JPH067578A - Controller for washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To eliminate drop in cleaning power due to shortage of a detergent and excessive feeding thereof by judging a suitable amount of the detergent by detecting the temperature of water during a washing in a controller of a washing machine judging the amount of the detergent. CONSTITUTION:A control means 19 is made up of various electric circuits containing a microcomputer and fetches signals from a cloth quantity judging means 18, a water level detection means 20, a fouling detection means 21, a detergent quantity judging means 22 and the like to energize or control a power switching means 23, a display means 24 and the like. The number of output pulses of the encoder 16 is counted with a pulse counter 17 and a signal thereof is inputted into the cloth quantity judging means 18 to judge the amount of cloth. The power switching means 23 controls a motor 5, a drain valve 6, a cold water supply means 12 and the like by a signal from the control means 19. Then, a detergent quantity judging means 22 fetches signals of the cloth quantity judging means 18 and a temperature detection means 14 to determine the amount of the detergent.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a washing machine control device capable of determining an appropriate amount of detergent to be put into a washing tub.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, since laundry drainage affects the water pollution of rivers, it has been desired to reduce the amount of detergent used. Therefore, a washing machine control device that determines an appropriate amount of detergent is under study.

Conventionally, a control device for a washing machine of this type has a structure as shown in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 54998/1992. That is, a laundry amount sensor for detecting the amount of laundry, a dirt sensor for detecting the turbidity of the liquid in the washing tub, and a control means for inputting the output data of the dirt sensor and controlling the washing are provided. The amount of detergent is determined according to the turbidity of the liquid and the amount of cloth detected by the cloth amount sensor to prevent the detergent from being overfilled or insufficient.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional configuration, the detergent amount is determined irrespective of the washing water temperature which affects the washing conditions, and the proper detergent amount is not determined. There wasn't.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and provides a control device for a washing machine, which can determine the optimum amount of detergent according to the change of the washing water temperature and wash under the optimum conditions. Has an aim.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has a first means for solving the problems, in which the water supply means for supplying water into the washing tub and the amount of laundry in the washing tub are determined. It is provided with a cloth amount judging means, a temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the washing water, and a control means for controlling washing according to the cloth amount judged by the cloth amount judging means. A detergent amount determination means for taking in and determining the detergent amount is provided. As a second means for solving the problem, a display means for displaying the amount of detergent and the like is provided, and the amount of detergent determined by the detergent amount determining means is displayed. As a third means for solving the problem, the temperature detecting means is arranged closer to the tap than the water supply means. Further, as a fourth problem solving means, the temperature detecting means is arranged in the vicinity of the water supply means, and after the cloth amount judging means judges the cloth amount, the water temperature after several seconds from the start of the water supply is detected. Is. Further, as a fifth problem solving means, a storage means for storing the temperature detected by the temperature detection means, and a temperature determination means for taking a signal of the temperature stored in the storage means to determine the temperature are provided. The means uses the water temperature in the washing tub at the time of the previous washing as the determination value. Further, as a sixth means for solving the problems, a storage means for storing the temperature detected by the temperature detection means and a temperature determination means for fetching and determining a temperature signal stored in the storage means are provided. Stores the water temperature in the washing tub at the latest multiple times of washing, and the temperature determination means uses the average value excluding the maximum and minimum values of the water temperature stored in the storage means as the determination value. Further, as a seventh means for solving the problem, a detergent charging device for charging the detergent into the washing tub is provided, and the detergent charging device automatically charges the detergent amount determined by the detergent amount determining means.

