JP7405558B2 - clothing processing equipment - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to garment processing devices.

In recent years, washing machines, which are an example of clothing processing equipment that performs predetermined processing on clothes, have been introduced to automatically dispense clothing processing agents such as detergent and fabric softener into tanks in order to meet the demands of users for improved convenience. A configuration has been developed that includes an automatic loading section that stores a plurality of doses in advance and automatically pours the required amount from a tank into a water tank during a washing operation (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-11618

By the way, a washing machine equipped with this type of automatic loading function is configured to include two tanks: a detergent tank that stores detergent and a fabric softener tank that stores fabric softener. However, for example, in a dedicated driving course for washing delicate clothes that are easily perishable, it is assumed that a neutral detergent is used instead of a general all-purpose detergent. Therefore, in the dedicated operation course, it is not preferable to use the normal detergent stored in the detergent tank, which means that the automatic loading function of the washing machine cannot be utilized.

In view of these circumstances, the present inventor considered equipping the washing machine with not only a conventional detergent tank and a fabric softener tank, but also a tank that stores a dedicated detergent suitable for washing delicate clothes. are doing. In other words, we are considering increasing the number of tanks that can be installed in washing machines. However, if the number of tanks installed in a washing machine is increased, the settings for when and from which tank the clothes treatment agent should be added during multiple operation courses become complicated, resulting in a decrease in usability. There are concerns.

Therefore, regarding a clothing processing device configured to be able to mount multiple tanks, we have developed a clothing processing device that allows you to easily set which tank to inject the clothing treatment agent at and from which tank in multiple operation courses. Provide equipment.

The clothing processing device of the present embodiment includes a clothing processing tank that stores clothing, a plurality of tanks that store clothing processing agents for treating clothing, and an input for charging the clothing processing agent in the tank into the clothing processing tank. a control unit capable of executing a plurality of driving courses, and a display operation unit capable of displaying information and inputting user operations, and the plurality of driving courses include: A plurality of input timings are provided for respectively inputting the clothing treatment agent into the clothing treatment tank, and the control unit controls the input timing of the input unit at the plurality of input timings provided in the operation course to be executed. The tank into which the clothing treatment agent is introduced into the clothing treatment tank is selected as the tank to be used , and in response to an operation input by the user to the display operation section to select the tank to be used. The tank to be used is selected to correspond to a plurality of driving courses, and the tank to be used corresponding to a plurality of driving courses can be stored .

A longitudinal side view schematically showing a configuration example of a washing machine according to a first embodiment A diagram schematically showing a configuration example of a water supply unit according to the first embodiment A block diagram schematically showing a configuration example of a control system of a washing machine according to the first embodiment A diagram schematically showing an example of the first setting screen according to the first embodiment A diagram schematically showing an example of the second setting screen according to the first embodiment A diagram schematically showing an example of the third setting screen according to the first embodiment A diagram schematically showing an example of the fourth setting screen according to the first embodiment A diagram schematically showing a configuration example of the identification shape on the tank side and the identification part on the tank housing part side according to the second embodiment. A diagram schematically showing a configuration example of a tank accommodating part and its surrounding parts according to a third embodiment. A flowchart schematically showing an example of a control flow of liquid property determination according to the third embodiment A diagram schematically showing a configuration example of a tank housing part and its surrounding parts according to a fourth embodiment.

Hereinafter, a plurality of embodiments related to a clothing processing device will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that substantially the same configurations in the plurality of embodiments are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

(First embodiment)
A washing machine 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 is an example of a clothing processing device that can perform predetermined processing on clothing, in this case at least washing processing, rinsing processing, and dehydration processing. Further, the washing machine 1 is a so-called drum-type washing machine in which the central axis of rotation of the rotating tub extends in a horizontal direction or in a direction inclined with respect to the horizontal direction.

