JP4254472B2 - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing machine that detects the amount of laundry in a rotating drum having a rotation center axis in a substantially horizontal direction or a substantially inclined direction, and performs washing, rinsing, and dewatering.

  Conventionally, this type of washing machine is configured to drive a rotating drum that stores laundry and can rotate about a horizontal axis by a motor, and the number of rotations of the motor is controlled by a control unit. When the laundry is dry at the start, the motor is energized to drive the rotating drum at the rotation speed at which the laundry sticks to the inner wall of the rotating drum, and the motor rotates by changing the inertial rotation speed of the rotating drum after the motor is de-energized. The amount of laundry in the drum is detected, and each process of washing, rinsing, and dewatering is controlled (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

That is, when the change in the inertial rotational speed of the rotating drum after the motor is de-energized is small and the time for the rotational speed to decrease is long, it is determined that the amount of laundry in the rotating drum is large and the motor is energized. When the change in the inertial rotational speed of the rotating drum after being shut off is large and the rotational speed decreases in a short time, it has been determined that the amount of laundry in the rotating drum is small.
JP-A-10-212387

In such a conventional configuration, after washing is started, the motor is energized while the laundry is dry, and the rotating drum is driven at a rotational speed at which the laundry is stuck to the inner wall of the rotating drum. Since the amount of laundry in the rotating drum is detected from the change in the inertial rotation speed of the rotating drum, when the amount of laundry is large, the laundry that sticks to the inner wall of the rotating drum and rotates with the rotating drum rotates. rotates while rubbing against the lid for opening and closing the opening of the drum, the change in the inertial rotation speed of the rotary drum by rubbing the degree of the laundry is changed, the amount of the detection accuracy of the laundry had poor.

The amount of the case the inertia of the rotating direction of the rotating drum is large, the inertial rotation speed of the change in the rotational drum is highly dependent on the inertia of the rotating direction of the rotary drum, in particular laundry when the amount of laundry is small It had the problem that the detection accuracy of was bad.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems. When the laundry is put into the rotating drum and the rotating drum is rotated, the optimum physical quantity that changes depending on the amount of the laundry is detected, thereby detecting the amount of the laundry. The purpose is to improve the detection accuracy.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention rotates the rotating drum at a second predetermined number of rotations so that the laundry does not stick to the inner wall of the rotating drum when the predetermined water level is detected by the water level detecting means. Each time information is input from the position detecting means a plurality of times per drum rotation, the current value of the motor is integrated, and the amount of laundry in the rotating drum is detected based on the integrated value .

As a result, the laundry does not stick to the inner wall of the rotating drum and falls after being lifted by the rotation of the rotating drum. Therefore, the torque applied to the motor changes while the rotating drum makes one rotation, but the torque is applied to the rotating drum. By detecting multiple times per rotation, the average motor torque can be detected, and the detection accuracy of the amount of laundry can be improved.

In the washing machine of the present invention, when the laundry is put into the rotating drum and the rotating drum is rotated, the average motor torque is applied to the change in the torque applied to the motor during one rotation of the rotating drum.
It can be detected, and the detection accuracy of the amount of laundry can be improved.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rotating drum having a central axis of rotation in a substantially horizontal direction or a substantially inclined direction, a water receiving tank elastically supported by a washing machine body and containing the rotating drum , and water supply in the water receiving tank Water supply means, water level detection means for detecting the water level in the water receiving tank, motor for driving the rotating drum, torque detection means for detecting torque based on the current value of the motor, and the position of the rotor of the motor A position detecting means for detecting the motor, an inverter having a switching element for supplying electric power to the motor, a signal from the water level detecting means and the torque detecting means, and controlling the switching element of the inverter to drive the motor and control means which controls the said control means, said rotary drum laundry the rotating drum when it detects a predetermined water level by the water level detecting means Is rotated at a second predetermined rotational speed which does not stick to the inner wall, integrates the current value of the motor each time the information is coming from the rotary drum per revolution several times the position detecting means, the rotation based on the integrated value The amount of laundry in the drum is detected. When the amount of laundry put in the rotating drum is very small, the torque is almost zero when the rotating drum is rotated at the second predetermined rotational speed. The torque required to rotate the rotating drum may be sufficient. Here, when the torque required to rotate the rotating drum is large, the detection accuracy of a very small amount of laundry is deteriorated. For this reason, when the amount of laundry is roughly divided and is very small, the weight of the laundry is relatively increased by adding water to the laundry, and a signal from the torque detection means causes the laundry in the rotating drum to be By detecting the amount, the detection accuracy of the amount of laundry can be improved. Further, since the laundry does not stick to the inner wall of the rotating drum and is dropped after being lifted by the rotation of the rotating drum, the torque applied to the motor changes during one rotation of the rotating drum, but the torque is applied to the rotating drum 1 By detecting multiple times per rotation, the average motor torque can be detected, and the detection accuracy of the amount of laundry can be improved.

