JP5577657B2 - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing machine that controls a washing operation in accordance with the state of a washing liquid.

  Conventionally, as a dirt detection device for a washing machine, a dirt sensor for detecting the state of the washing liquid such as a turbidity sensor is installed near the lowermost part of the outer tub, and the washing process is detected by detecting the state of the washing liquid. It is considered to perform control (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  The dirt sensor determines the amount of dirt in the washing liquid by measuring the permeability and conductivity of the washing liquid. The dirt sensor output depends on the type of detergent used (powder detergent / liquid detergent). Absolute value and change tendency are different. For this reason, detergent detection is performed using the output of the dirt sensor after a certain period of time from the start of washing.In the case of liquid detergent, the washing time is extended, and the rinsing operation is not shortened. It is considered to perform an operation according to the cloth amount determined by the cloth amount detection.

  Further, as a determination timing, it is considered to determine the level of dirt or whether it is liquid detergent or powder detergent by detecting a change in transmittance from transparent water before rinsing and stirring (for example, Patent Document 3). reference).

JP-A-63-154196 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-146096 JP-A-4-35684

  However, in the configurations of the washing machines described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, since the control of the rinsing process is performed as usual when using the liquid detergent, the problem that the time cannot be reduced and the amount of water cannot be reduced when the liquid detergent is used even when there is little dirt. was there. Moreover, in the structure of the washing machine of the said patent document 3, in order to discriminate | determine a detergent classification at the time of a rinse operation, there existed a subject that time reduction and the amount of water in a washing process could not be performed.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide a washing machine that controls a washing process according to a type of detergent (powder detergent / liquid detergent) to be used.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a washing machine of the present invention is constituted by a permeability sensor having a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and a washing liquid state detecting means for detecting the permeability of the detergent liquid, and the washing liquid state detecting means. Control means for controlling the water supply, washing, and rinsing operations according to the output value, and the control means is a predetermined value for the output value of the washing liquid state detection means at a predetermined time or water level from the start of water supply. In comparison, the threshold value for determining the level of washing liquid stain is determined based on the determination result. Accordingly, each washing process can be controlled according to the type of detergent used (powder detergent / liquid detergent).

  Since the stain detection device for a washing machine of the present invention performs the type of detergent (powder detergent / liquid detergent) after the start of water supply, the control of the washing process can be changed according to the type of detergent used (powder detergent / liquid detergent). For example, the washing process can be controlled according to the amount of dirt for each detergent.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The figure which shows the example of detergent classification discrimination of the washing machine The figure which shows the example of the dirt level determination of the washing machine Schematic configuration diagram of a washing machine in Embodiment 2 of the present invention

1st invention comprises the permeability sensor which has a light emitting element and a light receiving element, water supply according to the output value of the washing liquid state detection means which detects the permeability of detergent liquid, and the washing liquid state detection means, Control means for controlling washing and rinsing operation, the control means compares the output value of the washing liquid state detecting means at a predetermined time or water level from the start of water supply with a predetermined value, and according to the determination result By using a washing machine that determines the threshold for determining the level of washing liquid stain, the washing process and rinsing process can be controlled according to the type of detergent used (powder detergent / liquid detergent). The washing process and the rinsing process can be controlled according to the amount of dirt.

In addition, since the output value of the washing liquid state detecting means can be acquired at a fixed time regardless of the water pressure of the water supply, the output value of the washing liquid state detecting means can be acquired at a fixed time, and the output value is always obtained under the same conditions. be able to.

Moreover, the output value of the washing liquid state detecting means can be acquired with a constant amount of water regardless of the water supply water pressure, and the output value under the same conditions can always be obtained.

In addition, it is possible to control the washing process and the rinsing process according to the detergent and the amount of dirt by measuring the detergent type and the amount of dirt of the washing liquid at each time.

In addition, it is possible to control the washing process and the rinsing process according to the detergent and the amount of dirt by determining the detergent type based on the permeability of the washing water in a predetermined state from the start of water supply.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of determining a detergent type of the washing machine, and FIG. 3 is an example of determining a dirt level of the washing machine. The figure shown is shown.

