JPS5897395A - Apparatus for detecting completion of process in washer - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a process end detection device for a washing machine that detects the end of processes such as washing, rinsing, and draining.

Traditionally, automatic washing machines, e.g. washing, rinsing, draining.

27. - Fully automatic washing machines that automatically carry out each process such as spin-drying can be controlled by a time switch for a certain period of time, or for washing only, the user can control the amount of laundry, how dirty it is, etc. This was done by determining the time switch and setting the time accordingly. With this, laundry is done according to the amount of laundry and how dirty it is.
Difficult to rinse and dehydrate.

Therefore, a detector consisting of a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element is installed at the bottom of the washing tub to detect changes in the transmittance of light through the liquid in the middle of the drainage path.
A method was devised to detect the end of each dehydration process.

However, washing machines are often used in humid places such as bathrooms, and as a result, condensation forms on the surfaces of the light-emitting element and light-receiving element, which are the transmittance detection elements, and this causes the transmittance to be distorted. However, there is a problem in that the end point of each stroke cannot be accurately detected in some cases.

The present invention solves the above conventional problems, and the following:
Examples thereof will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Page 3 Note that the present invention is not limited to implementation in a fully automatic washing machine that includes dehydration; in a two-tub type washing machine in which dehydration is performed in the dehydration tank, washing, rinsing, drainage, etc. Even if each process is performed, it can be implemented in the same way.

An object of the present invention is to prevent dew condensation on the detection element and maintain stable detection accuracy in a detector that detects the end of each cycle of the washing machine and controls the operation of the washing machine. be.

In the figure, 1 is the main body of the washing machine, 2 is an outer tub suspended and supported by a suspension 3, and 4 is an inner tub for washing clothes, which has a large number of holes 6 in its wall surface. A pulsator 6 stirs the clothes in the inner tank 4. 7 is a mechanical case with a built-in brake/clutch mechanism; 8 is a motor; during washing and rinsing, the pulsator 9 is rotated through the clutch mechanism by repeating forward and reverse rotation; The inner tank 4 is rotated for dewatering in one direction. 9 is a drainage pulp, which is closed during each process of washing, rinsing, and supplying water. A drainage path 10 made of an L-shaped translucent material is formed to communicate between the drainage pulp 9 and the inner bottom of the outer tank 2. 11 is a drainage hose connected to the drainage pulp 9.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a detector provided in the middle of the drainage path 1o, which is composed of a light emitting element 13 and a light receiving element 14 provided opposite each other, and the drainage path 1o is interposed between the pixel elements 13 and 14. The detector 12 is mounted on a holder 1 attached to the wastewater pulp 9.
2a, and a light emitting element 13 made of, for example, a light emitting diode and a light receiving element 14 made of, for example, a phototransistor are mounted in a recess 12b formed on the outer surface side of the holder 12a, and after mounting, they are sealed with a coating. ing. On the inner surface of the holder 12a, a protruding wall 12c having a flat tip is formed in correspondence with the recess 12b.

Although the straw drainage path 1o is L-shaped, a flat surface 10a is formed on a part of the outer surface corresponding to the flat surface of the protruding wall 12c, and the tip of the protruding wall 12a is formed on this flat surface 10a. They are in close contact with each other.

The entire holder 12a or a portion corresponding to the protruding wall 12a may be made of a light-transmitting material; however, in the case of transmitting light in the infrared region, it does not need to be transparent; for example, it may be made of polypropylene. good.

In the above configuration, at the end of each process such as washing, rinsing, draining, and dewatering, light emitted multiple times by the light emitting element 13 detects changes in the turbidity of the washing liquid, rinsing liquid, etc. in the drainage path 10.
The ratio of the amount of light that passes through the light and reaches the light-receiving element 14 is detected by converting it into the transmittance of the light, and detection is performed based on the rate of change. Similarly, in each process of drainage and dewatering, the end time is detected by detecting a change in the light transmittance of the drainage path 10.

Here, water droplets and
If there is dew condensation or dust attached, the light transmittance will be poor, and when detecting the end of each process, it may malfunction or the detection accuracy may be low. However,
As in the above embodiment, since the front sides of the light emitting element 13 and the light receiving element 14 are in close contact with the outer surface of the drainage path 1o, there is a possibility that dust or water droplets may condense between them. The end of each process such as washing, rinsing, draining, and dehydration can be detected stably over a long period of time without any malfunction.

In addition, in the example, a case was described in which a flat surface was provided on the side of the drainage route and a protruding wall was brought into close contact with the flat surface, but
The front surfaces of the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element may be directly brought into close contact with each other without intervening the protruding wall, or the outer surface of the drainage path may remain curved, and the protruding wall side may be curved and brought into surface contact.

Further, the drainage path may be formed of a material, such as polypropylene, which can transmit light in the infrared region like the holder.

As is clear from the above embodiments, according to the present invention, since the front sides of each of the light emitting element and the light receiving element of the detector are in close contact with the outer surface of the drainage path, dew condensation does not occur between them. There is no fear of dust intervening, the detection accuracy can be stably maintained over a long period of time, and the end of the stroke can be reliably detected. Furthermore, due to the close contact between the front side of the light-receiving element and the drainage path, it is possible to prevent external light from entering between the two, thereby significantly improving accuracy.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a washing machine showing an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which a detector is attached to a drainage path. 1o...Drainage route, 12...Detector,
13... Light emitting element, 14... Light receiving element, 10a... Flat surface. Name of agent: Patent attorney Toshio Nakao and 1 other person No. 1
Figure 2

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A path is provided to detect the end of processes such as washing, rinsing, and draining, and the detection tube is composed of a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element facing each other via the drainage path, and the detection tube is configured of a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element facing each other through the drainage path, and A cycle end detection device for a washing machine, the side of which is brought into direct or indirect surface contact with the outer surface of the drainage path. (2) The end-of-stroke detection device for a washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the drainage path has a flat surface on a part of its outer surface that brings the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element into surface contact.