JPH04141196A - Turbidity detector for dry cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To decide the cause of turbidity accurately: if excess of soap content, excess of water content or pollution from clothes, by providing a turbidity detector which is able to detect the turbidity of solvent flowing through a pipe and deciding the detection according to color variation. CONSTITUTION:A passage switching value V12 at the lower part of a turbidity detector 20 is open, a passage to a tank 3 is opened by valves V13, V11, and a circulating pump is operated. From the start of filling, the passage switching valve V12 is closed to store solvent in the turbidity detector 20, while the solvent is supplied to a tank 3 through a bypass passage 21. The turbidity detection of solvent in the detector 20 is performed after the passage transfer valve V12 is closed. the solvent in the detector which is not affected by the circulating pump due to the passage transfer operation is made quiet and in a state without air bubbles in the solvent. Thus, turbidity is decided by the variation rate according to color wavelength from each color sensor and by the initial value of solvent turbidity at the time of solvent changing.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (a) Industrial Application Field The present invention relates to a dry cleaner that uses a solvent outside the waterside. Specifically, the turbidity of the solvent is detected as a change in color, and the detected color Identify water or clothing stains,
The present invention relates to a turbidity detection device for a dry cleaner equipped with a notification function.

(b) Prior art The closest prior art to this invention is JP-A No. 63-3
There are publications such as Publication No. 17191. In the turbidity detection method described in these documents, a circulation channel is provided in the drainage channel of the washing tub, and a Cdss(e)LED and a phototransmitter are provided on the light receiving side as turbidity detection elements to circulate water. Illuminance on the receiving side (lu
x) is detected and treated as a change in turbidity.

Conventional turbidity detection indirectly treats a decrease in light transmittance due to the inclusion of foreign matter in water or a solvent as a change in turbidity.

In washing tanks that use water, changes in illuminance are identified as changes in turbidity, and based on this, the washing operation is controlled by extending or shortening the washing time and rinsing time, which has some effect. seems to be demonstrating this.

(c) Problems to be Solved by the Invention If the conventional turbidity detection element structure described above is applied to a washing tub that uses a solvent, it is difficult to detect turbidity when the solvent dirt is quite high. It seems possible.

However, if the soap content and water content contained in the solvent are too large, it becomes difficult to detect turbidity because the amount of change in illuminance (lux) is small. Furthermore, even if the setting is made so that turbidity can be detected even if the amount of change in illuminance (ILIK) is minute, the illuminance (lux) may remain at the same level due to too much soap or water content. In this case, it becomes difficult to identify the cause of the detected turbidity.

Second, if a conventional turbidity detector is used in a washing tank that uses solvent, in addition to the problem of inaccurate turbidity detection due to the small change in illuminance (ILIX) as mentioned above, Since the flow of the solvent in the piping is obtained using a circulation pump, there is also a problem in that the turbidity detector contains a large amount of bubbles other than the solvent. That is, the problem is that the light on the light emitting side is diffusely reflected by the bubbles, and as a result, it is detected as a cloudy white state on the light receiving side. In this way, there is little change in turbidity, and the diffused reflection caused by air bubbles is reduced to swamp.
It is understandable that conventional turbidity detectors are not suitable for washing tubs that utilize solvents.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and is therefore a turbidity detection device for a dry cleaner that can accurately detect the turbidity of a solvent and reduce the influence of air bubbles contained in the solvent during detection. to offer.

(d) Means for Solving the Problems There are two forms of the turbidity detection device for a dry cleaner according to the present invention. The first device is a dry cleaner in which a drum rotating at low or high speed is provided in a washing tub, and a supply path and a drainage path of a solvent circulation path connected to a tank are connected to the washing tub. A light transmitting window is provided in the middle of the circulation path, and with the light transmitting window sandwiched between them, a light emitting element that emits light of multiple colors is placed on one side, and a visible light sensor having a photovoltaic effect made of amorphous silicon and each of the above-mentioned light emitting elements are placed on the other side. A turbidity detector is configured by arranging a light-receiving element consisting of a combination of a color and a color filter corresponding to the color, thereby configuring a turbidity detector capable of detecting the turbidity of the solvent flowing in the pipe, and further detecting the turbidity detected by the turbidity detector. It is characterized by the provision of a means to notify the degree.

