JPH1133271A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a washing machine with which an exact remaining time matched with the real advancing conditions of washing can be displayed. SOLUTION: In a water supply test operating mode in which no laundry is stored in a drum, a control part 30 successively performs water supply up to a prescribed water level, hot water supply and cold/hot water supply and respectively stores their cold (hot) water supply times in a RAM 34. At the time of washing, water supply ability is calculated from the water supply time read out of the RAM 34 and the quantity of water corresponding to the water level. Then, the data of required quantity of water to be supplied are acquired from an operating program for washing and, based on the water supply ability, required water supply time is calculated. Further, this required water supply time is added to washing time or the like determined in the operating program, and required washing time is calculated and displayed on a digital display 52. Thus, the exact remaining time can be displayed while considering various water supply abilities corresponding to the installation conditions of the washing machine.

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 automatically supplying water.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The operation of a washing machine installed in a coin laundry store or the like is very simple. Normally, when a user puts clothes in a drum and puts in a predetermined amount of money, the washing machine automatically starts operation, and a series of washing operations such as water supply, washing, rinsing, and dehydration (some of which are performed until drying). The entire process is performed automatically. If the laundry is left in the drum for a long time after the washing is completed, the operation rate of the washing machine is deteriorated, which is not preferable for the manager of the washing machine. Further, it is not preferable for the user in terms of safety and hygiene. So, in this type of washing machine,
The remaining time until the end of the washing after the start of the washing is displayed, and the user can see the display and come to the store to take out the laundry according to the end time of the washing.

[0003]

The required washing time is the sum of the above series of washing steps. The operating times of the washing, rinsing, dehydration, and the like in the washing process are usually set in advance in the operating program, and thus the required times are determined. On the other hand, the time required for the water supply process before washing and rinsing is affected by the water supply capacity,
The required time is set in the operation program assuming a standard water supply capacity in advance.

However, in practice, the water supply capacity greatly varies depending on the installation location (such as the state of the piping). Further, when using a hot water supply facility, the hot water supply capacity varies depending on the facility more than the water supply capacity. For this reason, the displayed remaining time often does not match the actual progress of the washing process, and the washing is not completed despite the remaining time being zero, or conversely, the washing is completed. Nevertheless, it often happens that the remaining time is not zero.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine capable of displaying an accurate remaining time corresponding to the actual progress of washing. It is in.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A first washing machine according to the present invention, which has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, comprises: a washing machine for automatically supplying water or hot water into a washing tub; Storage means for storing an index value corresponding to the water supply or hot water supply capacity; b) calculating the time required for water supply or hot water supply by referring to the index value at the start of washing, and taking into account the required time until washing is completed And c) display means for displaying the remaining time.

In a second washing machine according to the present invention, in the first washing machine, a water level detecting means for detecting a water level of water or hot water supplied to the washing tub; And measuring means for measuring a time required for supplying the index, and obtaining the index value by the measurement.

A third washing machine according to the present invention is characterized in that in the second washing machine, the measurement is performed in a test operation mode different from the washing operation.

A fourth washing machine according to the present invention is the washing machine according to the second or third washing machine, further comprising a water supply path and a hot water supply path, wherein the measuring means comprises a single water supply.
It is characterized by measuring the time required to supply water or hot water at a predetermined water level for each of hot water supply alone and simultaneous hot water supply.

Further, in a fifth washing machine according to the present invention, in the first to fourth washing machines, the calculating means corrects a required time for water supply or hot water supply in accordance with a type of laundry. It is characterized by.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment According to the Present Invention
In the washing machine, an index value corresponding to water supply or hot water supply capacity measured in an actual installation state of the washing machine is stored in the storage means. At the time of actual washing, the calculating means calculates the water supply or hot water required time before rinsing from the index value and the required amount of water or hot water supply, and calculates the remaining time until the end of the washing in consideration of the required time. . Then, the remaining time is displayed on the display means, and the remaining time is subtracted as the washing proceeds.

Therefore, according to the first washing machine of the present invention,
Even when the water supply or hot water supply capacity is different, such as the location of the washing machine, the condition of the water supply pipe, the condition of the hot water supply equipment, etc., the required time for washing according to the water supply or hot water supply capacity is more accurately obtained, so the actual washing It is possible to display a remaining time with a small error with respect to the remaining time until the end.

