JPH06238087A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To detect cloth quantity again when washing materials are added after a washing end time is set, in a washing machine for optionally setting the washing end time to conduct a scheduled operation, and display water level or detergent quantity again to conduct an optimum washing. CONSTITUTION:A washing machine is provided with an input key circuit 27, a cloth quantity detecting means, a lid opening and closing detecting means, a display device 29, and a microcomputer 16, and a washing end time is set by the input key circuit 27 to conduct a scheduled (washing) operation. When the lid is opened to add washing materials in the scheduled operation waiting state, the opening and closing of the lid is detected by the lid opening and closing detecting circuit, the cloth quantity is detected again, and when the close quantity is changed, the water level or detergent quantity suitable to this cloth quantity is displayed by the display device 29.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a washing machine in which the end time of washing can be arbitrarily set.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a fully automatic washing machine completes the steps of supplying water, washing, rinsing and dehydrating continuously. It is becoming common to use a cloth amount detection circuit as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 1-121099 to judge the cloth amount and control the water level according to the cloth amount. This is a water level detecting means for detecting the water level in the tank, a motor for driving a stirring blade provided in the tank, a cloth amount detecting circuit for driving the stirring blade to detect the cloth amount, and the inside of the tank. Washing equipped with a water supply valve to control water supply to the water, an indicator showing progress, water level, course selection, detergent appropriate amount display, etc., and a microcomputer for controlling and commanding input / output of all these devices / circuits / indicators For example, when washing a small amount of cloth, when the cloth amount detection circuit determines that the amount is a small amount, the low water level display and the detergent amount display corresponding to the low water level are displayed, and water is supplied to the low water level. Was going on.

When the end time of washing is arbitrarily set and the reserved operation is performed, the cloth amount is detected when the reserved operation is set,
Water was being supplied up to the appropriate water level for the detected amount of cloth. Further, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-256790, a method of detecting the cloth amount again before the start of the reserved operation or a method of detecting the cloth amount at the time of setting the reserved operation and determining the appropriate water level for the detected cloth amount. There is a method in which the cloth amount is detected and the cloth amount is detected and water is supplied at regular intervals until the reserved operation starts.

[0004]

When the amount of cloth re-detected before the start of the reserved operation is larger than the amount of cloth detected by the cloth amount detecting means when setting the reserved operation, the water amount is the water level corresponding to the re-detection. Although the water is supplied up to this time, the detergent will be washed with the detergent amount displayed when the reserved operation is set, and the detergent amount with respect to the water amount will be insufficient at the start of the operation, which may reduce the cleaning efficiency.

[0005]

The washing machine according to the present invention has a cloth amount detecting means, and determines an appropriate water level and detergent amount according to the cloth amount by the judgment of the microcomputer,
The microcomputer having an indicator for notifying a user of the determined water level or the amount of detergent, a lid opening / closing detecting means for detecting opening / closing of the lid, and an informing means for producing an alarm sound, If there is a command, a notification sound is generated, and when the reserved operation start time comes, automatic water supply is executed and washing is started. The key switch includes not only a power switch and a start switch but also a reserved time setting switch and a buzzer sound cancel switch.

[0006]

When the reserved operation is set by the reserved time setting means after the power switch is turned on, when the start switch is turned on, the cloth amount detecting means detects the cloth amount, and based on the detected information. The microcomputer determines an appropriate water level, displays the water level or the amount of detergent on the display, and enters a reserved operation standby state. In this state, when the user opens the lid to add laundry, the lid opening / closing detection means detects the lid opening / closing, and after a while, the cloth amount is detected again to determine an appropriate water level, and the water level or Redisplay the amount of detergent.

Further, when it is detected that the water level or the amount of detergent has changed compared to the previous time in the operation for detecting the amount of cloth again, the microcomputer issues a command to notify by the buzzer.

When it is detected again that the detergent amount is required to be larger than the previous time, the additional detergent amount is displayed.

In addition, when it is informed that the amount of cloth has changed from the previous time during the operation for detecting the amount of cloth again, the reserved operation start time is corrected to prevent the difference in the end time of washing.

