JPH07144090A - Washing controller for washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To refill appropriate quantity of detergent according to requirement by directly bringing an electrode into contact with washing liquid, and judging the change of detergent activity from impedance change between the electrodes and light transmittance detected from a light emitting part and a light receiving part placed in the washing liquid. CONSTITUTION:An inner tub 3 serving as a washing tub and a dehydration tub is arranged in an outer tub 2 in a washing machine, however, a conductivity sensor 10 which measures the high frequency conductivity of the washing liquid is arranged on the lower side of the side wall of the outer tub 2. The conductivity sensor 10 is formed by unifying an electrode part consisting of a pair of insoluble electrodes, for example, platinum-titanium electrodes or stainless electrodes in nonconductive fashion by synthetic resin, and fixing an electrode plane on the outer tub 2 perpendicularly. Also, a turbidity sensor (optical sensor) 24 is arranged just underneath the conductivity sensor 10. The decreasing state of the detergent activity is judged from deterioration of conductivity in the change of electrical conductivity and the increment of tubidity in the change of turbidity, and the quantity of detergent to be refilled is judged from the above judged result, and an automatic detergent applying means 11 is controlled.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a washing control device for a washing machine which automatically detects the state of a washing liquid in the washing machine to perform optimum washing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional washing control device for a washing machine of this type, electrodes are directly contacted with a washing liquid, and a high frequency voltage is applied between the electrodes to directly change the state of the washing liquid as a change in impedance between the electrodes. A technique relating to an electric conductivity sensor which is characterized by capturing is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-187183. According to this technique, the washing time is determined from the change in electric conductivity in the washing process.

That is, it is not a washing control device for adjusting the amount of detergent by detecting and determining the detergent activity, or for controlling to maintain the detergent activity above a certain level.

[0004]

Generally, what is important in washing is not the amount of detergent added, but the amount of activated detergent that actually dissolves and takes in dirt. In other words, the degree of detergent activity is important. In the above-mentioned conventional technology, the amount of detergent determined from the amount of cloth and the amount of water is put in, and the washing time is determined from the change in electric conductivity, but the detergent amount is replenished even if the activated detergent concentration changes. You are not in control. Further, in the above-mentioned conventional technique, the electric conductivity changes greatly depending on the amount of the electrolyte component contained in the dirt, and the correct detection judgment of the washing liquid cannot be performed.

An object of the present invention is to wash laundry with an optimum detergent activity, so that the detergent activity that changes from moment to moment is detected and judged by removing the influence of electrolytes, etc. It is to provide a control device.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the washing control apparatus for a washing machine of the present invention directly contacts the washing liquid with an electrode and applies a high frequency voltage between the electrodes to obtain an impedance between the electrodes. The change, that is, the change in electric conductivity, and the light transmittance, that is, the change in the turbidity of the detergent solution detected by the light-emitting part and the light-receiving part placed in the washing liquid, enables the accurate determination of the change in the detergent activity. .

Further, the detection result detected by the detergent activity detecting means after a predetermined time from the start of washing is compared with the detection result after a predetermined time, and the amount of detergent to be replenished is determined based on the comparison result. The detergent can be replenished by the automatic feeding means.

Further, the detergent detecting means compares (increases) the electric conductivity of the supply water with the electric conductivity of the washing liquid after the detergent is added, and the turbidity of the supply water and the turbidity of the washing liquid after the addition of the detergent are compared. The operation of the automatic detergent feeding means is confirmed from the comparison (rise).

[0009]

According to the present invention, in the above-described structure, the detergent activity detecting means can detect the washing liquid activity excluding the influence of the electrolyte, and the detergent is replenished based on the result. You can wash it. Therefore, it is possible to prevent deterioration of the rinsing performance and adverse effects on the environment due to excessive use of the detergent.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An embodiment of a washing control device for a washing machine according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a washing machine of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is an outer box of the entire washing machine, an outer tub 2 is disposed inside the outer box, and the outer tub 2 is further washed. An inner tank 3 which also serves as an outer tank and a dehydration tank is provided. A large number of dehydration holes 4 are formed in the inner wall of the inner tank 3 over the entire peripheral wall portion. A pulsator 5 for washing and stirring is provided at the inner bottom of the inner tub 3. A drive mechanism 7 including a motor 6 is arranged on the outer surface of the bottom of the outer tub 2.

Besides, a drain valve 8 and a drain hose 9 are also provided on the bottom surface of the outer tank 2. Further, in order to detect the water level in the outer tub 2, a water level detecting means 14 is provided at the tip of a water level hose extending from above the drain valve 8. Below the side wall of the outer tub 2, a conductivity sensor 10 for measuring the high frequency conductivity of the washing liquid is arranged.

The conductivity sensor 10 has a terminal 10b for external connection.
A pair of insoluble electrodes having, for example, a platinum-titanium (titanium base material coated with platinum, for example) electrode or a stainless steel electrode is integrated into an electrode portion 10a with a non-conductive synthetic resin 10c, and as shown in FIG. The electrode surface is fixed to the outer tank 2 vertically. In this way, no dirt is attached.

A turbidity sensor (optical sensor) 24 is arranged immediately below the conductivity sensor 10. On the other hand, above the outer box 1, a detergent automatic charging means 11, a water supply valve 12 for supplying tap water into the outer tub 2, and a detergent / water mixing section 13 for pouring the detergent with water are provided. A top cover (not shown) is provided above the outer box 1, and a control device 15 and display means 25 are provided in the top cover.

The control device 15 is constituted by a microcomputer including the functions of a comparing means, a washing content changing means and a controlling means. As shown in FIG. 8, the input means 18 comprising various switches and the cloth amount. Detection means 16,
The water level detection means 14, the conductivity sensor 10, the control circuit of the conductivity sensor 10, the sensor reading circuit, and the turbidity sensor 2
4, a detergent activity detecting means 17 including a control circuit of the turbidity sensor 24, a sensor reading circuit, etc., a drive circuit 19 for driving the drive source motor 23 of the automatic detergent introducing means 11, and the water supply valve 12. A drive circuit 20 for driving,
It comprises a drive circuit 21 for driving the washing motor 6, a drive circuit 22 for driving the drain valve 8, a liquid temperature detection means 23 for detecting the liquid temperature, and the like.

FIG. 4 shows the relationship between the detergent concentration ratio and the electric conductivity when the standard amount of detergent used is 1, and the electric conductivity increases with the detergent concentration ratio. Although the electric conductivity varies depending on the temperature, accurate control is performed by detecting the liquid temperature and correcting the temperature.

Next, the operation of the washing machine having the above construction and the washing control method by detecting the electric conductivity will be described. Normally, load laundry, turn on the power switch, and then start
Press the button to execute fully automatic operation.

First, the washing motor 6 is driven, the amount of laundry (amount of laundry) is detected from the load applied to the pulsator 5, the amount of water supply is set according to the amount of laundry, and the water supply valve 12 is opened. , Start water supply. After the water supply is started, when the conductivity sensor 10 is submerged in water, the electric conductivity is increased to detect that the water is supplied.

If the water supply cannot be detected due to a change in the electric conductivity detected by the electric conductivity sensor and the water level cannot be detected by the water level detecting means even after an arbitrary time (for example, 5 minutes) has elapsed, the water supply is performed. Display means 2
A water supply error is displayed by 5, and the washing operation is ended. Further, if the water supply cannot be detected due to the electric conductivity even after an arbitrary time (for example, 5 minutes) has passed, but if the water level detecting means can detect the water level, it is judged that the electric conductivity detecting means has failed, and the display means 25 The conductivity sensor failure is displayed.

When water supply is detected by the electric conductivity detecting means within an arbitrary time and it is confirmed that the electric conductivity detecting means is operating, the electric conductivity at that time is C ₀ , and the turbidity is Is set to D _0, and the amount of the initial detergent (above the limit concentration of micelles determined from the amount of cloth, the amount of water, and the water temperature and below the standard amount of use) is set to 60% of the standard amount of use by the automatic detergent feeding means 11.
₀ ) is turned on. The added detergent is the detergent / water mixing section 13
At that time, it is poured into the inner tank 3 (outer tank 2) while being mixed and dissolved by water supply. When the predetermined water level is reached, the water supply valve 12 is closed and the water supply is stopped. Next, the motor 6 is driven to perform the washing operation.

Thereafter, there is an increase in turbidity due to dissolution of the detergent, but at a time point when it is almost stabilized, for example, after 1 to 4 minutes (in the meantime, there is an increase in conductivity due to dissolution of the detergent. An example of the melting time is the change in conductivity, but the conductivity stabilizes within this time.)
The turbidity at this time is read as D ₁ , and the conductivity is similarly read as C ₁ . At this time, the turbidity D ₁ is higher than D ₀ , and the electric conductivity C ₁ is also higher than C ₀ , so that it is detected that the detergent is added. If the electric conductivity and the turbidity are not increased, it is determined that the detergent has not been added, and the display means 25 displays a detergent error.

