TWI437147B - Washing machine (2) - Google Patents

Description

Washing machine (2) Field of invention

The present invention relates to a washing machine capable of performing washing operation control in response to the degree of soiling of the washing liquid.

Background of the invention

The conventional washing machine is provided with a dirt sensor capable of detecting the state of the washing liquid, such as a conductivity sensor, in the water tank, and the washing stroke control is performed by detecting the state of the laundry water, etc., as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-187183 Bulletin (Patent Document 1).

Fig. 6 is a view for explaining the relationship between the degree of soiling in the washing process of the conventional washing machine described in Patent Document 1 and the control of the washing process with respect to the degree of soiling.

In Fig. 6, V _1f is the electrical conductivity V _{1 at the} initial stage of the washing and agitating detected by the conductivity sensor provided in the lower portion of the tank including the washing and dewatering tank, minus the end of the washing and stirring. The value of the electrical conductivity V _f (V ₁ - V _f = V _1f ). Further, the degree of contamination is determined by the value of V _1f of each water level, and the washing process is controlled by changing the degree of soiling, changing the washing time, or increasing the water flow.

A conventionally constructed washing machine can measure the conductivity of the washing liquid by a conductivity sensor to detect the degree of soiling of the washing liquid. However, the electrical conductivity changes greatly depending on the type of contamination. If only the degree of contamination is detected by electrical conductivity, the following problems will occur.

That is, when the conductivity sensor measures water containing salt, the electrical conductivity becomes large. Therefore, in the laundry mainly composed of sweat stain or the like, it is determined that the degree of soiling is large and the washing is sufficiently performed. On the other hand, in the case of a laundry mainly composed of mud or the like, the conductivity sensor detects a small electrical conductivity even if the degree of actual contamination is serious. As a result, there is a problem that the laundry such as mud or the like is judged to be less dirty and cannot be sufficiently washed.

Invention

The washing machine of the present invention has: an outer groove suspended and supported in the casing; an inner groove supported in the outer groove; a pulsator disposed at a bottom portion of the inner groove; and the inner groove or the pulsator a water supply valve provided on an upper portion of the casing; a drain pipe connected to the bottom of the outer tank; a drain valve draining from the outer tank through the drain pipe; and a turbidity provided in the drain pipe to detect turbidity of the washing water a degree detecting portion; a conductivity detecting portion provided near the bottom of the outer groove and having a pair of electrodes; and a control portion for controlling a washing stroke, a rinsing stroke, and a dehydrating stroke, wherein the control portion is in the washing stroke The turbidity detecting unit detects the turbidity of the washing water, and detects the electrical conductivity of the washing water by the conductivity detecting unit, and controls the respective strokes based on the determination results of the turbidity detecting unit and the conductivity detecting unit.

Thereby, since it is possible to accurately determine the degree of soiling of the clothes and set the appropriate time of the washing course or the rinsing stroke, it is possible to maintain high-quality washing performance.

Simple illustration

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a washing machine of an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a block diagram of the same washing machine.

Fig. 3 is a view showing a procedure from the washing course to the dehydrating stroke of the washing machine of the embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a flow chart showing the control of the washing machine from the washing stroke to the dewatering stroke.

Fig. 5 is a matrix diagram showing the correlation between the degree of soiling of the turbidity of the washing machine of the present embodiment and the degree of soiling of the electrical conductivity (electrical conductivity).

Fig. 6 is a view for explaining the relationship between the degree of soiling in the washing process of the conventional washing machine and the control of the washing process with respect to the degree of soiling.

The best form for implementing the invention

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Further, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment.

(implementation type)

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a washing machine of an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a block diagram of the same washing machine.

In the first drawing, the casing 41 has an outer groove 43 which is elastically suspended by the plurality of suspension systems 42 and absorbs vibration during dehydration by the suspension system 42. Inside the outer tank 43, an inner tank 44 that can accommodate clothes and objects to be dried is rotatably disposed around the washing and dewatering shaft 45 which is hollow and has a double structure. A pulsator 46 that can stir the clothes or the object to be dried is rotatably disposed at the inner bottom of the inner tank 44.