Further, even when the reservation time is set, if the buzzer cancel switch is input, the buzzer does not notify.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention has been made on an electric washing machine controlled by a microcomputer. Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a control panel of a washing machine. A control panel 1 includes a power switch 2, a start / stop switch 3, a washing switch 4, a rinsing switch 5, a dehydration switch 6, a water level setting switch 7, a course selection switch 8, a time switch 9 for setting the current time, Reservation time setting switches 10, 9 and 10 for setting reservation setting time, hour switch 11 for setting time, minute switch 12 for setting minute,
Buzzer sound cancel switch 13 for turning on and off the end sound and the detergent amount change notification sound, the water level determined by the cloth amount detection
It has a water level / detergent amount display device 14 for displaying the amount of detergent, and an operation content display device 15 for displaying set numbers, remaining time during operation, and selection items of each mode.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the control unit. As a constituent element in the microcomputer 16, reference numeral 17 is a read-only memory (ROM) which stores all the operating programs, but the keys 4 to 8 are used for washing time and dehydration time. Can be changed. A data write memory (RAM) 18 stores the signals from the above 2 to 13 in the RAM 18 through the input control units 19 and 20. Reference numeral 21 is an arithmetic unit that compares data stored in the RAM and performs addition and subtraction, 22 is a control unit that controls the operation of each unit in the microcomputer, 23 is a timer, and 24-26 are signals taken out from the RAM 18. Is a control unit for operating each device.

An input key circuit 2 including the key switches 2 to 13 as an external circuit of the microcomputer.
7. State detection circuit 28 for detecting water temperature, water level, cloth amount, etc. by a sensor, display device 29 for displaying time, course, water level, detergent amount, etc., buzzer for notifying sound of end / error occurrence 30, a drain valve 32, load driving parts 34 for controlling the drive motor 33, etc., a power supply circuit 35, and a reset circuit 36 are connected.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the structure of the washing machine.
The dewatered water receiving tank 38 is provided in the outer tank 37 with the support rod 39 and the spring 4.
No. 0 is elastically supported, and a washing / dehydrating tub 42 having a dewatering hole 41 therein is rotatably installed in the dewatering water receiving tub 38. The washing / dehydrating tub 42 has a stirring center at the bottom. The wings 43 are rotatably provided. 44
The drive motor drives the washing / dehydrating tub 42 and the stirring blades 43 via the belt 45 and the mechanism 46. A water level detection device 47 that detects the water level in the tank, a lid switch 48 that detects opening and closing of the lid, a cloth amount detection circuit (state detection circuit) 28 that drives the stirring blade 43 to detect the amount of cloth, and the progress status. An indicator 14 showing water level, course selection, detergent proper amount display, etc.
Control device 49 including microcomputer 16 for controlling and instructing input / output of all these devices / circuits / displays
It is a washing machine equipped with.

In this washing machine, the cloth amount detection circuit included in the state detection circuit 28 determines the amount of cloth, the microcomputer controls the water level in accordance with the amount of cloth, and the display unit displays an appropriate water level / detergent amount. The water can be supplied automatically. When the laundry end time is set by the reservation switch 10, the laundry amount is detected, the water level and the detergent amount are displayed, and then the reserved laundry waiting state is reached until the reserved laundry start time calculated by the calculation unit 21 is reached, and the reserved laundry starts. When the time comes, water will be automatically supplied and the washing process will start.

4 to 8 are flowcharts showing the control contents by the microcomputer. FIG. 4 shows that, for example, when carrying out a reserved laundry, the power switch 2 is pushed,
When the laundry is thrown in and the washing end time is arbitrarily set by the reserved time setting switch 10 and the hour switch 11 / minute switch 12, the amount of cloth is detected by pressing the start / pause switch 3, and the water level is adjusted according to the amount of cloth. Decide, water level
The detergent level indicator 14 displays the water level and the detergent level, and the reserved operation standby state is entered. However, if the user newly adds laundry during the standby state, the user opens the lid to wash the laundry. If the lid switch 48 detects that the lid is "open", the cloth amount is detected again and the water level and the detergent amount are displayed.

