JPS61203997A - Washing machine with optical sensor - 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 Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to a washing machine equipped with an optical sensor that uses an optical sensor to detect the end of washing and rinsing.

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional washing machine with an optical sensor of this type will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6.

x-2 In FIG. 4, a washing tub 2 and a dehydration tub 3 having a large number of small holes 4 are provided in a washing machine main body 1.

The stirring blades disposed at the bottom of the washing tub 2 rotate and wash the clothes in the washing tub by the rotation of the washing machine. Washing tub 2
A drainage lower is drilled at the bottom, and this drainage hole is made of translucent material,
Alternatively, it is connected to an inflow pipe 8 formed of a transparent resin material. This inflow pipe 8 is connected to a drain hose 10 via a drain valve 9. Drain port Y of inflow pipe 8
A holder 11 is provided on the side as shown in FIG. This holder 11 holds the light emitting element 12 and the light receiving element 13 at the same height, and the light emitted from the light emitting element 12 is transferred to the inflow tube 8.
The light reaches the center of the light receiving element 13 through the light receiving element 13.

Washing tub 2 of the washing machine with optical sensor configured as above
When washing or rinsing is carried out by adding laundry, water, and detergent, the drain valve 9 is closed, so that the washing tub 2 and the inlet pipe 8 are filled with washing liquid. When washing or rinsing is started, the turbidity of the washing or rinsing liquid increases.

Then, the light from the light emitting element 12 that reaches the light receiving element 13 decreases, and the output voltage of the light receiving element 13 changes as shown in FIG.

When dirt is removed by washing, the turbidity of the washing liquid increases and the output current of the light receiving element 13 decreases. Therefore, the light receiving element 13
The output current was used to detect changes in turbidity and the completion of cleaning.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention In the conventional configuration, dirt from laundry stains the inner surface of the inflow pipe 8 and blocks light from the light emitting element 12, so only a small amount of light reaches the light receiving element 13. However, there was a problem in that turbidity changes were erroneously detected, leading to erroneous judgments on the completion of cleaning or rinsing.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a washing machine equipped with an optical sensor that does not make mistakes in determining whether washing or rinsing is complete.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems, the washing machine with an optical sensor of the present invention replaces the cleaning sliding plate provided between the light emitting element and the light receiving element with the opening/closing rod of the drain valve. It is configured to slide by a sliding rod connected directly to the connecting or direct switching cam.

Function According to the above structure, the cleaning sliding plate between the light emitting element and the light receiving element removes dirt, and the transmittance of the washing liquid or rinsing liquid can be reliably adjusted without changing the amount of light transmitted. Measure.

Embodiment An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. In Fig. 2, 1 is the washing machine body, 2 is the washing tub,
3 is a dewatering tank with a small hole 4, 5 is a stirring blade, 6 is a washing motor, 7 is a drain port, 8 is an inlet pipe, 9 is a drain valve, 1o is a drain hose, 11 is a holder , 12 is a light emitting element, and the above components are the same as those of the conventional device, and a description thereof will be omitted. A sliding rod 15 is installed at approximately the same height as the holder 11 so that the cleaning sliding plate 14 can slide inside the inflow pipe 8.
are connected. This sliding rod 15/'i is connected to an opening/closing rod 16 that opens and closes the drain valve 9. The opening/closing rod 16 and the sliding rod 16 are generally made of metal rods, ropes, or the like. As shown in FIG. 3, the opening/closing rod is directly connected to a switching cam 19 of a drain valve opening/closing switching knob 18 provided on a spring/I/17 at the top of the washing machine main body 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the sliding plate 14 that interlocks with the cam mechanism 19 slides a distance on the straight surface 20 of the inner wall of the inflow pipe 14 between the attachments of the light emitting element 12 and the light receiving element 13 by means of a sliding rod 15. move.

Since the sliding rod 15 is directly connected to the opening/closing rod 16, this sliding movement can be performed by five dimensions during drainage. FIG. 1 shows the position of the sliding plate 14 when draining water, and the dash-dotted line shows the position when washing. The position of this sliding plate is taken into consideration so as not to block light between the light emitting element 12 and the light receiving element 13, and the sliding rods 16 are also positioned vertically.

A seal 21 is provided to prevent water from leaking from the gap between the sliding rod 15 and the inflow pipe 8. Note that the end surface of the sliding plate 14 that comes into contact with and slides on is made of a relatively soft material such as synthetic rubber.

6./ The operation of the washing machine with a light sensor configured as above will be explained. When the drain valve opening/closing switching knob 18 is switched from the draining side to the washing side, the opening/closing rod 16 and the sliding rod 16, which are directly connected to the switching cam 19, are respectively operated. The opening/closing rod 16 closes the drain valve 9, and the sliding rod 15 turns the sliding plate 14 into a straight surface 20. I slide it. During this sliding, dirt on the inner wall of the inflow pipe 8, especially the portion where the light emitting element 12 and the light receiving element 13 are located, is removed by synthetic rubber attached to the end surface of the sliding plate 14 without damaging the inner wall. Therefore, dirt does not block the light from the light emitting element 12, and stable transmittance of washing water or rinsing water can be detected at all times. In addition, since the sliding plate 14 moves in conjunction with the drain valve, which is always opened and closed during washing, the inflow pipe 8 can be kept clean at all times. Furthermore, since synthetic rubber is used for the end surface of the sliding plate 14, the shape can be easily designed to match the cross-sectional shape of the inflow pipe 8, and the number of assembly steps can be reduced.

In this embodiment, the sliding rod 16 is connected to the opening/closing rod 7l.
-7 Although an example is shown in which the sliding rod 16 is connected to the switching cam 16, the same operation can be achieved even if the sliding rod 16 is directly connected to the switching cam 19. Alternatively, the sliding rod 16 may be operated manually.

More than the effects of the invention, as is clear from the examples, according to the present invention, by arranging a sliding plate for cleaning between the light emitting element and the light receiving element, it is possible to reliably prevent the adhesion of dirt that adversely affects the transmission of light. It can be removed.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the inflow pipe of a washing machine equipped with an optical sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the same, Fig. 3 is a detailed view of the drain valve opening/closing switch, and Fig. 4. 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a conventional washing machine with a photosensor, FIG. 5 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the mounting state of the light-emitting element and light-receiving element, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between turbidity and output. 12... Light emitting element, 13... Light receiving element,
14...Sliding plate, 15...Sliding rod, 16...Opening/closing rod, 19...Switching cam. Figure 1/2-11 shot vL tree 13-11 Ukekutsuko/4--1 sliding plate also\ 6) Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 1-Midden cliff (missing)

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) Laundry with a light sensor, which is equipped with a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element that detect changes in the transmittance of the washing liquid or rinsing liquid accumulated in the washing tub, and a sliding plate for cleaning is provided between the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element. Machine. (2) The washing machine with an optical sensor according to claim 1, wherein the sliding plate includes a sliding rod, and the sliding rod is connected to an opening/closing rod of a drain valve or directly connected to a switching cam that operates the opening/closing rod. .