JPS6226096A - 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 Application of the Invention] The present invention measures the amount of cloth and uses liquid detergent and
This is intended to display externally that the amount of cloth is being measured in a device that automatically dispenses water.

[Background of the invention]

Automatic addition of detergent is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 53-35272. Before automatically adding detergent, the amount of laundry must be measured. This is determined by stirring the stirring blade and measuring the inertial rotation during this stirring.

[Purpose of the invention]

The present invention aims to provide an external indication that stirring is in progress for measuring the amount of cloth.

[Summary of the invention]

The process of measuring the amount of laundry to be washed is displayed by blinking a plurality of water level indicator lamps (LEDs).

[Embodiments of the invention]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In FIG. 1, 1 is an outer frame, 2 is an outer tank for storing water for washing, and has a support part 2a projecting outward, and a spring 9 is attached to the support part 2a. The suspension rod 7 is engaged through. The suspension rod 7 has a suspension rod upper support 7a and a suspension rod upper support 8 at both ends, and the suspension rod upper support 8 is locked to a corner plate 1b provided on the upper surface of the outer frame 1, and elastically supports the outer tank 2. Become. Reference numeral 11 denotes a washing tub, which also serves as a dehydration tub and has small holes around its outer periphery. Reference numeral 12 indicates an agitation blade for agitating the laundry for washing, and reference numeral 16 is connected to the drive unit 15 by a shaft. The drive section 15 has a speed reduction mechanism and a flitch section, and separates the rotation of the stirring blade 12 and the rotation of the washing tub 11. Pulleys 15a and 14B transmit the rotational force from the motor 14 as a drive source through a belt 17. A center base 13 supports a motor 14, a drive unit 15, etc., and is supported at the lower part of the outer tank 2. 2b is a guide part that protrudes from the lower part of the outer tank, connects the tube 5, and guides a water level sensor 6 that checks the amount of water supplied by replacing it with the water level; 2 water hose 4 extends outside the outer frame 1. 1a is a leg provided at the bottom of the outer frame 1, and 10 is a cloth amount sensor that detects the rotation of the motor 14.

The water supply pipe 18 extended from the water outlet is the water supply valve 1
Water is supplied into the washing tub 11 through the water pipe 9 .

23 is a storage tank for liquid detergent and has a lid 23a. 2
5 is a motor pump that forcibly transfers liquid detergent to tank 2.
The suction tube 26 connected to the washing tub 3 is connected to the discharge tube 22, and the distal end of the discharge tube 22 has a check valve 32, and the water supply port for supplying water to the washing tub and the connection section 2.
It is connected at 4.

FIG. 2 shows the electrical control circuit of the washing machine. This electric control circuit has a processing circuit consisting of a microcomputer in the center, a driving power supply circuit between the power supplies, a comparison circuit, a detection circuit, a cloth amount sensor, a water level sensor, and 6 selection circuits. The display circuit is used to select the washing process, and displays these as well as the amount of detergent and various abnormal conditions. The motor, water supply valve, drain valve, and detergent dispenser are arbitrarily driven via a drive circuit that processes signals from the various sensors described above using a processing circuit made up of a microcomputer.

The details of the detergent dispenser will be explained with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6. The relative positions of the detergent liquid 33 in the tank 23 and the check valve 32, which is a discharge port, have a head difference of H. (This H
It is also possible to create a case where the so-called detergent liquid is lower than the discharge port. This is because when the tank 23 is placed on the top surface of the top cover 27, the dimension H is positive, but when it is placed in a blank space within the outer frame 1, etc.). Therefore, if the head is positive, without the check valve 32, the liquid will flow out naturally, and if it is negative, the liquid will return between the tubes 22 and 26, and the amount of detergent to be added is determined by the driving time of the motor pump. However, variations occur in this. Therefore, the check valve 32 is formed with a discharge port 32a and a push-in side 32b, as shown in FIG. 4, and a rubber plate 38. The spacer 391 has a weak spring force spring 4o to enable one-way traffic. The motor pump 25 is a small motor as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and the casing 27 includes:
It has a vane 37 engaged with a motor shaft 36 and a seal 41, and forcibly transfers detergent liquid.

The vanes 37 of this pump 25 are made of rubber or flexible plastic, and the outer peripheral end of the vanes 37 is connected to the casing 27.
It is elastically pressed against the inner periphery of the This is a so-called vane type pump.

This pump can also transport air, so tube 2
Even if there is air inside 2, an airlock will not occur.

