JPH01285297A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable all detergents to be fed into a washing tank even if water is not fed from an external section, by setting a pumping means for working synchronously with the start of washing and pumping up water in the washing tank, and by using an outlet side section and the outlet side section of a feed water passage in common. CONSTITUTION:When washing is started, then a vessel-formed agitating body 5 is rotationally driven, and so by the pumping action of a rear blade 9, water in a washing tank 2 is moved up through a circulating passage 10 and is circulated to be fed again into the washing tank 2 from an injector 12. While the circulating water flows in the injector 12, a detergent cast into the injector 12 from a detergent automatic-feeder 16 is permitted to flow into the washing tank 2 with the circulating water. Accordingly, the detergent is not left in the injector 12, and is fed into the washing tank 2 in all. Besides, when hot water left in a bath tub is previously contained to a set water level, then water is not fed by a feed valve 13, and immediately, the detergent is fed and the washing is started, and the detergent cast into the injector 12 is fed into the washing tank 2 by the circulating water via the circulating passage 10.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a washing machine equipped with an automatic detergent supply device that automatically supplies detergent.

(Prior art) For example, in an automatic two-tub washing machine that automatically proceeds through a series of steps from water supply to washing and rinsing, when water is supplied to the washing tub to a set water level, a water level sensor detects the water. It is designed to detect and stop water supply.

On the other hand, recent automatic two-tub washing machines are equipped with an automatic detergent supply device that automatically supplies detergent to the washing tub, and an example of the automatic detergent supply device is as follows. A motor is used as the drive source for the detergent delivery member that sends out the detergent in the hopper, and by controlling the energization time of the motor, it is possible to supply the appropriate amount of detergent according to the set amount of washing water. There is something configured.

In this device, detergent is put into a water supply channel, and the detergent is flushed away by water from a water supply valve and supplied into the washing tub.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) In ordinary households, when there is leftover hot water from a bath, it is often done to save tap water by putting the leftover hot water into a washing tub. In this case, if the remaining hot water has reached the set water level in the washing tub, the water supply valve will no longer supply water, and the detergent added from the automatic detergent supply device will remain in the water supply channel. , washing with detergent solution is no longer performed.

Also, although the remaining hot water is not filled to the set water level,
If the water is filled close to that level, water will be supplied, but the set water level will be reached within a short period of time.
Since the water supply is stopped before the automatic detergent supply device finishes adding detergent, detergent remains in the water supply channel.

In order to solve this problem, conventionally, while the detergent O#J flooding device is in operation after reaching the set water level, the water supply valve is intermittently opened and closed to supply water intermittently. However, in this case, the water level in the washing tub greatly exceeds the set water level, which not only results in a waste of tap water, but also causes the amount of water to be too large relative to the amount of detergent, which adversely affects the washing effect. In addition, since the washing machine is configured to wait for the automatic detergent supply device to stop operating before starting the washing operation, the washing tub is filled with water up to the set water level and is ready to start washing immediately. However, they remained on standby for a considerable amount of time, which was unreasonable.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its purpose is to eliminate water in the washing tub without having to supply water from outside, even if the washing tub is filled with leftover hot water from a bath in advance. By using the H-effect, the detergent automatic supply device can supply all the detergent put in during the washing cycle, and when the water level in the washing tub reaches the set water level, the detergent automatic 1
To provide a washing machine which can immediately start washing regardless of whether a co-supply device is in operation or not.

[Configuration of the Invention (Means for Solving the Problems) The washing machine of the present invention is provided with a water supply valve and a water supply channel that guides water from the water supply valve into a washing tub, and detects the water level in the washing tub. A water level detection means is provided to stop water supply by the water supply valve and start washing when the water level reaches a set water level, and operates at the same time as the start of washing to pump up water in the washing tub. water pumping means is provided, the outlet side portion is provided so as to share the outlet side portion of the water supply channel, a circulation path is provided for lifting water from the water pumping means and returning it to the washing tub, and a detergent feeder is rotatably driven. The automatic detergent supply device includes a detergent supplying member, and supplies a set amount of detergent to a common outlet side portion of the water supply channel and the circulation channel by controlling the drive time of the detergent delivery member.

(Operation) Suppose that the operation is started with the remaining hot water etc. in the washing tub near the set water level. Then,
Water supply and detergent supply are started, and detergent is supplied into the washing tub together with water from the water supply valve.

When the water level in the washing tub reaches the set water level due to water supply, the water supply is stopped and washing starts.

The water supply time by the water supply valve is relatively short because leftover hot water from the bathtub is already filled in the washing tub. Therefore, the detergent supply is continued even after the water supply is stopped.

However, when the water supply is stopped and washing starts, the water pumping means is activated at the same time. Therefore, the water in the washing tub is circulated through the circulation path, and this circulating water is Detergent from the automatic detergent supply device is supplied into the washing tub.

