JPH045355B2 - - Google Patents

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Publication number
JPH045355B2
JPH045355B2 JP20922285A JP20922285A JPH045355B2 JP H045355 B2 JPH045355 B2 JP H045355B2 JP 20922285 A JP20922285 A JP 20922285A JP 20922285 A JP20922285 A JP 20922285A JP H045355 B2 JPH045355 B2 JP H045355B2
Authority
JP
Japan
Prior art keywords
ultrasonic
counting
oscillating
output
distance
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
JP20922285A
Other languages
Japanese (ja)
Other versions
JPS6267481A (en
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed filed Critical
Priority to JP20922285A priority Critical patent/JPS6267481A/en
Publication of JPS6267481A publication Critical patent/JPS6267481A/en
Publication of JPH045355B2 publication Critical patent/JPH045355B2/ja
Granted legal-status Critical Current

Links

Description

【発明の詳細な説明】 産業上の利用分野 本発明は、超音波の被測定物までの伝播時間に
より距離を算出する洗濯機の超音波式距離装置に
関するものである。
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to an ultrasonic distance device for a washing machine that calculates distance based on the propagation time of ultrasonic waves to an object to be measured.

従来の技術 従来のこの種装置は、第4図のように、1つの
基準電位を設けておき、発振開始より超音波の受
信波形とこの基準電位を比較し、超音波の受信波
形が基準電位以上となる時までの時間Tにより距
離を算出していた。
Conventional technology As shown in Fig. 4, in a conventional device of this kind, one reference potential is provided, and the received ultrasonic waveform is compared with this reference potential from the start of oscillation, so that the received ultrasonic waveform is at the reference potential. The distance was calculated based on the time T until the above.

発明が解決しようとする問題点 しかしながら、従来の方式では距離測定の精度
が悪いものであつた。第5図に基づき説明する
と、波形Aは、被測定面がほぼ平面の場合、波形
Bは被測定面が凸凹になつている場合を示す(た
だし、波形Aも波形Bも被測定面までの距離は同
じ)。被測定面が凸凹の場合は超音波が反射する
時に散乱してしまい、受信波形が減衰してしまう
ので、波形Bのようになる。波形Aと波形Bを同
一基準電位(Vref)で比較した場合、発振開始よ
り、受信電圧が基準電位以上となる時間は、波形
Aの場合はTA、波形Bの場合はTBとなつている。
このように被測定面までの距離は同じであるの
に、受信波形のレベルの差によつて、TAとTB
差がきてしまい、距離測定の精度が悪い。
Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, the accuracy of distance measurement was poor in the conventional method. To explain based on Fig. 5, waveform A shows the case where the surface to be measured is almost flat, and waveform B shows the case where the surface to be measured is uneven (however, both waveform A and waveform B show the distance to the surface to be measured. distance is the same). If the surface to be measured is uneven, the ultrasonic waves will be scattered when reflected and the received waveform will be attenuated, resulting in a waveform like B. When comparing waveform A and waveform B at the same reference potential (V ref ), the time from the start of oscillation until the received voltage exceeds the reference potential is T A for waveform A and T B for waveform B. ing.
In this way, even though the distance to the surface to be measured is the same, there is a difference between T A and T B due to the difference in the level of the received waveform, resulting in poor distance measurement accuracy.

本発明はこのような従来の問題を解決したもの
であり、被測定面の状態いかんにかかわらず、正
確な測定を測定することができる洗濯機の超音波
式距離装置を提供するものである。
The present invention solves these conventional problems and provides an ultrasonic distance measuring device for washing machines that can accurately measure regardless of the condition of the surface to be measured.

