JPH0686893A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To surely dissolve a detergent by pouring a small quantity of water in a tub to automatically generate a strong water flow before starting washing, pouring a detergent and detecting the turbidity and starting washing when the change of turbidity becomes a designated value or lower. CONSTITUTION:A basket 3 for washing and spinning is installed in an outer tub 2 inside the cabinet 1 for the whole washing machine. A driving mechanism 8 mainly composed of a motor 7 is provided below the outside of the outer tub 2, and the basket 3 and an agitator 4 are selectively rotated. Before starting washing, a small quantity of water is poured, the agitator 4 is rotated to automatically generated a string water flow, and a detergent is poured to be dissolved. For example, when the turbidity detected by a turbidity sensor provided near a drainage port of the outer tub 2 becomes less than a designated value, a designated quantity of water and washing are poured in the basket 3, and a washing course is started. Thus, detergent can be dissolved quickly and surely so as to accomplish washing efficiently.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a washing machine having a detergent dissolving course.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, soaps and concentrated detergents have tended to be used as detergents in washing machines. However, these soaps and concentrated detergents have poor solubility in water,
Therefore, the first half of the prescribed washing time is spent on the dissolution, and it only works on the laundry only in the second half,
There was a case that the effect could not be obtained sufficiently.

Therefore, some users set a washing-only step, for example, for 2 to 3 minutes before executing the washing course, and by executing the setting, the detergents such as the above-mentioned soap and concentrated detergent can be obtained. Dissolve and then
It is practiced to turn off the power and then turn it on again to select one of the laundry courses and start it.

[0004]

However, in the case of the above-mentioned method, the operation is troublesome, and the detergent dissolution time (execution time only for washing) set arbitrarily is insufficient, so that the detergent is sufficiently dissolved. Sometimes I didn't get it.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and therefore an object thereof is to provide a washing machine capable of dissolving a detergent by a simple operation before a washing course. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a washing machine that can be surely dissolved.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, in the washing machine of the present invention, a course for generating a water flow is automatically provided after a small amount of water is supplied into the tub before the washing course is executed. It is characterized in that it can be executed in a targeted manner.

In this case, the turbidity detecting means for detecting the turbidity of the water in the tub is further provided, and the generation of the water flow in the course executed before the washing course is controlled by the turbidity detecting means. It is preferable to execute the process until the amount of change falls below a predetermined value.

[0008]

When a small amount of water is supplied into the tank and then a water stream is generated, a strong water stream is generated in the tank. So, by doing it with detergent added,
The detergent can be stirred and dissolved with its strong stream of water. And, as a course before the washing course, it can be automatically executed before the washing course,
This can be performed by a simpler operation of operating the course selection switch and the start switch.

The degree of dissolution of the detergent is reflected in the change in the turbidity of the water in the tank. That is, when the detergent starts to dissolve and continues to be vigorously dissolved, the turbidity of the water in the tank changes. Is large, and the change in the turbidity of the water in the tank becomes small when the detergent is completely dissolved. Therefore, by detecting the change in the turbidity of the water in the tank by the turbidity detection means and continuing the generation of the water flow in the above course until the amount of change in the turbidity falls below a predetermined value, the detergent can be sufficiently Can be dissolved in.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. First, FIG. 2 shows an outer box 1 of the entire washing machine. Inside, an outer tub 2 for receiving water and an inner tub 3 for both washing and dehydrating are arranged in a double tub shape.
A stirring member 4 for washing is arranged at the bottom of the inner tub 3. Further, in the outer lower part of the outer tank 2, inside the outer tank 2 (inside the inner tank 3)
Drain valve 5 and drain hose 6 for discharging the water in the machine
And a drive mechanism 8 having a motor 7 as a main component. The drive mechanism 8 selectively drives the agitator 4 and the inner tank 3 to rotate.

On the other hand, a top cover 9 is mounted on the outer box 1, and an operation panel 10 shown in FIG. 3 is provided on the front upper surface of the top cover 9. The operation panel 10 includes a "start / pause" switch 11a, a "course switching" switch 11b, and a "detergent course" switch 1.
There are various operation switches 11 such as 1c, and various indicators 12 such as a time / number indicator 12a, a course indicator 12b, and a detergent course indicator 12c.
Among them, in particular, the "detergent course" switch 11c alternately sets the presence or absence of the detergent dissolution course for the washing course each time it is pressed, and the detergent course indicator 12 sets the setting. The contents (with and without the detergent dissolution course) are displayed alternately.

