JPS6229076B2 - - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic washing machine that automatically performs a series of processes such as washing and rinsing, and saves water by storing water used for washing or rinsing in a water tank so that it can be reused. This is effective and eliminates the hassle of operation.

Conventionally, in automatic washing machines that automatically perform a series of processes such as washing and rinsing, when reusing washing water containing detergent and rinsing water, it is necessary to leave water remaining in the washing tub. It was necessary to stop the program and take out the laundry from the washing tub. At this time, the user's hands got wet, the user needed a container to transfer the laundry, and the floor surface got wet with dripping water.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional drawbacks, and embodiments thereof will be described in detail below. Figure 1 shows a cutaway cross-sectional view of a washing machine, where 1 is the outer frame of the washing machine, 2 is a washing tub/dehydration tub (hereinafter simply referred to as the washing tub) that does not have a water storage hole in the surrounding wall, and 3 is a washing machine. A balance ring provided on the upper periphery of the tub 2 forms a gap S between the tub 2 and the washing tub 2 as shown. 4
is a water storage tank, which is provided with a suitable gap between it and the outside of the upper part of the washing tub 2, and has an opening 4a opposite to a discharge port 2a formed by a gap S at the top of the washing tub 2. 5 is a water channel for supplying water from the bottom of the water tank 4 into the washing tub 2, and an on-off valve 6 is provided in the middle. 6
A is a magnet for opening and closing the valve 6, and opens the on-off valve 6 when energized.

7 is a drain valve for draining water from the washing tub 2;
7a is a magnet for opening and closing the drain valve 7;
The drain valve 7 is opened by energization. 8 is a drainage hose. 9 is a water channel leading from the washing tub 2 to the on-off valve 6 and the drain valve 7; 10 is a pulsator; 11 is a fixed board; 12 is a mechanical unit incorporating a brake and a clutch (both not shown); 13 is a pulley; and 14 is a Belt, 15 is motor pulley, 16 is motor, 17
18 is a vibration-proof support device, and 18 is a switch for detecting the presence or absence of water remaining in the water tank 4. And the water tank 4
is located above the washing tub 2 and allows water in the water storage tank 4 to flow into the washing tub 2 under natural pressure.

FIG. 2 shows an electrical circuit diagram, and 19 is a timer, which has cam switches T ₁ to T ₆ , and these cam switches T ₁ to _{T 6} are controlled as shown in FIG. 3. 19a is a timer motor that operates the timer 19; 20 is a pressure switch for detecting the water level in the washing tub 2; 21 is a changeover switch for selecting whether or not to reuse the washing water in the washing tub 2;
22 is a water supply solenoid valve, and 23 is a capacitor for driving the motor 16.

Next, the specific operation will be explained. In normal use, laundry and detergent are put into the washing tub 2 and the timer 19 is turned on. When the timer 19 is turned on, the water supply process is started. Cam switch _T1 is turned on, pressure switch 20 is connected to the NC side, cam switch _T5 is connected to the a contact, and since there is no water remaining in the water tank 4, switch 18 is turned on.
is connected to the NC side. Therefore, the water supply solenoid valve 22 operates and water is supplied into the washing tub.

When the water supply progresses and water accumulates in the washing tub 2 to a specified water level, the contact point of the pressure switch 20 is switched to the NO side, the timer motor 19a is operated, and the next washing process is started.

During the washing process, the contact point of the pressure switch 20 is NO.
The cam switch T ₃ is connected to the b contact, and the reversing cam switch T ₄ causes the motor 16 to
rotates forward and backward to automatically reverse the pulsator 10.

Next, when the above-mentioned washing process is completed, the process moves to the drain/spin process. At the beginning of this process, water has accumulated in the washing tub 2 up to the specified water level, so the contact point of the pressure switch 20 is set to the NO side. It is connected. Furthermore, since the cam switch _T2 is closed, by closing the changeover switch 21 for selecting reuse of washing water in advance, the magnet 7a of the drain valve 7 operates to open the drain valve 7, and at the same time, the cam switch _T6 is opened. Since the is closed, the magnet 6a of the on-off valve 6 communicating with the bottom of the water tank 4 opens the on-off valve 6, the water in the washing tub 2 is drained, and the motor 16 starts rotating for draining. During this drainage rotation, some liquid in the water tank 4 enters through the discharge port 2a formed by the gap S, but since the on-off valve 6 is open as described above, water does not accumulate in the water tank 4. When the water in the washing tub 2 decreases and the pressure switch 20 reaches the reset point,
Even if the contact is switched to the NC side, the above operation continues because the cam switch _T5 is connected to the b contact.

After the dewatering/draining process is completed, water supply, rinsing, draining, and dewatering processes are performed next, but since these processes are performed in the same manner as described above, the explanation thereof will be omitted.

Next, when reusing the washing water, the changeover switch 21 for selecting reuse of the washing water is opened in advance. As a result, even after the first washing process is finished and the drain/spin process is started, both the magnets 6a and 7a do not operate, and the on-off valve 6 and drain valve 7 remain closed. Most of the water is discharged by centrifugal force from the discharge port 2a at the top of the washing tub 2, enters the water storage tank 4 through its opening 4a, and accumulates therein. When water accumulates in the water tank 4, the switch 18 is connected to the NO side.

