JPH03168187A - Controller for washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To accurately detect the turbidity of washing and rinse water and easily perform controls of rinse operation every time by a method wherein the output level of a turbidity detecting optical sensor consisting of a light emitting element and a right receiving element is controlled at a constant reference value during water supply before agitation in rinse operation and the deviation from the reference value is detected so as to perform controls of rinse operation and the next washing operation. CONSTITUTION:An optical sensor 8 consists of a light element 8a and a light receiving element 8b and is installed on the bottom of a washing drum of a washing machine. When the light emitting element 8a is installed facing the light receiving element 8b and the light emission output is kept at a constant, the output current of the light receiving 8b changes corresponding to the fouling of washing water filled between the light emitting element 8a and the light receiving element 8b, and a microcomputer 16 detects an output voltage Ve corresponding to the fouling through an A/D terminal. During water supply before rinse agitation, the output of the light emitting element 8a is controlled so that the output level of the turbidity detecting optical sensor 8 becomes constant, and the light emission output is maintained at a constant value and stored. Thereby, by detecting changes in the output level of the optical sensor, changes in the turbidity during rinse agitation and the next washing operation are detected to control rinse and washing operation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a washing machine control device that controls washing or rinsing by detecting dirt, turbidity, etc. of liquid in a washing tub.

Prior Art Examples of conventional washing machines that control rinsing by detecting the turbidity of liquid in a washing tub are disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 62-13034 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 63-14639. That is, the rinsing process was controlled by optically detecting changes in the turbidity of the rinse liquid in the washing tub before and after the rinsing agitation.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, the control method shown in Japanese Patent Publication No. 62-13034 or Japanese Patent Publication No. 63-14639 has the following problems.

0) In fully automatic washing machines, fabric softener is usually added during rinsing, but with conventional methods, it is determined that there is only a small amount of detergent and dirt and only one rinse is required, but the fabric softener is added near the end of the first rinse. +171 will be delayed by 1 when it is inserted.

(2) In particular, as a method of adding a fabric softener, use 3.
, -, During the dehydration process, in order to use the change in the rotation speed in the laundry dehydration tank to inject the fabric softener into the laundry so that it moves from the partition wall, it is necessary to complete the washing process with one rinse. It is necessary to judge.

(3) When determining the degree of rinsing based on turbidity, it is necessary to judge based on the rate of change rather than the difference between before and after rinsing, and the data according to the turbidity of the water supply before rinsing is constant. If it is not a value, turbidity measurement cannot be performed.

(4) It is necessary to keep the turbidity of the fresh water supplied before rinsing as constant as possible and to measure the initial data using clear water. receive.

In view of the above problems, the present invention aims to accurately detect the turbidity of the wash button and rinse, and to easily control one rinse.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, the present invention sets the output level of an optical sensor consisting of a light emitting element and a light receiving element for turbidity detection to a certain standard during water supply before stirring in the rinsing process. This is to control the rinse process button and the next washing process by detecting the change from the reference value. The washing process (washing time, water flow, etc.) is controlled according to the dirtiness of the washing liquid, which is determined by the change from the reference value adjusted during the rinsing water supply. If is small,
This not only shortens the washing time, but also controls the next rinsing step, such as intermediate dehydration and the number of rinses.

According to the above technical means, the light emission output is controlled so that the optical sensor output level of the turbidity detection river becomes -Q{direct, and the light emission output is kept at a constant value during water supply before rinsing and stirring. It stores the memory and then detects changes in the optical sensor output level, detects changes in turbidity during rinsing and agitation, and changes in turbidity during the next wash, and controls the rinse button and washing process, so water is not supplied. The change from clean water is considered to be the degree of dirtiness of the washing liquid. The change during rinsing and agitation corresponds to the turbidity of the rinse solution, and the change during washing and agitation corresponds to the detergent amount button and the 5, -
, corresponds to the degree of contamination. Furthermore, by controlling the optical sensor output level to a constant reference value during rinsing water supply, accurate turbidity detection and dirt determination are possible. In particular, since the output of the optical sensor shows a logarithmic change with respect to the degree of dirt in the washing liquid, in order to detect turbidity (dirt), the output level of the optical sensor must be set to a constant value in fresh water. We need to do logarithmic operations. 1. In addition, since it is possible to detect the amount of detergent during washing agitation and the amount of dirt on clothes by detecting changes in turbidity from fresh water, it is possible to not only control the washing process depending on the amount of dirt, but also to control and quiet the next rinsing process. It becomes possible. TB, if the turbidity during washing is low, there will be less dirt on the detergent amount button and clothes.
It can be assumed that one rinse is sufficient, and the rinsing process and intermediate dehydration process are controlled based on the change in turbidity during washing, making it possible to save rinsing water.

