JPH0292395A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the washing efficiency when the washing is stained heavily and prevent the waste of a detergent and of running time by performing drainage, water supply and detergent supply when a detected dirtiness value exceeds a reference value and only supplying the detergent without draining and supplying water when the detected dirtiness value does not exceed the reference value. CONSTITUTION:A dirtiness detector 19 made of a photocoupler detects the light permeability of water in a water receiving tank 2, thus in a rotary tank 3 to detect the dirtiness. An agitating running is performed, the washing is rinsed by the dirtiness inspecting running and water is stained according to the dirtiness of the washing. Next, the detected dirtiness value is read by said detector 19 and compared with a predetermined reference value. If the detected dirtiness value exceeds the reference value, a drain valve 7 is opened for a predetermined time to perform drain and dehydrating running. Next, water supply running and detergent supply running are performed. When the detected dirtiness value does not exceed the reference value, said drain and water supply running is not performed, but the washing running is performed after the detergent supply running.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention (Industrial Field of Application) The present invention relates to a washing machine equipped with a 29 turbidity detection device for detecting the degree of contamination of water in a washing tank.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, some washing machines are equipped with a turbidity detection device that detects the LRI turbidity of water in a washing tub.

With this machine, the pollution level detection device detects the pollution level of the water in the washing tank during washing operation with detergent added, and if the detected value exceeds a predetermined standard value, the washing time is increased. The stirring force is controlled to increase or increase the stirring force.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) By the way, when the degree of contamination of the water becomes severe during the washing operation, since the laundry is already very dirty, the degree of saturation of the dirt with respect to the water is high, and as a result, it becomes difficult to use detergent. Although it is used, the reality is that the cleaning effect is not improved.

In this way, when water pollution is severe, detergent has low utility value and results in wasted detergent, and control measures such as lengthening washing time or increasing agitation power are necessary. However, there was a problem in that these controls were wasted, resulting in wasted washing operation time.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its purpose is to improve the washing effect when the laundry is heavily soiled, to eliminate waste of detergent, and to reduce the running time. We are here to provide you with a washing machine that can save you a lot of time.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention provides a pollution degree detection device that detects the degree of pollution of water in a washing tank, an automatic detergent dosing device that automatically puts detergent into the washing tank, lr5 consisting of water supply operation and stirring operation for a predetermined time
A turbidity test operation execution unit that executes a turbidity test operation compares the turbidity detection value by the turbidity detection device with a preset reference value after execution of the turbidity test operation, and determines that the turbidity detection value is the reference value. When the value exceeds the value, drain operation, water supply operation, and detergent injection operation are executed, and then washing operation is executed. When the pollution degree detection value does not exceed the standard value, detergent injection operation is executed without executing drain operation and water supply operation. and a drainage selection control means for executing the washing operation.

(Function) If the laundry is extremely dirty, washing it with water without using detergent can remove the stain considerably. Furthermore, the degree of contamination of laundry can be determined based on the degree of contamination of the water. However, if the water is extremely contaminated, even if you use detergent to wash your clothes, you cannot expect a cleaning effect, so you should throw away the water, use new water, and wash your clothes with detergent. Driving is effective.

According to the above means, since the contamination level inspection operation execution means executes the contamination level inspection operation consisting of the water supply operation and the agitation operation for a predetermined period of time, the contamination level of the laundry can be determined by the agitation operation without using detergent. Inspection becomes possible. After execution of this pollution level inspection operation, the waste water selection control means compares the pollution level detected value by the pollution level detection device with a reference value.

Then, if the detected value of the degree of contamination exceeds the reference value, that is, if the laundry is extremely dirty and the degree of contamination of the water is severe, this drainage selection control means will operate the drain operation, water supply operation, and detergent injection operation. Since the washing operation is executed after the washing operation, the highly polluted water can be discarded and the laundry can be washed with fresh water, improving the washing effect. In addition, when the detected turbidity value does not exceed the standard value, that is, when the laundry is not very dirty to begin with, the washing operation is performed by executing the detergent injection operation without executing the draining operation or the water supply operation. Then, you can use the water as it is to effectively wash your clothes.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, in Fig. 3, 1 is the outer box of the dehydrating washing machine;
A water receiving tank 2 is disposed inside the tank. A rotary tank 3 for both washing and dewatering is disposed within the water receiving tank 2.

Reference numeral 4 indicates a container-shaped agitator disposed within the rotating tank 3, 5 indicates a washing machine motor provided at the outer bottom of the water receiving tank 2, and 6 indicates a mechanical unit. The forward and reverse rotations of the motor 5 are decelerated to be transmitted to the stirring body 4, and the unidirectional rotation of the washing machine motor 5 is transmitted to the rotating tub 3 during dewatering. Note that 7 is an electromagnetic drain valve.

