JP4204567B2 - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing machine including a filter device for capturing a mixture such as fiber waste in the middle of a pipe line connected to a lower part of a washing tub, and a filter case of the filter device including an air trap for detecting a water level.

  Some recent washing machines include a filter device for capturing a mixture such as fiber waste contained in waste water from a washing tub (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). The filter device includes a filter case interposed in the middle of a drainage pipe connected to the lower part of the washing tub, and a filter body housed in the filter case, and drains the washing tub from the inside of the filter case. The mixed material in the waste water is captured by the filter body by flowing in and out through the filter body.

  By providing this filter device, it is possible to capture the fiber waste contained in the waste water, suppress the outflow to the outside, contribute to the reduction of the environmental load, and fallen items from the laundry inside the washing tub ( Buttons, pocket contents, etc.) can be captured and collected.

  In recent years, washing machines have been put into practical use in which the washing water inside the washing tub is externally circulated and returned to the washing tub so as to improve the washing effect. In this washing machine, the filter device is interposed in the middle of the pipeline through which the circulating water flows, and the finished laundry is captured by capturing fiber waste contained in the circulating water and purifying the return water to the washing tub. The quality is improved.

  The filter device for circulating water is practically used also as the filter device for drainage, and the circulating water flow is provided with a circulation pump attached to the filter case for storing the filter body together with an outlet for drainage. An outlet is provided, and the outlet for circulating water is connected to the washing tub via a return pipe, and the washing water is circulated by driving the circulation pump during washing.

Further, as disclosed in Patent Document 2, the filter device as described above can be provided with an air trap for detecting the internal water level of the washing tub. This air trap is an air chamber connected to the upper part of the filter case, and is configured so that the remaining air is trapped inside when the wash water flowing in from the washing tub is filled inside the filter case. ing. The air pressure inside the air trap rises due to the pressing force applied from the washing water filling the filter case, and the magnitude of this pressing force corresponds to the inner water level of the washing tub. it is possible to detect the internal level of the washing water tank by detecting the water level detector configured as a pressure detecting means.

  Now, in the washing machine having the filter device as described above, the filter body inside the filter case is clogged by the fiber waste captured by the repetition of the washing operation, so that the filter body is opened from the opening provided at one end of the filter case. For example, the filter body is taken out every predetermined number of times of operation, and the original filter performance can be maintained by removing the trapped material and reattaching it after cleaning.

  However, the cleaning of the filter body as described above may be forgotten by the user. In such a case, the washing operation is continued with clogging, and the finished quality of the laundry is deteriorated due to the lack of circulating water. In addition, various problems such as an increase in the time required for washing due to stagnation of drainage are caused.

  In order to alleviate the above problems, for example, an alarm may be issued every predetermined number of washing operations to prompt the user to check and clean the filter body. However, since the amount of fiber waste captured by the filter body differs depending on the laundry conditions such as the type and amount of the laundry, the alarm is not always issued at the correct timing, and the generation of the alarm is delayed. There is a possibility that the above-mentioned problems cannot be effectively prevented, and conversely, an alarm is generated too early and unnecessary inspection and cleaning may be forced.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and it is possible to determine whether or not the filter body is clogged by using the detected value of the internal water level of the washing tub by an air trap provided in the filter case of the filter device. The purpose is to provide a washing machine.

  It is another object of the present invention to provide a washing machine capable of performing clogging determination of a filter body using a water level detection value by an air trap with high accuracy.

  It is another object of the present invention to provide a washing machine that notifies the user that the filter body is clogged and that the operation in the clogged state is continued, and prompts the user to take appropriate measures. .

The washing machine according to the present invention includes a filter device in which a filter body that captures a mixture of running water inside the pipe line is housed in a filter case provided in the middle of the pipe line connected to the lower part of the washing water tank, In the washing machine, comprising: an air trap connected to the pipe line; and a water level detector that detects an internal water level of the washing tub based on an air pressure inside the air trap. Than the circulating water outlet to the washing tub, and the air trap is located at a position farther from the inlet than the inlet. In connection with the inside of the filter case on the upstream side of the filter body, and based on the change in the detection value of the water level detector under an operating state in which a flow occurs in the pipe Filter body Characterized in that it comprises determining clogging determination means whether clogging.