The washing machine 1 includes a washing tank 3 for washing clothes inside a rectangular box-shaped casing 2 forming an outer shell of the washing machine 1. The washing tank 3 is an example of a clothes processing tank, and has a configuration in which a bottomed cylindrical drum is rotatably provided inside a bottomed cylindrical water tank. A large number of small holes are provided on the peripheral wall of the drum, and a baffle for picking up clothes is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the drum. The front opening of the cleaning tank 3 can be opened and closed by a door 5 provided at the front of the housing 2. By opening the door 5, the user can take clothes in and out of the washing tank 3 through the front opening of the washing tank 3.

The washing machine 1 also includes a water supply section 4 for supplying water into the washing tank 3, and a drainage section (not shown) for draining water in the washing tank 3 to the outside of the machine. The water supply unit 4 is configured to include a water supply valve 10 and the like in the middle of a water supply path extending from a water source (not shown) such as a tap water source to the cleaning tank 3, for example. Further, the drainage section is configured to include a drainage valve or the like in the middle of a drainage path extending from the bottom of the cleaning tank 3 to the outside of the machine.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the water supply unit 4 includes a water supply valve 10, an automatic injection unit 11, a water injection case 12, etc. in the middle of a water supply path extending from a water source (not shown) to the cleaning tank 3. The inlet of the water supply valve 10 is connected to a water source (not shown), such as a tap. Further, the water supply valve 10 has at least two outlets, the first outlet is connected to the cleaning tank 3 via the automatic injection route 13a, and the second outlet is connected to the cleaning tank 3 via the manual input route 13b. It is connected to the water injection case 12. The outlet of the water injection case 12 is connected to the cleaning tank 3 via a water supply hose 14.

The automatic dispenser 11 includes a regular detergent tank 15, a special detergent tank 16, and a softener tank 17. The normal detergent tank 15, the special detergent tank 16, and the softener tank 17 are each provided detachably from the water supply section 4. In this case, the normal detergent tank 15, the special detergent tank 16, and the softener tank 17 are configured to be removably attached within the tank accommodating section 4a provided in the water supply section 4. The tank accommodating part 4a is provided integrally with the water injection case 12, for example.

Normally, the detergent tank 15 can store a clothing treatment agent for a plurality of operations, in this case, a detergent for washing the clothes in the washing tank 3. Note that the detergent normally stored in the detergent tank 15 is a general detergent with general versatility. The dedicated detergent tank 16 can store a clothing treatment agent for multiple operations, in this case detergent for washing the clothes in the washing tank 3. The detergent stored in the dedicated detergent tank 16 is, for example, a neutral, dedicated detergent suitable for washing delicate clothes that are easily damaged. The fabric softener tank 17 can store a clothing treatment agent for multiple operations, in this case, a fabric softener for softening the clothes in the washing tank 3.

The normal detergent tank 15 is connected to the automatic injection path 13a via a normal detergent metering pump 18. The normal detergent metering pump 18 is configured to suck and deliver liquid by driving a piston with an actuator such as a motor or a solenoid. The normal detergent metering pump 18 sucks a predetermined amount of detergent from the normal detergent tank 15, in this case, the amount used for one operation, and sends the sucked detergent into the automatic injection path 13a. Then, the detergent sent into the automatic injection path 13a is supplied into the cleaning tank 3 together with the water supplied from the water supply valve 10. As a result, detergent is automatically poured into the cleaning tank 3 from the normal detergent tank 15. Note that the normal detergent metering pump 18 is not limited to one that sucks liquid, but may be one that pushes out liquid, for example.

The dedicated detergent tank 16 is connected to the automatic injection path 13a via a dedicated detergent metering pump 19. The dedicated detergent metering pump 19 is configured to suck and deliver liquid by driving a piston with an actuator such as a motor or a solenoid. The dedicated detergent metering pump 19 sucks a predetermined amount of detergent from the dedicated detergent tank 16, in this case, the amount used for one operation, and sends the sucked detergent into the automatic injection path 13a. Then, the detergent sent into the automatic injection path 13a is supplied into the cleaning tank 3 together with the water supplied from the water supply valve 10. As a result, detergent is automatically poured into the cleaning tank 3 from the dedicated detergent tank 16. Note that the dedicated detergent metering pump 19 is not limited to one that sucks liquid, but may be one that pushes out liquid, for example.

