JPH06327880A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enhance the washing efficiency by indicating a required water feed time on display means in accordance with a result of detection of a fed water flow rate so as to allow a user to easily know the time when the user should come to a washing machine, in a pump using course selected with a course selecting means. CONSTITUTION:When a microcomputer 35 starts its operation by manipulating a start switch 25, whether a pump using course has been set or not is determined. If the determination gives the result 'YES', and if a commercially available pump is connected to a second water feed passage 12, water is fed into an inner tank 3. When it is determined that the level of water in the inner tank 3 reaches a detectable lowest level in accordance with a signal from a water level sensor 10, the time is counted until the water is fed up to a flow detecting level. With the result of the counting, a required water feed time up to regular water level is calculated, and is indicated on a display unit 33. Thus, the user sees the displayed result and knows the time of stopping the pump, thereby, the user can leave the washing machine.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a washing machine suitable for supplying water into a washing tub by using a commercially available pump.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a washing machine, a commercially available pump is used to supply residual water in a bath or the like into a washing tub for washing.

[0003]

However, when the water is supplied by the commercially available pump as described above, if left unattended, the water will be supplied too much and the water will be wasted. Therefore, before the water level in the washing tub reaches the required water level. It was troublesome because the user had to stop the operation of the pump up to the point where he reached.

Even when the remaining water in the bath is sufficiently clean and it is desired to use the remaining water in the bath not only for the washing operation but also for the rinsing operation, the course of the operation is automatically controlled by the water valve after the washing. Since the water is supplied and the operation is shifted to the rinse operation, there is a problem that the remaining water in the bath cannot be used as desired.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances. Therefore, firstly, the object of the present invention is to shorten the time taken for a user to wash a machine when supplying water by using a commercially available pump. To provide a washing machine.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine capable of performing a rinsing operation as desired by supplying water using a commercially available pump.

A third object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine capable of more clearly knowing when to stop the pump when performing a rinse operation by supplying water using a commercially available pump.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, in a washing machine of the present invention, firstly, a course selecting means which can set a pump use course and a water supply for detecting a water supply flow rate to a washing tub. A flow rate detecting means and a display means for displaying the time are provided, and when the course using the pump is set by the course selecting means, water supply is required for the display means based on the detection result by the water supply flow rate detecting means. It is characterized by comprising a control means for controlling to display the time.

In the washing machine of the present invention, secondly, a course selecting means for setting a pump use course, a water supply valve for supplying water to the washing tub, and a water level detecting means for detecting the water level in the washing tub are provided. In addition, when the pump use course is set by the course selecting means, the water level is detected by the water level detecting means at a predetermined time before the rinsing operation is performed, and the result indicates the water level in the washing tub. When it is judged that there is no change, water is supplied by the water supply valve to shift to the rinse operation, and when it is judged that there is a change, control is performed to wait for the specified water level to reach the rinse operation. It is characterized by having a control means.

In the washing machine of the present invention, thirdly, a course selecting means for setting a pump use course, a water supply valve for supplying water to the washing tub, a water level detecting means for detecting the water level in the washing tub, and a notification When a course for pump use is set by the course selecting means, the water level is detected by the water level detecting means at a predetermined time before the rinsing operation is performed, and the result of the detection is used in the washing tub. When it is determined that there is a change in the water level, the above-mentioned notifying means gives a notification when the water level reaches the specified water level, and a control means for controlling to shift to the rinse operation is provided.

[0011]

According to the above-mentioned first means, the user looks at the time required for water supply displayed on the display means, decides the time to return to the front of the washing machine after stopping the pump, and the washing machine continues until the decided time. You can leave.

Further, according to the second means, it is sufficient to start the water supply by the pump when a predetermined time has elapsed before the rinsing operation is executed.

Further, according to the third means, the pump may be stopped when the notification by the notification means is confirmed.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first 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 an outer tub 2 for storing water is provided, and a porous inner tub which is a washing tub and a dehydrating tub is provided in the outer tub 2. 3, and an agitator 4 for washing is disposed at the bottom of the inner tub 3.

At the outer lower part of the outer tub 2, inside the outer tub 2 (inner tub 3
A drainage valve 5 and a drainage hose 6 for draining water from the inside) are arranged, and a drive mechanism 8 mainly composed of a motor 7 is arranged. With this drive mechanism 8, the inner tank 3 is washed and rinsed. The stirrer 4 is stopped and rotated, and the inner tank 3 is rotated together with the stirrer 4 during dehydration.