[0007]

In the above-mentioned structure, the operation of the first problem solving means is that the detergent amount determining means takes in the signal of the temperature detecting means to determine the detergent amount, so that the proper detergent amount in consideration of the change in the washing water temperature is determined. In addition, the operation of the second problem solving means is that the display means displays the detergent amount, so that the user can input the optimum detergent amount, and the third problem solving means. The function of the means is that the temperature of the washing water is detected before the water is supplied to determine the amount of detergent, so that it can be known immediately after the determination of the amount of cloth. Since the initial water temperature is detected and the cloth amount determination means detects the water temperature for several seconds from the start of water supply, it is possible to determine the optimum detergent amount in a short time, and the action of the fifth problem solving means is as follows. The temperature determination means is the laundry at the previous washing Since the internal water temperature is used as the determination value, the optimum detergent amount can be determined before water supply based on the temperature tendency of the washing water. Further, the operation of the sixth problem solving means is that the temperature determination means stores the storage means. Since the average value excluding the maximum value and the minimum value of the water temperature stored in is used as the determination value, the water temperature can be more accurately grasped and the proper detergent amount can be known. Further, as the action of the seventh problem solving means, the detergent amount determined by the detergent amount determining means can be automatically added by the detergent inserting device.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 3 show a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, a washing / dehydrating tub 3 having a pulsator 2 at the center bottom is rotatably provided inside the washing tub 1, and a substrate 4 is fixed to the bottom of the washing tub 1. A motor 5, a drain valve 6, a washing / dehydration switching mechanism 7, etc. are fixed to the board 4, and the outer edge of the board 4 is supported by a vibration isolator 8 and a suspension rod 9 so as to be suspended from an upper corner of the outer frame 10. There is. A start switch 11, a water supply means 12, a power switch 13, a temperature detection means 14, a control device 15 and the like are arranged on the outer frame 10. The temperature detecting means 14 is composed of a thermistor or the like and is arranged closer to the tap than the water supplying means 12 to detect the water temperature in the water supply pipe. The encoder 16 detects the rotation angle of the motor 5, outputs 6 pulses for each rotation of the motor 5, and inputs the output to the pulse counter 17. The pulse counter 17 counts the number of output pulses of the encoder 16 and inputs this output to the cloth amount judging means 18 to judge the cloth amount. The control means 19 is composed of various electronic circuits including a microcomputer, takes in signals from the cloth amount judging means 18, the water level detecting means 20, the dirt detecting means 21, the detergent amount judging means 22 and the like, and the power switching means 23. The display means 24 and the like are energized. The detergent amount judging means 22 is to take in signals from the cloth amount judging means 18 and the temperature detecting means 14 to determine the detergent amount, and the display means 23 is composed of a liquid crystal display element or the like, and displays the water level of the washing tub 1 and the detergent amount. indicate. Further, the power switching means 23 controls the motor 5, the drain valve 6, the water supply means 12 and the like by a signal from the control means 19.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to FIG. First, in step 31, the laundry is put in the washing / dehydrating tub 3, the power switch 13 is turned on, and the start switch 11 is pressed in step 32. Then, the process proceeds to step 33, and the temperature of the water used for washing is detected by the temperature detecting means 14. To detect. Next, in step 34, the motor 5 is moved to the right by 0.
After driving for 3 seconds and resting for 1.5 seconds, driving to the left for 0.3 seconds and resting for 1.5 seconds, the process proceeds to step 35, and the output of the encoder 16 from the beginning of the rest period to 0.4 seconds The number of pulses is counted by the pulse counter 17, and in step 36, the cloth amount judging means 18 judges the cloth amount of the laundry. After determining the amount of cloth, the process proceeds to step 37, the detergent amount determining means 22 determines the amount of detergent according to the temperature and the amount of laundry based on the results of the temperature detecting means 14 and the amount of laundry determining means 18, and step 38
Then, the amount of detergent and the water level are displayed on the display means 24 to inform the user. After supplying water to a predetermined water level in step 39, the process proceeds to step 40 to start stirring.