In the present invention, under operating conditions the flow occurs in the inner portion of the conduit leading to the bottom of the washing tub, the form of the flow is changed according to the presence or absence of clogging of the filter body, continuously to the conduit Utilizing the fact that the detected value of the water level detector changes based on the air pressure inside the air trap, the presence or absence of clogging is determined based on the change in the detected value. The filter body is provided with filter eyes on the side away from the circulating water outlet, and the air trap is the upstream side of the filter body, that is, the side where the flow before passing through the filter body is generated. Provided to communicate with the filter case at a position farther from the outlet than the inlet, and the change in air pressure inside the air trap due to the change in flow form due to clogging of the filter eyes of each part of the filter body is remarkable In addition, the determination accuracy can be improved by generating it stably.

The washing machine according to the present invention is characterized in that the filter mesh of the filter body is rougher at a position away from the outflow port than at a position close to the outflow port .

In this invention, the coarse filter part which has the coarse filter eyes which are hard to produce clogging in the position away from the outflow port is provided, and generation | occurrence | production of the circulation impossibility of circulating water and the discharge | emission impossible of drainage is prevented.

  In the washing machine according to the present invention, the clogging determination means performs a determination operation while the driving motor for the washing tub is in a non-driven state.

  In this invention, while the washing tub drive motor is in the drive state, the detection value of the water level detector changes due to the fluctuation of the internal water level of the washing tub itself, so that the clogging determination is made when the drive motor is not driven. To improve the determination accuracy.

  In addition, the washing machine according to the present invention is characterized in that it includes a notifying unit that performs a notifying operation that prompts an inspection of the filter body in accordance with the determination of clogging by the clogging determining unit.

  In the present invention, the operation of the notifying means according to the clogging determination notifies the user of clogging of the filter body, and prompts inspection and cleaning of the filter body.

  Further, the washing machine according to the present invention includes a means for accumulating the number of times of operation in a state where the clogging determination means has performed the clogging determination, and an error notification operation when the accumulated number of operations by the means reaches a predetermined number. An informing means is provided.

  In the present invention, when the operation is continued despite the notification of clogging, an error notification is performed by the operation of the notification means, prompting the user to check and clean the filter body promptly. For example, it is desirable that the error notification is a strong voice or display such as “cannot continue driving”, and it is also possible to perform a control operation that does not accept a subsequent driving operation.

In the washing machine according to the present invention, the clogging of the filter body can be determined using an air trap provided in a pipe line connected to the lower part of the washing tub for detecting the internal water level of the washing tub. Body inspection and cleaning can be performed without delay, and the object can be achieved without the need for any additional components. The filter body of the filter body is provided over the side away from the circulating water outlet, and the air trap is provided at a position farther from the outlet than the upstream inlet of the filter body. A change in the air pressure inside the air trap due to a change in the flow form caused by the clogging can be generated remarkably and stably, thereby improving the determination accuracy.

  Moreover, since the determination of clogging is performed while the washing tub driving motor is in a non-driven state, that is, when the fluctuation of the internal water level of the washing tub is small, the clogging determination can be performed with high accuracy.

  Also, when the clogging is determined, the reason is notified by the notifying means, and when the operation is continued in the state where the clogging is further determined, a more severe error notification is made. The present invention has an excellent effect such that the user can be surely noticed and necessary measures such as inspection and cleaning of the filter body can be performed, and washing operation can be performed under good conditions at all times.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings illustrating embodiments thereof. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a washing machine according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the washing machine according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the washing machine according to the present invention includes a washing tub 2 inside an outer box 1. The washing tub 2 is a large-diameter bottomed cylinder provided with an opening 20 for loading laundry on one side (front side), and a pair of left and right support legs 21 erected on the bottom surface of the outer box 1 (only on one side) As shown in the figure, the shaft 20 is elastically supported while maintaining the posture in which the axis is inclined with the opening 20 side up. On the front surface of the outer box 1, a laundry inlet 11 is opened by a lid 10 so as to be openable and closable at a position facing the opening 20 of the washing tub 2, and between the inlet 11 and the opening 20. Is sealed liquid-tightly by a bellows 12.

