JPH04341298A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To execute the appropriate washing corresponding to a dirty state of the washing, and to realize the correct automatization of washing. CONSTITUTION:This washing machine constitutes a characteristic feature of having a detergent dissolving means 10 which is provided in a feed water passage to washing tanks 2, 3, dissolves a detergent in advance and throws it into the concerned washing tanks 2, 3, and also, dissolves portion undissolves get, while holding it temporarily, a flow rate detecting means for detecting a feed water flow rate to the detergent dissolving means 10, a flow rate control means for controlling intermittently feed water to the detergent dissolving means 10 in a turn-on/turn-off ratio corresponding to the feed wafer flow rate detected by the flow rate detecting means, and a process control means 17 for controlling a washing process, based on a light transmissivity variation of a washing liquid detected by a transmissivity detecting means 16.

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 includes a transmittance detecting means for detecting the light transmittance of the washing liquid in the washing tub, and a transmittance detecting means disposed in the water supply channel to the washing tub. Detergent dissolving means for dissolving detergent in advance and dissolving it in the washing tub while temporarily retaining undissolved portions, flow rate detection means for detecting the flow rate of water supplied to the detergent dissolution means, and the flow rate detection means a flow rate control means that intermittently controls the water supply to the detergent dissolving means at an on/off ratio according to the water supply flow rate detected by the washing machine based on the change in light transmittance detected by the transmittance detection means; The gist is to have a stroke control means for controlling the stroke.

[0009]

[Operation] Before the washing process, the detergent to be put into the washing tub is dissolved in advance by the detergent dissolving means and then supplied to the washing tub. At this time, since the detergent dissolving means has a function of temporarily retaining undissolved content, when water is continuously supplied to the detergent dissolving means, bubbles are continuously generated inside the detergent dissolving means, and the water is continuously supplied to the detergent dissolving means. The flow rate of the water is reduced by the bubbles, which slows down the progress of detergent dissolution. On the other hand, by supplying water intermittently while eliminating bubbles while the water supply is stopped, a decrease in the flow velocity can be prevented. However, the water pressure of ordinary household tap water is 0.3 kg/cm2 ~ 1
The width is as wide as 0 kg/cm2, and this causes a considerable difference in the flow rate of water supply. Therefore, the water supply flow rate to the detergent dissolving means is detected, and the on/off mode is adjusted according to the detected water supply flow rate.
By controlling the water supply intermittently at the off ratio, differences in tap water pressure are compensated for and a sufficient flow rate is ensured to advance detergent dissolution. The undissolved portion of the detergent is temporarily held within the detergent dissolving means, and is gradually dissolved by the supplied water at a sufficient flow rate and supplied to the washing tub. in this way,
By dissolving the detergent and supplying it to the washing tub before the washing process, the change in light transmittance of the washing liquid detected by the transmittance detection means includes the amount of change in light transmittance caused by the dissolution of the detergent. The dirt level of the laundry can be accurately detected, allowing the laundry to be carried out appropriately depending on the dirt level.

0010

Embodiments Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be explained based on the drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 5 are diagrams showing one embodiment of the present invention. First, FIG. 1 shows the overall schematic configuration 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 as a detergent dissolving means connected to is installed. Detergent is dissolved in advance in the detergent dissolving device 10 before the washing process, and the detergent is poured into the washing tubs 2 and 3 together with the dissolved detergent.
Water is being supplied to the area. 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. A translucent material is used for a part of the bottom of the outer tank 2, 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. Inner tank 3 with a large number of holes 5 for draining water
has a function as a blocking part that prevents laundry from entering between the light emitting element 14 and the light receiving element 15, and only the washing liquid and the rinsing liquid are placed between the light emitting element 14 and the light receiving element 15. The light transmittance is detected. An electronic circuit unit 17 containing a built-in microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as microcomputer) serving as stroke control means and the like is installed at the top of the washing machine main body 1. Although not shown, a known diaphragm water level sensor is attached to the outer tub 2 to detect the water level in the washing tubs 2 and 3.

