JPH04329999A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To carry out an appropriate washing according to stained degree of washing clothes and realize an appropriate automation of washing. CONSTITUTION:A washing machine is provided as the feature thereof with a transmittance detector 16 checking the optical transmittance of washing water in the washing tank 2, 3, detectors 25, 26 checking the figures relative to the dissolved condition of previously dissolved detergent fed into the washing tanks 2, 3, a correction means 17 adjusting the change of optical transmission detected by the transmittance detector 16 in accordance with the detected value by the detectors 25, 26, and further a controller 17 regulating the washing process in accordance with the change of corrected optical transmission.

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 washing machines.

0003

[Prior Art] When washing, it is necessary to set the washing time, amount of detergent, amount of water, etc. depending on the amount of laundry and how dirty it is. Improvements are desperately needed in order to automate the process.

[0004] For this reason, it is conceivable to focus on changes in the light transmittance of the washing liquid as washing progresses and to control the washing process based on the light transmittance of the washing liquid. Specifically, for example, focusing on the fact that the heavier the dirt is, the greater the drop in light transmittance due to dirt removal, the system determines the level of dirt based on the magnitude of the drop in light transmittance and controls the washing process. That's what I do.

[0005]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in addition to the components that remove stains from the laundry, factors that reduce the light transmittance of laundry fluids include components that are dissolved in detergents (excluding liquid detergents) in the laundry fluids. be. For this reason, simply determining the degree of contamination based on the magnitude of the decrease in light transmittance of the washing liquid does not provide an accurate judgment, and there is a risk that proper washing may not be performed.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine that can perform washing appropriately depending on the level of dirt, and can contribute to proper automation of washing.

[Configuration of the invention]

[0008]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a transmittance detection means for detecting the light transmittance of the washing liquid in the washing tub, and a transmittance detecting means for detecting the light transmittance of the washing liquid in the washing tub. a detection means for detecting a value related to the dissolution state of the detergent; a correction means for correcting a change in light transmittance detected by the transmittance detection means based on the value detected by the detection means; and the correction means A control means for controlling the washing process based on the change in light transmittance corrected by the change in light transmittance.

[0009]

[Operation] The detergent to be put into the washing tub is dissolved in advance using a detergent dissolving device or the like before the washing process. At this time, the state of detergent dissolution in the detergent dissolving device or the like depends on the water temperature, the amount of water supplied, and the like. If the water temperature is too low or the amount of water supplied is too low to dissolve the detergent sufficiently in the detergent dissolving device, some of the detergent that passes through the detergent dissolving device and enters the washing tub will dissolve during the washing process. The change in light transmittance detected by the transmittance detection means includes the change in detergent dissolution. Therefore, by detecting the water temperature or the flow rate of supplied water using a detection means as a value related to the state of detergent dissolution in the detergent dissolving device, it is possible to know how much detergent is dissolved in the detergent dissolving device, etc. The change in light transmittance due to the detergent can be estimated from the change in light transmittance detected by the rate detection means. Therefore, by correcting the change in light transmittance detected by the transmittance detection means based on the value of the water temperature or flow rate detected by the detection means, stains on laundry can be detected from the corrected change in light transmittance. It is possible to accurately detect the condition of the laundry, allowing for appropriate washing according to the degree of dirt.

0010

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

FIG. 1(a) shows the overall schematic structure of a washing machine. In the figure, 1 is the main body of the washing machine, 2 is a washing tub elastically suspended by a suspension 4 (hereinafter also referred to as an outer tank), and 3 is a washing tub that also serves as a dehydration tank for washing and dehydrating clothes (hereinafter referred to as an inner tank). ), a large number of holes 5 for draining water are bored in the side surface of the peripheral wall, and a fluid balancer 6 is installed in the upper part.
is provided. A pulsator 7 is provided at the bottom of the inner tank 3 to stir the clothes and water. The mechanism unit that drives the pulsator 7 is composed of a stirring motor 8 and a mechanical case 9 that incorporates a brake and clutch mechanism.

