TWI641739B - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a washing machine capable of automatically supplying appropriate amounts of lotion and softener to be supplied to each tub according to the amount of laundry.

The device includes a frame body, a water tank provided inside the frame body, and a washing treatment liquid supply means for supplying a washing treatment liquid into the water tank. The washing treatment liquid supply means includes a tank for holding the washing treatment liquid inside. The bucket and the transfer pump that transports the washing treatment liquid from the inside of the tank to the outside of the bucket, further including: a remaining amount of the washing treatment liquid that detects the remaining amount of the washing treatment liquid in the bucket. The detection means and the detection means for detecting the presence or absence of the washing treatment liquid in the water tank, the determination result of the residual amount detection means is determined to be yes, and when the determination result of the detection means is determined to be none, Discriminated as abnormal.

Description

washing machine

The present invention is a washing machine for washing clothes.

For example, a drum-type washing machine is carried out until a drum is rotatably arranged in a water tank which is horizontally or substantially horizontally inclined, and the drum is rotated and driven around the rotation axis to wash, wash, and dehydrate the laundry. There are also drum-type washing machines until the laundry is dried.

As for the washing machine of Patent Document 1, "the water tank cover 9 covers the upper side of the water tank 3 rotatably provided with the washing and dewatering tank 1 and covers the upper part of the outer periphery 6 of the water tank 3 with vibration isolation support A peripheral cover 15 is provided so as to cover the water receiving tank 3. The outer frame cover 15 is provided with a lotion tank barrel 17 that can hold a liquid lotion 16 that can be used for at least two washes. The structure in which the liquid detergent 16 is put into the washing and dewatering tank 1 (a solution to the abstract).

[Learning Technical Literature] [Patent Literature]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-300891

The structure of Patent Document 1 discloses a structure in which liquid lotion is supplied using a pump device that directly draws liquid lotion from a lotion tank. When the pump device fails and has a problem, the user cannot detect the lotion The problem is that it cannot be supplied from the lotion tank and is not washed properly.

An object of the present invention is to provide a highly reliable washing machine.

In order to achieve the object of the present invention, an example of the present invention is a washing machine including a housing, a water tank provided inside the housing, and a washing treatment liquid supply means for supplying a washing treatment liquid into the water tank. The supply means includes a tank that holds the washing treatment liquid inside, and a transfer pump that transports the washing treatment liquid from the inside of the tank to the outside of the tank, and further includes: The remaining amount detection means of the washing treatment liquid and the detection means for detecting the presence or absence of the washing treatment liquid in the water tank, the determination result of the remaining amount detection means is determined to be, and When the determination result of the aforementioned detection means is determined to be none, it is determined to be abnormal.

According to the present invention, a highly reliable washing machine can be provided.

1‧‧‧ base

2‧‧‧ frame (frame)

3‧‧‧ cover

4‧‧‧washing machine body

5‧‧‧Support

6‧‧‧ operation panel

7‧‧‧ water supply faucet

8‧‧‧ drum motor

9‧‧‧ the first water supply pipe

10‧‧‧ Drain valve

11‧‧‧ Drain pipe

12‧‧‧Water supply solenoid valve

13‧‧‧ Dry wind road

14‧‧‧The first lotion supply tube

15‧‧‧Second lotion supply tube

16‧‧‧ check valve

17‧‧‧Sink

18‧‧‧ front cover

19‧‧‧back cover

20‧‧‧Rotating roller

21‧‧‧Laundry

22‧‧‧ fluid balancer

25‧‧‧ lotion inlet

25a‧‧‧ Powder lotion input department

25b‧‧‧Liquid lotion input department

25c‧‧‧Softener input department

29‧‧‧ Driving force connection means

30‧‧‧Automatic input means for washing treatment liquid

31‧‧‧Tank lid body

32‧‧‧ lotion tank (first tank)

33‧‧‧ Softener tank (second tank)

34‧‧‧ Tank Storage Container

35‧‧‧ the first next door

36‧‧‧ Next door

37‧‧‧Lotion tank storage area

38‧‧‧ Softener tank storage area

39‧‧‧ Input fields

40‧‧‧Second water supply pipe

41‧‧‧Second lotion supply tube

42‧‧‧ support shaft hole

42a‧‧‧ Fulcrum

43‧‧‧ cover support

44‧‧‧ Tank cover

44a‧‧‧Slot bucket handle

45‧‧‧Tank barrel body

46‧‧‧ bottom surface of tank

47‧‧‧Pump means

48‧‧‧ Suction port

49‧‧‧pump housing

50‧‧‧ Suction tube

51‧‧‧Gear Pump

51a‧‧‧Drive gear

51b‧‧‧ driven gear

52‧‧‧Gear engaging part

53‧‧‧Pump cover

54‧‧‧Supply tube

55‧‧‧ gear pump wall

56‧‧‧ Spit Out

57‧‧‧Water supply spouting unit

58‧‧‧Filter

59‧‧‧Slit

60‧‧‧pump drive shaft

61‧‧‧ coupler

62‧‧‧Driving means

63‧‧‧ coupling protrusion

64‧‧‧Couple receiving department

65‧‧‧ supply motor

66‧‧‧ Slowdown

67‧‧‧ Worm

68‧‧‧ cylindrical recess

69‧‧‧ meshing protrusion

70‧‧‧worm gear

71‧‧‧first reduction gear

72‧‧‧Swing groove

73‧‧‧Swing gear

74a‧‧‧first mesh

74b‧‧‧Second mesh

74c‧‧‧Third mesh

75d‧‧‧ fourth mesh

75‧‧‧first pump drive gear

76‧‧‧Second pump drive gear

77‧‧‧rotation center axis

78‧‧‧ Third reduction gear

79‧‧‧ residual detection methods

79a‧‧‧ lotion residue detection method

79b‧‧‧Softener Residue Detection Method

80‧‧‧Light-emitting element

81‧‧‧ light receiving element

82‧‧‧ Screw Pump

83‧‧‧Male Gear

84‧‧‧Mother Gear

85‧‧‧shell

86‧‧‧Handling space

87‧‧‧Wiring

88‧‧‧ supplementary mouth

89‧‧‧Siphon

90‧‧‧ Fulcrum

91‧‧‧pump driven shaft

92‧‧‧sealing member

93‧‧‧electrode sensor

114‧‧‧ Display

134‧‧‧water level sensor

138‧‧‧control device

139‧‧‧Power switch

150‧‧‧microcomputer

151‧‧‧Operation button input circuit

154‧‧‧Drive circuit

157‧‧‧Buzzer

[FIG. 1] A perspective view of a washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[FIG. 2] A front view of a washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a plan view of a washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 4] A-A sectional view of Fig. 3 of the washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[FIG. 5] A perspective view showing a configuration of a washing treatment liquid automatic feeding means according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a washing treatment liquid tank barrel according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[FIG. 7] A B-B cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a washing treatment liquid automatic feeding means according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a pump unit of the automatic washing treatment liquid charging means according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 9] Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along line C-C of Fig. 8 showing the configuration of the pump unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 10] A sectional view taken along the line D-D of Fig. 8 showing the automatic washing treatment liquid feeding means according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 11] A plan view showing a method for automatically supplying a washing treatment liquid according to a first embodiment of the present invention, the status.

[Fig. 12] A plan view showing a washing treatment liquid automatic feeding means according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which the motor is supplied from a softener tank and the softener is reversed.

