JPH1015281A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To precisely detect a flow rate of water supply and enable to control suitable for the flow rate of water supply by a simple method, calculating the flow rate of water supply from the detected cloth amount and the difference of water level during water supplying. SOLUTION: When a start key is pressed (S13), the cloth amount is detected by a cloth amount detecting means and a remained time is display on a display part (S15). A water supplying valve is opened to start tap water supplying and the water level is detected by a water level detecting means. The amount of water level difference is calculated by the detected cloth amount and the water level detected by the water level detecting means, and the flow rate of water supply is detected (S17). That is, preliminarily obtained data of a relation between the cloth amount and the flow rate of water supply to the level variance are store in ROM, and CPU calculates the flow rate of water supply referring the detected amount of cloth and the count of water level variation to the data in ROM. Since the amount of thrownin cloth is taken in consideration, the correct flow rate of water supply can be obtained.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a washing machine for performing a washing operation by supplying water into a washing tub by using either a water supply valve or a water supply pump.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei.
As disclosed in No. 7, based on the amount of change in the detected water level of the water level sensor during water supply during washing and rinsing,
A washing machine that detects a flow rate of water supply per unit time has been proposed. Based on this water supply flow rate (the amount of water to be supplied within a unit time), the water supply time for washing, rinsing, etc., is predicted, and the operation time of the washing process is calculated.

[0003]

However, such a conventional washing machine has the following problems. Although the water supply flow rate is detected based on the water level change amount in the washing tub, the water level change amount by the water level sensor differs depending on the amount of cloth in the washing tub even at the same water supply flow rate. This is because the amount of change in the water level is not constant even when the water supply flow rate is constant, for example, when the cloth absorbs water. For this reason, there is a problem that it is difficult to accurately detect the water supply flow rate. Further, even if various controls are performed based on the water supply flow rate based on the water level change amount, there is a problem that a large error occurs due to a difference in the amount of cloth in the washing tub.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems.
It is an object of the present invention to propose a washing machine that accurately detects a water supply flow rate by a simple method and executes control suitable for the detection.

[0005]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a water supply means for supplying water to a washing tub, a cloth amount detecting means for detecting an amount of cloth in the washing tub, and a water level in the washing tub. A washing machine comprising a water level detecting means for detecting, and calculating a water supply flow rate based on a cloth amount detected by the cloth amount detecting means and a water level change amount in water supplied detected by the water level detecting means. It is.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the washing machine according to the first aspect, the water supply state is detected by comparing the water supply flow rate with a preset reference value.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the washing machine according to the first or second aspect, further comprising a display means for displaying a remaining time of the washing process, wherein the remaining time is obtained by calculating a water supply time based on the flow rate of the water supply. Is corrected and displayed on the display means.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the washing machine according to the third aspect, the water supply means includes a means for supplying tap water and a means for supplying remaining hot water in a bath, and further includes a tap water supply means. And water supply means for selecting bath water supply means, and when the water supply selection means switches between tap water supply means and bath water supply means during the washing process, the water supply flow rate is measured again, and The remaining time is corrected based on the measured water supply flow rate.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the washing machine according to the first, second, third, or fourth aspect, further comprising an automatic start means for automatically starting a washing operation in accordance with a reserved washing end time. The set or detected water supply capacity of the water supply means detected during the previous operation execution is stored in the storage means, an operation time suitable for the stored water supply capacity is obtained, and the operation ends at the reserved time. The operation is started by the automatic start means.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the washing machine according to the first aspect, wherein a relationship between a water level change amount for the dry cloth and the water-absorbent cloth is obtained, and the cloth amount detecting means detects the relation based on the relation. The dry cloth amount and the water absorption amount of the cloth are obtained from the measured cloth amount and the water level change amount detected by the water level detecting means.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the washing machine according to the first aspect, wherein the initial amount of washing detected based on at least one of the cloth amount detected by the cloth amount detecting means and the water level change amount detected by the water level detecting means. The rinsing water supply prediction time is set to be shorter than the water supply prediction time.

