JPS62292196A - 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] 3. Detailed description of the invention 2A-S' Industrial application field The present invention measures the distance to the water surface or laundry using ultrasonic waves, and determines the amount of cloth based on the distance. This invention relates to a washing machine that sets a washing water level and performs washing based on the water level.

Conventional technology The technology of measuring distance using ultrasonic waves has been known for a long time, and various methods have been proposed for using ultrasonic waves in washing machines to detect the amount of cloth and automatically set the water supply amount, etc. There is.

As an example, there is a known system that measures the distance to the top surface of the laundry when the laundry is thrown in, determines the amount of laundry based on the measured value, and sets the washing water level. In addition, as another example, a device equipped with a water sprinkling device for sinking the laundry is known in order to improve detection accuracy.

Also, after supplying water to a certain water level and stirring to blend the laundry with the water, measure the distance to the laundry and compare it with the previously memorized distance to the water surface at that time and the absolute water level. There is also a method of knowing the amount of laundry and setting the water level for the laundry.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention In such conventional methods, the state when the cloth is thrown in (
The measurement results vary depending on the material (contains air), shape, material quality, etc., making it impossible to accurately detect the amount of material. Furthermore, it is actually impossible to sink the laundry sufficiently using a water sprinkler. Furthermore, in the method of comparing the water level with the absolute water level, it is difficult to accurately set the pre-memorized water level due to aging of the water level sensor (often using a pressure switch). Therefore, it was difficult to distinguish whether the cloth was protruding from the water surface or whether there was more water than the pre-memorized water level.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine that can accurately set the washing water level according to the amount of laundry even if the water level sensor changes over time.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems, the washing machine of the present invention includes: water supply means to the washing tub; water level detection means for detecting a constant water level;
A stirring means for blending the laundry and water, an ultrasonic transmitter installed above the washing tub, and an ultrasonic wave emitted by the ultrasonic transmitter that hits the water surface or the laundry and receives reflected ultrasonic waves. an ultrasonic receiver for operating the water supply means, the stirring means, and the ultrasonic transmitter; and a control means for operating the ultrasonic transmitter and the ultrasonic receiver; A counting means for counting time, a storage means for storing the output of the counting means, a calculation means for calculating the output of the counting means, a comparison means for comparing the output of the calculation means with the storage means, and a comparison means for comparing the output of the calculation means with the storage means. It is comprised of optimum water level determining means for determining the optimum water level based on the output of the means.

Function: With the above-described configuration, the present invention measures the distance to the top surface of the laundry using ultrasonic waves at a plurality of locations, calculates the virtual water level by processing the data, and calculates the virtual water level. Since the amount of laundry is determined by comparing the water level and the distance to the laundry, the optimal water level can be set with high accuracy.

Embodiment FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a washing machine of the present invention.

In the figure, 1 is an ultrasonic transmitter, which transmits ultrasonic waves toward the cloth surface or water surface. Reference numeral 2 denotes an ultrasonic receiver, which receives ultrasonic waves transmitted from the ultrasonic transmitter 1 and reflected by the cloth or water surface. The ultrasonic transmitter 1 and the ultrasonic receiver 2 are attached at a position above the washing tub 3 and slightly outside the center.

4 is a stirring means which drives the stirring blades 14 to blend the laundry and water. 11 is a water level detection means for detecting a predetermined water level. A water supply means 12 supplies water to the washing tub 3 at the start of washing or during detection. 13 is a microcomputer, control means 6 counting means 6. Arithmetic means 7. Storage means8. Comparison means 9 and optimum water level determination means 1
It has o. Control 6 The page control means 6 operates the water supply means 12 at the start of washing, and stops the operation of the water supply means 12 when the water level detection means 11 detects a predetermined water level. Further, the stirring means 4 is operated for a predetermined period of time to blend the water and the laundry. Further, the control means 6 operates the stirring means 4 for a short time and then operates the ultrasonic transmitter 1 in order to scan the laundry. The counting means 6 counts the time from when the control means 5 operates the ultrasonic transmitter 1 until the ultrasonic receiver 2 receives the ultrasonic waves reflected by the laundry or the water surface. The calculating means 7 averages the output of the counting means 6 at a plurality of locations (scanning) and calculates a virtual water level. The storage means 8 stores the outputs of the counting means 6 at a plurality of locations. The comparison means 9 compares the output of the calculation means 7 with the respective count values stored in the storage means 8. The optimal water level determining means 1o determines the optimal water level based on the output of the comparing means 9.

Next, the operation of the washing machine configured as described above will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of operation of the embodiment of the present invention. This washing machine lowers the water level (241)□
4 levels: low (s2/) + medium (366) - still (406),
This can be set to . At the start of washing, the laundry is put into the washing tub 3, and the water supply means 1 is controlled by the control means 5.
2 to supply water.