FIG. 2 shows the structure of the detergent dissolving device 10. In the figure, 18 is a dissolving tank, 19 is a detergent inlet, and inside the dissolving tank 18 is a detergent receiver 2 made of a swash plate.
1 and a detergent holding portion 22 having a densely spaced lattice structure that serves as resistance against undissolved detergent components 25a, into a primary side 23 and a secondary side 24. Reference numeral 26 denotes a water supply valve consisting of a solenoid valve or the like serving as a flow rate control means, and this water supply valve 26 is controlled to open and close by a microcomputer at an on/off ratio according to the water supply flow rate, and water is intermittently supplied into the dissolution tank 18. It has become so. 27
2 is a water supply port, and 28 is a perforated plate made of punched metal or the like, and the perforated plate 28 allows water from the water supply port 27 to be uniformly distributed and supplied to the detergent receiver 21 side. 29 is a water outlet.

Next, the control and operation of the washing machine configured as described above by the microcomputer will be explained using the flowchart of FIG. 3 and FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0015] When washing starts, in the water supply process,
A required amount of detergent 25 is put into the detergent receiver 21 of the detergent dissolving device 10 from the detergent inlet 19 . By controlling the opening of the water supply valve 26, water passes through the perforated plate 28 from the water supply port 27, is uniformly dispersed, and is poured into the detergent 25 on the detergent receiver 21. The detergent 25 is dissolved by water injection, and the water containing the detergent 25 passes through the detergent holding part 22 and is supplied to the washing tubs 2 and 3 from the secondary side 24 through the water outlet 29. At this time, the undissolved portion 25a of the detergent flows down the detergent receiver 21 and is located on the primary side of the detergent holding portion 22, and is placed between the detergent holding portion 22, which functions as resistance against the detergent, and the water being supplied. A relative speed difference occurs and the detergent gradually dissolves, passes through the detergent holding section 22, and is thrown into the washing tubs 2 and 3 together with the water supply.

In such a dissolving action of the detergent 25 in the detergent dissolving device 10, since there is a detergent holding portion 22 in the dissolving tank 18, when water is continuously supplied into the dissolving tank 18, the water inside the dissolving tank 18 is In particular, bubbles are generated continuously on the primary side 23, and the flow rate of the supplied water decreases, which may impede the progress of detergent dissolution. On the other hand, by performing intermittent water supply while extinguishing the bubbles generated during the water supply stop, a decrease in the flow rate is prevented, resulting in a water supply process that does not hinder the progress of detergent dissolution. However, since the water pressure of the water supply generally varies depending on each household or depending on the water usage status within the household, there are cases where the desired effect cannot be obtained by controlling the opening/closing of the water supply valve 26 using a fixed on/off ratio. .

Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3, the water supply pressure is indirectly determined by detecting the flow rate during water supply, and the on/off duty ratio of the open/close control is corrected. It makes it possible to achieve the original purpose.

That is, from the start of water supply until the water level in the washing tubs 1 and 2 reaches WL1, water is supplied by controlling the water supply valve 26 to open and close at a preset on/off duty ratio DI.
The time TW until the water level reaches WL1 is counted (steps 31 to 34). The optimal on/off duty ratio is determined by the subroutine that determines the optimal on/off duty ratio for the time TW.
The off-duty ratio DN is determined (step 35). As a result, an optimum on/off duty ratio can be obtained depending on the water supply flow rate, or in other words, the tap water pressure. That is, a flow rate detection means for detecting the water supply flow rate is constituted by a water level sensor attached to the outer tank 2 and a microcomputer that counts the time until a predetermined water level is reached. After the water level WL1, the water supply valve 26 is controlled to open and close at the optimum on/off duty ratio DN to supply water (step 36). As a result, the supplied water has a flow rate sufficient to compensate for the difference in tap water pressure and proceed with detergent dissolution, and the detergent 25 introduced into the detergent dissolving device 10 is sufficiently dissolved during the water supply process and together with the water. It is supplied to washing tubs 2 and 3. When the water supply level in the washing tubs 2 and 3 reaches a preset water level WL2, a cloth amount detection process begins, and a target water level WL3 is determined according to the amount of cloth (
Steps 37, 38, 39). The water supply valve 26 is controlled to open and close at the optimum on/off duty ratio DN until the water level reaches the target water level WL3 to supply water (step 40
). When it is detected that the target water level WL3 has been reached, the water supply is stopped, the stirring motor 8 is driven, and the washing process begins.

