JPH06335588A - Drum type washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent generation of trouble by inhibiting washing by a control part in the case of executing washing erroneously when a waste thread filter is detached by detecting the presence of a waste thread filter. CONSTITUTION:This washing machine is provided with a waste thread filter 21 detachable and attachable from and to a circulating pipe 8, a filter detecting means for detecting whether or not the waste thread filter 21 exists and a control part performing control so that when it is detected by the filter detecting means that the waste thread filter 21 is not installed, its fact is informed by an informing means and a washing operation is inhibited.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a drum type washing machine, and more particularly to a drum type washing machine having a function of detecting a detached state of a lint filter and a function of detecting clogging of the lint filter.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 7 shows a conventional drum type washing machine. A detachable thread waste filter 21 is attached to the thread waste filter portion 20. When laundry is put in the clothes storage drum 2 and washing is started, the water supply valve 4 is opened to start water supply. The water dissolves the detergent charged from the detergent charging port 5 and accumulates in the inner tank 1. The water level sensor 13 monitors the water level, and the water supply valve 4 is closed at the optimum water level. The clothes storage drum 2 is rotated to start tumbling washing. At the same time, the circulation pump 7 is operated to pour the wash water into the clothes storage drum 2 from the upper part to enhance the washing effect.

[0003]

With the conventional drum type washing machine, when the thread waste filter of the thread waste filter section is removed and the washing is executed by mistake, when the water supply is started, the thread waste filter is used. Water will leak from the mounting part, causing a major problem.

Further, if the lint filter is clogged, washing, rinsing and drainage functions are deteriorated and normal washing cannot be performed, but the user cannot know the clogging of the lint filter.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a drum type washing machine for washing or centrifugally dewatering laundry by rotating a drum having an inner tub in which laundry is contained around a drum horizontal axis. In the drum type washing machine to be performed, a detachable lint filter is provided, and filter detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the lint filter, and the filter detecting means detecting that the lint filter is not mounted, A control unit is provided to notify that effect by the notification means and prohibit the washing operation.

In the drum type washing machine according to claim 1,
When the lint filter is mounted, the above-mentioned filter detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the lint filter is provided by shielding the light of the optical sensor with a part of the periphery of the lid of the lint filter that extends. .

In the drum type washing machine according to claim 1,
When the lint filter is attached, a part of the periphery of the lid of the lint filter is provided with filter detection means for reflecting the light of the optical sensor to detect the presence or absence of the lint filter.

In the drum type washing machine according to claim 1,
A water flow path between the lint filter and the circulation pump is provided with a part that detects a decrease in the water level.If the water level drops during operation of the circulation pump, it is determined that the lint filter is clogged, and Filter clogging detection means for detecting clogging of the waste filter is provided.

In the drum type washing machine according to claim 1,
By providing pump current detection means in the circulation pump circuit, if the pump current drops below a certain level during operation of the circulation pump, it is determined that the thread waste filter is clogged and the thread waste filter is detected. A filter clogging detection means is provided.

In the drum type washing machine according to claim 1,
A means for detecting the water level in the inner tank is provided, and the difference between the water level before the circulation pump operation and the water level after a certain time has elapsed after the circulation pump operation is calculated.If the difference is less than a certain value, the thread waste filter is clogged. Filter clogging detection means for detecting clogging of the thread waste filter is provided.

[0011]

Function: The presence or absence of the attached lint filter is optically detected. When the lint filter is mounted, the light from the optical sensor is shielded by the part of the lid of the lint filter that extends around the lid, and the presence or absence of the lint filter is detected. When the lint filter is attached, a part of the periphery of the lid of the lint filter reflects the light from the optical sensor to detect the presence or absence of the lint filter.

A portion for detecting a decrease in water level is provided between the lint filter and the circulation pump, and when the circulation pump is in operation,
When the lint filter is clogged, most of the water flow is blocked by the lint filter, and the water level between the lint filter and the circulation pump decreases. Detecting that the water level has dropped, it is determined that the thread waste filter is clogged.

A circuit for detecting the operating current of the circulation pump is also provided. When the lint filter is clogged, most of the water flow is blocked by the lint filter, and the circulation pump has a part of its blade exposed above the water surface, reducing the water load,
The operating current becomes small. The operating current is detected through a current transformer, converted into direct current and input to a microcomputer to determine clogging of the thread waste filter.

Further, means for detecting the water level in the inner tank is provided, and the difference between the water level before the operation of the circulation pump and the water level after a certain time has passed after the operation of the circulation pump is calculated. It is determined that the waste filter is clogged.