According to a second invention, in the first invention, the control means supplies water into the water receiving tank while rotating the rotating drum at the second predetermined rotation speed until a predetermined water level is detected. Since the rotating drum is rotated at the second predetermined rotation speed until the amount of laundry is detected, water is supplied into the water receiving tub, so that the laundry can be uniformly infused with water. The amount detection accuracy can be improved.

In a third aspect based on the first aspect , the control means detects the amount of laundry after detecting a predetermined water level and stops water supply into the water receiving tub. Since no water is supplied while the load is on, the load on the motor is stable and the detection accuracy of the amount of laundry can be improved.

According to a fourth invention, in any one of the first to third inventions, the control means sets the predetermined water level lower than the water level during normal washing, and rotates at a water level lower than the water level during washing. Since the amount of laundry is detected by rotating the drum, the amount of laundry can be detected in a short time.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited by this embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)
As shown in FIG. 2, the rotating drum 1 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, and a large number of water passage holes 2 are provided on the entire surface of the rotating drum 1. The rotating drum 1 is rotatably disposed in the water receiving tank 3. A rotation axis (rotation center axis) 4 is provided at the rotation center of the rotary drum 1 in a substantially inclined direction, and the axial center direction of the rotary drum 1 is inclined downward from the front side toward the back side. A motor 5 attached to the back surface of the water receiving tank 3 is connected to the rotating shaft 4, and the rotating drum 1 is driven to rotate in the forward and reverse directions. Several protruding plates 6 are provided on the inner wall surface of the rotating drum 1.

  The opening provided in the upward inclined surface on the front side of the water receiving tub 3 is covered with a lid 7 so that it can be opened and closed. By opening the lid 7, the laundry can be taken in and out of the rotary drum 1 through the clothing entrance 8. ing. Since the lid body 7 is provided on the upward inclined surface, the laundry can be carried out without bending the waist.

  The water receiving tub 3 is suspended from the washing machine main body 9 by a spring body (not shown) so as to be swingable. One end of the drainage passage 10 is connected to the lower portion of the water receiving tub 3 and the other end of the drainage passage 10 is connected to the water receiving tub 3. The washing water in the water receiving tank 3 is drained by connecting to the drain valve 11. The water supply valve 12 supplies water into the water receiving tank 3 through the water supply path 13. In the present embodiment, the rotation shaft 4 is provided in a substantially inclined direction at the rotation center of the rotary drum 1 and the axial center direction of the rotary drum 1 is inclined downward from the front side to the back side. However, the rotating shaft 4 may be provided in the substantially horizontal direction at the rotation center of the rotating drum 1, and the axial center direction of the rotating drum 1 may be disposed in the substantially horizontal direction.

  The present embodiment has a drying function for drying the laundry in the rotating drum 1, exhausts the air in the water receiving tub 3 to dehumidify it, and heats it to dry warm air to receive the water again. A circulation ventilation path for blowing air into the tank 3 is formed.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 3, by rotationally driving the blower fan 14 disposed in the circulation blower passage, an air flow is generated in the circulation blower passage, and the air in the rotary drum 1 passes through the water passage hole 2. It is exhausted from the exhaust port 15 of the water receiving tank 3 to the dehumidifying conduit 16. The dehumidification pipe line 16 is cooled by spraying water supplied from the water supply path 12, cools the air containing water discarded from the water receiving tank 3, and dehydrates the water by dew condensation.