On the other hand, a top cover 9 is provided on the outer case 1, and a water level sensor 10, a first water supply passage 11 and a second water supply passage 11 are provided behind the top cover 9 as shown in FIG. The water supply channel 12 is provided. Of these, the water level sensor 10 detects the water level in the outer tub 2 (inner tub 3) and functions as a water level detection means. Further, both the first water supply passage 11 and the second water supply passage 12 have their leading ends exposed from the water supply port 13 into the inner tub 3, and the base end portion thereof is the first water supply passage 11. The electromagnetic water supply valve 14 allows connection of a connection hose led from a water tap (not shown). On the other hand, in the case of the second water supply passage 12, the connection port 15
The connection hose led from a commercially available pump (also not shown) can be connected.

On the other hand, an operation panel 16 is provided on the front upper surface of the top cover 9. This operation panel 16
In detail, as shown in FIG. 4, various operation switches 1
7 to 25 and various display devices 26 to 34 exist, and among them, the operation switch 23 is for selecting a driving course, and the "pump" course display portion 34a in the display device 34 is provided. , It functions as a course selecting means capable of setting a pump use course. Further, the display device 33 displays the present time, the reserved time, the execution time of each driving process, the number of executions, the remaining time, etc., and also as a display means for displaying the required time of water supply by the pump in cooperation with the display device 32. It is supposed to work.

In addition, a microcomputer 35 is arranged inside the front portion of the top cover 9. The microcomputer 35 functions as a supply water flow rate detecting means and a control means as will be described later, and as shown in FIG. 6, various switch signals are input from the various operation switches 17 to 25, and A water level detection signal is input from the water level sensor 10,
Based on these inputs and a control program stored in advance, various display devices 26 to 34, a buzzer 36 serving as an informing means, a drive circuit 37 for driving the water supply valve 14, the motor 7, and the drain valve 5 are driven and controlled. It is designed to give a signal.

Therefore, the operation based on the function of the microcomputer 35 will be described below. As shown in FIG. 1, the microcomputer 35 judges whether or not the pump use course is set at the beginning when the necessary power is supplied and the start switch 25 is operated to start (start) the operation. (Step A1) If it is determined that the setting is not made, another selected course is executed (Step A2) and the operation is ended (End).

On the other hand, if it is judged that the pump use course has been set, it is judged whether or not the water has been supplied up to the "detectable minimum water level" (step A3). Here, if the user connects a commercially available pump to the second water supply passage 12 and operates the pump to supply water into the inner tub 3 through the second water supply passage 12, the water level in the inner tub 3 is increased. Reaches the above-mentioned "minimum water level that can be detected".
In step A3, it is determined by the water level detection signal from the water level sensor 10 that the water has been supplied to the "detectable minimum water level", and counting of time is started (step A4). Then, it is judged whether or not the water has been supplied up to the "flow rate detection water level" (step A5), and the time counting is continued while it is judged that the water has not been supplied.

When it is determined in step A5 that the water has been supplied up to the "flow rate detection water level", the water supply flow rate of the pump for the inner tank 3 is calculated (step A).
6). This water supply flow rate is calculated by dividing the amount of water from the "detectable minimum water level" to the "flow rate detection water level" by the count time, and after that, the calculated result reaches the "specified water level". Is calculated (step A7), and the calculation result, that is, the water supply required time is displayed on the display 33 (step A8). FIG. 4 shows an example thereof, and shows that the time required for water supply is "5" minutes. Further, at this time, the display 32 also emits light to display that "5" indicates the time required for water supply.

After that, the microcomputer 35
It is judged whether or not the water has been supplied up to the “specified water level” (step A9), and when it is judged that the water has been supplied, the washing operation is started (step A10), and then the rinsing operation (step A11) and the dehydration operation (step). A12) is sequentially executed to end the operation.

With such a structure, when the user sets the pump use course and starts the water supply by the commercially available pump, the user sees the water supply required time displayed on the display 33 and stops the pump. You can decide the time to return to the washing machine, and you can leave the washing machine until that time.
The time the user spends on the washing machine can be shortened as desired.

In contrast to the above, FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In this case, the microcomputer 35
If it is determined in step B1 similar to step A1 that the pump use course is set, immediately
9 It is judged whether or not water has been supplied to the same “specified water level” (step B3), and when it is judged that water has been supplied,
The buzzer 36 is activated to give a notification, and the user is prompted to stop the pump (step B4).

