JPH04224796A - Automatic washing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily supply hot water into a washing tub in the title system which heightens a washing effect by using hot water at least in washing step. CONSTITUTION:A feedwater valve 12 which controls hot water supply into a washing tub 3, and a control part 19 which controls switching of the feedwater valve 12 and output of a heater 14 of a hot water heater 13 are provided. And the control part 19 detects a hot water temperature of the hot water heater 13 with a temp. sensor 18 and supplies water hot enough for washing step into a tub 3.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic washing system that appropriately controls both an automatic washing machine and a water heater.

0002

[Prior Art] A conventional automatic washing machine, as shown in FIG.
The water supply side (water supply valve) of the automatic washing machine 1 and the water pipe 4 are connected with the water supply hose 2, and the water supply valve is opened before the washing process and the rinsing process to supply tap water from the water pipe 4 into the washing tub. However, when the water level in the washing tub reaches a predetermined water level, a washing process or a rinsing process is performed.

On the other hand, since warm water has higher detergency than tap water (cold water), hot water is supplied into the washing tub instead of tap water before the washing process, and the high detergency of hot water is used to wash the clothes. There were times when I did this.

0004

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in conventional automatic washing machines, hot water cannot be easily supplied into the washing tub like tap water, and labor is required to use the hot water. It had

[0005] Furthermore, when the automatic washing machine 1 is installed outdoors, there is a problem in that the water remaining in the water supply hose 2 freezes in cold weather.

[0006] In view of the above-mentioned problems, the first object of the present invention is to enable hot water to be easily supplied into a washing tub and to improve the usability of hot water.

The second purpose is to prevent residual water in the water supply hose from freezing during cold weather.

[0008]

[Means for Solving the Problems] A first means of the present invention for achieving the above first object is to provide a control section that automatically executes processes such as washing, rinsing, water supply and drainage, and an automatic washing machine. A water heater connected to the water supply side and a temperature sensor that detects the hot water temperature of the water heater are provided, and the control unit compares the hot water temperature set for each process with the hot water temperature from the temperature sensor, It controls the output or flow rate of the heater of the water heater.

A second means of the present invention for achieving the second object is to provide a small output heater separate from the heater of the water heater, and a switch for operating the small output heater. It is the composition.

0010

According to the first means, the control section starts supplying water immediately before the washing process, and hot water is supplied from the water heater into the washing tub. At this time, the control unit detects the temperature of the water in the water heater using a temperature sensor, and controls the output or flow rate of the heater so that the temperature of the water in the water heater becomes a pre-stored water temperature suitable for the washing process.

According to the second means, if the small output heater is operated by operating the switch, the side of the water supply hose connected to the water heater is also warmed even in cold weather, and the inside of the water supply hose is heated. Prevents residual water from freezing.

0012

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

In the figure, 1 is an automatic washing machine, and a washing tub 3 is provided inside. A rotatable stirring blade 5 is arranged at the inner bottom of the washing tub 3, and the rotation of a motor 6 is transmitted via a mechanical mechanism 7. The mechanical mechanism 7 controls the rotation of the motor 6 by the stirring blade 5.
and the washing tub 3. In addition, a cloth amount sensor 20 detects the amount of cloth by detecting the rotation speed of the motor, electromotive force, etc.
has been established. Water level sensor 8 detects the water level in washing tub 3 based on pressure changes in air reservoir 9. In addition, the drain valve 10
An optical sensor 11 consisting of a light emitting element and a light receiving element is provided on the drain cock to which the drain cock is attached. A water supply valve 12 is arranged above the washing tub 3, and the water supply valve 12 is connected to a water heater 13 through a water supply hose 2. A heater 14 is provided in the water heater 13 to turn tap water into hot water from the water pipe 4.
4, the heating output is controlled by the drive unit 15. Heater 14
A small output heater 16 installed in parallel with the heater 16 is connected to an AC power source via a switch 17. 18 is a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of hot water in the water heater. 19 is a control unit,
The washing, rinsing, dehydration, water supply, and drainage processes are carried out by motor 6,
This is executed by controlling the loads on the drain valve 10, water supply valve 12, and heater 14, and the water level sensor 8, light sensor 1
1. Each load is controlled based on the temperature sensor 18 and cloth amount sensor 20.

