JPS63192497A - Detergent supply apparatus 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 [Purpose of the Invention (Industrial Field of Application) The present invention relates to a detergent supply system for a washing machine, etc., which is configured to supply detergent to a washing section such as a washing tub of a washing machine together with water supply thereto. Regarding equipment.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, as shown in Japanese Patent Publication No. 54-43827, detergent supply devices for washing machines and the like have been used, for example, as shown in Japanese Patent Publication No. 54-43827. There are some products that are supplied to the washing section. However, this method has a problem in that since the detergent is directly supplied to the washing section, it is likely to adhere directly to the laundry and cause yellowing or damage to the laundry.

On the other hand, for example, as shown in Japanese Patent Publication No. 42-18769, detergent stored in a hopper is dropped into a water supply channel facing the washing section at the beginning of washing, and the water flowing through the water supply channel There are some that are designed to be supplied to the washing section. According to this, the detergent is supplied to the washing section together with water, so that it does not directly adhere to the laundry, etc., and it is possible to prevent the laundry, etc. from yellowing or becoming damaged.

However, in this case, water generally flows through the water supply channel from a water supply valve, and the opening and closing of the water supply valve is controlled according to the state of a water level switch that responds to the water level stored in the washing section. ing.

Therefore, if the washing section is in the normal unstored state at the time when the detergent is supplied, the water level switch is inactive and the water supply valve is opened, so that the detergent can be supplied as described above. If the washing unit is filled with water, for example due to the user manually supplying leftover hot water from a bath, the water level switch is already activated and the water supply valve is closed, causing water to flow into the water supply channel. The problem was that the detergent was not flushed, and therefore the detergent could not be supplied automatically, and the detergent had to be supplied manually.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) As mentioned above, with conventional systems that supply detergent using water flowing through a water supply channel, although it is possible to prevent yellowing and damage of laundry etc. due to detergent, detergent is not supplied. What was done to solve the problem that if water is already stored in the washing section at the time of cleaning, detergent cannot be automatically supplied without water flowing into the water supply channel, forcing detergent to be supplied manually? It is.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is not only to prevent yellowing and staining of laundry etc. caused by detergent, but also to prevent the washing section from being filled with water when detergent is supplied. To provide an excellent detergent supply device for a washing machine, etc., which can reliably automatically supply detergent even if the detergent is supplied automatically.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) The detergent supply device for a washing machine, etc. of the present invention opens and closes detergent depending on the state of a water level switch that responds to the water level in the washing section of the washing machine, etc. Water from a water supply valve that is controlled is dropped into a water supply channel, and the water is supplied to the washing section, and when the detergent is supplied, the water level switch is activated based on the water already stored in the washing section. The present invention is characterized in that the supply of the detergent is forcibly executed when the detergent is in such a state.

(Function) According to the above means, detergent can be supplied to the washing section together with water, and furthermore, the supply can be automatically and reliably executed regardless of whether water is not stored in the washing section or water is already stored in the washing section.

(Example) An example in which the invention is applied to a detergent supply device for a washing machine will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, a washing machine main body 1, the entire structure of which is shown in FIG. The upper cover 3 is provided with an operation panel 5 located at the front edge of the lid 4 in front of the lid 4, which is pivoted to allow the lid 4 to be opened and closed. A platform 6 is provided at the rear edge. The platform part 6 is provided with an operation knob 7 for setting the water level at the right end in the figure, an operation knob 8 for setting the detergent 2 on the left side, and further from the left side to the left end. A hopper set port 9 is formed, and a hopper receiving portion 10 is formed below the hopper set port 9 as shown in FIG. The hopper 11 is accommodated in the hopper receiving part 10 through the hopper set opening 9, and at the same time, the hopper 11 has an elastic claw part 14 having a claw part 12 formed on the left side and an operating protrusion 13 formed on the right side. It is engaged with the hopper set opening 9 and fixed on the platform part 6. On the other hand, the upper opening of the hopper 11 is pivotally mounted with an M2S so that it can be opened and closed, and the inside of the hopper 11 has one (1) protrusion 16 that protrudes in the front-rear direction and a protrusion that protrudes outward from the periphery. Stirring part 19 having a large number of parts 17 and also having a plurality of holes 18
120 is rotatably supported across the front and back of the hopper 11, and furthermore, a detergent delivery part 21 is installed at the lower end of the hopper 11 through a cylindrical part that protrudes from inside the hopper 11 exclusively to the right side. The outlet 22 at the tip faces two sides of a receiving plate 23 disposed inside the platform 6.

Here, the receiving plate 23 constitutes a water supply device 24, and its upper surface is a water supply channel 25, and as shown in FIG. The inside of the washing tub (not shown), which is a section, is provided so as to be inclined gradually downward, and a supply port 2 is provided at the front end, which is the lowest part.
6, and a water supply valve 27 is disposed on the uppermost rear end portion.