問題点を解決するための手段 本発明は上記目的を達成するために、洗濯物と
水とをなじませた状態時に超音波送信器を駆動す
る発振手段と、この発振手段により発射した超音
波が洗濯物または水面に反射してくる超音波を受
信する超音波受信器と、この超音波受信器の出力
を増幅する増幅手段と、この増幅手段の出力と第
1基準電位とを比較する第1比較手段と、前記増
幅手段の出力と第2基準電位とを比較する第2比
較手段と、前記発振手段の発振開始より計時を開
始し、前記第1比較手段の出力により計時を終了
する第1計数手段と、前記発振手段の発振開始よ
り計時を開始し、前記第2比較手段の出力により
計時を終了する第2計数手段と、この第2計数手
段と前記第1計数手段の計時した値を入力し、超
音波受信波形の立ち上がる時点を演算する距離算
出手段と、複数箇所の測定値を統計処理する制御
手段とを有する構成としている。
Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an oscillation means for driving an ultrasonic transmitter when laundry and water are mixed together, and an ultrasonic wave emitted by the oscillation means. an ultrasonic receiver that receives ultrasonic waves reflected from laundry or water surfaces, an amplifying means that amplifies the output of the ultrasonic receiver, and a first reference potential that compares the output of the amplifying means with a first reference potential. a comparing means, a second comparing means for comparing the output of the amplifying means and a second reference potential, and a first comparing means that starts timing when the oscillating means starts oscillating and ends timing when the output of the first comparing means starts. a counting means; a second counting means that starts time counting when the oscillation means starts oscillating; and a second counting means that starts time counting when the oscillation means starts and ends the time counting according to the output of the second comparing means; The apparatus is configured to include a distance calculating means for calculating the rise point of the received ultrasonic waveform, and a control means for statistically processing the measured values at a plurality of locations.

作 用 本発明は上記した構成により、受信波形のレベ
ルが違つても立ち上がる点は同じであることを利
用して、正確な距離を得るものである。
Effects The present invention uses the above-described configuration to obtain an accurate distance by utilizing the fact that the rising point is the same even if the level of the received waveform is different.

実施例 第1図は本発明の洗濯機の超音波式距離装置の
一実施例を示すブロツク図である。本実施例で
は、洗濯機の上方より洗濯物までの距離を測定す
る超音波距離装置について述べる。1は超音波送
信器で、洗濯物16あるいは水面に向けて超音波
を発射する。2は超音波受信器で、前記超音波送
信器1より発射した超音波が洗濯物16あるいは
水面にあたつて反射してくる超音波を受信する。
3は発振手段で、前記超音波送信器1を駆動す
る。4は増幅手段で、前記超音波受信器2の出力
を増幅する。6は第1比較手段で、前記増幅手段
4の出力と第1基準電位5とを比較し、前記増幅
手段4の出力が前記第1基準電位5以上の場合に
制御信号を出力する。8は第2比較手段で、前記
増幅手段4の出力と第2基準電位7とを比較し、
前記増幅手段4の出力が前記第2基準電位7以上
の場合に制御信号を出力する。9,10は第1計
数手段及び第2計数手段で、前記第1比較手段6
及び前記第2比較手段8より制御信号が出力され
た時に、それぞれ計数を停止し、計数値を出力す
る。11は距離算出手段で、前記第1計数手段9
と前記第2計数手段10の計数値より洗濯物16
あるいは水面までの距離を算出する。12は制御
手段で、給水手段13を動作させて、洗濯槽14
に一定水位まで給水し、かくはん翼15を一定時
間動作させて水と洗濯物16をなじませてから、
前記発振手段3を動作させると同時に前記第1計
数手段9、前記第2計数手段10の計数をスター
トさせる。
Embodiment FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the ultrasonic distance device for a washing machine according to the present invention. In this embodiment, an ultrasonic distance device that measures the distance to laundry from above a washing machine will be described. Reference numeral 1 denotes an ultrasonic transmitter, which emits ultrasonic waves toward the laundry 16 or the water surface. Reference numeral 2 denotes an ultrasonic receiver which receives ultrasonic waves emitted from the ultrasonic transmitter 1 that are reflected when they hit the laundry 16 or the water surface.
Reference numeral 3 denotes an oscillating means for driving the ultrasonic transmitter 1. 4 is an amplifying means for amplifying the output of the ultrasonic receiver 2. Reference numeral 6 denotes first comparing means, which compares the output of the amplifying means 4 and the first reference potential 5, and outputs a control signal when the output of the amplifying means 4 is higher than the first reference potential 5. 8 is a second comparing means, which compares the output of the amplifying means 4 and the second reference potential 7;
When the output of the amplifying means 4 is higher than the second reference potential 7, a control signal is output. 9 and 10 are a first counting means and a second counting means, and the first comparing means 6
And when a control signal is output from the second comparing means 8, counting is stopped and the counted value is output. 11 is a distance calculation means, and the first counting means 9
From the count value of the second counting means 10, the laundry 16
Or calculate the distance to the water surface. 12 is a control means that operates the water supply means 13 to supply the washing tub 14;
After supplying water to a certain water level and operating the stirring blades 15 for a certain period of time to mix the water and laundry 16,
At the same time as the oscillation means 3 is operated, the first counting means 9 and the second counting means 10 start counting.