The blades 37 of this pump tend to wear out when running idly, and since it is not operated for a long time, applying silicone oil to the sliding part of each blade 37, which will not be damaged, can extend its life.

In this pump, since the vanes 37 are in close contact with the casing 27, when the pump is stopped, it supports the function of the reverse valve 32, which has the function of a flow path valve, which other pumps do not have.

This pump has a low flow rate but high pressure. Liquid detergents have different viscosity depending on the type, and if the viscosity of a non-pressure pump is a little high, the amount transferred will be extremely low. Since this pump produces pressure, the amount of drop is small.

Even if various detergents are used, there is no extreme difference in the amount of detergent used.

It was previously explained that the distal end (discharge side) of the check valve 32 is placed at the water supply port with the connecting part 24. The reason for this configuration is as follows.

■ The check valve 32 is provided at the tip after detergent injection is stopped.
This is to minimize the amount of residual detergent dripping.

If there is any dripping after washing, you will have to rinse it again, so measures to prevent dripping are important.

(2) Regardless of the configuration, some detergent remains on the discharge side of the check valve 32, leading to problems such as zero dripping and curing (closing the discharge port). However, since the discharge side faces the water supply port, the discharge port is thoroughly cleaned during water supply, and the above-mentioned problems are eliminated.

In the middle of the tube 22, there is a U body 22 for adjusting the amount of detergent added.
A is provided. 22B is a regulating valve. These will be discussed in detail later.

The operation and operation of these configurations will be explained with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9. On the operation panel 51, there is a display section 52;
The main operation keys 55, 56, and 57 are large and located in easy-to-operate positions.The main operation keys are 55, 56, and 57, and are located in large and easy-to-operate positions. This allows washing to be done according to the program. 53 and 54 are auxiliary keys, which can be pressed before or after keys 55 to 57 to perform "pre-washing".
This is the key that allows you to "soak and wash". These are formed as one unified program, and after this completion, 5
The washing process is performed by automatically switching to the key-in program from 5 to 57. 50 is a simple lid, and the handle 50a
Inside this lid, there is a.

55. Change the keyed-in program of 57 arbitrarily. For example, there are manual keys for changing the washing time and spin-drying time. There are a lot of keys, which can be cumbersome, so only the keys that are mainly used are exposed, and the keys that are used occasionally are covered with a simple lid.

As shown in FIG. 8, detergent injection by keying in main operation keys 55 to 57 corresponds to each key, and
Adjustments are made depending on the amount of laundry, and detailed measures are taken.0For example, the main operation key of A is very dirty and it is 55.
When you start automatic operation with the key-in, the amount of detergent will increase by about 20% compared to the "standard", and the key of 57 will be "
About half of it is "light dirt".

As shown in the simple flowchart in Figure 9, these steps are as follows: Load the laundry, and depending on how dirty it is, press the main operation key to supply water (1). The water level sensor 6, which determines the amount of water supplied by replacing it with the water level, reaches a low water level, at which point it is stopped and the process moves to stirring (1). Stirring (1) is
The amount of laundry is measured by stirring, which is much weaker than normal washing. Based on this measured value, the water level of the water supply (2), which is the next step, is determined, as well as the amount of detergent. Since we know the amount of laundry and the amount of detergent, we can also decide the amount of water and time for rinsing, and the time for spin-drying, so we can complete the program for the next process and onwards by deciding here. It's something that makes you do it.

Therefore, the water supply (2) is adjusted to a water level suitable for the amount of laundry, and the washing is performed by stirring (2), followed by water supply (3) for draining, dehydration, and rinsing, followed by the washing process. complete. The detergent can be automatically added by mixing it into the water supply during the water supply (2), and after the water supply (2) is complete.
The detergent dispenser is operated in synchronization with the water supply valve 19, so that it can be performed together with the water supply.

Along with the key-in process of these main operation keys, the auxiliary key 5
3.54 key-in process is a separate program that automatically performs the hand washing that was previously done.
The "pre-washing" process is a process of washing extremely dirty work clothes, diapers, etc. before regular washing. This "prewash"
After washing is finished, it is common to add another load of laundry and proceed to the next process, so the detergent corresponding to the amount of laundry is automatically added for the ``prewash'' and then the process indicated by @ is agitated. (2
) → Drain → Dehydrate → Pause, and then issue an alarm and pause. This alarm and pausing signal the completion of "pre-washing" and instruct the user to load the laundry separately. After the pause is paused for the required time, the machine is left on standby and the lid is turned off to load the laundry separately. It is possible to detect the opening/closing signal of the machine, determine that there is another load of laundry, and proceed to the next process, or, conversely, to proceed to the next process without any regard after a predetermined pause. What is a certain zero-order process?
Water supply (1) that supplies water to a low water level by key-in,
At this point, measure the amount of laundry again, add detergent automatically, and stir (2) → drain → add water → add water (3).
) Proceed to the rinsing process.

Next, the process of "washing in place" in ■ is conventionally done by hand, but stubborn stains can be removed by washing instead of using a washing machine.
Soak it in water with detergent in a tub etc.
In addition to moving the laundry by kneading it from time to time, the washing machine also soaks the laundry and after a certain amount of time has passed, puts it into the washing tub with water containing detergent and washes it according to the normal program. It was intended to be done by itself.

By keying in the auxiliary key 54■ either before or after keying in A-C5 of any of the main operation keys 55 to 57, the same program will proceed until the automatic injection of detergent, and the stirring (3) as shown in the figure will proceed. Mud time (10 seconds to 3
The product is stirred for several minutes, then paused for quite a long time, and this cycle is repeated several times to create a "washing process." Usually it takes about 1 hour.

After this "soak washing" is completed, without draining or dehydrating, the washing proceeds from the final pause step to the agitation (2) step, which includes normal washing, and furthermore, in this case, the washing is automatically loaded. is also performed only once at the beginning, and is not performed thereafter.

Although it is a complicated program, the agitation (2) time in normal washing is not a preset time, but this time can also be adjusted by keying in each operation key. Firstly, the automatic detergent injection is a liquid detergent, so if you run out of liquid detergent and want to use the powder, you can open the simple lid 50 and use the automatic detergent injection cancel key inside. By keying in, the circuit will not automatically add detergent. At this time, powdered detergent has more time to dissolve in water than liquid detergent, and if the agitation (2) is performed for the same amount of time as liquid detergent, stain removal will be worse. Liquid detergent dissolves instantly, while powder detergent can take several minutes, depending on the water temperature. Therefore, by keying in the cancel key, it is possible to lengthen the agitation (2) time during washing, thereby eliminating the difference in cleaning rate.

Secondly, the key-in for "soaking and washing" is also the same, and it is so effective that it can be done for half the normal time.

The same idea applies to the automatic addition of detergent, and in the case of the key-in of "pre-washing", it is sufficiently effective to reduce the amount of detergent than the original amount, and can save detergent.

Next, the cloth amount sensor 10 for determining the amount of laundry and the water level sensor 6 for determining the amount of water supplied will be explained.
In Figure 5, the shaft 10 protrudes from the motor 14.
An engaging element 64 having a magnet 63 magnetized to 1 is press-fitted to b. After installation, a case 6o having a magnetic pole 60a facing the magnet 63 is fixed to the motor 10 with a screw 65 at its 60b, a coil 61 is wound around a bobbin 66, and a drawer 62 is pulled out by the coil 61. There is. The shaft 10b of the motor 10 repeats ON for 0.3 to 1.0 seconds and OFF for 0.3 to 2.0 seconds during stirring.
rotates. At this time, an electromotive force is generated by the magnet 63 and the magnetic pole Boa, but even if it is turned off, the inertia causes the shaft 10b to rotate, so that a voltage waveform as shown in FIG. 11 is obtained. Here, by reading h, the time taken from point a to point b when the shaft 10b stops rotating, the amount of laundry that has been put in can be determined. This is shown in FIG.

The water level sensor 6 has a pressure transmission hole 70a in the base 70, and transmits pressure to the diaphragm 71. A plunger 72 is located on the upper surface of the diaphragm 71, and is prevented from falling to the left or right by a moving guide support rod 72a.A magnetic body 73 is integrally supported with the plunger. 74 is a coil, which has a lead 75; 76 is a spring, which outputs a load arbitrarily matched to the pressure transmitted to the diaphragm 71; 77 is a spring receiver. With this configuration, when the water level rises, the diaphragm moves upward, the magnetic body 73 approaches the coil 74, and as the pressure decreases, it descends again and returns to its original state.

Due to so-called pressure fluctuations, the relative position between the magnetic body 73 and the coil 74 changes.

Since the reactance of the coil 74 changes, this change in reactance is generally used to form an LC oscillator, and this oscillation frequency is determined by a microcomputer and taken as the water level. The basic circuit is the first
4, 80 is a capacitor, 84.81 is an adjustment resistor, and 83 is an inverter. The oscillation frequency for the actual movement of the magnetic body 73 decreases as the reactance increases, so draw a curve as shown in Figure 15, and use any point on this curve to determine the water level and perform control. It is something that can be done.