  In FIG. 1, an outer tub 2 is disposed inside an outer box 1 of the entire washing machine, and an inner tub 3 having a large number of water passage holes 3 a on a peripheral wall is rotatably disposed inside the outer tub 2. In addition, a stirring body 11 is rotatably disposed at the inner bottom of the inner tank 3.

  A motor 4 is connected to the outer bottom portion of the outer tub 2, and the motor 4 rotates the agitator 11 at a low speed during washing, and rotates the agitator 11 and the inner tub 3 at a high speed during dehydration. .

  A water intake 5 is connected to the lowest part of the outer tub 2 and is connected to a drain valve 6. The drain valve 6 is connected to a drain pipe 7 for draining the washing liquid out of the machine.

  Furthermore, a washing liquid state detecting means 10 for detecting the state of the washing liquid is installed at the bottom of the outer tub 2, specifically, the portion between the water intake 5 and the drain valve 6. The washing liquid state detection means 10 is provided with, for example, a transmittance sensor (not shown) composed of a light emitting element such as an LED and a light receiving element such as a phototransistor, and a path of a portion sandwiched between these elements. Is made of a translucent material, and the light emitted from the light emitting element is received by the light receiving element through the washing liquid, converted into a voltage and output.

  The output of the washing liquid state detecting means 10 is taken in by the control circuit 12 such as a microcomputer, and the output value from the light receiving element is processed as the permeability of the washing liquid, and the washing process is too easy based on this permeability. Control the process.

  The washing liquid in the washing process gradually becomes cloudy as the stains from the laundry are dissolved by the detergent and stirring. For this reason, it is possible to determine the amount of dirt and the completion of cleaning by observing changes in the permeability of the detergent liquid and the permeability with time.

  The water supply port 13 is connected to the water supply, and water for the washing process is supplied to the detergent container 15 via the first water supply valve 14. Water supply at the time of final rinsing supplies water to the softener container 17 via the second water supply valve 16. The water that has entered the detergent container 15 and the softener container 17 sequentially fills the outer tank 2 and the inner tank 3 with water.

  The control means 12 opens and closes the drain valve 6, the first water supply valve 14 and the second water supply valve 16, controls the motor 4, etc., thereby performing all washing processes (washing process, rinsing process, dehydration process, etc.). ) Is controlled.

  Next, the operation of the washing machine according to the present embodiment will be described.

  At the start of the washing process, the first water supply valve 14 is opened by the control means 12, and tap water is poured into the outer tub 2 via the detergent container 15. Since the detergent is put in the detergent container 17 in advance, the outer tub 2 and the inner tub 3 are filled with the detergent dissolved in tap water.

  When the water supply reaches a predetermined water level, the washing liquid state detecting means 10 emits light from the light emitting element, and the control means 12 processes the output received by the light receiving element as the washing liquid permeability at that time. And stored as detergent type determination value D0.

  As shown in FIG. 2, if the detergent type determination value D0 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (for example, K0 in FIG. 2) (that is, K0 ≧ D0a), the control means 12 uses a liquid detergent. Judgment is made and a threshold value for the liquid detergent is set and used for determining the amount of dirt. On the other hand, if the detergent type determination value is less than a predetermined value (that is, K0> D0b), the detergent used is determined to be a powder detergent, and a threshold value for the powder detergent is set and used for determining the amount of dirt.

  Even if the powder detergent is dissolved in water, the turbidity is very high with respect to the liquid detergent, that is, the permeability is very low.

  When the washing process is started, the washing liquid state detecting means 10 emits light from the light emitting element, for example, every minute, and the output of the light received by the light receiving element is transmitted by the control means 12 at that time. And used for controlling the washing process such as the amount of water, washing time, stirring interval and stirring force.

