JPH05212192A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To judge the quantity of clothes, etc., accommodated in a wash trough quickly by furnishing a water supply sensing means to sense the water supply by a water supply means into the wash trough which suits the accommodated clothes, and judging the quantity of the clothes from the sensing result. CONSTITUTION:A water level sensor 17 senses the water level from change in the oscillation frequency resulting from rise of the air pressure in an air trap 12 when water stagnates in a wash trough 4, and the water supplied to the wash trough 4 only splashes first over the clothes and permeates, and does not stagnate, which however takes place after being saturated with the clothes. The time until the supplied water stagnates, i.e., the time until a certain change in the oscillation frequency appears in the water level sensor 17, depends upon the quantity of the clothes, being shorter with smaller quantity and longer with a greater quantity. Therefore, judgement of the quantity is conducted on the way of first run of water supplying. Thus, the quantity of clothes can be judged quickly without awaiting finish of water supply and accordingly the start of the agitation.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a washing machine capable of judging the amount of laundry stored in a washing tub.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, as a washing machine, a washing machine capable of judging the amount of laundry is provided. In the case of this thing, the amount of laundry is judged by supplying water to the predetermined water level in the washing tub,
After that, the laundry is stirred by rotationally driving the stirring body in the washing tub by the stirring drive motor, and the load amount applied to the stirring drive motor at this time is determined by the phase difference between the current flowing through the motor and the applied voltage, The amount of laundry is detected from the terminal voltage of the capacitor and the like, and the amount of laundry is determined from the detected amount of load.

[0003]

However, in the method of determining the amount of laundry as described above, after the water is supplied to the predetermined level in the washing tub, the laundry in the washing tub is agitated to Since this is done, there is a problem that it takes time to determine the amount of laundry.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances. Therefore, firstly, an object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine capable of determining the amount of laundry in a short time.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine which can judge the amount of laundry in a short time and more accurately.

A third object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine in which the amount of laundry can be determined in a short time and the determined amount of laundry can be known easily and quickly.

A fourth object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine in which the amount of laundry can be determined in a short time, and the amount of detergent suitable for the determined amount of laundry can be known easily and quickly. There is

A fifth object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine capable of determining the amount of laundry in a short time and having a simple structure.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, a washing machine of the present invention comprises a washing tub and a water supply means for supplying water into the washing tub, and the water supply by the water supply means is washed. Water supply detection means for detecting through the laundry in the tub,
In addition, it is characterized by comprising a laundry amount judging means for judging the amount of laundry from the detection result of the water supply detecting means.

In this case, the laundry amount judging means judges the amount of the laundry from the detection result of the water supply detecting means, then stirs the laundry and judges the amount of the laundry from the load applied to the stirring drive motor. It is preferable that the procedure is repeated.

Further, the laundry amount judging means has a result of judging the amount of laundry from the detection result of the previous water supply detecting means,
The amount of laundry may be determined from the detection result of the current water supply detection means based on the result of determination of the amount of laundry from the amount of load applied to the stirring drive motor after stirring the laundry.

Further, in this case, it is preferable to include display control means for displaying the laundry amount on the display means immediately after the detection of the water supply based on the result of the determination of the laundry amount.

It is also possible to provide a display control means for displaying the required amount of detergent on the display means immediately after the detection of the water supply based on the result of the judgment of the laundry amount.

Structurally, it is preferable that the water supply detecting means is provided at the bottom of the washing tub.

[0015]

When water is supplied while the laundry is housed in the washing tub, the water does not collect at first because it impregnates into the laundry, but does not collect it, and then it becomes saturated and saturated. The time it takes for the supplied water to accumulate depends on the amount of laundry, and is faster when the amount of laundry is small and slower when the amount of laundry is large. Therefore, by detecting the water supply by the water supply means through the laundry in the washing tub by the water supply detection means, the detection result (detection time)
The amount of laundry can be determined from. In this case, the amount of laundry can be determined during the water supply without waiting for the end of the water supply and the start of the stirring.

In addition, in the case where the amount of laundry is agitated, the laundry is agitated, and the amount of the laundry is determined again based on the load applied to the agitation drive motor, the water supply is detected. Not only the results, but also the actual amount of laundry at that time can be judged.

Further, regarding the amount of laundry to be determined from the detection result of the water supply detecting means this time, the determination result of the amount of laundry from the detection result of the previous water supply detecting means and the stirring drive motor for stirring the laundry. In the case where it is performed based on the judgment result of the laundry amount based on the load amount, it is possible to make a judgment suitable for the condition at each home, especially the water supply condition.