As shown in FIG. 2, the water supply valve 27 is located below the operation knob 7 for setting the water level (inside the platform part 6), and is connected to the water level of the washing tub through an air trap, an air tube, etc. (not shown). Opening/closing is controlled according to the state of a water level switch 28 provided to respond. Specifically, when the water level of the washing tub is below a set value, the water/level switch 28 is in an inactive state. When the water level in the washing tub reaches the set value, the water level switch 28 is activated and the water supply valve 27 is de-energized, so that the water supply valve 27 is opened. The water supply valve 27 is configured to be closed.

As shown in FIG. 3, a coil 29 serving as a detergent dispensing member is rotatably housed in the detergent dispensing portion 21 over its entire length, and the agitating member 19 has a protrusion 17 thereof. One of the coils 29 is engaged with the coil 29. On the other hand, a power transmission shaft 30 to which a proximal end of a coil 29 is engaged is inserted into an end of the detergent delivery section 21 opposite to the outlet 22, and an end of the power transmission shaft 30 opposite to the coil 29 is inserted. A connector 31 is attached to the. A motor 32 serving as a drive device is attached to the inner surface of the left side of the platform 6 in correspondence with the connector 31, and a transmission pin 34 is installed at the tip of the rotating shaft 33 in a perpendicularly intersecting manner. The connector 31 is removably engaged with the connector 31.

Furthermore, an operation control device (not shown) using a microcomputer, for example, for controlling the overall operation of the washing machine of this embodiment is disposed in the lower part (inner part) of the operation panel 5. The supply of detergent is also controlled by this, and in particular, when the washing tub is already filled with water and the water level switch 28 is activated based on this, the supply of detergent is controlled. It is forced to be executed as described below.

Now, in the case of the device configured as described above, when using it, first open the lid 15 and pour the detergent, especially the powdered detergent 35 into the hopper 11, then close the lid 15 and pour the powdered detergent 35 into the hopper 11. Leave it in a stored state.

Then, when the necessary switches on the operation panel 5 are operated to perform washing, the operation control device starts operating based on the operation, and as shown in FIG. 1, the water level switch 28 is operated in the first step S1. judge whether or not

At this time, the washing tub is usually in a state where no water is stored, so the water level switch 28 is not operating, and the step moves to s2 according to [NO3 in step s1]. In step S2, the water supply valve 27 is energized and opened to start supplying water to the washing tub. It is washed away as shown in . Then, in step S3, the time elapsed since the start of water supply is checked, and it is determined whether or not it is within a predetermined time. Also here, the current time is within the predetermined time, so according to [YES], the step moves to S4. In this step S4, the motor 32 is energized and started, and its rotational force is applied to the rotating shaft 3.
3 to the transmission shaft 30 via the engagement structure between the transmission pin 34 and the connector 31, and is further transmitted from the transmission shaft 30 to the coil 29, so that the coil 29 is driven to rotate, particularly in the so-called spiral direction. be done. The coil 29 rotated in this manner moves while coming into contact with the powdered detergent 35 in the hopper 11, loosens the powdered detergent 35, and advances inside the detergent delivery section 21 toward the outlet 22, and then from the outlet 22 to the third Take it out as shown by arrow B in the figure and Figure 4. The powdered detergent 35 thus discharged falls onto the water flowing on the water supply channel 25, is washed away by the water, and is supplied together with the water from the supply port 26 into the washing tub (not shown). The detergent is supplied in this way for a set time, and after that, the motor 32 is cut off and stopped, which causes the coil 2
9 also stops. After this, the step shifts to SS, where it is again determined whether the water level switch 28 is operating. At this time, too, the washing tub has not yet reached a sufficient water storage state, and therefore, in accordance with NO3 in step S5, the step returns to the previous step 82, and "water supply" is continued. In the subsequent step S3, since the predetermined time has passed due to the previous supply of the powdered detergent 35, the step moves to Ss according to [NO3 in step S3, where the water level switch 28 is further activated. decide whether or not to do so.

If the washing tub does not yet have sufficient water stored here, the step returns to 82 in accordance with [NO] in step S5, and the "water supply" is continued. In this way, the above-mentioned "water supply" and determination of the state of the water level switch 28 are repeated until the washing tub reaches a sufficient water storage state, and when the washing tub reaches a sufficient water storage state, that is, when the water level switch 28 is activated, step According to [YES] in S5, water supply valve 27
In step S, the water supply valve 27 is closed by cutting off the power supply to the
6, the washing motor (not shown) is energized to start "washing".