第2図に本発明の一実施例における具体的な回
路図を示す。超音波送信器1及び超音波受信器2
は、超音波マイクロフオンで構成される。発振手
段3は、インバータゲートIC301〜IC303、
抵抗R301〜R308、トンラジスタQ301〜Q3
03、コンデンサC301、昇圧トランスT30
1より構成される。増幅手段4は、演算増幅器
IC401〜IC402、抵抗R401〜R407、コンデ
ンサC401〜C403により構成される。第1
基準電位5は、抵抗R501、R502により構成され
る。第1比較手段6は、比較器IC601、抵抗
R601により構成される。第2基準電位7は、抵
抗R701、R702により構成される。第2比較手段
8は比較器IC801、抵抗R801により構成され
る。第1係数手段9、第2係数手段10、距離算
出手段11、制御手段12は、マイクロコンピユ
ーター17により構成される。給水手段13は、
抵抗R131、トランジスタQ131、ダイオード
131、リレーRL131、給水弁K131によ
り構成される。
FIG. 2 shows a specific circuit diagram in one embodiment of the present invention. Ultrasonic transmitter 1 and ultrasonic receiver 2
consists of an ultrasonic microphone. The oscillation means 3 includes inverter gates IC301 to IC303,
Resistor R301~R308, resistance resistor Q301~Q3
03, capacitor C301, step-up transformer T30
Consists of 1. The amplifying means 4 is an operational amplifier.
It is composed of IC401-IC402, resistors R401-R407, and capacitors C401-C403. 1st
The reference potential 5 is composed of resistors R501 and R502. The first comparing means 6 includes a comparator IC601, a resistor
Constructed by R601. The second reference potential 7 is composed of resistors R701 and R702. The second comparison means 8 is composed of a comparator IC801 and a resistor R801. The first coefficient means 9, the second coefficient means 10, the distance calculation means 11, and the control means 12 are constituted by a microcomputer 17. The water supply means 13 is
It is composed of a resistor R131, a transistor Q131, a diode 131, a relay RL131, and a water supply valve K131.

上記の様に構成された超音波式距離装置の作用
について述べる。
The operation of the ultrasonic distance device configured as described above will be described.

洗濯槽14に洗濯物16を入れ使用者が洗濯を
開始すると、制御手段12は、給水手段13を動
作させ一定水位まで給水させる。給水が終了する
と、かくはん翼15を一定時間動作させて水と洗
濯物を充分になじませる。これは洗濯物が水面よ
り部分的に飛び出ていて、洗濯物までの本当の距
離が計れないのを防止するためである。また制御
手段12は、発振手段3を動作させて超音波送信
器1より超音波を発信させる。同時に第1計数手
段9、第2計数手段10の計時を開始させる。次
に超音波受信器2は、洗濯物16あるいは水面に
あたつて反射してくる超音波を受信し、増幅手段
4によりこれを増幅する。その波形を第3図の
A,Bに示す。第3図Aは、水面あるいは洗濯物
面がフラツトな状態のところで反射してくる超音
波の波形で、第3図Bは、先濯物面が山状になつ
たり波形になつたりする場合である。実際洗濯す
る場合はBの方が多くみられるものである。
When the user puts the laundry 16 into the washing tub 14 and starts washing, the control means 12 operates the water supply means 13 to supply water up to a certain water level. When the water supply is finished, the stirring blades 15 are operated for a certain period of time to mix the water and the laundry sufficiently. This is to prevent the laundry from partially protruding from the water surface and making it impossible to measure the true distance to the laundry. The control means 12 also operates the oscillation means 3 to cause the ultrasonic transmitter 1 to emit ultrasonic waves. At the same time, the first counting means 9 and the second counting means 10 are started to measure time. Next, the ultrasonic receiver 2 receives the ultrasonic waves reflected from the laundry 16 or the water surface, and the amplifying means 4 amplifies the ultrasonic waves. The waveforms are shown in A and B of FIG. Figure 3A shows the waveform of the ultrasonic wave reflected when the water surface or laundry surface is flat, and Figure 3B shows the waveform when the laundry surface is mountain-like or wave-like. be. When actually doing laundry, type B is more common.

