JPH01175894A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To continue necessary supply of water from city water by supplying water from an external water tank by a supply water pump or the like in accordance with a program in the time of supplying the water and detecting the water, when its supply is interrupted, the turning the first water supply means off while the second water supply means on. CONSTITUTION:A program setting means 8 controls the first and second water supply means 1, 2 and a motor 4 in accordance with a program, automatically performing washing. When supply of water is interrupted being caused by a reason that an external water tank is emptied and so on, the interruption is sensed by water supply interruption sensor, and the first water supply means 1 (pump) is turned off while the second water supply means 2 (solenoid valve) is turned on. When a water level sensor or the like detects necessary supply of water to be complete, the second water supply means 2 is turned off, and a water supply program is completed, advancing to the next program. While reversely, when the second water supply means 2 is assigned as the water supply program, water is supplied from city water by turning on the solenoid valve in the timing necessary for the supply of water. The supply of water, when it is interrupted by a reason of suspension of water supply or the like, is detected, and the second water supply means is turned off while the first water supply means is turned on.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to a washing machine, particularly to an improvement of the water supply mechanism of a fully automatic washing machine that automatically washes clothes according to a program.

A conventional fully automatic washing machine has a mechanism that automatically performs washing according to a program as follows: water supply → washing → drain → water supply → rinse → drain → water supply → rinse → drain → water supply → rinse → drain → dewatering. Various variations of the program are possible depending on the program setting means. For example, depending on the amount of laundry or the amount of dirt, the washing time, rinsing time, number of rinsing times, and water supply amount can be set to be optimal.

Water is supplied many times during the program, but conventional washing machines are directly connected to the water supply, and the water supply is controlled by programmatically controlling a solenoid valve built into the washing machine.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention When water is supplied from a tap, there are no problems with conventional methods. However, in order to save water and use resources effectively, it may be necessary to use water from an external aquarium or bathtub or hot water in addition to the tap water.

As mentioned above, conventional fully automatic washing machines are designed to supply water directly from the tap by controlling the solenoid valve using a program, so they cannot meet this requirement at all.

Also, when water is cut off, washing cannot be done using conventional water supply methods.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the problems, the washing machine of the present invention has a first water supply means that supplies water from an external water tank, a second water supply means that supplies water from a tap, and a fully automatic washing machine. a washing mechanism for fully automatic washing according to the program set by the program setting means; The system is characterized in that one of the water supply means can be selected, and when one water supply means is selected and the water supply is interrupted during water supply, the system switches to the other water supply means and continues the necessary water supply.

Function The first water supply means is specifically a water supply pump, and the second water supply means is specifically a solenoid valve or the like.

In the washing machine of the present invention, when the first water supply means is selected for the water supply program, water is supplied from an external water tank by a water supply pump or the like according to the program.

If the water supply is interrupted due to reasons such as the external water tank becoming empty during water supply, the system detects the water supply interruption and turns off the first water supply means and turns on the second water supply means to supply the necessary water. I can continue.

Interruption of the water supply can be detected by a method such as operating a microswitch based on the pressure of the water supply.

In the washing machine of the present invention, when the second water supply means is selected for the water supply program and the water supply is interrupted due to a water outage, the second water supply means is turned off and the first water supply means is switched off. By turning on, you can continue to supply the necessary water.

Example An embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG.

The first water supply means 1 is, for example, a water supply pump, and its input side is connected to an external water tank through a hose or the like.

The second water supply means 2 is, for example, a solenoid valve, and its input side is connected to water supply through a hose or the like. 1st. Second water supply means 1
．． The output side of both of them is designed to supply water into the water tank 3 of the washing machine.

Also, 1st. Both the second water supply means 1.2 have internal water supply interruption sensors. The water supply interruption sensor is, for example, a microswitch that operates based on water pressure, and has a function of sensing a drop in water pressure due to an interruption in water supply.

4 is a motor that rotates the dehydration tank 5 and the pulsator 6, and 7 is a washing mechanism including parts 3 to 6.

The program setting means 8 mainly includes a microcomputer, a switch, and a display device, and sets a program corresponding to a washing pattern, and also sets a program according to the program. The second water supply means 1, 2 and the motor 4 are controlled to automatically proceed with washing.

Now, if the first water supply means 1 is specified as the water supply program, water is supplied from the external water tank by turning on the water supply pump at the timing when water supply is required. Since the required amount of water supply is usually sensed by a water level sensor or the like, the same method can be used in the present invention.

If the water supply is interrupted due to reasons such as the external water tank becoming empty despite the need for water supply, this will be detected by the aforementioned water supply interruption sensor, and the first water supply means 1 will be turned off and the second water supply means 1 will be turned off. Turn on the water supply means 2.

When the water level sensor or the like detects that the necessary water supply has been completed, the second water supply means 2 is turned off, the water supply program is completed, and the program moves on to the next program.

Conversely, if the second water supply means 2 is specified as the water supply program, water is supplied from the tap by turning on the solenoid valve at the timing when water supply is required.

If water supply is interrupted due to a water outage or the like even though water supply is necessary, this is sensed and the second water supply means is turned off and the second water supply means is turned on.

Effects of the Invention As described above, according to the present invention, it becomes possible to supply water from an external water tank to a fully automatic washing machine, which has not been possible heretofore. This not only makes it possible to conserve water, but it also has the effect of allowing washing to continue without stopping even in the event of a water outage, using water supplied from an external water tank.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention. 1...First water supply means, 2...Second water supply means, 7...Washing mechanism, 8...Program setting means. Name of agent: Patent attorney Toshio Nakao and 1 other person No. 1
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Claims (1)

[Claims] a first water supply means for supplying water from an external water tank; a second water supply means for supplying water from the tap; a program setting means for setting a program for fully automatic washing; and a program setting means for setting a program for fully automatic washing; It has a washing mechanism that automatically performs washing, and when setting the water supply with the program setting means, it is possible to select either the first or second water supply means, and one water supply means is selected and the water supply is stopped during water supply. A washing machine characterized in that when the water supply is interrupted, the washing machine switches to the other water supply means and continues supplying the necessary water.