  The air duct 17 connected to the dehumidifying duct 16 forms a duct that guides air to the back side of the water receiving tank 3 through a lint filter 18 disposed in the vicinity of the clothing entrance 8. It connects with the heating pipe line 19 arrange | positioned at the back side. As shown in FIG. 4, the heating pipe line 19 forms a flow path in an arc shape above the motor 5 attached to the back surface of the water receiving tank 3, and air is blown to the connection position with the blower pipe line 17 in the inside. A fan 14 is disposed, a blower opening 20 leading to the water receiving tank 3 is formed at the other end, and a heater 21 is disposed at an arc-shaped bent portion.

  The air passing through the heating pipe 19 is heated to a predetermined temperature by the heater 21, blown into the water receiving tank 3 from the blower opening 20 as dry hot air, and supplied into the rotary drum 1 through the water passage hole 2. Therefore, the laundry agitated by the rotation of the rotating drum 1 is dehydrated by the dry warm air and the drying proceeds. The laundry is dried by repeating this air circulation for the main time.

  The control device 22 is configured as shown in FIG. 1, and controls the operation of the motor 5, the drain valve 11, the water supply valve 12, the blower fan 14, the heater 21, etc., and a series of washing, rinsing, dehydration, and drying. Control means 23 comprising a microcomputer for sequentially controlling the process is provided. The control means 23 inputs information from the input setting means 24 for setting the driving course, etc., displays the information on the display means 25 based on the information and informs the user, and starts the operation by the input setting means 24. Is set, the data from the water level detection means 26 for detecting the water level in the water receiving tank 3 is input, and the drain valve 11, the water supply valve 12, the blower fan 14, and the heater 21 are input via the load driving means 37. Control the operation of the washing, drying operation.

At this time, the control means 23 controls the rotation of the motor 5 by controlling the inverter 29 via the drive circuit 28 based on the information from the position detection means 27 for detecting the position of the rotor of the motor 5. Yes. Although the motor 5 is a direct current brushless motor, although not shown, it is composed of a stator having a three-phase winding and a rotor having a two-pole permanent magnet disposed on the ring. The stator has a three-phase winding. The first winding 5a, the second winding 5b, and the third winding 5c to be configured are wound around an iron core provided with a slot.

  The inverter 29 is constituted by a switching element composed of a parallel circuit of a power transistor (IGBT) and a reverse conducting diode. A series circuit of a first switching element 29a and a second switching element 29b, a series circuit of a third switching element 29c and a fourth switching element 29d, and a fifth switching element 29e and a sixth switching element 29f A series circuit is configured, and the series circuit of each switching element is connected in parallel.

  Here, both ends of the series circuit of the switching elements are input terminals, connected to a DC power source, and output terminals are respectively connected to connection points of two switching elements constituting the series circuit of the switching elements. The output terminal is connected to the U terminal, V terminal, and W terminal of the three-phase winding, and the U terminal, V terminal, and W terminal are connected by the on / off combination of two switching elements constituting the series circuit of the switching element. The three states are positive voltage, zero voltage, and release, respectively.

  The on / off of the switching element is controlled by the control means 23 based on information from the three position detection means 27a, 27b, 27c made of the Hall IC. The position detection means 27a, 27b, and 27c are disposed on the stator so as to face the permanent magnets of the rotor at an electrical angle of 120 degrees.

  During one rotation of the rotor, the three position detection means 27a, 27b, and 27c each output a pulse at an electrical angle of 120 degrees. The control means 23 detects when the signal state of any of the three position detection means 27a, 27b, 27c changes, and based on the signals of the position detection means 27a, 27b, 27c, the switching elements 29a-29f. By changing the on / off state, the U terminal, the V terminal, and the W terminal are brought into three states of positive voltage, zero voltage, and release, and the first winding 5a, the second winding 5b, and the third winding of the stator. The coil 5c is energized to create a magnetic field and rotate the rotor.