FIG. 4 shows a timing chart of the above steps.

After the transition to the washing process, as shown in FIG.
A reference light transmittance, which is a reference for detecting dirt on laundry, is detected. Further, after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the detection of the reference value, a comparative light transmittance is detected for comparison with the reference light transmittance. A change in light transmittance is determined from the reference light transmittance and the comparative light transmittance, and dirt on the laundry is detected from this change in light transmittance, and the washing time and the like in the washing process after the detection is controlled. Since the detergent is supplied to the washing tubs 2 and 3 in a sufficiently dissolved state during the water supply process, during the above-mentioned change in light transmittance, the "change in light transmittance due to detergent dissolution" is eliminated. The degree of dirtiness of laundry can be accurately detected, allowing for appropriate washing according to the degree of dirtiness.

In the above-described embodiment, if the cloth amount detection process is not provided, water is supplied by controlling the water supply valve 26 to open and close at the optimum on/off duty ratio DN until the water level set by the user is reached. do it. Further, in the above embodiment, the water supply valve 26 is controlled to open and close until the end of the water supply process, but when the detergent dissolving device 10 runs out of detergent, the water supply valve 26 is opened and closed.
By stopping the closing control and performing continuous water injection, it is possible to shorten the water supply time.

Furthermore, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6, the optimum on/off duty ratio DN determined during the water supply process is
may be replaced with the on/off duty ratio DI at the start of water supply in the next washing (step 42), and furthermore, the optimal on/off duty ratio determined this time may be used when starting the next water supply.

Next, FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the present invention.

In the above embodiment, the tap water pressure in the water supply was indirectly determined from the time taken for the water level in the washing tubs 1 and 2 to reach WL1. In contrast, in this embodiment, a pressure detector 43 is provided between the water faucet and the water supply valve 26 to directly measure the water pressure. Then, the optimal on/off mode is set according to the tap water pressure measured from the beginning of the water supply process.
Opening/closing control of the water supply valve 26 is executed at an off-duty ratio until a predetermined water level is reached or until there is no detergent in the detergent dissolving device 10. After moving to the washing process, the same control as in the above embodiment is performed.

[0025]

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention,
Since the water supply flow rate to the detergent dissolving means is detected and the water supply to the detergent dissolving means is intermittently controlled at an on/off ratio according to the detected water supply flow rate, bubbles generated in the detergent dissolving means can be reduced. In addition, it is possible to compensate for the difference in water supply pressure such as tap water pressure, and it is possible to make the supplied water have a flow rate sufficient to promote detergent dissolution. Therefore, the detergent can be sufficiently dissolved and supplied to the washing tub during the water supply process, etc., and during the change in light transmittance of the washing liquid detected by the transmittance detection means, "the change in light transmittance as the detergent dissolves" ” is eliminated, it is possible to accurately detect the degree of soiling of the laundry, it becomes possible to wash clothes appropriately according to the degree of soiling, and it is possible to contribute to the proper 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 an enlarged configuration diagram showing the internal configuration of the detergent dissolving device in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a control flowchart of one embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a process chart for explaining the operation of one embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a change in light transmittance of a washing liquid during a washing process in an example.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing another control example in one embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing the internal configuration of a detergent dissolving device in another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

2, 3 Washing tub 10 Detergent dissolving device (detergent dissolving means) 16 Transmittance detecting device (transmittance detecting means) 17 Electronic circuit unit 22 with a built-in microcomputer serving as stroke control means etc. Detergent holding section 26 Water supply serving as flow rate control means valve

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A transmittance detection means for detecting the light transmittance of the washing liquid in the washing tub, and a transmittance detecting means disposed in a water supply channel to the washing tub, the detergent is dissolved in advance and put into the washing tub, and the detergent is dissolved in the washing tub. a detergent dissolving means for temporarily holding and dissolving the detergent; a flow rate detecting means for detecting the flow rate of water supplied to the detergent dissolving means; It is characterized by comprising a flow rate control means for intermittently controlling water supply to the detergent dissolving means, and a process control means for controlling the washing process based on a change in light transmittance detected by the transmittance detection means. washing machine.