FIG. 4 shows the relationship between the water temperature and the amount of cloth and the appropriate amount of detergent based on the experimental results. That is, if the cloth amount is 5.5 kg, the detergent amount is 50 at a water temperature of 10 ° C.
g, 29 g at a water temperature of 25 ° C., and 25 g at a water temperature of 40 ° C.
With a cloth weight of 1.0 g, the water temperature is 10 ° C and the detergent is 30 g
It becomes 20 g at ℃ and 18 g at water temperature of 40 ℃. Water temperature is 10 ℃
When the water temperature changes from 25 ° C to 25 ° C, the detergent activity greatly increases, so the detergent amount decreases, but when the water temperature is 25 ° C or higher, the detergent activity does not significantly change and the detergent reduction amount is small. Also, when the water temperature is high, the greater the amount of cloth, the greater the change in the easiness of movement of clothes, and the greater the amount of detergent decreased. Further, generally, the washing ability in a washing machine is determined by the balance of three elements of water, detergent and mechanical power, and the temperature of water greatly contributes to the washing ability. The higher the water temperature, the more active the detergent becomes, which makes it easier to work against dirt, and the water and detergent liquids tend to soak into the clothes, increasing the movement of the clothes (substantial mechanical force) and increasing the cleaning effect. To do. Based on the above experimental results,
The detergent amount determining means 22 determines the optimum detergent amount according to the temperature and the amount of cloth.

As described above, according to the controller of the washing machine of the above embodiment, the detergent amount is determined according to the water temperature detected by the temperature detecting means 14, so that the laundry can be washed with the optimum detergent amount suitable for the water temperature. Further, since the amount of detergent is displayed on the display means 24, the user can put in an appropriate amount of detergent according to the amount of cloth and the temperature of the washing water, and the temperature detecting means 14 further causes the water supply means 12 to operate. Since it is arranged closer to the tap, it is possible to detect the temperature of the washing water before water supply and to know the proper amount of detergent immediately after determining the amount of cloth.

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention and is an operation flow chart when the temperature detecting means 14 is arranged in the vicinity of the water supply means 12 (not shown). That is, in step 41, the laundry is put into the washing / dehydrating tub 3, the power switch 13 is turned on, and the start switch 11 is pressed in step 42.
Is driven, the process proceeds to step 44, the number of output pulses is counted by the pulse counter 17, and at step 45 the cloth amount judging means 1
The amount of cloth is judged according to 8. After that, the process proceeds to step 46 to start water supply, and at step 47, 5 seconds after the start of water supply, the temperature of the washing water is detected by the temperature detecting means 14, and the process proceeds to step 48 where the detergent amount determining means 22 causes the laundry amount determining means 18 Based on the result of the temperature detecting means 14, the detergent amount corresponding to the cloth amount and the temperature is determined, and in step 49, the detergent amount and the water level are displayed on the display means 24 to inform the user. Step 50
Then, it is checked whether water is supplied up to a predetermined water level, and if not, water supply is continued. When the water level reaches the predetermined level, the process proceeds to step 51 and stirring is started.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, if the temperature detecting means 14 is provided in the vicinity of the water supply means 12 and the temperature for several seconds from the start of water supply after the amount of cloth is determined is the measured value, the water supply The initial water temperature can be detected, and the user can be notified of the proper detergent amount in a short time.

FIGS. 6 to 8 show a third embodiment of the present invention. In each of the drawings, the same parts as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are the same parts, and their explanations are omitted. To do. As shown in FIG. 6, the temperature detection means 14 is attached to the bottom of the washing tub 1 to detect the water temperature, and as shown in FIG. 7, the control device 25 is provided with a storage means 26 and a temperature determination means 27. . Then, the temperature determination means 27 uses the water temperature in the washing tub 1 at the time of the previous washing as a determination value and inputs the value to the detergent amount determination means 22, and the detergent amount determination means 22 determines an appropriate detergent amount. There is.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to FIG. First, in step 56, the laundry is put in the washing / dehydrating tub 3, the power switch 13 is turned on, and the start switch 11 is pressed in step 57. Next, in step 58, the motor 5 is driven, then in step 59, the number of output pulses is counted by the pulse counter 17, and in step 60, the cloth amount judging means 18 judges the cloth amount. Then step 6
In step 1, the detergent amount determining means 22 determines the detergent amount according to the temperature and the amount of cloth. At this time, the washing tub 1 from the previous washing
The temperature value of the washing water inside is measured by the temperature detecting means 14 in step 53 and input to the memory means 26, and step 5
In step 4, the value is stored by the storage means 26. Next, in step 62, the amount of detergent and the water level are displayed by the display means 24 to inform the user, and in step 39, water is supplied up to a predetermined water level. After that, the temperature value of the washing water in the washing tub 1 is detected by the temperature detection means 14 in step 64, and the value is stored in the storage means 26 in step 65 as the temperature value for the detergent amount determination at the next washing. After storing, step 66
Proceed to and start stirring.