The detergent input amount adjusting means described above has a structure as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20. A regulating valve 22B is rotatably fitted inside the il regulating body 22A. Seal backing 22C prevents liquid leakage. A tube connection port is provided on the top side of the adjustment main body 22A. The regulating valve 22B can be adjusted in five stages. It can be turned with a screwdriver, coin, etc. This adjustment means does not perform a shutoff, but mainly adjusts the flow rate. This adjustment valve 22 is adjusted depending on the type of detergent.
This is to adjust B. When using highly concentrated detergent, set to reduce the flow rate.

Also, when using detergent with high viscosity, set it so that the flow rate is easy.

Although various structures are conceivable for this adjustment means, one example is one that changes the opening area on the inlet side.

It is desirable that this adjusting means has an appropriate locking mechanism so that the set position does not change naturally during the process.

This adjustment means is provided on the discharge port side of the motor pump 25. This is to suppress variations in the amount of detergent added.

After loading the laundry, turn on the start switch.

Supply the specified amount of water, then stir. Through this agitation, there is a cloth amount sensor 10 to determine the amount of laundry, and this data is processed to supply water necessary for washing again. At this time, at the same time, determine the amount of detergent commensurate with the amount of laundry and supply water. Just before the end of the process, the detergent dispenser is driven and the detergent is mixed with the supplied water and added, and when the water supply is complete, the detergent is stirred for washing.

However, liquid detergents have a
As shown in the figure, the viscosity changes greatly, and the transfer amount differs depending on the driving time of the motor pump 25. - For example, the motor is designed to input 40 mΩ for the rated washing capacity at 20°C. Even if the driving time of the pump 25 is set, at 0° C., the amount is 13 m, and at 40' C, the amount is 55 mg, which makes a large difference.

Therefore, the first method is to detect the ambient temperature with a temperature sensor, subdivide the ambient temperature, and set the driving time of the motor pump 25 within this subdivided range to a time that allows the predetermined amount to be injected. It is to be. As shown in FIG. 17, the second method uses a time in the temperature range of Tl and time b in the temperature range of T2.
, replace it with the amount of electricity applied to the motor pump 25,
The purpose is to control this amount of electricity. This is an electricity quantity curve (the first
This is what you should do in Section 8). The third method, which can be easily performed with a small DC motor and causes no problems, uses a thermally responsive element such as a bimetal.
The flow rate is adjusted by mechanically changing the path through which the detergent liquid passes. In this system, a bimetal plate bent into a circular shape is installed in the middle of the passage, and when the temperature is low, it deforms outward to enlarge the passage, and when the temperature is high, it deforms inward, narrowing the passage. It is.

A fourth method is to install a heater at the bottom of the tank 23 and control the amount of electricity supplied to the heater in accordance with a signal from a temperature sensor to suppress changes in viscosity. However, this method requires 1. The amount of detergent liquid in the tank 23 (about 1 month's worth, 2.
000m rL), the amount used once is 40mj2
This is not a desirable method as it is wasteful.

The display will be explained in more detail based on FIG. 7.

The display section 52 has displays for water level, rinsing, power supply, and washing time. LEDs are used as these display means.

The water level display indicates high, medium, low, and small water levels in order from the top. This water level display also has other display functions.

That is, when the main operation key is turned on, water supply starts according to the simple flowchart shown in FIG. At the same time, the water level display flashes. Flashes in the following order: high, medium, low, low.

This is repeated. It appears to be blinking.

When the water level reaches a small amount, water supply is temporarily stopped, stirring is performed to measure the amount of cloth, and the above blinking continues until this is completed. After this, the display shifts to the area corresponding to the water level that corresponds to the amount of cloth measured by stirring, and the display changes to 0 or blinks.

In this way, the process up to determining the water level is performed with the entire water level display running, so you can tell that it is the water level process (cloth amount detection process) by looking at the minus eye.

Furthermore, since there is no need to use a separate display means, the display section can be simply organized.

The above-mentioned measurement of the amount of cloth was performed after adding a small amount of water to the water level, but the amount of cloth may be measured before adding water or by stirring while adding water.

If you add water while washing, the time before washing will be shortened.

Measuring the amount of cloth without water makes it easier to control the water supply because there is no need to temporarily stop the water supply. Small, relatively soft items to wash are suitable for waterless cloth measurement.

If you stir while supplying water, a large amount of laundry will be washed quickly, so you can measure the amount of clothes at an early stage. If you stir the water after supplying a small amount of water, the water level will drop significantly, which may make it difficult to measure the amount of cloth (which tends to happen when there is a large amount of cloth). If you do this while supplying water, this problem can be resolved.

