JPH10295986A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To precisely detect abnormality of water supply at water supply time by a pump device by detecting a change degree of a water supply quantity by the pump device to supply water in a tub from a water source separate from service water, and detecting the existence of abnormality of the water supply by comparing a change degree detecting result and a reference value with each other. SOLUTION: An electric current is carried to a pump motor 27, and when water in a bath is sucked up and is supplied to a rotary tube of a washing machine, in a control device 40, whether or not a water level change during that time is not less than a prescribed value is judged every time when time (t0) passes from a start of operation of a pump device. When its judgment is YES, it is judged that a water level rise is direct and water supply is put in a stable condition. Next, a rise width of a water level during time (ts) from when its judgment is made, that is, a water supply quantity change degree is detected. Whether or not this water level rise width is not more than a reference value is judged, and when it is not more than the reference value, a buzzer 43 is buzzed, and abnormality of water supply is announced by a display part 37.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a washing machine provided with a pump device for supplying water into a tub from a water source different from a water supply.

[0002]

For example, in a fully automatic washing machine, a water source (for example, a bathtub) different from a water supply is provided in the main body of the washing machine.
Some are equipped with a pump device for supplying water to a washing tub. This pump device usually has a pump blade that is rotationally driven by a pump motor in a pump case,
Further, a suction hose for sucking bath water is connected to a suction port formed in the pump case. A filter is provided at the distal end of the suction hose.

In this washing machine, when bath water is used for washing, a bath water setting switch is operated to set a course using bath water. Then, the pump motor is energized and the bath water is sucked up through the suction hose, discharged from the discharge port of the pump case, and supplied into the tank through an appropriate water supply channel.

When the filter is clogged, for example, the amount of water supplied during pump water supply decreases, the pump water supply time increases, and the time required for washing increases. In addition, power is wasted. In addition, pump motor output drop or failure,
The amount of water supplied at the time of pump water supply also decreases due to damage to the pump blades and the like, and the same problem as described above is predicted.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to detect an abnormality in water supply at the time of water supply by a pump device, thereby contributing to prompt elimination of the cause of water supply abnormality. To provide a washing machine.

[0006]

A first aspect of the present invention is a washing machine body having a tub therein, a pump device for supplying water into the tub from a water source different from a water supply, and a water supply by the pump device. Water supply amount change degree detection means for detecting the change amount of water, and water supply abnormality detection means for detecting the presence or absence of water supply abnormality by comparing the change degree detection result by the water supply amount change degree detection means with a reference value. It is configured.

When the filter in the pump device is clogged, the output of the pump motor is reduced or broken, or the pump blade is damaged, the amount of water supplied to the tank per unit time is reduced to the normal amount of water supplied to the tank. It decreases in comparison. That is, the degree of change in the amount of supplied water is reduced. Therefore, the degree of change in the water supply amount can be used for water supply abnormality detection.

In the above arrangement, the water supply amount change degree detecting means for detecting the change amount of the water supply amount by the pump device is provided, and the change degree detection result by the water supply amount change degree detection means is compared with a reference value. The water supply abnormality detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the water supply abnormality can detect the water supply abnormality by the pump device. Thus, it is possible to contribute to prompt elimination of the cause of the water supply abnormality.

The invention according to claim 2 is based on the fact that the pump device is provided with a filter, the washing machine body is provided with filter clogging notifying means, and that the water supply abnormality detecting means detects the presence of water supply abnormality. It is characterized in that a notification control means for causing the filter clogging notification means to perform a notification operation is provided. In this configuration, the filter clogging notifying means performs the notification operation when the water supply abnormality detecting means detects the water supply abnormality, so that the occurrence of the filter clogging can be notified. The cause of the water supply abnormality may be a clogged filter, a reduced output or a failure of the pump motor, or damage to the pump blades. In particular, the clogged filter is often used. Therefore, it is possible to quickly eliminate the filter clogging.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the main body of the washing machine is provided with a water level sensor for detecting a water level in the tub, and the water supply amount change degree detecting means detects the water level in the tub within a predetermined time based on the water level detected by the water level sensor. The feature is that the degree of change in the water supply amount is detected by detecting the degree of rise in the water level. In this configuration, since the degree of change in the water supply amount is detected using a water level sensor provided in the washing machine main body, unlike the case where a dedicated sensor such as a flow rate sensor is provided in the pump device, for example, The configuration for detecting the degree of change is simplified.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the water supply amount change degree is detected by the water supply amount change amount detecting means every time water supply is performed by the pump device, and the present detection result and the previous detection result are compared. It is characterized in that the detection result of whichever is greater is stored in a memory as a maximum value, and a value smaller than the maximum value by a predetermined ratio is set as a reference value.