As described above, in the above-described embodiment, the temperature determining means 27 uses the temperature of the washing water in the washing tub 1 at the time of the previous washing as the determination value. The water temperature can be grasped almost accurately, and the proper detergent amount can be known immediately after the cloth amount is determined.

In the same configuration as above, the storage means 26 stores the water temperature in the washing tub 1 at the latest plural times of washing, and the temperature determination means 27 has the maximum value of the water temperature stored in the storage means 26. It is also possible to determine the detergent amount by taking the average value excluding the minimum value as the determination value and incorporating the signal into the detergent amount determination means 22. According to this method, the water temperature of each household can be grasped almost accurately in consideration of seasonal fluctuations before water supply, and the amount of detergent can be reduced by excluding special cases such as the use of remaining hot water in the bath. It is possible to improve the determination accuracy of.

9 to 11 show a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In each drawing, the same parts as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are the same parts. The difference from the first embodiment is that the detergent feeding device 28 is provided and the cloth amount determination means 1 is provided.
8 and the temperature detection means 14 input signals, the detergent amount determination means 22 determines an appropriate detergent amount, and the detergent loading device 2
The detergent is automatically charged into the washing tub 1 by means of 8.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to FIG. First, in step 70, put laundry in the washing / dehydrating tub 3, turn on the power switch 13, press the start switch 11 in step 71, drive the motor 5 in step 72, and output pulse of the encoder 16 in step 73. The number is counted by the pulse counter 17, and the process proceeds to step 74 where the cloth amount judging means 18 judges the cloth amount. Then, in step 75, water is supplied to the water level according to the amount of cloth, and in step 76, the temperature detecting means 14 detects the temperature of the washing water.
Next, in step 77, the detergent amount determination means 22 causes
Based on the results of the cloth amount judging means 18 and the temperature detecting means 14, the detergent amount corresponding to the cloth amount and the temperature is determined, and step 78
Then, the detergent dosing device 28 automatically puts the detergent into the washing tub 1,
In step 79, stirring is started.

As described above, in the above embodiment, since the detergent feeding device 28 is provided and the proper amount of detergent can be automatically fed, the labor of the user can be reduced.

[0021]

As is apparent from the above embodiments, the washing machine control apparatus of the present invention is provided with the detergent amount determining means for determining the detergent amount by taking in the signals from the cloth amount determining means and the temperature detecting means. With this configuration, it is possible to determine an appropriate amount of detergent based on the water temperature, it is possible to reduce the stain removal due to lack of detergent, and to reduce water pollution due to overfilling of detergent. It is remarkable.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block circuit diagram of a washing machine control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the washing machine.

FIG. 3 is an operation flowchart of a control device of the washing machine.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the amount of cloth and the water temperature in a washing machine and an appropriate amount of detergent.

FIG. 5 is an operation flowchart of a washing machine control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a washing machine including a control device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block circuit diagram of a control device of the washing machine.

FIG. 8 is an operation flowchart of the control device of the washing machine.

FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view of a washing machine including a control device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a block circuit diagram of a control device of the washing machine.

FIG. 11 is an operation flowchart of the control device of the washing machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Washing tub 12 Water supply means 14 Temperature detection means 18 Cloth quantity judging means 19 Control means 22 Detergent quantity judging means