  A rotating drum 3 is supported coaxially inside the washing tub 2. The rotating drum 3 is a bottomed cylindrical body having a slightly smaller diameter than the washing tub 2 and has an opening 30 for putting laundry on one side. Such a rotary drum 3 has the opening 30 facing the inside of the opening 20 of the washing tub 2 and is coaxially connected to the output end of a drive motor 4 fixed at the center of the bottom of the washing tub 2. The drive motor 4 is rotated inside the washing tub 2 by transmission from the drive motor 4.

  A plurality of small holes 31 are formed through the entire surface of the peripheral wall of the rotating drum 3, and a plurality of baffles 32 extending in the axial direction are equally distributed on the inner surface of the rotating drum 3 in the circumferential direction. Projected. In FIG. 2, only a part of the small hole 31 and one baffle 32 are shown.

  In the washing operation of the washing machine constructed as described above, the lid 10 on the front surface of the outer box 1 opens the loading slot 11 to put the laundry, closes the lid 10 and puts an appropriate amount inside the washing tub 2. After supplying the washing water, the rotation drum 3 is driven to rotate by transmission from the drive motor 4.

  An input port 11 provided in the outer box 1 faces the openings 20 and 30 of the washing tub 2 and the rotary drum 3, and the laundry input from the input port 11 is introduced into the rotary drum 3. . Inside the rotating drum 3, washing water inside the washing tub 2 flows from a small hole 31 provided on the peripheral surface, and a plurality of baffles 32 protrude from the inner surface of the rotating drum 3. Therefore, the laundry put into the rotating drum 3 is agitated and washed with the washing water including lifting and dropping by the baffle 32.

  A water supply port 13 connected to a water pipe is provided on the rear upper surface of the outer box 1, and this water supply port 13 is connected to the washing tub 2 through a water supply pipe 15 provided with a water supply valve 14 in the middle. The washing water is supplied to the washing tub 2 through the water supply pipe 15 by opening the water supply valve 14. It is also possible to arrange a detergent case in the middle of the water supply pipe 15 so that an appropriate amount of detergent is introduced together with the water supply.

  In addition, a water conduit 22 is connected to the peripheral surface of the vicinity of the bottom plate at the lowest position in the washing water tank 2, and this water conduit 22 is connected to the filter device 5 through an intermediate bellows tube 23. The filter device 5 includes a cylindrical filter case 50 fixedly supported at the front lower portion inside the outer box 1, and a filter body 51 housed in the filter case 50 as described later. Is connected to the upper part of the filter case 50. The bellows tube 23 in the middle of the water conduit 22 is provided to absorb the vibration generated with the rotation of the rotating drum 3 during the washing operation described above and to prevent propagation to the filter device 5.

  The lower part of the filter case 50 is connected to a drain pipe 25 laid along the bottom surface of the outer box 1 via a drain valve 24. Further, a return pipe 27 is connected to the rear end portion of the filter case 50 via a circulation pump 26, and the return pipe 27 extends upward along the front portion of the washing tub 2. The front opening 20 is connected from above.

  A detachable opening that can be opened and closed by a cover plate 5a that swings around a side edge on one side is provided at the lower front portion of the outer box 1. An opening facing the inside of the attachment / detachment opening is provided at the front end of the filter case 50, and the filter body 51 is detachable from the filter case 50 together with a sealing cap 52 that closes the opening. Further, an air trap 53 that forms a sealed space communicating with the filter case 50 is connected to the upper portion of the filter case 50 as will be described later. The air trap 53 is connected to the outer case 1 via the pressure guide tube 28. It is connected to a water level detector 29 attached to the top.

  The washing water supplied into the washing tub 2 with the above configuration is introduced into the filter device 5 through the water conduit 22 constituting a part of the conduit, and fills the filter case 50. At this time, air is left inside the air trap 53, and this air is compressed by the washing water filled in the filter case 50 to be pressurized. The degree of the pressure increase corresponds to the water level of the washing water inside the washing tub 2.