With this configuration, a reference value can be set according to the installation state of the washing machine, and the accuracy of detecting an abnormality in water supply is improved. That is, the degree of change in the water supply amount indicates the maximum value in a situation where the filter is not clogged and the pump motor and the pump blade are normal. This maximum value can be uniquely set by the manufacturer on the basis of experiments and tests. However, external water sources such as bath and washing machine installation location (more precisely, the height of the pump device)
And the flow path resistance of the suction hose and the like also affect the degree of change in the water supply amount. Therefore, the degree of change in the amount of water supply varies depending on the installation state of the washing machine even in a normal state without clogging or the like. Therefore, if the reference value is uniquely set, the accuracy of water supply abnormality detection may deteriorate. .

However, in the above configuration, the water supply amount change degree is detected by the water supply amount change degree detecting means every time water supply is performed by the pump device, and the present detection result and the previous detection result are compared with each other. Since the detection result is stored in the memory as the maximum value, the maximum value can be said to be the maximum normal value in a situation where the washing machine is installed. Then, since a value smaller than the maximum value by a predetermined ratio is set as the reference value, a reference value that matches the situation in which the washing machine is installed is set, thereby improving the accuracy of water supply abnormality detection. become.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that a power supply voltage detecting means is provided, and the detection result by the water supply amount change degree detecting means is corrected by the power supply voltage detected by the power supply voltage detecting means.

In this configuration, even if the power supply voltage fluctuates, the accuracy of water supply abnormality detection does not decrease. That is, when the power supply voltage fluctuates, the pump capacity of the pump device fluctuates, and the detection result obtained by the water supply amount change degree detecting unit also fluctuates. Therefore, the accuracy of water supply abnormality detection may decrease. However, in the above configuration, since the detection result by the water supply amount change degree detecting means is corrected by the power supply voltage detected by the power supply voltage detecting means, a decrease in the water supply abnormality detection accuracy is reduced.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a laundry amount detecting means for detecting a laundry amount, wherein a detection result of the water supply amount change degree detecting means is corrected by the laundry amount detected by the laundry amount detecting means. Has features.

In this configuration, the accuracy of water supply abnormality detection does not decrease due to the amount of laundry. That is, in the case where the degree of change in the water supply amount is detected by detecting the degree of increase in the water level in the tub within a predetermined time based on the water level detected by the water level sensor, the degree of increase in the water level varies depending on the amount of laundry being large and small. . For this reason, there is a concern that the accuracy of water supply abnormality detection may decrease. However, in the above configuration, the detection result by the water supply amount change degree detecting means is
Since the correction is made based on the laundry amount detected by the laundry amount detecting means, a decrease in water supply abnormality detection accuracy is reduced.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the notification control means causes the filter clogging notification means to perform the notification operation when the water supply abnormality detection means detects the presence of the water supply abnormality or at the end of the washing operation. It has a characteristic where it is. In this configuration, the notification of the occurrence of filter clogging is made at the time when the water supply abnormality is detected or at the end of the washing operation, so that the user can easily notice the clogging.

In the invention according to claim 8, when the notification control means detects the presence of the water supply abnormality by the water supply abnormality detection means, the notification control means selects the filter switch at the next time the washing course including the water supply operation by the pump device is selected. It is characterized in that the clogging notifying means is caused to perform a notifying operation.

In this configuration, the notification of the occurrence of filter clogging is made at the next time when the washing course including the water supply operation by the pump device is selected.
The above-mentioned notification is made when the user tries to supply the pump water, so that the filter can be surely noticed.

[0021]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a fully automatic washing machine will be described below with reference to FIGS. First, FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of a fully automatic washing machine.
In the following, the washing machine body 1 will be described. An outer tub 2 is swingably disposed in an outer box 1 a of the washing machine main body 1 via an elastic suspension mechanism 3. In the outer tub 2, a rotatable tub 4 serving as both a washing tub and a dewatering tub is rotatably provided, and a stirring body 5 is rotatably provided at an inner bottom portion of the rotary tub 4.