[0015]

1 to 4 show the construction of a drum type washing machine of the present invention. 1 to 4, 1 is an inner tub (washing tub), 2 is a clothes storage drum, 3 is a water supply pipe, 4 is a water supply valve, 5 is a detergent inlet, 6 is a detergent supply section, 7 is a circulation pump, and 8 Is a circulation pipe, 9 is a drainage pump, 10 is a drainage pipe, 11 is a clothes storage drum rotary shaft, 13 is a water level sensor, 14 is a pressure guiding pipe, 20 is a thread waste filter section, 21 is a thread waste filter with a lid, and 22 is Packing, 23 is a thread waste filter fixing screw, 24 is a micro switch with an actuator, 27 is a reflecting surface, 28 is a light emitting diode, 29 is a phototransistor, 30 is a float detection unit, 31 is a ventilation pipe, 32 and 33 are transparent windows, 34 Is a float, 38 is a light emitting diode, and 39 is a phototransistor.

First, the operation of the washing machine will be described. When laundry is put in the clothes storage drum 2 and washing is started, the water supply valve 4 is opened to start water supply. The detergent charged from the detergent charging port 5 is melted and stored in the inner tank 1. The water pressure in the water flow path between the inner tank 1 and the lint filter 21 is changed to the pressure guiding pipe 14
The water level sensor 13 and the water level detection circuit 15 monitor the water level in the inner tank 1 and close the water supply valve 4 at the optimum water level. The circulation pump 7 is operated to pour the wash water into the clothes storage drum 2 from the upper part to enhance the washing effect.
The clothes storage drum 2 is rotated to start tumbling washing. When the washing is completed, the clothes storage drum 2 and the circulation pump 7 are stopped and the drainage pump 9 is operated to drain the wash water.

After the drainage is completed, the drainage pump 9 is stopped and the water supply valve 4 is opened to start the water supply. The water level sensor 13 and the water level detection circuit 15 monitor the water level, and the water supply valve 4 is closed at the optimum water level. The clothes storage drum 2 is rotated to start tumbling rinsing. At the same time, the circulation pump 7 is operated to pour rinsing water into the clothes storage drum 2 from above to enhance the rinsing effect. When rinsing is performed for a certain period of time, the clothes storage drum 2 and the circulation pump 7 are stopped and the drainage pump 9 is operated to drain the rinse water. This series of rinsing operations is repeated a necessary number of times to complete the rinsing. After the rinsing is completed, the clothes storage drum 2 is rotated at a high speed to spin the clothes by centrifugal force, and the drainage pump 9 is operated to drain the clothes.

Next, a float detecting section 30 for detecting a drop in water level is provided between the lint filter 21 and the circulation pump 7. When the lint filter 21 is clogged, most of the water flow is blocked by the lint filter 21, and the float detection unit 30
Lowers and the float 34 lowers. It detects it optically. The ventilation pipe 31 is provided to improve the tracking of the water level of the float detection unit 30.

As another embodiment, the operating current of the circulation pump 7 is detected to detect clogging of the yarn waste filter 21. When the lint filter 21 is clogged, most of the water flow is blocked by the lint filter 21 and the circulation pump 7
, A part of its blade is exposed on the water surface, the load of water is reduced, and the operating current is reduced. The operating current is detected through the current transformer 52, converted into direct current, and the microcomputer 4
4 to determine whether the thread waste filter 21 is clogged.

As yet another embodiment, in the structure for detecting the change in the water level in the inner tank 1, when the circulation pump 7 operates,
The passage of the circulation pump 7 is filled with cleaning water, and the water level in the inner tank 1 is lowered. When the lint filter 21 is clogged, most of the water flow is blocked by the lint filter 21, and the water level in the inner tank 1 does not drop so much. The difference between the water level before the operation of the circulation pump 7 and the water level after a certain time has elapsed after the operation of the circulation pump 7 is calculated. If the difference is less than a certain value, the yarn waste filter 21
It is determined that is clogged.

FIG. 2 shows a cross section of a thread waste filter mounting portion and a micro switch 24 with an actuator for mechanically detecting whether or not the thread waste filter 21 with a lid is mounted. A part of the periphery of the lint filter lid is extended to push the actuator lever of the microswitch 24.

When the lint filter 21 is mounted, the actuator lever of the micro switch 24 is pushed by the part of the lid of the lint filter 21 which is extended around the lid, the switch is turned on, and the microcomputer 44 detects To do.