  For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, the water level detector 29 includes an iron core that floats by the action of air pressure inside the air trap 53 applied via the pressure guide tube 28, and a detection that surrounds the periphery of the iron core. And has a known configuration for detecting the air pressure inside the air trap 53, that is, the internal water level of the washing tub 2 by utilizing the fact that the inductance of the detection coil changes according to the movement of the iron core. is doing. The internal water level of the washing tub 2 detected in this way is used for controlling the amount of water supplied by opening and closing the water supply valve 14 as is conventionally done, and as will be described later, the filter body 51 of the filter device 5. It is used to determine clogging.

  Note that the air trap 53 can be connected to an appropriate portion of a pipe line connected to the lower portion of the washing tub 2. Here, the pipe line in the present invention includes a water pipe 22, a bellows pipe 23, a filter device 5, a drain pipe 25 including a drain valve 24, and further includes a return pipe 27 including a circulation pump 26.

  The circulation pump 26 attached to the rear end of the filter case 50 is driven continuously or intermittently during the washing operation performed after the above water supply. The washing water filled in the filter case 50 by this driving is sucked into the circulation pump 26 and pressurized, and is sent to the upper part of the washing water tank 2 through the return pipe 27, and from the tip of the return pipe 27 to the rotating drum 3. Pour onto the laundry inside. During this time, the wash water in the wash tub 2 is supplied to the inside of the filter case 50 via the water conduit 22, and the wash water circulates from the wash tub 2 through the filter device 5 and back into the rotary drum 3. Further, the drain valve 24 provided at the lower part of the filter case 50 is opened after the above washing operation. By this opening, the washing water inside the washing tub 2 is discharged to the drain pipe 25 through the water conduit 22 and the filter device 5 and drained to the sewage to which the drain pipe 25 is connected.

  The washing operation including water supply and drainage as described above is performed according to the control operation of the operation control unit 6 disposed inside the front upper portion of the outer box 1 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, an operation unit 7 for driving operation is provided on the front upper portion of the outer box 1, and the control operation of the operation control unit 6 for washing operation is performed by the user using the operation unit 7. It is implemented according to the operation.

  Further, the operation unit 7 is provided with a display unit 70 using a liquid crystal display device or the like. The display unit 70 has a display for assisting the operation of the operation unit 7 and a display for showing the operation state. In addition, various notification displays including clogging notification and error notification, which will be described later, are displayed in appropriate forms such as characters and graphics.

  FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the internal configuration of the filter device 5. As described above, the filter device 5 includes a filter case 50 having a cylindrical shape and a filter body 51 accommodated in the filter case 50. A pump chamber 54 to which the circulation pump 26 is attached is provided at the rear end portion (right end portion in the figure) of the filter case 50, and the return pipe 27 is connected to the peripheral surface of the pump chamber 54. The discharge pipe 55 is connected.

  At the front end portion (left end portion in the figure) of the filter case 50, a mounting opening 56 for the sealing cap 52 is opened. The sealing cap 52 is a short cylindrical member having a male threaded portion on the outer peripheral surface, and the male threaded portion is screwed to a female threaded portion (not shown) provided on the inner surface of the mounting port 56, so that the front portion of the filter case 50 is It is installed so as to be liquid-tight. The filter body 51 is a grid-like member formed by arranging rectangular filter cells vertically and horizontally, and is connected to the inner end of the sealing cap 52 so as to be relatively rotatable. By attaching the sealing cap 52, the filter case 51 50 internal spaces are stored so as to be separated vertically.

  On the rear side of the storage area of the filter body 51 as described above, an outlet 60 for circulating water is provided to connect the lower space of the filter body 51 to the pump chamber 54, and the washing water inside the filter case 50 is opened. Is sucked into the circulation pump 26 through the outlet 60 and circulated as described above. In addition, an inlet 61 is opened at the upper part of the filter case 50 so as to communicate with the upper space of the filter body 51, and a water conduit 22 connected to the washing tub 2 is provided at the inlet 61 in FIG. They are connected as indicated by a two-dot chain line. In addition, a drain port 62 is opened at the lower part of the filter case 50 so as to communicate with the rear end portion of the lower space of the filter body 51. The drain port 62 is disposed as shown by a two-dot chain line in the figure. Tube 25 is connected.

