of laundry.

Therefore, in steps S3 to S7, which are the water amount determining mechanisms, according to the detected laundry amount,
By determining the supply flow rate based on the arrival time So, the supply flow rate can be correctly estimated without being affected by the laundry amount. Also, as a tendency of the determination, with respect to the arrival time So, the supply flow rate is determined to be smaller as the laundry amount is larger, and the supply flow rate is determined to be larger as the laundry amount is smaller. As a result, it is possible to cope with the conventional determination of a larger supply flow rate, which is caused by the fact that the ratio of the washing water in the combined amount of the laundry and the washing water decreases as the amount of the laundry increases. Similarly, the opposite phenomenon can be dealt with. Therefore, when the supply flow rate is estimated by measuring the relationship between the water level change and the water supply time in a state where the laundry and the wash water are combined like the arrival time So, the supply flow rate can be correctly estimated according to the laundry amount. In addition, by outputting as a stepwise result, the supply flow rate can be obtained as an approximate value.

By using the thus obtained correct supply flow rate, the amount of water necessary for the dehydration rinsing corresponding to the amount of laundry is obtained. By the water supply control mechanism that controls the water supply valve 22, it is possible to supply a proper amount of washing water in the washing tub 5 at the time of dehydration and rinsing. Further, there is no waste of water supply time due to extra water supply. Therefore, the rinsing does not become insufficient due to the shortage of the supplied washing water, and there is no waste of water. The required water amount is obtained by multiplying the supply flow rate and the supply time. Therefore, the control of the amount of water supplied into the washing tub 5 can be easily realized with a simple configuration in which the opening time of the water supply valve 22 is controlled.

The control is simplified by treating the output result of step S1 and the determination results of steps S4 to S6 as stepwise results. Therefore, the capacity of the RAM and ROM for storing the data is small, and the possibility of cost increase is reduced. The measurement of the arrival time So is performed in step S2, and is performed before the washing process as in the detection of the laundry amount. In this case,
The amount of water supplied from the laundry amount and the arrival time So can be used for the washing process, and more effective washing can be performed. In addition, a sufficient time can be provided before the dehydration rinsing, and the amount of water required for the dehydration rinsing can be calculated without difficulty. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a separate time for calculation, and effective processing can be performed without requiring high calculation capability.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the embodiment of the present invention, the laundry amount is detected first, but may be detected during the washing process. Alternatively, it may be roughly obtained first, and may be corrected based on the result obtained during the washing process. By doing so, not only the laundry in a dry state but also a change in the laundry containing water can be considered, and the laundry amount can be estimated with higher accuracy.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the supply flow rate is estimated in steps S3 to S6, and the supply flow rate is determined before the washing step S7. However, the determination of the supply flow rate may be performed before step S9 of the rinsing process, and at the same time after the detection of the laundry amount in step S1 and the measurement of the arrival time So in step S2. Therefore, it may be performed after the dehydration process in step S8. Also, in step S7 of the washing process,
It may be performed simultaneously with step S8 of the dehydration process. If the washing process is performed after the washing process, the correction result of the laundry amount obtained during the washing process as described above can be reflected on the rinse water amount, and the laundry amount can be estimated with higher accuracy.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the arrival time So is measured in step S2, and the measurement is performed before the washing process as in the case of detecting the laundry amount, but the present invention is not limited to this. Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, the rinsing process is performed by performing dehydration rinsing twice, and thereafter performing rinsing. A water rinse may be used instead of the rinsing. The number of times of dehydration rinsing is not limited to two. Further, the number of times of dehydration rinsing may be changed depending on the laundry amount detected in step S1. For example, when the amount of laundry is large, the number of times of dehydration rinsing may be increased. In this case, if the amount of laundry becomes larger than a certain amount, the water absorption capacity of the water is saturated, and even if the amount of supplied water is increased, it is possible to compensate for a small rinsing effect.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the arrival time So is measured as the relationship between the water level change in the washing tub 5 and the water supply time in order to estimate the supply flow rate in step S2. Absent. For example, the time until reaching the set water level may be measured. However, if the set water level changes depending on the setting, taking this point into account, the arrival time per unit water level S1 = (time to reach the set water level) ÷
It is necessary to estimate (set water level) and estimate the supply flow rate. Further, a water level reaching a certain set time may be measured.

Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, the judgment result of the laundry amount is made into three levels of large, medium and small in step S1, and the results of steps S4 to S6 are many, standard,
Although only three steps are used, both or one of the steps may be further divided. In this case, the supply flow rate can be determined with higher accuracy. In addition, if the number of stages of the above results is reduced, the setting conditions required for control are reduced,
A RAM, ROM, or the like having a small capacity can be realized.

Alternatively, the result of the determination of the laundry amount in step S1 may be stored in the RAM as stepless numerical data, and may be determined by applying an empirical formula for determining the supply flow rate instead of steps S3 to S6. In this case,
The supply flow rate can be determined with higher accuracy. Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, the drive current of the motor 12 under the predetermined condition is detected in step S1, but the current in the inertial rotation after driving under the predetermined condition may be detected. Or,
A sensor that can detect the rotation state of the stirring blade 7 may be provided, and the output may be used to detect the amount of laundry. For example, a rotation angle with respect to driving at a constant current for a fixed time is detected. If the amount of laundry is large, the load is large and the rotation angle is small. Therefore, if this relationship is obtained in advance through experiments or the like, the amount of laundry can be estimated. Similarly, the rotation angle in coasting rotation after driving the motor 12 under predetermined conditions may be measured. Similarly, the amount of laundry can be estimated by various methods such as a method of measuring the amount of deflection of the spring 4 to which the outer tub 2 is attached and judging the load, and the method is not limited.

Further, the stirring blade 7 and the outer tub 2 are driven by the transmission method using the belt 15, but other methods may be used. In addition, various design changes can be made without changing the gist of the present invention.

[0035]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. That is, the supply flow rate into the washing tub can be correctly estimated without being affected by the laundry amount. So the right supply
The amount of water required for dehydration rinsing is determined using the flow rate , and the amount of washing water can be supplied to the washing tub by the water supply means prior to dehydration of the dehydration rinse. Therefore, the amount of water does not become excessive or insufficient in the dehydration rinsing, the rinsing is sufficiently performed, and no waste of water and water supply time occurs.

[0036]

[0037]

[0038]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially sectional side view of a fully automatic washing machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of control of the fully automatic washing machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an outline of control of the fully automatic washing machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body 5 Washing tub 7 Stirring blade 9 Water level sensor 12 Motor 18 Drain valve 22 Water supply valve 30 Control part 36 Load detection circuit 12, 36 and step S1 Washing amount detection means 9, 8, 40 and step S2 Water supply time detection means Step S3 To step S6 and step S9 water amount determination means step S9 dehydration rinsing processing 21 and 22 water supply means 38 and step S9 water supply control means

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) D06F 33/02 D06F 39/08 301

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A fully automatic washing machine that performs dehydration rinsing for dehydrating laundry after water is impregnated in the laundry in a washing tub, comprising: a laundry amount detecting unit that detects an amount of laundry in the washing tub; A water supply means for supplying water into the tub, and when the water is supplied from the water supply means into the washing tub in which the laundry is placed , the water level is changed from a predetermined water level to another water level.
Detects the time to reach or reaches a certain set time
Water supply detection means, the laundry amount detected by the laundry amount detection means and the water supply
A water amount determining means for determining an amount of water necessary for performing dehydration rinsing based on a detection result of the detecting means; and a water amount determining means for the dehydration rinsing which is determined by the water supply means prior to dehydration of the laundry. Water supply control means for supplying the amount of water into the washing tub, wherein the water amount determination means detects the same amount of water detected by the water supply detection means.
In response to the detection result, the washing detected by the laundry amount detecting means is performed.
The larger the amount of rinsing, the smaller the flow rate of water supplied from the water supply means.
And the amount of laundry is small.
As the supply flow rate from the water supply means increases,
Determination, and using the supply flow rate determined in this way,
A fully automatic washing machine characterized by determining the amount of water required for squeezing .