FIG. 21 shows a stroke type detergent injection pump. This pump 25A is provided with a valve body 25C that reciprocates within a cylinder 25B. The valve body 25G moves together with the rod 25F moved by the synchronous motor 25D. The cylinder 25B is provided with a check valve 25G in the flow path leading to the liquid tank, and a check valve 25H on the discharge port side.The two check valves 25G and 25H operate in opposite directions. Valve body 2
When 5C moves backward, check valve 25G opens;
Since H is closed, detergent is taken into the cylinder 25B. When the valve body 25G moves forward, the check valve 25G closes,
Since the check valve 25H opens, the cylinder 25B is opened from the discharge port side.
The detergent inside will be spit out.

The synchronous motor 25D is decelerated by a gear mechanism, and a pinion formed on the rod 25F is engaged with the final stage rack shaft. The synchronous motor 25D is configured to rotate only in one direction, and the rotation of the synchronous motor 25D causes the valve body 2 to rotate.
5C moves forward. Retraction is performed by a tension spring (not shown) provided on the lot 25D. Since a ratchet is provided on the synchronous motor 250 side, the lot 25F is reciprocated.

The stroke method allows you to dispense the same amount of detergent even if the viscosity of the detergent changes.

To change the amount of detergent added, the stroke amount of the valve body 25G is changed. This is done by changing the rotation angle of the synchronous motor 25D. An accurate stroke amount can be obtained by providing the motor 25D with a position detection sensor and a rotation angle detection sensor.

FIGS. 22 and 23 relate to feedback control of detergent amount. A detergent concentration sensor 100 is provided in the outer tank 2, and its detection signal is input to an electric control circuit shown in FIG. 2 to measure the detergent concentration in the washing water. When the detergent concentration is low, operate the detergent dosing pump to add detergent. By driving this detergent injection pump with a stepping motor, it is possible to create an appropriate detergent concentration. FIG. 23 shows pulses applied to the stepping motor.

According to such feedback control, it is possible to wash clothes with an accurate washing concentration.

For rinsing, it is common to supply water to a medium water level and rinse. When using a small amount of cloth, sufficient rinsing can be achieved without having to supply water to the medium water level. Therefore, by providing a key on the software of the electric control circuit that allows the user to select a low water level during pre-rinsing, it is possible to eliminate wasted water during pre-rinsing.

There is also a water injection rinse (overflow rinse) for better rinsing. The user may know from experience that a mid-water rinse is an incomplete rinse, but that a water rinse is not necessary. Therefore, by providing a key on the software of the electric control circuit that allows the user to select rinsing due to the high water level, it is possible to further eliminate waste of rinsing water. That is, by providing a key that allows the user to select the rinsing water level up or down, and by taking corresponding software measures, it is possible to eliminate waste of rinsing water.

〔Effect of the invention〕

In the present invention, by performing the step of measuring the amount of clothes to be washed by flashing a plurality of water level indicator lamps (LEDs), it is possible to confirm at a glance that the amount of clothes to be washed is the step of measuring the amount of clothes before washing.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining the overall configuration of the washing machine, Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the electric circuit, Figure 3 is a diagram explaining the operation of the detergent dispenser, and Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view along the center line of the check valve. . FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the blades of the detergent injection motor pump. Figure 6 is a sectional view of the casing of the motor pump, Figure 7 is a partial view of the operation and display panel, Figure 8 is a diagram showing the relationship between detergent input amount and selection keys, Figure 9 is a simple flowchart, Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the cloth amount sensor, Figure 11 is a diagram showing the relationship between the output of the cloth amount sensor and time, Figure 12 is a diagram showing the relationship between decay time and amount of laundry, and Figure 13 is a diagram showing the water level. FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of the sensor, FIG. 14 is its electric circuit diagram, and FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a curve in which the oscillation frequency changes with the movement of the magnetic material. Figures 16, 17 and 18 are graphs relating detergent and ambient temperature. FIGS. 19 and 20 show detergent injection adjustment means. FIG. 21 shows a stroke type motor pump. FIG. 22 shows the sensor installation of the detergent amount feedback control means. FIG. 23 shows the pulses of the pulse motor.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In a washing machine, the amount of laundry to be washed is determined by measuring the amount of inertial rotation of the stirring blade, and the amount of detergent, amount of washing water, etc. is calculated based on this determined amount. A washing machine characterized by displaying the water level by blinking multiple water level indicator lamps.