Further, FIG. 4 shows a microcomputer 13 arranged on the rear side of the operation panel 10 of the top cover 9, on which the various operation switches 11 are provided.
Various switch signals are input from the water level sensor, and a water level detection signal is input from a water level sensor 14 provided to detect the water level in the outer tub 2 (inner tub 3). The microcomputer 13 uses the various indicators 12, the buzzer 15, and the inner tank 3 based on those inputs and a control program stored in advance.
A drive control signal is supplied to a water supply valve 16 provided to supply water to the inside (outer tank 2), a motor 7 of the drive mechanism 8 and drive circuits 17 to 21 which drive the drain valve 5, respectively. .

Therefore, the operation based on the function of the microcomputer 13 will be described below. As shown in FIG. 1, when its operation is started (started), the microcomputer 13 first determines whether or not the "start / pause" switch 11a has been operated (step A1). If it is determined that the "start / pause" switch 11a has been operated, it is next determined whether or not the detergent dissolution course is set (step A).
2) If it is determined that there is, the water supply valve 16 is opened to start water supply into the inner tank 3 (step A3). Then, it is judged whether or not the water level in the inner tank 3 supplied with water has reached the small water level H1 shown in FIG.
4) When it is determined that it has reached, the water supply valve 16 is closed to end the water supply into the inner tank 3 (step A5), and then the motor 7 of the drive mechanism 8 is energized to rotate the stirring body 4. (Step A6).

Then, in the inner tank 3, the supplied small amount of water up to the water level H1 is agitated to generate a strong water flow, and therefore, a detergent (not shown) is previously stored in the inner tank 3. By pouring in, the detergent can be stirred and dissolved by the strong water flow. The rotation of the agitator 4 is performed, for example, only for 3 minutes. After that, the stirring is ended and the buzzer 15 is operated to notify the end of the course so far (step A7).

Then, in order to wait for the laundry to be loaded, it is judged again whether or not the "start / pause" switch 11a has been operated (step A8). When it is judged that the switch has been operated, the laundry course is started. Water supply is started in the same way as step A3 (step A).
9). Then, next, in this case, it is judged whether or not the water level in the inner tank 3 supplied with water has reached the set water level (step A10), and when it is judged that the water level has been reached, the water supply valve 16 is closed. To finish supplying water into the inner tank 3 (Step A1
1) After that, washing is started by energizing the motor 7 of the drive mechanism 8 to rotate the stirring body 4 (step A1).
2) Proceed to the next process not shown. Note that step A2
Then, if it is determined that the detergent dissolution course is not set, the process immediately proceeds to step 9.

As described above, in this structure, a strong water flow is generated in the inner tank 3 by supplying a small amount of water to the inner tank 3 and then generating the water flow. It is possible to stir and dissolve the detergent with a stream of water, and by making it a course before the washing course and automatically executing it before the washing course,
A simpler operation can be performed without the need to set the time for the conventional washing-only process, and to turn the power off and then back on after the course is finished. You can

In contrast to the above, FIGS. 5 to 8 show a different embodiment of the present invention, and only the difference between this embodiment and the above embodiment will be described below. That is, in this case, the turbidity sensor 31 that functions as a turbidity detecting unit that detects the turbidity of water in the outer tub 2 (inner tub 3) is provided, for example, at the drainage port of the outer tub 2. As shown in detail in FIG. 5, the turbidity sensor 31 has a light emitting element 32 and a light receiving element 33 facing each other, and the light receiving element 33 causes the light emitted by the light emitting element 32 to be emitted from the outer tank. By receiving the water in the outer tub 2 that has reached the drainage part of 2,
It emits a light-reception signal, and the light-reception signal becomes smaller as the turbidity of the water in the outer tub 2 becomes larger,
As shown in FIG. 6, the data is input to the microcomputer 13.

In this case, the microcomputer 1
As shown in FIG. 7, after undergoing steps B1 to B4 similar to steps A1 to A4, 3 receives an input from the turbidity sensor 31 and sets an initial value therefor (step B5). . At this time, the input from the turbidity sensor 31 is input as the detection voltage V, as shown in FIG. 8, and its initial value is set as V0.

Thereafter, the microcomputer 13 goes through the step B6 similar to the step A5, and then the driving mechanism 8
The motor 7 is energized to start the rotation of the stirring body 4 (step B7). Then, the turbidity of the water in the outer tub 2 is measured by the input from the turbidity sensor 31 (step B8), and the difference ΔV between the measured result and the previous measured result is obtained.
(ΔV = Vt−V (t−1)) is a predetermined value, for example, 0.05
It is judged whether or not it is equal to or less than [V] (step B).
9). In this case, the measurement result is Vt, which is V1 in FIG. 8, and the previous measurement result is V (t −1) which is V0 in the figure, and the difference ΔV is ΔV01 in the figure. Therefore, ΔV = ΔV01 = V0-V1.

In step B9, the difference ΔV is 0.05.
If it is determined that it is not less than [V], it is determined whether one minute has elapsed (step B10), and when it is determined that one minute has elapsed, the process returns to step B8. The returned measurement result Vt is V2 in FIG. 8, and the previous measurement result V (t −1) is V1 in the figure, and the difference Δ
V is ΔV12 in the figure. Therefore, ΔV = ΔV12 = V1−V2.

Then, Step B at the point of returning
If it is determined in step 9 that the difference ΔV is not less than 0.05 [V], the process returns to step B8 when it is determined in step B10 that one minute has elapsed. The returned measurement result Vt is V3 in FIG. 8, the previous measurement result V (t −1) is V2 in the figure, and the difference ΔV is ΔV23 in the figure. Therefore, .DELTA.V = .DELTA.V23 = V2-V3.

Here, the degree of dissolution of the detergent appears in the change in the turbidity of the water in the inner tank 3 (in the outer tank 2), that is, as shown in FIG. When the dissolution is actively continued, the turbidity of the water in the inner tank 3 is large, and when the detergent is completely dissolved, the turbidity of the water in the inner tank 3 is small.

Thus, in step B9, the difference ΔV is 0.
If it is judged to be equal to or less than 05 [V], it can be judged that the detergent is sufficiently dissolved, and thereafter, similarly to the step A7, the rotation of the agitator 4 is terminated and the buzzer 1
The end of the course so far is notified by 5 (step B11). Then, the steps B12 to B16 similar to the steps A8 to A12 are further performed. According to this embodiment, in addition to the above-mentioned effect, a further effect that the detergent can be surely dissolved sufficiently can be obtained.

Further, FIGS. 9 to 12 show a further different embodiment of the present invention. In the following, only the difference between this embodiment and the above embodiment will be described. That is, in the case of this, the funnel-shaped detergent input port 4 is provided at the front part of the top cover 9.
1 is formed, and a funnel-shaped detergent receiving portion 42 and a detergent passage 43 are also formed in the front portion of the outer tub 2 immediately below the same, and the detergent is introduced from the detergent inlet 41 to remove the detergent. It can be received by the detergent receiving portion 42 and passed through the detergent passage port 43 to be introduced between the outer tub 2 and the inner tub 3, whereby the detergent may be sandwiched between the laundry and the dissolution may be delayed. In addition, in the case of having the reserved operation function, it is possible to prevent the detergent from continuously touching the laundry and causing discoloration while waiting until the operation is performed.

In this embodiment, as is apparent from FIG. 12, it is necessary to operate the "start / pause" switch 11a (steps A8 and B12) from the detergent dissolving course to the washing course. And the water flow for dissolving the detergent is generated not by rotating the stirring body 4 but by rotating the inner tank 3. Even in this case, the detergent can be sufficiently dissolved.

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

[0027]

The washing machine of the present invention is as described above, and has the following effects. In the washing machine according to claim 1, before the washing course, the course for generating the water flow can be automatically executed after the small amount of water is supplied into the tub, so that before the washing course. , The detergent can be dissolved by a simpler operation.

The washing machine according to claim 2 further comprises turbidity detecting means for detecting the turbidity of the water in the tub, and the turbidity detecting means is used for generating the water flow in the course executed before the washing course. By executing the process until the detected variation of the turbidity becomes equal to or less than the predetermined value, in addition to the above-mentioned effects, it is possible to surely sufficiently dissolve the detergent.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

[Fig. 2] Side view of the entire fracture

FIG. 3 is a plan view of an operation panel

FIG. 4 is a schematic electrical configuration diagram.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of a turbidity sensor portion showing a different embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a view corresponding to FIG.

FIG. 7 is a view equivalent to FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a temporal change in turbidity of water in the tank.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an upper portion of a washing machine showing a still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a vertical sectional side view of the same portion.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the same section.

FIG. 12 is a view equivalent to FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 is an outer tank, 3 is an inner tank, 4 is a stirrer, 8 is a drive mechanism, 13
Is a microcomputer, and 31 is a turbidity sensor (turbidity detection means).

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A washing machine, characterized in that, before executing a washing course, a course for generating a water flow can be automatically executed after supplying a small amount of water into the tub. 2. A turbidity detecting means for detecting the turbidity of water in the tub is provided, and the generation of the water flow in the course executed before the washing course is controlled by the change amount of the turbidity detected by the turbidity detecting means. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the washing machine is executed until it becomes a predetermined value or less.