[Fig. 13] A schematic diagram showing an example of a remaining amount detecting means of the washing treatment liquid according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 14] A side view showing an example of a remaining amount detecting means of the washing treatment liquid according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

15 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control circuit of a washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

16 is a control flowchart showing the operation of the washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Example 1]

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a front view showing a part of the internal structure with the front cover 18 virtually removed. FIG. 3 is a plan view, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 3. For the sake of explanation, the water tank, that is, the cylindrical water tank 17 and a part of the rotary drum 20 are virtually broken.

And in the following description, the directions of up, down, left, right, forward and backward are shown in Figure 1. The directions shown in the up, down, left, right, forward and backward directions are used as a reference.

An outer frame 2 composed of a steel plate and a resin molded product in an upper portion of the base 1 is placed and becomes a washing machine body 4. On the front surface of the outer frame 2, there are provided a door 3 for accessing the laundry 21, that is, the cover body 3 and the front cover 18, and a rear surface cover 19 is provided on the rear surface.

An operation panel 6 is provided on a part of the upper side of the upper surface of the outer frame 2. The operation panel 6 can be selected, for example, to turn on and off the power, and to turn on and off the washing treatment liquid automatic input means 30. The other part of the switches and displays of operation programs such as drying is a lotion inlet 25 which can be opened and closed.

The water supply faucet 7 is provided on the upper surface near the back surface of the washing machine body 4, and a water pipe is connected to supply water to the washing machine body 4.

Since the configuration is the same as that of a conventional washing machine or washer-dryer, detailed description is omitted.

<Lotion input port>

The lotion inlet 25 is provided with, for example, a powder lotion input portion 25a, a liquid lotion input portion 25b, and a softener input portion 25c. The powder lotion, the softener, or the liquid lotion can be charged once. Agent. The powdered lotion, softener, or liquid lotion that is put into the lotion inlet 25 is fed through the first water supply pipe 9 at a predetermined point in the washing process, and is fed together with water through the first lotion supply pipe 14. Inside the sink 17.

<Structure of the main body>

In the base 1, the water tank 17 is elastically supported by a supporting means 5 including a spring and an attenuator.

A cylindrical rotating rotary drum 20 for washing and dewatering is provided in the inside of the water tank 17 for washing and dehydration. The front end of the rotary drum 20 is provided with a plurality of layers concentrically provided inside to shut off the fluid. The fluid balancer 22 reduces the vibration of the rotating drum 20 caused by the imbalance of the laundry 21 by rotating integrally with the rotating drum 20. The rotary drum 20 has a plurality of small holes (not shown) for centrifugal dehydration on the side wall, and is rotated by the drum motor 8.

<Drain valve>

The drain pipe 11 is connected to the bottom surface of the water tank 17 through the drain valve 10 and can drain the wash water in the water tank 17. Furthermore, in the case of a washer-dryer having a drying function, the drying air path 13 is connected to the water tank 17 to exhaust the humid air in the water tank 17, and is provided by a drying means (for example, a heater and a ventilation means) (not shown). Let dry.

<Water supply solenoid valve>

When the powdered lotion, softener, or liquid lotion supplied to the lotion inlet 25 is supplied into the water tank 17, the water supply solenoid valve 12 is opened, and the water supply tap 7 is passed through the water supply solenoid valve 12 and the lotion. The first water supply pipe 9 connected to the input port 25 feeds tap water into the lotion input port 25, for example, the liquid lotion input unit 25b feeds water to dissolve the liquid lotion, descends from the lotion input port 25, and passes through the first connection port connected to the water tank 17. A lotion supply pipe 14 is It is supplied to the inside of the water tank 17.

<Presence of presence of washing treatment liquid>

The presence or absence of the washing treatment liquid in this embodiment is detected, and an electrode sensor 93 is provided in the lower part of the water tank 17. The presence or absence of a lotion and a softener is discriminated from the electrical conductivity detected by the electrode sensor 93. For example, you can set a threshold value and use this threshold value to determine the presence or absence of lotion and softener. The present invention is not limited to the detection of electrical conductivity.

<Check valve>

A check valve 16 is provided near the water tank 17 of the first lotion supply pipe 14, and the lotion liquid flowing from the lotion inlet 25 toward the water tank 17 can pass, but can be suppressed to the contrary: when the pressure in the water tank 17 rises, In the case where the water tank 17 faces the lotion inlet 25 or high-humidity air passes in the case of the washer-dryer.

<Automatic feeding means for washing treatment liquid>

The washing machine main body 4 is provided with a washing treatment liquid automatic feeding means 30 described later in detail, and an openable and closable tank lid body 31 is provided on the washing machine main body 4. At least one or more washing treatment tanks are provided in the lower part of the tank lid body 31. One example is to set the washing treatment tanks to two types. On the other hand, the tank has a capacity capable of holding multiple washing cycles. The other lotion tank 32 is a lotion tank 33 having a capacity, such as a softener, which can hold an amount capable of being washed several times.

In the state where the tank lid body 31 is opened, the lotion tank 32 and the softener tank 33 can be pulled upward from the opening where the tank lid body 31 is opened, and can be assembled again.

In the following, when a common configuration of the softener tank 33 and the lotion tank 32 is described, there may be a case where the common configuration is referred to as a "tank tank".

<Upper configuration of automatic washing treatment liquid feeding means>

In this embodiment, since the automatic washing treatment liquid feeding means 30 is provided on the washing machine main body 4, a user who does not need to bend down for loading and unloading of the washing treatment liquid tank can provide a washing machine that is easy to use. In addition, since both the lotion inlet 25 and the automatic washing treatment liquid injection means 30 are disposed on the left side of the upper surface of the washing machine main body 4 in a coherent position, the user's convenience is further improved. In addition, when the automatic washing treatment liquid feeding means 30 is disposed at a lower side than the water tank 17, water may flow backward from the piping which connects the automatic washing treatment liquid feeding means 30 and the water tank 17 toward the automatic treatment liquid feeding means 30, but In this embodiment, since the automatic washing treatment liquid feeding means 30 is disposed on the upper side than the water tank 17, such a backflow is not possible, and a highly reliable washing machine can be provided. Furthermore, since the automatic washing treatment liquid feeding means 30 can be inserted and removed from the upper surface of the washing machine main body 4 in the up-down direction, the usability is improved.

<The lid is opened on the rear side>

In this embodiment, the tank lid body 31 is orbited along the rear side edge. The pivot point is a structure in which the periphery of the lid support point 42a can be pivotably opened and closed, and the front side is lifted and opened toward the rear side. The opening of the tank lid 31 is opened in the front side and the three sides on the left and right sides. When inserting the hands from the opening to remove the tanks 32 and 33 upward, the left and right sides are opened. Since either of the hands does not abut against the opened tank lid body 31, it is easy to insert, and a washing machine that is easy to remove the tanks 32 and 33 and is easy to use can be provided.

When the tank lid 31 is opened, the angle is larger than 90 °, for example, about 100 °, because the center of gravity of the tank lid 31 is moved rearward than the rotation fulcrum, it is stable and optimal in the opened state. .

<Details of Automatic Feeding Method for Washing Treatment Liquid>

Using FIG. 5 to FIG. 12, the automatic washing treatment liquid feeding means 30 of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the structure of the automatic washing treatment liquid injection means 30 in the present embodiment, FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the structure of the washing treatment liquid tank and FIG. 7 is a configuration showing the automatic washing treatment liquid input means 30 Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the structure of a pump unit of the automatic washing treatment liquid feeding means 30. Fig. 9 is a CC sectional view of Fig. 8, Fig. 10 is a DD sectional view, and Fig. 11 is a view showing Top view of automatic washing treatment liquid feeding means, with the motor being turned forward from the lotion tank 32 to supply lotion. Figure 12 is a top view showing automatic washing treatment liquid feeding means, reversing the motor from softener tank and supplied with softener. status.