In addition, based on the judgment result of the amount of laundry,
In the case where the amount of laundry is displayed on the display means immediately after the detection of water supply, the user can quickly know the determined amount of laundry with his / her eyes.

Further, in this case, if the required detergent amount is displayed on the display means immediately after the water supply is detected based on the result of the laundry amount judgment, the user can quickly see the required detergent amount with his / her eyes. Moreover, you can know it directly.

If the water supply detecting means is provided at the bottom of the washing tub, the water accumulated after being saturated with the laundry can be detected easily and quickly.

[0021]

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

First of all, FIG. 2 shows an outer box 1 of the entire washing machine, in which a washing tub 4 composed of a double tub of an outer tub 2 and an inner tub 3 is supported by an elastic suspension mechanism 5. It is arranged. In this case, the outer tub 2 has a substantially non-hole shape without a dehydration hole, and the inner tub 3 is a porous one having a large number of dehydration holes 6 on its peripheral side. Is provided with a stirring body 7.

Further, a drive mechanism 9 having a motor 8 as a main component is mounted on the outer lower portion of the outer tub 2 so that the inner tub 3 and the agitator 7 can be selectively rotated. There is. In addition to this, a drainage port 10 is formed at the bottom of the outer tub 2, and a drainage hose 14 is connected to this through a drainage case 13 having a drainage valve 11 and an air trap 12.

On the other hand, a top cover 15 is mounted on the outer box 1, and the inside of the washing tub 4 (inside the inner tub 3) is provided inward of the rear part of the top cover 15.
A water supply valve 16 which is a water supply means for supplying water is provided, and a water level sensor 17 which is a water supply detecting means for detecting the water level in the washing tub 4 (outer tub 2) is provided. The water level sensor 17 has a case 18 as shown in detail in FIG.
The diaphragm 19 provided inside the air trap 12 changes according to the rise or fall of the water level in the washing tub 4.
The air pressure inside the coil 2 is received by the pressure guiding tube 20.
By displacing the movable iron core 22 in the coil 1,
The inductance of No. 1 is changed, the inductance is changed to the oscillation frequency, and the water level detection signal indicating the water level in the washing tub 4 is emitted.

An operation / display panel 23 is provided on the front upper surface of the top cover 15. This operation / display panel 23 displays "start / pause" as shown in FIG.
In addition to having keys 24 to 33 for various selection operations including operation, LEDs 34 to 44 for various displays that are display means for displaying "water level (laundry amount)" are also included. LE for displaying "water level (amount of laundry)"
D34 is a stepwise display of the water supply level and the amount of laundry stored in the washing tub 4 in the steps of "washing" and "rinsing", and the LED44 for displaying "amount of detergent".
Indicates the required amount of detergent in the "washing" step step by step according to the state of accommodation of the lightweight cup.

A control device 45, which serves as a laundry amount determination means and a display control means, is provided inside the operation / display panel 23 at the front of the top cover 12. The control device 45 is composed of a microcomputer. As shown in FIG. 5, operation signals are input from the keys 24 to 33 for various selection operations of the operation / display panel 23, and the water level sensor 17 is operated. The water level detection signal is input, and further, in this case, which is the motor load amount detection means, the phase difference detection signal is input from the phase difference detection device 46.

The phase difference detection device 46 electrically detects the load amount applied to the motor 8 of the drive mechanism 9 when the stirring body 7 in the inner tank 3 is rotated, and loads the phase difference detection signal. It is output as a quantity detection signal.
As shown in, the voltage V applied to the motor 8 is detected to obtain a pulse that rises and falls at the zero cross point, and at the same time, the current I flowing through the motor 8 is detected, and similarly, the pulse rises and falls at the zero cross point. A pulse is obtained, a pulse corresponding to the phase difference θ is obtained from both pulse waveforms, a voltage signal obtained by smoothing this pulse is further digitized, and output as a load amount detection signal.

Then, the control device 45, based on various inputs such as the above-mentioned phase difference detection signal, and the control program stored in advance, the operation / display panel 23.
LEDs 34 to 44 for various displays, and the water supply valve 16,
A drive control signal is given to drive circuits 47 to 49 which drive the drain valve 11 and the motor 8, respectively.

Therefore, the control contents of the control device 45 will be described below.