The softener tank 17 is connected to the automatic injection path 13a via a softener metering pump 20. The softener metering pump 20 is configured to suck and deliver liquid by driving a piston with an actuator such as a motor or a solenoid. The softener metering pump 20 sucks a predetermined amount of softener from the softener tank 17, in this case, the amount used for one operation, and sends the sucked softener into the automatic injection path 13a. . The softener sent into the automatic injection path 13a is then supplied into the cleaning tank 3 together with water supplied from the water supply valve 10. As a result, the softener is automatically poured into the cleaning tank 3 from the softener tank 17. Note that the softener metering pump 20 is not limited to one that sucks liquid, but may be one that pushes out liquid, for example.

Further, a manual injection case (not shown) is accommodated in the water injection case 12 so as to be removable. The manual injection case is provided with a manual detergent injection section into which detergent is manually inputted by the user, and a manual softener injection section into which softener is manually inputted by the user. The detergent put in the manual detergent dispenser or the softener put in the manual softener dispenser is supplied with water together with the water injected into the water injection case 12 from the water supply valve 10 via the manual dispense route 13b. It is supplied into the cleaning tank 3 via the hose 14.

The washing machine 1 configured as described above further includes a display operation panel 40, as illustrated in FIG. The display operation panel 40 is an example of a display operation section, and in this case, is provided at the upper part of the front surface of the casing 2 of the washing machine 1, more specifically, at the upper part of the door 5. The display operation panel 40 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays various screens containing various information regarding the operation of the washing machine 1. Further, the display operation panel 40 displays various screens including operation keys, so-called touch keys, for accepting various operations related to the operation of the washing machine 1. The user can perform various operations related to the operation of the washing machine 1 by touching various operation keys included in the screen displayed by the display operation panel 40.

Note that as the touch panel that constitutes the display operation panel 40, for example, a capacitive touch panel that uses a sensor to detect a change in capacitance that occurs when a user's finger touches the touch panel can be used. Furthermore, the touch panel constituting the display operation panel 40 is not limited to a capacitive touch panel, and various types of touch panels such as a resistive film touch panel can be used. Further, the display operation panel 40 is not limited to a liquid crystal display, and various display devices such as an organic EL display can be used.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the display of various screens on the display operation panel 40 is controlled by a control device 50. The control device 50 is an example of a control section. The control device 50 is mainly configured with a microcomputer, for example, and controls the overall operation of the washing machine 1 based on a control program and various setting information. The control device 50 includes not only the display operation panel 40 but also the above-mentioned water supply valve 10, a regular detergent metering pump 18, a dedicated detergent metering pump 19, a softener metering pump 20, a drain valve (not shown), Various drive system components such as a drum rotation motor (not shown) are connected. The control device 50 is configured to display various driving-related information on the display operation panel 40.

As described above, the washing machine 1 according to the present embodiment is configured to be able to removably mount a plurality of tanks, in this case, three tanks, the regular detergent tank 15, the special detergent tank 16, and the softener tank 17. Moreover, in the washing machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the control device 50 is configured to be able to execute a plurality of types of driving courses. Further, each of the plurality of operation courses is provided with a plurality of injection timings, which are timings at which the clothing treatment agent is introduced into the washing tank 3. In the washing machine 1 configured as described above, there is a concern that the setting of which tank to charge the clothes treatment agent at and from which tank in a plurality of operation courses becomes complicated. Therefore, in the washing machine 1 according to the present embodiment, ingenuity has been taken to easily set which tank the clothes treatment agent should be fed into at which timing in a plurality of operation courses. This point will be explained in detail below.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the first setting screen G1 that the control device 50 displays on the display operation panel 40. The first setting screen G1 is a screen for setting whether or not automatic injection of the clothing treatment agent from the plurality of tanks 15, 16, and 17 into the washing tank 3 is necessary. In this first setting screen G1, it is possible to set whether or not automatic filling is to be performed for each of the plurality of tanks 15, 16, and 17. That is, when the "Yes" button is operated, the clothes treatment agent is automatically charged into the washing tank 3 from the corresponding tanks 15, 16, 17. Further, when the "None" button is operated, the setting is made such that the clothes treatment agent is not automatically poured into the washing tank 3 from the corresponding tanks 15, 16, 17. In the state illustrated in FIG. 4, "Yes" is selected for all of the plurality of tanks 15, 16, and 17. Therefore, the clothes treatment agent is automatically charged into the washing tank 3 from the tanks 15, 16, and 17.