The rotary tub 4 is formed in a tapered shape in which the peripheral wall gradually expands as the peripheral wall portion moves upward. In the rotary tub 4, a group of dehydration holes 4a is formed only at the uppermost part of the peripheral wall, and the other part of the peripheral wall is non-porous. A group of water holes 4b is formed at the bottom of the rotary tank 4.

A drain passage 6 is provided at the inner bottom of the outer tank 2 and extends rearward from the group of water holes 4b of the rotary tank 4. In the outer tub 2, the rear end of the drain passage 6 serves as a drain port 7, and the drain port 7 is provided with an air trap 8 for detecting a water level. The drain port 7 is
For example, it is configured to be opened and closed by a motor type drain valve 9, and a drain hose 10 communicating with the outside of the machine is connected to a lower portion of the drain valve 9.

In this configuration, when the drain valve 9 is opened, the water in the rotary tank 4 is discharged to the outside through the drain passage 6 and the drain hose 10. Also,
An auxiliary drain port 11 is formed at the front of the bottom of the outer tub 2, and the auxiliary drain port 11 is connected to the drain hose 10 via a connecting hose (not shown). As a result, when water in the rotary tub 4 is discharged into the outer tub 2 through the dewatering hole 4a during a dehydrating operation or the like, the drainage is discharged to the outside through the auxiliary drain port 11, the connecting hose and the drain hose 10. Will be discharged. A water level sensor (shown by reference numeral 12 in FIG. 9) formed of a pressure sensor is connected to the air trap 8 via an air pipe 13.
2, the water level in the rotary tank 4 can be detected.

A balance ring 14 is provided above the rotary tank 4.
Is attached. In addition, on the inner peripheral portion of the rotating tank 4,
Inner basket 1 made of stainless steel plate that is almost drum-shaped
The inner basket 15 has a plurality of water holes (not shown) formed in the peripheral wall thereof.

In the lower part of the inner peripheral portion of the rotary tank 4,
A bottom cover 16 is provided. The inner basket 15
A predetermined gap for water flow is provided between the rotary tub 4 and the bottom cover 16 and between the rotary tub 4 and the bottom cover 16. The water flows downward or upward through the predetermined gap for water flow.

At the outer bottom of the outer tub 2, a motor 17 and a drive mechanism 18 which can be driven at a variable speed are provided. The rotational force of the motor 17 is transmitted to a drive mechanism 18 via a belt transmission mechanism 19. Although not specifically shown, the drive mechanism 18 includes a clutch mechanism,
It has a well-known configuration including a speed reduction device and a brake device. In particular, the clutch mechanism has a function of switching between a state in which the rotational force of the motor 17 is transmitted to the agitator 5 only at the time of washing via the reduction gear at a reduced speed, and a state in which the rotational force is transmitted to the rotary tank 4 and the agitator 5 at a high speed during dehydration. Have.

A top cover 20 is mounted on the upper part of the outer box 1a. The top cover 20 is provided with, for example, a two-folded lid 21 that opens and closes a door for opening and closing the laundry. A tank cover 22 is attached to the upper part of the outer tank 2.
3 is provided so as to be openable and closable. The inner lid 23 is formed with a concave portion 23a having a large number of water holes (not shown) located at a rear portion side.

With respect to the washing machine main body 1 having the above-described structure, an electromagnetic type for performing a water supply operation into the rotating tub 4 is provided at a rear portion in the top cover 20 as shown in FIGS. A water supply valve 24, a water supply device 25, a pump device 26 and the like are provided. The water from the water supply device 25 is supplied to the concave portion 23a.
Is supplied to the rotary tank 4 through the

The pump device 26 is provided with a pump motor 27 (see FIG. 1) and a pump blade (not shown) provided in a pump case 26a. Also,
As shown in FIG. 3, a suction hose 29 for sucking up water (bath water) in a bathtub 28 as a water source other than the tap water is connected to a suction port 26b of the pump case 26a. As shown in FIG. 5, a water inlet 30 is provided at the distal end of the suction hose 29. The water inlet 30 is formed by screwing a filter case 30b into a mouth 30a. Filter 31a and coarse filter 3
1b is provided.