  The switching elements 29a, 29c, and 29e are each controlled by pulse width modulation (PWM). For example, the rotational speed of the rotor is controlled by controlling the energization ratio of high and low at a repetition frequency of 10 kHz. The control means 23 detects the cycle whenever the signal state of any of the three position detection means 27a, 27b, and 27c changes, calculates the rotor rotation speed from the cycle, and sets the rotation speed to the set rotation speed. The switching elements 29a, 29c, and 29e are PWM-controlled.

  The torque detection means 30 includes a resistor 31 connected to one input terminal of the inverter 29 and a current detection circuit 32 connected to the resistor 31, and detects the input current value of the inverter 29 and converts it into a voltage signal. The voltage signal is input to the control means 23. Further, the control means 23 performs A / D conversion on the input voltage signal and performs arithmetic processing as digital data. When the motor 5 is a direct current brushless motor, the torque is substantially proportional to the input current. Therefore, the torque of the motor 5 is detected by detecting the input current value of the inverter 29 by the current detection circuit 32 connected to the resistor 31. be able to.

  Although the torque detection means 30 is configured as described above, this is not limited to this configuration as an example. For example, between the U terminal of the inverter 29 and the first winding 5a, or the V terminal of the inverter 29 A resistor may be connected in series between the first and second windings 5b and between the W terminal of the inverter 29 and the third winding 5c to detect the current value.

The commercial power source 33 includes a diode bridge 34, a choke coil 35, and a smoothing capacitor 3
6 is connected to the inverter 29 through a DC power source conversion device consisting of six. However, this is an example, and the configuration of the DC brushless motor 5, the configuration of the inverter 29, and the like are not limited thereto.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the input setting means 24 includes a washing time setting switch 24a for setting the washing time, a rinsing frequency setting switch 24b for setting the rinsing frequency, a dehydration time setting switch 24c for setting the dehydration time, and a drying time setting. A drying time setting switch 24d, a course setting switch 24e, a start / pause switch 24f, a power-on switch 24g, a power-off switch 24h, and the like. The display means 25 includes a washing time display section 25a, a rinse count display section 25b, A dehydration time display unit 25c, a drying time display unit 25d, a course setting display unit 25e, and the like are provided.

  Here, the control means 23 detects the amount of laundry in the rotating drum 1 based on a signal from the torque detecting means 30 when the rotating drum 1 is raised to a first predetermined rotation speed (for example, 200 r / min). I am doing so. At this time, the first predetermined rotational speed is set lower than the rotational speed corresponding to the vibration resonance point of the water receiving tank 3. The amount of cloth (the amount of laundry) in the rotating drum 1 is detected before water supply in the washing process.

  The operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. When the laundry is put into the rotating drum 1 and the cloth amount detection operation is started in step 40 of FIG. 6, the control means 23 initializes data such as setting Isum1 to 0 in step 41, In step 42, balance control is performed, and the rotational speed of the rotary drum 1 is raised to 90 r / min. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the rotational speed of the rotating drum 1 is first raised to 40 r / min, and the laundry in the rotating drum 1 is balanced between time t1 and t2, and then the rotational speed is set to 90 r. Start up to / min.

  In step 43 (between times t3 and t4 in FIG. 8), the laundry balance state is determined. If the balance state is not good, the process goes through step 44 and if the startup is less than three times, the rotation is performed in step 45. The drum 1 is stopped, the process returns to step 42, balance control is performed in step 42, and the rotational speed of the rotary drum 1 is raised to 90 r / min.

  If the laundry balance is good in step 43, the process proceeds to step 46, where the rotary drum 1 is accelerated, and in step 47, it is determined whether the rotational speed of the rotary drum 1 has reached 150 r / min. If it reaches min, the process proceeds to step 48, where the input current value of the inverter 29 detected by the current detection circuit 32, in other words, the current value of the motor 5 is integrated.