After that, a washing operation is executed (step B
5) After the washing operation, the buzzer 36 is activated again to give an alarm, and the user is prompted to use the pump for the rinsing operation (step B6).

Then, the time count value t is set to 0 (step B7), and the time is counted (step B
8), whether or not the count value t has reached the set value t1
That is, it is judged whether or not a predetermined time has passed (step B9), and these are repeated until it is judged that the inner tank 3 is judged by the water level detection signal from the water level sensor 10. It is judged whether there is a change in the water level in the inside (step B10), and if there is no change, that is, if the user is not supplying water by the pump, the water supply valve 14 is opened and tap water is supplied. Supply (step B11) and then rinse operation (step B1)
2) The dehydration operation (step B13) is sequentially executed to end the operation.

If it is determined in step B10 that the water level in the inner tank 3 has changed, it is determined whether or not the water has been supplied up to the "specified water level" similar to step B3 (step B3).
14), when it is judged that the water has been supplied, the buzzer 36
Is activated to notify the user to stop the pump (step B14), and then the process proceeds to step B12.

With such a structure, when there is a large amount of remaining water in the bath and is sufficiently clean, and when it is desired to use the remaining water in the bath not only for the washing operation but also for the rinsing operation, before performing the rinsing operation. It is sufficient to start the water supply by the pump when the predetermined time is set, and thus, the rinsing operation can be performed by the water supply using the commercially available pump as desired.

Further, in this case, after starting the water supply by the commercially available pump, it is sufficient to stop the pump when the notification by the buzzer 36 is confirmed, and it is possible to more reliably prevent the forgetting to stop the pump.

In addition, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings, and may be implemented with various modifications without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0031]

The washing machine of the present invention is as described above, and has the following effects. First, when the course selection means sets the pump use course, the display means displays the required water supply time based on the detection result by the water supply flow rate detection means, so that a commercially available pump is used. It is possible to shorten the time for the user to get to the washing machine when water is supplied.

Secondly, when the pump use course is set by the course selecting means, the water level is detected by the water level detecting means for a predetermined time before the rinsing operation is executed,
When it is determined from the results that the water level in the washing tub has not changed, water is supplied by the water supply valve to shift to rinse operation, and when it is determined that there is a change, wait until the prescribed water level is reached. By shifting to the rinsing operation, the rinsing operation can be performed as desired by supplying water using a commercially available pump.

Third, when the pump use course is set by the course selecting means, the water level is detected by the water level detecting means at a predetermined time before the rinsing operation is executed,
When it is determined from the results that the water level in the washing tub has changed, the notification means notifies when the water level reaches the specified level, and the rinsing operation is started. By supplying water, it is possible to more clearly know when to stop the pump when performing the rinse operation, and it is possible to more reliably prevent forgetting to stop the pump.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

[Fig. 2] Side view of the entire fracture

FIG. 3 is a perspective view with a part of the upper part incised

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the operation panel.

FIG. 5 is a schematic electrical configuration diagram.

FIG. 6 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

3 is an inner tub (washing tub), 10 is a water level sensor (water level detection means), 14 is a water supply valve, 23 is an operation switch (course selection means), 33 is an indicator (display means), and 35 is a microcomputer (water supply flow rate). (Detection means, control means) is shown.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A course selecting means capable of setting a pump use course, a water supply flow rate detecting means for detecting a water supply flow rate for a washing tub, and a display means for displaying a time, and the course selecting means uses a pump. A washing machine comprising control means for controlling the display means to display the required water supply time based on the detection result of the water supply flow rate detection means when the course is set. 2. A course selecting means capable of setting a pump use course, a water supply valve for supplying water to a washing tub, and a water level detecting means for detecting a water level in the washing tub, wherein the course selecting means uses a pump. When the course was set,
Before performing the rinsing operation, the water level detection means detects the water level for a predetermined time, and when it is determined from the result that the water level in the washing tub does not change, water is supplied by the water supply valve. A washing machine characterized by comprising control means for controlling to shift to rinsing operation after waiting for a prescribed water level to be reached when it is judged that there is a change. 3. A course selecting means which can set a pump use course, a water supply valve for supplying water to a washing tub, a water level detecting means for detecting a water level in the washing tub, and an informing means, and the course selecting means. When the pump use course was set by, the water level was detected by the water level detection means at a predetermined time before the rinsing operation was performed, and it was determined that there was a change in the water level in the washing tub from the result. sometimes,
A washing machine characterized by comprising control means for informing by said notifying means when reaching a specified water level and controlling to shift to a rinsing operation.