On the other hand, an operation panel 32 is provided at a front portion of the top cover 20, and a control portion 33 is provided at a back side thereof. As shown in FIG. 6, the operation panel 32 includes various switches 36 including a power switch 34 and a start switch 35 which also serves as a temporary stop switch.
a to 36h, and a display unit 37 for displaying a washing process, a water level, and the like. This display part 3
Reference numeral 7 includes a two-digit seven-segment element type display 37a which displays the time and the washing time, but is also used as a filter clogging notification means. The various switches 36a to 36h include a bath water setting switch 36h.

FIG. 1 shows an electrical configuration, in which both terminals 38a of a power plug 38 connected to a power outlet are provided.
A DC power supply circuit 39 is connected between the control circuit 40 and the control circuit 38b. The control circuit 40 includes a microcomputer. Also, both terminals 38a and 38b of the power plug 38
The pump motor 27, the water supply valve 24, the drain valve 9 and the motor 17 are connected via a drive circuit 41 between the two. The drive circuit 41 includes a power switch 3
4 and a switching element, and when the power switch 34 is turned on, the ON signal Son
Is to be given. The DC power supply circuit 39 has a power supply voltage detection circuit 42 serving as a power supply voltage detection means.
Are connected, and the power supply voltage signal detected thereby is supplied to the control circuit 40.

The control circuit 40 has a program relating to the washing operation in an internal memory.
The pump motor 27, the water supply valve 24, and the drain valve 9 according to the program in response to the switch signals from a to 36h.
And the motor 17 via the drive circuit 41, and also controls the display section 37 and the buzzer 43, which also serves as a filter clogging notifying means, and further includes, for example, EEPRO
Writing and reading control to and from the nonvolatile memory 44 composed of M are executed. The motor 17 is provided with a rotation sensor 45 configured to output a predetermined number of pulses during one rotation of the rotation shaft.

As an example of a washing operation course,
There is a "standard" course as a fully automatic course, which is selected by the course setting switch 36g and executed when the start switch 35 is turned on without manual operation by the user. That is, as shown in FIG. 7A, a water supply process (supply of tap water by turning on the water supply valve 24), a washing process, a drainage process, a dehydration process, a water supply process (supply of tap water by turning on the water supply valve 24), and a rinse process , A drain stroke, a dehydration stroke, a water supply stroke (supply of tap water by turning on the water supply valve 24), a rinse two strokes, a drain stroke, and a final dehydration stroke.

When the bath water setting switch 36h is turned on after the "standard" course has been set, each time the bath water setting switch 36h is operated, "washing only bath water supply" → "washing / rinsing only bath water" is performed. Water supply "→" No bath water supply "→" Wash water supply only for washing "→. In this case, if “wash only bath water supply” is set, as shown in FIG. 7 (b), one course (standard + bath water) is provided, and bath water is supplied in the water supply process immediately before the washing process. The remaining water supply process is for supplying tap water, and when "bath water supply only for washing and rinsing" is set, two courses (standard + bath water) are provided as shown in FIG. Bath water is supplied in the water supply process immediately before the washing process and the water supply process immediately before the rinse process, and tap water is supplied in the water supply process immediately before the rinse process. If "No bath water supply" is set, the "standard" course, which is a fully automatic course, is reset.

The control circuit 40 functions as water supply amount change degree detecting means, water supply abnormality detecting means, notification control means (these will be described in the description of the flowcharts of FIGS. 8 and 9), and laundry amount detecting means. ing. Note that the function as the laundry amount detecting means is as shown in FIG.
Although not shown, before the first water supply, the stirring body 5 is rotated for a predetermined time in a state where there is no water in the rotary tank 4, and the rotation speed of the motor 17 during the predetermined time (this is the rotation sensor 44)
) To detect the amount of laundry. The higher the rotation speed, the smaller the laundry amount is detected, and the lower the rotation speed, the larger the laundry amount.

Now, the control contents of the control circuit 40 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. This flowchart starts when the power switch 34 is turned on. In step S1, initialization is performed. In this initial setting, a standard course is set. In step S2, reading from the nonvolatile memory 44 is performed. In this case, the nonvolatile memory 44 indicates whether or not the previous water supply abnormality detection result is present,
The maximum value Mmax for updating the setting of the water supply amount change degree is stored. When the washing machine is used for the first time, “None” is stored in the nonvolatile memory 44 as a water supply abnormality detection result. In addition, the maximum value Mmax is set to “0”.