In the turbidity detection device, the second device includes a bypass flow path in parallel with the turbidity detection flow path in which the turbidity detection device is provided, and a flow path that is on the liquid supply side with respect to the turbidity detector. The turbidity detector is characterized in that the flow path is provided with a switching valve for switching the turbidity detection flow path to a bypass flow path, thereby calming the flow of the solvent within the turbidity detector.

(E) Effect According to the first device, the turbidity of the solvent, which has a smaller amount of change in measurement than the turbidity of water, can be measured based on the color wavelength from each color sensor in addition to the amount of change in illuminance (lux). This makes it possible to identify the change amount based on the amount of change in the turbidity of the solvent and the initial value of the turbidity of the solvent when replacing the solvent, and it is possible to control the operation of the dry cleaner according to the degree of turbidity.

According to the second device, when the first device detects turbidity,
Since the inclusion of air bubbles in the turbidity detector can be significantly reduced, the error in turbidity detection can be reduced, and the accuracy of turbidity detection can be improved.

(F) EXAMPLES The present invention will be described in detail below based on examples shown in the figures. Note that this invention is not limited by this.

In this embodiment, a color sensor is employed as the turbidity light receiving element of the turbidity detector. This color sensor includes a visible light sensor 150 that applies the photovoltaic effect of amorphous silicon shown in FIG.
It has a one-two structure in combination with a color filter 160 such as (see FIG. 16).

The visible light sensor 150 includes a glass substrate 151 and a transparent electrode 1.
52, amorphous silicon 153, and a back electrode 154 are laminated, and a non-doped layer with no impurities added is provided.
It consists of a -1-n junction structure.

When light with energy higher than the forbidden band width Eg (1.6 to 1.8 eV) is incident, p, as shown in FIG.
If both ends of n are short-circuited, a short-circuit photocurrent 1sc proportional to the amount of incident light will flow. The visible light sensor 150 takes advantage of this characteristic and connects both ends of p and n with a small load resistor, so that f2 is proportional to the amount of incident light, as shown in the illuminance-output voltage characteristic in FIG. Output voltage can be obtained.

In Fig. 16, the color sensor +61 has a color filter +60 arranged above the visible light sensor 150, and separates the incident light into each wavelength component by taking into consideration the characteristics of each color filter (see Figs. 1O and 11). After, visible light sensor 150
It is a structure that allows light to enter. Figure 13 shows its appearance. FIG. 14 shows the equal low circuit. As a result, from the output of the color sensor 161, a wavelength component corresponding to the characteristics of each filter is extracted as an output voltage. Therefore, it is possible to identify the color of the incident light from the numerical value of each output voltage and the voltage ratio of each color.

FIG. 1 shows a dry cleaner employing the turbidity detector of the embodiment. This dry cleaner performs washing using a 1-1-1 trichloroethane solvent.

In the figure, a dry cleaner 1 is equipped with a drum 2 that rotates at high speed in a washing tub, and a solvent supply path 4 and a drainage path 5 connected to a tuck 3 are connected to this washing tub, and a heater is also provided. A steam circuit 6 from a cooler (not shown) and a cooling water circuit 7 from a cooler (not shown) are connected. In addition, 8 is a solvent tank, 9 is a solvent pump, 10 is a distiller, 11 is a filter, 12 is a new liquid tank, 13 is a collection tank, 14 is a lint filter, 15 is a soap concentration sensor, 1
6 is a button trap.

In the washing operation, the solvent in the tank 3 is drained by opening the valve and
The circulation pump is operated to supply the solvent into the drum 2.

When the set liquid level is reached, the circulation pump is stopped, the valve is closed, and washing is carried out by reversing the drum 2 for f2 hours. In the dewatering operation, the valve is opened and the circulation pump is operated to return the solvent in the tram 2 to the tank 3.

In cleaning the solvent, the valve is opened, the circulation pump is operated, and the solvent in the tank 3 is passed through the filter 11 and returned to the tank 3, thereby performing a circulation operation. That is, the solvent is purified by passing it through the filter 11.

In this embodiment, the turbidity detector 20 is provided in the solvent circulation path, as shown in FIG. A bypass flow path 21 is provided in parallel with the turbidity detector 20, and a valve 22 for controlling the flow path is provided below the turbidity detector 20.