On the other hand, when the washing tub is in a state where water is already stored and the water level switch 28 is in an activated state at the time of the above-mentioned step S1, the step shifts to sT according to [YES] in the step S1, Here, the motor 32 is energized,
Therefore, the coil 29 is driven to rotate in the same manner as described above, whereby the powdered detergent 35 in the hopper 11 is dropped into the water supply channel 25 through the detergent delivery section 21. Therefore, the dropped powder detergent 35 accumulates in the water supply channel 25, and a part of it naturally descends through the water supply channel 25 and falls into the washing tub from the supply port 26. Then, in step S8, the water supply valve 27 is
is forcibly energized to open, thereby causing water to flow into the water supply channel 25, and the flowing water causes the powdered detergent 35 accumulated in the water supply channel 25 to flow into the washing tub. Incidentally, the water supply time at this time is only the time necessary to wash away the powdered detergent 35 accumulated in the water supply channel 25, so there is almost no change in the water level in the washing tub. Furthermore, once the forcible supply of the powdered detergent 35 is completed, the step proceeds to S6, and therefore "washing" is started.

According to this embodiment, the powdered detergent 35 discharged from the hopper 11 during washing can be supplied to the washing tub together with the water supplied to the washing tub through the water supply channel 25.
This prevents the laundry from yellowing or becoming damaged.

On the other hand, if the washing tub is already filled with water and the water level switch 28 is activated when the detergent is supplied, normally the water supply valve 27 will not open and water will not be supplied, so the powder detergent 35 will not be supplied. However, in the case of this embodiment, the supply of the powdered detergent 35 is forcibly executed as described above, so that the powdered detergent 35 is reliably supplied automatically. , the user does not have to worry about manual feeding.

Particularly in the case of this embodiment, when the coil 29 is rotationally driven as described above, the stirring member 19, which has one of the protrusions 17 engaged with the coil 29, sequentially moves the protrusion 17 into the coil 2.
9, thereby stirring the powdered detergent 35 in the hopper 11, further loosening it, and smoothly introducing it into the detergent delivery section 21.

However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings, and therefore, the stirring member 19 may also be provided only if it is necessary.
Further, the detergent dispensing member is not limited to the above-mentioned coil 29, but may also be a conventional valve or screw, and furthermore, the detergent dispenser as a whole is not limited to a washing machine, and functions using a detergent such as a dishwasher. It can be applied and implemented similarly to all devices.

The detergent is not limited to the powder detergent 35, but may be a liquid detergent with high viscosity.

In addition, when forcibly supplying detergent, if the detergent is dropped before the water is supplied as described above, some of the detergent will naturally fall down the supply channel and enter the washing area without water, causing the detergent to drop. Before removing the laundry, the washing section performs a washing operation, for example, by operating an appropriate agitator, thereby submerging the laundry in the water and more reliably preventing the powdered detergent 35 from adhering directly to the laundry. can. Of course, in this case, the detergent may be removed after the water supply starts, or at the same time as the water supply starts.

[Effects of the Invention] As is clear from the above description, the detergent supply device for a washing machine, etc. of the present invention has a water level switch that responds to the water level stored in the washing section of the washing machine, and a water level switch that responds to the water level in the washing section of the washing machine. A water supply valve whose opening/closing is controlled and a water supply channel through which water discharged from the water supply valve flows toward the washing section, and at the beginning of washing, detergent is dropped into the water supply channel and is caused to flow through the water supply channel from the water supply valve. The detergent is supplied to the washing section using water that is supplied to the washing section, and when the water level switch is in an activated state based on the water already stored in the washing section when the detergent is being supplied, the detergent supply is forcibly executed. This feature not only prevents yellowing and staining of laundry due to detergent, but also ensures that detergent is automatically supplied even if water is already stored in the washing section when detergent is supplied. This has the excellent effect of not giving the user the trouble of manually feeding the product.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show one embodiment of the present invention, in which Fig. 1 is a flowchart showing control details regarding the supply of detergent, Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the overall external appearance of the washing machine, and Fig. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional front view of the main parts. 4 are longitudinal sectional side views of the same portion. In the figure, 11 is a hopper, 25 is a water supply channel, 27 is a water supply valve, 2
8 is a water level switch, 29 is a coil, 32 is a motor, 35
indicates powder detergent. Applicant Toshiba Corporation Figure 1 Figure 2

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A water level switch that responds to the water level stored in the washing section of a washing machine, a water supply valve whose opening and closing are controlled according to the state of the water level switch, and a water supply channel through which water discharged from the water supply valve flows toward the washing section. At the beginning of washing, detergent is dropped into the water supply channel and is supplied to the washing section by water flowing through the water supply channel from the water supply valve,
A detergent supply device for a washing machine or the like, characterized in that the detergent supply is forcibly executed when the water level switch is activated based on the water already stored in the washing section when the detergent is supplied.