First, when laundry (not shown) is put in the washing tub 4 (inner tub 3) and the power is turned on, the control device 45 first sets a flag F indicating the number of times of operation to "0" as shown in FIG. And reset the timer (step A1). Next, it is judged whether or not the start operation has been performed by the "start / pause" operation key 24 (step A2), and as soon as it is judged that the start operation has been performed, the water supply valve 16 is opened to move the washing tub 4 into Water is supplied (step A3), and in this state, it is judged whether or not there is a predetermined change in the oscillation frequency of the water level sensor 17 (step A4).

Here, in the water level sensor 17, when water is accumulated in the washing tub 4 (outer tub 2), the air pressure in the air trap 12 is increased, and a predetermined change occurs in the oscillation frequency. On the other hand, the water supplied as described above into the washing tub 4 does not collect only by impregnating the laundry existing in the washing tub 4 at the beginning, but accumulates after being saturated with the laundry. Further, the time until the supplied water is accumulated, that is, the time until the predetermined change of the oscillation frequency appears in the water level sensor 17 varies depending on the amount of laundry, and A small amount makes it fast, and a large amount makes it slower.

FIG. 7 shows this with standard contents.
When the amount of water supplied to the washing tub 4 is a standard value of 15 liters per minute, the oscillation frequency of the water level sensor 17 is, for example, 2
The time to change to a predetermined value of 5.2 [kHz] is about 4 [seconds] when there is no laundry (no load), and about 7 [seconds] and 3 [when the laundry is 1 kg]. It shows that it is about 12 [seconds] for kg] and about 17 [seconds] for 5 [kg]. Thus, the control device 45 stores this standard content data in advance.

Therefore, in step A4, the water level sensor 1
If it is determined that there is no predetermined change in the oscillating frequency in step 7, the timer measures the time (step A5), and the water level sensor 17 uses the measured time (25.2 [k
[Hz]], and the measured time is stored as soon as it is determined (step A6).

Thereafter, the timer is reset (step A7), and it is then determined whether the flag F indicating the number of times of operation is "0", in other words, whether the operation is the first time. (Step A8) This is the first time (the flag F is "0").
When the flag F is set to "1" (step A9), it is then determined whether or not the water level in the washing tub 4 has reached the "low" water level (step A10), and the "low" water level is determined. When it is determined that the water supply valve 16 is reached, the water supply valve 16 is closed and the water supply into the washing tub 4 is terminated (step A1).
1).

After that, the stirring body 7 in the inner tank 3 is rotated (step A12), and in this state, the amount of load applied to the motor 8 of the drive mechanism 9 by the phase difference detection device 46 is detected (step A13). The amount of laundry is determined from the detected load amount, and the determined laundry amount and the storage time in the previous step A6 (the time until the water level sensor 17 has a predetermined change in the oscillation frequency after the start of water supply) ) And () are compared with the above-mentioned standard contents data, and necessary calculation is performed (step A14).

This calculation is, in short, to correct the contents of the judgment standard. For example, the time until the oscillation frequency of the water level sensor 17 changes to a predetermined value of 25.2 [kHz] is about 12 [. Second], the amount of laundry is 3 [kg]
Although it was standard to judge that the difference was in the amount of water supply (water supply capacity) per unit time, the previous step A6
If the amount of laundry determined in step A13 is 1 [kg] and the storage time is the same for about 12 [seconds], the standard data will be modified to make the determination next time. Is.

After that, the water supply water level is set in accordance with the determined laundry amount (step A15), and then the water supply valve 16 is opened again to supply water into the washing tub 4 (step A16). After that, it is judged whether or not the water level in the washing tub 4 has reached the "set" water level (step A1).
7) When it is determined that the "set" water level has been reached, the water supply valve 16 is closed to end the water supply into the washing tub 4 (step A18).

Then, "washing" is performed (step A1).
9) After that, "rinsing" is performed (step A2
0), further "dehydration" is performed (step A21), and the process returns to step A2.

If it is determined that the start operation has been performed in the returned step A2, the steps similar to those described above are sequentially performed. Therefore, in step A8, in this case, the flag F is "0". No, that is, it is judged that the driving is the second time or later, so next step A of this time
From the storage time in step A6 based on the time calculation in 5, the amount of laundry is determined based on the previous modified standard data, and the water supply level and the amount of laundry that match the determined laundry amount,
In addition, the required amount of detergent is displayed (step A2).
2).

Regarding these indications, the indication of the water supply level is such that the LED 34 for displaying the "water level (amount of laundry)" indicates "low", "medium", or "high", and at the same time, "Low", "Medium", "High" adjacent to each adjacent laundry amount is "1-2.5k
Since the letters "g", "2.5-4 kg", and "4-6 kg" are written, the amount of the laundry to be judged is also displayed by the light emission (in FIG. 8, as an example, water supply of "medium"). The water level and the amount of laundry of "2.5 to 4 kg" are displayed.