FIG. 3 shows a cross section of the temperature sensor 20 in the AA direction (horizontal direction). In the figure, a part of the pipe 30 through which the solvent flows is provided with a hole through which light passes from a light emitting element 31 and a color sensor 32 as a light receiving element. The hole part is sealed and Si glass 33 is attached to it, and the light emitting element 31 and S
i glass 33 and Si glass 33 and color sensor 32
A hood 34 whose inner surface is painted black is attached between the two. 35 is an amplifier circuit connected to the output side of the color sensor 32, and 36 is a protective case.

In this embodiment, a light emitting element having light emission characteristics corresponding to the wavelengths of the filter characteristics (see FIG. 11) of a three-color color sensor is used. Specifically, Yellow.

Green and Blue LEDs and cold cathode fluorescent lamps that match the light receiving spectrum characteristics of the color sensor are installed as light emitting elements other than LEDs. The output signal of the color sensor 32, which is a light receiving element, is logarithmically amplified as shown in FIG.
The ratio of e/Green, Yellow/Green, and the output signal of Green are sent to the microcomputer which is the controller. FIG. 4 is a system block diagram including a microcomputer. In the figure, a microcomputer 40 includes an A/D conversion section 41 and a color identification section 42, and receives an output signal from a color sensor 32 to identify the degree and color of turbidity, respectively. The microcomputer 40 includes a start button 43, various setting buttons 44, an external display device 45, a solvent filling button 46, and an EE button 44.
Signals are exchanged between the PROM 47 and the turbidity detection circuit 48.

The three-color color sensor signal processing circuit detects petroleum solvent contamination by blue/green, based on the illuminance of the green component (G).
This is a circuit that discriminates based on the yellow/green illuminance output ratio (see Figure 8), and is used as an illuminance meter to judge whether the output of a reference light source (for example, a fluorescent lamp exhibiting daylight white light) is weak or weak. ) is a circuit that utilizes the illuminance output.

Further, FIG. 6 shows a basic circuit for determining the dirt factor of petroleum solvent from the illuminance characteristics of blue component, green component, and yellow component. FIG. 5 shows a two-color color sensor signal processing circuit, which distinguishes petroleum solvent contamination elements using only blue and yellow components. FIG. 7 shows a circuit for determining the dirt factor of petroleum solvent from the illuminance output ratio of the blue component (Cy) and the yellow component (Ye).

This example has the following controls. That is, when replacing the solvent in the washing tub, the turbidity detector 20 identifies the degree of turbidity and color of the clean solvent, and detects the degree of turbidity and color of the clean solvent, specifically, Blue. /Gre
en, Yellow/Green ratio, Green
The output value is stored in EEPROM as a numerical value, and the output value from the turbidity detector 20 during washing operation is compared with the stored value, and the change in turbidity of the solvent and the color can be determined with higher precision. Has control to identify.

The characteristic diagram shown in Figure 12 is based on the output of each color with minimal stains when the solvent is replaced, when the solvent contains a lot of soap, when it contains a lot of water, and when it is caused by stains from clothes during washing. The turbidity characteristics of three types of cases are shown below. That is,
When a new liquid is used, the highly transparent solvent contains a large amount of soap, causing the color to change from green to yellow.
This shows the characteristic that the output of w becomes low. Green,
This shows the characteristic that the output of Blue and Yellow is uniformly low. In addition, stains from clothes during washing cause a lot of foreign matter to be mixed into the solvent, resulting in an overall color close to gray. Therefore, Green and Blue when a lot of water is contained.
e, shows a characteristic that the output is even lower than that of Yellow.

Additionally, this embodiment has the following mechanism and control.

In other words, if air bubbles are mixed into the solvent, the turbidity detector 2
The color sensor 32 has a mechanism and a control method that significantly reduce the inconvenience that the light from the light emitting element 31 of 0 hits the bubble and causes diffuse reflection, resulting in the inability to normally transmit the light to the color processor 32.

Initial setting of turbidity 1' Figure 19 is a flowchart showing the initial setting of the solvent measurement. This flowchart shows a control method for setting an initial value of turbidity during solvent replacement (solvent filling) in the dry cleaner 1, and a control method for reducing air bubbles in the solvent during turbidity detection.