Further, a plurality of dewatering holes for dehydrating also serving as the vent holes 44a are provided in the inner peripheral wall of the inner tank 44, and a fluid balancer 47 is provided above. The motor (drive unit) 48 attached to the outer bottom portion of the outer tank 43 is configured to switch the transmission of the rotational force to the clutch 49 of the washing and dewatering shaft 45, the washing and dewatering shaft 45, and to the inner tank 44 during washing or dehydration. Or pulsator 46. The pulsator 46 has a shape of a slightly pot type (including a pan type) having an inclined surface 50 on the outer peripheral portion, and a stirring protrusion portion 51 is further formed, whereby the clothes are stirred at the washing stroke. In the drying stroke, the object to be dried is easily floated upward along the inclined surface 50 by the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the pulsator 46. Thereby, by the rotation of the pulsator 46, the clothing can exchange the left and right (rotational direction) positions, and the stirring operation of the upper and lower positions can be interchanged.

The heat exchange tube 52 having a drying function is connected to the drain passage port 54 provided in the lower portion of the outer tub 43 through the joint pipe 53, and the other end is connected to the inlet side of the warm air blower portion 61 constituting the warm air circulation passage 57. The heat exchange tube 52 dehumidifies the circulating humid warm air (circulating wind).

Further, a first temperature measuring unit 62 that can detect the temperature of the circulating air entering the warm air blowing unit 61 is provided on the inlet side of the warm air circulation path 57. On the outlet side of the warm air circulation passage 57, a second temperature detecting portion 63 that can detect the circulating air temperature heated by the heater is provided. Further, each of the temperature detecting units 62 and 63 can detect the circulating air temperature at the time of the drying stroke.

The outer tank 43 is provided with an outer tank cover 65 which can cover the upper surface of the outer tank 43 in an airtight manner, and the warm air discharge hole 60 which can discharge the circulating air from the upper bellows tube 58 can be opened to the outer tank cover. 65. Further, in the outer tank cover 65, a middle cover 66 for inserting and unloading clothes can be provided to be opened and closed.

In the upper portion of the casing 41, an upper casing 68 having a garment input port 67 is attached to a substantially central portion (including a central portion), and an outer cover 69 that can cover the garment-loading port 67 is provided to be opened and closed.

Further, a support member 71 to which the dry warm air blowing portion 61, the water supply valve 70, and the like are attached is provided inside the rear portion of the upper casing 68.

The water supply valve 70 is composed of a plurality of valves that can be opened and closed by two or more water passages, and is supplied by a tap water or a bath water suction mechanism (not shown). At this time, the water passage on one side is configured to reduce the opening area of the valve or the discharge port area on the side of the cleaning pipe 72 to flow a small flow of water. The water passage on one side is connected to the washing hose 77 formed by the bottom drain pipe 75 outside the water tank 43 through the washing pipe 72. On the other hand, the water passage is configured to increase the opening area of the valve or the discharge area of the water supply pipe 73 side to flow a large amount of water. The water channel on the other side is connected to the inner tank 44 through a water supply member (not shown) or the like provided in the support member 71 by the water supply pipe 73, and the washing water can be supplied.

Further, the support member 71 in the upper casing 68 is provided with a liquid detergent automatic input device 64 which can accommodate a liquid detergent which can use a plurality of laundry amounts and can automatically introduce the liquid detergent into the outer tank 43. Further, the liquid lotion automatic input device 64 and the outer tank cover 65 are connected by a flexible lotion water injection pipe 59. The liquid detergent pumped by the liquid detergent automatic introducing device 64 is dropped between the outer tank 43 and the inner tank 44 through the lotion water injection pipe 59 by an air pump or the like (not shown). Further, by the flexibility of the lotion injection pipe 59, even if the entire groove 43 is vibrated and rotated as a vibration system during dehydration, the influence on the vibration system or the lotion pipe 59 can be reduced.

At the bottom of the outer tank 43, a drain valve 74 is provided which can discharge water in the outer tank 43. The drain valve 74 is connected to the heat exchange tube 52 and the splice tube 53 through the drain pipe 75. The drain from the connecting pipe 53 and the heat exchange pipe 52 is guided by the drain pipe 75 and the drain valve 74, and is discharged from the drain pipe 76 to the outside of the washing machine. Further, as described above, one end of the cleaning pipe 77 of the water supply valve 70 is connected to the washing hose 77 of the drain pipe 75.