[0013] In the second washing machine according to the present invention, the measuring means measures the time required to reach from the first water level to the second water level when water or hot water is supplied. Since the water amount corresponding to the difference between the first and second water levels is known, the water supply or hot water supply capacity can be calculated from the water amount and the measured time. Since the water level detecting means is usually provided for supplying a predetermined amount of water necessary for easy rinsing, according to the configuration of the second washing machine,
Water supply or hot water supply capacity can be measured without providing a special flow rate detecting means or the like.

When water is supplied for the above-described measurement, if the laundry is contained in a washing tub (or a drum), the laundry absorbs water. The amount of water corresponding to the difference between the first and second water levels differs depending on the weaving method. Therefore, in the third washing machine according to the present invention, by executing the test operation mode in a state where the laundry is not stored, it is possible to accurately measure the water supply or hot water supply capacity not affected by the laundry.

Further, when both water supply and hot water supply facilities are provided, the water supply capacity and the hot water supply capacity are different from each other, and when water supply and hot water supply are performed simultaneously, and when water supply or hot water supply is performed independently. Then the ability may change.
Therefore, in the fourth washing machine according to the present invention, for the three cases, the water supply time, the hot water supply time and the hot water supply time are sequentially measured and stored in the storage means, or another index value is stored in the storage means. Store. Then, at the time of actual washing, an appropriate numerical value is selected according to whether water is supplied, hot water is supplied, or hot water is supplied, and the required time of water supply (hot water) is calculated based on the selected value.

Therefore, according to the configuration of the fourth washing machine, it is possible to display the remaining time with a small error with respect to the actual washing process, regardless of whether water is supplied, hot water, or hot water.

Usually, the water level is set not for the washing but for the rinsing, but the amount of water for obtaining the required water level is affected by the laundry as described above. Therefore, even if the index value stored in the storage means is accurate, there is a possibility that an error may occur between the calculated required water supply (hot water) time and the time required to actually reach the predetermined water level. Therefore, in the fifth washing machine according to the present invention, the calculating means sets the relative time required for water supply to the laundry having a large water absorption according to the type of the laundry, even if the water supply (hot water) capacity is the same. In the case of laundry that has a long water absorption and a small amount of water absorption, the time required for water supply is corrected to be relatively short. Thereby, the influence of the water absorption of the laundry can be eliminated, and the error between the displayed remaining time and the time until the laundry actually ends can be further reduced.

[0018]

DETAILED 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. FIG. 1 is a front view showing the appearance of the washing machine of this embodiment, FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view of an operation panel of the washing machine, FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view showing the internal structure of the washing machine, and FIG. FIG. 2 is an electrical configuration diagram of the machine.

As shown in FIG. 1, a door 3 for closing a clothing slot is provided on a front end surface of an outer tub 2 exposed at a substantially central circular opening of a front plate 1a which is a part of the outer box 1. On the left side of the door 3, a handle 4 used to open and close the door 3 is provided. An operation panel 5 is provided above the front plate 1a.

As shown in FIG. 2, the operation panel 5 includes an operation display section 51 having a numerical display 52, operation buttons 53 and the like.
And a coin detection unit 54 having a coin insertion slot. In this washing machine, a washing operation is automatically started when a predetermined amount of coins are inserted to make the operation extremely simple. The numerical display 52 displays the amount of money already inserted while coins are being inserted, and displays the remaining time until the end of washing during the washing operation. In addition, the only operation button 53 is operated during normal washing to indicate whether or not a soft finish is to be supplied. However, by performing a special operation as described below, the washing time and the like are determined according to the washing object. Different washing courses or a trial operation can be executed.

Next, the internal structure of the washing machine will be described with reference to FIG. A substantially cylindrical outer tub 2 is disposed inside the outer box 1, and a drum 10 for storing laundry is supported by a main shaft 12 inside the outer tub 2. A number of water holes 11 are formed in the peripheral wall of the drum 10, and water supplied to the outer tub 2 flows into the drum 10 through the water holes 11. A water level sensor 24 is attached to the outer tub 2, and the level of the water accumulated in the outer tub 2 is detected by the water level sensor 24.