In addition, 8 is an automatic detergent dispenser, and the fourth
This will be explained with reference to the figures. This detergent automatic dosing device 8 includes a detergent delivery coil 10 and a detergent agitator that rotates as the coil 10 rotates, in a detachable hopper 9 that stores powdered detergent S for many washing days. The coil 10 is rotated by a detergent delivery motor 12 disposed outside the hopper 9 via a drive gear 13 and a driven gear 14. When the coil 10 is rotated by the delivery motor 12, the detergent S is delivered from the detergent outlet 15 and the detergent receiver falls into the part 16.

The fallen detergent S passes through the electromagnetic water supply valve 17 and is thrown into the rotary tank 3 together with the water flowing on the detergent receiver section 16 (flow shown by arrow A). Note that this water supply valve 17 is connected to a water faucet 18 (see FIG. 3).

On the other hand, numeral 19 shown in FIG. 3 is a pollution level detection device installed at the bottom of the water tank 2, which is composed of, for example, a photocoupler, and detects the transmission of light through the water in the water tank 2 and the rotating tank 3. By detecting the degree of pollution, it is possible to detect the degree of pollution, which is inversely proportional to the degree of pollution.

Next, in FIG. 2, 20 is a microcomputer, to which a switch signal from a switch input circuit 21 is applied, as well as a pollution level detection value Qx from the pollution level detection device 19. Based on their human power, the microcomputer 20 controls the washing machine motor 5 and the drain valve 7 through drive circuits 22.23 and 24.25, respectively, according to a predetermined program. Detergent delivery motor 12. The water supply valve 17 is driven and controlled. Accordingly, the microcomputer 20 functions as a means for executing a pollution level inspection operation and also functions as a means for controlling drainage selection, depending on the software configuration of its program.

The functions of this pollution level inspection operation execution means and drainage selection control means will be explained with reference to FIG. 1. This first
The flowchart shown in the figure starts when an operation start switch (not shown) is turned on. First, a pollution level inspection operation is performed in steps S1 and S2. That is, in step S1, water supply operation is performed. In this water supply operation, the water supply valve 17 is opened, and the rotating tank 3
The operation is such that the water supply valve 17 is closed when the water reaches a predetermined water level (the water level is detected by a water level sensor, not shown). In the next step S2, the washing machine motor 5 is driven for a predetermined period of time to perform stirring operation. In this contamination degree test operation, the laundry is washed with water, and the water becomes contaminated depending on the degree of contamination of the laundry. In the next step S3, the pollution degree detection value Qx by the pollution degree detection device 19 is read, and this pollution degree detection value QX
and a predetermined reference value Qk.

This reference value Qk is determined to be a value that can determine a fairly severe degree of pollution. The above pollution level detection value Qx is the reference value Qk
If it exceeds this, the process moves to step S4 and subsequent steps. Step S4
Now, open the drain valve 7 for a predetermined period of time and execute the drain operation.
In step S5, a dehydration operation is performed. Next, in step S6, water supply operation and detergent injection operation are performed. Thereafter, in step S7, a washing operation in which the washing motor 5 is driven is executed. In this washing operation, increase the agitation power.
(For example, the duty ratio of the on-time of the washing machine motor 5 is increased) is executed in the "strong" operation mode.

On the other hand, in step S3, if the detected pollution level QX does not exceed the reference value Qk, the process moves to step S8.

In this step S8, it is determined whether or not the pollution degree detection value Qx exceeds a judgment value Qh for mode switching judgment (however, this judgment value Qh is smaller than the pollution degree reference value Qk). If it exceeds the limit, detergent injection operation is performed (step S9).
, the stirring force is slightly weaker than the above-mentioned "Strong" operation mode.
Step 51: Execute the washing operation in the “Slightly Strong” operation mode.
0), if the pollution degree detection value Qx does not exceed the judgment value Qh, perform detergent injection operation (step 5ll) and switch to the "standard" operation mode, which has a slightly weaker stirring force than the "slightly strong" operation mode described above. Execute washing operation (step 512
). As can be seen from this, when the pollution level detection value Qx does not exceed the reference value Qk, the above-mentioned draining operation and water supplying operation are not performed, and the washing operation is performed after the detergent injection operation is performed.

Here, it is generally known that when the laundry is heavily soiled, the stain can be considerably removed by washing with water without using detergent. It is also possible to determine the degree of contamination of laundry using the degree of contamination of the water as a guide. However, if the water is extremely contaminated, even if you use detergent for washing, you cannot expect a cleaning effect, so you should throw away the water, use new water, and restart the washing operation using detergent. It is effective if you do this.