Further, upstream of the drain valve 74 of the drain pipe 75, a turbidity detecting unit 92 is attached, for example, a light-emitting element such as an LED or a laser that emits light such as visible light or infrared rays, and a photodiode or a photoelectric crystal. The light receiving element is opposite to the set. The turbidity detecting unit 92 detects the degree of soiling of the clothes by detecting the turbidity of the water and the washing water by the light transmittance or the rate of change of the water or the washing water existing between the light-emitting elements and the light-receiving elements.

Further, on the outer surface of the drain pipe 75, a third temperature detecting portion 97 is provided to detect the water temperature in the drain pipe 75, that is, the water temperature of the washing water that communicates with the water supplied from the water supply valve 70 in the outer tank 43.

A conductivity detecting portion 78 having a pair of electrodes 94 is provided in the vicinity of the bottom of the outer tank 43. Further, the conductivity detecting unit 78 can detect the conductivity of the washing water, detect the degree of washing of the dirt by the side ions dissolved in the water, and the like, and detect the presence or absence of water by the change in the group resistance. At this time, since the conductivity detecting portion 78 is provided at the lower portion of the outer groove 43 and below the outer peripheral portion of the outer peripheral portion of the pulsator 46, the conductivity of the washing water can be stably detected without being affected by the flow of water rotated by the pulsator 46.

Further, a gas trap 95 is provided on the outer peripheral wall of the outer tank 43, and the gas trap 95 is connected to the water level detecting portion 90 constituted by a pressure sensor or the like through the air tube 96. The water level detecting unit 90 can detect the water level in several stages (for example, 1 to 9 stages) by the water pressure of the washing water supplied to the inside of the outer tank 43.

Further, the control device 80 controls the respective devices, and is integrally formed by the load driving unit 86 and the control unit 87, which are described later, and is disposed vertically (including lead) along the back surface portion (the inner cover) 81 of the casing 41. It is provided on the upper side of the cooling blower 79. And the control device 80 is protected by the cover 82.

An operation display unit 85 including an input setting unit 83 and a display unit 84 (described later in FIG. 2) is provided at a front portion of the upper housing 68.

Hereinafter, the operation and function of the control device of the washing machine of the present embodiment will be described using FIG.

In Fig. 2, the control device 80 includes a load drive unit 86 and a control unit 87. The load driving unit 86 can control the motor (drive unit) 48, the clutch 49, the drying fan 55 and the heater 56 constituting the warm air blowing unit 61, the drain valve 74, the cooling blower (cooling unit) 79, the water supply valve 70, and the suction valve 86. The operation of the water pump 91, the air pump 40, and the like. The control unit 87 can control the respective strokes of the washing stroke, the rinsing stroke, the dehydration stroke, and the drying stroke, and the sterilization and deodorization strokes through the load driving unit 86.

The control unit 87 is constituted by, for example, a microcomputer. When the power switch 89 is turned on, power is supplied from the commercial power source 88 to start the operation. Thereby, the output data of the input setting unit 83, the cloth amount detecting unit 93, the water level detecting unit 90, the first temperature detecting unit 62, the second temperature detecting unit 63, and the third temperature detecting unit 97 are input to the control unit 87. At this time, the display unit 84 of the operation display unit 85 composed of the input setting unit 83 and the display unit 84 displays the setting content input by the user through the input setting unit 83. Further, the control unit 87 controls the motor 48, the clutch 49, the drying fan 55, the heater 56, the drain valve 74, the cooling blower 79, the water supply valve 70, and the load driving unit 86 including a bidirectional thyristor or a relay. The operation of the water suction pump 91, the air pump 40, and the like controls the strokes of washing, rinsing, dehydrating, and drying.

Moreover, the control unit 87 can detect the presence or absence of the washing water, the type of the lotion, or the type of the washing agent based on the conductivity of the washing water obtained by the conductivity detecting unit 78 or the light transmittance or the rate of change obtained by the turbidity detecting unit 92. The degree of soiling of clothing, etc., and control of each trip.