According to the above construction, in the first aspect of the present invention, the water supply flow rate is detected based on the cloth amount detected by the cloth amount detecting means and the water level change amount detected by the water level detecting means. Even if the water level fluctuation amount is different due to water absorption of the cloth or the like, the water supply flow rate is calculated by correcting that part.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the water supply state is detected while comparing the water supply flow rate with the set reference value, for example, when there is no remaining hot water in the bath, or when the faucet is closed and tap water is discharged. Even if there is no water supply, such as when the water does not come out, measures such as stopping the water supply by the water supply means or notifying the user can be taken.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the water supply flow rate can be calculated without being affected by the cloth amount, as described above, so that a highly accurate water supply time can be obtained based on the water supply flow rate. The remaining time of the washing process is corrected based on the water supply time, and a high-precision display is provided on the display unit.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the tap water supply means and the bath water supply means are switched during the washing step or the rinsing step, the water supply flow rate changes. Therefore, the remaining time is corrected based on the re-measured data by re-measuring.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the water supply capacity of the water supply means, which is set in advance or detected during the previous operation, is stored in the storage means. This water supply capacity is a value predicted to be close to the actual water supply capacity. An operation time suitable for the stored water supply capacity is obtained, and a start time is calculated so as to end at the reserved time. Since the water supply capacity is close to the actual value, the time for starting the operation by the automatic start means can be obtained with high accuracy.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the relationship between the water level change amounts for the dry cloth and the water-absorbent cloth is determined in advance. Then, based on the relationship, a dry cloth amount and a water absorption amount of the cloth are obtained from the cloth amount detected by the cloth amount detecting means and the water level change amount detected by the water level detecting means. Since the water supply flow rate is calculated from these amounts, the water supply flow rate can be calculated with high accuracy even when using a cloth that has absorbed water from the beginning of injection.
Since a true cloth amount (dry state) can be approximated, an appropriate amount of water and stirring intensity can be determined.

Further, in the invention of claim 7, the estimated time for washing and water supply is obtained based on at least one of data of the cloth amount by the cloth amount detecting means and the water level change amount by the water level detecting means. Since the cloth is absorbing water during the rinsing stage, the rinsing water supply time is short. Therefore, the estimated rinsing water supply time is set shorter than the estimated washing water supply time. Then, a value close to the actual operation time is calculated.

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, a fully automatic washing machine to which the present invention is applied will be described. FIG.
FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view showing an example of this fully automatic washing machine. In FIG. 1, 1 is an outer frame, 2 is a washing tub, 3 is an upper plate, 4 is an operation unit, 5 is a lid, 6 is an external button, 7 is a stirring blade, 8 is a drain hose, and 9 is a power cord.

The fully automatic washing machine configured as described above is as follows. The outer frame 1, a water tub (not shown), and a washing tub 2 are suspended by hanging bars (not shown), and an upper surface plate 3 is fixed on the outer frame 1. An operation unit 4 provided in a panel for executing and stopping the contents of each washing program is arranged in front of the top plate 3. The lid 5 is opened and closed so as to cover the operation unit 4, and the operation unit 4 can set a washing program and the like. The external button 6 allows the power key and the start key to be pressed even when the lid 5 is closed.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a main part of the back of the fully automatic washing machine shown in FIG. In the figure, reference numeral 10 denotes a water supply valve, and 11 denotes an unbalance detection switch (hereinafter, abbreviated as “ambal switch”), which operates when the water tank abnormally vibrates during dehydration, and stops the dehydration operation.

The control circuit section of the fully automatic washing machine having such a structure is represented by a schematic block diagram as shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, a control circuit unit is a microcomputer 21 and a dedicated memory (hereinafter abbreviated as “ROM”) 1
2. Data write memory (hereinafter abbreviated as "RAM") 1
3. Central processing unit (hereinafter abbreviated as CPU) 14, timer 15, input / output port unit (hereinafter abbreviated as I / O unit) 20
Having.

The ROM 12 stores all the operation programs of the fully automatic washing machine. The RAM 13 has an input circuit 16
And the information input from the detection circuit 17 are stored. CPU
Signals are input to 14 from the input circuit 16 and the detection circuit 17 via the I / O unit 20. The input circuit 16 includes a power key, a start key, a course selection key, and a water level key, and the user performs a selection operation. The detection circuit 17 includes sensors such as a water level detection unit 22, a cloth amount detection unit 48, a lid switch (detects opening and closing of the lid), and an unbalance switch 11. The CPU 14 controls the display circuit 18 and the drive circuit 19 in accordance with the operation program taken out of the ROM 12 to operate each device while taking timing using the timer 15. The display circuit 18 displays a course display, a water level display, an end time display, a washing process display, and the like. Drive circuit 1
Reference numeral 9 includes motors R and L, a water supply valve, a water supply pump, and a drain valve. The water level detecting means 22 is a sensor attached to the bottom of the water tank for reading the water level from the water pressure.
7 is for supplying the remaining hot water of the bath to the washing tub.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram when the microcomputer 21 having such peripheral blocks controls the motor of the fully automatic washing machine. In FIG.
The motor 24 for rotating the stirring blade 7 includes an AC power supply 4.
The microcomputer 21 controls opening and closing of the power supply from the thyristors 41 and 42 by the thyristors 41 and 42 to rotate the motor 24 right and left. Further, the drain motor 46 is provided with a thyristor 4.
3 is rotated. Motor voltage detecting means 23
Has the function of detecting the voltage applied to both ends of the motor 24 and detecting the load applied to the stirring blade. The motor voltage detecting means 23 is a cloth amount detecting means 48, which rotates the motor 24 right and left to detect the cloth amount by a load applied to the stirring blade.