The main shaft 12 is held by a bearing 13 mounted on the outer tub 2, and a main pulley 14 is attached to a tip of the main shaft 12. A motor 17 for rotating and driving the drum 10 is provided below the outer tub 2, and the driving force of the motor 17 is transmitted to the main pulley 14 via a motor pulley 16 and a V-belt 15. A water supply passage 18 opened and closed by a water supply valve 19 and a hot water supply passage 20 opened and closed by a hot water supply valve 21 are connected to the outer tub 2, and are connected to external water supply piping and a hot water supply piping, respectively. A drain 23 which is opened and closed by a drain valve 22 is connected to the bottom of the outer tub 2 so as to discharge the rinsed and rinsed water to the outside.

Next, the electrical configuration of the washing machine will be described with reference to FIG. The control unit 30 includes a CPU 31 and a timer 3
2. The microcomputer is mainly configured by a ROM 33, a RAM 34, and the like. Operation programs for various controls are stored in the ROM 33 in advance.
U31 controls each part according to the command of this operation program. The control unit 30 is connected with a door switch 40 for detecting the closing of the door 3, a rotation control unit 41, a valve driving unit 42, and the like, in addition to the operation display unit 51, the coin detection unit 54, and the water level sensor 24 described above. I have. The rotation control unit 41 controls the rotation speed and the rotation direction of the motor 17 that rotationally drives the drum 10, and the valve drive unit 42 controls the water supply valve 19,
Opening / closing of a finishing agent supply valve 43 in addition to the hot water supply valve 21 and the drain valve 22 is performed.

Next, a method of setting a washing course in the washing machine of this embodiment will be described. Generally, in a washing machine, appropriate washing, rinsing and dehydrating times or the like may be used depending on an object to be washed, in order to achieve sufficient washing ability (that is, to wash more cleanly) or to minimize damage to a cloth. The amount of water at the time of washing and rinsing, the rotation speed of the drum at the time of dehydration, and the like are set. For this reason, for example, a number of washing courses such as a course suitable for washing thin clothing such as shirts and a course suitable for washing very thick clothes such as blankets are prepared as an operation program.

In general, it is preferable to select a washing course according to the laundry. However, in a washing machine installed in a coin laundry store or the like as in this embodiment, it is troublesome for a user to select a washing course one by one. is there. Thus, for example,
Among the multiple washing machines to be installed, the one with the most standard washing course, the one with a suitable washing course such as a blanket or a futon, etc. are prepared in advance, and the user can select one according to the laundry. I choose a washing machine.

In this case, the washing course, that is, the operation program is set by the manager or a person equivalent thereto.
You rarely change that setting. In the washing machine of this embodiment, a desired one can be selected and set from a large number of operation programs prepared in advance only by operating the operation button 53. That is, the control unit 30
When it is detected that the operation button 53 has been continuously pressed for a predetermined time (for example, 5 to 10 seconds), the mode is shifted to the operation program selection mode. At this time, the set operation program number is displayed on the numerical value display 52. Each time the operation button 53 is pressed for a short time, the display of the operation program number is updated in a predetermined order. When it is detected again that the operation button 53 is continuously pressed for a predetermined time (for example, 5 to 10 seconds), the operation program of the number displayed at that time is set as the washing course. In this way, a washing course executed by the washing machine when a coin is inserted is determined.

A description will now be given of the process of displaying the remaining time of the washing operation, which is a feature of the washing machine of this embodiment. In order to perform an accurate remaining time display process in this washing machine, a water supply test run must be performed after the washing machine is installed.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the processing at the time of the trial running of the water supply centered on the control unit 30. When the administrator or the like continuously presses the operation button 53 for a predetermined time (for example, 10 to 15 seconds), the control unit 30 detects this and shifts to the water supply trial run mode, and reads out the water supply trial run program from the ROM 33. At this time, an identifiable display is provided on the numerical value display 52 to notify that the water supply test operation mode has been entered. When the administrator presses the operation button 53 again for a short time while this display is being made, the CPU 31 executes the water supply test run program.

When the water supply test operation is started, the drain valve 22 is closed first (in the standby state, the drain valve 2 is closed).
2 is open), and the hot water supply valve 21 is opened (step S10). At this time, the water supply valve 19 is closed. At the same time, the timer 32 starts counting time (step S11). As a result, the hot water supply path 2
Hot water is supplied through 0. The water level sensor 24 reaches a water depth (a value obtained by dividing the height from the bottom of the outer tub 2 to the center of the outer tub 2 by 10 and dividing the center into water depth = 10 and the bottom with water depth = 0) = 1. When the operation is detected (step S12), the time measured by the timer 32 at that time is stored in the RAM 34 as the hot water supply time t1 (step S13).