The first setting screen G1 further includes a detailed setting button B1. When this detailed setting button B1 is operated, the control device 50 displays a second setting screen G2 illustrated in FIG. 5 on the display operation panel 40. The control device 50 is configured to be able to execute a plurality of driving courses, in this case six types: a standard course, a soaking course, a memory course, a stylish wearing course, a blanket course, and a tank cleaning course, and displays the second setting screen G2. Above, these driving courses are displayed so that they can be selected by touch operation. Further, the control device 50 displays a plurality of tanks 15, 16, and 17, in this case, three tanks, on the second setting screen G2 in association with the plurality of types of driving courses.

The standard course is a well-known standard operation course that includes a washing process for washing clothes, a rinsing process for rinsing the clothes, and a dehydration process for dehydrating the clothes. The soaking course is a well-known driving course that includes a soaking process in which clothes are soaked in water stored in the washing tank 3. The memory course is a well-known driving course in which driving is performed based on settings stored in the past. The stylish clothing course is a driving course specifically designed for washing delicate clothing that is easily damaged, for example. The blanket course is a dedicated driving course for washing heavy laundry such as blankets. The tank cleaning course is an operation course dedicated to cleaning the inside of the cleaning tank 3.

Among these multiple types of driving courses, it is preferable to use the normal detergent in the normal detergent tank 15 in the standard course, soaking course, memory course, and blanket course. On the other hand, in the stylish clothing course, it is preferable to use a dedicated detergent in the dedicated detergent tank 16. Therefore, in the state illustrated in FIG. 5, the normal detergent tank 15 is selected as the tank to be used for the standard course, soaking course, memory course, and blanket course, and the dedicated detergent tank 16 is selected as the tank to be used for the stylish wear course. Selected. Note that for the standard course, dipping course, memory course, stylish clothing course, and blanket course, the softener tank 17 is also selected as the tank to be used. Regarding the tank cleaning course, none of the normal detergent tank 15, special detergent tank 16, and softener tank 17 is selected as a tank to be used.

When the user completes the selection and setting operation of the tank to be used in each driving course on the second setting screen G2, the user operates the setting button B2 provided on the second setting screen G2. In response, the control device 50 displays a third setting screen G3 illustrated in FIG. 6 on the display operation panel 40. On the third setting screen G3, a plurality of input timings respectively set for a plurality of types of driving courses are displayed so as to be selectable by touch operation. The injection timing indicates the timing at which the clothing treatment agent is introduced into the washing tank 3 in the running course, and in this case, the injection timings include "washing water supply" and "rinsing water supply". "Washing water supply" refers to the time when water is supplied into the washing tank 3 during the washing process as the input timing for the clothing treatment agent, and "rinsing water supply" refers to the time when water is being supplied into the washing tank 3 during the rinsing process. The timing is set as the timing for adding the clothing treatment agent. Further, the control device 50 displays a plurality of tanks 15, 16, and 17, in this case three tanks, on the third setting screen G3 in association with these plurality of injection timings.

In the state illustrated in FIG. 6, the normal detergent tank 15 and the dedicated detergent tank 16 are selected as the tanks to be used regarding the input timing of "washing water supply". Furthermore, regarding the input timing of "rinsing water supply", the softener tank 17 is selected as the tank to be used.

After completing the selection and setting operation of the tank to be used at each input timing on the third setting screen G3, the user operates the setting button B3 provided on the third setting screen G3. In response, the control device 50 displays a fourth setting screen G4 illustrated in FIG. 7 on the display operation panel 40.