Next, FIG. 5 is a layout diagram showing the layout of various keys on the operation unit 4 of FIG. 1. The configuration and operation are the same as those of a known washing machine. That is, usually
After pressing the power key 25, wash with the fully automatic course key 31, select blanket, standard, silk, etc., and press the start key 26 to automatically detect the capacity of the laundry and start washing. . In this case, by pressing the end sound key 27, it is possible to prevent the end sound from being emitted at the end of the washing process. By pressing the bath water key 33, it is possible to select the use of tap water or the use of bath water for water supply during washing and rinsing. In addition, home course key 32
By pressing, the washing process setting unit 28 for selecting a washing process according to the user's preference functions. Further, the reservation timer 30 allows the user to determine the reservation operation, set the operation end time and the current time, and display the currently set washing process or remaining time on the display unit 29.

Hereinafter, description will be made based on the flowchart of the control means in each embodiment of the present invention with reference to the block diagram in FIG. 3 described above.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the microcomputer 21 in the first embodiment. The power supply is turned on and started. In step S11, the CPU 1
4 is based on a program stored in the ROM 12
In order to perform each operation, the power supply frequency is detected, the RAM 13 is checked, and the initialization is performed. Next, in step S12, the power key 25 is pressed by the user, and in step S13, the start key 26 is pressed. The cloth amount is detected by the cloth amount detecting means 48 (step S14), and the remaining time is displayed on the display unit 29 by the display circuit 18 (step S15). Open the water supply valve and start supplying tap water (step S1).
6) The water level is detected by the water level detecting means 22. In step S17, a water level change amount is obtained from the detected cloth amount and the water level detected by the water level detection means 22, and a water supply flow rate is detected from these values. That is, the relationship between the amount of cloth and the water supply flow rate with respect to the change in water level is determined in advance, and the data is stored in the ROM 12. The CPU 14
The cloth amount detected by the cloth amount detecting means 48 and the water level detecting means 2
The water supply flow rate is obtained by comparing the water level change amount detected in Step 2 with the data in the ROM 12. In this way, since the water supply flow rate is calculated in consideration of the input cloth amount, an accurate water supply flow rate can be obtained. If the water supply flow rate is determined, proceed to the next step.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the microcomputer 21 in the second embodiment. 6, steps S21 to S25 are the same as steps S11 to S15 in FIG. In step S26, it is detected whether or not the bath water course is set. If so, the water supply pump is turned on in step S27, and if not, the water supply valve is opened in step S28. And step S
At 29, the water supply flow rate is detected as described above from the cloth amount and the water level change amount detected in step S24. In step S30, the CPU 14 compares the water supply flow rate with a reference value (written in advance in the ROM 12 of the microcomputer 21). If it is less than the reference value, it is considered that there is some trouble in the water supply system, and the water supply valve is closed or the water supply pump is turned off in step S31.
I do. Then, a water supply error process is performed in step S32, and the process waits until the water supply error is cleared in step S33. If the water supply error is released, the process returns to step S26, and the above operation is repeated. If the water supply flow rate is larger than the reference value in step S30, if the current water level has not reached the set water level in step S34, the operation from step S29 is repeated, and if the water level has reached the set water level, the process proceeds to the next step.

In this manner, the water supply condition is checked based on the flow rate of the water supply, so that when the water cannot be supplied, such as when the remaining hot water in the bath is exhausted or when the water tap is kept closed, the water supply valve is automatically closed. Or the water supply pump can be turned off, and the user can be notified by a buzzer or the like. Therefore, the apparatus does not needlessly operate, which is economical and prevents a failure.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the microcomputer 21 in the third embodiment. In the figure, steps S31 to S37 are the same as steps S11 to S17 in FIG. In step S38, the remaining time of the washing process is corrected based on the detected water supply flow rate. That is, the water supply time until the required water amount is reached is determined from the water supply flow rate. Based on this water supply time, the remaining time is corrected to be more accurate. Then, the process proceeds to the next step.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the microcomputer 21 in the fourth embodiment. During the execution of the bath water operation, the bath water washing step is terminated, and the CPU 14 sets the bath water key 3 in the rinsing step in step S41.
3 is pressed or not, and when the bath water key 33 is pressed, since the bath water course is set,
In step S42, the water supply pump is turned on. Bath water key 3
If 3 is not pressed, the water supply valve is opened in step S43. In step S44, the cloth amount detected in the first stage of the washing process and the current water level change amount are re-measured, and the water supply flow rate is re-detected based on the re-measured data.
Then, the remaining time is corrected again, and the process proceeds to the next step.