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] February 12, 1993

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0008

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 3 show a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, a washing / dehydrating tub 3 having a pulsator 2 at the center bottom is rotatably provided inside the washing tub 1, and a substrate 4 is fixed to the bottom of the washing tub 1. A motor 5, a drain valve 6, a washing / dehydration switching mechanism 7, etc. are fixed to the board 4, and the outer edge of the board 4 is supported by a vibration isolator 8 and a suspension rod 9 so as to be suspended from an upper corner of the outer frame 10. There is. A start switch 11, a water supply means 12, a power switch 13, a temperature detection means 14, a control device 15 and the like are arranged on the upper portion of the outer frame 10. The temperature detecting means 14 is composed of a thermistor or the like and is arranged closer to the tap than the water supplying means 12 to detect the water temperature in the water supply pipe. The encoder 16 detects the rotation angle of the motor 5, outputs 6 pulses for each rotation of the motor 5, and inputs the output to the pulse counter 17. The pulse counter 17 counts the number of output pulses of the encoder 16 and inputs this output to the cloth amount judging means 18 to judge the cloth amount. The control means 19 is composed of various electronic circuits including a microcomputer, takes in signals from the cloth amount judging means 18, the water level detecting means 20, the dirt detecting means 21, the detergent amount judging means 22 and the like, and the power switching means 23. The display means 24 and the like are energized. The detergent amount judging means 22 is to take in signals from the cloth amount judging means 18 and the temperature detecting means 14 to determine the detergent amount, and the display means 23 is composed of a liquid crystal display element or the like, and displays the water level of the washing tub 1 and the detergent amount. indicate. Further, the power switching means 23 controls the motor 5, the drain valve 6, the water supply means 12 and the like by a signal from the control means 19.

[Procedure Amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] 0015

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

Next, the operation will be described with reference to FIG. First, in step 56, the laundry is put in the washing / dehydrating tub 3, the power switch 13 is turned on, and the start switch 11 is pressed in step 57. Next, in step 58, the motor 5 is driven, then in step 59, the number of output pulses is counted by the pulse counter 17, and in step 60, the cloth amount judging means 18 judges the cloth amount. Then step 6
In step 1, the detergent amount determining means 22 determines the detergent amount according to the temperature and the amount of cloth. At this time, the washing tub 1 from the previous washing
The temperature value of the washing water inside is measured by the temperature detecting means 14 in step 53 and input to the memory means 26, and step 5
In step 4, the value is stored by the storage means 26. Next, in step 62, the amount of detergent and the water level are displayed by the display means 24 to notify the user, and in step 63, water is supplied up to a predetermined water level. After that, the temperature value of the washing water in the washing tub 1 is detected by the temperature detection means 14 in step 64, and the value is stored in the storage means 26 in step 65 as the temperature value for the detergent amount determination at the next washing. After storing, step 66
Proceed to and start stirring.

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A water supply means for supplying water into a washing tub, a cloth amount judging means for judging the amount of laundry in the washing tank, a temperature detecting means for detecting a temperature of washing water, and the cloth amount judging means. A control device for a washing machine, comprising: a control unit for controlling washing according to the amount of cloth determined in step 1, and a detergent amount determination unit for determining a detergent amount by taking in signals from the cloth amount determination unit and the temperature detection unit. 2. A display means for displaying the amount of detergent and the like is provided,
The washing machine control device according to claim 1, wherein the detergent amount determined by the detergent amount determining means is displayed. 3. The washing machine control device according to claim 1, wherein the temperature detecting means is disposed closer to the tap than the water supply means. 4. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the temperature detecting means is arranged in the vicinity of the water supply means, and the water temperature is detected a few seconds after the water supply is started after the cloth quantity judging means judges the cloth quantity. Machine control device. 5. A storage means for storing the temperature detected by the temperature detection means, and a temperature determination means for determining the temperature signal stored in the storage means are provided. The control device for the washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the water temperature in the washing tub at the time of washing is used as the determination value. 6. A storage means for storing the temperature detected by the temperature detection means, and a temperature determination means for fetching and determining a temperature signal stored in the storage means are provided. 2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the temperature of the water in the washing tub at the time of washing is stored, and the temperature determination means uses an average value excluding the maximum value and the minimum value of the water temperature stored in the storage means as the determination value. Control device. 7. The washing machine control according to claim 1, wherein a detergent throwing device for throwing detergent into the washing tub is provided, and the detergent throwing device automatically doses the detergent amount determined by the detergent amount determining means. apparatus.