<Storage container>

The tank storage container 34 has an approximately box shape with its upper surface opened, and is provided in the washing machine body 4 to store the lotion tank 32 and the softener tank 33. The lotion tank 32 and the softener tank 33 are each provided with a lotion tank storage area 37 and a softener tank storage area 38 divided by the first partition wall 35 in the front-rear direction. The left side of the tank storage container 34 is provided with an input area 39 separated from the lotion tank storage area 37 and the softener tank storage area 38 by the second partition wall 36. In the rear side of the input area 39, one end is connected to the other end of the second water supply pipe 40 of the water supply solenoid valve 12, and when the water supply solenoid valve 12 is opened, the water is directed into the input area 39 through the second water supply pipe 40. Was watered.

One end of the second lotion supply pipe 41 is connected to the lower surface of the input area 39, and the other end of the second lotion supply pipe 41 is connected to the first lotion supply pipe 14. In other words, the lotion or softener that is injected into the input field 39 has a configuration in which the water and the water to be fed flow out into the first lotion supply pipe 14 through the second lotion supply pipe 41.

Detergents and softeners are supplied at different time points in the water tanks 17. As described in detail later, the lotion is supplied during the washing process, and the softener is supplied during the final washing process. After the lotion is supplied to the interior of the input area 39, the interior of the input area 39 is cleaned by water supply. Therefore, even if the softener is supplied into the same input area 39, the lotion does not remain and is mixed with the softener. Therefore, only one input area 39 is required, and it is not necessary to separately install a lotion and a softener toward the water supply spout 57 and the second water supply pipe 40 for supplying water to the input basin 39. Use, so the structure can be concise, so the best.

A lid support portion 43 is provided on the upper surface of the rear portion of the tub storage container 34 and has a shaft hole 42 for pivotally supporting a lid which will be described later.

<Tank bucket>

In the tank storage container 34, two washing treatment liquid tanks are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction, a softener tank 33 is provided in the front, and a lotion tank 32 is provided in the rear. The softener tank 33 and the lotion tank 32 are arranged approximately symmetrically back and forth with the first partition wall 35 pinched. One example is that if the size of the lotion tank 32 in the front-back direction is larger than the size of the softener tank 33 in the front-back direction, the capacity of the lotion tank 32 may be larger than that of the softener tank 33.

The lotion tank 32 and the softener tank 33 are approximately front-to-back symmetrical shapes that hold the first partition wall 35, and have the same structure except for the difference in the size in the front-back direction. The structure of the agent tank 32.

In this embodiment, the lotion tank 32 is detachably divided from the upper tank cover portion 44 and the lower tank body 45 in two ways. The tank cover portion 44 is used in the case of replenishing the lotion or washing the lotion. When the inside of the tub 32 is cleaned, it is configured to be removed from the tub main body 45 by releasing a lock means (not shown). The tank lid portion 44 is provided with a tank handle 44 a for holding by hand when the lotion tank 32 is detached.

When a predetermined amount of lotion is replenished into the lotion tank 32, the liquid level of the lotion is at the boundary between the tank body 45 and the tank cover 44. It is preferable that the lower height is configured to have a maximum capacity, because the lotion does not leak out of the junction of the tank body 45 and the tank cover portion 44 toward the outside of the lotion tank 32.

When the tub body 45 is formed of a transparent resin such as acrylic resin or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin, when the lotion tank 32 or the softener tank 33 is removed from the washing machine body 4, The remaining amount of lotion or softener can be visually confirmed, so it is optimal.

The tank bottom surface 46 of the tank body 45 is formed in an approximately V shape, and the suction port 48 of the pump means 47 described later is provided at a lower portion of the bottom surface, because the lotion in the tank can be finally It is inhaled until it is unnecessary, so unnecessary waste of lotion is not generated and is optimal.

<Long slot tank>

The lotion tank 32 and the softener tank 33 are configured to have the smallest depth among the depth in the front-rear direction, the width in the left-right direction, and the height in the up-down direction. With this structure, since the area where the lotion or softener inside the tank contacts the air in the tank can be reduced, the water evaporates from the surface of the lotion or softener, which increases the viscosity of the surface and solidifies. It has the smallest effect that the supply operation by the pump means 47 described later can be performed reliably.

<Front and rear configuration and depth of tank>

The optimal relationship of the arrangement, size, and volume of the lotion tank 32 and the softener tank 33 will be described. It is explained here that the capacity of the lotion tank 32 is It is preferable that the capacity of the softening agent tank 33 is larger. This is, for example, the case size of each commercially-available lotion and softener, and the sales unit sold as a supplement for the case where the lotion is larger than the softener.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the water tank 17 is higher on the cover 3 side in the front, and is arranged obliquely as it lowers toward the rear. In this case, the gap between the upper surface of the water tank 17 and the washing machine body 4 becomes smaller as it goes forward, and becomes larger as it goes backward. Therefore, when the lotion tank 32 and the softener tank 33 are juxtaposed in the front-rear direction, it is best to arrange a tank with a large capacity at the rear because the depth in the vertical direction can be increased. A tank with a small depth and a small capacity is arranged on the front side. In this embodiment, a lotion tank 32 is arranged on the back, and a softener tank 33 is arranged on the front.

Moreover, since the water tank 17 is cylindrical, the gap between the water tank 17 and the upper surface of the washing machine body 4 becomes larger as it approaches the left and right ends, and becomes smaller near the center. Here, when the lotion tank 32 and the softener tank 33 are juxtaposed in the left-right direction, a tank with a small capacity (softener tank 33) is disposed near the center, and the capacity is disposed at the end of the frame. Large tanks (lotion tank 32) are preferred. With this configuration, the height of the tank (lotion tank 32) placed on the end side is higher than that of the tank (softener tank 33) located near the center, because the lotion of the lotion tank 32 The capacity is further expanded so it is optimal.

<Pump>

The tank lid portion 44 is provided with a pump means 47 for sucking the washing treatment liquid from the tank main body 45 into the aforementioned charging area 39. In this embodiment In this example, a configuration of a gear pump using an example of the pumping means 47 is used.

The pump means 47 in this embodiment is provided with a pump casing 49 provided inside the substantially cylindrical lotion tank 32 and extending downward from the tank cover 44; and further downward from the bottom surface of the pump casing 49 Extend the suction pipe 50 with its lower end close to the bottom surface of the tank body 45. The lower end of the suction pipe 50 is a suction port 48 which is opened.

As shown in FIG. 9, at the lower end of the pump casing 49, one is a drive gear 51 a rotatably supported by the pump drive shaft 60 and the other is rotatable around the pump driven shaft 91. The gear pump 51 constituted by a pair of gears of the driven gear 51b freely supported by the shaft can rotate while meshing, and can transport the lotion from one of the gear meshing portions 52 to the other.

The upper end of the suction pipe 50 is connected to one side of the gear meshing portion 52, and the lotion can be sucked through the suction port 48.

A supply pipe 54 is provided on the other side of the gear meshing portion 52 along the pump casing 49. The lower end of the supply pipe 54 is connected to the other side of the gear meshing portion 52, and the lotion sent from the gear pump 51 is provided. Be supplied.

The gear pump 51 rotates in the direction of the arrow to fill the space formed by the gap between the adjacent teeth of the driving gear 51a and the driven gear 51b and the gear pump wall 55 provided near the outer periphery of the gear. The suction port 48 side is moved toward the supply pipe 54 side, and the lotion is supplied. Since the operation of the gear pump 51 is generally known, detailed description is omitted.

The upper end of the pump casing 49 is a pump cover 53 which covers the upper surface of the pump means 47.

The upper end of the supply pipe 54 extends substantially horizontally in the direction of the separation pump cover 53, and the tip end thereof extends downward, and the tip end thereof forms a lotion discharge port 56 which opens downward.

<Spit cleaning>

The second water supply pipe 40 is connected to discharge water from a water supply discharge portion 57 provided on the side of the input area 39 of the tank storage container 34. The water supply discharge portion 57 is disposed near the discharge outlet 56. If the water supplied from the water supply discharge portion 57 flows to the discharge outlet 56, the lotion or softener attached to the discharge outlet 56 does not dry and solidify, so the lotion No clogging with softeners and high reliability.

The optimal position of the water supply discharge part 57 is demonstrated. If the height of the water supply discharge portion 57 is close to the second partition wall 36, the discharged water will pass through the second partition wall 36 and flow into the lotion tank storage area 37 or the softener tank storage area 38. On the other hand, if the height of the water supply spout 57 is too close to the bottom surface, the spouted water will not flow to the spout 56 so that the spout 56 cannot be cleaned, and the lotion and the detergent adhered to the wall surface of the input area 39 cannot be cleaned. Wash with softener. Therefore, it is preferable that the water supply discharge portion 57 is provided near the discharge opening 56 and at a position lower than the second partition wall 36.

Another example of the optimal position of the water supply discharge part 57 is demonstrated. It is preferable that the water supply discharge portion 57 is provided at a position higher than the discharge outlet 56. Thereby, it is possible to surely flow the water discharged from the water supply discharge unit 57 toward the discharge. The mouth 56 suppresses the solidification of the lotion or softener of the discharge port 56 and improves reliability. Moreover, the water discharged from the water supply discharge part 57 may be sprayed. This can suppress the solidification of the lotion or the softener of the discharge port 56 and improve the reliability.

In addition, since the water supply discharge portion 57 is connected to the second water supply pipe 40, water is supplied to the second water supply pipe 40 each time, and the water discharged from the water supply discharge portion 57 is discharged toward the discharge outlet 56. Therefore, the discharge outlet can be more suppressed. 56 lotion or softener curing. In addition, since a dedicated water supply path for cleaning the spout outlet 56 is unnecessary, water saving is improved.

<Gear pump height>

In this embodiment, when the remaining amount of the lotion or softener is small, the lotion or softener is attracted by the negative pressure from the suction port 48 near the bottom surface of each tank 32, 33 to the gear pump 51 . If the suction height is large, it is difficult to attract lotions or softeners. Therefore, the height of the gear pump 51 is preferably close to the bottom surface. On the other hand, in a configuration in which the height of the gear pump 51 is close to the bottom surface, the volume of the lotion or softener sinking into the pump casing 49 becomes large, so the tank capacity of the lotion or softener decreases. Here, the height of the gear pump 51 near the middle of the tank bottom surface 46 and the tank cover portion 44 can reduce the height from the suction port 48 to the gear pump 51 provided near the bottom surface of the pump casing 49. , And because the capacity of the lotion or softener can be ensured, so the best.

Furthermore, the height of the gear pump 51 is disposed on the liquid surface when the lotion or softener is replenished toward the lotion tank 32 or the softener tank 33. When the height is lower, the gear pump 51 is in a state of being dipped in the lotion or softener when the lotion or softener is replenished, that is, a state of "suction". That is, it is not necessary to suck the lotion or softener up to the height of the gear pump 51 due to the negative pressure of the air. Therefore, the lotion or the softener can be supplied reliably and optimally.

When the gear pump 51 is provided close to the bottom surfaces of the tanks 32 and 33, the liquid level of the lotion or softener is always higher than that of the gear pump 51, so it is optimal to supply the lotion or softener reliably.

<Filter structure>

In the present embodiment, a filter 58 is provided which enlarges the lower end of the suction port 48 near the bottom surface of the tanks 32 and 33. The filter 58 has, for example, a circular plate shape, and a plurality of slits 59 having a width of, for example, approximately 0.5 mm are provided on the filter 58. Since the filter 58 is provided close to the tank bottom surface 46 of the tanks 32 and 33, the lotion in the lotion input port 25 passes through the slit and reaches the suction port 48 provided in the substantially central portion of the filter 58. The gear pump 51 is attracted. Because of this structure, when foreign matter is mixed into the lotion or softener, it can be captured by the slit 59 of the filter 58. Therefore, foreign matter does not enter the gear pump 51 from the suction port 48 through the suction pipe 50, so it is possible. It is possible to prevent the foreign matter from being clogged in the gear pump section, and to provide a highly reliable automatic washing treatment liquid injection means 30.

<Pump drive section>

A configuration for driving the driving gear 51a will be described. As in Figure 7 or Figure 8 As shown, the pump driving shaft 60 is rotatably supported by the pump casing 49 and the pump cover 53 rotatably. The driving gear 51a is fixed to the lower end of the pump driving shaft 60. The upper end of the pump driving shaft 60 is smaller than the pump casing 49. The upper part is more prominent, and the coupling 61 is fixed to be rotatable integrally with the pump driving shaft 60. The coupling 61 is configured to transmit a rotational driving force from a driving means 62 provided in a tank lid 31 described later.

That is, when the coupling 61 is rotated by the driving means 62, the gear pump 51 rotates through the pump drive shaft 60, and the lotion in the lotion tank 32 is sucked from the suction port 48 by the action of the gear pump 51. The transmission through the gear pump 51 and the supply pipe 54 from the discharge port 56. The lotion sent out from the discharge port 56 is an input area 39 supplied to the tank storage container 34.

<Connector>

The coupler 61 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and the upper end of the coupler 61 has a tapered shape with a tapered surface at the tip. In the plurality of places on the outer periphery of the coupler 61, in this embodiment, coupler protrusions 63 that are convex toward the outer periphery are provided at three places every 120 °. In the upper portion of the coupler 61, the coupler protrusion 63 also has a thinner apex shape along the conical surface in a conical portion with a thinner apex.

<Cover body, driving means>

The tank cover 31 is pivotally supported around the pivot hole 42 provided in the cover support portion 43 so as to be openable and closable. Inside the tank cover 31, a tank cover 31 is provided. There are a supply motor 65 of the driving means 62, a reduction gear 66 provided with a gear train, and a coupling receiving portion 64 that meshes with the coupling 61 to transmit a driving force to the coupling 61. The driving force generated by the supply motor 65 is decelerated to a suitable rotation speed by a reduction means 66 composed of, for example, a worm 67 and a reduction gear train including a plurality of flat gears, and the coupling receiving portion 64 is rotated. The coupler receiving portion 64 is provided in a 2 type, and when the tank lid 31 is closed, a coupler 61 (a lotion supply coupling) provided in the lotion tank 32 and a softener tank are separately provided. The coupling 61 (coupling agent for softener supply) of 33 is arranged to be fitted and engaged. The coupler 61 and the coupler protrusion 63 are thinner at the tip, which becomes thinner as they move upwards. Therefore, when the tank lid 31 is closed, the coupler receiving portion 64 is fitted to the coupler 61, so that they will not be connected to each other. The contact is stuck and can be fitted smoothly.

<Coupling receiving section>

The inner periphery of the coupling receiving portion 64 is a cylindrical recessed portion 68 having a diameter larger than that of the outer periphery of the coupling protrusion 63 provided on the outer periphery of the coupling 61, and the inner circumferential side of the cylindrical recessed portion 68 is provided to be convex toward the center. Meshing projection 69. In this embodiment, the engaging projections 69 are provided at a total of 6 positions every 60 °, and the inner peripheral diameter of the engaging projections 69 is larger than the diameter of the coupling 61.

That is, the dimensional relationship of the coupler 61 can be fitted into the inside of the coupler receiving portion 64, and the coupler projection 63 is connected by the adjacent protrusions 69 arranged in the coupler receiving portion 64. The device protrusion 63 and the engagement protrusion 69 do not interfere with each other.

<Coupling engagement>

FIG. 10 is a DD cross-sectional view showing a state in which the coupling 61 is fitted inside the coupling receiving portion 64. The coupling receiving portion 64 is rotated counterclockwise as shown in the figure. The engaging projection 69 is connected to the coupling projection 63. The contacting state transmits the driving force from the coupler receiving portion 64 to the coupler 61 while the coupler 61 is rotationally driven.

The coupling 61 and the coupling receiving portion 64 are detachable from each other, and a driving force coupling means 29 capable of transmitting a rotational driving force when fitted to each other.

Coupling protrusions 63 are provided at three positions every 120 ° on the outer periphery of the coupler 61, and engagement protrusions 69 are provided at a total of six positions every 60 ° on the inner periphery of the coupling receiving portion 64. As for the number of coupler protrusions 63 provided on the outer periphery of the coupler 61, twice the number of engagement protrusions 69 are provided on the inner periphery of the coupler receiving portion 64, because the coupler protrusions 63 can be arranged adjacently. Between the engagement projections 69 of the two, the fitting of the coupling 61 and the coupling receiving portion 64 is sure and optimal.

The tank lid 31 is closed, and the coupling 61 and the coupling receiving portion 64 are fitted. After the connector 61 and the coupling receiving portion 64 are fitted with electricity, the coupling receiving portion 64 is rotated, and the engagement protrusion 69 is in contact with the coupling protrusion 63 until as shown in FIG. 10. The connector receiving portion 64 has been idling until the state, and the rear connector 61 is rotated together with the connector receiving portion 64. The maximum value of this idling angle is shown in Figure 10. In this embodiment, only the angle of the circumferential direction thickness of the engaging protrusion 69 and the coupling protrusion 63 is smaller than the angle of the adjacent engaging protrusion 69, that is, 60 degrees. This angle When the tank lid 31 is closed, even if the supply motor 65 is energized, the gear pump 51 is located in a non-rotating angle range, which results in an error in the amount of lotion or softener, but the angle is at most 60 degrees or less. It is small, and the ratio of the error of the supply amount of the lotion or the softener used in one washing process is so small that it is not a problem.

With the above configuration, when the openable and closable tank lid 31 is closed, the supply motor 65 is rotationally driven, and the gear pump 51 is rotationally driven through the coupling receiving portion 64 and the coupling 61, so that the tank can be rotated. The lotion in the tubs 32 and 33 is supplied to the input area 39 provided in the tub storage container 34.

In the present embodiment, the tank lid body 31 having the driving means 62 is rotatably supported around the fulcrum 90 above the lotion tank 32 and the softener tank 33. By rotating the tank cover 31 around the fulcrum, the coupling 61 and the coupling receiving portion 64 are separated, and the upper surfaces of the lotion tank 32 and the softener tank 33 can be opened. Therefore, it is not necessary to move the lotion tank 32 and the softener tank 33 in order to separate the connection of the driving system, because the lotion tank 32 and the softener tank 33 can be turned toward The upper part is pulled out, so it is easy to replenish the lotion and softener and clean the tank.

<Cover hinge wiring>

The tub lid 31 is openable and closable, and is provided with a wiring 87 from a drive circuit 154 provided in the washing machine body 4 to a supply motor 65. Remove wiring 87 from The path through which the washing machine body 4 penetrates to the inside of the tub lid body 31 is preferably to pass the wiring 87 through the opening and closing rotation center of the tub lid body 31, that is, the pivot hole 42. Even if the tub lid body 31 is opened and closed, the wiring 87 can only be twisted in an opening-closing angle range without being stretched. Therefore, the reliability of the wiring 87 is ensured, and a highly reliable washing machine can be provided.

<Cap size and tank loading and unloading>

The size of the opening when the tank lid 31 is opened is larger than that of the lotion tank 32 and the softener tank 33 juxtaposed from the top, that is, the opening can be made from the time when the tank lid 31 is opened. Removal and installation dimensions of the lotion tank 32 and the softener tank 33.

Because of the above structure, when the tank lid body 31 is opened, the driving force connecting means 29, that is, the coupler 61 and the coupling receiving portion 64 are separated from each other. As long as the tank lid body 31 is opened from the opening, the lotion is removed. The tank 32 and the softener tank 33 are pulled upward, and the lotion tank 32 and the softener tank 33 can be easily removed.

On the contrary, the lotion tank 32 and the softener tank 33 can be easily installed from above through the opening when the tank cover 31 is opened.

Thereafter, when the tank lid 31 is closed, the coupling receiving portion 64 and the coupling 61 are fitted, and the driving force from the supply motor 65 can be transmitted to the pump means 47 to drive the gear pump 51, and each of the lotion or the softener can be driven. It is supplied into the water tank 17 from the lotion tank 32 or the softener tank 33 via the first lotion supply pipe 14.

<Quantitative supply>

As is known, the gear pump 51 is a fixed displacement pump, and the amount of fluid supplied is proportional to the number of rotations of the gear. That is, when only a predetermined amount of lotion is supplied, for example, the rotation speed of the supply motor 65 is determined by setting the voltage applied to the supply motor 65 to a constant level, and the gear is adjusted by adjusting the driving time of the supply motor 65 to a predetermined time. When the number of rotations becomes a predetermined value, a desired amount of lotion can be supplied.

One example of the supply motor 65 is a DC motor, and by applying a constant voltage to the supply motor 65, the rotation speed can be set to a predetermined speed and constant. Alternatively, the supply motor 65 may be a stepping motor, and the frequency of the pulses applied to the supply motor 65 may be set to a constant speed so that the rotation speed may be a predetermined speed.

<Switching action>

Next, an example of a configuration in which the supply of the lotion and the supply of the softener is switched will be described using FIGS. 11 and 12. Figures 11 and 12 are plan views showing the automatic washing treatment liquid feeding means 30, showing the perspective from the tank lid 31 to the lotion tank 32 and the softener tank 33, which are provided on the tank lid An example of the structure of the driving means 62 of 31. In this embodiment, since the rotation direction of the supply motor 65 is reversed to the normal rotation and the reverse rotation, the lotion and the softening agent can be selectively supplied separately, so the configuration and operation will be described.

<Lotion supply>

FIG. 11 shows a state where the supply motor 65 is operated in the forward direction to supply the lotion, and FIG. 12 shows a state where the supply motor 65 is operated in the reverse direction to supply the softener.

In FIG. 11, the worm 67 is a rotation shaft provided on the supply motor 65, and the worm wheel 70 rotatably supported by the shaft is meshed with the worm 67 to reduce the rotation of the supply motor 65 to the worm gear 70. In the first reduction gear 71 provided coaxially with the worm gear 70, the second gear which is rotatably rotatable and the rotation central axis 77 is movably supported along the swing groove 72, that is, the swing gear 73 is engaged in the first mesh. 74a. The center of rotation of the swing gear 73 is located at one end of the first pump driving gear 75 near the swing groove 72 and meshes with the first pump driving gear 75. As shown in FIG. 8, the first pump driving gear 75 is configured to rotate integrally with the coupling receiving portion 64. In FIG. 11, the worm gear 70, the swing gear 73, and the first pump driving gear 75 are directed in the direction of the arrow in the figure. The pump means 47 provided in the lotion tank 32 is rotationally driven, and the lotion is supplied to the input area 39.

<Softener supply>

In FIG. 12, the center of rotation of the swing gear 73 is located at the other end of the swing groove 72 and meshes with the third reduction gear 78. The third reduction gear 78 is further meshed with the second pump driving gear 76. The second pump driving gear 76 is configured to rotate integrally with the coupling receiving portion 64 in the same manner as the first pump driving gear 75. In FIG. 12, the worm gear 70, the swing gear 73, the third reduction gear 78, and the second pump driving gear 76 is a pump means 47 provided in the softener tank 33 which is rotated in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure to supply the softener. Give to input area 39.

<Motor forward / reverse switch>

Here, during the forward rotation shown in FIG. 11, the swing gear 73 is driven along the swing groove while receiving and rotating a force in a substantially tangential direction from the first reduction gear 71 in the first meshing 74 a toward the rotational driving direction. 72 moves and meshes with the first pump drive gear 75 by the second meshing 74b to rotate. When the supply motor 65 is reversed from this state, the first reduction gear 71 is also rotated in the reverse direction. Therefore, the swing gear 73 receives a force in a substantially tangential direction in the reverse direction from the first reduction gear 71 and runs along the swing groove at the same time as the reverse. 72 moves from one end to the other end, so that the meshing with the first pump driving gear 75, that is, the second meshing 74b falls off, and on the other hand, the meshing with the third reduction gear 78 is rotated by the fourth meshing 75d. Since the swing gear 73 moves along the swing groove 72, the meshing with the first reduction gear 71 moves toward the third meshing 74c. Immediately after the supply motor 65 is reversed, it moves from the state of FIG. 11 to the state of FIG. 12 and rotates in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure, and the second pump drive gear 76 is rotationally driven to supply the softener from the softener tank 33.

When the supply motor 65 is rotated in the forward direction from the state shown in FIG. 12, the first reduction gear 71 is also rotated in the positive direction. Therefore, the swing gear 73 receives a force from the first reduction gear 71 in a substantially tangential direction in the positive direction. While rotating in the direction of rotation, it moves along the swing groove 72 from the other end to the other end, and the meshing with the third reduction gear 78 is lost, and on the other hand, it meshes with the first pump driving gear 75 and rotates. That is, when the supply motor 65 is rotated forward, it moves from the state of FIG. 12 to FIG. 11 from the lotion tank. 32 Supply lotion.

Here, the distance between one end and the other end of the swing groove 72 is such that when the swing gear 73 and the first pump driving gear 75 are meshed, the swing gear 73 and the third reduction gear 78 are separated and not meshed, and the swing gear 73 and the first When the three reduction gears 78 are meshed, the swing gear 73 and the first pump drive gear 75 may be separated and not meshed. This condition can be obtained by a distance greater than the height of the teeth of the gear.

<Oscillating gear meshing>

Since the swing gear 73 moves toward the other end of the swing groove 72, the meshing position of the swing gear 73 and the first reduction gear 71 moves from the first meshing 74a to the third meshing 74c. Needless to say, because the distance between one end and the other end of the swing groove 72 is small, the distance between the first meshing 74a and the third meshing 74c is small, and the meshing state of the swing gear 73 and the first reduction gear 71 does not deteriorate.

Further, a straight line connecting the midpoints of one end and the other end of the swing groove 72 and the rotation center of the worm wheel 70 is arranged perpendicularly to the straight line connecting the one end and the other end of the swing groove 72 along the swing groove 72. Since the moving direction of the swing gear 73 is a tangential direction in which the swing gear 73 and the worm gear 70 mesh with each other, even if the swing gear 73 moves, the change in the distance between the centers of the swing gear 73 and the first reduction gear 71 is almost non-existent. optimal.

<The pump is rotating in the same direction>

Since the first pump driving gear 75 provided with the coupling 61 rotates in mesh with the swing gear 73 in the forward rotation state in FIG. 11, the pump drive shaft 60 provided in the lotion tank 32 is opposite to the swing gear 73. Direction rotation.

On the other hand, in the reversed state of FIG. 12, the second pump driving gear 76 provided with the coupling 61 rotates from the swing gear 73 through the third reduction gear 78, so the pump driving provided in the softener tank 33 The shaft 60 rotates in the same direction as the swing gear 73. Since the rotation directions of the swing gear in the forward rotation state and the reverse rotation state are opposite to each other, the first pump driving gear 75 and the second pump driving gear 76 rotate in the same direction with each other. That is, the pump means 47 for supplying the lotion and the pump means 47 for supplying the softener may be constituted so as to supply the lotion or the softener when they are rotated in the same direction, and they may be the same constitution because they can be used in common for parts. Can be constructed cheaply.

<Summary of Forward and Reverse Switching Actions>

According to this embodiment, when the supply motor 65 is rotated forward, only the pump means 47 provided in the lotion tank 32 is driven to supply the lotion, and when the supply motor 65 is reversed, only the pump provided in the softener tank 33 can be provided. The means 47 supplies the softener in a driven manner, so that only two types of lotion and softener can be supplied by the sole supply motor 65, and a simple structure and low-cost automatic washing treatment liquid feeding means 30 can be realized.

In addition, the forward rotation and the reverse rotation are for the convenience of describing the user of this embodiment, and are not limited to such expressions.

<Residual amount detection>

13 and 14 are schematic diagrams showing an example of the configuration of the remaining amount detecting means 79 of the washing treatment liquid in the present embodiment.

A light-emitting element 80 such as an LED is provided on the side facing the lotion tank 32, and a light-receiving element 81 is provided coaxially with the light-emitting element 80 on the side facing the light-emitting element 80 of the lotion tank 32. The light receiving element 81 is, for example, an element that converts the intensity of light into an electrical signal, such as a phototube or a photodiode.

Since the tanks 32 and 33 are formed of transparent resin, when the washing treatment liquid does not enter, the light from the light emitting element 80 passes through the tanks 32 and 33 to reach the light receiving element 81, so that an electrical signal is generated in the light receiving element 81. On the other hand, when the washing treatment liquid is put into the tubs 32 and 33, it is shielded from light, so that no electric signal is generated in the light receiving element 81. Here, by arranging the pair of the light-emitting element 80 and the light-receiving element 81 at a predetermined height from the bottom surfaces of the tanks 32 and 33, the liquid level of the washing treatment liquid in the tanks 32 and 33 can be checked. Out.

As shown in FIG. 14, the pair of the light-emitting element 80 and the light-receiving element 81 are provided at two heights h1 near the bottom surface 46 from the bottom surfaces 46 of the tanks 32 and 33, and two heights h2 above h1. .

In the case where the washing treatment liquid is sufficient in the tank, and the liquid level is higher than the position H2, since the first light receiving element 81 and the second light receiving element 81 are blocked, it can be seen that the liquid level is higher than h2. high.

When the liquid level of the washing treatment liquid is H1 between h1 and h2, it occurs because the first light receiving element 81 provided at the height h1 is shielded, and the second light receiving element 81 provided at the height h2 occurs due to light reception. The electrical signal, so we know that the liquid level H1 is between h1 and h2.

When the liquid level of the washing treatment liquid is lower than the height h1, since the first light receiving element 81 and the second light receiving element 81 both receive light from the light emitting element 80 and generate electrical signals, it can be seen that the liquid level is Near the bottom surface, that is, the residual amount of the washing treatment liquid was almost absent.

When the liquid level of the washing treatment liquid is H1, the first light receiving element 81 is shielded from light, and the second light receiving element 81 receives light to generate an electrical signal. In this case, the washing treatment liquid is translucent. Although the first light receiving element 81 is not completely shielded from light, the amount of light generated is reduced, so that the electrical signal generated is reduced. Here, if the difference between the electrical signal generated by the second light-receiving element 81 is measured, it can be determined more reliably than by measuring only the increase or decrease of the signal of a single light-receiving element: the liquid surface is located at the first light-receiving element 81 and the second light-receiving element. Element 81.

Here, when the liquid level of the washing treatment liquid becomes H1, the remaining amount of the washing treatment liquid is set to the heights of h1 and h2, for example, for 2-3 times of washing, and the remaining amount of the washing treatment liquid at this time is set. If the amount is a small notification method, the user can know when the washing treatment liquid is replenished, so the user will not run out of the lotion without realizing it, and can automatically put in a highly reliable washing treatment liquid. Means washing machine.

<Tank Removability>

According to the present embodiment, the tanks 32 and 33 are not provided with wiring connection portions for attaching and detaching, for example, wiring for driving the supply motor 65 to the main body.

That is, the driving force for driving the gear pump 51 from the supply motor 65 is to drive the pump means 47 from the driving means 62 provided on the washing machine body side through the driving force attaching and detaching means, that is, the coupling 61. Furthermore, the detection means for detecting the remaining amount of the washing treatment liquid in the tubs 32 and 33, that is, the light emitting element 80 and the light receiving element 81 are provided on the washing machine body 4 side. Therefore, when the user removes the tanks 32 and 33 in order to supply the washing treatment liquid, as shown in FIG. 1, the tank cover 31 with the driving means 62 inside is opened because the coupling 61 is connected from the coupling. Since the receiver receiving portion 64 is separated, the buckets 32 and 33 can be easily removed together with the pump means 47 when the bucket handle 44 a is pulled upward while being held.

<Prevention of lotion dripping>

Here, the tanks 32 and 33 and the pump means 47 are integrally removed. Therefore, when the tanks 32 and 33 are taken out of the washing machine body, the washing treatment liquid does not drip, which is optimal. When the tanks 32 and 33 and the pump means 47 are separate from the tanks 32 and 33 or the pump means 47 is taken out, it is necessary to remove the pump means 47 and the pump means 47 at the suction port 48 of the pump means 47. The tanks 32 and 33 are separated, and the lotion may drip when the tanks 32 and 33 or the pumping means 47 are removed.

<Tank cleaning performance>

The tanks 32 and 33 in this embodiment are detachably detachable from the upper tank cover 44 and the lower tank body 45, and each has no configuration of wiring and electrical parts, so the tanks can be separated. The outside of 32 and 33, or the inside of the tank lid portion 44 and the tank body 45 are freely washed with water, so the inside of the tanks 32 and 33 can be kept clean.

And even when it is replaced with a different washing treatment liquid, because the remaining original washing treatment liquid can still be washed out before putting in another new washing treatment liquid, it will not be mixed with different washing treatment liquids and solidified. , The cleaning power will not decrease.

<Pump cleaning performance>

According to this embodiment, since the pump means 47 is provided with the driving force connection means 29 that can be connected and separated from the driving means 62, the tank and the pump means 47 are detachably removable, and the tank and the pump means 47 There is no wiring for supplying electric power for driving the pump means 47. Further, since there is no wiring structure connected to the detection means for detecting the remaining amount of lotion and softener, it is easy to remove and the inside of the tank and the pump The inside is also washable, providing a washing machine with high cleaning and reliability.

When the suction port 48 of the pumping means 47 is immersed in water, the coupling 61 is rotated by hand to rotate the gear pump 51 to discharge water from the suction port through the gear pump 51 and the supply pipe 54 from the discharge port 56. You can also dilute and wash away the remaining lotion inside the pump.

According to this embodiment, since the washing of the tanks 32 and 33 is easy, and the inside of the pump means 47 is also easy to wash, the lotion does not remain on The inside of the pump means 47 is solidified, or the previously used washing treatment liquid and the new washing treatment liquid are not mixed in the pump means 47. Therefore, it is possible to provide a highly reliable automatic washing treatment liquid injection means 30 washing machine.

Furthermore, if the casing of the pump means 47 is formed of a transparent resin, it can be confirmed visually that the lotion and the softener remain in the pump or the cleaning is completed.

<Compatibility with manual supply>

According to this embodiment, as described above, the lotion input port 25 includes, for example, a powder lotion input portion 25a, a liquid lotion input portion 25b, and a softener input portion 25c, and each of the powder washing portions is charged once. A lotion, a softener, or a liquid lotion is put into the water tank 17 through the first lotion supply pipe 14. Further, a configuration may be adopted in which the lotion is automatically injected into the water tank 17 from the lotion tank 32 through the second water supply pipe 40 and the first water supply pipe 9.

That is, it can be used freely according to the user's preferences: when washing with the lotion in the lotion tank 32 and / or when washing with another lotion into the liquid lotion input unit 25b, it is possible A washing machine provided with a method for automatically putting in a washing treatment liquid with good usability.

In the same way, since the softener in the softener tank 33 and / or the other softener inputted into the softener input portion 25c can be used separately, it can be provided with A washing machine with a convenient washing process liquid automatic feeding means 30.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the automatic washing treatment liquid feeding means 30 and the detergent input port 25 are arranged independently, the cleaning performance of the tank and the pump, and the replenishment of the washing processing liquid toward the tank are improved, and During the washing process with the washing treatment liquid input into the lotion inlet 25, the tank or the like of the automatic washing treatment liquid injection means 30 may be pulled out, thereby improving the usability.

In addition, the lotion injected from the lotion input port 25 is detected by the electrode sensor 93, and the control of the automatic washing treatment liquid injection means 30 is turned off (OFF), so that the excessive input can be prevented in advance. Lotion, softener.

<Control Block Diagram>

Fig. 15 is a block diagram of the control device 138 of the washing machine. 150 is a microcomputer, which is connected to an operation button input circuit 151 connected to each switch (not shown), a water level sensor 134, a lotion residual amount detection means 79a, and a softener residual amount detection means 79b, and accepts user buttons Various information signals during operation and washing. The output from the microcomputer 150 is connected to the drive circuit 154, and connected to the water supply solenoid valve 116, the drain valve 8, the motor 36, the supply motor 65, and the like, and controls the opening, closing, rotation, and energization of these. Further, the display 114 is connected to a light emitting diode 156 and a buzzer 157 such as a 7-segment light emitting diode for notifying the user of the operating state of the washing machine.

In the aforementioned microcomputer 150, the power switch 139 is pushed to cause electricity When the source is turned on, it is started and the control processing program shown in FIG. 16 is executed.

<Control handler> Step S101

Check the status and initial settings of the washer-dryer.

Step S102

The display 114 of the operation panel 106 is turned on, and according to the instruction input from an operation button switch (not shown), it is set whether or not the lotion and the softener are automatically injected. When the automatic charging is set, the lotion and softener are automatically charged in the following washing process. On the other hand, when automatic charging is not set, the user manually puts the lotion and softener into the lotion input port 25, and the lotion and softener supply motor 65 is not driven.

Step S103

The process is monitored by monitoring the instruction input of a start switch (not shown) from the operation panel 106.

Step S104

Divide depending on whether the automatic lotion injection is set.

Step S105

When lotion is automatically set, the hand is detected based on the amount of lotion remaining The output of the segment 79a is used to confirm the remaining amount of the lotion, and the processing is divided.

Step S106

When the lotion is automatically set, the remaining amount of the softener is confirmed based on the output of the softener remaining amount detecting means 79b, and the processing is divided.

Step S107

The rotating drum 20 is rotated. At this time, the rotation driving torque generated in the motor 8 is measured from the current value required to drive the motor 8 and the amount of cloth put into the rotating drum 20 is determined.

Step S108

The supply amount of lotion and softener is set based on the discriminant value of the cloth amount.

Step S109

The water supply solenoid valve 116 is opened to supply water, and is supplied into the water tank 17 through the first lotion supply pipe 14. When the lotion is manually injected into the lotion inlet 25, the lotion that is manually input is supplied into the water tank 17 as the lotion liquid while being dissolved in water.

Step S110

It is determined whether the lotion is manually input into the water tank 17, that is, whether the lotion is manually input from the lotion input port 25. This is judged from the electrical conductivity detected by the electrode sensor 93.

This process is performed in the water supply implementation of step S109, and the operation time can be shortened.

Step S111

The processing is divided depending on whether or not the automatic lotion feeding by the washing treatment liquid automatic feeding means 30 is set.

Step S112

When the lotion is not manually input from the lotion inlet 25, when the lotion is automatically set to ON, the supply motor 65 is driven in the forward direction for a predetermined time to drive the washing in the lotion tank 32. The agent is supplied to a predetermined amount in the input area 39. When the automatic lotion is not set, this step is not performed. By performing the lotion supplied to the input area 39 in the water supply implementation of step S109, it can be supplied to the inside of the water tank 17 while melt | dissolving in water.

Step S113

When the lotion is not manually input from the lotion inlet 25, and the automatic lotion is turned off, the lotion is automatically turned to the ON setting, and the supply motor 65 is turned to the positive position. The rotation direction drives the supply of the lotion in the lotion tank 32 to a predetermined amount in the input area 39 for a predetermined time.

Step S114

When the lotion is manually input from the lotion inlet 25, the lotion is automatically set to the ON setting, the lotion is automatically changed to the OFF setting, and the lotion is not automatically put in. The lotion by means 30 is automatically injected.

Step S112-1

It is determined whether or not the lotion is put into the water tank 17. This is judged from the electrical conductivity detected by the electrode sensor 93.

Step S112-2

If the judgment result of S112-1 is NO, that is, when the lotion is not supplied into the water tank 17, even if there is a residual amount of the washing liquid in the lotion tank 32, it can still be determined that the washing treatment liquid is automatically injected. The means 30 does not operate normally (the automatic feeding means of the washing treatment liquid is abnormal). When it is determined that the automatic washing solution feeding means is abnormal, for example, by notifying the user of an alarm and promoting manual lotion injection, it is possible to avoid the end of washing without sufficient washing. In addition, it is also possible to set a manual lotion standby time in the notification alarm.

Step S115

The washing process is performed. After the end, the drain valve 8 is opened to drain the washing water, and then the rotary drum 20 is rotated at a high speed to perform centrifugal dehydration.

Step S116

The water supply solenoid valve 116 is opened to supply water, and the washing water is supplied into the water tank 17.

Step S117

The washing process is performed. After the end, the drain valve 8 is opened to drain the washing water, and then the rotary drum 20 is rotated at a high speed to perform centrifugal dehydration.

Step S118

It is determined whether the softener is manually input into the water tank 17, that is, whether the lotion is manually input from the lotion input port 25. This is judged from the electrical conductivity detected by the electrode sensor 93.

Step S119

The processing is divided according to whether or not the automatic softener feeding by the washing treatment liquid automatic feeding means 30 is set. This process is performed in the water supply implementation of step S116, and the operation time can be shortened.

Step S120

When the softener is not manually input from the lotion inlet 25, the softener is automatically set to the ON setting, and the supply motor 65 is driven in the reverse direction for a predetermined time to drive the softener in the softener tank 33 toward Supply a predetermined amount in the input area 39. This step is not performed when the softener automatic input is not set. By performing the softening agent supplied to the input area 39 in the water supply implementation of step S116, it is possible to dissolve in the water while The edges are supplied into the water tank 17.

Step S121

When the softener is not manually input from the lotion inlet 25, and when the automatic softener input is turned OFF, the softener is automatically switched to the ON setting and the supply motor 65 is turned to the positive position. The rotation direction drives the supply of the lotion in the lotion tank 32 to a predetermined amount in the input area 39 for a predetermined time.

Step S122

When the softener is manually input from the lotion inlet 25, the softener is automatically set to the ON setting, the softener is automatically changed to the OFF setting, and the automatic washing liquid is not input. The softener by means 30 is automatically injected.

Step S120-1

It is determined whether a softening agent has been put into the water tank 17 or not. This is judged from the electrical conductivity detected by the electrode sensor 93.

Step S120-2

If the determination result in step S120-1 is no, that is, when the softener is not supplied into the water tank 17, even if there is a residual amount of the washing liquid in the lotion tank 32, it can still be determined that the washing treatment liquid is automatically The feeding means 30 does not operate normally (the automatic washing means feeding means is abnormal). Judgment wash When the automatic feeding method of the cleaning solution is abnormal, by notifying the user of the alarm and promoting the manual input of the softener, it is possible to avoid washing with the softener effect insufficient. In addition, it is also possible to set the softener manual standby time in the notification alarm.

Step S124

The final washing process is performed, and after the end, the drain valve 8 is opened to drain the washing water.

Step S125

The rotary drum 20 is rotated at a high speed for final dehydration.

Step S126

The end of the washing process.

As described above, when the detergent and softener supplied by the automatic washing treatment liquid feeding means are correctly supplied into the water tank 17 and confirmed by the electrode sensor 93, it can be judged that the automatic washing treatment liquid feeding means 30 Whether an exception occurs. At this time, it can be determined whether or not there is an abnormality in the gear pump 51 by detecting that the current value supplied to the motor 65 exceeds a predetermined value. For example, when a foreign object enters the gear pump 51, the driving torque supplied to the motor increases, and the current value increases.

Moreover, although the above-mentioned embodiment demonstrated the example of the drum type washing machine, this invention is not limited to this, It is applicable to a vertical type washing machine.

Claims (3)

A washing machine includes a housing, a water tank provided inside the housing, and a washing treatment liquid supply means for supplying a washing treatment liquid into the water tank. The washing treatment liquid supply means includes: holding the washing treatment liquid at An internal tank and a transfer pump for transporting the washing treatment liquid from the inside of the tank to the outside of the tank, further comprising: a washing treatment liquid that detects a residual amount of the washing treatment liquid in the tank; Residual amount detection means and detection means for detecting the presence or absence of the washing treatment liquid in the water tank, the determination result of the residual amount detection means is determined to be yes, and the determination result of the detection means is determined to be non-existent. When it is judged as abnormal. For example, the washing machine of the first patent application range, wherein the user is notified of an alarm when the foregoing determination is abnormal. A washing machine includes a frame body, a water tank provided inside the frame body, a washing processing liquid automatic feeding means for supplying a washing processing liquid into the water tank, and a detergent input port for supplying the washing processing liquid into the water tank. And a detection means for detecting the presence or absence of a washing treatment liquid in the water tank, and a control means for controlling the washing treatment liquid supply means, the washing treatment liquid supply means includes a tank holding the washing treatment liquid inside And a transfer pump that transports the cleaning treatment liquid from the inside of the tank to the outside of the tank, and detects the presence or absence of the supply of the cleaning treatment liquid from the detergent input port by the detection means, and The control means is to change the control content of the washing treatment liquid supply means in accordance with the detection result.