Here, the conductivity detecting unit 78 is composed of a pair of electrodes 94, a water detecting circuit 98, a dirt detecting circuit 99, and a relay 100 that switches the two detecting circuits 98 and 99. Further, when the relay 100 is connected to the electrode 94 by the relay 100, the water detecting circuit 98 can function as a water level sensor that detects the presence or absence of the washing water from the electrical conductivity (conductivity) detected by the electrode 94. On the other hand, if the dirt detecting circuit 99 is connected to the electrode 94 by the relay 100, it can function as a dirt sensor that detects the degree of dirt.

Further, the control unit 87 turns off the heater 56 when the temperature detected by the second temperature detecting unit 63 reaches the first predetermined temperature (for example, 110 ° C) during the drying process. Then, when the control unit 87 drops from the first predetermined temperature to the second predetermined temperature (for example, a temperature lower by 2 ° C), the control unit 87 controls the heater 56 to adjust the temperature of the circulating air.

As described above, each stroke of the washing machine of the present embodiment is controlled and washed.

Hereinafter, the basic operations of the washing stroke, the rinsing stroke, and the dehydration stroke controlled by the degree of soiling of the washing water in the present embodiment will be described using Figs. 3 and 4.

Fig. 3 is a view showing the procedure of the washing machine of the embodiment of the present invention from the washing course to the dehydrating stroke. Further, Fig. 4 is a flow chart showing the control of the same washing machine from the washing course to the dehydrating step. In the following description, a case where the amount of cloth is large and the water level is set to a high water level (ninth stage) will be described as an example. Here, the water level is set to be sequentially increased from the first stage to the ninth stage, and is lower than the low water level on the outer peripheral portion of the pulsator 46 until the third stage. Further, in the fourth to ninth stages, the water level of the washing wheel agitating b to be described later can be performed in accordance with the amount of the cloth, and the ninth stage is the highest water level.

As shown in Fig. 3, the basic stroke of the washing operation (washing stroke) is composed of a washing stroke, a rinsing (1) stroke, a rinsing (2) stroke, and a dehydration stroke.

As shown in Fig. 4, first, the stroke starts to operate (S101), and the amount of cloth to be fed is detected by the cloth amount detecting unit 93 (S102). At this time, the control unit 87 temporarily determines the water level and the amount of the washing amount in accordance with the amount of the cloth, and displays the water level and the washing amount on the display unit 84 (S103). Further, when the operation is started, the outer cover 69 is fixed by a capping device (not shown), and if the temporary stop button (not shown) of the input setting portion 83 is not pressed, the outer cover 69 cannot be opened or closed.

At the same time, the small-flow water supply valve 70 is actuated to start supplying water to the side of the cleaning pipe 72 (feed water b). Thereby, the amount of water that can fill the drain pipe 75 is supplied to the washing hose 77 to the drain pipe 75 within a predetermined time (S104). Then, the turbidity detecting unit 92 detects the supplied tap water turbidity D0, acquires the detected turbidity D0 data (S105), and inputs the above-described data to the control unit 87.

In addition, the reason why the water supply valve 70 of the small flow rate is operated and the water is supplied is that when the water supply valve 70 having a large flow rate is operated (water supply a) and the tap water is supplied to the inner tank 44 through the water supply pipe 73, the tap water passes through the dirty water. Since the clothes are accumulated in the drain pipe 75, the correct tap water turbidity D0 cannot be detected. However, in the present embodiment, as described above, the water supply valve 70 having a small flow rate is operated, and a small amount of tap water is supplied from the side of the cleaning hose 77. Therefore, the tap water turbidity D0 can be accurately detected without mixing the dirt such as clothes.

Next, the lotion is supplied in response to the amount of washing displayed on the display unit 84 (S106). Further, there may be two cases in which the lotion is introduced: the user inputs the powder lotion or the liquid lotion in response to the washing amount displayed on the display portion 84, and automatically introduces the liquid lotion by the liquid lotion automatic input device 64. In the present embodiment, the user inputs a powder lotion or a liquid lotion as an example.

Then, when the lotion is introduced, in the water supply b program, the small-flow water supply valve 70 is operated, the cleaning pipe 72 is passed through, the cleaning hose 77 is passed, the drain pipe 75 and the connecting pipe 53 are passed, and the water is supplied from the lower side to the tank. Until the first water level (S107). Further, the first stage water level means a small capacity water level which is slightly lower than the upper surface of the outer peripheral portion of the pulsator 46 by 100 mm and which the conductivity detecting unit 78 can be immersed in water.