On the fourth setting screen G4, it is possible to set the amount of clothing treatment agent supplied from each tank 15, 16, 17 into the washing tank 3 for the regular detergent tank 15, special detergent tank 16, and fabric softener tank 17. ing. That is, on the fourth setting screen G4, it is possible to set the reference amount of the clothing treatment agent to be supplied into the washing tank 3 for the plurality of tanks 15, 16, and 17. Furthermore, in the fourth setting screen G4, the amount of clothing treatment agent actually supplied into the washing tank 3 is set in multiple stages, in this case, "low", "normal", " It can be fine-tuned in three stages: "Too much."

When "less" is selected, the adjustment is made so that a slightly smaller amount of clothing treatment agent is supplied into the washing tank 3 than the set reference amount. Moreover, when "normal" is selected, the adjustment is made so that a set standard amount of clothing treatment agent is supplied into the washing tank 3. That is, fine adjustment of the amount of clothing treatment agent supplied into the cleaning tank 3 is not performed. Furthermore, when "more" is selected, the adjustment is made so that a slightly larger amount of clothing treatment agent is supplied into the washing tank 3 than the set reference amount. In the state illustrated in FIG. 7, "Normal" is selected for all of the normal detergent tank 15, special detergent tank 16, and softener tank 17. Therefore, the supply amount of the clothing treatment agent supplied from each tank 15, 16, 17 remains at the reference amount set on the fourth setting screen G4, and the supply amount is not finely adjusted. It has become.

When the user completes the setting operation for the supply amount of the clothing treatment agent from the tanks 15, 16, 17 into the washing tank 3 on the fourth setting screen G4, the settings provided on the fourth setting screen G4 are completed. Operate button B4. As a result, in a plurality of driving courses, the setting of which tank the clothing treatment agent is to be added at which timing is completed, and the setting of the amount of the clothing treatment agent to be added is completed.

According to the setting example shown above, for the standard course, soaking course, memory course, and blanket course, the normal detergent tank 15 is selected as the tank to be used, and the "washing water supply" of each operation course is selected as the tank to be used. '', normal detergent is automatically supplied into the cleaning tank 3 from this normal detergent tank 15. Further, the supply amount is a set reference amount. In addition, for the fashionable wear course, the dedicated detergent tank 16 is selected as the tank to be used, and in the "wash water supply" of the fashionable wear course, a dedicated detergent is supplied from this dedicated detergent tank 16 into the washing tank 3. It will be supplied automatically. Further, the supply amount is a set reference amount. In addition, for the standard course, soaking course, memory course, stylish wear course, and blanket course, the softener tank 17 is selected as the tank to be used, and in the "rinsing water supply" of each driving course, this Softener is automatically supplied into the cleaning tank 3 from the softener tank 17. Further, the supply amount is a set reference amount.

According to the washing machine 1 exemplified above, the control device 50 is capable of executing a plurality of types of operation courses, and uses the automatic loading section 11 to control the laundry treatment agent at a plurality of input timings provided in the operation courses to be executed. It is configured such that the tank into which the water is introduced into the cleaning tank 3 can be selected as the tank to be used. According to this configuration, regarding the washing machine 1 configured to be able to mount a plurality of tanks 15, 16, 17, in a plurality of operation courses, at which timing and from which tank 15, 16, 17 should the clothes treatment agent be added? settings can be easily made.

Further, according to the washing machine 1, the control device 50 can select the tank to be used according to the user's operation input via the display operation panel 40. According to this configuration, the user can more easily select and set the tank to be used via the display operation panel 40.

(Second embodiment)
In the washing machine 1 that is configured to be able to mount a plurality of tanks 15, 16, and 17, by having a function to identify the tanks that are actually installed, it is possible to accurately grasp the tank candidates that can be selected. As a result, it is possible to more appropriately select and set the tank to be used. In this embodiment, a specific example of such a tank identification function will be described in detail.

That is, as illustrated in FIG. 8, an identification shape 215 is normally provided on the bottom surface of the detergent tank 15. The identification shape 215 usually consists of a plurality of protrusions 215a that protrude downward from the bottom surface of the detergent tank 15. Further, an identification shape 216 is provided on the bottom surface of the dedicated detergent tank 16. The identification shape 216 consists of a plurality of protrusions 216a that protrude downward from the bottom surface of the dedicated detergent tank 16. Further, an identification shape 217 is provided on the bottom surface of the softener tank 17. The identification shape 217 consists of a plurality of protrusions 217a that protrude downward from the bottom surface of the softener tank 17.

The identification shapes 215, 216, 217 provided on the plurality of tanks 15, 16, 17 have different arrangement patterns of the plurality of protrusions 215a, 216a, 217a, respectively. On the other hand, a plurality of identification parts 210 are provided on the bottom surface of the tank accommodating part 4a provided on the washing machine 1 side. The identification unit 210 includes a plurality of switches 210a. The arrangement pattern of the plurality of switches 210a is the same in every identification section 210. These identification units 210 are connected to the control device 50.

According to the above configuration example, when the normal detergent tank 15 is attached to the identification section 210, when the special detergent tank 16 is attached, when the softener tank 17 is attached, the plurality of protrusions 215a, 216a, The patterns of the switches 210a that are turned on depending on the switch 217a are different. The control device 50 is capable of identifying the types of tanks 15, 16, and 17 that are actually attached according to the pattern of the switches 210a that are turned on in the identification unit 210.

According to the second embodiment, the control device 50 can identify the attached tanks 15 , 16 , 17 according to the correspondence status of the identification shapes 215 , 216 , 217 to the identification section 210 . According to this configuration, it is possible to accurately grasp the tanks 15, 16, 17 that are actually installed in the washing machine 1, in other words, the tank candidates that can be selected as the tank to be used. Selection settings can be made more appropriately.

Note that the control device 50 may be configured to identify the tank that is actually attached, for example, by reading an RFID tag provided on the tank or reading a code provided on the tank. .

(Third embodiment)
In the third embodiment, the control device 50 is configured to be able to determine the type of clothing treatment agent stored in the tanks 15, 16, and 17. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the washing machine 1 includes a determination section 300 outside the tank housing section 4a. The determination unit 300 is connected to the control device 50, and the determination result by the determination unit 300 is provided to the control device 50. The determination unit 300 uses a pump to suck out the clothing treatment agent from the tanks 15, 16, and 17 installed in the tank storage unit 4a, mixes the sucked out clothing treatment agent with water supplied from the water supply valve 10, and The device is configured to determine the liquid properties of the mixed liquid. In this embodiment, the determining unit 300 is mainly composed of a microcomputer and has a pH sensor, an ion sensor, etc., and determines the pH of the liquid and whether it contains cations as the liquid property of the mixture of clothing treatment agent and water. It is possible to determine whether or not.

Next, an example of a control flow of liquid property determination by the control device 50 will be described. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the control device 50 uses the determination unit 300 to determine whether the pH of the mixed liquid to be determined is within a predetermined range (S1). This predetermined range can be changed and set as appropriate, but in this case, a range of pH 6 to pH 8 is set as the predetermined range. If the pH is within the predetermined range (S1: YES), the control device 50 determines that the clothing treatment agent contained in the mixed liquid to be determined is a neutral detergent (S2). Further, if the pH is outside the predetermined range (S1: NO), the control device 50 determines that the clothing treatment agent contained in the mixed liquid to be determined is a clothing treatment agent other than a neutral detergent. (S3).

Further, the control device 50 uses the determination unit 300 to determine whether the mixed liquid to be determined contains cations (S4). If the mixed liquid contains cations (S4: YES), the control device 50 determines that the clothing treatment agent contained in the mixed liquid to be determined is a fabric softener (S5). Further, if the mixed liquid does not contain cations (S4: NO), the control device 50 determines that the clothing treatment agent contained in the mixed liquid to be determined is a liquid detergent (S6).

According to the third embodiment, the type of clothing treatment agent stored in the tanks 15, 16, and 17 attached to the washing machine 1 can be determined. According to this configuration, the control device 50 can automatically determine which tanks 15, 16, and 17 store the clothing treatment agent suitable for the driving course to be executed. Therefore, without depending on the user's setting operations, the tank that stores the clothing treatment agent suitable for the driving course to be executed can be automatically set as the tank to be used, and the user's effort for setting operations can be saved. can. In addition, a tank storing a clothing treatment agent that is preferably introduced into the washing tank 3 at each injection timing can be automatically selected and set as the tank to be used, thereby further improving convenience.