To change the solvent in the dry cleaner l, press the solvent filling button 46.
By pressing , solvent supply to tank 3 is started (step 190). That is, the flow path switching valve V12 at the bottom of the turbidity detector 20 is opened (Step 191), and the flow path to the tank 3 is opened with the valve V13. Vll is opened and the circulation pump is activated (step 192).

Two minutes after the start of filling, the flow path switching valve V12 is closed (steps 193-194), the solvent is stored in the turbidity detector 20, and the solvent is supplied to the tank 3 through the bypass flow path 21. The setting of 2 minutes from the start includes the role of cleaning the surface of the S+ glass 33 of the turbidity detection section, in addition to stabilizing the flow rate of the pipe. Thirty seconds after the flow path switching valve V12 is closed, the turbidity of the solvent in the turbidity detector 20 is detected. Since the solvent in the turbidity detection section is not affected by the circulation pump due to the above-described flow path switching operation, it is calmed down, air bubbles in the solvent are removed, and the solvent is in the L state. The output of the turbidity detector 20 is Blue, Green, and Yellow.
The output voltage of each wavelength through each low filter 160,
That is, the output of the color processor 32 is sent to the logarithmic amplifier LA6.
600, and Bl based on the output of Green.
It is converted into an output value according to the ratio of ue/Green and Yellow/Green (step 195→196
). In order to measure the magnitude of illuminance (LL[X) to the color sensor 32, the output value of Green alone is detected. The reason why the logarithmic amplifier LAB600 is utilized in this embodiment is to realize measurement over a wide range regardless of the magnitude of lux.

Did you get it? : Each output of Blue, Green, and Yellow is subjected to A/D conversion by the A/D conversion section 41 of the microcomputer, and the detected values are written into the EEROM 47. These values correspond to turbidity with less fouling during solvent exchange. When detecting the turbidity of the solvent used in the washing operation, this initial value is used to identify the degree of stain progression with high accuracy.

Furthermore, step +9 to detect the upper limit of the liquid level in tank 3.
8) When the liquid level reaches the upper limit, open the flow path switching valve v12, stop the circulation pump, and close the valve V3. Close the Vll (step 199) and complete the solvent filling.

Detection of excessive soap content FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the first step of detecting excessive soap content. This flowchart shows a control that utilizes the turbidity detector 20 to stop the soap injection control when the soap content in the solvent is high, and to notify the outside that the soap content is high.

First, after setting soap injection, washing time, and drum liquid level on the operation panel of the dry cleaner (steps 200-201), the start button 43 is pressed to start the washing operation. As a result, the solvent in tank 3 is
Valve Vl, V6. Supply into the drum 3 by opening V12 and operating the circulation pump (step 202→2
03). At this time, the turbidity detection section detects S due to the passage of the solvent.
i The glass surface is cleaned. After 30 seconds have elapsed, the flow path control valve V12 at the bottom of the turbidity detector 20 is closed (steps 204→205), and the solvent is stored in the detector 20 to reduce bubbles contained in the solvent.

Thirty seconds after closing the flow path control valve V1.2, measure the turbidity. That is, Blue/Green (B
/ G)Yellow/Green(Y/G), Gr
Measure een(G).

Next, the turbidity measured at the time of solvent exchange, that is, the value of Bo/GoSYo/'GoSGo is read from the EEPROM 47 (step 208). When a large amount of soap is contained in the solvent, the blue and yellow wavelength outputs are lower than the green wavelength outputs, so the green wavelength outputs tend to become more noticeable as a whole. In particular, as the soap deteriorates, its characteristics become clearer. Therefore, in this embodiment, if the comparison with the initial detection value satisfies the following conditions, it is determined that the soap content is high.

B/ G< B0/ Go and Y/ G
<Yo/G.

When it is determined that the soap content is high, the soap injection setting is canceled (steps 209-211) to prevent the soap content in the solvent from increasing. Then, the "too much soap" indicator lamp 45 provided on the control panel is turned on to notify the user (step 212). When the turbidity detection is completed, the flow path control valve V12 is returned to open (step 213). When the liquid level in the drum 3 reaches the set liquid level, the supply of solvent from the tank 3 is stopped. That is, after stopping the circulation pump and closing each of the control valves Vl, V6, and V12 (step 216), and determining whether soap injection is set or not,
If there is no setting, the process moves to drum reversal control (step 217).
-218). After executing the washing operation for a predetermined time, the washing operation control is ended (step 219). In addition, step 2
If there is a setting for soap injection in step 17, the soap injection is performed (step 220), and the process moves to step 218.