  For example, when the amount of dirt on clothes is estimated based on the output value D1 of the washing liquid state detecting means 10 for 5 minutes from the start of washing, as shown in Table 1, threshold A, threshold B, and threshold C for powder detergent and liquid detergent, respectively. Is determined by dividing into four dirt levels from the dirt level 1 to the dirt level 4 from the one with the smallest dirt quantity based on the three values that become sequentially larger.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the permeability A when using the powder detergent, D1a is larger than K13, so it is determined that the dirt level is 1, and in the permeability B when using the powder detergent, D1b is between K11 and K12. Therefore, the dirt level is determined to be 3. Depending on the dirt level, the washing time is extended or shortened, and the number of rinsing times and the time are set.

  In utilizing the output value of the washing liquid state detection means 10, in addition to the absolute value shown in the above example, the difference between the two points in time and the transition of the change rate are taken to obtain the amount of washing liquid stain and the degree of washing completion. The degree of completion of rinsing can be determined. In any case, the amount of dirt can be determined by providing a threshold value for each detergent type.

  Furthermore, it can also be used to vary the content, time, and order of control when using powder detergent and when using liquid detergent, depending on the determination result of the detergent type.

  Similarly, at the time of the rinsing process, the first water supply valve 14 is opened by the control means 12, and tap water is poured into the outer tub 2 through the detergent container 15, and the washing liquid state detecting means 10 starts the rinsing process. Then, for example, the light emitted from the light emitting element every minute and the light received by the light receiving element is processed by the control means 12 as the permeability of the washing liquid at that time, and the amount of water, the rinsing time, the number of times of rinsing, It is used to control the rinsing process such as the stirring interval and stirring force.

  In the final rinsing step, the control unit 12 opens the second water supply valve 16 so that tap water flows into the outer tub 2 and the inner tub 3 via the softener receiver 17 and attaches the softener to the clothes. Rinse while letting go.

  As described above, the output value of the washing liquid state detecting means 10 at a predetermined water level (predetermined state) determined in advance from the start of water supply is compared with a predetermined value, and the powder detergent and the liquid detergent are determined. By determining the threshold for determining the state of the washing liquid based on the determination result, it is possible to control the washing process and the rinsing process according to the type of detergent used (powder detergent / liquid detergent).

  The predetermined water level for determining the detergent type may be a water level at which at least the path where the washing liquid state detecting means 10 is installed is filled with water.

  In addition, as the predetermined state, the detergent type is determined at a predetermined water level, but the predetermined state is at least a state where the path where the washing liquid state detecting means 10 is installed is filled with water. It is good also as performing the discrimination | determination of detergent classification after that as the state which passed for more than this time. In this case, since only the time from the start of water supply needs to be managed, a means for detecting the water level is not necessary.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of the washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The method for determining the type of detergent is the same as in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  In FIG. 4, an outer tub 22 is arranged inside an outer box 21 of the entire washing machine, and an inner tub (drum) 23 is rotated inside the outer tub 22 by a rotating shaft inclined upward from the horizontal direction. It is arranged in a possible state. The inner tub 23 is configured to rotate by a motor 24 connected to the back surface. The inner tub 23 is provided with a large number of water holes 23a on the outer peripheral surface, and functions as a washing tub, a dehydration tub, and a drying tub.

  A water intake 25 is connected to the lowest part of the outer tub 22 and is connected to a drain valve 26. The drain valve 26 is connected to a drain pipe 27 for draining the washing liquid out of the machine.

  A circulation path 29 connected to a discharge port 28 for discharging the washing liquid taken from the water intake port 25 into the inner tub 23 through the front opening of the inner tub 23 is provided between the water intake port 25 and the drain valve 26. It communicates so that the washing liquid and the rinsing liquid in the outer tub 22 can be circulated.

  The circulation path 29 is provided with a circulation pump 38 for taking the washing liquid into the circulation path 29 and returning it to the outer tub 22. On the upstream side of the circulation pump 38, the washing liquid state detecting means 30 for detecting the state of the washing liquid is installed, and the washing liquid in the outer tub 22 is circulated through the circulation path 29 and passed through the washing liquid state detecting means 30. I am doing so.