As another embodiment, FIG. 3 shows a thread waste filter attachment / non-attachment detection section for use with a transmission type optical sensor. When the lint filter 21 is attached, the light from the light emitting diode 28 is shielded by a part of the periphery of the lid of the lint filter 21 and the phototransistor 29 is turned off.
As a result, the presence of the thread waste filter 21 is detected.

As another embodiment, FIG. 4 shows a thread waste filter attachment / non-attachment detecting section for use with a reflection type optical sensor. When the thread waste filter 21 is attached, the light from the light emitting diode 28 is reflected by a part of the periphery of the lid of the thread waste filter 21, and the phototransistor 29 is turned on to detect the presence of the thread waste filter 21.

FIG. 5 shows a relevant part of the control circuit. A low-voltage DC power supply is produced from an AC power supply by a power transformer 50, a rectifying diode, and a smoothing capacitor, and is supplied to a control unit. The circulation pump 7 is turned on by the circulation pump control triac 51.
N / OFF control is performed. A current transformer 50 is provided in series with the circulation pump circuit, and a rectifier circuit is provided on the secondary side of the circulation pump circuit to generate a DC voltage according to the operating current of the circulation pump 7 and input it to the microcomputer 44, so that the thread waste filter 21 is clogged. In this case, most of the water flow is blocked by the lint filter 21, and the circulation pump 21 has a part of its blade exposed above the water surface.
The load of water becomes lighter, the operating current becomes smaller, the input DC voltage of the microcomputer 44 drops, and clogging can be detected.

The water level in the inner tank 1 is converted into an electric signal by the water level sensor 13 and the water level detection circuit 15, and the water level input to the microcomputer 44 is detected.

FIG. 6 shows a control flowchart of the present invention.

In FIG. 6, the thread waste filter 21 is referred to as a filter. An operation for detecting clogging of the thread waste filter 21 is shown.

[0029]

According to the drum type washing machine of the present invention, when the yarn waste filter of the yarn waste filter portion is removed by the above-mentioned structure, if the laundry is mistakenly attempted to be washed, the washing is prohibited. The trouble can be prevented without leaking from the thread waste filter mounting portion. Also, if the thread waste filter becomes clogged, the washing, rinsing and drainage functions will decline,
Although normal washing cannot be performed, the user is informed of the clogging of the lint filter and can clean it when necessary.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing a drum type washing machine of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a thread waste filter mounting portion of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a filter detection unit (transmission type optical sensor) for detecting the presence or absence of the thread waste filter attached in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a filter detection unit (reflection-type optical sensor) that detects whether or not the thread waste filter of FIG. 1 is attached.

5 is an electric circuit diagram showing the control circuit of FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a control flowchart showing the operation of the drum type washing machine of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view of a conventional drum type washing machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Inner Tank 2 Clothes Storage Drum 11 Clothes Storage Drum Rotating Shaft 13 Water Level Sensor 14 Pressure Pipe 15 Water Level Detection Circuit 20 Thread Waste Filter 21 Thread Waste Filter with Lid

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A removable thread waste filter in a drum type washing machine for washing or centrifugally dehydrating laundry by rotating a drum containing laundry in an inner tub about a drum horizontal axis. And a filter detecting means for detecting the presence / absence of a thread waste filter, and when the filter detecting means detects that the thread waste filter is not mounted, a notification to that effect is given by the notifying means, and a control for prohibiting the washing operation is performed. A drum type washing machine characterized by having a section. 2. A filter detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the lint filter when the lint filter is mounted, by shielding the light of the optical sensor with a part of the lid of the lint filter extending around the lid. The drum type washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising: 3. When the lint filter is attached, a filter detecting means is provided for reflecting the light of the optical sensor at a part of the periphery of the lid of the lint filter to detect the presence or absence of the lint filter. The drum type washing machine according to claim 1, wherein: 4. A water flow path between the lint filter and the circulation pump is provided with a portion for detecting a drop in the water level, and when the water level drops during operation of the circulation pump, the lint filter is clogged. The drum type washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising: a filter clogging detection unit that detects clogging of the lint filter. 5. A circulating current pump circuit is provided with a pump current detecting means, and when the circulating pump is operating and the pump current drops below a certain level, it is determined that the yarn waste filter is clogged, and the yarn waste filter is determined. The drum type washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising filter clogging detection means for detecting clogging of the drum type washing machine. 6. A means for detecting the water level in the inner tank is provided, and the difference between the water level before the operation of the circulation pump and the water level after a certain time has elapsed after the operation of the circulation pump is calculated.
2. The drum type washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising filter clogging detection means for determining clogging of the lint filter and detecting clogging of the lint filter.