When the supply of tap water and the supply of bath water are switched in this manner, the flow rate of the supplied water is measured again and the remaining time is corrected, so that accurate time display is possible. In this embodiment, the switching is performed at the rinsing step. In this case, re-measure the feedwater flow rate.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the microcomputer 21 in the fifth embodiment. In this embodiment, the end time is reserved and the automatic operation is performed so that the washing is automatically completed by the set time. 6, steps S51 to S54 are the same as steps S11 to S14 in FIG. 6, and a description thereof will be omitted. In step S55, the CPU 14 determines whether the reservation timer 30 has set the reservation mode (sets the end time). If not set, step S
Water supply is started in 63, and when the reservation mode is set, the flow shifts to a reservation standby state in step S56. Then, it is determined in step S57 whether or not bath water operation is to be performed. In the case of bath water operation setting, a water supply time is calculated from a water supply pump water supply capacity set in advance in step S58, and STA is determined in step S59.
RT time correction is performed. If the bath water is not set in step S57, the water supply time is calculated from the preset tap water supply capacity in step S60, and the STA is set in step S61.
RT time correction is performed. Each water supply capacity is stored in the ROM 12, and the CPU 14 calls the data to calculate the water supply time. Then, in step S62, the reservation standby state is continued until the START time, and when the START time comes, water supply is started in step S63 and the process proceeds to the next step.

The water supply capacity may be a water supply flow rate obtained in the previous washing. This data is stored in the RAM 13 and used for calculating the next washing operation start. Thus,
More accurate operation start becomes possible.

Before describing the sixth embodiment, a brief description of its operation principle will be given. FIG. 11 shows a change in water level at the beginning of water supply. The vertical axis is the water level h, and the horizontal axis is the elapsed time t from the start of water supply. In FIG.
Is a case where there is no cloth in the washing tub, B is a case where a dry cloth is supplied, and C is a case where a wet cloth is supplied. In A, the elapsed time is proportional to the water level. In B,
Even when water supply is started, the change in water level is small because most of the water is absorbed by the cloth (the slope of the curve is small). In C, since the cloth contains some water from the beginning, the amount of change in the water level is large (the slope of the curve is large) as compared with B (dry cloth). From the relationship of FIG. 11, the weight of the input cloth when it is dried is detected based on the cloth amount and the water level change amount.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the microcomputer 21 in the sixth embodiment. In FIG. 7, steps S71 to S76 are the same as steps S11 to S16 in FIG. R
The data shown in FIG. 11 is stored in the OM 12 in advance. In step S77, the CPU 14 can obtain the dry weight of the cloth put in at the beginning of washing from the detected cloth amount, the water level change amount, and the data in the ROM 12. In step S78, the dry weight of the input cloth is corrected as the cloth amount, the amount of water contained in the cloth is calculated, the remaining time is corrected from the flow rate of the supplied water, and the process proceeds to the next step. In this way, even if a wet cloth is thrown in, the calculation of the remaining time becomes accurate.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the microcomputer 21 in the seventh embodiment. In FIG. 7, steps S81 to S86 are the same as steps S11 to S16 in FIG.
In step S87, the water supply flow rate is calculated from the cloth amount and the water level change amount detected in S84. In step S88, the estimated washing / water supply time is calculated from at least one of the cloth amount and the water level change amount. In step S89, S8
Based on the data of No. 8, the estimated rinse water supply time is set shorter. This is because in rinsing, the cloth is already wet, so that the rinse water supply time is shorter than the rinse water supply time. In step S90, steps S88 and S8
The remaining time is corrected based on the data of No. 9, and the process proceeds to the next step.

[0038]

According to the first aspect, the water supply flow rate is detected based on the cloth amount detected by the cloth amount detecting means and the water level change amount obtained from the water level detected by the water level detecting means. There is an effect that the water supply flow rate can be detected with high accuracy even if the water level fluctuates. Therefore, by using the cloth amount detecting means and the water level detecting means mounted on the conventional washing machine, there is also an effect that a cost increase can be suppressed as much as possible without adding new components.