  FIG. 7 shows a subroutine for integrating the current values. When the information from the position detecting means 27 is detected by the rotation of the rotary drum 1 in step 53, the process proceeds to step 54 and the current value of the motor 5 is input. The current values input in step 55 are integrated, and the process returns in step 56. In the present embodiment, four pieces of information are input from the position detection unit 27 for each rotation of the rotary drum 1, and current values are integrated each time information is input from the position detection unit 27.

  Next, the current value is integrated until the rotational speed of the rotating drum 1 reaches 200 r / min in step 49 of FIG. 6, that is, between the times T5 and T6 of FIG. 8, and the rotational speed of the rotating drum 1 is 200 r / min. When it reaches min, the amount of cloth is determined in step 50. As shown in FIG. 8, the current value of the motor 5 detected by the current detection circuit 32 changes as the rotational speed of the rotary drum 1 increases. The curve “a” indicates a large amount of cloth, and the curve “b” indicates a medium amount of cloth. In the case of an amount, the curve c shows a case where the amount of cloth is small. These current values corresponding to the amount of cloth are integrated as A / D converted digital data, and the cloth amount is determined based on the integrated value as shown in Table 1.

  However, in Table 1, Im1 <Im2 <Im3. Thereafter, the rotation of the rotary drum 1 is stopped in step 51, and the cloth amount detection operation is ended in step 52. When the start-up is the third time in step 44, the process proceeds to step 51, the rotation of the rotary drum 1 is stopped, and the process ends in step 52.

  Here, the rotation speed corresponding to the vibration resonance point of the water receiving tank 3 is about 250 r / min, and the rotation speed of the rotation drum 1 when integrating the current value is 200 r / min or less. Since the amount of laundry can be detected in a range where no extra torque is required other than driving the laundry, the detection accuracy of the amount of laundry can be improved.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the control means 23 uses the signal from the torque detection means 30 when starting up the rotary drum 1 at the first predetermined rotational speed (200 r / min). Since the amount of laundry is detected, it is possible to obtain an optimum physical quantity that varies depending on the amount of laundry by a signal from the torque detection means 30 when the rotary drum 1 is raised to the first predetermined rotation speed. In addition, by detecting the amount of laundry in the rotary drum 1 based on a signal from the torque detection means 30, the detection accuracy of the amount of laundry can be improved.

  In addition, since the first predetermined rotation speed (200 r / min) is set lower than the rotation speed corresponding to the vibration resonance point of the water receiving tank 3, it passes through the rotation speed corresponding to the vibration resonance point of the water receiving tank 3. When the rotational speed of the rotary drum 1 is raised, extra torque is required to pass through the vibration resonance point, but the first predetermined rotation speed corresponds to the vibration resonance point of the water receiving tank 3. By setting it lower, the amount of laundry can be detected in a range where no extra torque is required, so the accuracy of detecting the amount of laundry can be improved.

(Embodiment 2)
When the control means 23 shown in FIG. 1 detects a predetermined water level (for example, a water column of 100 mm), the rotating drum 1 is moved to the second predetermined rotation speed (for example, 35 r / min), and the laundry is the inner wall of the rotating drum 1. The amount of laundry in the rotary drum 1 is detected by a signal from the torque detection means 30 at this time.

  At this time, the control means 23 supplies the water into the water receiving tank 3 while rotating the rotary drum 1 at the second predetermined rotation speed until the predetermined water level is detected, and after detecting the predetermined water level, Water supply into the tank 3 is stopped. The predetermined water level at this time is set lower than the water level during normal washing. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

When the amount of laundry put into the rotating drum 1 is very small when the amount of cloth (amount of laundry) described in the first embodiment is detected before water supply in the washing process, When the rotating drum 1 is rotated at the second predetermined number of rotations, the torque may be almost the torque necessary for rotating the rotating drum 1, and therefore it may be difficult to determine the amount of laundry. Is to be detected.