  Further, an air trap 53 is provided at the upper part of the filter case 50 so as to communicate with the rear half of the upper space of the filter body 51, that is, upstream of the filter body 51 and away from the circulating water outlet 60. Is provided. The air trap 53 hermetically seals the upper part of a short circular tube 57 connected to the upper part of the filter case 50. As described above, when the inside of the filter case 50 is filled with washing water, an appropriate amount of air is generated. It is configured to be confined inside. A small-diameter pressure inlet 58 is formed at the top of the air trap 53, and a pressure pipe 28 for guiding the air pressure inside the air trap 53 to the water level detector 29 (see FIG. 1) is provided in the pressure hole 58. These are connected as indicated by a two-dot chain line in the figure.

  In the filter device 5 configured as described above, when the circulation pump 26 is driven during the washing operation, the washing water in the washing tub 2 flows into the filter case 50 through the inlet 61, and the filter of the filter body 51 is filtered. And then flows from the upper space to the lower space, is sucked into the circulation pump 26 through the outlet 60, and is circulated to the washing tub 2 as described above. At this time, a mixture of fiber waste and the like in the wash water is captured and removed when passing through the filter body 51. As a result, clean wash water not containing fiber waste is returned to the wash water tank 2, and the inside of the rotary drum 3 is returned. As described above, it is poured onto the laundry that is agitated in step (1), thereby improving the cleaning effect and obtaining a good finished state with less fiber waste adhesion. Similarly, when the drain valve 24 is opened during the draining process after the washing operation, the washing water in the washing tub 2 flows into the filter case 50 through the inlet 61 and passes through the filter eyes of the filter body 51. Then, it flows from the upper space to the lower space and is drained through the drain port 62 that communicates with the lower space, and clean waste water that does not contain fiber waste is discharged outside the washing machine.

When such a circulation of washing water is continuously performed, and when the drainage process is performed many times, clogging due to fiber waste captured by the filter body 51 occurs. Here, the circulating water outlet 60 is opened at the rear end of the filter case 50 as described above, and the drain outlet 62 is opened to communicate with the rear end of the filter body 51. The flow of circulating water or waste water that passes through the filter body 51 is concentrated at the rear part of the filter body 51 near the outlet 60 or the drain port 62. Therefore, clogging of the filter body 51 first occurs at the rear part of the filter body 51, and the flow of the circulating water is clogged as shown by broken arrows and two-dot chain arrows in FIG. Sequentially move forward, avoiding the area.

  As described above, when the filter body 51 is clogged, the washing water flowing into the filter case 50 through the inlet 61 is temporarily in the upper space of the filter body 51, that is, in the upstream side of the filter body 51. It flows forward and flows through the area where no clogging has occurred and flows out into the lower space, and the forward flow upstream of the filter body 51 becomes conspicuous as the clogging of the filter body 51 progresses. It becomes.

  In the washing machine according to the present invention, the air trap 53 connected to the filter case 50 is located at the upper front side of the filter case 50, that is, upstream of the filter body 51, and the circulating water outlet 60 and drain outlet. Since it is provided at a position away from 62, the pressure of the air trapped inside the air trap 53 is affected by the dynamic pressure component due to the forward flow generated upstream of the filter body 51. The component increases as the clogging of the filter body 51 progresses. Therefore, the detection value of the water level detector 29 configured to be able to detect the air pressure (static pressure) inside the air trap 53 changes according to the clogging of the filter body 51, and specifically, the clogging. It will fall under the influence of the dynamic pressure component of the forward flow that increases with the progress of.

  In the present invention, the presence or absence of clogging of the filter body 51 is determined using the change in the detection value of the water level detector 29 generated in this way. This determination is performed while the circulating water flow is generated by driving the circulation pump 26 or while the drainage flow is generated by opening the drain valve 24. It is to be noted that the continuous position of the air trap 53 is on the upstream side of the filter body 51 and is set at a position away from the inlet 61 with respect to the outlet 60 or the outlet 62 of the circulating water. This is to prevent the accuracy of the water level detection from being lowered when the fiber waste captured by the body 51 rises into the air trap 53, and the accuracy of clogging determination performed as follows can be improved.