When it is confirmed that the detergent has been added, the motor is further operated, and then the electric conductivity changes due to the elution of the electrolyte component and the elution of the dirt component. , Read the conductivity at this time C
_2, and it reads the same turbidity and D _2. X ₀ = C ₂ -C
_1, Y ₀ = calculates D ₂ -D _1, if the X ₀ compared to Y ₀ larger determines that the electrolyte component is great, adds X ₀ / Y ₀ of the value of C ₁ newly C ₁ Define. After 1 or 2 minutes, the conductivity, that is, the detergent activity C _n is read. And X _n =
C ₀ -C _n is calculated. Similarly, turbidity D after 1 or 2 minutes
Load the _n calculating the Y _n = D ₀ -D _n determines the amount of detergent to be added in accordance with the value X _n and Y _n.

For example, in the case of (2) in FIG. 7, 20% of the standard usage amount is replenished. As a result, the electric conductivity does not become like the broken line (2 ′) but becomes as shown in (2). The level of electric conductivity, that is, the detergent activity C ₁ exceeds the critical micelle concentration in view of the surface tension of the detergent and the activity such as pH, and of course it is necessary to obtain a predetermined detergent degree. When the detergent is consumed by emulsifying and dissolving the dirt, the detergent activity, that is, the electric conductivity is lowered as shown in FIG.

Therefore, with this C ₁ as the lower limit, the electric conductivity sensor 10 keeps an eye on so that the electric conductivity, that is, the detergent activity, lower than the lower limit is not reached. Generally, the replenishment of the detergent should be completed only in the first step, but if the electric conductivity, that is, the detergent activity becomes lower than C ₁ within a predetermined washing time, the detergent is added in the same amount as above. Standard usage 2
Supply 0%. In this case, if the predetermined washing time is almost over (for example, within 2 minutes), the washing time is extended by 2 to 5 minutes.

In FIG. 7, for example, in the case of (1), 10% of the standard usage amount is replenished, and similarly, in the case of (3), 40% of the standard usage amount is replenished, and further, (4 In the case of), 80% of the standard amount used is replenished.
Further, in the case of (0), it is left as it is.

As another example, a description will be given up to the introduction of detergent. First, as in the case of the above-mentioned one embodiment, the laundry is put in, the power switch is turned "on", and the "start" button is pushed. To execute. First, the cloth amount detection water level is set, the water supply valve 12 is opened, and water supply is started. When the prescribed water level is reached, the water supply is temporarily stopped and the electric conductivity at this time is detected by the electric conductivity sensor 10. That is, the conductivity sensor 10
The electric conductivity when is immersed in water is detected, and the electric conductivity at this time, that is, the detergent activity is defined as Cw. (At this point, there is no detergent.) Then, the washing motor 6 is driven to drive the pulsator 5
The amount of laundry (amount of cloth) is detected from the load applied to, the amount of water supply is set according to the amount of water, the water supply valve 12 is opened again, and water supply is started. Then, the automatic detergent supply means 11 is used to set the initial detergent amount (for example, 60% of the standard amount used based on the amount of cloth and the amount of water)
. ) Is input. Hereinafter, the operation is similar to that of the above-described one embodiment.

[0026]

Since the control device for the washing machine of the present invention has the above-mentioned structure, the invention of claim 1 measures the activity of the detergent, and the washing liquid is washed from this measured value. You can know if you have the power, and if the activity of the detergent decreases as a result, you can deal with it by supplementing the detergent,
Since it is not necessary to add a large amount of detergent in advance, it is possible to prevent deterioration of the rinsing performance due to excessive use of the detergent, reduce the amount of detergent released to the natural environment, eliminate waste, etc.

Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention, even in the case of washing laundry without much dirt, the initial amount of detergent is determined from the amount of water, the amount of water and the water temperature, and the detergent is used because it is less than 100% of the standard amount used. Never overuse. Since the invention according to claim 3 makes a judgment by comparing the electric conductivities, it is possible to correct the fluctuation of the electric conductance due to the difference in the supply water. Further, according to the invention described in claim 4, since the conductivity sensor and the turbidity sensor measure the liquid in the same portion, the influence of the unevenness of the liquid state can be eliminated. Since the conductivity sensor is mounted so that the electrode surface thereof is vertical, deterioration of the sensor performance due to accumulation of dirt can be prevented.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the accurate detection of the introduction of the detergent can be understood by the increase of the electric conductivity and the increase of the turbidity. The invention according to claim 6 can detect the failure of the turbidity sensor, and the emergency control can be performed only by the conductivity sensor. In the invention according to claim 7, the conductivity sensor can detect a failure,
Emergency control is possible only with the turbidity sensor.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of essential parts showing a schematic configuration of a washing machine of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the mounting, where the conductivity sensor of FIG. 1 is viewed from above.

3 is a plan view of an essential part of an electrode surface and an external connection terminal portion of the conductivity sensor of FIG.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the relationship between the detergent concentration ratio and the electrical conductivity.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the relationship between the dissolution time of a detergent and the electric conductivity.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the relationship between the oil stain ratio (mud stain ratio) and the electrical conductivity.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining a change in electric conductivity during washing and a change in electric conductivity due to detergent replenishment according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of electronic control means showing an embodiment of a washing control device for a washing machine of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the washing operation of the washing control device for the washing machine of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a change in the initial conductivity during washing of the present invention with a solid line containing an electrolyte component and a broken line containing no electrolyte component.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing changes in initial turbidity during washing according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the presence / absence determination of an electrolyte component and the correction content of C ₁ from the calculation result of X ₀ / Y ₀ of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Outer tank 8 Drain valve 10 Conductivity sensor 11 Detergent automatic charging means 12 Water supply valve 24 Turbidity sensor

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An automatic detergent loading means for automatically depositing detergent and a detergent activity detecting means for detecting and determining the detergent activity of a washing liquid by various sensors are provided, and the automatic detergent loading means inputs the initial amount of detergent. A washing control device for a washing machine having a mechanism for automatically determining the amount of detergent to be replenished in accordance with a change in output from the detergent activity detecting means during the washing process And a conductivity sensor for detecting the electric conductivity of the washing liquid and a turbidity sensor for detecting the turbidity of the washing liquid as the detergent activity detecting means, and the electric conductivity sensor and the electric conductivity detected by the turbidity sensor. A washing control apparatus for a washing machine, comprising: a determination unit that determines a state of a decrease in detergent activity based on a decrease in electrical conductivity due to a change in degree of turbidity and an increase in turbidity due to a change in turbidity. 2. The washing control apparatus for a washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the initial detergent amount is determined from the amount of cloth, the amount of water, and the water temperature, and is set to less than 100% of the standard amount of use. 3. A comparison between the electric conductivity after a first time of, for example, 1 minute to 4 minutes and the electric conductivity after a second time of, for example, 1 minute or 2 minutes from the start of washing with the initial detergent amount. Determining the amount of detergent to be replenished from the comparison of the turbidity after a first time of, for example, 1 to 4 minutes from the start of washing and the turbidity after a second time of, for example, 1 or 2 minutes. The washing control apparatus for the washing machine according to claim 1. 4. The conductivity sensor comprises a pair of electrode parts made of an insoluble electrode having an external connection terminal part integrated with a non-conductive synthetic resin, and a wall of a water tank or drainage so that the electrode surfaces are vertical. The washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising a detergent activity detecting device attached to a path (above the drain valve) and further having a pair of turbidity sensors each including a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion attached near the electrodes. Laundry control device. 5. The confirmation of detergent application by the operation of the detergent automatic application means is detected by the detergent activity detection means as a change in electric conductivity (mainly increase) and a change in turbidity (mainly increase). The washing control device for a washing machine according to claim 1. 6. The value detected by the conductivity sensor changes due to the operation of the detergent automatic charging means, but when no change in the value detected by the turbidity sensor is observed, it is determined that the turbidity sensor has failed, and turbidity is detected. 2. The washing control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a turbidity sensor failure is displayed by performing preset control for failure of the turbidity sensor. 7. If the value detected by the turbidity sensor changes due to the operation of the detergent automatic charging means, but no change in the value detected by the conductivity sensor is observed, it is determined that the electric conductivity sensor has failed, 2. The washing control device for a washing machine according to claim 1, wherein a preset control for the electric conductivity sensor failure is performed to display the electric conductivity sensor failure.