Example Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a washing water stain detection device according to the present invention. A light sensor 8 consisting of a light emitting element 81L and light receiving elements 8b6 and 7 is installed at the bottom of a washing tub of a washing machine. The light emitting output of the light emitting element 8B is outputted from a PWM output terminal 161L of the microcomputer 16 by applying a variable voltage whose signal width is controlled to a D/▲ conversion circuit 191L consisting of an integrating circuit.
is applied as a variable DC voltage to control the base voltage of transistor 19b.

NPN } Since an emitter resistor is connected to the emitter of the transistor 19C, by controlling the base voltage, the current of the light emitting element 81L connected to the collector can be controlled.
Light output can be controlled. If the light receiving element 8b is installed opposite the light emitting element 8a and the light emitting output is constant, the light emitting element 8a
The output current of the light receiving element 8b changes depending on the dirt of the washing liquid interposed between the light receiving element 8b and the output voltage Ve of the output resistor 19d, and the A/D of the microcomputer 16 changes.
Depending on the input terminal, the output voltage V depends on the dirt. A dirt detection device 19 is constructed to detect dirt.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment in which a dirt detection device according to the present invention is installed in a fully automatic washing machine. Reference numeral 1 designates a washing and dehydrating tank, in which a stirring blade 2 at the bottom rotates during washing and agitation, and 7, 5 rotates together with the stirring blade 2 during dehydration. 3 is a washing tank that stores washing water. 4 is a hanging rod for hanging the washing/dewatering tank 1, water tank 3, etc., and 6 is an external casing that supports the whole. A motor 6 and a speed reduction mechanism 7 are installed at the bottom of the washing tub 3 to transmit rotational force to the stirring blades 2.

Reference numeral 8 denotes an optical sensor, which is installed in the drain pipe 11 between the drain port 9 of the water tank 3 and the drain valve 10, and detects dirt in the washing water.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a washing machine control device according to the present invention. AC power is applied from an AC power supply 12 to a control device 13, and the control device 13 controls a motor 6 that controls stirring and dehydration, a drain valve 10, and a water supply valve 14. A water level sensor 15 detects the water level of the washing tub 3, detects pressure according to the water level, and sends a signal to the microcomputer 16. 17 is a cloth amount sensor, and the motor 6 during stirring
The number of pulses generated in the motor capacitor 6' during the off period is counted, and if the number of pulses is large, it is determined that the inertial rotation of the moke 6 is large and the amount of cloth is small.

A storage element 18 stores light emission output control data of the optical sensor 8. Reference numeral 19 is the dirt detection device described in FIG. 20 is a power switching circuit that controls power components such as the motor 6 and the drain valve 10 based on signals from the microcomputer 16.

Reference numeral 21 denotes an operation control circuit consisting of switches, display elements, and the like.

The detailed control method of the present invention will be explained below with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7.

Figure 4 shows the sensor voltage v for washing, rinsing, and dehydration steps.
It shows the change in e. T at the start of washing. When the button is pressed, the light emission output is controlled to be constant based on data from the storage element 18. T
Between O and T1, water is being supplied, the attenuation of the light energy from the light emitting element 8a is small, and the output voltage ve of the light receiving element 8b is high. When washing begins to be agitated, the washing liquid becomes cloudy and the sensor voltage Vθ decreases depending on how dirty the clothes are. The microcomputer 16 determines whether the washing time should be further extended depending on the voltage ve' when the voltage change during washing becomes approximately constant. Drainage starts at T2 at the end of washing, and during the T2-T3 period, sensors 9 and 7 are used for drainage and intermediate dehydration.The voltage ve is very unstable and has a low value at OT3.
9. Water supply during rinsing begins and the sensor voltage increases. At this time, the drain valve is opened for several seconds to remove bubbles and the like, and the light emitting output of the light emitting element 8& is controlled so that the sensor voltage V, becomes the set value. Control is performed so that the transparency of the water in the water supply before rinsing and agitation is the highest and reaches the standard value regardless of the amount of dirt on the drain pipe. If there is an automatic detergent dosing device, the same effect can be achieved even if the light emission output is controlled during water supply before detergent is dispensed. After controlling the light emission output and reaching the set water level, rinsing agitation is started, and the subsequent rinsing time and number of rinses are controlled based on the sensor voltage change ΔV from the reference value after 1 minute of agitation.