  The detection value of the water level detector 29 is given to the operation control unit 6 in order to control the amount of water supplied before the start of operation, and the clogging determination using this detection value is performed in the operation control unit 6. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the washing machine according to the present invention.

  The operation control unit 6 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and as described above, is configured as a microprocessor that performs control operations for all washing operations including water supply and drainage. Along with the detection value of the water level detector 29, the operation result of the operation unit 7 operated by the user is given, and various information related to the driving state is given from the driving state sensor 71 arranged in each part of the washing machine. Yes.

  A control command issued by the operation control unit 6 is sent to the drive motor 4 that rotationally drives the rotary drum 3, the water supply valve 14 disposed in the middle of the water supply pipe 15, the drain valve 24 disposed in the middle of the drain pipe 25, and the filter device 5. It is given to each circulation pump 26 attached. In the operation control unit 6, the drive motor 4, the water supply valve 14, the drain valve 24, and the circulation pump 26 are set in accordance with a predetermined control program in order to perform a washing operation according to the operation condition designated by the operation of the operation unit 7. A known operation control operation for issuing a control command is performed, and further, a clogging determination operation described below is performed using the water level detection value given from the water level detector 29.

  The control command of the operation control unit 6 is also given to the display unit 70 attached to the operation unit 7. The display unit 70 displays the above-described various displays according to the control command from the operation control unit 6. The Such display on the display unit 70 is also used as notification means for notifying the result of clogging determination as described below.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the contents of the clogging determination operation. This operation is started, for example, as a trigger when an operation for starting a washing operation is performed in the operation unit 7, and the operation control unit 6 determines whether or not the circulation pump 26 is in a driving state (step 1). Further, it is determined whether or not the drive motor 4 is in a stopped state (step 2). When the circulating pump 26 is driven and the drive motor 4 is in the stopped operation state, the water level detection by the water level detector 29 is performed. The value H is fetched (step 3).

  The determination in step 1 is to confirm whether or not the circulating pump 26 is driven and the flow of circulating water is generated in the filter case 50 of the filter device 5. The determination in step 2 is the rotation in the washing tub 2. It is ascertained whether or not the drum 3 is in a driving state. The intake of the water level detection value H in step 3 is performed in an operating state in which the flow of circulating water is occurring and the washing tub 2 is in the non-driven state, and the water level detection value that is taken in at such timing H is used for clogging determination shown below. Needless to say, the determination in steps 1 and 2 is made based on the presence / absence of control commands to the circulation pump 26 and the drive motor 4. In the operation state described above, the rotation direction of the rotary drum 3 is determined during the execution of the washing operation. Appropriately generated when converted.

  This clogging determination is based on the fact that the flow form of the circulating water in the filter case 50 changes with the progress of clogging and affects the water level detection value H by the water level detector 29 as described above. Yes, the determination of the presence or absence of the circulating flow in Step 1 is an essential condition for executing the clogging determination. In addition, the determination of non-drive of the washing tub 2 in step 2 is not an essential condition, but is a condition necessary for increasing the clogging determination accuracy. That is, during the operation of the washing tub 2, the internal water level itself of the washing tub 2 fluctuates due to the rotation of the rotating drum 3, and the influence of this fluctuation is generated in the water level detection value H by the water level detector 29. Thus, the accuracy of clogging determination using the water level detection value H is lowered, and the clogging determination can be performed with high accuracy by using the water level detection value H when not driven.

As described above, in step 3, the water level detection value H suitable for the determination of clogging is taken in, and the operation control unit 6 next sets the taken water level detection value H to the preset reference value H _ref. (Step 4). As described above, when the filter body 51 is clogged, the water level detection value H by the water level detector 29 decreases due to the influence of the dynamic pressure component of the flow generated below the air trap 53. The reference value H _ref is given as a value obtained by subtracting a preset decrease from the water level detection value after completion of water supply. As a result of comparison in step 4, the current water level detection value H is equal to or greater than the reference value H _ref. If it is, it is determined that clogging has not occurred, and if the current water level detection value H is less than the reference value _Href , it is determined that clogging has occurred.