(Example) An example in which the present invention is applied to an automatic two-tub washing machine will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, in FIG. 1, 1 is an outer box, inside which a washing tub 2 and a dewatering tank 3 are arranged side by side. A container-shaped agitator 5 driven by a washing motor 4 is disposed in the inner lower part of the washing tub 2, and a dehydration motor 6 is provided in the dehydration receiving tank 3.
A dehydration R7 driven by is provided. Incidentally, reference numeral 8 denotes a water spray cylinder for dehydration and rinsing, which is installed upright within the dehydration cylinder 7.

Reference numeral 9 denotes back blades that protrude radially from the outer bottom of the container-shaped agitator 5, and as shown in FIG. The pump blade is housed in the pump blade and serves as a pumping means. Reference numeral 10 denotes a circulation path provided on the circumferential side of the washing tub 2 so as to extend vertically.This circulation path lifts the water discharged from the recess 2a to the upper part by the pumping action of the back blade 9, and then returns it to the washing tub 2. The lower inlet side is connected to the side of the fourth part 2a, and the upper outlet side is connected to the water injector 12 provided at the lower part of the operation box 11.
It is made up of.

Reference numeral 13 denotes a water supply valve provided in the operation box 11, which opens to supply tap water to the washing tub 2 when its own electromagnet (not shown) is energized. , and a water supply pipe 14 is connected to its outlet. and,
The tip of the water supply pipe 14 is connected to the water filler 12, and therefore the water supply pipe 14 and the water filler 12 are configured as a water supply channel 15 that guides water from the water supply valve 13 into the washing tub 2.
2 is shared by the outlet side portion of the circulation path 10 and the outlet side portion of the water supply channel 15.

16 is an automatic 1% detergent supply device provided in the operation box 11;
As shown in Fig. 3, a hopper 18 made of transparent plastic is disposed inside an outer case 17 made of transparent plastic. A detergent delivery member 20 made of a coil is disposed within the delivery section 19 . This detergent delivery member 2o is rotated by a detergent supply motor 21 via a drive gear 22 and a driven gear 23, and the detergent in the hopper 18 is sent out from the outlet 19a of the detergent delivery section 19 by the rotation. The outlet 19a of the detergent delivery unit 19 faces into the water injector 12 from above, and the detergent delivered from the outlet 19a falls into the injector 12. Note that 24 is a stirring member that is rotated by the 20 rotations of the detergent delivery member and stirs the detergent in the hopper 18 .

On the other hand, in FIG. 4, 25 is the microcomputer 2
The microcomputer 26 includes a water level sensor 27 as a water level detection means, a water level setting switch, an operation start switch, etc.
A signal from the Y operation switch 28 is input. The water level sensor 27 has a well-known configuration that includes a diaphragm that is displaced by the pressure of the air trap depending on the water level in the washing tub 2, and emits a signal in accordance with the displacement of the diaphragm. Then, the microcomputer 26 drives the washing motor 4 through the drive circuit 29 according to a pre-stored program. Dewatering motor 6, water supply valve 13, detergent supply motor 2
1. By controlling the drain valve 30 to turn on and off, it controls the series of processes from water supply to washing and rinsing performed on the washing tub 2 side, as well as dehydration rinsing and spin-drying performed on the dehydration receiving tank 3 side. Control each process. Further, 31 is a display device for displaying the process being executed.

Next, the operation of the above structure will be explained with a focus on detergent injection, which is directly related to the present invention.

Washing now! It is assumed that the remaining bath water is poured into the washing tub 2, and the water level setting switch is operated to select a water level corresponding to the amount of laundry that has been put into the washing tub 2. At this time, it is assumed that the selected water level is slightly higher than the remaining hot water in the bath that has been filled in advance.

Now, when the operation start switch is operated in this state, the water supply valve 13 is energized to start supplying water, and the detergent supply motor 21 is energized to start supplying detergent. Note that the energization time of the detergent supply motor 21 is determined according to the set water level.

When water supply and detergent supply are started as described above, the rotation of the detergent delivery member 20 causes the outlet 19 of the detergent delivery unit 19 to
The detergent put into the water injector 12 from the water supply valve 13 is swept away by the water flowing through the water supply pipe 14 and the water injector 12 from the water supply valve 13, and is supplied into the washing tub 2 together with the water. When the water level in the washing tub 2 reaches the set water level due to such water supply, the microcomputer 26 cuts off the power to the water supply valve 13 in response to a signal from the water level sensor 27 corresponding to the water level and stops the water supply. , and the washing motor 4
energize to start washing.

By the way, the water supply by the water supply valve 13 is stopped in a short time because the remaining bath water has been filled in the washing tub 2 in advance to a level close to the set water level. Therefore, even after the water supply by the water supply valve 13 has stopped, the supply of detergent will continue.