Water supply continues until the water level detection means 11 detects a low water level. Since the lowest water level of this washing machine is a small water level, the detection water level is set as the optimum water level (FIG. 2 F-1).

Next, the control means 5 operates the stirring means 4 and the stirring blades to stir the laundry to the right for 3 seconds, pause for 3 seconds, and then to the left for 3 seconds. At this time, the laundry has sunk sufficiently, is absorbed by the water, and the air contained inside has escaped (second stage).
Figure F-2).

Next, the control means 6 operates the stirring means 4 and the stirring blades 14 for a short time, and then operates the ultrasonic transmitter 1 to emit ultrasonic waves. At the same time, the counting means 6 is operated to start counting. The counting ends when the ultrasonic receiver 2 receives the reflected wave that hits the laundry or the water surface and returns, and outputs it to the calculation means 7 and the storage means 8. This count value corresponds to the distance to the laundry or the water surface. Repeat these actions 10 times. The stirring means 4 and the stirring blades 14 are operated 10 times so that the laundry goes around once. (FIG. 2 Fs to F-6) Next, the calculation means 7 takes the average value of the count values at 10 locations. This is the virtual water level (Figure 2 F-6).

The comparison means 9 calculates the difference between the count values at 10 locations stored in the storage means 8 and the virtual water level, and accumulates these differences (FIG. 2 F-1). The optimum water level determination means compares this cumulative value with a predetermined value, and if it is less than the predetermined value, it is determined that this water level is not suitable for the amount of laundry, and water is supplied again (next water level, if the current water level is low). (If it is, set it to low. If it is medium, supply water at high and move on to the next washing process.) Repeat the process of measuring and calculating the distance to the laundry using ultrasonic waves until the optimal water level is reached. . If this accumulated value is less than a predetermined value, it is determined that this water level is suitable for the amount of laundry, the detection ends at this point, and the next washing process is started (Fig. 2 F-8 to F-13).
). In other words, if there is a large amount of laundry (relative to the detected water level), there is a portion where the laundry is considerably protruding from the water surface (when viewed from the top of the washing tub, the laundry is uneven). 10 stored in storage means 8)
The counted values at these locations are not constant, and the cumulative deviation from the virtual water level increases. In addition, when the water level is optimal for the amount of laundry, the count values at the 10 locations stored in the storage means 8 are almost constant values, and (equal to the distance to the water surface) ) The cumulative deviation from the virtual water level also becomes smaller.

In this embodiment, the water level is determined in four stages: low, low, medium, and high, but it goes without saying that if the number of stages is increased, the optimum water level for the laundry will be determined more accurately.

Effects of the Invention As is clear from the description of the embodiments above, according to the present invention, the distance to the laundry measured by ultrasonic waves is not compared with the distance to the detected water level stored in advance, but rather Since it is determined whether the water level is optimal or not, based on the cumulative value of the deviation between the average value of distance data (virtual water level) at a point and each data, even if the accuracy of the water level detection means is poor, Even if the set water level varies due to aging, it is possible to accurately determine the water level according to the amount of laundry.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of operation of the embodiment of the present invention. 1... Ultrasonic transmitter, 2... Ultrasonic receiver, 3... Washing tub, 4 Stirring means, 6...
... Control means, 6... Counting means, 7...
...Arithmetic means, 8...Storage means, 9...
...Comparison means, 10...Optimum water level determination means, 1
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...Water level detection means, 12...Water supply means, 13...Microcomputer, 14...
... Stirring wings. Name of agent: Patent attorney Toshio Nakao, 1 person, 4-
J ri 1 to night 3 mushrooms 7 i words 41 mi 2-, no 6 i 1; ; ji 1;・ 8. On the other hand, filial duty ・ Fig. 1 9 complete set #-da fO- one-time water communication emblem 9 ft-11 end point 1 piece 12- lead powder↑kon f3--Mall70]>e 'I-Itater 14-Kaku I Hayashi Ken S'-1\1/-~ ,-1 □Zumi\-ノ'- Figure 2□

Claims (1)

[Claims] A means for supplying water to the washing tub, a water level detection means for detecting a constant water level, a stirring means for mixing the laundry with water, an ultrasonic transmitter provided above the washing tub, and the ultrasonic transmitter. an ultrasonic receiver that receives emitted ultrasonic waves that are reflected by hitting the water surface or laundry; a control means that operates the water supply means, the stirring means, and the ultrasonic transmitter; and the ultrasonic transmitter. a counting means for counting the time from when the ultrasonic receiver is activated until the ultrasonic receiver outputs a signal; a storage means for storing the output of the counting means; and an arithmetic means for calculating the output of the counting means. , a comparison means for comparing the output of the calculation means with the storage means, and an optimum water level determining means for determining the optimum water level based on the output of the comparison means.