Next, instead of closing the hot water supply valve 21, the water supply valve 19 is opened (step S14), and at the same time, the timer 32 is reset and time measurement is started again (step S15). Thereby, water is additionally supplied through the water supply channel 18 to the outer tub 2 in which the hot water having the water depth = 1 is stored. When the water level sensor 24 detects that the water depth has reached 3 (step S16), the time measured by the timer 32 at that time is stored in the RAM 34 as the water supply time t2 (step S17).

Subsequently, the hot-water supply valve 21 is opened while the water-supply valve 19 is open (step S18). At substantially the same time, the timer 32 is reset and time measurement is started again (step S19). As a result, the hot water supply channel 18 and the hot water supply channel 20
Water and hot water are additionally supplied through both. When the water level sensor 24 detects that the water depth has reached 5 (step S20), the time measured by the timer 32 at that point is stored in the RAM 34 as the hot water supply time t3 (step S2).
1). Thereafter, the water supply valve 19 and the hot water supply valve 21 are closed, and the drain valve 22 is opened to discharge the water and hot water accumulated in the outer tub 2 to the outside (step S22).

As described above, the hot water supply time t1, the water supply time t2, and the hot water supply time t3 are stored in the predetermined areas of the RAM 34, respectively. Note that a standard value is written in advance in this predetermined area of the RAM 34 (for example, at the time of shipment from a factory), and when the above-described water supply test run is performed, the value is rewritten to an actually measured value. Of course, the standard value may be stored in another area without change.

Next, the process of calculating the remaining time for washing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the user inserts a predetermined amount of coins into the coin insertion slot, the coin detection unit 54 notifies the control unit 30 that the coins have been accepted (step S30). In response to this, the control unit 30 reads out the operation program corresponding to the washing course set as described above from the ROM 33, and starts the process of calculating the required washing time (step S31). First, a water supply (hot water) time t1 to t3 stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 34 in advance.
Is read (step S32). Also, from the read operation program, which of the necessary water supply (hot water) amount for washing and rinsing, and which of water, hot water or a mixture of water and hot water (for example, to appropriately adjust the water temperature) is necessary. Is obtained (step S33). Further, a water supply correction coefficient is obtained from the program (step S3).
4).

The water supply correction coefficient has the following purpose. That is, when a certain amount of water or hot water is supplied to the outer tub 2, even if laundry of the same volume is stored in the drum 10, the water level becomes relatively low in laundry having a high water absorption rate, In the case of laundry having a low water absorption, the water level is relatively high. In the case of easy rinsing, it is necessary to maintain the actual water level at a predetermined water level. Therefore, the time required to supply water (hot water) to a certain predetermined water level is affected by the water absorption rate of the laundry. Become.

Specifically, for example, when a blanket or a futon having a large amount of water absorption is stored in the drum 10, the blanket or the futon is 20% less than a case where standard clothing such as a shirt is stored.
Unless a large amount of water (hot water) is supplied to the outer tank 2, the same water level cannot be obtained. Therefore, the water supply correction coefficient is set to 1 in a washing course for standard clothing, and the water supply correction coefficient is set to 1.2 particularly in a washing course for laundry with a large amount of water absorption. Such an appropriate value of the water supply correction coefficient can be determined in advance by experiments. If the required water supply (hot water) time calculated as described later is multiplied by this water supply correction coefficient, the required water supply time becomes longer by an amount that takes into account the water absorption rate of the laundry, and the effect of the water absorption rate of the laundry is eliminated.

Next, the required time for supplying water (hot water) is calculated using the above numerical values (step S35). Here, the case of the operation program of the washing course shown in FIG. 5 will be described as an example. That is, in this example, after washing, the first
And a second rinsing, using hot water for washing, while using water for both rinsings. Except for the hot water supply process at the time of washing and the water supply process of two rinses, the process time is set for all.