A water supply hose 11 is installed at the top of the washing machine main body 1.
A detergent dissolving device 10 connected to is installed. The detergent is dissolved in advance in the detergent dissolving device 10 before the washing process. Further, a drain hose 13 having a drain valve 12 is attached to the bottom of the outer tank 2. The drain valve 12 is closed during the washing process, water supply process, and rinsing process. Outer tank 2
A light-transmitting material is used for a part of the bottom part, and a transmittance detection device 16 as a transmittance detection means composed of a light emitting element 14 and a light receiving element 15 is installed in this part. The inner tank 3, which has a large number of holes 5 for draining water, has a light emitting element 14.
It has a function as a blocking part that prevents laundry from entering between the light emitting element 14 and the light receiving element 15.
5, only the washing liquid and the rinsing liquid enter, and the light transmittance thereof is detected. Moreover, an electronic circuit unit 17 containing a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as microcomputer) serving as a correction means and a control means is installed at the upper part of the washing machine main body 1.

FIG. 1(b) shows the structure of the detergent dissolving device 10. 18 is an injection valve, 19 is an inlet, 21 is a water outlet, 22 is a water outlet valve, 23 is a blade for promoting dissolution, and 24 is a detergent dissolving motor that drives the blade 23, and the inside of the dissolving tank and the water supply hose 11 are A water temperature sensor 25 and a flow rate sensor 26 are installed in each section as detection means for detecting values related to the dissolution state of the detergent, respectively.

Next, the operation of the washing machine when the water temperature sensor 25 is used as a detection means for detecting a value related to the dissolved state of detergent in the detergent dissolving device 10 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4.

FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) show the detergent dissolving device 10.
The figure shows the process and the change in light transmittance when the water temperature is too low to dissolve the detergent sufficiently. In the graph of light transmittance change in FIG. 2(b), the broken line represents the light transmittance change characteristic when sufficient detergent dissolution is obtained in the detergent dissolving device 10. From the characteristics shown in this figure, the washing tub 2,
3, the change in light transmittance detected by the transmittance detection device 16 includes the change in light transmittance due to the detergent.

FIG. 3 shows a control flowchart by the microcomputer.

When washing is started (step 30), the required amount of detergent is put into the detergent dissolving device 10 in the water supply process, and the injection valve 18 is opened to inject water into the detergent dissolving device 10 (step 31). The detergent dissolving motor 24 is driven to dissolve the detergent, and the water outlet valve 22 is opened to supply water to the washing tubs 2 and 3 together with the dissolved detergent (step 3).
2). During this water supply process, the water temperature inside the detergent dissolving device 10 is detected by the water temperature sensor 25 (step 33). Washing tub 2
, 3 has reached a predetermined water level, the stirring motor 8 is driven, and the process shifts to the washing process (step 3).
4,35). After moving to the washing process, the transmittance detection device 16 detects a change in the light transmittance of the washing liquid (step 36). If the above-mentioned detected water temperature is below the predetermined value determined experimentally (YES in step 37), a correction is made by subtracting the experimentally determined light transmittance change of the detergent from the detected light transmittance change (step 38). , detecting dirt on the laundry from the corrected change in light transmittance (step 39). If the detected water temperature is higher than the predetermined value (NO in step 37)
), the dirt on the laundry is detected from the detected light transmittance. Then, based on this detection result, washing control such as washing time is executed (step 40).

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between water temperature and detergent dissolution in the detergent dissolving device 10.

Next, FIGS. 5 to 7 show the operation of the washing machine when the flow rate sensor 26 is used as a detection means for detecting a value related to the state of detergent dissolution in the detergent dissolving device 10.
Explain using.

FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) show the detergent dissolving device 10.
The graphs respectively show the changes in the process and light transmittance when the flow rate is too low to achieve sufficient detergent dissolution, or when the flow rate is too high. In the graph of light transmittance change in FIG. 5(b), the broken line represents the light transmittance change characteristic when sufficient washing dissolution is obtained in the detergent dissolving device 10. From the characteristics shown in this figure, it can be seen that some of the detergent that passes through the detergent dissolving device 10 and is thrown into the washing tubs 2 and 3 without being dissolved causes a change in the light transmittance detected by the transmittance detecting device 16. Includes changes in light transmittance due to detergent.

FIG. 6 shows a control flowchart by the microcomputer.