ここで、第1比較手段6により増幅された超音
波受信波形と、第1基準電位5(図示ではVref1
を比較し、増幅された超音波受信波形の方が
Vref1以上となつた時、第1計数手段9の計数値
は第3図AではT1、同BではT3となつている。
また同様に、第2比較手段8により増幅された超
音波受信波形と第2基準電位7を比較しVref2
上となつた時、第2計数手段10の計数値は、第
3図AではT2、同BではT4となつている。距離
算出手段11は、このT1あるいはT3,T2あるい
はT4を入力し、式Aにより、超音波受信波形が
立上る時点(洗濯物あるいは水面までの距離)
T0を算出する。
Here, the ultrasonic reception waveform amplified by the first comparing means 6 and the first reference potential 5 (V ref1 in the figure)
The amplified ultrasonic reception waveform is
When V ref1 or more is reached, the count value of the first counting means 9 is T 1 in FIG. 3A and T 3 in FIG. 3B.
Similarly, when the ultrasonic reception waveform amplified by the second comparison means 8 and the second reference potential 7 are compared and the voltage exceeds V ref2 , the count value of the second counting means 10 is T in FIG. 3A. 2 , it is T 4 in the same B. The distance calculation means 11 inputs this T 1 or T 3 , T 2 or T 4 and calculates the point at which the received ultrasonic waveform rises (distance to the laundry or the water surface) using equation A.
Calculate T 0 .

T0=TVref2 −(Vref2TVref2−TVref1/Vref2−Vref1) ……A 従つて洗濯物あるいは水面までの距離L0は L0=C×T0/2 C:音速 となる。この距離測定を洗濯槽14の複数個所で
行ない、これを制御手段12で統計処理して現在
の距離を正確に把握し、次の水位、水流を決定し
洗濯行程に移る。
T 0 = T Vref2 - (V ref2 T Vref2 - T Vref1 /V ref2 - V ref1 ) ...A Therefore, the distance L 0 to the laundry or the water surface is L 0 = C x T 0 /2 C: The speed of sound . This distance measurement is performed at a plurality of locations in the washing tub 14, and this is statistically processed by the control means 12 to accurately grasp the current distance, determine the next water level and water flow, and proceed to the washing process.

発明の効果 上記実施例から明らかなように本発明の洗濯機
の超音波式距離装置は、洗濯物と水とをなじませ
た状態時に超音波送信器を駆動する発振手段と、
この発振手段により発射した超音波が洗濯物また
は水面に反射してくる超音波を受信する超音波受
信器と、この超音波受信器の出力を増幅する増幅
手段と、この増幅手段の出力と第1基準電位とを
比較する第1比較手段と、前記増幅手段の出力と
第2基準電位とを比較する第2比較手段と、前記
発振手段の発振開始より計時を開始し、前記第1
比較手段の出力により計時を終了する第1計数手
段と、前記発信手段の発振開始より計時を開始し
前記第2比較手段の出力により計時を終了する第
2計数手段と、この第2計数手段と前記第1計数
手段の計時した値を入力し、超音波受信波形の立
ち上がる時点を演算する距離算出手段と、複数箇
所の測定値を統計処理する制御手段とを有するも
のであり、この構成とすることにより、距離を測
定する面に凹凸があり受信波形が減衰しても、正
確な距離を測定することができる。
Effects of the Invention As is clear from the above embodiments, the ultrasonic distance device for a washing machine of the present invention includes an oscillation means that drives an ultrasonic transmitter when laundry and water are mixed together;
an ultrasonic receiver that receives the ultrasonic waves emitted by the oscillation means and reflected on the laundry or the water surface; an amplification means that amplifies the output of the ultrasonic receiver; a first comparison means for comparing the output of the amplification means with a second reference potential; a second comparison means for comparing the output of the amplification means with a second reference potential;
a first counting means that terminates timekeeping according to the output of the comparison means; a second counting means that starts timekeeping when the oscillation of the transmitting means starts and ends the timekeeping according to the output of the second comparison means; It has a distance calculation means for inputting the timed value of the first counting means and calculating the rising point of the ultrasonic reception waveform, and a control means for statistically processing the measured values at a plurality of locations, and has this configuration. This makes it possible to accurately measure the distance even if the surface on which the distance is to be measured is uneven and the received waveform is attenuated.

