JPH03207396A - Controlling method for washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable washing to be properly performed by controlling the feeding quantity of detergent and washing and a washing time according to the pollution degree of washing solution and its change rate. CONSTITUTION:An object to be washed is contained in a drum 2 and into it, washing water and detergent are fed, and just for a specified time, the drum 2 is driven for washing. During this interval, by a pollution degree detecting sensor 15 set in a water tank 3, the pollution degree D of washing solution is detected at an arbitrary time, and by a micro-computer MC, arithmetic is performed on the time change rate (f) of the pollution degree D. Then, by the micro-computer MC, the detergent and washing water are additionally supplied when (a) D>beta is set against set values alpha, beta, and the washing dis continuously kept till (f) is lowered further, and when (b) f<=alpha is set and D<=beta is set, then the washing is completed, and when (c) f>alpha is set and D<=beta is set, then the washing is continuously kept further, and at every fixed time, f and D are detected, and according to their values, (a) or (b) is executed. As a result, the detergent and washing water are fed in a proper quantity, and the washing is performed for a proper time.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (A) Field of Industrial Application This invention relates to a method of controlling a washing machine mainly used in a general household.

(B) Prior Art In conventional washing machines, the amount of laundry (load amount) is detected to set the amount of water to be supplied and the amount of detergent to be added.

(c) Problems to be Solved by the Invention Accordingly, in the conventional washing machine, there are the following problems to be solved.

l. Detergent and water were added based on the amount of laundry, so if the laundry was heavily soiled even with a small load, there was a concern that the amount of detergent would be insufficient and re-contamination could occur. On the other hand, under the opposite conditions, the amount of detergent will be excessive, which will adversely affect the rinsing performance.

2. Since the washing time is set, the washing does not necessarily end at the appropriate time.

3. If too much detergent is added to the amount of dirt, too much foam will form and the foam will act as a cushion, significantly reducing cleaning performance.

This invention was made in consideration of these circumstances,
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a control method that enables appropriate washing by controlling the amount of detergent and washing water supplied and the washing time in accordance with the degree of contamination and the rate of change in washing liquid.

(2) Means for Solving the Problems This invention provides a control system for a washing machine equipped with a water tank, a drum rotatably provided in the water tank and containing laundry, a water supply/drainage device, and a detergent supply device. In this method, laundry is stored in a drum, washing water and detergent are supplied, and the drum is driven for a predetermined period of time to perform washing, and then a pollution level detection sensor installed in a water tank detects the pollution level D of the washing liquid. (a) When D>β, detergent and washing water are replenished and f is calculated for the set values α and β.
Continue rinsing until further decreases, Cb) f≦α and D≦
When β, the washing is finished, and (c) when f>α and D≦β, the washing is continued and f and D are detected at regular intervals, and depending on these values, the above (a) or (b) is carried out. A method of controlling a washing machine is characterized in that:

The pollution level detection sensor may be, for example, a sensor that combines an infrared light emitting diode and a phototransistor to detect the pollution level based on the amount of light that passes through the washing liquid. Alternatively, a sensor may be used that uses light scattering techniques to detect the formation of emulsions in the washing liquid.

(E) Action What if the degree of contamination D of the washing liquid after washing for a predetermined period of time is large? When the laundry is judged to be extremely dirty, detergent and washing water are further supplied, and washing is continued until the rate of change in the degree of contamination D decreases. Further, if the degree of contamination is small and the rate of change thereof is also small, it is assumed that the degree of contamination is light and that there is no further effect even if the continuation of washing is continued, and the washing is terminated. moreover,
Even if the degree of contamination is small, if the rate of change is large, it is assumed that the effect will be achieved by continuing washing, and the washing is continued, and the degree of contamination and its rate of change are detected again and one of the above Perform processing. By controlling in this manner, detergent and washing water are supplied in appropriate amounts, and washing is carried out in an appropriate amount of time.

(f) Examples Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on examples shown in the drawings. This invention is not limited by this.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of a drum-type washing machine showing an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control section. In FIG. 1, the water tank 3 that accommodates washing water and water is
It is suspended from the upper surface of the outer box 10 by a spring or the like (not shown), so that vibrations generated during washing can be absorbed. Also, this water 1! ! A water tank opening 9 is formed on the side surface of 3 for loading and unloading laundry such as clothes. A clothing entry door 1l is provided on the side surface of the outer box body 10, which rests in the same direction as the aquarium opening 9, so as to be openable and closable, and this clothing entry door 11 is capable of airtightly closing the aquarium opening. can.

In addition, a drain port 6 and a pollution level detection sensor l5 are provided at the bottom of the water tank 3, and a drain valve 7 is provided at the drain port 6.
A drain hose 19 with a is connected. The pollution level detection sensor 15 includes an infrared light emitting diode and a phototransistor, and is configured to detect the pollution level based on the amount of light transmitted through the washing liquid. On the other hand, aquarium 3
On the top surface, there is a solenoid valve 5 that supplies water for washing or rinsing.
A water supply port l7 and an automatic detergent injection device l4 are provided for supplying water into the water tank 3 through the water tank 3. l6 is the control circuit, which is isolated from the water and performs all controls.

Further, a plurality of drain holes I are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the drum 2.

A cylindrical drum 2 with a horizontal axis is rotatably supported in the water tank 3. This drum 2 has a drum opening l on one side for loading laundry into the drum 2.
2 is formed and arranged so as to substantially match the position of the clothing entry door 11.