In this control, during the water supply process, the flow rate sensor 26 detects the flow rate of water injected into the detergent dissolving device 10 (step 44). After moving to the washing process, the light transmittance of the washing liquid is detected by the transmittance detection device 16 in the same manner as described above. and,
If the flow rate detected by the flow rate sensor 26 is within the predetermined range determined experimentally (YES in step 48), a correction is made by subtracting the experimentally determined light transmittance change of the detergent from the detected light transmittance change (step 49). , the dirt on the laundry is detected from the corrected change in light transmittance (step 50). If the detected flow rate is greater than or equal to the predetermined value (N in step 48)
O) Detecting dirt on the laundry from the detected light transmittance. Then, based on this detection result, washing control such as washing time is executed (step 51).

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the relationship between the flow rate of water injected into the detergent dissolving device 10 and solubility. FIG. 8 shows a control flowchart by a microcomputer when both water temperature and flow rate are used as values related to the dissolved state of detergent in the detergent dissolving device 10.

In this control, the water temperature and water injection flow rate of the detergent dissolving device 10 are detected by the water temperature sensor 25 and flow rate sensor 26 during the water supply process (step 55). After moving to the washing process, the light transmittance of the washing liquid is detected by the transmittance detection device 16 in the same manner as described above (step 58). If the water temperature is below a predetermined value determined by experiment, or if the flow rate is within a predetermined range determined by experiment (YES in step 59), the first correction means determines the change in light transmittance determined by experiment. Make a correction by subtracting the change in light transmittance of detergent (
Step 60), detecting dirt on the laundry from the change in light transmittance after correction (Step 63). If the detected water temperature is below a predetermined value determined by experiment and the flow rate is both within the predetermined range (YES in step 61), the second correction means increases the correction subtracted from the detected transmittance change ( Step 62), and detecting dirt on the laundry (Step 63). If the detected water temperature and flow rate are both greater than a predetermined value, dirt on the laundry is detected from the detected change in transmittance. Then, based on this detection result, washing control such as washing time is executed (step 64). Since this control uses both water temperature and flow rate, the state of detergent dissolution in the detergent dissolving device 10 can be detected more accurately. Therefore, more accurate washing control can be achieved.

In each of the embodiments described above, the values to be corrected from the detected water temperature and flow rate may be calculated using fuzzy theory, and FIG. 9 shows the membership function in this case.

[0026]

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention,
A value related to the dissolved state of the detergent that is dissolved in advance and put into the washing tub is detected, and the change in light transmittance detected by the light transmittance detection means is corrected based on the detected value. Since the washing process is controlled based on the change in light transmittance, it is possible to correct the change in light transmittance due to detergent dissolution among the changes in light transmittance detected by the transmittance detection means. It is possible to accurately detect the degree of soiling of objects, and it is possible to perform appropriate washing according to the degree of soiling, thereby contributing to appropriate automation of laundry.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a washing machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the light transmittance change characteristics and process of washing liquid when the water temperature is low.

FIG. 3 is a control flowchart when a water temperature sensor is used as a detection means.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between water temperature and detergent solubility in a detergent dissolving device.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the light transmittance change characteristics and process of washing liquid when the flow rate is small.

FIG. 6 is a control flowchart when a flow rate sensor is used as a detection means.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the relationship between water injection flow rate and detergent solubility.

FIG. 8 is a control flowchart when both a water temperature sensor and a flow rate sensor are used as detection means.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing membership functions when fuzzy theory is used as a correction means.

[Explanation of symbols]

2, 3 Washing tub 10 Detergent dissolving device 16 Transmittance detection device (transmittance detection means) 17 Electronic circuit unit with built-in microcomputer serving as correction means and control means 25 Water temperature sensor (detection means) 26 Flow rate sensor (detection means)

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Transmittance detection means for detecting the light transmittance of the washing liquid in the washing tub; and detection means for detecting a value related to the dissolved state of the detergent that has been dissolved in advance and is put into the washing tub. a correction means for correcting a change in light transmittance detected by the transmittance detection means based on a value detected by the detection means, and a washing process based on the change in light transmittance corrected by the correction means. A washing machine characterized by having a control means for controlling the washing machine.