JPH07236792A - Washing and dehydrating machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make possible to keep dehydration capacity good and to suppress generation of bubble and noise even when dehydration capacity is lowered, by providing a drainage capacity detection means to detect the drainage capacity in drainage and drainage control means to postpone the drainage beginning time of the dehydrating process according to how low the level of detected dehydrating power is. CONSTITUTION:A control circuit 12 functions with a level sensor 10 not only as a drainage capacity detection means but also as a dehydration control means and a pattern memory means. The control circuit 12 reads the given water storage in the washing process, counts the drainage time, and stops counting of drainage time when a detection signal from the level sensor 10 reached the preset level to detect the drainage capacity. When the drainage capacity is judged lower compared to the standard value of the detected drainage capacity, the drainage process is started at, for instance if the drainage capacity is judged lower, the time 60 seconds passed from the reset level reaching point, and when slightly lower, 40 seconds respectively. When the capacity is judged proper, it is started at the time 20 seconds passed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a combined washing machine for dehydration, which has improved control of the dehydration process.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a washing machine for combined use of dehydration,
A porous rotary tank is provided inside the water receiving tank, and the steps of washing, draining, rinsing, and dehydration are appropriately combined. For example, washing, drainage, dehydration (intermediate dehydration), rinse, drainage, and dehydration are performed. It is executed in combination with the order of (final dehydration). In this case, the method for determining the start timing of the dehydration process is as follows. That is, although the drainage stroke is executed in the preceding stage of the dehydration stroke, the dehydration stroke is started when a certain time elapses after the water level sensor reaches the reset water level (minimum detectable water level) during the drainage stroke.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional apparatus, when the drainage process is started when the drainage channel is clogged, the water remains in the water receiving tank (rotation). Water still remains in the tank), and the rotating tank may be spin-dried, and dehydration may not be slow. In addition, if the water remaining in the tank still contains a large amount of detergent, a large amount of bubbles will be generated during the initial stage of dehydration due to the spinning rotation of the tank, and the spinning speed of the tank will not increase and dehydration will not be performed well. There is. Especially, in this case, if the rotary tank is made of stainless steel, there is a problem that a large amount of noise is generated. In other words, if the rotary tank is dehydrated and rotated while water is still stored in the water receiving tank, the rotation of the rotary tank scatters the water and causes it to bounce off the inner surface of the water receiving tank to hit the outer surface of the rotary tank. However, if the rotating tank is made of stainless steel, there is a problem that a loud noise such as "papata" is generated.

Furthermore, when the rotary tank is of a so-called pumping type in which the rotary tank is widened upward and has a dehydration port only at the upper portion, a large amount of water is pumped and dehydrated, so that a large sound of water hitting the water receiving tank outside the rotary tank is produced. It may occur. In this case, if the rotary tank is composed of a plastic tank main body and a stainless steel inner basket provided with a pumping passage on its inner surface, there is a problem that the sound is particularly loud.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to maintain good dehydration performance even when the drainage capacity becomes low due to the drainage passage being clogged. Another object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine for combined use of dehydration, which can suppress generation of bubbles and noise during the dehydration process.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems] The first means is to perform a combination of washing, draining, rinsing and dehydrating steps as appropriate, and a drainage capacity detecting means for detecting the drainage capacity during the draining step, and the drainage capacity detecting means. The invention is characterized in that dehydration control means for controlling the start time of the dehydration process to be delayed as the drainage capacity detected by the capacity detection means is lower (invention of claim 1).

A second means is the same as the first means, further comprising a pattern storage means having a plurality of rising patterns of dehydration rotation, wherein the dehydration control means has a lower drainage capacity detected by the drainage capacity detection means, and the dehydration process is carried out. The present invention is characterized in that the start timing of is increased and an ascending pattern having a small degree of increase in dehydration rotation is selected from a plurality of ascending patterns (the invention of claim 2).

A third means is the same as the first means, further comprising a water level detecting means, and the drainage capacity detecting means is required to discharge water until the water level detected by the water level detecting means reaches a predetermined water level from a water storage state of a known water storage amount. It is characterized in that the drainage capacity is detected based on time (claim 3
Invention).