FIG. 6 shows the degree of contamination of the optical sensor and the characteristics of the sensor output voltage. If the light emission output is controlled so that the sensor output voltage becomes human when the degree of contamination (turbidity) is zero, the sensor voltage becomes B when the degree of contamination is constant F1, and the ratio of ▲ and B is B/
▲ always shows a logarithmic change with respect to the amount of dirt due to the Lambert-Beer law. Therefore, even if the drain pipe is dirty, clean water will still be available. −, If the sensor voltage is set to a constant reference value during (water supply),
The change from the standard value corresponds to the degree of contamination (turbidity).

FIG. 6 shows changes in sensor voltage when the button is pressed during washing, and shows changes depending on the type of detergent and the size of dirt. a is the change in voltage when there is only liquid detergent (no dirt), and a' is the change when there is heavy dirt with liquid detergent.

b is powder detergent only, and the sensor voltage changes to B due to aluminosilicate. b' is a case where dirt is added to the powdered detergent, and b'' is a case where the powdered detergent is used and there is little dirt.The magnitude of the sensor voltage 2 minutes after the start of washing indicates whether it is liquid or not.
It is possible to determine whether it is a powder, and then, if it is a liquid, it is possible to detect a change in the size of the stain based on the change in the sensor voltage from the sensor voltage, and if it is a powder, it is possible to detect a change in the size of the stain based on the magnitude of the voltage change from the sensor voltage B. Deaf, b
If the change after 2 minutes from the start of washing is large (as shown in ") and the voltage is close to B, the amount of detergent may be small. Even in this case, the washing time should be shortened and the number of rinses should be reduced to 1. However, considering the rinsing performance, it is only necessary to limit the amount of cloth to a small amount, and the rinsing can be performed in one water rinse.

Figure 7 shows the sensor voltage change during rinsing, stirring +) tl
The sensor voltage is controlled to the reference value VS during water supply, and rinsing and stirring are started from time T4. If there are changes such as c, c', c'' depending on the size of dirt during rinsing, the sensor voltage will be V1, V at T5 after a certain period of time has elapsed since the start of rinsing agitation.
2. Rinse time and number of rinses are controlled by varying V3 and the magnitude of this voltage. That is, if the threshold voltage is higher than V81, there is little dirt and the rinsing agitation ends at T5, and if it is Vs1 to Vl92, the rinsing time is extended.

If it is lower than VS2, the rinsing time is further increased and the number of rinses is increased to 3 times.

As described above, the number of times of rinsing, the rinsing time, etc. are controlled by changing the sensor voltage during agitation during washing and rinsing.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of a flowchart of a control device according to the present invention.

When you start washing at 160, first the subroutine 161
In order to control the light emission output of the optical sensor based on the timing, the light emission output is controlled to be constant based on the data from the storage element 18. Next, in subroutine 162, the amount of cloth is detected and the water level is set according to the amount of cloth. Cloth amount detection is performed after water is supplied to a very low water level. Water is supplied again at 163, and water is supplied at a set water level 1 corresponding to the amount of cloth at 164. After that, the process moves to the stirring process, the optical sensor signal is inputted by subroutine 166, and 1
At 66, it is determined whether the change in sensor voltage over time is less than or equal to a set value, and at 167, the amount of dirt is detected according to the sensor voltage, and the additional washing time and number of rinses are determined.

The cloth amount sensor detects if the amount of cloth is small or if the amount of dirt is small.
The number of rinses is determined to be one. At step 168, it is determined whether the washing time is the judgment value or not, and the process moves to a drainage intermediate dewatering process 8169.