Now, the hot water supply time t1 read from the RAM 34 is 20 seconds, the water supply time t2 is 10 seconds, and the water depth = 0.
Assuming that the water amount q1 corresponding to 1 is 40 L and the water amount q2 corresponding to water depth = 1 to 3 is 60 L, the hot water supply capacity P1 and the water supply capacity P2 in this washing machine are as follows. P1 = q1 / t1 = 2 [L / sec] P2 = q2 / t2 = 6 [L / sec]

Further, from the operation program shown in FIG. 5, it is understood that hot water supply at a water depth of 5 during washing requires water supply at a water depth of 7 during rinsing twice. Here, assuming that the water amount Q5 corresponding to the water depth = 5 is 150 L and the water amount Q7 corresponding to the water depth = 7 is 210 L, the required hot water supply time ta during the washing, the water supply required during the first and second rinses. The time tb is as follows. ta = Q5 / P1 = 75 seconds tb = Q7 / P2 = 35 seconds

Next, the required time t calculated in this way is
a, tb are multiplied by a water supply correction coefficient. Assuming that the water supply correction coefficient is 1.2 in this washing course, each required time is corrected as follows. ta = 75 × 1.2 = 90 seconds = 1 minute 30 seconds tb = 35 × 1.2 = 42 seconds

Since the remaining time displayed on the numerical value display 52 is in "minutes", the time calculated as described above is corrected to one minute. For example, round down to 30 seconds and round up to 31 seconds or more. Thereby, the required time t
Both a and tb are 1 minute.

Next, the total time required for washing is calculated by summing the water supply (hot water) time calculated in this way and the time required for the other steps in the operation program (eg, washing time = 8 minutes) (step). S36). That is, in the example of FIG. 5, the required washing time is determined to be 30 minutes. Then, the required washing time is set in the timer 32 and displayed on the numerical display 52 (steps S37, S38), and the actual washing operation is started according to the operation program (step S39). When the washing operation is started, the required washing time set in the timer 32 is sequentially reduced as time elapses (step S40). The user recognizes the remaining time required for washing by looking at this display, and can return, for example, by leaving the place and finishing washing.

By the way, in the above embodiment, the round-off and round-up processes are performed when calculating the required time for supplying water (hot water) in order to display in units of one minute. Therefore, if the subtraction of the remaining time is performed according to the standard time passage, there is a possibility that the display of the actual progress of the washing operation and the display of the remaining time may be shifted. Therefore, for example, in the washing hot water supply process that requires a time of 1 minute and 30 seconds, the control unit 30 subtracts 1 minute from the display if 1 minute and 30 seconds are counted, and a rinse that requires a time of 42 seconds. During the water supply process, the display time may be adjusted by subtracting 1 minute from the display when 42 seconds are counted.

It should be noted that the method for calculating the required time for supplying water (hot water) shows the concept of the processing procedure, and it is clear that the actual calculation can be performed more easily. In addition, the water supply (hot water) capacity P1 to P3 may be stored in the RAM 34 instead of the water supply (hot water) time t1 to t3.

The above-described embodiment is merely an example, and it is apparent that variations and modifications can be made within the spirit of the present invention.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing the appearance of a washing machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view of an operation panel of the washing machine.

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view showing the internal structure of the washing machine.

FIG. 4 is an electrical configuration diagram of the washing machine.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an operation program in the washing machine.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a water supply test run process in the washing machine.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a washing operation process in the washing machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 ... Outer tank 10 ... Drum 18 ... Water supply path 19 ... Water supply valve 20 ... Hot water supply path 21 ... Hot water supply valve 22 ... Drain valve 24 ... Water level sensor 30 ... Control unit 51 ... Operation display unit 52 ... Numerical display 53 ... Operation button

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A washing machine for automatically supplying water or hot water into a washing tub, comprising: a) a storage means for storing an index value corresponding to a previously measured water or hot water supply capacity; Calculating means for calculating a required time required for water supply or hot water supply with reference to the index value, and calculating a remaining time until the end of the washing in consideration of the required time; andc) display means for displaying the remaining time. A washing machine characterized by the following. 2. A water level detecting means for detecting a water level of water or hot water supplied to the washing tub, and a measuring means for measuring a time required for supplying water or hot water at a predetermined water level, The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the index value is obtained. 3. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the measurement is performed in a test operation mode different from the washing operation. 4. A washing machine provided with a water supply channel and a hot water supply channel, wherein the measuring means is configured to supply water or hot water at a predetermined water level for each of the case of water supply alone, the case of hot water supply alone, and the case of simultaneous water supply and hot water supply. The washing machine according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a time required for supplying the washing machine is measured. 5. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the calculating means corrects a required time for water supply or hot water supply in accordance with a type of the laundry.