Now, when washing is started as described above, since the container-shaped agitator 5 is driven to rotate, the water in the washing tub 2 rises through the circulation path 10 due to the pumping action of the back blade 9, and then the water is poured. The water is circulated from the container 12 to the washing tub 2 again. Then, while the circulating water flows through the water injector 12, the water injected from the detergent automatic supply device 16 is
The detergent put into the washing tub 2 is flushed away into the washing tub 2. Therefore, all of the detergent is supplied into the washing tub 2 without remaining in the water injector 12.

Note that if the remaining hot water in the bath has been filled to the preset water level, water is not supplied by the water supply valve 13, and detergent supply and washing are immediately started, and detergent is poured into the water injector 12 from the automatic detergent supply device 16. The detergent is supplied into the washing tub 2 by water circulating through the circulation path 10.

In addition, when there is no remaining hot water in the washing tub 2, the detergent automatic supply device 16
Since the supply of detergent from the water supply valve 13 is completed, all the detergent put into the water injector 12 is supplied into the washing tub 2 by water from the water supply valve 13.

According to this embodiment, when water is supplied to the set water level in the washing tff2, washing starts, and the back blade 9 of the container-shaped agitator 5 causes the water in the washing tub 2 to flow through the circulation path 10. It will be circulated through For this reason, due to reasons such as the remaining hot water being filled in the bath, the water supply valve 13 does not supply water at all, or even if it does, it ends in a short period of time, and as a result, while water is not being supplied, Even when detergent is input from the automatic detergent supply device 16, the detergent can be supplied into the washing tub 2 by the circulating water.

Therefore, since the detergent can be supplied using the water in the washing tub 2, the amount of water in the washing tub 2 does not increase, and laundry can be washed with a detergent solution of a concentration commensurate with the amount of laundry. Incidentally, it is known that a detergent supply device is provided in the circulation path and the detergent is supplied into the washing tub using circulating water, as seen in, for example, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 40223/1983. A fixed amount of detergent is put into the detergent supply device in advance, and the detergent is dissolved by circulating water, and the automatic detergent supply device 16 of the present invention supplies a set amount of detergent over time. The prerequisite configuration is completely different, and detergent cannot be supplied into the washing tub by external water supply.

Moreover, when water is supplied to the set water level in the washing tub 2, regardless of whether the automatic detergent supply device 16 is in operation or not,
Since the machine starts washing, when washing with leftover bath water, etc., by operating the operation start switch, washing can be started immediately or within a short period of time, allowing efficient washing. can. In addition, washing tub 2
Even if washing starts with no detergent being supplied to the inside of the machine (if the remaining hot water has reached the set water level), detergent will be supplied at the same time, which will have a negative effect on the cleaning effect. isn't it.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, in the present invention, when the water level in the washing tub reaches the set water level, washing is started and the pumping means is activated to pump the water in the washing tub through the circulation path. At the same time, we made the outlet side of the water supply channel and the outlet side of the circulation path common, and the detergent from the automatic detergent supply device was put into the common outlet. You can get excellent effects like this.

When washing with leftover hot water from a bath in the washing tub, washing starts immediately or within a short time after the start operation, so washing can be done efficiently.
In addition, even if detergent is supplied from the automatic detergent supply device when no water is being supplied, the detergent can be used to increase the amount of water in the washing tub without having to supply water from outside, which inevitably increases the amount of water. It can be used to reliably supply water to the washing tub.

In addition, if there is no leftover bath water in the washing tub, detergent can be supplied into the washing tub using water from the water supply valve, so when you start washing, the entire amount of detergent required is This means that the water is supplied into the washing tub, which is more convenient in terms of cleaning effect.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional front view of a two-tub washing machine, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the back blade portion of a container-shaped agitator constituting water pumping means. FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional front view of the automatic detergent supply device, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration. In the figure, 2 is a washing tub, 5 is a container-shaped stirring body, 9 is a back blade (pumping means), 10 is a circulation path, 12 is a water injector, 13 is a water supply valve, 15 is a water supply channel, and 16 is a detergent automatic supply device , 20 is a detergent delivery member, 21 is a detergent supply motor, 25 is an operation control device, and 27 is a water level sensor (water level detection means). Applicant Toshiba Motor Corporation Audio/Video Figure 1 a Figure 2 Figure 4 Written amendment to the procedure

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A water supply valve and a water supply channel that guides water from the water supply valve into the washing tub, detects the water level in the washing tub, and when the water level reaches a set water level, stops the water supply by the water supply valve and washes the water. a water level detection means for starting washing, a water pumping means for pumping water in the washing tub that operates at the same time as the start of washing, and an outlet side portion thereof is shared with an outlet side portion of the water supply channel. A circulation path is provided for lifting water from the water pumping means and returning it to the washing tub, and a detergent delivery member is rotatably driven, and a set amount of detergent is delivered to the water supply channel and the circulation path by controlling the driving time of the detergent delivery member. and an automatic detergent supply device that dispenses detergent into a common outlet side portion.