【図面の簡単な説明】[Brief explanation of drawings]

第1図は本発明の一実施例における洗濯機の超
音波式距離装置を示すブロツク図、第2図は本発
明の一実施例における洗濯機の超音波式距離装置
を示す回路図、第3図A,Bはそれぞれ異なる測
定面における2つの基準電位と受信波形の関係を
示す図、第4図は従来の洗濯機の超音波式距離装
置の基準電位と受信波形を示す図、第5図は従来
装置による異なる測定面とその受信波形を示す図
である。 1……超音波送信器、2……超音波受信器、3
……発振手段、4……増幅手段、5……第1基準
電位、6……第1比較手段、7……第2基準電
位、8……第2比較手段、9……第1計数手段、
10……第2計数手段、11……距離算出手段、
12……制御手段、13……給水手段、14……
洗濯槽、15……かくはん翼、16……洗濯物、
17……マイクロコンピユーター。
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an ultrasonic distance device for a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing an ultrasonic distance device for a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. Figures A and B are diagrams showing the relationship between two reference potentials and received waveforms on different measurement planes, Figure 4 is a diagram showing the reference potential and received waveform of a conventional ultrasonic distance device for a washing machine, and Figure 5 is a diagram showing the relationship between two reference potentials and received waveforms on different measurement surfaces. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing different measurement planes and their received waveforms by a conventional device. 1... Ultrasonic transmitter, 2... Ultrasonic receiver, 3
...Oscillating means, 4...Amplifying means, 5...First reference potential, 6...First comparison means, 7...Second reference potential, 8...Second comparison means, 9...First counting means ,
10... second counting means, 11... distance calculating means,
12... Control means, 13... Water supply means, 14...
Washing tub, 15...Agitating wing, 16...Laundry,
17...Microcomputer.

Claims (1)

【特許請求の範囲】[Claims] 1 洗濯物と水とをなじませた状態時に超音波送
信器を駆動する発振手段と、この発振手段により
発射した超音波が洗濯物または水面に反射してく
る超音波を受信する超音波受信器と、この超音波
受信器の出力を増幅する増幅手段と、この増幅手
段の出力と第1基準電位とを比較する第1比較手
段と、前記増幅手段の出力と第2基準電位とを比
較する第2比較手段と、前記発振手段の発振開始
より計時を開始し、前記第1比較手段の出力によ
り計時を終了する第1計数手段と、前記発振手段
の発振開始より計時を開始し前記第2比較手段の
出力により計時を終了する第2計数手段と、この
第2計数手段と前記第1計数手段の計時した値を
入力し、超音波受信波形の立ち上がる時点を演算
する距離算出手段と、複数箇所の測定値を統計処
理する制御手段とを有する洗濯機の超音波式距離
装置。
1. An oscillating means that drives an ultrasonic transmitter when the laundry and water are mixed together, and an ultrasonic receiver that receives the ultrasonic waves emitted by the oscillating means and reflected on the laundry or the water surface. an amplification means for amplifying the output of the ultrasonic receiver; a first comparison means for comparing the output of the amplification means with a first reference potential; and a comparison means for comparing the output of the amplification means with a second reference potential. a second comparing means; a first counting means that starts measuring time when the oscillating means starts oscillating; and a first counting means that starts measuring time when the oscillating means starts oscillating; and a second counting means that starts measuring time when the oscillating means starts oscillating; a second counting means for terminating time counting by the output of the comparison means; a distance calculating means for inputting the timed values of the second counting means and the first counting means and calculating a rising point of the ultrasonic reception waveform; An ultrasonic distance device for a washing machine, comprising a control means for statistically processing measured values at a location.
JP20922285A 1985-09-20 1985-09-20 Ultrasonic type distance measuring apparatus Granted JPS6267481A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP20922285A JPS6267481A (en) 1985-09-20 1985-09-20 Ultrasonic type distance measuring apparatus

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP20922285A JPS6267481A (en) 1985-09-20 1985-09-20 Ultrasonic type distance measuring apparatus

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
JPS6267481A JPS6267481A (en) 1987-03-27
JPH045355B2 true JPH045355B2 (en) 1992-01-31

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
JP20922285A Granted JPS6267481A (en) 1985-09-20 1985-09-20 Ultrasonic type distance measuring apparatus

Country Status (1)

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JP (1) JPS6267481A (en)

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2016080651A (en) * 2014-10-22 2016-05-16 株式会社デンソー Reception time estimation device

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5997069A (en) * 1982-11-25 1984-06-04 Nissan Motor Co Ltd Ultrasonic car height measuring apparatus
JPS6025982U (en) * 1983-07-27 1985-02-21 フアナツク株式会社 ultrasonic distance sensor

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Publication number Publication date
JPS6267481A (en) 1987-03-27

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