A fourth means is provided with a drainage sensor for detecting the presence / absence of drainage in the first means, and the drainage capacity detecting means requires a drainage from a storage state of a known storage amount to the detection of no drainage by the drainage sensor. It is characterized in that the drainage capacity is detected based on time (the invention of claim 4).

The fifth means is characterized in that, in the second means, the rising pattern of the pattern storage means is a pattern in which the rotational speed and the time are changed stepwise (claim 5). invention).

[0011]

In the first means, when the drainage capacity is lowered due to clogging of the drainage channel, this is detected by the drainage capacity detecting means. Then, the dehydration control means controls such that the lower the detected drainage capacity is, the later the start timing of the dehydration process is delayed. Therefore, when the drainage performance becomes low, the drainage process is started after the drainage is sufficiently performed. As a result, the dehydration performance is maintained well, and the generation of bubbles and noise are suppressed.

In the second means, the lower the detected drainage capacity is, the later the start time of the dehydration process is selected, and the slower rising pattern of the increasing degree of the dehydration rotation is selected from the plurality of rising patterns. Therefore, if the drainage performance becomes low, the drainage process will be started after the drainage is sufficiently done. Furthermore, the increase in the amount of dehydrated water due to the dehydration rotation is also low, and the drainage capacity is reduced. The amount of dehydrated water that does not exceed is not reached, whereby the dehydration performance is more favorably maintained and the generation of bubbles and noise is further suppressed.

In the third means, the drainage capacity detecting means determines, based on a drainage time required for the water level detected by the water level detecting means to reach a predetermined water level from a water storage state of a known water storage amount.
Since the drainage capacity is detected, the drainage capacity can be detected with a relatively simple configuration.

In the fourth means, the drainage capacity detecting means is adapted to detect the drainage capacity based on the required drainage time from the storage state of the known storage amount to the detection of no drainage by the drainage sensor. Also in this case, it becomes possible to detect the drainage capacity with a relatively simple configuration.

In the fifth means, since the rising pattern of the pattern storage means is a pattern in which the rotation speed and the time are changed stepwise, it is compared with the case where the increase degree of the rotation speed is changed linearly. Thus, the control becomes relatively easy.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. First, FIG. 2 shows a vertical cross-sectional structure of a washing machine for combined use of dehydration. A water receiving tank 2 is provided inside the outer box 1, and a rotating tank 3 made of metal, for example, stainless steel, which also serves as a washing tank and a dehydrating tank is provided inside the water receiving tank 2. An agitator 4 is provided in the lower part inside the rotary tank 3. In the lower outside of the water receiving tank 2,
A washing machine motor 5 is mainly provided as a mechanism portion 6, and a drainage valve 7 is provided in a drainage passage at the bottom of the water receiving tank 2. The washing machine motor 5 also serves as a washing motor and a dehydrating motor. The washing machine motor 5 is provided with a rotation sensor 8 including, for example, a hall element, which detects the magnetism of a magnet provided on the shaft of the washing machine motor 5 to detect the rotation of the washing machine motor 5. This is used for detecting the rotational speed in this embodiment. Further, a water supply valve 9 and a water level sensor 10 serving as a water level detecting means are provided at an inner rear portion of the top cover 1a above the outer box 1, and a control unit 11 is provided inside the front portion. The water level sensor 10 detects a water level equal to or higher than a so-called "reset water level", which is the lowest water level in which the water level in the water receiving tank 2 can be detected. "Small water level", "Low water level", "Medium water level", "High water level" are detected.

FIG. 1 shows the electrical configuration. The control circuit 12 includes a microcomputer and various A / D converters. The control circuit 12 includes:
In addition to the respective detection signals from the rotation sensor 8 and the water level sensor 10, the operation panel 1 on the upper surface of the operation unit 11 is provided.
Various switch signals are supplied from a switch input unit 13 including various switches (not shown) provided in 1a. And this control circuit 12
We have an operating program for a course that combines the steps of washing, drainage, rinsing and dehydration as appropriate.
Washing machine motor 5, drain valve 7 according to this operation program
The water supply valve 9 is controlled via the drive circuit 14.

The control circuit 12 sequentially executes the steps of washing, first drainage, dehydration (intermediate dehydration), rinsing, second drainage, and dehydration (final dehydration) as one of the automatic operation courses, for example. It is like this. In this case, the rising pattern of the dehydration rotation in the dehydration process is stored in the ROM (corresponding to the pattern storage means) of the microcomputer of the control circuit 12, and the pattern is "3.
00r.pm ・ 20 seconds → 400r.pm ・ 40 seconds → 600r.
pm · 40 seconds ”pattern and“ 300r.pm · 20
Second → 400 rpm.20 seconds → 600 rpm.20 seconds ”.

Now, the control circuit 12 uses the water level sensor 10
In addition to functioning as a drainage capacity detecting means, it functions as a dehydration controlling means and further as the above-mentioned pattern storing means. The processes related to these functions will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 is a flowchart from the time when the drainage stroke is started, and as shown in FIG. 3, the drainage valve 7 is opened to start draining in the water receiving tank 2 (rotating tank 3) (step S1). ). In this process, the control circuit 12 functions as a drainage capacity detecting means.
That is, the control circuit 12 controls the known water storage amount V during the washing process.
The liter (determined from the first set water level) is read (step S2), and the drainage time t is counted (step S3). When the detection signal from the water level sensor 10 reaches the reset water level (determined in step S4), the counting of the drainage time t is stopped (step S5), and the drainage capacity is detected (step S6). The detection of this drainage capacity requires a known storage volume of V liters for draining time (drainage counting time)
It is calculated by dividing by t. That is, when the parameter of the drainage capacity is H, H = V / t (liter / second).

Next, the detected drainage capacity is used as a reference value in this case, "1 (liter / second)" and "1.5 (liter / second).
Second) ”(steps S7 and S8),
If the drainage capacity is "less than 1 (liter / second)", it is determined that the drainage capacity is low, and "60
When the "second" has elapsed, the dehydration process is started (step S
9). In addition, the drainage capacity is "1 (liter / second) or more ~
If it is less than 1.5 (liter / second) ", it is determined that the drainage capacity is somewhat low, and" 40 seconds "from the time when the reset water level is reached.
When the time has elapsed, the dehydration process is started (step S10).
Further, if the drainage capacity is "1.5 (liter / second) or more", it is determined that the drainage capacity is good, and the dehydration process (intermediate dehydration process) is started when "20 seconds" has elapsed from the time when the reset water level was reached. (Step S11).

This intermediate dehydration process is controlled as follows. (A) When the detected drainage capacity is "less than 1 (liter / second)", the dehydration process is started when "60 seconds" has elapsed from the time when the reset water level was reached as described above. 5 is driven to rotate the rotary tank 3 at high speed, the spin-drying rotation speed is increased to 300 rpm (rotation speed of the rotary tank 3), and this rotation speed state is kept for 20 seconds (step S12, the rotation speed at this time is Rotation sensor 8
Detected based on the signal from). Then, the spin-drying speed is increased to 400 rpm and the speed is set to 40 rpm.
It is kept for 2 seconds (step S13), after which the spin-drying rotation speed is increased to 600 rpm and this rotation speed state is kept for 40 seconds (step S14). After this, washing machine motor 5
Is stopped and the dehydration process is completed (step S
15).

(B) When the detected drainage capacity is "1 (liter / second) or more and less than 1.5 (liter / second)", "40" is reached from the time when the reset water level is reached as described above.
When the "second" has elapsed, the dehydration process is started. First, the washing machine motor 5 is driven to rotate the rotary tub 3 at a high speed, and the dehydration rotation speed is increased to 300 rpm.
Hold for seconds (step S16). Then, the spin-drying speed is increased to 400 rpm, and this spin-speed state is kept for 20 seconds (step S17). After that, the spin-drying speed is raised to 600 rpm and this spin-speed state is kept for 20 seconds (step S17). S18). After that, the drive of the washing machine motor 5 is stopped to end the dehydration process (step S1).
6).

(C) When the detected drainage capacity is "1.5 (liter / second) or more", the dehydration process is started when "20 seconds" has elapsed from the time when the reset water level was reached as described above. . For the control thereafter, steps S16 to S18 and step S15 are executed as in the case described above.

The start of the final dehydration process is also 60 seconds, 40 seconds or 20 seconds from the time when the reset water level is detected in the second drainage process based on the above-mentioned detected drainage capacity, and the degree of increase in the dehydration rotation is also set. You may control similarly to the above-mentioned intermediate dehydration process.

According to this embodiment, the control circuit 1
Since 2 detects the drainage capacity at the time of drainage, it is possible to detect this when the drainage capacity is deteriorated due to clogging or the like. Then, the lower the detected drainage capacity is, the more control is performed to delay the start time of the dehydration process. Therefore, when the drainage capacity is low, the drainage process should be started after the drainage is sufficiently done. become. As a result, the amount of water for dehydration does not exceed the drainage capacity, and the dehydrated water is sequentially discharged without being accumulated in the rotary tank 3, so that the dehydration performance is maintained well. In addition, the water containing the detergent component after washing is no longer accumulated in the water receiving tank 2 and agitated by the rotation of the rotating tank 3,
As a result, generation of bubbles can be suppressed.

Further, according to this embodiment, even if the rotary tank 3 is made of stainless steel, it is possible to prevent the generation of a large amount of noise. That is, if the rotary tank 3 is spin-rotated while the water is still stored in the water receiving tank 2, the rotation of the rotary tank 3 scatters the stored water and causes the water to bounce on the inner surface of the water receiving tank 2. Sound is generated by hitting the outer surface, but if the rotary tank 3 is made of stainless steel, there is a problem that a loud sound such as “papata” is generated. However, according to the present embodiment, since no water is stored in the water receiving tank 2, such a problem of noise can be eliminated.

In particular, according to the present embodiment, as the rising pattern of the dehydration rotation, as can be seen from step S12, step S13 and step S14, "300 rpm.
Second → 400r.pm · 40 seconds → 600r.pm · 40 seconds ”and, as can be seen from step S16, step S17 and step S18,“ 300r.pm · 20
Second → 400r.pm · 20 seconds → 600r.pm · 20 seconds ”pattern, the lower the detected drainage capacity,
Among the multiple ascending patterns, the descending degree of dewatering rotation is selected as the rising pattern (the former pattern). Therefore, when the drainage capacity becomes low, the dewatering rotation also increases the amount of dewatering water. The amount of dehydrated water does not become low and exceeds the drainage capacity, whereby the dehydration performance is more favorably maintained and the generation of bubbles is further suppressed.

Further, according to this embodiment, the water level sensor 10
Detects the drainage capacity based on the time required for drainage from the state of water with a known storage volume to the reset water level, which is the predetermined water level, to detect the drainage capacity with a relatively simple configuration. can do. This water level sensor 10 is an existing one that is used to detect "small water level", "low water level", "medium water level", and "high water level" at the time of water supply in the washing process and the rinsing process. It does not increase the number of parts and the cost.

Further, according to the present embodiment, since the rising pattern is a pattern in which the rotation speed and the time are changed stepwise, compared with the case where the degree of increase in the rotation speed is changed linearly. , Control becomes relatively easy.

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the construction as the drainage capacity detecting means is different from that of the first embodiment. That is, the opposing wall portions 21a and 21b of the drainage channel 21 leading to the drainage valve 7 are formed to be transparent, for example, transparent, and the opposing wall portions 21a and 21b are formed.
A light-emitting device 22a and a light-receiving device 22b are arranged outside b. These light emitter 22a and light receiver 22b
Constitutes an optical sensor 22 as a drainage sensor, and detects the presence or absence of drainage depending on the amount of light received by the light receiver 22b. Then, the control circuit 12 detects the drainage capacity based on the required drainage time from the water storage state of the known water storage amount to the detection of no drainage by the optical sensor 22. Also in this embodiment, the drainage capacity can be detected with a relatively simple configuration.

FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of the present invention, which is different from the first embodiment in that the rotary tank 31 is of a pumping type. That is, the rotary tank 31
Is a tank body 32 having an upwardly widening taper shape having a dehydration hole 32a in the upper part, and a metal-made, for example, stainless-steel porous body fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the tank body 32 with a gap 33 for water passage. And an inner basket 34. In this case, the rotating tank 3 is used in the washing process and the rinsing process.
Water is stored in 1 for washing and rinsing, but in the drainage process in which the water in the rotary tank 31 is drained from the drainage channel 35, drainage capacity detection is performed as in the first embodiment, and dehydration is performed. Also in the stroke, as in the first embodiment, the rotation increasing pattern is selected and executed according to the detected drainage capacity.

In this third embodiment, the rotary tank 31
The water in the inside is pumped and dehydrated. At this time, the dehydrated water is shaken off from the gap 33 and the dehydration hole 32a in the upper portion to the water receiving tank 35. Therefore, a large amount of water is not pumped up, and it is possible to suppress the generation of a large sound of water hitting the water receiving tank 35. In particular, even though it has the inner basket 34 made of stainless steel, a large amount of water is not pumped, and the pumped water does not bounce back to the rotary tank 31, so that a large noise is not generated. Absent.

As the drainage capacity detecting means, a flowmeter may be provided in the drainage channel and the drainage capacity may be detected based on a signal from the flowmeter. Further, a flow meter may be provided in the water supply passage to detect the amount of water stored in the tank. Further, the dewatering rotation increasing pattern may be two or more.

[0034]

As is apparent from the above description, the present invention can obtain the following effects. According to the invention of claim 1, since the drainage capacity at the time of drainage is detected, it is possible to detect when the drainage capacity is reduced due to clogging or the like in the drainage channel, and it is detected. Since the lower the drainage capacity is, the control is performed to delay the start time of the dehydration process, so even if the drainage capacity is low, the dehydration process can be started after the drainage is sufficiently done.
As a result, the dehydrated water does not accumulate in the tank, and thus the dehydration performance can be maintained well, and the generation of bubbles and noise can be suppressed.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the lower the detected drainage capacity is, the lower the rising pattern of the degree of increase in the dehydration rotation is selected from among the plurality of rising patterns. In the case of a low water content, the amount of dehydrated water increases due to the spin rotation will not decrease, and the amount of dehydrated water will not exceed the drainage capacity. Can be further suppressed.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the drainage capacity is detected based on the drainage time required for the water level detected by the water level detection means to reach the predetermined water level from the storage state of the known storage amount. The drainage capacity can be detected with a relatively simple structure.

According to the invention of claim 4, the drainage capacity is detected on the basis of the required drainage time from the storage state of the known storage amount to the detection of no drainage by the drainage sensor. It is possible to detect the drainage capacity with a relatively simple configuration.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the dewatering rotation increase pattern is a pattern in which the rotation speed and the time are changed stepwise. Therefore, when the rotation speed increase degree is changed linearly. In comparison, it is relatively easy to control.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electrical configuration showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

[Figure 2] Vertical side view of the washing machine

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing control contents.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing control contents.

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional side view of a drainage channel portion showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional side view of a rotary tank portion showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 is a water receiving tank, 3 is a rotating tank, 4 is an agitator, 5 is a washing machine motor, 7 is a drain valve, 8 is a rotation sensor, 9 is a water supply valve, 10 is a water level sensor (water level detecting means), and 12 is a control circuit. (Drainage capacity detection means, dehydration control means, pattern storage means), 22
Is an optical sensor (drainage sensor), 31 is a rotary tank, 32 is a tank body, and 34 is an inner basket.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. In a combination of washing, drainage, rinsing and dehydration steps, the drainage capacity detecting means for detecting the drainage capacity during drainage and the drainage capacity detected by the drainage capacity detecting means are low. A washing machine for combined use of dehydration, further comprising: dehydration control means for controlling so as to delay the start timing of the dehydration process. 2. A dehydration control means is provided with a pattern storage means having a plurality of ascending patterns of dehydration rotation, and the dehydration control means delays the start time of the dehydration process and has a plurality of ascending patterns as the drainage capacity detected by the drainage capacity detecting means is lower. 2. The washing machine for combined use of dehydration according to claim 1, wherein an ascending pattern having a small degree of increase in dewatering rotation is selected. 3. A water level detecting means is provided, and the drainage capacity detecting means detects the drainage capacity based on a drainage time required for the water level detected by the water level detecting means to reach a predetermined water level from a storage state of a known amount of stored water. The washing machine for combined use of dehydration according to claim 1, wherein 4. A drainage sensor for detecting the presence / absence of drainage is provided, and the drainage capacity detection means detects the drainage capacity based on the required drainage time from the storage state of a known storage volume to the detection of no drainage by the drainage sensor. The washing machine for combined use of dehydration according to claim 1, wherein 5. The spin-drying combined washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the ascending pattern of the pattern storage means is a pattern in which the rotation speed and the time are changed stepwise.