Note that the determination unit 300 may determine surface activity as the liquid property. Furthermore, various types of sensors can be used as the sensor mounted on the determination unit 300, such as a semiconductor sensor, an ion electrode sensor, etc., as long as they can determine the properties of the liquid.

(Fourth embodiment)
In the fourth embodiment, the control device 50 is configured to be able to detect the remaining amount of the clothing treatment agent stored in the tanks 15, 16, and 17. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 11, a float 400 is provided inside the tanks 15, 16, and 17. The float 400 is provided to be rotatable up and down about a rotation shaft 400a, and includes a magnet in its tip 400b. The tip end 400b of the float 400 is in a state where it floats on the clothing treatment agent stored in the tanks 15, 16, and 17. Therefore, the height position of the tip end 400b of the float 400 changes depending on the remaining amount of the clothing treatment agent stored in the tanks 15, 16, and 17.

Further, the washing machine 1 includes a detection sensor 401 outside the tank accommodating portion 4a. The detection sensor 401 is composed of, for example, a reed switch or a Hall IC, and is turned on when the tip 400b of the float 400, that is, the magnet, approaches within a predetermined range, and turned off when it separates. That is, the detection sensor 401 is switched on/off depending on the remaining amount of the clothing treatment agent stored in the tanks 15, 16, and 17. This detection sensor 401 is connected to the control device 50. Therefore, the control device 50 is configured to be able to detect the remaining amount of clothing treatment agent in the tanks 15, 16, and 17 based on the on/off switching state of the detection sensor 401.

The control device 50 executes a detection process to detect the remaining amount of the clothing treatment agent stored in the tanks 15, 16, and 17 at the start of the driving course. Then, the detected remaining amount is stored in a storage medium such as a memory (not shown). That is, the control device 50 is configured to detect and store the remaining amount of the clothing treatment agent stored in the tanks 15, 16, and 17 every time the driving course starts. The control device 50 is configured to execute a selection process for selecting a tank to be used if the remaining amount detected at the start of the current operation is greater than the remaining amount detected at the start of the previous operation. .

That is, if the remaining amount of clothing treating agent at the start of the current operation is greater than the remaining amount of the clothing treating agent at the start of the previous operation, the tanks 15, 16, It is conceivable that the clothes treatment agent was replenished in the tank 17, or that different types of clothes treatment agents were supplied in the tanks 15, 16, and 17. According to the fourth embodiment, in such a case, the process for selecting the tank to be used can be redone. As a result, the tank to be used can be selected based on the type of clothing treatment agent actually stored in the tanks 15, 16, and 17 at the start of the current operation. It is possible to prevent the agent from being thrown into the cleaning tank 3.

Note that the control device 50 is configured to execute a determination process for determining the type of clothing treatment agent if the remaining amount detected at the start of the current operation is greater than the remaining amount detected at the start of the previous operation. You may. With this configuration as well, it is possible to select the tank to be used based on the type of clothing treatment agent actually stored in the tanks 15, 16, and 17 at the start of the current operation. It is possible to avoid putting the clothing treatment agent into the washing tank 3.

Further, if the remaining amount detected at the start of the current operation is greater than the remaining amount detected at the start of the previous operation, the control device 50 executes a determination process to determine the type of clothing treatment agent, and also performs a determination process to determine the type of clothing treatment agent. It may be configured to execute a selection process for selecting a tank. According to this configuration, it is possible to more reliably prevent a wrong clothing treatment agent from being put into the washing tank 3 that does not match the operating course to be executed. Note that the means for detecting the remaining amount of clothing treatment agent is not limited to the structure consisting of the float 400 and the detection sensor 401 composed of a reed switch, a Hall IC, etc. It may also be a means for detecting the remaining amount based on a change.

