JPS6268493A - 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 Industrial Application The present invention relates to a washing machine cloth amount detection device that uses ultrasonic waves to detect the amount of cloth in a washing machine.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there have been known washing machines that use ultrasonic waves to detect the amount of clothes and automatically set the water level of the washing machine.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, with this conventional device, if the ultrasonic element is damaged, it is naturally impossible to accurately detect the amount of cloth and it is not possible to set an appropriate water level. In other words, there are situations in which only a small amount of water is required even though there is a large amount of cloth, and there are situations in which a large amount of water is required even though there is a small amount of cloth. However, from the point of view of washing in a washing machine, if there is little water, the fabric will become damaged, which is a problem, but if there is a lot of water, there will be no problem in terms of washing, except that it will not save water.

In view of this point, the present invention is designed to ensure that even if the ultrasonic element is saved, there will be no problem in using the washing machine.

Means to Solve All Problems In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides an ultrasonic element installed above the washing tub to detect the entire amount of cloth, a water level sensor to detect the entire water level of the washing tub, A water supply valve that supplies water to the washing tub, and the ultrasonic element.

Equipped with a water level sensor and a control device that controls the water supply valve,
The control device has an ultrasonic element abnormality detection means for detecting that the ultrasonic element has become abnormal, and a high water level setting means for setting the water level to the highest water level when the abnormality is detected.

Operation With the above configuration, if the ultrasonic element becomes abnormal, the water level is automatically set to the highest water level, and washing can be carried out without damaging the clothes, regardless of whether the amount of clothes is large or small.

Example Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to all the drawings.

In FIG. 1, 1 is an ultrasonic element that detects the amount of cloth, and 2?
i Water supply valve that supplies water to the washing tub 6, 3? 'i This is a water level sensor that detects the water level of the washing tub 6. The ultrasonic element 1, water supply valve 2, and water level sensor 3 are connected to and controlled by a control device 4. The ultrasonic element 1 is installed above the washing tub 6. In FIG. 1, one ultrasonic element 1 is used, and this element is used for both transmission and reception. Control device 4 when outputting
It is oscillated by an ultrasonic excavation drive circuit 6 inside the device, and its input is amplified by an amplifier 7. The amplifier 7 is connected to a comparator 8, an ultrasonic element abnormality detection means 9, and a high water level setting means 10 for controlling the water supply valve 2.

The operation of the cloth amount detection device configured as described above will be explained below. FIG. 2 shows a timing diagram during oscillation and reception after the output of the amplifier 7 when the ultrasonic element 1 is normal. As can be seen from this figure, T1 is the oscillation time, and T
2 indicates the reverberation time during which oscillation continues due to the mechanical structure of the ultrasonic element 1 even after the oscillation signal of the ultrasonic excavation drive circuit is stopped, and the oscillation time T1 and reverberation time T2 are the oscillation signal A.
It becomes 1. Pl indicates a received signal. Now, if the comparison voltage of the comparator 8 is Vyaf in FIG. 2, then as shown in FIG.
It crosses Vref at a time of . The transmitted signal A1 is normal and n always crosses at the same time t1.

The received signal P1 changes depending on the condition of the cloth surface and the water surface, and tl moves.

However, FIG. 3 shows an example where the ultrasonic element 1 is abnormal, such as when water droplets are attached to the element or a wire is broken. As can be seen from this figure, when there is an abnormality, the reverberation time T5 determined by the ultrasonic element 1 becomes shorter (this is because, for example, water droplets attach to the ultrasonic element and the damping effect of the ultrasonic element increases). Therefore, the cross point t3 of Vref is also tl at normal time.
The received signal P2 is also shorter (t5 tl).
It is possible to detect an abnormality in the ultrasonic element by looking at the change in the reverberation time, which does not cross vref because the sensitivity of the element becomes dull. Once an abnormality is detected by the detection means 9, the output is inputted to the high water level setting means 1o, and the high water level setting means 10 opens the water supply valve 2 and sets the washing machine. Supply water up to the highest water level. When the water level reaches the highest level, the water level sensor 3 detects the water level, sends a signal to the control device 4, and the control device 4 stops the water supply valve 2. Therefore, washing can be done at the highest water level without causing any pain.

According to the present invention as in Akane's embodiment, even if the ultrasonic element malfunctions and the amount of cloth cannot be detected and the water level is not automatically determined, the water level is automatically set to the highest level. Therefore, there is no problem in practical use of the washing machine. In this way, the water level is automatically determined during normal times, and reaches the highest water level during abnormal times, making it possible to wash clothes without damaging them. Furthermore, if the ultrasonic anti-element element is configured to notify the abnormal state by sound or light when it is abnormal, it is possible to use the washing machine more easily.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing one embodiment of the device of the present invention, and FIG.
The figure is a timing diagram when the ultrasonic transmission and reception signals of the same device are normal, and FIG. 3 is a timing diagram when the same is abnormal. 1... Ultrasonic element, 2... Water supply valve, 3
...Group/Water level sensor, 4...Control device, 6...
. . . Washing tub, 9 . . . Ultrasonic element abnormality detection means, 1o . . . High water level setting means. Name of agent: Patent attorney Toshio Nakao and 1 other person No. 1
Figure 4 Control device Figure 2 Figure 3

Claims (1)

[Claims] An ultrasonic element installed above the washing tub to detect the amount of cloth; a water level sensor that detects the water level in the washing tub; a water supply valve that supplies water to the washing tub; the ultrasonic element, the water level sensor, and the water supply. a control device that controls the valve; the control device includes an ultrasonic element abnormality detection means that detects when the ultrasonic element is in an abnormal state; and a height controller that sets the water level to the highest water level when the abnormality is detected. A washing machine cloth amount detection device having a water level setting means.