Therefore, if the washing process is stopped at this stage, the laundry remains in the washing tub 2 and the washing water is stored in the water storage tank 4. Then, the washed laundry is taken out from the washing tub 2. At this time, the laundry has been dehydrated, so there is no need to worry about water spilling onto the floor when taking it out.

Next, put new laundry into the washing tub 2,
Starting from the washing process again, in the water supply process, the pressure switch 20 is connected to the NC side, and the cam switch is connected to the NC side.
_T5 is connected to side a, and switch 18 of water tank 4
is connected to the NO side, so magnet 6a
operates, the on-off valve 6 opens, and the washing water in the water tank 4 is supplied into the washing tub 2. At this time, the drain valve 7 is closed.

The water in the water tank 4 flows into the washing tank 2, and the water in the water tank 4 flows into the washing tank 2.
When the water runs out, the switch 18 is switched to the NC side, the power supply to the magnet 6a is stopped, and the on-off valve 6 is closed. Thereafter, the water supply solenoid valve 22 is operated and water supply continues until the pressure switch 20 is connected to the NO side. The purpose of supplying water here is to replenish the water contained in the laundry after the dehydration. Once the water supply is complete, the washing process begins as usual.

Furthermore, the reuse of the rinse water after the rinse process can be implemented by operating the changeover switch 21 in advance.

In addition, in the embodiment, a case was described in which washing water and rinsing water are reused either when water is supplied after the spin-drying process and before the washing process, or when water is supplied after the spin-drying process and before the rinsing process. The present invention may be configured to reuse washing water and rinsing water when water is supplied both before the washing process and before the rinsing process. It is possible.

Furthermore, it is advantageous for the washing and dehydrating tub to have a plurality of vertically long grooves on its inner circumferential wall in order to smoothly discharge the dehydrating liquid during dehydrating.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the structure shown in the embodiments, and can be implemented by appropriately changing the design without departing from the gist of the present invention.

As described above, according to the present invention, a washing/dehydration tank having no dewatering holes is provided in the peripheral wall, an outer frame is provided to accommodate the washing/dehydration tank, and the washing/dehydration tank is disposed within the outer frame. A water storage tank having an opening facing the outside of the upper opening is provided, and the water that has flowed into the water storage tank through the opening in the spin-drying process is supplied to the water tank during at least one of the water supply before the washing process and before the rinsing process. It is equipped with a changeover switch to automatically supply water into the washing and dehydration tank, and a switch to detect the presence or absence of residual water in the water storage tank.Dehydration liquid is stored in the water storage tank after the washing process or after the rinsing process. do,
It can be reused as a cleaning solution in the next washing or rinsing process, and water savings can be achieved by reusing relatively clean rinse water. In addition, since water is stored in the water storage tank during the spin-drying process, it does not take much time to operate, and it is easy to remove laundry after spin-drying from the washing/spin-drying tank and put in new laundry. Since the work can be carried out in the room, water droplets from the laundry will not drip and stain the floor surface.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an electrical circuit diagram thereof, and FIG. 3 is a program diagram of its timer. 1...Outer frame, 2...Washing/dehydration tank, 4a...Opening, 4...Water tank, 5...Waterway, 6...Opening/closing valve, 7...Drain valve, 18...Switch, 19... …
Timer, 21...changeover switch.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A washing and dehydration tank having no holes for dewatering in the peripheral wall is provided, an outer frame is provided to accommodate the washing and dehydration tank, and an upper opening of the washing and dehydration tank is provided within the outer frame. A water tank having an opening facing the outside of the unit is provided,
A changeover switch and a water storage tank for automatically supplying water that has flowed into the water storage tank through the opening in the dehydration process into the washing and dehydration tank when water is supplied in at least one of the washing process and the rinsing process. An automatic washing machine that controls the drain valve of the washing and dehydrating tank and the on-off valve of the water tank using a switch that detects the presence or absence of residual water in the washing machine. 2. A switch, the control means for automatically supplying water in the water storage tank into the washing/dehydration tank, detecting the presence or absence of water remaining in the water storage tank during at least one of water supply before the washing process and before the rinsing process; Claim 1, characterized in that the switch is equipped with an on-off valve that opens when the switch detects that there is residual water and operates to supply water in the water storage tank to the washing and dewatering tank. automatic washing machine. 3. The control means for automatically supplying water in the water storage tank to the washing/spin-drying tank consists of a changeover switch that opens and closes in advance, and when the switch is opened, the power to each magnet is cut off during the spin-drying process and the water is closed. Detects the presence or absence of residual water in the water storage tank when water is supplied to at least one of the drain valve on the washing and dehydration tank side and the open/close valve on the water storage tank side when the washing and dehydration tank is in a state of completion, and before the washing process and before the rinsing process after the dehydration process is completed. When the switch for detecting the presence or absence of residual water detects residual water, the on-off valve on the water tank side opens, and the water in the water tank is supplied to the washing and dewatering tank. An automatic washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that it is configured as follows.