Next, the control performed by the control section 19 during the washing process will be explained with reference to FIG. When the water supply valve 12 is opened in steps 21, 22, and 23, the water temperature from the temperature sensor 18 is set at a predetermined temperature in step 22 (temperature determined from washing efficiency and economy of energy consumed by the water heater heat source).
The heater 14 is turned on and off by the drive unit 15 so that
F. Then, in step 24, when the water level sensor 8 detects a predetermined water level, the water supply valve 12 is closed;
The motor 6 is driven in forward and reverse directions to rotate the stirring blades 5 in forward and reverse directions. In step 26, the optical sensor 11 detects whether the light transmittance of the liquid in the washing tub 3 has become less than a predetermined value. If it is less than the predetermined value, it is determined that the dirt has sufficiently dissolved. At the same time, the drain valve 10 is opened to perform a drain operation. In step 28, it is determined whether a predetermined time sufficient for draining has elapsed, and if the predetermined time has elapsed, the drain valve 10 is closed in step 29.

Next, the control of the rinsing process will be explained with reference to FIG. In step 30, the water supply valve 12 is opened to start water supply. Then, in steps 31, 32, and 33, the heater 14 is controlled so that the water temperature is suitable for rinsing, and when a predetermined water level is reached in step 34, the motor 6 is rotated in forward and reverse directions (step 35). And step 3
When the light transmittance reaches a predetermined level or higher (sufficient rinsing state) by the optical sensor 11 in step 6, the motor 6 is stopped in step 37, the drain valve 10 is opened to drain water, and the draining operation is ended after a predetermined period of time has elapsed.

As described above, in this embodiment, the washing process,
Hot water used in the rinsing process can be supplied by the water heater 13,
Moreover, it can be performed automatically in conjunction with washing and rinsing operations.

Next, the switch 17 of the small output heater 16 will be explained. That is, if the switch 17 is turned on in cold weather when the washing operation is not being performed, the small output heater 16 is activated and the water in the water heater 13 and the water in the water supply hose 2 are maintained at a temperature at which they do not freeze. be able to.

In this embodiment, the water heater 13 was operated during the rinsing process, but the desired cleaning effect can be obtained by operating the water heater 13 at least during the washing process.

Further, although the rinsing step is an overflow rinsing, it goes without saying that it can also be applied to a preliminary rinsing.

[0020]

[Effects of the Invention] As is clear from the above embodiments, the present invention provides the following effects.

(1) Hot water with excellent detergency can be easily supplied from a water heater, and washing time can be shortened without requiring any labor.

(2) Efficient and reasonable washing becomes possible by using hot water set at a reasonable and economical temperature.

(3) Water in the water supply hose can be prevented from freezing during cold weather.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an automatic washing system showing an embodiment of the present invention.

[Figure 2] Flowchart of the same washing process

[Figure 3] Flowchart of the same rinsing process

[Figure 4] Configuration diagram of a conventional automatic washing machine

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Automatic washing machine 2 Water supply hose 3. Washing tub 12 Water supply valve 13　Water heater 14　Heating device 16. Small output heater 17 Switch 18 Temperature sensor 19 Control section

Claims (2)

[Claims] Claim 1: A control unit that automatically executes processes such as washing, rinsing, water supply and drainage, a water heater connected to the water supply side of the automatic washing machine, and a temperature sensor that detects the water temperature of the water heater,
The automatic washing system is configured such that the control unit compares the water temperature set for each process with the water temperature from the temperature sensor and controls the output or flow rate of the heater of the water heater. 2. The automatic washing system according to claim 1, further comprising a small-output heater separate from the heater of the water heater, and a switch for operating the small-output heater.