On the other hand, the display of the required detergent amount is carried out by illuminating the corresponding one of the LEDs 44 for displaying the "detergent amount guideline", and the "low" water level (laundry amount 1 is shown in FIG. 9A). ~ 2.5 [kg])
The "medium" water level (laundry amount 2.5-4 [k
g]), the display state of the required detergent amount is shown in (c) of the same figure.
Shows the display state of the required detergent amount at "high" water level (laundry amount 4 to 6 [kg]).

After step A22, step A10
Then, the same steps as the last time are sequentially performed.

Further, in the same steps as described above, particularly in step A14 after passing through steps A12 and A13, the amount of laundry is re-determined and the standard data is changed according to the present water supply capacity. The next time, based on that, the amount of laundry is determined from the stored time in step A6 based on the time calculation in step 5, and the water supply level and the amount of laundry that match the determined laundry amount, and Display the required amount of detergent.

As described above, with this structure, the amount of laundry can be judged during the first water supply, and can be done in a short time without waiting for the end of water supply and the start of stirring as in the conventional case.

After the laundry amount is determined, the laundry amount is agitated, and the laundry amount is determined again based on the load amount applied to the stirring drive motor 8. Not only from the detection result of water supply, but also the actual amount of laundry at that time can be used, and thus the laundry amount can be determined more accurately.

Further, regarding the amount of laundry to be determined from the detection result of the water supply detecting means this time, the determination result of the amount of laundry from the detection result of the previous water supply detecting means and the stirring drive motor for stirring the laundry. Since it is done based on the judgment result of the amount of laundry from the load amount on, it is possible to make a judgment that suits the conditions at each home, especially the water supply conditions, and this also enables more accurate washing. You can judge the quantity.

In addition, the laundry amount is displayed by the LED 34 for displaying the "water level (laundry amount)" immediately after the water supply is detected based on the result of the determination of the laundry amount. It is easy to see and you can know it quickly.

Further, in this case, the required detergent amount is displayed by the LED 44 for displaying the "detergent amount guideline" immediately after the water supply is detected based on the result of the laundry amount judgment. You can know it easily, quickly, and directly with your own eyes.

In contrast to the above, FIGS. 10 to 15 show a different embodiment of the present invention, and only the difference from the above embodiment will be described, which is the bottom of the washing tub 4 (outer tub 2). A light transmittance sensor 52 including a light emitting portion 50 and a light receiving portion 51 facing the light emitting portion 50 is provided at the drainage port 10 portion as water supply detecting means, and a water supply detection signal by this is input to the control device 45. ..

Further, in this case, the control device 45 determines whether or not water has accumulated in the drainage port 10 portion from the detection signal from the light transmittance sensor 52 in step B4 instead of step A4. If it is determined that the water has not accumulated, the time is measured by the timer as in step A5 (step B5), and this is continued until it is determined that the water has accumulated in the drainage port 10, and as soon as it is determined that the water has accumulated,
The measured time is stored similarly to step A6 (step B6).

Here, the light transmittance sensor 52 is the drainage port 1
When water is accumulated in the zero portion, the degree of arrival of the light emitted from the light emitting unit 50 to the light receiving unit 51 is changed, so that a detection signal is emitted. On the other hand, the water supplied into the washing tub 4 is
At first, only the laundry existing in the washing tub 4 is impregnated with the laundry so that it does not reach the drainage port 10 portion, and it is reached after being saturated with the laundry. Further, the time until the supplied water reaches the drainage port 10 and accumulates, that is, the time until the light transmittance sensor 52 emits a detection signal varies depending on the amount of laundry. , It is faster when there is a small amount of laundry and slower when there is a large amount of laundry.

FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 show this in standard contents. As described above, when the amount of water supplied to the washing tub 4 is a standard value of 15 liters per minute, the light transmission sensor 52 outputs a detection signal. The time until the laundry is issued indicates that it takes t1 [seconds] when the laundry is 1 [kg], and takes t2 [seconds] longer than that when it is more than that.

However, the data of the standard contents described above is stored in advance in the control device 45, and the steps B1 to B3 and steps B5 to B22 other than the above step B4 are the same as the previous steps A1 to A3 and step. Similar to A5 to A22, that is, in this case, the same operational effect as described above can be obtained.

In addition, in this case, since the light transmittance sensor 52 is provided at the bottom of the washing tub 4, it is possible to further easily and quickly detect the water accumulated after being saturated with the laundry.