According to this embodiment, the microcomputer 2
By the function of the pollution level test operation execution means of 0, a pollution level test operation consisting of a water supply operation and a stirring operation for a predetermined time, that is, a stirring operation without using detergent, is executed, and after the execution of this pollution level test operation. , microcomputer 20
By its function as a waste water selection control means, the pollution level detection value Qx by the pollution level detection device 19 is compared with the base value Qk, and then detergent is added, so when washing with detergent, water is Unlike the conventional method of testing the degree of contamination, wasteful use of detergent can be eliminated when the degree of contamination is severe. That is, when the laundry is heavily soiled, the tri-turbidity of the water is severe and no cleaning effect can be expected, regardless of whether detergent is used, resulting in the use of detergent being wasted. However, according to this embodiment,
Since the degree of contamination of water is tested through a contamination test operation that includes stirring operation without the use of detergent, if the degree of contamination is severe, it becomes effective not to use detergent, thereby eliminating waste of detergent. be able to. Also,
Since the driving time is not increased, wasted driving time can also be eliminated.

If the pollution level detection value Qx exceeds the reference value Qk, that is, if the laundry is extremely dirty and the water is extremely contaminated, then after performing the drain operation, water supply operation, and detergent injection operation, Since the washing operation is executed, highly contaminated water can be discarded and the laundry can be washed with fresh water, thereby improving the washing effect. In addition, the pollution level detection value Qx
When does not exceed the reference value Qk, that is, when the laundry is not seriously lri, the drain operation and the water supply operation are not executed, but the t-agent injection operation is executed and the washing operation is executed. The water can be used as is for effective washing.

Here, if the water is exclusively drained after washing for a predetermined period of time, the above effect can be expected without testing the turbidity of the water. However, in this case,
If the water has a low degree of contamination, water that can be used without any problem will be discarded, which is not desirable.

In this regard, according to the present embodiment, rather than performing the drain operation primarily, the water contamination level is inspected and then whether or not to perform the drain operation is selected and executed, thereby eliminating wasteful use of detergent. It is possible to eliminate wasteful use of water due to drainage.

In the above embodiment, in addition to the pollution level reference value Qk, a smaller determination value Qh is set, and the washing operation mode is set to "strong" based on both values Qk and Qh.

Since either "slightly strong" or "standard" is selected, there is an advantage that efficient washing operation can be performed according to the degree of contamination. However, this determination value Qh is not necessarily necessary, and therefore, control for mode selection of such selective operation may be performed as necessary.

In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be implemented with various modifications within the scope of the gist.

[Effects of the Invention] As is clear from the above description, the present invention comprises a contamination level detection device that detects the degree of contamination of water in a washing tank, and an automatic detergent dosing device that automatically dispenses detergent into the wash tank. , a turbidity test operation execution means for executing a turbidity test operation consisting of a water supply operation and a stirring operation for a predetermined time; and a turbidity detection value set by the turbidity detection device after execution of the turbidity test operation. When the pollution level detection value exceeds the standard value, drain operation, water supply operation, and detergent injection operation are performed, and the washing operation is executed. If the pollution level detection value does not exceed the standard value, the water is discharged. The device is equipped with a drainage selection control means that executes the washing operation by executing the detergent injection operation without executing the washing operation and the water supply operation. can increase the effectiveness,
In addition, excellent effects such as being able to eliminate waste of detergent, waste of operating time, and waste of water due to drainage can be achieved.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings show one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing control contents, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the electrical configuration,
FIG. 3 is a vertical side view of the washing machine, and FIG. 4 is a vertical front view of the automatic detergent dispenser. 3 is a rotating WJ (washing tank), 5 is a washing machine motor, 7 is a drain valve, 12 is a detergent delivery motor, 19 is a pollution level detection device, 20 is a microcomputer (pollution level inspection operation execution means, drainage selection control means) ).

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A pollution level detection device that detects the pollution level of water in the washing tank, and an automatic detergent dosing device that automatically puts detergent into the washing tank,
a pollution level inspection operation execution means for executing a pollution level inspection operation consisting of a water supply operation and a stirring operation for a predetermined time; and a pollution level detection value by the pollution level detection device and a preset reference value after execution of the pollution level inspection operation. When the pollution level detection value exceeds the standard value, drain operation, water supply operation, detergent injection operation are executed, and washing operation is executed.When the pollution level detection value does not exceed the standard value, drain operation and water supply operation are performed. and drainage selection control means for executing a washing operation by executing a detergent injection operation without executing the washing machine.