Further, in FIG. 5, in the reserved operation standby state, if the lid "open" is not detected by the lid switch, the reserved operation standby state is continued as it is, and the washing process is started at the reserved operation start time. When "open" is detected, the amount of cloth is detected again, and when it is detected that the water level or the amount of detergent judged at that time is changed, the buzzer 30 emits an alarm sound to prompt the user to add detergent. Notify me. On the other hand, if the amount of detergent does not change when the cloth amount is detected again, the reserved operation standby state is resumed until the reserved operation start time. Further, in FIG. 6, in the reserved operation standby state, if the lid “open” is not detected, the standby state continues as it is, and when the lid “open” is detected, the cloth amount is detected again, and the detergent amount is larger than the previous time. When it is detected that it is necessary, the content display 15
, And ask the user to add an additional amount of detergent on the spot. On the other hand, if the increase in the amount of detergent is not detected when the cloth amount is detected again, the reserved operation standby state is resumed until the reserved operation start time.

Further, in FIG. 7, in the reserved operation standby state, if the lid "open" is not detected, the standby state continues as it is, but when the lid "open" is detected, the cloth amount is detected again, and at that time, the cloth amount is detected. If it is detected that the
1 is calculated again, the reserved operation start time is corrected, and the washing is ended at the washing end time initially set by the user.
On the other hand, if the cloth amount does not change when the cloth amount is detected again, the water level and the detergent amount are displayed as they are, and the operation returns to the reserved operation standby state.

Further, in FIG. 8, in the reserved operation standby state, if the lid "open" is not detected, the standby state continues as it is, but when the lid "open" is detected, the cloth amount is detected again and the water level /
Display the amount of detergent. At that time, even if it is detected that the water level or the detergent amount has changed, the buzzer cancel switch 13
If is input, the detergent amount change notification as described above is not performed.

[0020]

[Effect of the Invention] When laundry is added by the user during the reserved operation waiting operation during the reserved washing operation, even if the laundry amount is detected again before the start of the reserved operation, the water amount reaches the water level according to the re-detection. Although water is supplied, the detergent will be washed with the detergent amount displayed when the reserved operation is set, and there is a risk that the detergent amount will be insufficient for the amount of water at the start of operation, which may reduce the cleaning efficiency. By detecting the cloth amount again at that stage, the user can be notified of the addition of detergent or the like while on the spot, and the cleaning efficiency can be ensured even after the laundry is added.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of a control panel of a washing machine.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control unit.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a structure of a washing machine.

[Figure 4]

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of control contents

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Control panel 2 Power switch 3 Start / Pause switch 10 Reserved time setting switch 13 Buzzer sound cancel switch 14 Water level / detergent amount display 15 Content display 28 Cloth amount detection circuit (state detection circuit) 30 Buzzer 38 Dehydrated water receiving tank 42 Laundry and dewatering tank 43 Stirring blade 47 Water level detection device 48 Lid switch 49 Control device

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A water level detecting means for detecting a water level of a washing tub of a washing machine body, a cloth amount detecting means for detecting a cloth amount in the washing tub, and a cloth amount detected by the cloth amount detecting means. And control means for controlling each process of washing, rinsing, and dehydration,
Reservation time setting means connected to the control means for arbitrarily setting the washing end time, lid opening / closing detection means for detecting opening / closing of the lid, notification means for generating a notification sound, and display means for displaying operation contents. When the start switch is pressed after the reserved operation is set, the cloth amount is detected, and based on the detection information, the microcomputer determines and displays the appropriate water level or detergent amount, and the reserved operation standby state is set. In another washing machine, when the opening / closing of the lid is detected in the reserved operation standby state, the cloth amount is detected again, and the water level or the detergent amount suitable for the detected cloth amount is displayed again. 2. In the operation for performing the cloth amount detection again, when it is detected that there is a change in the appropriate water level or detergent amount in the cloth amount detected when the reserved operation is set, a command is issued by the microcomputer and the notification means is used. Claim 1 for informing
The described washing machine. 3. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein, when re-displaying the water level or the detergent amount, if it is detected that the detergent amount is larger than the previous amount, the additional detergent amount is displayed. 4. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein, in the operation of performing the cloth amount detection again, when the cloth amount is detected to have changed from the previous time, the reserved operation start time is corrected.