Next, the water level detecting circuit 98 of the conductivity detecting unit 78 detects the water level (S108), and when the first stage water level is detected, the water supply is stopped (S109). Further, in general, when the water level is detected, the washing machine uses a relatively inexpensive method, and uses the water level detecting unit 90 that detects the water pressure applied to the air trap 95 provided in the outer tank 43. However, it is difficult to accurately detect the lowest water level which is slightly lower than the outer circumference of the pulsator 46 by 100 mm and the water pressure is very small. Therefore, when the water level is detected by the water detecting circuit 98 of the conductivity detecting unit 78, since the water level can be detected when the pair of electrodes 94 of the conductivity detecting unit 78 are in contact with water, the water level in the lowest stage can be correctly detected. .

Then, a groove rotation operation for dissolving the lotion is performed (S110). In the state in which the drain valve 74 is closed, the clutch 49 of the transmission mechanism portion is switched to the dehydration side, and the power of the motor 48 is transmitted through the cleaning and dehydration shaft 45 to the inner tub 44 to be rotated. Specifically, the inner tank 44 and the pulsator 46 are simultaneously rotated at a low speed of 50 to 120 rpm. Thereby, the washing water in the tank can be slowly rotated between the inner tank 44 and the outer tank 43 by centrifugal force, so that the washing water does not adhere to the clothes, and the lotion can be sufficiently dissolved and foamed.

Then, the groove rotation is stopped, and the turbidity D1 detected by the turbidity detecting unit 92 is obtained (S111). At this time, first, the turbidity detecting unit 92 detects the initial value of the turbidity D1 after the washing water is added to the lotion. At the same time, the switching relay 100 is connected to the dirt detecting unit 99 of the conductivity detecting unit 78 to obtain the conductivity (electrical conductivity) E1 (S112). Further, the initial value of the turbidity D1 means the turbidity of the washing water from the state in which the dirt of the clothes has not been extracted. Then, the initial value data of the laundry water turbidity D1 is input to the control unit 87, and the control unit 87 calculates the S0 determination (S0=D1-D0), and excludes the tap water turbidity D0 obtained when D0 is obtained in step S105. And calculate the turbidity value. Thereby, for example, the lotion to be determined by the turbidity determination is a lotion type such as a powder lotion or a liquid lotion. Then, the control unit 87 determines and controls the subsequent washing course and/or the rinsing stroke time in accordance with the determined type of the lotion (S113).

Then, the water is supplied to the second stage water level, and the clutch 49 of the transmission mechanism unit is switched to the dehydration side while the drain valve 74 is closed, and the power of the motor 48 is transmitted to the inner tank 44 through the washing and dewatering shaft 45. Rotation. The inner tank 44 is rotated together with the pulsator 46 at a lower speed (about 35 rpm) than the step S110 (water supply, groove rotation) (S114). Then, after the rotation of the tank is stopped, the water is supplied to the third water level (feed water a) (S115).

Then, the power of the motor 48 is transmitted to the pulsator 46 by the clutch 49 of the transmission mechanism, and the pulsator 46 is rotated by the pulsator 46 (S116). Then, the water is further supplied to the water level (feed water a) of the fourth to fifth stages (S117), and the pulsator stirring a (S118) is performed. At this time, the plurality of water level detections of the second stage water level or higher at the time of water supply are performed by the pressure type water level detecting unit 90.

By the above operation, the water level lower than the standard water level (in the present embodiment, the water level of the ninth stage set by the cloth amount detection) is lower than the water level of the fourth stage of the high water level in the present embodiment. The so-called lotion is stirred at a high concentration. Thereby, the lotion can be sufficiently dissolved in advance, and can also be sufficiently foamed, and the dirt of the clothes can be effectively dissolved in the washing water.

Then, the pulsator a is stopped, and the turbidity D2 detected by the turbidity detecting unit 92 is obtained (S119). At the same time, the conductivity (electrical conductivity) E2 of the washing water is obtained by the dirt detecting circuit 99 of the conductivity detecting unit 78, and the dirt detection (turbidity of the washing water) is performed (S120). Then, the laundry water turbidity D2 data lower than the lower water level of the high water level is input to the control unit 87, and the stirring time is calculated (S121).