  The operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. When the cloth amount detection operation starts in step 60 of FIG. 9, the control means 23 initializes data in step 61, and then drives the motor 5 in step 62 to rotate the rotary drum 1 to the second predetermined rotation. Start rotation at a number (35 r / min). At this time, since the rotating drum 1 is rotated at the second predetermined rotation speed (35 r / min), the laundry does not stick to the inner wall of the rotating drum 1.

  While rotating the rotary drum 1 at the second predetermined rotation speed, the water supply valve 12 is turned on in step 63 to supply water into the water receiving tank 3. When the water level in the water receiving tank 3 reaches a predetermined water level (water column 100 mm) at step 64, the water supply valve 12 is turned off at step 65, and the water supply into the water receiving tank 3 is stopped. The predetermined water level at this time is set lower than the water level during normal washing.

  Next, the input current value of the inverter 29 detected by the current detection circuit 32 in step 66, in other words, the current value of the motor 5 is integrated. Since the subroutine for integrating the current values is the same as that in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted. Also in the present embodiment, four pieces of information are input from the position detection unit 27 for each rotation of the rotary drum 1, and current values are integrated each time information is input from the position detection unit 27. Next, in step 50, the cloth amount is determined.

  When water is supplied to the water receiving tank 3 up to a predetermined water level (water column 100 mm) P and the rotating drum 1 is rotated, when the amount of cloth is very small (for example, 20% of the rated amount), FIG. As shown in a), since the laundry absorbs water as a whole, when the rotating drum 1 is rotated in the direction of arrow a in a state where the cloth is reduced and the laundry is easily moved, The laundry lifted with the rotation falls in the direction of arrow b. At this time, the current of the motor 5 detected by the current detection circuit 32 is as shown by a curve a in FIG. Note that the current fluctuation period at this time is shorter than the period of one rotation of the rotary drum 1.

  Next, when the amount of cloth is slightly large (for example, an amount of 50% of the rating), as shown in FIG. The degree of reduction is also reduced, making it difficult for the laundry to move. As a result, when the rotating drum 1 is rotated in the direction of the arrow a, the laundry that is lifted to the upper position along with the rotation of the rotating drum 1 falls on the inclined surface of the rotating drum 1. Acts as a driving force. At this time, the current of the motor 5 detected by the current detection circuit 32 is as shown by a curve c in FIG.

  Next, when the amount of cloth is small (for example, an amount of 35% of the rating), as shown in FIG. 10B, the amount of cloth is very small (state of FIG. 10A) and the amount of cloth. Is in an intermediate state (the state shown in FIG. 10C). At this time, the current of the motor 5 detected by the current detection circuit 32 is as shown by a curve b in FIG.

  These current values corresponding to the amount of cloth are integrated, and based on the integrated value, the amount of cloth is determined as shown in (Table 2).

  However, in (Table 2), In1 <In2. Thereafter, the rotation of the rotary drum 1 is stopped in step 68, and the cloth amount detection operation is ended in step 69.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the control means 23 detects a predetermined water level, the control means 23 rotates the rotating drum 1 at the second predetermined rotation speed (35 r / min), and the torque detection means at this time Since the amount of laundry in the rotary drum 1 is detected by a signal from 30, when the amount of laundry is very small, the laundry weight is relatively increased by adding water to the laundry. The detection accuracy of the amount of laundry can be improved by increasing the size and detecting the amount of laundry in the rotary drum 1 based on a signal from the torque detection means 30.

  Further, the control means 23 supplies the water into the water receiving tub 3 while rotating the rotary drum 1 at the second predetermined rotation speed until a predetermined water level (water column 100 mm) is detected. Uniform soaking can be achieved, and the detection accuracy of the amount of laundry can be improved.

  Moreover, since the control means 23 stopped supplying water into the water receiving tub 3 after detecting a predetermined water level, it does not supply water while detecting the amount of laundry. The load is stable and the detection accuracy of the amount of laundry can be improved.