In step S3, the switch 36
a, It is determined based on the operation of the switches 36c to 36h whether or not a washing mode has been set, such as selection of a washing course or change of a process content. When the switch 36b is operated, another reservation program (not shown) is executed.

If the washing mode has been set ("YES" in step S3), the flow shifts to step S4 to select a washing course (referred to as a pump course) including a water supply operation by the pump device 26. Is determined.
As the pump course, there are the courses shown in FIGS. 7B and 7C. When the pump course is selected, the process proceeds to step S5, and it is determined whether or not the water supply abnormality detection result read out in step S2 is "present".

If "yes", the process proceeds to step S6, in which the buzzer 43, which is a notifying means, is notified, and a character "PF" (for pump filter) is displayed on the display 37a. In this case, the occurrence of filter clogging is notified. Then, step S7
Then, it is determined whether or not the start switch 35 has been operated. When the water supply abnormality detection result is "None",
The process directly proceeds to step S7.

In step S7, when the start switch 35 is operated, the flow shifts to step S8 to read the signal (power supply voltage) from the power supply voltage detection circuit 42, and the flow shifts to step S9 to change the laundry amount described above. Perform detection operation. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S10, in which the pump motor 27 is energized to start the pump operation. As a result, the pump device 26 operates to draw up the water in the bath 28 and supply it to the rotary tub 4. In this case, as shown in FIG. 10, at a certain time from the start of pump water supply, although water is being sucked up, water has not yet been supplied to the rotary tank 4, and the time required for water supply in the tank is indicated by the symbol tx1 in FIG. t
x2 or tx3, and the water supply into the rotary tank 4 is in a stable state (each water supply characteristic line A1).
Or a state where A3 becomes substantially a straight line).

In the next step S11, the feed water pump device 2
Every time the time t0 elapses from the start of operation 6 (start of pump water supply), it is determined whether or not the water level change during that time is equal to or greater than a predetermined value Sok. That is, if the water level change becomes equal to or more than the predetermined value Sok during the time t0, it is determined that the water level rise is linear and the water supply is in a stable state. This predetermined value Sok is set to a considerably small value. If the above determination is made, the process then proceeds to step S12, and the rise S of the water level during the time ts from the time when the above determination is made is measured. That is, the degree of change in the amount of supplied water is detected.

In the next step S13, the water level rise width S, which is the result of detecting the degree of change in the water supply amount, is corrected according to the power supply voltage. That is, as shown in FIG. 12, the water level rise rate increases in proportion to the power supply voltage, and as shown in Table 1,
The correction coefficient Kv is set to decrease as the power supply voltage increases. The corrected water level rise Sv is obtained by multiplying the water level rise S by the correction coefficient Kv.

[0044]

[Table 1]

Thereafter, in step S14, the corrected water level rise width Sv is further corrected according to the result of the laundry amount detection. That is, as shown in FIG.
As shown in Table 2, the correction coefficient Kw is set to increase as the amount of laundry increases, as shown in Table 2. This correction coefficient Kw is calculated based on the water level rise width Sv.
To obtain the corrected water level rise Svw.

[0046]

[Table 2]

In step S15, a reference value M is set. That is, it is set to be smaller than the maximum value Mmax stored in the nonvolatile memory 44 by a predetermined ratio. In this case, the predetermined ratio is “40%”,
That is, M = Mmax × (1−0.4). Here, in the first case, since the Mmax is set to “0”, the reference value M becomes “0”.

In step S16, it is determined whether or not the water level rise width Svw is equal to or less than the reference value M (detection of water supply abnormality). In this case, since the reference value M is “0”,
The water level rise width Svw exceeds the reference value M ("NO" in step S16), the process proceeds to step S17, and the water supply abnormality detection result in the nonvolatile memory 44 is "none".
(No filter clogging). In the next step S18, the current water level rise width Svw is set to the maximum value Mma.
x is determined, and if so, step S1 is performed.
Then, the process proceeds to step S9, where the water level rise width Svw is stored in the nonvolatile memory 44 as the maximum value Mmax. That is, the setting is updated. In step S16, the water level rise Svw
Is less than or equal to the reference value M, the process proceeds to step S20, in which the buzzer 43 is informed and the character "PF" is displayed on the display 37a, thereby informing the water supply abnormality that the filter is clogged. Notify. Then, the process proceeds to step S21, and the water supply abnormality detection result “present” in the nonvolatile memory 44 (filter clogging “present”).
Is stored.