  The washing liquid state detecting means 30 is provided with a transmittance sensor (not shown) composed of a light emitting element such as an LED and a light receiving element such as a phototransistor facing each other across the circulation path 29. The portion of the circulation path 29 sandwiched between the light-emitting elements is made of a light-transmitting material. Light emitted from the light-emitting element is received by the light-receiving element through the washing liquid in the circulation path 29, converted into a voltage, and output. For this reason, the washing liquid state detection means 30 has a light-shielded sealed structure so that the light receiving element does not receive light from the outside.

  The light emission control of the light emitting element and the capture of the output of the light receiving element are performed by the control means 32 such as a microcomputer, and the output value from the light receiving element is processed as the permeability of the washing liquid passing through the circulation path 29. The washing process and rinsing process are controlled based on the above.

  Then, if the washing liquid in the outer tub 22 is circulated through the circulation path 29 by the circulation pump 38 and passed through the washing liquid state detecting means 30, the rotation of the inner tub 3 and the stirring body 11 of the first embodiment will be described. Since the state of the washing water in the portion of the washing liquid state detecting means 30 is disturbed by the water flow caused by the rotation, when the state of the washing liquid is detected, the rotation of the inner tub 3 and the rotation of the stirring body 11 are stopped. Therefore, it is possible to measure the washing liquid state in a more stable state of the washing liquid without changing the washing control for controlling the normal washing power, without affecting the washing effect.

  When the circulation path 29 is provided and the circulation pump 38 circulates the washing liquid, the output value of the washing liquid state detection means 30 in a predetermined state is obtained from the start of water supply, and the detergent type is determined. If the circulation pump 38 is operated after the operation, the detergent determination can be performed when the washing liquid state detection means 30 is in a state where the detergent is most concentrated, so that the accuracy of the detergent determination can be improved.

  The operation of the circulation pump 38 is, for example, driven for 1 minute, and then repeatedly stopped for 1 minute. When the state of the washing liquid in the conducting pipe after the 1-minute stop is stabilized, the measurement by the washing liquid state detecting means 30 is performed. The output may be the state of the washing liquid at that time. When the circulation pump 38 is stopped, the bubbles flowing into the circulation path 29 gather more above the circulation path 29, but the washing liquid state detection means 30 is installed near the center in the vertical direction in the cross section of the circulation path 29. If so, the permeability of the washing liquid can be measured without being affected by the bubbles.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the transmittance is used as the detection content of the washing liquid state detection means 10 (30) in the state of the washing liquid, but a pair of electrodes is inserted into the circulation path 9 (29). If the method of measuring the conductivity with the conductivity sensor having the shape as described above is used, the conductivity of the washing liquid at that time is measured by measuring the conductivity at the same timing as in the first and second embodiments. As a rate, it can be used to control the washing process and the rinsing process. The conductivity is measured by, for example, forming an RC oscillation circuit with the impedance of the washing liquid between the electrodes and a capacitor on a control circuit (not shown), and outputting the change in the impedance of the washing liquid as a frequency change. What is necessary is just to convert into a voltage value. By measuring the conductivity of the washing liquid in this way, it is possible to determine the type of detergent and the amount of detergent in the washing liquid, or to determine the amount of dirt of the conductive component mainly composed of sweat that has melted out of the laundry. In addition, the rinsing process can be controlled.

  As described above, the washing machine according to the present invention can accurately determine the type of detergent used by the washing liquid state detection means, and can perform cleaning control based on the amount of dirt by providing different threshold values for each detergent. Therefore, it is applicable also to uses, such as cleaning apparatuses, such as textiles.

2 Outer tub 3 Inner tub 10 Washing liquid state detection means 12 Control means

Claims (1)

Consists of a permeability sensor having a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and controls the washing liquid state detection means for detecting the permeability of the detergent liquid and the water supply, washing and rinsing operations according to the output value of the washing liquid state detection means The control means compares the output value of the washing liquid state detection means at a predetermined time or water level from the start of water supply with a predetermined value before dirt starts to melt , and determines the predetermined value . A washing machine that determines a liquid detergent if it is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, determines that it is a powder detergent if it is less than the predetermined value, and determines a threshold value for determining a stain level of the washing liquid based on the determination result.

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