  Further, since the control means 23 sets the predetermined water level lower than the water level during normal washing, the control means 23 detects the amount of laundry by rotating the rotary drum 1 at a water level lower than the water level during washing. The amount of laundry can be detected over time.

  Further, since the control unit 23 sets the second predetermined rotation speed as the rotation speed at which the laundry does not stick to the inner wall of the rotary drum 1, when the laundry rotates at the rotation speed at which the laundry does not stick to the inner wall of the rotary drum 1. Since the amount of laundry is detected by the torque applied to the motor 5, the detection accuracy of the amount of laundry can be improved.

  Further, since the control means 23 inputs the signal from the torque detection means 30 a plurality of times per rotation of the rotating drum 1 and detects the amount of laundry in the rotating drum 1, the laundry is stored in the rotating drum 1. Since it does not stick to the inner wall of the rotary drum 1 and is lifted by the rotation of the rotary drum 1 and falls, the torque applied to the motor 5 changes while the rotary drum 1 makes one rotation. By detecting multiple times, the average motor torque can be detected, and the detection accuracy of the amount of laundry can be improved.

In the washing machine according to the present invention, when the laundry is put into the rotating drum and the rotating drum is rotated, the average motor torque is detected with respect to the change of the torque applied to the motor during one rotation of the rotating drum. Since the detection accuracy of the amount of laundry can be improved, the amount of laundry in a rotating drum having a rotation center axis in a substantially horizontal direction or a substantially inclined direction can be detected and washed.
It is useful as a washing machine for rinsing and dehydrating.

FIG. 2 is a partial block diagram of the washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Side sectional view of the washing machine Side sectional view which shows the circulation ventilation path which ventilates in the water receiving tank of the washing machine Sectional drawing which shows the circulation ventilation path which ventilates in the water receiving tank of the washing machine Enlarged front view of input setting means and display means of the washing machine Operation flowchart of the washing machine Flowchart of current value integration subroutine of the washing machine Time chart showing changes in rotating drum rotation speed and motor current of the washing machine Operation flow chart of washing machine of embodiment 2 of the present invention (A) The figure which shows the movement of the laundry when detecting the quantity of the laundry when the laundry of the washing machine is a small quantity (b) The quantity of the laundry when the laundry of the washing machine is the medium quantity The figure which shows the movement of the laundry when detecting (c) The figure which shows the movement of the laundry when detecting the quantity of the laundry when the laundry of the same washing machine is large The figure which shows the motor current when detecting the quantity of the laundry of the washing machine

Explanation of symbols

1 Rotating drum 3 Water receiving tank 4 Rotating axis (Rotating center axis)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 5 Motor 9 Washing machine main body 23 Control means 29 Inverter 29a-29f Switching element 30 Torque detection means

Claims (4)

A rotating drum having a rotation center axis in a substantially horizontal direction or a substantially inclined direction, a water receiving tank elastically supported by a washing machine body and enclosing the rotating drum , water supply means for supplying water into the water receiving tank, Water level detecting means for detecting the water level in the water receiving tank, a motor for driving the rotating drum, torque detecting means for detecting torque based on the current value of the motor, and position detecting means for detecting the position of the rotor of the motor And an inverter having a switching element for supplying electric power to the motor, and a control means for controlling the driving of the motor by inputting signals from the water level detection means and the torque detection means and controlling the switching element of the inverter. wherein the control means, with the laundry to the drum when it detects a predetermined water level by the water level detection unit tension on the inner wall of the rotating drum Not rotate the second at a predetermined rotational speed, the integrated current value of the motor each time the information is coming from the rotary drum per revolution several times the position detecting means, the washing of the rotary in the drum based on the integrated value A washing machine that detects the amount of objects. Control means, the washing machine according to claim 1, wherein which is adapted to feed water to the rotary drum to a second water receiving tank while rotating at a predetermined rotational speed to detect a predetermined level. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the control means stops water supply to the water receiving tank after detecting a predetermined water level . The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the control means sets the predetermined water level lower than the water level during normal washing.

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