Further, a rotary shaft 8 is fixed to the other side of the drum 2 at its axial center. This rotating shaft 8 penetrates the water tank 3 and the water I!
It is rotatably supported by a bearing in the Uiro of I13. Furthermore, a rotating shaft 8 and a pulley l3 are provided on the outside of this bearing, and this pulley l3 is connected to the drum drive motor 4 by a belt such as a V-belt. 8.

In FIG. 2, MC is a microcomputer provided in the control circuit 16, and the microcomputer MC receives the output from the pollution level detection sensor I5, and controls the water supply solenoid valve 5, the drum drive motor 4, and the detergent. The automatic loading device l4 and the discharge solenoid valve 7 are driven.

Next, the operation of this drum type washing machine will be explained using the flowchart shown in FIG. First, at the start of the washing process, a constant amount of water IVo (12) is poured into the water tank 3 from the water supply port 17.
A certain amount of detergent mo is supplied from the detergent automatic dosing device +8.
(g) is introduced (step 101), at this time the drain valve 7 is closed. Thereafter, the drum drive motor 4 is energized to rotate the drum 2, and washing is performed for a predetermined time t0 (step l02). Meanwhile, pollution level detection sensor 1
5, the degree of contamination D of the washing liquid is detected at any time, and the rate of change f of the degree of contamination D with respect to time is calculated by the microcomputer MC. And time [. Control is performed as shown in Table 1 in accordance with the conditions of the degree of pollution D and rate of change f over time.

Table 1 Also, Figure 3 shows case No. of Table 1. 1-No.
4 is a graph showing the relationship between time T and pollution degree D.

Case no. In the case of 1, the degree of contamination D is high, and since f has not reached an equilibrium state, there is a large amount of clothing, and it is thought that there is still a large amount of dirt attached, so detergent m + (g),
A supply of water V+(Q) is required.

Case no. In the case of 2, although f has not reached an equilibrium state, the degree of contamination D is low, and the amount of dirt is not considered to be that large.C, washing is continued for Δt time and the judgment is made again.

Case no. In the case of 3, although f has reached an equilibrium state, it is considered to be in a saturated state due to the high degree of contamination D.
supply and continue washing. Case no. In case No. 4, the degree of contamination D is low and f has reached an equilibrium state, so washing is completed. Therefore, case no. In the case of I (step 103
．． 104), Water W! 3 from the water supply port 14, v, (0
The detergent m r (
g) is automatically supplied, the drum 2 is rotated by the drum drive motor 4 to continue washing (step 105).
~107). After that, the rate of change f of the pollution degree D with respect to time
When f becomes α, (step 108), it is determined that the washing is in an equilibrium state, that is, it has been completed, and the drain valve 7 is opened (step! 09), and the washing liquid is discharged from the drain hose 19 to the outside of the machine and rinsed. The process is performed (step 20). Case no. 2
In this case (steps 103, 104), washing continues for Δt time (step 111), and the determination is made again after Δt time.

Case no. In the case of 3 (steps 103, 112),
After supplying water v, (0) from the water supply port l4 into the water FII3, and automatically supplying detergent mt (g) from the automatic detergent dosing device 18, the drum drive motor 4 rotates the drum 2 to continue washing. (Steps 113 to 1l5). After that, the rate of change of the pollution degree D with respect to time f h< f <α,
When this happens (step 116), it is determined that the washing is in an equilibrium state, that is, it has been completed, and the drain valve 7 is opened (step 117).
The washing liquid is discharged from the drain hose 19 to the outside of the machine and a rinsing process is performed (step 118).Case No. In the case of 4 (steps 103, 112),
At that point, it is determined that the washing has been completed, and the drain valve 7 is opened (step 119), the washing liquid from the drain hose 19 is discharged to the outside of the machine, and a rinsing process is performed (step 1!8).

Note that this invention is not limited to this, and can also be applied to washing machines other than the drum type, and highly accurate control can be achieved by setting more diverse case patterns.

(g) Effects of the invention According to this invention, the following effects can be obtained.

! ．． The machine supplies the amount of detergent and water that corresponds not only to the amount of clothes but also to the amount of dirt, and detects when washing has reached an equilibrium state.
This prevents damage to the fabric due to unrinsing or over-washing.

2. Particularly in drum-type washing machines that use a small amount of water, efficient washing is possible by preventing recontamination caused by insufficient detergent for the amount of dirt and deterioration in cleaning performance caused by excessive foaming caused by excessive detergent.

3. 'The amount of air, detergent, and water used can be minimized.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of a drum-type washing machine showing an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a block diagram of the control section of the drum-type washing machine shown in Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 shows the time period during the washing process. FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between pollution levels, and is a flowchart showing the operation of FIG. l...Drain hole, 2...Drum, 3.
...Water tank, 4...Motor, 5...
・Water supply Nl valve, 6...Drain port, 7...
Drainage solenoid valve, end...Rotating shaft, 9...Water tank opening, IO...Exterior box, 11...
Door, I2...Drum opening, l3...
Pulley! 4... Detergent automatic dosing device, l5...
...Pollution level sensor, l7...Water inlet. Figure 1 Figure 2

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A method for controlling a washing machine equipped with a water tank, a drum rotatably provided in the water tank and containing laundry, a water supply/drainage device, and a detergent supply device, including: After washing is carried out by driving the drum for a predetermined period of time by supplying washing water and detergent, a pollution degree detection sensor installed in the water tank detects the degree of contamination D of the washing liquid, and at the same time (a) When D>β, replenish detergent and washing water and continue washing until f further decreases, (b) f≦α and D≦β
(c) When f>α and D≦β, continue washing, detect f and D at regular intervals, and perform (a) or (b) above based on these values. A method for controlling a washing machine, characterized in that: