JPH0724718B2 - Water supply device for washing machine - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a hot water supply device for a washing machine, and more particularly, to automatically switch hot water supply and water supply to a fully automatic washing machine according to a washing process. Is the task.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a fully automatic washing machine, the amount of washing water is automatically set according to the internal volume of the laundry. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, the washing machine (A) is connected to the water supply pipe (1).
Put the laundry in the washing tub (B) while connected to the
A predetermined amount of washing water is supplied into the washing tub (B) of (A). or,
Depending on the case, an appropriate amount of detergent is supplied into the washing tub (B) from the detergent storage unit provided in the washing machine. in this way,
With the recent fully automatic washing machines, all the operations from washing preparation work to rinsing and dewatering work can be performed automatically just by putting the laundry into the washing tub (B) and then starting the operation. It is like this.

However, when hot water is used as washing water, the washing performance is improved as compared with the case where tap water is used as it is. Therefore, even in the case of this fully automatic washing machine, if the hot water circuit from the water heater is connected to the water supply pipe (1), the amount of hot water corresponding to the amount of laundry will be adjusted by the water supply device in the washing machine (A). Is supplied (hereinafter, the supply of hot water is also simply referred to as water supply), and washing with warm water is possible.

However, in this case, hot water is also used in the rinsing step. At this rinsing stage, hot water is not used. Since the rinsing is performed to remove the detergent and the like in the washing tub (B), even if tap water (normal temperature water: hereinafter referred to as cold water) is used as it is, sufficient rinsing is possible. Therefore, even when washing with warm water, it is rational to switch to cold water at the rinsing stage. To do this, connect two circuits of hot and cold water to the water pipe (1),
The hot water circuit may be connected to the water supply pipe (1) during washing, and the cold water circuit may be connected to the water supply pipe (1) during the rinsing step.In this case, this switching operation is performed manually. It has to be done and the convenience of using fully automatic laundry is halved.

Further, in the fully automatic washing machine, a control provided in the washing machine (A) while intermittently rotating the washing tub (B) in order to set a volume of washing water suitable for the amount of laundry. apparatus
(C ₁ ) controls the water supply valve (V). That is, by opening the water supply valve (V) for a certain period of time, a predetermined amount of washing water is poured into the washing tub (B) containing the laundry and the motor drives the washing tub. Whether or not the washing water is insufficient is judged by the signal value from the motor according to the torque, and if it is insufficient, the washing water is controlled by the water supply valve (V). A judgment is made to set the amount of washing water in the washing tub (B) to an appropriate amount. Then, after the completion of adding the washing water, the washing operation continues for a certain period of time, and thereafter, rinsing is performed.

[0006]

The present invention has been invented from such a background, and "intermittently supplies water in a washing tub (B) to set an appropriate amount of washing water, and then a washing operation and a rinsing operation proceed. After supplying hot water as washing water in the automatic water supply device for fully automatic washing machines, the water supplied from the water supply pipe (1) can be automatically switched to cold water in the rinsing process. Is the task.

[Invention of Claim 1]

[0008]

[Technical Means] A technical means of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problem is to "connect both a hot water circuit (11) and a cold water circuit (12) to a water supply pipe (1) of a washing machine (A), The water supply pipe (1) is provided with a clock device (2) for measuring the stop time each time the water supply is stopped, and one of the hot water circuit (11) and the cold water circuit (12) and the water supply pipe (1). A switching means (3) for selectively communicating with and is provided, and the hot water circuit (1) is provided at the beginning of the start of water supply to the washing machine (A).
When the (1) side is connected to the water supply pipe (1) and the measured value (T) by the timepiece device (2) exceeds the water supply interruption time (T ₁ ) in the water supply process for setting the appropriate amount of washing water, The switching means (3) is provided with a control device (C ₂ ) that operates so that the cold water circuit (12) side is switched to the water supply pipe (1) for communication. ”

[0009]

The above technical means operates as follows. When the fully-automatic washing machine is in the operating state, a water supply operation for supplying an amount of washing water commensurate with the laundry proceeds, but due to the output of the control device (C ₂ ), the hot water circuit (11) side initially supplies water. Since it is in communication with the pipe (1), hot water having a predetermined temperature is supplied into the washing tub (B). Then, the water is intermittently supplied until the amount of washing water reaches an appropriate value in the above-described progress. At this time, the water supply stop time is measured by the timepiece device (2). The water supply stop time at this stage is the water supply interruption time (T ₁ ) at the time of intermittent water supply in the proper washing water amount supply process.
Since the measured value (T) does not exceed the above value (T ₁ ), the switching means (3) connects the hot water circuit (11) side and the water supply pipe (1) by the output of the control device (C ₂ ). It is maintained in the state where it did.

After the water supply operation is completed, the washing operation is started, but the water supply is continuously stopped during the washing operation. The water supply stop time at this time is significantly longer than the water supply interruption time (T ₁ ). Therefore, during the washing operation after the start of washing, the measured value (T) of the timepiece device (2) is the above value (T ₁ ).
In this stage, the switching means (3) is operated by the output of the control device (C ₂ ) and the chilled water circuit (1) is exceeded.
2) Switch to the state where the water supply pipe (1) communicates with the side.

After that, when the washing operation is completed, a rinsing process is started and water is supplied from the water supply pipe (1). At this time, the cold water circuit (12) side and the water supply pipe (1) communicate with each other. Therefore, in this rinsing, cold water is supplied from the cold water circuit (12) side.

[0012]

[Effect] After washing with warm water, rinse with
Since it is automatically switched to cold water, it is possible to perform good washing with hot water and prevent wasteful use of hot water. Since the control system that is separate from the fully automatic washing machine side can switch between hot water and cold water, the above switching can be performed simply by connecting to the water supply pipe (1) to the fully automatic washing machine. No configuration changes needed. Also,
It can be used for any type of fully automatic washing machine.

[Invention of Claim 2] The present invention is intended to solve the same problem as that of the invention of Claim 1 described above, in which hot water from the hot water circuit (11) and cold water from the cold water circuit (12) are provided. After mixing with water so that hot water having a predetermined temperature can be supplied as washing water, only water from the cold water circuit (12) can be supplied at the stage of rinsing.

[0014]

[Technical means] The technical means adopted for this purpose are
"The hot water circuit (11) and the cold water circuit (12) are connected to the water supply pipe (1) of the washing machine (A) through the mixing device (5) for mixing the hot water and the cold water, and to the water supply pipe (1). Is provided with a clock device (2) for measuring the water supply stop time after the end of the unit water supply operation, and the hot water circuit (11) is provided with an opening / closing valve (3).
9) is inserted, and the opening / closing valve (39) is opened at the beginning of the water supply to the washing machine (A), and the measured value (T) by the timepiece device (2) is set for setting the appropriate amount of washing water.
A control device (C) operable to close the opening / closing valve (39) at a stage when the water supply interruption time (T ₁ ) in the water supply process is exceeded.
₂ ) ”is provided.

[0015]

[Operation / Effect] With this means, the open / close valve (39) inserted in the hot water circuit (11) is opened during the water supply process for setting the appropriate amount of washing water, so the hot water circuit (11) ) And cold water from the cold water circuit (12) are mixed in the mixing device (4) and supplied to the washing tub. Then, when the proper washing water amount setting is set and the washing process is started, the opening / closing valve (39) is closed at the elapse of a predetermined time after the start of washing by the output of the control device (C ₂ ) as in the case of the above-mentioned invention. The valve is set so that the hot water circuit (11) is shut off.

Therefore, when the water supply in the rinsing process is started after the washing process is completed, only the cold water circuit (12) side is in communication, and the cold water is supplied. Thus, the same effect as the invention of claim 1 is obtained. Further, since hot water is mixed with cold water in the mixing device (4), the hot water supplied to the hot water circuit (11) may be high temperature water.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention described above will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. [Embodiment 1] The water supply apparatus of Embodiment 1 shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 2, the casing (K) has a hot water circuit (11) and a cold water circuit (12) built-in so that each upstream end projects from the rear surface of the casing (K), and the lower surface of the casing (K) has the above-mentioned structure. The connecting pipe (13) connected to the downstream side of the confluence of the hot water circuit (11) and the cold water circuit (12) is projected.

Therefore, in this water supply system, the tap water circuit is connected to the cold water circuit (12), and the hot water supply circuit from the water heater is connected to the upstream end of the hot water circuit (11) so that the casing (K).
Is installed on the upper wall of the washing machine (A), and the connection pipe (13) is connected to the water supply pipe (1) of the washing machine (A). The switching means (3) includes an on-off valve (3) inserted in the hot water circuit (11).
The combination of 1) and the on-off valve (32) inserted in the cold water circuit (12) is adopted, and the communication state to the water supply pipe (1) is switched by opening only one of them.

A water flow switch (20) is inserted in the connection pipe (13), and the water flow switch (20) detects whether the water supply operation is being performed or is stopped. And
The output from this water flow switch (20) is determined by the control device (C ₂ ) and the switching means (3) is operated,
The water supply circuit to the water supply pipe (1) is switched at a predetermined timing.

In the washing machine corresponding to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, in the initial proper washing water setting step, first, the water supply valve (V) of the washing machine (A) is opened for a certain period of time. A certain amount (for example, 25 liters) by opening the valve
Of the appropriate amount of water supply by performing the water supply operation (initial water supply operation), stopping the water supply operation thereafter, driving the washing tub (B), and detecting the signal from the motor corresponding to the drive torque at this time. If it is determined that the water supply amount is insufficient, a fixed small amount (for example, 10 liters) of additional water supply operation is performed again, and after the additional water supply operation is stopped, the determination is performed again. This is repeated until an appropriate amount of washing water suitable for the amount of laundry is set, and a series of these operations is controlled by the controller (C ₁ ) incorporated in the washing machine (A). Further, normally, the time required from the end of the initial water supply operation to the start of the additional water supply operation is about 30 seconds to 1 minute, and this time is the water supply interruption time (T ₁ ) at the additional water supply stage.
Matches

Details of the control device (C ₂ ) of the water supply device adapted to this type of fully automatic washing machine will be described below. In this embodiment, a microcomputer is used as the control device (C ₂ ) and this control program is based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

According to this control device (C ₂ ), when the operation switch (S ₁ ) of the water supply device is turned on, the on-off valve (3)
1) (32) is initialized, the on-off valve (32) is closed, and the on-off valve (31) is opened. Then, it waits in this state until the water supply from the water supply pipe (1) is started. When the operation switch (S ₂ ) of the washing machine (A) is turned on,
The washing machine starts operation, the water supply valve (V) in the washing machine (A) is opened, and the washing machine (A) starts an initial water supply operation for setting an appropriate amount of washing water. At this time, since the on-off valve (31) is opened as described above, hot water of a predetermined temperature is supplied to the washing tub (B) of the washing machine (A) through the hot water circuit (11). It At this time, the water flow switch (20) is turned on. After that, water supply valve (V)
Is closed and the water supply is stopped, the water flow switch (20) is turned "OFF", and when this is detected, the timepiece device (2) is turned "ON" and the water supply stop time measurement state is maintained. When the water supply is restarted, the water flow switch (2
0) is turned on, and this signal input causes the measured value (T) by the timepiece device (2) to be a constant value (α) from the water supply interruption time (T ₁ ) in the water supply process for setting the appropriate amount of washing water. ) It is determined whether it is large or not.

As described above, in the fully automatic washing machine corresponding to this embodiment, in the water supply process for setting the proper amount of washing water, the water supply stop time from the initial water supply operation to the additional water supply operation or the Water supply interruption time between water supply operations
(T ₁ ) is about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Then, in this embodiment, the value of α is set to 5 minutes to 6 minutes. By the way, when an appropriate amount of washing water is not set by the initial water supply, the controller (C ₁ ) of the washing machine (A) determines that the amount of washing water is insufficient during the water supply interruption time (T ₁ ), and the water supply valve (V) restarts and the washing machine (A) shifts to the additional water supply state. This turns on the water flow switch (20). By this signal input,
The measured value (T) and (T ₁ + α) are compared, but the measured value (T) until the restart of the additional water supply coincides with the above value (T ₁ ) and is smaller than (T ₁ + α). At the same time when the timepiece device (2) is turned off and reset, it returns to the state of monitoring the “off” signal from the water flow switch (20). After that, the water supply amount determination routine from the step of monitoring the operation of the water flow switch (20) to the step of comparing the measured value (T) with (T ₁ + α) is repeatedly executed.

Therefore, in the water supply process for setting the appropriate amount of washing water, only the hot water supply circuit (11) side is connected without changing the open / closed state of the open / close valves (31) (32) as the switching means (3). In this state, hot water is additionally supplied by the restart valve of the water supply valve (V) of the washing machine (A). Finally, when the setting of the proper amount of washing water is completed, the washing machine (A) enters the washing process with the water supply valve (V) closed. On the other hand, in the control device (C ₂ ), since the water flow switch (20) remains “OFF”, the timepiece device (2) is maintained in the water supply stop time measuring state.

When the rinsing process is started after the washing process is completed, the water supply valve (V) is restarted, so that the water flow switch is turned on, and this signal causes the timepiece device to operate.
The measured value (T) in (2) is compared with (T ₁ + α). At this time, the water supply stoppage time is significantly longer than the above (T ₁ + α). Therefore, according to the comparison result, the timepiece device (2) is turned off and reset, and at the same time, the on-off valve (3
1) is closed and the open / close valve (32) is opened, and only the cold water circuit (12) is communicated and water is supplied to the washing machine through the water supply pipe (1).

In this state, the washing machine (A) proceeds with rinsing. Then, when the rinsing with the washing machine (A) is completed and the dehydration is completed, the washing machine (A) is stopped. When the operation switch (S ₁ ) is turned “OFF” in this state, each part is in the initial state. [Other Control Device] The control device (C ₂ ) may be based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

In this control device (C ₂ ), as shown in the figure, when the water flow switch (20) is turned “OFF”, the measured time (T) of the timepiece device (2) becomes (T ₁ +
α) is compared, and when the measurement time (T) becomes longer than (T ₁ + α), the switching valve (31) is closed and the switching valve (32) is opened. I am trying. When the measurement time (T) is smaller than (T ₁ + α), this determination step and the determination step as to whether the water flow switch (20) is “ON” are repeated to determine the measurement time (T)
If the water flow switch (20) is turned on when is smaller than (T ₁ + α), the timepiece device (2) is turned off and reset, and then the water flow switch (20) is turned off. Wait until, that is, until the water supply is stopped.
Then, the determination routine is executed each time the water flow switch (20) is turned on. Therefore, at the proper washing water amount setting stage, as in the case of FIG. 4, the on-off valves (31) (32)
The open / closed state of is not switched, and only the hot water circuit (11) side is maintained in communication.

When the washing machine (A) completes the proper washing water amount setting step and enters the washing step, the measured time (T) becomes (T ₁ + α) after the start of washing after the start of washing. T ₁ +
α), the clock device (2) is turned off at this point and the on-off valve (31) is closed to open the on-off valve (32).
To open the valve. Since the water supply stoppage time in the washing process is significantly longer than the above (T ₁ + α), the control program based on this flowchart is executed only on the cold water circuit (12) side in advance before the washing process is completed. Is connected to the laundry note (A) side. In other words, in the rinsing step, the cold water supply state is waited in advance. Therefore, it can be effectively used for a fully automatic washing machine having a so-called pool rinse function, which supplies water intermittently in the rinse after the washing process. This also applies to the case where the control program based on the flowchart of FIG. 4 is executed.

In this embodiment, the combination of the on-off valve (31) and the on-off valve (32) is adopted as the switching means (3).
As shown in FIG. 6, the switching valve (33) may be inserted at the confluence of the hot water circuit (11) and the cold water circuit (12). [Others] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the hot water circuit (1
The output switch of the sensor (40) that detects the hot water temperature of any of the circuits from 1) to the connecting pipe (13) was inserted into the circuit of the open / close valve (31), and hot water of a certain level or higher was supplied. In this case, the on-off valve (31) should be closed and the sensor
The operating temperature of (40) is set to the upper limit temperature of the proper use temperature range of the biodetergent used in the washing machine. Therefore, in this case, when hot water having a high cleaning performance of the biodetergent is supplied to the washing machine, hot water supply is automatically stopped.

If the temperature of the hot water supplied from the hot water circuit (11) is set within the proper operating temperature range of the biodetergent, it is not necessary to add the safety device. In addition, as the safety device, as shown in FIG.
When the output from the sensor (40) exceeds the upper limit of the proper use temperature range of the biodetergent, the lower valve (3) of the hot water circuit (11) is closed.
1) may be closed and the on-off valve (32) on the cold water circuit (13) side may be opened.

[Embodiment 2] In Embodiment 2, as shown in FIG. 8, a mixing device (5) is provided at the confluence of the hot water circuit (11) and the cold water circuit (12), and this mixing device (5 The open / close valve (39) is inserted in the hot water circuit (11) on the upstream side of FIG. Hot water of a relatively high temperature is supplied to the hot water circuit (11), and the hot water and the cold water from the cold water circuit (12) are set to hot water of a temperature suitable for washing in the mixing device (5). Therefore, this mixing device (5) has a configuration in which the hot water outlet pipe (51) and the cold water outlet pipe (52) are coaxially opened toward the downstream side, as shown in FIG. From the relationship between the hot water temperature and the cold water temperature in (1), the opening ratios of the outlet pipes are set to a predetermined ratio. As a result, the cold water mixing ratio becomes a predetermined value,
The hot water of a predetermined temperature can be taken out.