The water level in the rotary tub 4 is gradually increased by such pump water supply, and when the water level reaches the set water level, this is determined in step S22, and the process proceeds to step S23, in which the pump motor 27 is turned off. Stop water supply.
Thereafter, the process shifts to step S24 to execute the respective steps set in the washing course. Then, step S25
Then, it is determined whether or not the washing course has been completed. When the washing course has been completed, the non-volatile memory
4, the result of the water supply abnormality detection is read out, and step S2
It is determined in step 7 whether or not “yes”, and if “yes”, the buzzer 43 is notified in step S28 and
The character "PF" is displayed on the display 37a, and the process returns to step S1, and if "none", the process returns to step S1.

If "NO" in the step S3 and "NO" in the step S4, the process shifts to the step S29 to determine whether or not the start switch 35 is operated. Returning to the operation, if the operation is performed, the process proceeds to step S30, and the control corresponding to each course is executed.

In the first washing operation described above, the filter 31 is not clogged, and the pump motor 27 and the pump blades are not damaged or damaged, so that the pump can be supplied with water satisfactorily. The water level rise width S and thus the corrected water level rise width Svw are large. Normally, the water level rise width Svw in the first washing operation becomes the maximum value even after the next washing operation. Thus, when the washing operation on the pump course is performed for the second time or later, the filter 31 gradually becomes clogged. When the clogging state occurs, the water level rise width S detected in step S12 becomes considerably small. In step S16, the determination as to whether the water level rise width Svw is equal to or less than the reference value M is “YES”, and the water supply abnormality is detected. If the detection result is determined to be "Yes", the process proceeds to step S2.
The clogging notification control at 0 and the water supply abnormality detection result “present” storage control at step S21 are executed. Then, at the end of washing, step S
27 becomes "YES", the clogging notification control is executed in step S28.

In FIG. 11, a characteristic line N1 shows a rise of the water level in the washing operation by the first pump course, and a characteristic line Nn shows a rise of the water level in the washing operation by the pump course after the clogging occurs. ing. Note that the characteristic line Nm indicates the reference value level. This figure 1
1, the water level S at time t0 described in step S11
ok rise is not the first time, and the water level So at the next time t0
This indicates that there was an increase in k. Therefore, the water supply abnormality detection operation is performed immediately after the second time t0 and during the time ts.

According to the above-described embodiment, the pump device 2
6 to detect the water supply abnormality by comparing the result of the change degree detection (Svw corrected by the power supply voltage and the laundry amount in this embodiment) with the reference value M. Therefore, an abnormality in water supply by the pump device 26 can be detected. Thus, it is possible to contribute to prompt elimination of the cause of the water supply abnormality such as clogging of the filter 31 in the pump device 26, reduction or failure of the output of the pump motor 27, and damage to the pump blades.

Further, according to the present embodiment, when the presence of the water supply abnormality is detected, the indicator 37a and the buzzer 43, which are the filter clogging notifying means, are notified, so that the occurrence of the filter clogging can be notified. it can. By the way,
Most of the causes of water supply abnormality are clogged filters.
Accordingly, the clogging of the filter can be promptly eliminated by the notification of the occurrence of the filter clogging.

Further, in the present embodiment, the notification of the occurrence of filter clogging is performed at the time when the water supply abnormality is detected and at the end of the washing operation, so that the user can easily notice the clogging. . In addition, the notification timing in this case may be any one of the time when the water supply abnormality is detected and the time when the washing operation ends.

When the water supply abnormality is detected during the current washing operation, the next time the pump course (the washing course including the water supply operation by the pump device 26) is selected (the bath water setting switch 36h is operated). Time)
Then, since the notification operation is performed, that is, when the user attempts to supply the pump water, the notification is performed, so that the filter clogging is surely noticed.
In this case, since the nonvolatile memory 44 is used as the memory, the stored contents can be retained even when the power plug 38 is unplugged, which is convenient. If the user performs filter clogging elimination processing after the end of the current washing operation, clogging is notified at the next pump course selection even though clogging has already been eliminated. Then, a reset switch for setting the water supply abnormality detection result stored in the nonvolatile memory 44 to “absent” may be provided.

Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the degree of change in the water supply amount is detected using the water level sensor 12 provided in the main body 1 of the washing machine.
Unlike when a dedicated sensor such as a flow sensor is provided in
The configuration for detecting the degree of change in the water supply amount is simplified.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the pump device 26
Each time the water supply is performed, the degree of change in the water supply amount is detected, the current detection result is compared with the previous detection result, and the larger detection result is stored as a maximum value Mmax in a memory such as the nonvolatile memory 44. Since a value smaller than the maximum value Mmax by a predetermined ratio is set as the reference value M, the reference value M according to the installation state of the washing machine can be set, and the accuracy of water supply abnormality detection is improved.

That is, the degree of change in the water supply amount indicates the maximum value in a situation where the filter is not clogged and the pump motor and the pump blade are normal. This maximum value can be uniquely set by the manufacturer on the basis of experiments and tests. However, the external water source, for example, the height relationship between the bath and the place where the washing machine is installed (more precisely, the height position of the pump device), the flow path resistance of the suction hose, etc. also affect the degree of change in the amount of water supply. is there. Therefore, the degree of change in the amount of water supply varies depending on the installation state of the washing machine even in a normal state without clogging or the like. Therefore, if the reference value is uniquely set, the accuracy of water supply abnormality detection may deteriorate. .

However, in the present embodiment, the degree of change in the water supply amount is detected each time water is supplied by the pump device 26, and the present detection result and the previous detection result are compared, and the larger detection result is obtained. Is stored in the nonvolatile memory 44 as the maximum value Mmax, and the maximum value Mmax can be said to be the maximum value in a situation where the washing machine is installed. And
A value smaller than the maximum value Mmax by a predetermined ratio is set to a reference value M.
, A reference value that matches the situation where the washing machine is installed is set, thereby improving the accuracy of water supply abnormality detection.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the detection result of the degree of change in the water supply amount is corrected by the power supply voltage detected by the power supply voltage detection circuit 42. Therefore, even if the power supply voltage fluctuates, the accuracy of water supply abnormality detection can be improved. It does not drop. In other words, when the power supply voltage fluctuates, the pump capacity of the pump device 26 fluctuates and the degree of change in the amount of water supply fluctuates. Reduction can be reduced.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the detection result of the degree of change in the water supply amount is corrected based on the detection result of the laundry amount, so that the accuracy of water supply abnormality detection does not decrease due to a small amount of laundry. That is, when the degree of change in the water supply amount is detected by detecting the degree of increase in the water level in the rotary tub 4 within a predetermined time ts based on the water level detected by the water level sensor 12, the degree of increase in the water level is determined by the large and small amount of laundry. However, according to the present embodiment, the detection result of the degree of change in the amount of water supply is corrected based on the amount of laundry, so that a decrease in the accuracy of water supply abnormality detection can be reduced.

In the above-described embodiment, the washing machine of the type in which the pump device 26 is built in the washing machine main body 1 is exemplified.
The present invention may be configured as shown in FIG. 14 shown as a second embodiment. That is, in this embodiment, when the pump device 51 is built in the washing machine main body 1, it is a so-called external type and is arranged in the bathtub 28. However,
Also in this case, the pump motor (not shown) is configured to be controlled by the control circuit on the main body 1 of the washing machine.

[0064]