The detailed flow of buttons, liquid detergent detection, etc. will be omitted. In the case of one rinse, the intermediate dewatering of 169 divides the dewatering process into two times and transfers the fabric softener. After 170, water is supplied in the rinsing process up to the control water level that controls the optical sensor output voltage to the standard value (1 70, 171), and when the control water level is reached, the light emission output control and the output il+{I control 13
... Execute data memory routine 172. This process is
After operating the drain valve for a few seconds, the light output is controlled so that the sensor output voltage is at the set value, and if the output voltage can be set to the reference value, the light output is kept constant from then on and the control data is stored. do.

FIG. 9 shows the rinsing control after step 172. 173,17
4, water is supplied to the set water level, and rinsing and stirring are started from 175. 176 detects the optical sensor output signal after 1 minute of rinsing agitation and controls the subsequent rinsing ○For details, refer to Section 7.
This is explained in the figure. 179 is a determination that the rinsing time has ended.

FIG. 10 is a detailed flowchart of the subroutine 172.
At 190, 191, and 192, the light output is controlled so that the optical sensor output voltage becomes a set value, and after setting, the light output is kept constant and the data is stored at 194. If the set value is not reached within a certain period or within a certain loop counter, it is determined that the drain pipe is extremely dirty or abnormal, and washing and rinsing are controlled at standard times.

Effect 14 of the Invention As described above, the present invention adjusts the optical sensor light emission output while supplying water before rinsing and stirring or before adding detergent, and adjusts the optical sensor output voltage based on the change from the reference value after the output adjustment. It controls washing, rinsing, and washing, and has the following effects.

0) Soot Key: Changes in soiling of the washing liquid during agitation can be detected as changes from the standard value of clean water, changes in turbidity can be detected accurately, and washing and rinsing can be controlled accurately.

(2) Since it is possible to accurately detect changes in dirt in the washing liquid during washing,
It is possible to judge the amount of detergent and the size of the stain on the clothes, and when there is little dirt, it is possible to control not only the washing time but also the number of rinses and the rinse water level, and it is possible to control the intermediate spin rotation before rinsing to add fabric softener. be shortened.

(3) In particular, by adjusting the optical sensor output in the supplied water before stirring for the first time of rinsing, the optical sensor output voltage can be controlled to the reference value in transparent water close to fresh water, making it possible to accurately determine turbidity. .

(4) Optical sensor output adjustment during water supply before rinsing and stirring
,,, As a result, the sensor voltage change during subsequent rinsing agitation is accurate, the accuracy of turbidity detection during rinsing is improved, rinsing control is accurate, and the detergent remaining on clothes can be constantly reduced, making it easier for people can reduce its effect on the skin.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing an embodiment of a dirt detection device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the construction of a fully automatic washing machine according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a control device for a washing machine according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing output voltage changes during the washing and rinsing processes of the optical sensor. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the degree of dirt on the optical sensor and the characteristics of the sensor output voltage. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing changes in sensor voltage during the washing process, FIG. 7 is a diagram showing changes in sensor voltage during rinsing and the rinsing control method, FIG. 8 is a flowchart of washing and rinsing control according to the present invention, and FIG. The figure is a flowchart showing the control during rinsing.
FIG. 10 is a flow chart of optical sensor output adjustment and light emission output control data memory. 8a... Light emitting element, 8b... Light receiving element,
8... Optical sensor, 13... Control device,
16...Microcomputer, 19...
... Dirt detection device, 20... Power switching circuit.

Claims (1)

[Claims] An optical sensor consisting of a light emitting element and a light receiving element that detects the turbidity of washing liquid, a dirt detection device that controls the light emitting output of the light emitting element to a constant level and detects a change in the output of the light receiving element, and washing, rinsing, and dehydration. It consists of a microcomputer that controls the process, and a power switching circuit that controls the motor, drain valve, water supply valve, etc., and the output voltage of the light receiving element is determined during water supply before rinsing and agitation, or water supply before washing and agitation before adding detergent. The rinsing process is controlled in accordance with a change in optical sensor voltage from the reference value during rinsing and agitation, or a change in optical sensor voltage during the next washing and agitation. A control device for a washing machine.