In this device, a control device (C ₂ ) for executing a control program based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 9 is incorporated. This control device executes the same control as that of the flow chart of FIG. 4 in the first embodiment, except that the control target is the on-off valve (39). That is, when the operation switch (S ₁ ) is turned “on”, the on-off valve (39) is opened, and as in the case of FIG. 4, every time the water flow switch is turned “off”, the water supply stop time measurement state is displayed. The measured value (T) of the timepiece device (2) is compared with (T ₁ + α) by the signal of the water flow switch (20) when the water supply is restarted, and the measured value (T) is more than (T ₁ + α). If it is larger, the on-off valve (39) is closed, and conversely, if the measured value (T) is smaller than (T ₁ + α), the water flow switch (20) is turned off. Return to the monitoring state.

As a result, in the proper washing water amount setting step,
The on-off valve (39) is maintained in the open state, the hot water circuit (11) is cut off in the rinse step after the washing step, and only the cold water circuit (12) side communicates with the washing machine side. The same effect as that of the first embodiment is obtained. In this embodiment, as the mixing device (5), only the inflow amount of the hot water circuit (11) side and the inflow amount of the cold water circuit (12) side are set to a predetermined ratio. Hot water temperature on the hot water circuit (11) side,
The temperature of the cold water on the cold water circuit (12) side may be detected, the flow rate ratio may be controlled according to the detected temperature, and the outlet temperature of the mixing device (5) may be set to a predetermined temperature. Further, when the mixing device (5) has a built-in device or a function part for shutting off the hot water circuit (11) side, it is not necessary to separately provide the on-off valve (39), and the inside of the mixing device (5) is not required. The shutoff valve (39) is a device or a functional unit that shuts off the hot water circuit (11) side.

In the first embodiment, the hot water circuit (11)
A device for setting the hot water temperature of the hot water circuit to a predetermined temperature is added on the upstream side of the on-off valve (31), and cold water from the cold water circuit (12) is mixed as shown by the broken line in FIG. It is also possible to insert a mixing device (5) that sets the secondary side hot water temperature to a predetermined temperature.In these cases, too, the hot water temperature supplied to the washing machine (A) side is set to a predetermined temperature. Can be managed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a usage example of a fully automatic washing machine.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a usage example of the water supply device according to the first aspect of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a time chart diagram of the water supply operation of the fully automatic washing machine.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the control device (C ₂ ).

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of another example of the flowchart of the control device (C ₂ ).

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of another example of the switching means (3).

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of a main part of a flowchart of a control device (C ₂ ) of another example.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a water supply device according to an embodiment of the invention of claim 2;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the control device (C ₂ ) for this.

[Explanation of sign]

(B) ・ ・ ・ Washing tub (11) ・ ・ ・ Hot water circuit (12) ・ ・ ・ Cold water circuit (A) ・ ・ ・ Washing machine (1) ・ ・ ・ Water pipe (T) ・ ・ ・ Measured value (2 ) ・ ・ ・ Clock device (C ₂ ) ・ ・ ・ Control device

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A water supply device for a fully automatic washing machine, wherein hot water is supplied to a washing tub (B) intermittently to set an appropriate amount of water for washing, and thereafter a washing operation and a rinsing operation are performed. A clock device (2) that connects both the circuit (11) and the cold water circuit (12) to the water supply pipe (1) of the washing machine (A) and measures the stop time each time the water supply to the water supply pipe (1) is stopped. ) And a switching means (3) for selectively communicating one of the hot water circuit (11) and the cold water circuit (12) with the water supply pipe (1), and the washing machine (A).
At the beginning of the start of water supply to the water supply system, the hot water circuit (11) side is communicated with the water supply pipe (1) and the measured value (T) by the timepiece device (2) is interrupted during the water supply process for setting the appropriate amount of washing water. For a washing machine equipped with a control device (C ₂ ) which is operable to switch the cold water circuit (12) side to the water supply pipe (1) by the switching means (3) when the time (T ₁ ) is exceeded. Water supply device. 2. A water supply device for a fully automatic washing machine, wherein hot water is supplied to a washing tub (B) intermittently to set an appropriate amount of water for washing, and thereafter a washing operation and a rinsing operation proceed. A circuit (11) and a cold water circuit (12) are connected to a water supply pipe (1) of a washing machine (A) through a mixing device (5) for mixing hot water and cold water, and a unit to the water supply pipe (1) is connected. A timepiece device (2) for measuring the stop time of the water supply after the water supply operation is provided, and an opening / closing valve (39) is inserted in the hot water circuit (11) to start the water supply to the washing machine (A) at the initial stage. The opening / closing valve is opened when the valve (39) is opened and the value (T) measured by the timepiece device (2) exceeds the water supply interruption time (T ₁ ) in the water supply process for setting the appropriate amount of washing water. A control device (C ₂ ) for operably closing (39) was provided. Water supply device for washing machine.