JPH04259494A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable laundry to be washed without leaving unwashed portion and without causing damage to the laundry due to excessive washing. CONSTITUTION:The degree of washing water contamination is detected by a contamination degree detection means, and a rinsing process is performed by a control means using a stronger water flow than before, upon completion of a washing process. When contamination equal to or above the prescribed level is judged to exist on the basis of the result of detection with the aforesaid contamination degree detection means, the control means extends the washing process. On the other hand, control is so made as to finish the washing process, when the contamination is judged to be less than the prescribed level.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[Object of the invention]

0002

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a washing machine which has been improved so that washing can be carried out sufficiently and appropriately.

0003

[Prior Art] In recent years, washing machines detect the quantity and quality of laundry to determine the required water level, water flow, time, etc.
A device is available that executes laundry according to the determined contents.

0004

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, even with the above-mentioned washing machine, there are cases where it appears that dirt remains on the laundry after washing, which leaves some dissatisfaction. or,
Although there were no stains left on the laundry, there were cases where it was obvious that it had been washed too much and was severely damaged.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an excellent washing machine that can wash laundry adequately and appropriately.

[Configuration of the invention]

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the washing machine of the present invention is equipped with a dirt level detection means for detecting the dirt level of washing water, and at the end of the washing process, the washing machine When it is determined that a predetermined amount of dirt or more has come out as a result of the detection by the dirt level detection means, the washing process is extended, and when it is determined that no more than the predetermined amount of dirt has come out, the washing process is extended. The present invention is characterized in that it includes a control means for controlling the end of the washing process.

[0008]

[Operation] At the end of the washing process, if more dirt than a predetermined amount appears in the washing water by washing with a stronger water flow than before, it is considered that the laundry still contains dirt. In this case, by extending the washing process, the laundry can be sufficiently washed.

[0009] On the other hand, if washing with a strong water stream at the end of the washing process described above does not result in more dirt than the specified amount coming out of the washing water, then the laundry no longer contains dirt or It seems that the dirt does not come off even after washing. In this case, by completing the washing process, damage to the laundry can be suppressed.

[0010] Such an operation can be carried out in the present invention by providing a contamination level detection means and a control means.

[0011]

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

First, FIG. 2 shows an outer box 1 of the entire washing machine, and an outer tub 2 is disposed inside. The outer tank 2 is provided with a drive mechanism 4 mainly including a motor 3, a drain valve 5, and a drain hose 6 on its outer lower part, and has an inner tank 7 inside which is rotated by the drive mechanism 4 during dewatering. has been set up. Note that the inner tank 7 has a large number of dehydration holes 8 formed in its peripheral wall. Further, at the inner bottom of the outer tank 2, a light transmittance sensor 9 is disposed as a contamination level detection means, which is composed of a light emitting element such as a light emitting diode and a light receiving element such as a phototransistor. Further, in the inner tub 7, an agitator 10 is disposed which is rotated by the drive mechanism 3 during washing.

On the other hand, a top cover 11 is mounted on the outer box 1, and a water supply valve 12 for supplying water into the inner tank 7 (inside the outer tank 2) and an outer tank are installed inside the rear of the top cover 11. Within 2 (
A water level sensor 13 is provided to detect the water level in the inner tank 7). Further, a control device 14 serving as a control means is disposed inside the front portion of the top cover 11.

Specifically, the control device 14 is constituted by a microcomputer, and as shown in FIG. A current detection signal is input from the current sensor 16 provided to detect the rotation speed of the motor 3, a rotation speed detection signal is input from the rotation speed sensor 17 provided to detect the rotation speed of the motor 3, and a water level detection signal is input from the water level sensor 13. A dirt level detection signal is input from the light transmittance sensor 9, and the water supply valve 12, motor 3, and drive mechanism 4 are controlled according to these inputs and a pre-stored control program. A display section 1 consisting of an electromagnet 18 that is used for the clutch that does not operate and is also used for the drain valve 5, and various indicators.
Drive devices 20, 21, 22, 2 that drive 9 respectively
A drive control signal is given to the drive control signal 3. In this case, the drive device 21 that drives the motor 7 is an inverter device that can arbitrarily set the rotational speed of the motor 7.

The overall operation based on the control of the control device 14 will be described below with reference to FIG.

That is, when the control device 14 starts its operation, it first determines whether or not the start switch has been operated (step S1). Here, if it is determined that the start switch has been operated, the water supply valve 12 is opened,
Supply water to the inner tank 7 (outer tank 2) up to the detection water level (
Step S2).

Next, the amount of laundry is determined (step S3). This determination of the amount of laundry is performed, for example, by detecting the load current flowing through the motor 3 using the current sensor 16 when the motor 3 is started and the laundry is stirred by the agitator 10.

Next, the necessary water level is set based on the detection result (step S4), and then the water supply valve 12 is opened again.
is opened and water is supplied to the inner tank 7 (outer tank 2) up to the set water level (step S5).

Next, the quality of the laundry is determined (step S6). The quality of the laundry can be determined by, for example, starting the motor 3 and stirring the laundry with the agitator 10.
This is done by detecting variations in the rotational speed for each forward rotation and each reverse rotation using the rotational speed sensor 17.

Next, based on the detection results, settings are made for the required water flow strength and washing process time, as well as the rinsing process time and number of times, the dehydration process time, etc. (Step S
7) After that, washing is performed according to the set contents (step S8).

On the other hand, in the light transmittance sensor 9, the light receiving element receives the light emitted by the light emitting element through the washing water in the outer tub 2, and
A signal corresponding to the amount of received light is generated as a washing water dirt level detection signal. In this case, the greater the amount of light received by the light-receiving element, the greater the degree of contamination detection signal is emitted, and the amount of received light depends on the degree of contamination of the washing water, and decreases as the degree of contamination increases.

FIG. 4 shows the change in the permeability of washing water when washing is carried out as described above.
At the beginning of the washing process, the degree of dirt removal from the laundry is large, so the permeability of the washing water rapidly decreases. However, as time progresses, the degree of removal of dirt from the laundry becomes smaller, and the change in the permeability of washing water gradually decreases.

In such a situation, the control device 14 judges whether the time at which the washing process ends has been reached (
In step S9), washing continues until it is determined that the end time has been reached, but if it is determined that the end time has been reached (time t1 in FIG. 4), the rotation speed of the motor 3 is increased by, for example, 1 .Wash the water with a strong stream of water for a certain period of time, for example, 30 seconds, with the water heated to about 2 times the water level (step S).
10).

After a certain period of time has elapsed (time t2 in FIG. 4), the detection signal from the light transmittance sensor 9 is checked to determine whether there has been a change of more than a predetermined degree in the dirtiness (transmittance) of the washing water. That is, it is further determined whether a predetermined amount or more of dirt has come out (step S11), and if it is determined that there has been a predetermined change or more, the washing process is extended for a predetermined period of time, for example, one minute (step S12).

After this certain period of time has elapsed (time t3 in FIG.
), the above steps S10 and S11 are repeated, and if it is determined in step S11 that the degree of dirtiness (permeability) of the washing water has not changed by more than a predetermined value, the washing process is ended (step S13, FIG. 4). middle time t4). or,
At this time, if it is determined that the degree of dirtiness (permeability) of the washing water has changed beyond a predetermined value, the washing process is further extended for a certain period of time. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S11 that the degree of dirtiness (permeability) of the washing water has not changed by a predetermined amount or more from the beginning, the washing process is immediately ended (step S13).

[0026] In this configuration, at the end of the washing process, by performing washing with a more powerful water flow than before, it is possible to detect whether the washing water contains more than a predetermined amount of dirt as detected by the light transmittance sensor 9. If it is determined that
Since the laundry still contains dirt, the laundry can be thoroughly washed by extending the washing process in this case.

On the other hand, if it is determined that no more than a predetermined amount of dirt has appeared in the washing water based on the execution of washing with a strong water stream at the end of the washing process described above and the detection result by the light transmittance sensor 9, the washing Either the item no longer contains the stain or the stain does not come off with further washing, in which case finishing the wash cycle avoids further washing of the item and reduces spoilage. be able to.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings, but is particularly applicable to the specific structure of the dirt level detection means and the specific structure of the means for detecting the quantity and quality of laundry. The configuration, the presence or absence of a means for detecting the quantity and quality of the laundry, and other points may be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0029]

Effects of the Invention As is clear from the above description, the washing machine of the present invention is equipped with a dirt level detection means for detecting the dirt level of washing water, and also washes with a stronger water flow at the end of the washing process. The washing process is extended when it is determined that a predetermined amount of dirt or more has come out based on the detection result of the dirt level detection means, and the washing process is ended when it is determined that no more than a predetermined amount of dirt has been found. The washing machine is characterized by being equipped with a control means for carrying out control such that the laundry can be washed sufficiently and appropriately, and the problem of unwashed items can be solved, and the problem of damage to the laundry can be solved. It has an excellent effect of eliminating the problem.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1: Flowchart of overall operation showing one embodiment of the present invention.

[Figure 2] Longitudinal side view of the overall configuration

[Figure 3] Schematic electrical configuration diagram

[Figure 4] Diagram showing changes over time in the degree of contamination of washing water

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference numeral 9 indicates a light transmittance sensor (stain level detection means), and 14 indicates a control device (control means).

Claims (1)

[Claims] [Claim 1] A dirt level detection means for detecting the dirt level of the washing water is provided, and at the end of the washing process, washing is performed with a stronger water flow than before, and based on the detection result of the dirt level detection means, A washing machine characterized by comprising a control means for extending the washing process when it is determined that a predetermined amount of dirt has been removed, and terminating the washing process when it is judged that no more than a predetermined amount of dirt has been removed. .