JPS62236591A - Cloth amount detector of washing machine - 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 the Invention The present invention relates to a cloth amount detection device for a washing machine that detects the amount of cloth in a washing tub using ultrasonic waves.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, an ultrasonic element 3 is attached to the back surface of an upper cover 2 above a washing tub 1, and ultrasonic waves are emitted into the washing tub 1 to generate reflected waves. There are known devices that detect the amount of cloth by measuring the time it takes for it to return.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention In the conventional method described above, since the ultrasonic element 3 faces the inside of the washing tub 1, there is a high possibility that water droplets will hit the ultrasonic element 3 due to water splashing, etc. There was a problem that if water droplets were splashed on the element 3, the amount of cloth could not be detected. In order to prevent this, it is conceivable that the device itself must be enlarged and cannot be installed on the back surface of the upper cover.

The present invention solves these conventional problems by simple means, and provides a practical cloth amount detection device that facilitates the incorporation of an ultrasonic element and does not have any adverse effects on washing operations. The purpose is to

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an ultrasonic unit consisting of a horn, a reflector that forms a certain angle with respect to the aperture of the horn, and an ultrasonic element provided at the bottom of the horn. This ultrasonic unit is installed in the space behind the laundry input port on the back side of the upper cover that has the laundry input port, and the ultrasonic wave from the ultrasonic element is emitted into the washing tub through the reflection plate. That's what happens.

Effect With the above configuration, the ultrasonic wave from the ultrasonic element is refracted by the reflection plate having a certain angle with respect to the horn and reaches the inside of the washing tub, and the reflected wave is focused by the horn and reflected by the ultrasonic wave at the bottom of the horn. They gather at the sound wave element.

Therefore, the horn can be installed horizontally behind the laundry inlet, and there will be no adverse effects from water splashing or the like.

Embodiment An embodiment of the present invention will be explained based on FIGS. 1 to 3. 11 is an ultrasonic unit, 12 is a laundry input port, 1
Reference numeral 3 indicates an upper cover having an input port 12, 14 indicates a washing tub with anti-vibration support, 15 indicates a housing, and 16 indicates a locus of ultrasonic waves.

As is clear from FIGS. 1 and 2, the ultrasonic unit 11 described above is installed horizontally in a space 19 behind the input port 12 on the back surface of the upper cover 13.

With this configuration, the washing tub 14 can be detected by ultrasonic waves without the ultrasonic unit 11 coming out to the input port 12, and
This prevents splashing of water in the washing tub 14 from directly hitting the ultrasonic element.

The ultrasonic unit 11 will be explained in detail with reference to FIG. 3. It consists of a horn 17, a reflector 16 that forms a certain angle θ with respect to the opening surface of the horn 17, and an ultrasonic element provided at the bottom of the horn 17. It consists of 18. and ultrasonic element 18
The ultrasonic waves are emitted into the washing tub 14 through the reflection plate 16, and the amount of laundry is detected by measuring the time it takes for the reflected waves from the laundry to return. Horn 17 mentioned above
The reflector plate 16 and the reflector plate 16 are made of the same resin, and the hinge 20 of the reflector plate 16 is a self-hinge to integrate the two. Note that the horn 17 and the reflecting plate 16 may be made of different materials instead of resin, and the hinge 2o is not limited to a self-hinge.

Further, the reflector 16 has an angle θ with respect to the aperture surface of the horn 17.
If the ultrasonic unit 11 can be freely changed and fixed at a set position, it will be very advantageous when installing the ultrasonic unit 11 in a washing machine.

Effects of the Invention As described above, according to the present invention, since the ultrasonic waves are emitted into the washing tub through the reflection plate, the ultrasonic unit can be installed horizontally, and there is less possibility of water droplets forming on the ultrasonic elements. Reliability has been greatly improved, and since it can be assembled into a washing machine as a unit, it is easy to handle and can be easily installed. In addition, the ultrasonic unit is installed in the space behind the input slot on the back of the top cover, so there is no hindrance to loading and unloading laundry from the input opening, and it does not adversely affect laundry work, and it can be used in narrow spaces. It can be easily installed inside a room by freely setting the angle of the reflector.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 and 2 are a side sectional view and a top view of the washing machine of the present invention,
FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of an ultrasonic unit, and FIGS. 4 and 6 are a top view and a side sectional view of a conventional washing machine. 11...Ultrasonic unit, 12...Inlet, 13...Top cover, 14...
Washing tub, 16...Reflector, 17...Horn, 18...Ultrasonic element, 19...
Space department. Name of agent: Patent attorney Toshio Nakao and 1 other person No. 1
Figure 2 Figure 3

Claims (1)

[Claims] An ultrasonic unit is composed of a horn, a reflector that forms a certain angle with respect to the opening surface of the horn, and an ultrasonic element provided at the bottom of the horn. A cloth amount detection device for a washing machine that is installed in the space behind the input port on the back side of the washing machine and emits ultrasonic waves from an ultrasonic element into the washing tub via a reflector.