According to the second aspect, since the water supply state is detected by comparing the set value of the water supply flow rate, for example, there is no water supply trouble such as no remaining water in the bath when supplying the bath water. Even if it occurs, measures such as stopping the water supply means or notifying the user can be taken, and failure can be prevented, and the effect is economically significant.

According to the third aspect, the remaining time is corrected by calculating the water supply time on the basis of the water supply flow rate and is displayed on the display means, so that the accuracy can be improved according to the water supply means used for the washing operation. This has the effect of displaying a good remaining time.

According to the fourth aspect, when the supply of tap water and the supply of bath water are switched, the flow rate of the supplied water is re-measured, and the remaining time is corrected based on the re-measured data. There is an effect that accurate remaining time display is performed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the water supply means includes a means for supplying tap water and a means for supplying remaining hot water in the bath, and is a water supply means which is set in advance or detected during the previous operation. Since the capacity is stored and the operation is started based on the operation time that matches the stored water supply capacity,
There is an effect that the reserved driving is executed with high accuracy.

According to the present invention, the dry state of the cloth inserted at the time of detecting the initial cloth amount is detected based on the cloth amount by the cloth amount detecting means and the water level change amount by the water level detecting means. Calculate the amount of water contained in the cloth at the time
Since the weight of the put cloth in the dry state is detected and the amount of the cloth is corrected, even if the user puts the wet cloth, there is an effect that the operation suitable for the put cloth is executed. .

According to the seventh aspect, the water supply during rinsing to start water supply from a wet cloth state requires a shorter water supply time than the water supply during washing to start water supply from a dry cloth state. Based on the cloth amount by the cloth amount detecting means and at least one of the data of the water level change amount by the water level detecting means, a predicted water supply time at the beginning of washing is calculated, and based on the data, a rinse water supply predicted time is calculated. Since the setting is made shorter, there is an effect that a more accurate driving time is calculated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view showing an example of a fully automatic washing machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a main part of a rear surface of the fully automatic washing machine.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a control circuit section of the fully automatic washing machine.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram for controlling a motor of the fully automatic washing machine.

FIG. 5 is an arrangement diagram showing an arrangement of various keys in an operation unit of the fully automatic washing machine.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of the microcomputer 21 in the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation of a microcomputer 21 according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of a microcomputer 21 according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation of a microcomputer 21 according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation of a microcomputer 21 according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a graph showing a change in water level in an initial stage of water supply in a washing tub.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an operation of a microcomputer 21 according to a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an operation of a microcomputer 21 according to a seventh embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Outer frame 2 Washing tub 3 Top plate 4 Operation part 5 Lid 6 External button 7 Stirring blade 8 Drain hose 9 Power cord 12 Dedicated memory 13 Data writing memory 14 Central processing unit 15 Timer 15 20 Input / output port unit 21 Microcomputer

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A washing machine comprising: a water supply means for supplying water to a washing tub; a cloth amount detecting means for detecting an amount of cloth in the washing tub; and a water level detecting means for detecting a water level in the washing tub. A washing machine characterized in that a water supply flow rate is calculated based on a cloth amount detected by an amount detection means and a water level change amount in water supply detected by the water level detection means. 2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the water supply state is detected by comparing the water supply flow rate with a preset reference value. 3. A display means for displaying the remaining time of the washing step, wherein the remaining time is corrected by calculating a water supply time based on the flow rate of the water supply and displayed on the display means. Or the washing machine according to 2. 4. The water supply means comprises a means for supplying tap water and a means for supplying remaining hot water in a bath, and further includes a water supply selection means capable of selecting a tap water supply means and a bath water supply means, When the tap water supply means and the bath water supply means are switched by the water supply selection means during the washing process, the water supply flow rate is measured again, and the remaining time is corrected based on the re-measured water supply flow rate. The washing machine according to claim 3. 5. An automatic start means for automatically starting a washing operation in accordance with a reserved washing end time, and storing a water supply capacity of the water supply means set in advance or detected during execution of a previous operation. 5. An operation time suitable for the stored water supply capacity is obtained, and the automatic start means is started to operate so as to end at the reserved time. The washing machine as described. 6. A relationship between a water level change amount for the dry cloth and a water level change amount for the water-absorbing cloth is obtained, and based on the relation, a cloth amount detected by the cloth amount detection means and a water level change amount detected by the water level detection means. 2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the amount of the dried cloth and the amount of water absorbed by the cloth are obtained from the following. 7. The rinsing water supply prediction time is set to be shorter than the water supply prediction time at the beginning of washing detected by at least one of the cloth amount detected by the cloth amount detection means and the water level change amount detected by the water level detection means. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein: