JPH0523485A - Hot-water supply device for washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To automatically switch to water at the time of rinsing by switching hot water to water by an operation of a time switch after a prescribed time after an operation of a washing machine is started, in an automatic washing machine. CONSTITUTION:At the time of starting an operation of a washing machine 1, when hot water and water are selected for washing and rinsing, respectively by pushing an operation start push-button B1 of a control panel, a timer part 4a of a time switch starts time counting. Simultaneously, a hot water solenoid valve 6 is subjected electric conduction through a normally closing side of a contact part 4b, and hot water of a hot water device 5 is supplied to the washing machine 1. Subsequently, when washing is executed for a prescribed time, and the contact part 4b of the time switch 4a is inverted to a normally opening side, the hot water solenoid valve 6 is turned off, the hot water supply stops and drainage is executed. Next, a water solenoid valve 7 is turned on. Thereafter, as soon as drainage of the washing machine 1 is completed, water is supplied to the washing machine 1 and it goes into a rinsing process.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a hot water supply device for supplying hot water to a water tap connected to a washing machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, it has been known that when hot water is used for washing, the detergent can be easily dissolved and the "washing" time for obtaining the same washing power can be shortened. There are many cases where a hot water tap is installed. However, it is effective to use hot water in the “washing” process, but in the “rinsing” process, a sufficient amount of water is used compared to the “washing”, and more water is used in the “rinsing” process. It is extremely uneconomical to use hot water for the process. Therefore, it is desirable to switch from hot water to water according to each process of the washing machine.

On the other hand, most of recent washing machines are automatic type in which "washing" is automatically switched to "rinsing", and accordingly, the hot water supply apparatus is also automatically switched from "hot water" to "water". However, since there are various types of automatic washing machines on the market and there is no commonality between them, conventionally, there has been no hot water supply device that switches according to the operation of an arbitrary automatic washing machine.

[0004]

Although the automatic washing machine automatically controls itself, it does not have an information exchange terminal capable of adding another control function by matching with an external control device. .. The present invention does not require any processing for such an automatic washing machine, and automatically uses hot water for "washing" and water for "rinsing" as the operation of the washing machine progresses. It is an object of the present invention to provide a hot water supply device that can be supplied with electricity.

[0005]

As shown in FIG. 1, a washing machine hot water supply apparatus according to the present invention is a water tap for connecting a water supply hose of a washing machine 1 of a type that automatically switches between "washing" and "rinsing". 2, a switching means 3 for switching the water supply to the faucet 2 between hot water and water, and a time switch 4 for switching the switching means 3 from hot water to water after a lapse of a certain time from the start of operation.

[0006]

The automatic washing machine controls water supply / drainage by itself according to a predetermined schedule, but does not have a terminal for outputting the state of water supply / drainage to the outside as information. There are various types of automatic washing machines, and there are also those that change the water level in the tub and the "washing" time depending on the amount of laundry. However, the first water supply time for "washing" is at most 5-6
Within minutes, while adding "wash" followed by "drain" time is at least 5-6 minutes or more. Therefore, it is possible to select in advance a certain point in time that is always after the first water supply and before the second water supply, regardless of the water level at any time depending on the washing machine and the amount of laundry. is there. Therefore, according to the present invention, by setting the time switch in advance so as to operate after a fixed time (for example, 8 minutes) from the start of operation regardless of the operating state inside the washing machine
Water is automatically supplied for "washing" and water for "rinsing". In recent automatic washing machines, the initial water supply is set to "a small amount" of, for example, about 4 minutes, the amount of laundry is once detected by "trial washing", and if necessary, further water supply is performed before "washing". There are some that were put in, but in this case the water supply stop time is as short as several tens of seconds at most, so there is almost no effect on the first water supply time, and the "wash" operation is started with "a small amount". Even if you do, the "washing" time is almost unchanged, and "drainage"
Since the time is slightly shortened, it is possible to still have a sufficient margin before and after the fixed time (for example, 8 minutes).

[0007]

1 to 3 show an embodiment of the present invention. The washing machine 1 is a commercially available electric washing machine that automatically performs water supply / drainage according to the specified schedule and also "washes".
And "rinsing" are automatically switched. The water tap 2 is connected to the water supply hose of the automatic washing machine 1 and is always "open". In this embodiment, a hot water storage type gas water heater 5 is used as shown in FIG. 1, and solenoid valves 6 and 7 that operate by the output of the time switch 4 are used as the switching means 3 as shown in FIG. Reference numeral 8 denotes a temperature adjusting mixing valve, which can be adjusted in five steps by the temperature adjusting push buttons B ₅ and B ₆ shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the control panel 9 attached to the upper wall of the washing machine.
1 is for pressing the washing machine at the start of operation of the washing machine to start the hot water supply device. In the case of the present invention, that is, when hot water is used for "washing" and water is used for "rinsing", the "hot / water" selection button B2 is pressed, but it is desired to use hot water also for "rinsing" such as wool. Button B for selecting "hot water" in case
3. A button B4 for selecting "water / water" is provided in the case where the laundry is not so dirty in the summer. L ₁ ~ L ₄
Is a status display LE corresponding to each button B _{1 to} B _4.
D, L ₅ ~L ₉ is an LED for temperature display.

In FIG. 2, when the operation start push button B1 of the control panel is pressed at the same time as the operation of the washing machine is started, the timer portion 4a of the time switch 4 starts the time counting operation and the contact portion 4b is normally closed. The hot water solenoid valve 6 is energized to supply hot water to the washing machine. When the contact part 4b of the time switch is reversed to the normally open side after a fixed time (for example, 8 minutes) from the start of operation, the hot water solenoid valve 6 is turned off and the water solenoid valve 7 is turned on. The machine is in the stage of completing the first water supply and performing "washing" or "draining". Therefore, for the second water supply starting after "draining", the water is supplied to the washing machine through the solenoid valve 7 for water. Will be supplied.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the present invention, in which an instantaneous gas water heater 10 which is turned on / off by a time switch contact is used as the hot / cold water switching means 3. In this case, temperature control is performed on the water heater side.

FIG. 5 shows an operating state of a general automatic washing machine 1. In a normal washing machine operation (b), and to start the operation in to the water supply (usually 5-6 minutes) will start for the "wash", "washing" is started when the water supply at t ₁ is completed ( Usually 3 to 15 minutes). After that, “drainage” is performed from t ₂ (usually about 3 minutes). When the "drainage" is completed, the water supply (usually 5-6 minutes) will start for the "rinse" from t _3, "rinse" than t ₄ when the water supply is completed begins. That is, after the first water supply is completed,
Before the second water supply is started, the water supply suspension period (t _{1 to} t) is usually 6 minutes or more for “washing” and “draining”.
₃ ) There is. In addition, some recent washing machines automatically adjust the amount of water supplied depending on the amount of laundry. (B) and (c) show the operation of this type of laundry.
As shown in, first, the amount of water to be washed is first detected by performing a "trial wash" with "a small amount" of, for example, about 4 minutes, and then, if necessary, further water is supplied to "wash". to go into. This trial washing time is about several seconds to several tens seconds. When the amount of laundry is small, as shown in (c), "washing" starts immediately after, for example, four minutes of water supply.
In this case as well, the "washing" time is almost the same as that in (a), but the "draining" time is shortened by about 1 minute.
Therefore, in any case, from 6 to 7 minutes after the start of operation to 11 to 12 minutes after the start of the operation, the water supply stop period is always entered. Therefore, as shown in (d), the time switch 4 is set to 8
If it is set to 10 minutes, a sufficient margin can be provided before and after that in any case.

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION Generally, in "washing", when hot water is used, the detergent is easily dissolved and stains are easily removed.
Since "rinse" is often sufficient with water, by switching the water heater from "hot water" to "water" before entering "rinse" as in the present invention, it is possible to shorten the washing time, save the detergent, and wash the laundry. It is possible to improve the finish. Moreover, since the hot water is automatically switched to water, it is not necessary for a person to be near the washing machine. In addition, since the time required for "washing" and "draining" is relatively long compared to the time required for "water supply" of an automatic washing machine, a special terminal for outputting information is provided on the washing machine side. The device of the present invention can be connected to any commercially available automatic washing machine.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a control circuit diagram of the above.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the main part of the same.

FIG. 4 is a system diagram of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an operation explanatory view of a general automatic washing machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Washing machine 2 Water tap 3 Switching means 4a Time switch 5 Hot water storage type gas water heater 6 Hot water solenoid valve 7 Water solenoid valve 8 Mixing valve 9 Control panel 10 Instantaneous gas water heater

Claims (1)

Claims: 1. A faucet to which a water supply hose of a washing machine of a type that automatically switches between "washing" and "rinsing" is connected, and hot water and water are supplied to the water faucet. A hot water supply apparatus for a washing machine, comprising: a switching means for switching to the above mode; and a time switch for switching the switching means from hot water to water after a lapse of a predetermined time from the start of operation of the washing machine.