As the water supply detecting means, in addition to the water level sensor and the light transmittance sensor described above, a conductivity sensor having a pair of electrodes may be used. Also, the motor load amount detecting means is not limited to the phase difference detecting device,
What is detected from the terminal voltage of the motor capacitor may be used. Furthermore, the laundry amount display means, the detergent amount display means, and the like may be different from those described above.

In addition, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings, and can be implemented with appropriate modifications within the scope not departing from the gist.

[0057]

The washing machine of the present invention is as described above, and has the following effects.

In the washing machine according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided water supply detecting means for detecting the water supply into the washing tub by the water supplying means through the laundry in the washing tub, and from the detection result of the water supply detecting means, the laundry is detected. By including the laundry amount determination means for determining the amount, the laundry amount can be determined within a short time during the first water supply.

In the washing machine of the second aspect of the present invention, in the above construction, the laundry amount judging means judges the amount of the laundry from the detection result of the water supply detecting means, and then stirs the laundry to drive the stirring drive motor. By determining the amount of laundry again from the load on the
Not only from the detection result of water supply but also the actual amount of laundry at that time, it can be made more accurate.

According to another aspect of the washing machine of the present invention, the laundry amount judging means determines the laundry amount judging result from the previous detection result of the water supply detecting means and the load amount applied to the stirring drive motor for stirring the laundry. By determining the amount of laundry based on the detection result of this time's water supply detection means based on the determination result of the laundry amount of You can judge the quantity.

In the washing machine of the fourth aspect, the laundry amount is displayed on the display means immediately after the water supply is detected based on the result of the determination of the laundry amount, so that the user can visually check the laundry amount. Easy and quick to learn.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the required detergent amount is displayed on the display means immediately after the water supply is detected based on the result of the laundry amount judgment. It is easy to see, and you can know it quickly and directly.

In the washing machine of the sixth aspect, since the water supply detecting means is provided at the bottom of the washing tub, the water supply can be detected easily and quickly.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of an embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 2] Overall vertical side view

FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a water level sensor part.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of the operation / display panel section.

FIG. 5 is a schematic electrical configuration diagram.

FIG. 6 is a waveform diagram for explaining the functional contents of the phase difference detection device.

FIG. 7: Standard data diagram for water level sensor

FIG. 8 is a partial view showing an example of display of water supply level and laundry amount.

FIG. 9 is a display example of a required detergent amount (a), (b),
Partial view shown in 3 ways in (c)

FIG. 10 is a view corresponding to FIG. 2 showing a different embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a vertical sectional view of a light transmittance sensor portion.

FIG. 12 is a view corresponding to FIG.

FIG. 13 is a view equivalent to FIG.

FIG. 14 is a waveform diagram showing an example of the output of the light transmittance sensor.

FIG. 15 is a waveform diagram showing a different example of the output of the same sensor.

[Explanation of symbols]

4 is a washing tub, 8 is a motor (stirring drive motor), 16 is a water supply valve (water supply means), 17 is a water level sensor (water supply detection means), 34 is an LED (display means) for displaying "water level (amount of laundry)" , 44 is an LED (display means) for displaying a “detergent amount guide”, 45 is a control device (laundry amount determination means / display control means), 46 is a phase difference detection device (motor load amount detection means), and 52 is light transmission. Shows a degree sensor (water supply detection means).

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Takashi Nonogaki, 4-21, Yoshihara-cho, Nishi-ku, Nagoya VEE Co., Ltd. Nagoya Office

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A washing tub, a water supply means for supplying water to the washing tub, a water supply detecting means for detecting water supply by the water supplying means through the laundry in the washing tub, and a detection result by the water supply detecting means. A washing machine comprising: a laundry amount determining means for determining the amount of laundry. 2. The laundry amount judging means judges the amount of the laundry from the detection result of the water supply detecting means, then stirs the laundry and judges the amount of the laundry from the load applied to the stirring drive motor. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the washing machine is adapted to be fixed. 3. The laundry amount determination means determines the laundry amount determination result based on the previous detection result of the water supply detection means and the laundry amount determination result based on the load amount applied to the agitation drive motor when stirring the laundry. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the amount of laundry is determined based on the detection result of the water supply detection means this time. 4. The washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising display control means for displaying the laundry amount on the display means immediately after the water supply is detected, based on the result of the laundry amount determination. 5. The washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising display control means for displaying the required amount of detergent on the display means immediately after the detection of water supply based on the result of determination of the amount of laundry. 6. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the water supply detecting means is provided at the bottom of the washing tub.