(Other embodiments)
Note that this embodiment is not limited to the plurality of embodiments described above, and various changes and expansions can be made without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the plurality of embodiments described above can be combined as appropriate. Further, when displaying the first setting screen G1, second setting screen G2, third setting screen G3, and fourth setting screen G4 on the display operation panel 40, the control device 50 controls the default setting contents specified in advance. may be displayed.

In addition, if the tanks 15, 16, 17 that are set to automatically add the clothes treatment agent do not match the clothes treatment agent that is preferably used in the running course, the control device 50 The display operation panel 40 may be configured to display an error message. The control device 50 also displays an error message on the display operation panel 40 if the tanks 15, 16, 17 that are set to automatically add the clothing treatment agent are not actually installed. may be configured. Further, the control device 50 may be configured to display an error on the display operation panel 40, for example, when a setting is made to automatically add the softener from the softener tank 17 during the washing process. As described above, the control device 50 may be configured to perform appropriate alarm processing such as error display when inappropriate settings are made.

Further, the tank is not limited to the detergent tanks 15 and 16 that store detergent and the softener tank 17, but includes, for example, a deodorizer tank that stores deodorant, a sterilizer tank that stores sterilizer, etc. Various types of tanks, such as a bleach tank for storing bleach, can be appropriately employed as long as they are tanks for storing various processing agents for performing certain treatments on clothing. Further, the plurality of tanks provided in the water supply section 4 may be tanks that store the same type of treatment agent, or may be tanks that store different types of treatment agents. Further, the pump is not limited to one that sucks liquid, but may be one that pushes out liquid, for example.

Further, the present embodiment can also be applied to a so-called vertical axis type washing machine in which the central axis of rotation of the rotating tub extends in the vertical direction. Further, this embodiment can also be applied to a washing machine having a drying function. Further, this embodiment can also be applied to a washing machine that does not have a drying function. Further, the present embodiment can be applied to various clothing processing devices as long as the device performs some kind of processing on clothing, such as deodorizing, deodorizing, and sterilizing clothing.

Although multiple embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and gist of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.

In the drawing, 1 is a washing machine (clothes processing device), 3 is a washing tank (clothes processing tank), 11 is an automatic loading section (loading section), 15 is a regular detergent tank (tank), and 16 is a dedicated detergent tank (tank). , 17 is a softener tank (tank), 40 is a display operation panel (display operation section), 50 is a control device (control section), 210 is an identification section, and 215, 216, 217 are identification shapes.

Claims (5)

a clothing processing tank for storing clothing;
a plurality of tanks storing a clothing treatment agent for treating clothing;
an input unit that inputs the clothing treatment agent in the tank into the clothing treatment tank;
a control unit capable of executing multiple driving courses;
a display operation unit capable of displaying information and inputting user operations;
Equipped with
Each of the plurality of operation courses is provided with a plurality of injection timings for introducing the clothing treatment agent into the clothing treatment tank,
The control unit is configured to select, as a tank to be used, the tank in which the clothing treatment agent is introduced into the clothing treatment tank by the input unit at a plurality of input timings provided in the operation course to be executed. and the tank to be used corresponding to a plurality of the driving courses is selected in accordance with an operation input by a user to the display operation section in order to select the tank to be used, and A clothing processing device capable of storing the used tank that corresponds to the driving course . Each of the plurality of tanks is provided with an identification shape composed of a different pattern,
The control unit is provided with a plurality of identification units,
The clothing processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control section identifies the tank depending on the correspondence status of the identification shape to the identification section. The control unit is capable of determining the type of clothing treatment agent stored in the tank, and stores clothing treatment agents that are suitable for being introduced into the clothing treatment tank at each of the input timings. The clothing processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the tank in which the tank is located is selected as the tank to be used. The control unit is capable of detecting the remaining amount of the clothing treatment agent stored in the tank, and if the remaining amount detected at the start of operation is greater than the remaining amount detected at the previous start of operation, The clothing processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which executes a selection process for selecting the tank to be used. The control unit is capable of detecting the remaining amount of the clothing treatment agent stored in the tank, and if the remaining amount detected at the start of operation is greater than the remaining amount detected at the previous start of operation, The clothing processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a discrimination process is performed to discriminate the type of clothing processing agent.

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