  If it is determined in step 4 that no clogging has occurred, the operation control unit 6 resets the count value N of the counter that accumulates the number of times of clogging determination (step 5), and without performing any notification operation. End the clogging judgment operation.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step 4 that clogging has occurred, the operation control unit 6 increments the count value N (step 6), and the count value N has reached a preset upper limit value N _max . (Step 7), if the upper limit value _Nmax has not been reached, a clogging display command is issued to the display unit 70 to notify the user that the clogging is present. If the upper limit value _Nmax has been reached, an error display command is issued to the display unit 70 so that the user is informed that the device is in a severely clogged state. (Step 9), the clogging determining operation is terminated.

When the clogging determination is made by the above operation, the cumulative number of this determination is counted, and when the count value N is less than the upper limit value N _max , a notification by clogging display is made and the upper limit value N _{max is} exceeded. When the operation is repeated ignoring the clogging display, an error display is notified. These displays can be performed by appropriate means such as lighting of a display lamp, display of a graphic pattern, display of a character message, and the like. When displaying a text message, for example, the clogging display is a light notification message that says "Check the filter", and the error display is a severe message that includes a warning message that "Operation cannot be continued". It can be a notification message. Further, these notifications are not limited to display on the display unit 70, but may be notifications using warning sounds, voices, and the like.

The upper limit value N _max used for the determination in step 7 is the number of operations that are considered to cause more serious problems such as the inability to circulate circulating water and the inability to discharge drainage by continuing operation with the clogged state left unattended. It is set in advance. Thus, by displaying an error according to the cumulative number of operations, the user can be urged to inspect and clean the filter body 51 with certainty. Note that the filter device 5 shown in FIG. 3 is provided with a coarse filter portion that is coarser than other parts and is less likely to be clogged near the front end of the filter body 51 to prevent circulation of the circulating water and discharge of the drainage. The occurrence of this is prevented.

When the filter body 51 is inspected and cleaned according to the clogging display or error display, the result of determination in step 4 in the next washing operation is that the process proceeds to step 5 and the clogging counter is reset. When clogging is performed, clogging is displayed again, and error display is performed only when clogging is reported and washing operations are repeated a plurality of times.

1 is an external perspective view of a washing machine according to the present invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the washing machine which concerns on this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the internal structure of a filter apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control system of the washing machine which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the content of clogging determination operation | movement.

Explanation of symbols

2 Washing water tank 4 Drive motor 5 Filter device 6 Operation control unit
22 Water conduit (pipe)
50 Filter cases
51 Filter body
53 Air trap
29 Water level detector
60 Outflow port (circulation water)
70 Display (notification means)

Claims (5)

A filter device in which a filter body that captures a mixture of running water inside the pipe line is housed in a filter case provided in the middle of the pipe line connected to the lower part of the washing water tank; and connected to the pipe line. In a washing machine comprising an air trap and a water level detector that detects the internal water level of the washing tub based on the air pressure inside the air trap,
The filter body has a filter eye provided on a side farther from the outlet of circulating water to the washing tub than the inlet of the flowing water, and the air trap is connected to the outlet from the outlet. The water level detection under an operating condition in which a distance is provided in communication with the inside of the filter case on the upstream side of the filter body at a position away from the inlet, and a flow is generated inside the pipe. A washing machine comprising clogging determination means for determining whether or not the filter body is clogged based on a change in a detected value of the container. The washing machine according to claim 1 , wherein the filter mesh of the filter body is rougher than the position close to the outflow port at a position away from the outflow port . The clogging determining unit, a washing machine according to claim 1 or claim 2 driving motor of the washing tub makes a determination operation while in a non-driven state. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , further comprising a notification unit configured to perform a notification operation that prompts inspection of the filter body in accordance with the determination of clogging by the clogging determination unit. A means for accumulating the number of times of operation in a state where the clogging determination is made by the clogging determination means and a notifying means for performing an error notification operation when the accumulated number of operations by the means reaches a predetermined number. The washing machine according to any one of claims 4 to 5 .

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