Next, the large-flow water supply valve 70 is operated to pass the water supply pipe 73, and the inner tank 44 is supplied with water to a standard water level (for example, in the case of Figs. 3 and 4, the feed water to the high water level (ninth stage)) (feed water a) (S122) ).

Then, when the water supply is completed, the washing wheel agitation b (S123) in which the time determined by the control unit 87 (S121) is determined (for example, the powder lotion is 8 minutes and the liquid lotion is 10 minutes) is started (S123).

Then, when the washing pulsator ab starts, the clothes are caught by the stirring projections 51 of the pulsator 46 and pulled toward the center portion because of the rotation of the pulsator 46. At this time, the clothing of the lower portion of the center of the inner groove 44 is pushed up to the upper portion of the inner groove 44 by the clothes to be pulled. In this way, the clothes in the inner tank 44 can be stirred, and the mechanical force and water flow force acting between the clothes or the inner tank 44 or the pulsator 46 can cause the dirt contained in the clothes to dissolve in the washing water. As a result, the turbidity of the washing water changes sequentially.

Then, after the washing pulsator stirring b in the washing course is started at a predetermined standard water level (stages 6 to 9), the turbidity detecting unit 92 performs the turbidity D3 detection of the washing water and the acquisition of the data (S124). At the same time, the dirt detection circuit 99 of the conductivity detecting unit 78 performs the dirt detection and the data acquisition of the conductivity (electrical conductivity) E3 of the washing water (S125).

Then, the control unit 87 performs the S2 determination of the data detected by the acquired turbidity D1 (S111) and the acquired turbidity D2 (S119) and the data detected by the acquired turbidity D3 (S124) (S2=D3-D2). Or D3-D1) and calculation (S126). Similarly, the control unit 87 performs acquisition of the conductivity (electrical conductivity) E1 (S112) and the obtained conductivity (electrical conductivity) E2 (S120), and the obtained conductivity (conductivity) E3 (S125). The T2 decision (T2 = E3-E2 or E3-E1) and the calculation (S126) of the detected data.

Further, the control unit 87 performs calculation based on the determinations of S2 and T2, and determines the degree of soil removal of the laundry from the degree of contamination of the washing water (S126). Further, with reference to Fig. 5, it is explained how to determine the degree of soiling of the washing water to be described later, that is, the degree of removal of dirt from the clothes.

As a result, the pulsator agitation b is performed based on the determination result of the degree of soil removal by the laundry, and the washing time after the correction is performed (S127). Further, according to the determination result of the degree of soil removal by the laundry, the rinsing in the next stroke (1) rinsing in the stroke (1) stirring c is performed.

Hereinafter, the rinsing (1) stroke will be described in detail using FIGS. 3 and 4.

First, as shown in Fig. 3, the drain valve 74 is opened, and the water in the inner tank 44 is discharged by the drain pipe 76. Then, the clutch 49 of the transmission mechanism unit is switched to the dehydration side, and the power of the motor 48 is transmitted through the cleaning and dehydration shaft 45 to the inner tub 44 to be rotated. Thereby, the centrifugal force of the clothes is given, and the dehydration step of detaching moisture from the clothes is performed. Then, in the feed water a, the large-flow water supply valve 70 is operated to supply water to a high water level (paragraph 9). After that, the motor 48 is driven again, and in order to wash the lotion liquid from the clothes, the result of the determination of the degree of soil removal by the laundry determined in step S126 is as shown in Fig. 4, and the washing is started (1) stirring c (S128) ).

By the above, the rinsing (1) stroke is ended.

Next, a rinsing (2) stroke of the final rinsing stroke shown below is performed.

First, as shown in Fig. 3, drainage, dehydration, and water supply a are performed in the same manner as the rinsing (1) stroke. Then, based on the determination result of the degree of soil removal by the laundry determined in step S126, as shown in Fig. 4, rinsing (2) stirring c (S129) is performed, thereby ending the rinsing (2) stroke.

Next, after the dehydration stroke and the rinsing (2) stroke are completed, the drain valve 74 is opened, and the water of the inner tank 44 is discharged by the drain pipe 76. Then, the clutch 49 of the transmission mechanism unit is switched to the dehydration side, and the power of the motor 48 is transmitted through the cleaning and dehydration shaft 45 to the inner tub 44 to be rotated. Thereby, the clothes are separated and dehydrated by centrifugal force (S130).

Hereinafter, how to determine the degree of soiling of the washing water, that is, the degree of removing dirt from the clothes, will be described using FIG.

In general, the dirt of clothing has various dirt such as sweat or mud. Further, when the turbidity detecting unit 92 that detects the degree of light transmission is detected, for example, sweat, even if there is a lot of sweat, the turbidity of the washing water is small, so that it is difficult to make an appropriate determination. On the other hand, when the conductivity detecting unit 78 that detects the conductivity (electrical conductivity) of the washing water detects, for example, water containing salt in which sweat is eluted, the change in electrical conductivity (electrical conductivity) becomes large. Therefore, the result is the same as the actual degree of contamination and the degree of contamination is serious. Therefore, it can be judged that the dirt is sufficiently removed from the clothes.

However, in the case of mud, the washing water is turbid, but the change in electrical conductivity (conductivity) is small. Therefore, the turbidity detecting unit 92 can accurately determine that the dirt has been washed out, but it is difficult to appropriately determine the conductivity detecting unit 78.

Therefore, when the data obtained by the two dirt detecting units of the turbidity detecting unit and the conductivity detecting unit are comprehensively determined, it is possible to determine the degree of soiling of the washing water, that is, the degree of removing the dirt from the clothes.

Fig. 5 is a matrix diagram showing the correlation between the degree of soiling of the turbidity of the washing machine of the present embodiment and the degree of soiling of the electrical conductivity (electrical conductivity).

In addition, the vertical axis of Fig. 5 indicates the result of determination of the degree of soiling S2 by the turbidity detecting unit 92, and the degree of contamination of the washing water is increased from D-L1 to D-L4. In addition, the horizontal axis of Fig. 5 indicates the result of determination of the degree of contamination T2 obtained by the conductivity (electrical conductivity) obtained by the fouling detecting circuit of the conductivity detecting unit, and the washing water is represented by E-L1 to E-L4. The degree of contamination increases.

Further, as shown in Fig. 5, the degree of contamination obtained by the two dirt detecting portions is comprehensively determined from T-L1 to T-L4.

Specifically, for example, when the degree of turbidity contamination is determined to be a slight fouling of D-L1, and the degree of fouling of the electrical conductivity is judged to be severe fouling of E-L4, it is determined that the comprehensive degree of soiling is severe fouling of T-L4. At this time, it was judged that the sweat stain had been detached from the clothing having a severe sweat.

In addition, when it is judged that the degree of turbidity and contamination is D-L3, and the degree of contamination of the electrical conductivity is also determined as E-L3 moderate dirt, it is determined that the overall degree of soiling is T-L3 moderate dirt. At this time, it is judged that moderate sweat or mud is detached from the clothes.

That is, based on the comprehensive determination result of the S2 determination result and the T2 determination result, it is judged whether or not the dirt has sufficiently detached from the clothing.

And, the time of controlling the washing process, extending or shortening the washing wheel pulsation b (S127), or extending or shortening the rinsing (1) stroke stirring c (S128) and rinsing (2) stroke rinsing (2) stirring The time of c (S129). Specifically, for example, in the order of T-L1, T-L2, T-L3, and T-L4, the washing time is increased. Alternatively, the rinsing time is set to be longer or the like in the order of T-L1, T-L2, T-L3, and T-L4.

As described above, first, in the washing course, the turbidity detecting unit detects the turbidity of the washing water to determine the degree of soiling. At the same time, the conductivity detecting unit detects the electrical conductivity of the washing water to determine the degree of contamination. Next, based on the two kinds of determination results of turbidity and electrical conductivity, it is finally determined whether the degree of soiling, that is, whether the dirt has sufficiently detached from the clothes. Further, based on the result of the final determination, the control unit controls, for example, the washing stroke, the rinsing stroke, and the dehydrating stroke. At this time, the conductivity detecting unit can detect an extremely low water level that is difficult to detect by the pressure type water level detecting unit that is normally pressurized by the air trap. Further, by adding only a relay and a part of the dirt detecting circuit, the electrode of the water level detecting and the dirt detecting can be shared to form a conductivity detecting portion. As a result, a conductivity detecting portion which is low in cost and simple in construction can be realized.

According to the present embodiment, it is possible to achieve a washing machine having excellent washing performance by setting the washing stroke or the rinsing stroke at an appropriate time by determining the degree of soiling with high reliability and high precision.

1. . . Washing tank

2. . . Outer tube

3. . . Transmittance detection unit

3A. . . First control unit

4. . . Conductivity detection unit

4A. . . Second control unit

5. . . Motor drive

6. . . motor

7. . . Stirring wing

8. . . Drainage port

40. . . Air pump

41. . . Casing

42. . . Suspension system

43. . . Outer slot

44. . . Inner slot

44a. . . Vent

45. . . Washing and dewatering shaft

46. . . Wave wheel

47. . . Fluid balancer

48. . . Motor (driver)

49. . . clutch

50. . . Inclined surface

51. . . Stirring protrusion

52. . . Heat exchange tube

53. . . Connection tube

54. . . Drainage port

55. . . Drying fan

56. . . Heater

57. . . Warm air circulation passage

58. . . Upper snake tube

59. . . Lotion water injection pipe

60. . . Warm air vent

61. . . Warm air supply

62. . . First temperature detecting unit

63. . . Second temperature detecting unit

64. . . Liquid lotion automatic input device

65. . . Outer groove cover

66. . . Middle cover

67. . . Clothing input

68. . . Upper frame

69. . . s

70. . . Water supply valve

71. . . Support component

72. . . Washing tube

73. . . Water pipe

74. . . Drain valve

75. . . Drain pipe

76. . . Drain pipe

77. . . Washing hose

78. . . Conductivity detection unit

79. . . Cooling blower

80. . . Control device

81. . . Back of the case (inner cover)

82. . . cover

83. . . Input setting section

84. . . Display department

85. . . Operation display unit

86. . . Load drive unit

87. . . Control department

88. . . Commercial power supply

89. . . switch

90. . . Water level detection department

91. . . Suction pump

92. . . Turbidity detection department

94. . . electrode

95. . . Gas trap

96. . . oxygen tube

97. . . Third temperature detecting unit

98. . . Water detection circuit

99. . . Dirt detection circuit

100. . . Relay

S1~S130. . . step

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a washing machine of an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a block diagram of the same washing machine.

Fig. 3 is a view showing a procedure from the washing course to the dehydrating stroke of the washing machine of the embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a flow chart showing the control of the washing machine from the washing stroke to the dewatering stroke.

Fig. 5 is a matrix diagram showing the correlation between the degree of soiling of the turbidity of the washing machine of the present embodiment and the degree of soiling of the electrical conductivity (electrical conductivity).

Fig. 6 is a view for explaining the relationship between the degree of soiling in the washing process of the conventional washing machine and the control of the washing process with respect to the degree of soiling.

S1~S130. . . step

Claims (1)

A washing machine having: an outer groove elastically suspended and supported in a casing; an inner groove rotatably supported in the outer groove; a pulsator disposed at a bottom portion of the inner groove; driving the inner groove or a driving mechanism for rotating the pulsator; a water supply valve provided at an upper portion of the casing; a drain pipe connected to a bottom portion of the outer tank; a drain valve draining from the outer tank through the drain pipe; and a light pipe provided in the drain pipe a turbidity detecting means for detecting the turbidity of the washing water; a conductivity detecting means provided in the vicinity of the bottom of the outer groove and having a pair of electrodes; and the conductivity detecting means is disposed at the bottom of the inner groove Further above, above the pulsator, and the conductivity detecting mechanism has a water detecting circuit and a dirt detecting circuit, wherein the water detecting circuit and the dirt detecting circuit can switch signals from the electrodes; and control the foregoing a driving mechanism, a water supply valve, and the like, and sequentially control a washing, rinsing, and dehydrating control mechanism of the serial range, and the foregoing control In the cleaning process, the turbidity detecting mechanism detects the turbidity of the washing water, and the conductivity detecting mechanism detects the electrical conductivity of the washing water, and detects according to the turbidity detecting mechanism and the conductivity detecting mechanism. As a result, the degree of dirt of the laundry is determined to perform the stroke after the control.