(G) Effects of the Invention According to this invention, (1) By detecting the turbidity of a solvent and identifying it by a change in color, it is possible to determine whether the turbidity is due to excessive soap content or excessive water content. It is possible to identify with high accuracy whether it is caused by soiling or stains on clothes.

(2) The flow path switching valve and its control method can significantly reduce air bubbles contained in the solvent during turbidity detection.As a result, errors in turbidity detection due to diffused reflection of light can be prevented, and high accuracy can be achieved. Identification results can be obtained.

(3) By storing the turbidity detection value at the time of solvent exchange, it is possible to accurately grasp how the turbidity changes during washing compared to the initial state. Furthermore, even if the user changes the type of solvent, turbidity detection is automatically performed on the control side when replacing the solvent, so identification is performed with high accuracy regardless of whether the turbidity is detected or the type of solvent.

(4) The output from the turbidity detector can prevent erroneous operations such as adding more soap even though the soap content is high, and can prevent damage to clothes during washing.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a dry cleaner that is an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the turbidity detection section shown in Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the turbidity detection section shown in Fig. 1.
The figure is a cross-sectional view of the turbidity detector, Figure 4 is a system block diagram of the microcomputer, Figure 5 is a two-color color sensor signal processing circuit,
Figure 6 shows a three-color color sensor signal processing circuit, Figure 7 shows a two-color color sensor signal processing circuit based on illumination ratio, Figure 8 shows a three-color color sensor signal processing circuit based on illumination ratio, and Figure 9 shows a three-color color sensor signal processing circuit based on illuminance ratio. 2.3 color sensor signal processing circuit, 10th
Figure 11 is an explanatory diagram showing spectral sensitivity using a two-color color sensor, Figure 11 is an explanatory diagram showing spectral sensitivity using a three-color color sensor, Figure 12 is an explanatory diagram showing color specific power value characteristics, and Figure 13 is an explanatory diagram showing spectral sensitivity using a three-color color sensor. 14 is an equivalent circuit diagram of FIG. 13, FIG. 15 is a sectional view showing the structure of the visible light sensor, and FIG. 16 is an equivalent circuit diagram of FIG.
The figure is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of an amorphous color sensor, Figure 17 is an explanatory diagram showing the band structure of an amorphous optical sensor, Figure 18 is an illuminance-output voltage characteristic diagram, and Figure 19 is an initial setting of solvent turbidity. Flowchart FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a process for detecting excessive sorb content. ]...Try cleaner, 2...Drum, 3...Tank, 4...Liquid supply path, 5
...Drainage path, 6... Steam circuit, 7... Cooling water circuit, 20... Turbidity detector, 21... Bypass line, 22... Channel Switching valve, 31...
- Light emitting element, 32...color sensor. 12 Fig. 3g 13 Fig. 36: I'm sorry - Fig. 6 rrl) 600()m) Seigo Figure 12 Figure 14 Figure 15 Museum Figure 16

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. In a dry cleaner in which a drum rotating at low or high speed is provided in a washing tub, and a supply path and a drainage path of a solvent circulation path connected to a tank are connected to the washing tub, light is transmitted in the middle of the solvent circulation path. A window is provided, and a light-emitting element that emits light of multiple colors is placed on one side with the light-transmitting window sandwiched therebetween.
On the other hand, a light-receiving element formed by combining a visible light sensor made of amorphous silicon with a photovoltaic effect and a color filter corresponding to each of the emitted light colors is arranged, whereby the turbidity of the solvent flowing in the pipe can be detected. A turbidity detection device for a dry cleaner, comprising a turbidity detector and further comprising means for notifying the turbidity detected by the turbidity detector. 2. In the turbidity detection device according to claim 1, a bypass flow path is provided in parallel with the turbidity detection flow path in which the turbidity detection device is provided, and a bypass flow path is provided in the flow path on the liquid supply side with respect to the turbidity detector. A turbidity detection device for a dry cleaner comprising a switching valve for switching a turbidity detection flow path to a bypass flow path and thereby calming the flow of a solvent in the turbidity detector.