JPH038237Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] (Technical Field) The present invention relates to a washing machine that controls operations such as washing or rinsing by optically detecting the transparency of liquid.

(Prior art) Conventionally, this type of washing machine was
As seen in Publication No. 16464, etc., a light source and a photosensitive element were incorporated into a detector such as a transparent box, and this detector was inserted between a water tank and a drain valve to detect the transparency of the liquid. In such a configuration, it is necessary to connect the detector to the water tank side and the drain valve side, respectively, and a large amount of piping is required, which is not very preferable in terms of assembly work efficiency, cost, etc.

(Purpose) This proposal was made in view of these points, and by attaching the light source and photosensitive element using the valve case of the drain valve, it aims to reduce connection work and piping, etc., and improve assembly workability and cost. This is what we do.

(Embodiment) Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the main parts showing an embodiment of the washing machine of the present invention, in which 1 is a water tank, 2 is a washing/dehydration tank, 3 is a pulsator, 4 is a water supply valve, and 5 is an opening/closing opening part 7. a valve case 6 having a valve case 6, a valve cover 8 that closes the opening of the valve case 6, a valve body 9 that opens and closes the opening/closing port 7, a spring 10 that always biases the valve body 9 in the closing direction, and the valve body 9.
There is a drain valve configured by a solenoid 11 etc. that opens the drain valve.

The valve case 6 is made of, for example, a molded product of synthetic resin, and a conduit section 12 is integrally molded so as to be continuous with the opening/closing opening section 7 . This conduit section 12 has a tip and opening/closing opening section 7.
It has connection ports 13 and 14 nearby, and both connection ports 1
Light source (infrared light emitting diode) 1 between 3 and 14
5 and a photosensitive element (phototransistor) 16 are provided. A certain circulation port 20
It communicates with the inside of the water tank 1 by connecting it to the water tank 1 via a piping 21. 22 is a drainage hose.

In the above configuration, when the pulsator 3 rotates during washing or rinsing operations, the liquid in the water tank 1 is circulated inside and outside of the washing/dehydration tank 2 through the holes in the washing/dehydration tank 2, and some of the liquid flows through the circulation port. 20, Piping 2
1. It circulates through the pipe section 12 and the drain port 19.
Thus, changes in the transparency of the liquid flowing through the pipe section 12 are detected by the light source 15 and the photosensitive element 16,
Controls operations such as washing or rinsing.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing changes in the transparency of the liquid during washing, where the solid line A shows fresh water and the solid line B shows the transparency of the liquid. During washing, the transparency of the liquid in the water tank 1 gradually decreases due to dirt etc. from the laundry, and when there is no change in transparency, it is determined that the washing is complete, the washing operation is completed, and the next stage is drained. Move to action.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing changes in the transparency of the liquid during rinsing, where the solid line A indicates clear water and the solid line C indicates the transparency of the liquid. During rinsing, the liquid in the water tank 1 becomes more transparent as the dirt is gradually diluted, and the end of rinsing is determined when there is no change in transparency and the transparency has recovered to a predetermined level.

In the above embodiment, the connection port 13 of the conduit section 12 is directly connected to the drain port 19 of the aquarium 1, but it may also be connected via piping, and in any case, it is not necessary in the conventional art. Connection work and piping between the detector and the drain valve can be omitted.

(Effects) As described above, in this case, since the light source and photosensitive element are attached using the valve case of the drain valve, connection work and piping can be reduced compared to conventional methods, improving assembly workability, cost, etc. can do. Further, according to the present invention, when the pulsator rotates during washing, rinsing, etc., a portion of the liquid in the water tank circulates within the conduit, so that its transparency can be accurately detected.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the main parts showing an embodiment of the washing machine of the present invention, Figure 2 is a diagram showing changes in the transparency of the liquid during washing, and Figure 3 is a diagram showing changes in the transparency of the liquid during rinsing. be. 1...Aquarium, 5...Drain valve, 6...Valve case,
7...Opening/closing opening part, 12...Pipe line part, 15...Light source, 16...Photosensitive element, 17, 18...Mounting part.

Claims (1)

[Claims for Utility Model Registration] In a device that detects the transparency of liquid using a light source and a photosensitive element to control washing or rinsing operations, a conduit section having a mounting section for the light source and the photosensitive element, The valve case of the drain valve is integrally formed with the opening/closing opening of the valve case, and connecting ports are provided before and after the above-mentioned attachment part of this pipe section, and both connecting ports are communicated with the inside of the aquarium to connect the aquarium. A washing machine that circulates the liquid inside through a pipe section.