JP3203159B2 - Water supply control device for 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 water supply control device for a washing machine provided with a water supply channel and a pump water channel.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a washing machine with a water suction pump, a water supply valve is provided in a water supply passage, and a water absorption pump is provided in the pump water supply passage. Water supply is performed. As this type of washing machine, there is one described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-6838. In this conventional washing machine, when the water level in the washing tub does not reach the predetermined water level within a certain period of time after the operation of the water absorption pump for supplying water from a bath or the like is stopped, the operation of the water absorption pump is stopped. At the same time, the water supply valve is opened and the water supply from the water supply channel is started.

However, in a washing machine such as the above-mentioned prior art, if the predetermined time is set to be long, even if the bath water runs out during the water supply by the water suction pump, the water supply valve is not opened for a while, so that wasteful time is wasted. There was a problem that the spent washing time was long. On the other hand, if the fixed time is set short, this problem can be solved, but, for example, the hose for pump water supply is long and it takes time to start sucking up the water in the time-consuming bath to remove the air in the hose. Or
Alternatively, there is a problem in that the bath water is not used effectively because the suction pump is stopped even when the suction port for sucking in the bath water temporarily floats on the water surface and cannot supply water.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and its object is to
It is an object of the present invention to provide a water supply control device for a washing machine that can effectively use bath water for washing and can quickly supply water to a desired water level without wasting time even when the bath water runs out during the water supply. .

[0005]

Means for Solving the Problems, Embodiments and Effects To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a water supply valve and a pump water supply passage, and a water supply valve provided in the water supply passage. A water supply control device for a washing machine that controls the opening and closing of the pump and the operation of a water suction pump provided in the pump water supply passage to supply water to a washing tub provided in the washing machine. a water level detecting means for detecting the water level of the water supplied, b) the water level sensed by the previous SL water level detection means, washing
The water from the pump water supply channel is brought to a predetermined water level lower than the water level.
When the water is normal, the water level in the washing tub is
Based on the estimated time required to reach
A first determining means for determining whether or not the water level has arrived within a first predetermined time determined in consideration of the operation time ; c) detecting the water level within a second predetermined time shorter than the first predetermined time; Second determination means for determining whether or not the change in the water level detected by the means is equal to or greater than a predetermined value; d) starting water supply from the pump water supply channel by starting operation of the water suction pump; If it is determined by the first determination means that the first predetermined time has elapsed before the water level in the washing tub reaches the predetermined water level, the water supply valve is opened to supply water from the water supply channel. When it starts and reaches the predetermined water level within the first predetermined time,
Thereafter, when the second determination means determines that the change in the water level in the washing tub does not exceed a predetermined value within a second predetermined time, the water supply valve is opened to start water supply from the water supply water supply channel. and the sensed water level is characterized by and a control means for terminating the feed water when it reaches the wash water level.

[0006] In the water supply control device according to the present invention, whether or not the pump water supply is normally performed is determined in two stages according to the water level. That is, for a while after the pump water supply is started, the control means determines that the pump water supply is not performed when the water up to the predetermined water level does not accumulate in the washing tub within the first predetermined time according to the determination result of the first determination means. Is judged to be abnormal, and the water supply valve is opened. The first predetermined time is based on a time estimated to be required for the water level in the washing tub to reach the predetermined water level when the water supply from the pump water supply channel is normal, and the pump water supply is started at the time of starting the operation of the water suction pump. It is predetermined in consideration of a predetermined margin such as the time required for venting the road.

[0007] If water at a predetermined water level has accumulated in the washing tub before the first predetermined time has elapsed, the control means continues to rely on the second judging means to keep the water constant within the second predetermined time. If there is no rise in the water level, it is determined that the pump water supply is abnormal, and the water supply valve is opened. The second predetermined time is set to a relatively short time in order to quickly detect a water supply abnormality during pump water supply.

[0008] Therefore, according to the present invention, the pump water supply is abnormal when the pump water supply is started in a state where almost no water remains in the bath from the beginning, or when the bath water runs out during the water supply. Is quickly detected and the water supply from the water supply channel is transferred. Therefore, the bath water can be effectively used for washing, and the waste of water supply time can be minimized.

[0009]

[0010]

[0011]

[0012]

[0013]

[0014]

[0015]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a washing machine to which the water supply control device of the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an arrangement of input keys of an operation unit 11 of the washing machine, and FIG.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an electric system of a washing machine, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of a basic washing process of the washing machine, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of water supply control. It is.

First, the configuration of the entire washing machine will be described with reference to FIG. An operation unit 11 having input keys is provided at an upper rear portion of the machine frame 10. An outer tub 12 is disposed inside the machine casing 10, and a washing tub 13, which also serves as a dehydration tub having a large number of dehydration holes on a peripheral wall, is installed inside the outer tub 12. A rotating wing 14 for stirring the laundry is provided at the bottom of the washing tub 13.
The rotation of the motor 15 is controlled by a motor pulley 16,
The power is transmitted to the washing tub 13 and the rotary blade 14 via the belt 17, the main pulley 18, and the power switching mechanism 19. The power switching mechanism 19 controls the rotation of the rotor 1 during the washing process and the rinsing process.
4 for mechanical switching to rotate the washing tub 13 and the rotary blade 14 together during the spin-drying process.

A drain port 20 is provided at the bottom of the outer tub 12 and drains through a drain pipe 21 opened and closed by a drain solenoid valve 22. An air trap 23 is provided at one corner of the bottom of the outer tub 12, and is connected to a water level sensor 25 via a pressure hose 24. The water level in the tank 12 is detected. Tap water supplied through a tap water supply channel 26 connected to a tap of the tap is poured into the washing tub 13 through a water supply solenoid valve 27, and remaining hot water in the bath is sucked up by a water suction pump 29 through a pump water supply passage 28. The water is poured into the washing tub 13.

The water levels L _{1 to} L ₄ indicated by broken lines in the washing tub 13 in the figure are four preset washing (washing or rinsing) water level modes “minimum”, “low”, and “medium”. And “high” respectively. In addition, the water level L ₁
The water level L ₀ set at a lower position than the above is a check water level (hereinafter referred to as “reset water level”) for quickly detecting an abnormal state of the water supply.

Next, the arrangement of input keys in the operation unit 11 of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The operation unit 11 includes an input unit 40 including a plurality of input keys, and a display unit 41 for displaying a mode or a numerical value selected by operating the input keys. Hereinafter, the function of each input key of the input unit 40 will be described in order.

The water level selection key 42 is used to change the amount of water during the washing step and the rinsing step to “minimal”, “low”,
This is an input key for the operator to manually select from among four modes of “medium” and “high”, and a portion of the selected water level mode in the display section 41 is turned on. Level of the washing tub 13 corresponding to the four modes is that shown in the position of L ₁ ~L ₄ in FIG. In addition, the water level in the washing step and the rinsing step is generally selected automatically in accordance with the amount of the laundry detected by the load sensor, and the selected water level mode is displayed.

The bath water use key 43 is connected to the pump water supply passage 28.
Is an input key for the operator to select which of the washing step, the first rinsing step, and the second rinsing step is to be used for the bath water supplied through the. As shown in FIG. 3, each time the bath water use key 43 is pressed once, the process of using the bath water changes, and the corresponding portion in the display section 41 is turned on.

The course selection key 44 is an input key for selecting one from a plurality of washing courses in which the washing time, water flow, etc. are determined in advance according to the type of laundry and the degree of dirt. , Display unit 41 corresponding to the selected course
The part inside is lit.

The favorite course selection key 45 is an input key for the operator to freely set the time for washing and dehydration, the number of times of rinsing, and the like, and a value corresponding to the input operation is displayed on the display unit 41. Is done. By temporarily storing these numerical settings and selecting “own style” using the course selection key 44, a series of washing steps can be executed as stored.

In addition, a reservation key 46 is an input key for reserving a washing start time, and a powdered soap dissolving key 47 is used when powdered soap that is hardly soluble in water is used before the laundry is put into the washing tub 13. This is an input key operated when it is desired to dissolve the powdered soap in advance in the washing tub 13 by strong water flow.

Next, the electrical configuration of the washing machine provided with the water supply control device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. A key input signal from the input unit 40 of the operation unit 11 and a water level detection signal from the water level sensor 25 are input to the control unit 30 mainly composed of a microcomputer. The control unit 30 has a memory in which an operation program is stored, receives a key input from the input unit 40, and drives the motor 15 according to the corresponding operation program, the motor drive unit 31, the water supply solenoid valve 27, and the water absorption pump 29 And the operation or operation of the drain electromagnetic valve 22 and the like. In addition, the display section 41 performs the above-described display according to the key input signal.

FIG. 5 shows a basic flow of the washing process of the washing machine having the above configuration. In accordance with the operation program, the control unit 30 first executes the washing step, sequentially executes the first rinsing step and the second rinsing step, and finally executes the dewatering step. As described above, by operating the favorite course selection key 45 by the operator, it is also possible to execute only a part of the washing process.

Hereinafter, a specific operation of the water supply control in the present embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG. This water supply control operation is common to the water supply during the washing step and the rinsing step, and is performed in the washing step when the use of bath water is selected by operating the bath water use key 43 described above.

First, when the start key 48 is operated after selecting the washing water level, bath water use and the like by operating the input keys, the control unit 30 starts the water supply operation according to the operation program. First, checks the initial level of the washing tub 13 based on the detection signal from the water level sensor 25, whether or not low is determined than the reset water level L ₀ (step S10). That is, normally, all water in the washing tub 13 should have been drained immediately before the start of water supply, but, for example, when the operator wants to use water for the next washing without draining water used after rinsing. In some cases, water may have already accumulated in the initial state. Therefore, it is necessary to check this before starting water supply.

In step S10, the water level is reset to a water level L.
If it is lower than ₀ , the process proceeds to step S11, and the water suction pump 29 is started. As a result, bath water starts to be supplied to the washing tub 13 via the pump water supply passage 28. At the same time when the operation of the water pump 29 is started, at first timer in the control unit 30, the time measurement is started elapsed time T ₁ of the start of the operation of the water pump 29 (step S12).

[0030] After the start water injection, whether the water level in the washing tub 13 based on the detection signal from the water level sensor 25 has reached the reset water level L ₀ it is determined (step S13). Normally, for a while after the water suction pump 29 is started, only air is removed from the pump water supply passage 28, and the bath water is not sucked up. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S14 since the naturally reset water level L ₀ is immediately after the start of the water supply has not been reached, whether the elapsed time T ₁ is at 4 minutes (first predetermined time) is determined .

Until the elapsed time T ₁ reaches 4 minutes, step S
Proceeding to 15, it is determined whether the setting for canceling the use of bath water has been made. That is, when the operator selects bath water use and operates the start key 48 to notice that there is no bath water left and wants to release the bath water use, the user again operates the bath water use key 43 to execute the water supply mode D (bath). (No water supply). By this input key operation, the control unit 30 sets the bath water use release flag to '1'. In step S15, this flag is set to "1".
Is set or not. If the flag is set to "1", that is, if the release of bath water use is set, the process proceeds to step S16, where the water supply electromagnetic valve 27 is opened to start tap water supply.

[0032] returns to step S13 if the release of the bath water utilized in step S15 is not set, the water level in the washing tub 13 is whether the host vehicle has reached the reset water level L ₀ is determined again. That is, until the elapsed time T ₁ is reached in 4 minutes, as long as the release of the bath water utilization is not set will be repeated is determined whether reaches the reset water level L ₀ in the middle.

[0033] When the bath water of water required to reach the reset water level L ₀ is not left on the bath from the beginning, or the like inlet filter of the pump water supply channel 28 is clogged, reaches the reset water level L ₀ By the time the pump water supply channel 2
If the normal water supply from 8 becomes absence performed, elapsed time T ₁ at step S14 exceeds 4 minutes. Also in this case, the process proceeds to step S16 as in the case where the release of bath water use is set, the water supply electromagnetic valve 27 is opened, and tap water supply is started.

Since the reset water level L ₀ is a water level for detecting an abnormality in pump water supply as early as possible in the initial stage of water supply, together with the first predetermined time, the pumping capacity of the water suction pump 29 and the water suction pump 29 are reset. It is appropriately determined in advance in consideration of the time from the start of the operation to the time when the air in the pump water supply passage 28 is sucked out and the water actually starts being injected into the washing tub 13.

There is enough bath water left and pump water supply channel 2
If the water supply from 8 is performed normally, the water level in the washing tub 13 reaches the reset water level L ₀ before the elapsed time T ₁ reaches 4 minutes. In that case, from step S13 to S
Proceeding to 19, the abnormality of the pump water supply is determined based on the water level change amount in the washing tub 13 thereafter.

At step S19, the counting of the elapsed time T ₂ of the second timer in the control section 30 is started. If the elapsed time T ₂ of the second timer has elapsed 5 seconds proceeds from step S20 to S21, a predetermined value rise of the water level of the five-second washing tub 13 based on the detection signal from the water level sensor 25 M
It is determined whether or not this is the case. For example, water pump 2
When the pumping capacity of 9 is 10 liters / minute, approximately 0.8 liters of water should be supplied in 5 seconds.
The constant value M is predetermined to be about 0.3 liter.

If it is determined in step S21 that the water level rise is equal to or higher than the predetermined value M, the process proceeds to step S22, in which the water level in the washing tub 13 is selected by the operator or automatically set according to the amount of the laundry. It is determined whether the washing water level has reached. That is, "minimal", "low", "medium",
It is determined whether or not the water levels L _{1 to} L ₄ corresponding to any of the “high” modes have been reached. When the washing water level has been reached, the process proceeds to step S18, where the operation of the water suction pump 29 is stopped and the water supply solenoid valve 27 is open (if water is normally supplied from the pump water supply passage 28, The water supply solenoid valve 27 remains closed) and the water supply ends.

If the water level rise does not exceed the fixed value M in step S21, the process proceeds to step S23, and it is determined whether or not the state where the water level rise is not more than the fixed value M has occurred four times in succession. If the number has not reached four times, the process proceeds to step S24,
Until the elapsed time T ₂ of the second timer has elapsed further 5 seconds stays in step S24. Also, in step S22, the washing tub 1
If the water level in 3 has not reached the washing water level, the process proceeds to step S24, and the same processing is performed. After the elapse of 5 seconds, it is determined in step S25 whether the release of bath water use is set as in step S15.

If the cancellation of the use of bath water is set in step S25, the process proceeds to step S16 similarly to step S15, and water supply is started. However, if the cancellation of use of bath water is not set. Returns to step S21, and it is determined whether the water level has risen again. That is, by the processing of steps S21, S23, S24 and S25, it is determined every 5 seconds whether or not the water level has risen.

If it is determined in step S23 that the water level has not risen four times in a row (that is, if it has been determined that the water level has not risen for 20 seconds), it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the pump water supply. Therefore, steps S23 to S16
Then, the water supply electromagnetic valve 27 is opened and the water supply is started.

Step S14, S15, S23 or S2
5, the process proceeds to S16, the water supply solenoid valve 27
Was opened and water supply from the water supply channel 26 was started,
Tap water supply is continued until the water level in the washing tub 13 reaches the washing water level (step S17). When the water level reaches the washing water level, the operation of the water suction pump 29 is stopped and the water supply solenoid valve 2 is stopped.
7 is closed. That is, since the operation of the water suction pump 29 is continued until the water supply is completed, if the pump water supply can be resumed after the water supply is started, the bath water is also used together with the tap water. Will be.

In the step S10 before the start of water supply, the washing tub 1
Step S when the water level in 3 is equal to or higher than the reset water level L ₀
Proceeding to 26, it is determined whether the water level in the washing tub 13 is lower than the washing water level. That is, when water equal to or higher than the washing water level is accumulated in the washing tub 13 from the beginning, it is not necessary to supply water, and the water supply ends.

If the water level in the washing tub 13 is lower than the washing water level in step S26, the process proceeds to step S27, and the water suction pump 29 is started. As a result, the pump water supply path 28
The bath water starts to be supplied to the washing tub 13 via. Also,
At the same time as the operation of the water suction pump 29 is started, the control unit 3
Counting of the elapsed time T ₂ of the start of the operation of the water pump 29 is started in the second timer in the 0 (step S28).

As described above, for a while after the water suction pump 29 is started, only air is removed from the hose of the pump water supply passage 28, and no water is supplied. Therefore, the elapsed time T _{2 of} the second timer is determined in step S29.
Waits for 2 minutes before proceeding to step S21. That is, when the process proceeds from step S29 to S21, the second
First from the start of counting of the timer elapsed time T ₂ are the presence or absence of level rise above a certain value M to 2 minutes is determined, the presence or absence of a predetermined value M or more level rise thereafter every 5 seconds is determined.

In the above embodiment, the operation of the water suction pump 29 is continued even after the water supply is started until the water supply is completed. You may make it stop. Alternatively, the operation may be stopped after the operation of the water suction pump 29 is continued for a certain period of time, for example, one minute after the water supply electromagnetic valve 27 is opened.

The values of the predetermined time and the like in the description of the above embodiment are merely examples, and can be changed as appropriate in accordance with various conditions.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a washing machine using a water supply control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an arrangement of input keys of an operation unit of the washing machine.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a change in a water supply mode in a bath water use key operation.

FIG. 4 is an electrical block diagram of the washing machine to which the embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of a basic washing process of the washing machine.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a water supply control process according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Operation part 12 ... Outer tub 13 ... Washing tub 25 ... Water level sensor 26 ... Water supply water supply path 27 ... Water supply solenoid valve 28 ... Pump water supply path 29 ... Water absorption pump 30 ... Control part

Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-2-11199 (JP, A) JP-A-62-148693 (JP, A) JP-A-7-88287 (JP, A) Patent 3066288 (JP, B2) Kohei 3-6838 (JP, B2) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) D06F 33/02 D06F 39/08 321

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] A water supply channel and a pump water supply channel are provided, and the opening and closing of a water supply valve provided in the water supply channel and the operation of a water absorption pump provided in the pump water supply channel are controlled to control the washing machine. in the washing machine the water supply control apparatus for performing water supply to a provided washing tub is detected by the water level detecting means and, b) pre-Symbol water level detection means for detecting the water level of water supplied into a) the washing tub Washing water level
The water from the pump water supply channel is brought to a predetermined water level lower than the water level.
When the water is normal, the water level in the washing tub is
Based on the estimated time required to reach
A first determining means for determining whether or not the water level has arrived within a first predetermined time determined in consideration of the operation time ; c) detecting the water level within a second predetermined time shorter than the first predetermined time; Second determination means for determining whether or not the change in the water level detected by the means is equal to or greater than a predetermined value; d) starting water supply from the pump water supply channel by starting operation of the water suction pump; If it is determined by the first determination means that the first predetermined time has elapsed before the water level in the washing tub reaches the predetermined water level, the water supply valve is opened to supply water from the water supply channel. When it starts and reaches the predetermined water level within the first predetermined time,
Thereafter, when the second determination means determines that the change in the water level in the washing tub does not exceed a predetermined value within a second predetermined time, the water supply valve is opened to start water supply from the water supply water supply channel. and water supply control apparatus for a washing machine, characterized in that it comprises a control means for ending the water supply when the sensed water level has reached the wash water level.