As apparent from the above description, the present invention has the following effects. According to the first aspect of the invention, there is provided a water supply amount change degree detecting means for detecting a change degree of the water supply amount by the pump device, and the water supply amount is compared by comparing the change degree detection result by the water supply amount change degree detection means with a reference value. Since the water supply abnormality detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the abnormality is provided, the abnormality of the water supply by the pump device can be detected. This can contribute to prompt elimination of the cause of the water supply abnormality.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the water supply abnormality is detected by the water supply abnormality detection means, the filter clogging notification means is notified, so that the occurrence of filter clogging can be notified. Filter clogging can be eliminated promptly.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the degree of change in the water supply amount is detected using the water level sensor provided in the washing machine main body. For example, a dedicated sensor such as a flow rate sensor is provided in the pump device. Unlike the case, the configuration for detecting the degree of change in the water supply amount is simplified.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the water supply amount change degree is detected by the water supply amount change degree detecting means every time water supply is performed by the pump device, and the present detection result is compared with the previous detection result. Since the larger detection result is stored in the memory as the maximum value, and a value smaller than the maximum value by a predetermined ratio is set as the reference value, the reference value can be set according to the use condition of the pump device. Like
The accuracy of water supply abnormality detection can be improved.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the power supply voltage detecting means is provided, and the detection result of the water supply amount change degree detecting means is corrected by the power supply voltage detected by the power supply voltage detecting means. Even if there is a fluctuation, the accuracy of water supply abnormality detection can be prevented from lowering.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a laundry amount detecting means for detecting a laundry amount, and a detection result by the water supply amount change degree detecting means is corrected by the laundry amount detected by the laundry amount detecting means. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the accuracy of water supply abnormality detection from being reduced due to the amount of laundry.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the notification control means causes the filter clogging notification means to perform a notification operation when the water supply abnormality detection means detects the presence of water supply abnormality or at the end of the washing operation. Thus, the user can easily notice the clogging.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, when the notification of water supply abnormality is detected by the water supply abnormality detection means, the notification control means selects the next washing course including the water supply operation by the pump device. Since the notification operation is performed by the filter clogging notification means, the filter clogging can be reliably noticed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional side view of the washing machine.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view shown together with a bathtub.

FIG. 4 is a partially broken plan view.

FIG. 5 is an exploded side view of a water intake portion.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of an operation panel.

FIG. 7 shows a fully automatic course.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing control contents.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing control contents.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state of stabilization of water level change.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a state of water level change when clogging is present and when clogging is not present;

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a change in a water level rising rate with respect to a power supply voltage.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a change in a water level rising rate with respect to a laundry amount;

FIG. 14 is a view corresponding to FIG. 3, showing a second embodiment of the present invention;

[Explanation of symbols]

1 is a washing machine main body, 4 is a rotating tub, 12 is a pressure sensor, 24
Is a water supply valve, 25 is a water supply device, 26 is a pump device, 27 is a pump motor, 31 is a filter, 32 is an operation panel, 37
a is a display (clogging notification means), 36h is a bath water setting switch, 40 is a control circuit (water supply amount change degree detection means, water supply abnormality detection means, notification control means and laundry amount detection means), 42 is power supply voltage detection A circuit (power supply voltage detecting means); 43, a buzzer (clogging notifying means); 44, a nonvolatile memory; and 51, a pump device.

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A washing machine body having a tub therein, a pump device for supplying water into the tub from a water source different from a water supply, and a water supply amount change degree detecting a change degree of a water supply amount by the pump device. A washing machine comprising: a detection unit; and a water supply abnormality detection unit that compares the detection result of the change degree by the water supply amount change degree detection unit with a reference value to detect the presence or absence of a water supply abnormality. 2. A pump device comprising a filter, a filter clogging notifying means provided in the washing machine body, and a filter clogging notification based on detection of the presence of water supply abnormality by the water supply abnormality detection means. 2. The washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising a notification control means for causing the means to perform a notification operation. 3. The washing machine main body has a water level sensor for detecting a water level in the tub, and a water supply amount change degree detecting means detects a water level rise degree in the tub within a predetermined time based on the water level detected by the water level sensor. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the degree of change in the amount of supplied water is detected by detecting the degree of change. 4. A water supply amount change degree detecting unit detects a water supply amount change degree each time water supply is performed by a pump device, and compares a current detection result with a previous detection result;
The detection result of the larger one is stored in the memory as the maximum value,
2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein a value smaller than the maximum value by a predetermined ratio is set as a reference value. 5. The washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising a power supply voltage detecting means, wherein a detection result by the water supply amount change degree detecting means is corrected by the power supply voltage detected by the power supply voltage detecting means. . 6. A laundry amount detecting means for detecting an amount of laundry, wherein a detection result of the water supply amount change degree detecting means is corrected by the laundry amount detected by the laundry amount detecting means. 3. The washing machine according to 3. 7. The notification control means is configured to cause the filter clogging notification means to perform a notification operation at the time when water supply abnormality is detected by the water supply abnormality detection means or at the end of the washing operation. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein 8. The notification control means notifies the filter clogging notification means when a water supply abnormality is detected by the water supply abnormality detection means and a washing course including a water supply operation by the pump device is selected next time. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the washing machine is operated.