WO2016136155A1

WO2016136155A1 - Washing machine

Info

Publication number: WO2016136155A1
Application number: PCT/JP2016/000598
Authority: WO
Inventors: 友香里滝澤; 堀部　泰之
Original assignee: パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社
Priority date: 2015-02-27
Filing date: 2016-02-05
Publication date: 2016-09-01
Also published as: JP2016158744A

Abstract

Provided is a washing machine (100) comprising a drainpipe (64) which is connected to a water tank (42), and a sensor (67) which is disposed in the drainpipe (64) and detects the state of washing water in the water tank (42). The washing machine (100) also comprises: a filter case (83) which is connected to the drainpipe (64) and has a lint filter (65) contained therein for collecting lint; a drain pump (63) which is in communication with the filter case (83) and drains the washing water inside the water tank (42); and a drain hose (66) which is disposed in communication with the drain pump (63). The drain hose (66) is raised at some point thereof with the maximum raised height (h2) being higher than the maximum water level (h1) during a washing step and a rinsing step, and the height (h3) of the sensor (67).

Description

Washing machine

The present invention relates to a washing machine that performs a washing operation according to the state of dirt of washing water.

Conventionally, there has been a technology for controlling the washing process by installing a sensor in the washing machine that detects the degree of dirt on the washing water due to the elution of dirt from the laundry, and detecting the state of the washing water dirt by the sensor. It has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

The sensor is arranged in a drain pipe between the lower part of the water tank and the drain valve or a circulation path for circulating water in the water tank with a pump. For this reason, the dirt state of the washing water detected by the sensor is easily affected by suspended particles such as yarn waste. In order to suppress the influence of the yarn waste and the like, a filter for removing the yarn waste and the like is provided. By removing lint and the like by the filter, it is possible to accurately detect the dirty state of the washing water without being affected by suspended particles in the washing water. Moreover, since waste yarn and the like are removed from the wastewater by the filter, the waste yarn and the like are prevented from being discharged out of the washing machine together with the wastewater.

However, in such a conventional configuration, residual water is generated in the drain pipe or drain hose after draining. The amount of remaining water depends on the installation situation of the external drainage hose outside the washing machine that communicates with the drain outlet on the house side. Specifically, when the external drain hose is lifted higher than the drain valve of the washing machine, the amount of remaining water and the height of the draft surface depend on the raised height of the external drain hose. Therefore, when the external drainage hose is lifted to the same height as the sensor, the draft surface of the remaining water is located at the sensor sensing part after drainage, and dirt is likely to adhere to the sensor part. Become. In such a case, there is a problem that the sensor cannot correctly detect the state of the washing water stain.

This situation will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an internal configuration as viewed from the side of the conventional washing machine 200.

The washing machine 200 includes a sensor 167. The sensor 167 is disposed in the drain pipe 164 or the circulation system 156. In FIG. 6, the sensor 167 is disposed in the circulation system 156. Further, a drain valve 166a is provided on the lower side upstream of the sensor 167. During the washing process and the rinsing process, the drain valve 166a is closed so that the washing water in the water tub 142 is not discharged outside the apparatus. On the other hand, at the time of drainage, the drain valve 166a is opened, and the washing water in the water tank 142 is discharged outside the apparatus. Therefore, after draining, the washing water in the water tank 142 does not remain in the sensor 167 portion disposed in the drain pipe 164 or the circulation system 156.

However, the state of the remaining water greatly depends on the installation state of the external drain hose 166b that connects the drain hose 166 in the washing machine 200 and the drain outlet on the house side.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an internal configuration of the conventional washing machine 200 as viewed from the side in a state where the external drainage hose 166b is lifted.

As shown in FIG. 7, when a part of the external drain hose 166b is installed in a state where it is lifted higher than the drain valve 166a, the drain hose 166, the filter case 183, the drain pipe 164 after draining. , And residual water in the circulation system 156 as well. The amount of remaining water and the height of the draft surface of the remaining water depend on the height at which the external drain hose 166b is lifted.

For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when the external drainage hose 166b is installed in a state where the external drainage hose 166b is lifted to the same height as the sensor 167, the draft surface of the remaining water after draining is always located at the sensor 167 portion. become. For this reason, dirt may accumulate on the optical path between the light emitting part and the light receiving part of the sensor 167, and the state of the washing water dirt may not be detected correctly.

JP 2010-264053 A

The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and provides a washing machine capable of detecting the state of washing water with high accuracy, with less contamination of the sensor portion.

The washing machine of the present invention includes a rotating drum formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, a water tank that rotatably includes the rotating drum, a drain pipe connected to the water tank, a drain pipe, and a washing tank in the water tank. It includes a sensor that detects the state of water and a filter case that is connected to a drain pipe and has a lint filter that collects lint. Furthermore, a drainage pump that communicates with the filter case and discharges washing water in the aquarium, and a drainage hose that communicates with the drainage pump are provided. The drainage hose is lifted halfway, and its maximum lifting height (h2) is higher than the highest water level (h1) and the sensor height (h3) during the washing process and the rinsing process.

According to such a configuration, when the drainage pump stops driving during drainage, water from the drainage pump to the lifting part (the lifted part) of the drainage hose is not discharged outside the machine, and the filter case and drainage. Water is left in the tube. Moreover, regardless of the installation situation of the external drainage hose, the draft surface of the remaining water is not positioned in the sensor portion after draining (the entire sensor is wetted by the remaining water).

According to the washing machine of the present invention, after the washing is finished, the draft surface is not positioned on the sensor unit, and it becomes difficult to get dirt. Therefore, it is possible to accurately detect the dirt state of the washing water, and it is possible to realize appropriate control of the washing process in accordance with the degree of dirt.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional configuration of a washing machine as viewed from the side according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main part viewed from the side, showing a cross-sectional configuration around the filter case of the washing machine in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a main part viewed from the front, showing a partial cross-sectional configuration around the filter case of the washing machine in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the lifting height h2 of the drainage hose and the sensor height h3 in another example of the washing machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of a configuration viewed from the side of the washing machine in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an internal configuration viewed from the side of a conventional washing machine. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an internal configuration of a conventional washing machine viewed from the side in a state where the external drainage hose is lifted.

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

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional configuration of a washing machine 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the side.

Inside the washing machine casing 41, a water tank 42 is disposed so as to be swingable, and a rotating drum 43 is rotatably disposed within the water tank 42. A rotation shaft 44 that is a rotation center shaft is provided in the horizontal direction at the rotation center of the rotation drum 43, and a motor 45 attached near the back side of the water tank 42 is connected to the rotation shaft 44 through a belt 46. ing. With such a configuration, the rotating drum 43 is driven to rotate in the forward direction and the reverse direction by the motor 45.

A plurality of projection plates 47 for stirring the laundry are provided on the inner wall surface of the rotating drum 43. In addition, a large number of water passage holes 48 are provided on the entire outer periphery of the rotating drum 43.

The water tank 42, the rotating drum 43, the motor 45, and the like constitute a vibration water tank unit 49, and the water tank unit 49 is supported by a plurality of spring bodies 50 from the upper part of the washing machine casing 41 in a vibration-proof manner. At the same time, the lower part of the washing machine casing 41 is supported by a plurality of anti-vibration dampers 51.

On the front side of the water tank 42 (left side in FIG. 1), the casing opening 40 provided in the washing machine casing 41 is covered with a lid 52 so as to be freely opened and closed. The lid body 52 can seal or open the water tank 42 via a seal packing 82 that functions as a vibration proof and water seal that connects the front part of the water tank 42 and the housing opening 40. It is configured. By opening the lid 52, the laundry can be taken in and out of the rotary drum 43 through the clothing entrance 53.

The washing machine 100 has a function of performing at least a washing process, a rinsing process, and a dehydrating process by automatically controlling the motor 45, the water supply system 54, the drainage system 55, the circulation system 56, and the like according to a mode setting or control program. is doing.

In the washing machine housing 41, a first electromagnetic valve 57 (first water supply unit) and a second electromagnetic valve 58 (second water supply unit) are provided. A first water supply hose 59 is connected to the first electromagnetic valve 57 to supply water to the rotating drum. A second water supply hose 60 is connected to the second electromagnetic valve 58, and water is supplied to the detergent container 61. The detergent container 61 contains a detergent and a soft finish, and a drawer part (not shown) that can be pulled out to the outside.

The water supply system 54 includes a first electromagnetic valve 57, a second electromagnetic valve 58, and the like. The detergent from the first water supply hose 59 or the second water supply hose 60 by opening / closing control of the first electromagnetic valve 57 (first water supply unit) or the second electromagnetic valve 58 (second water supply unit). Water can be supplied into the water tank 42 in a timely manner through the accommodating portion 61 and the water supply path 62.

One end of a drain pipe 64 is connected to the bottom of the water tank 42, and the other end of the drain pipe 64 is connected to a filter case 83. The filter case 83 houses a lint filter 65 that collects lint contained in the washing water. The lint filter 65 is configured to be removable outward from the lower front portion of the washing machine casing 41 by gripping the filter knob 84. The filter case 83 (the lint filter 65) is connected to a drainage pump 63 connected to a drainage hose 66 disposed from the inside of the machine to the upper part outside the machine.

The drainage system 55 includes a drainage pump 63 and the like. When the drainage pump 63 is driven, the drainage in the water tank 42 is drained by the lint filter 65 when necessary at the end of the washing process or the end of the rinsing process. After removing the lint and the like, the water is drained from the drain hose 66 to the outside of the machine. The drain pipe 64 is provided with a sensor 67 for detecting the state of the washing water in the water tank 42 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). The sensor 67 is configured so as to be able to detect the dirt state of the washing water during the washing process and the rinsing process.

The circulation system 56 allows the detergent to be dissolved at an early stage by circulating the water in the water tank 42 into the rotating drum 43 as necessary, such as during the pre-washing process, the washing process, and the rinsing process. The unevenness of the laundry can be prevented, and the detergent can be activated. Thereby, the function of washing and rinsing can be improved.

The circulation system 56 drives the circulation pump 68 to pass the washing water in the water tank 42 through the filter case 83 through the drain pipe 64 and removes lint and the like in the drainage by the lint filter 65. The washing water from which the lint and the like have been removed is formed inside the front portion of the water tank 42 via the inflow side path 69 to the circulation pump 68, the circulation pump 68, and the discharge side path (not shown) of the circulation pump 68. The flow path 85 is fed into. Then, the washing water is ejected radially into the rotating drum 43 as circulating water indicated by solid arrows from the spout 70 facing the clothing entrance 53 of the rotating drum 43. An injection guide plate 86 is provided on the front inner surface side of the water tank 42. The ejection guide plate 86 serves as a guide for guiding the ejected circulating water in a predetermined direction and a predetermined shape. The configuration around the filter case 83 will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

In a recess 71 formed in the bottom of the water tank 42, a hot water heater 72, which is a heating unit made of a sheathed heater for heating the washing water, is disposed in the horizontal direction. The washing water in the water tank 42 heated by the hot water heater 72 is discharged into the rotating drum 43 as described above. Thereby, the washing water is sprinkled on the laundry, and this washing water flows from the water tank 42 to the water distribution pipe 64 and is circulated again by the circulation pump 68.

In this way, since heated washing water is sprinkled on the laundry, the molecular activity of the washing water is enhanced and the activation of the detergent is enhanced, so that the cleaning power is increased and washing unevenness is reduced. Can do. Further, in the vicinity of the hot water heater 72, a temperature detection unit 73 such as a thermistor for detecting the water temperature is provided.

An air trap 74 communicating with the drain pipe 64 is configured on the side wall of the bottom of the washing machine casing 41 at the rear of the bottom outer periphery.

The water trap 74 is connected to the air trap 74. The water level detection unit 76 is provided inside the upper part of the washing machine casing 41 via the air pipe 75. The water level detection part 76 is comprised by the pressure sensor etc., and is comprised so that the water level of the multistage may be detected with the water pressure of the wash water supplied in the water tank 42 inside.

The rear upper part of the detergent container 61 provided in the upper inside of the washing machine casing 41 and the upper part of the water tank 42 are connected by a connecting hose 77. The connecting hose 77 serves to extract air in the water tank 42 that is pressurized by the process operation.

The mode such as the driving course and the selection of various functions are performed by the user inputting to an input setting unit (not shown) on the operation panel 79 provided at the upper front of the washing machine casing 41. An input signal to the input setting unit is input to a control device 80 having a control unit (not shown) disposed inside the upper part of the washing machine casing 41. Based on the input information, the control device 80 controls the washing process while displaying necessary information on a display unit (not shown) on the operation panel 79 to the user.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main part viewed from the side, showing a cross-sectional configuration around the filter case 83 of the washing machine 100 in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a main part viewed from the front, showing a partial cross-sectional configuration around the filter case 83.

As shown in FIG. 2, a substantially U-shaped (including U-shaped) sensor 67 is disposed on the outer periphery of the drain pipe 64. The sensor 67 has a light emitting part 67a and a light receiving part 67b at positions facing each other across the drain pipe 64 in the radial direction. Detecting a state such as the degree of turbidity of washing water by adopting a configuration in which the light emitted from the light emitting unit 67a is attenuated by the washing water in the drain pipe 64 and the attenuated light is received by the light receiving unit 67b. Can do.

Here, in the washing machine 100 of the present embodiment, the drain pipe 64 is not provided with a drain valve. For this reason, in order to prevent the washing water in the water tank 42 from being discharged naturally outside the machine during the washing process and the rinsing process, the middle portion of the drainage hose 66 is the highest during the washing process and the rinsing process. It is raised to a position h2 (for example, 1000 mm) higher than the water level h1 (for example, 300 mm from the bottom of the housing) (see FIG. 1). Therefore, when the drainage pump 63 stops driving during drainage, the water from the drainage pump 63 to the lifted portion (lifted portion) of the drainage hose 66 is not discharged outside the machine, and the filter case 83 and the drainage pipe 64. Remaining water.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the lifting height h2 of the drainage hose 66 and the height h3 of the sensor 67 in another example of the washing machine 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the example of FIG. 4, an example in which the sensor 67 is provided separately from the filter is shown.

In the washing machine 100 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the lifting height h2 (for example, 1000 mm) of the drainage hose 66 in the washing machine 100 is higher than the height h3 (for example, 65 mm) of the sensor 67. It is comprised so that it may become high (h2> h3). Accordingly, the draft surface of the remaining water is not located at the sensor 67 portion after the drainage regardless of the installation state of the external drainage hose 66b (the entire sensor 67 is wetted by the remaining water). Therefore, dirt does not accumulate on the optical path between the light emitting part 67a and the light receiving part 67b of the sensor 67, so that the state of the washing water can be detected correctly.

Further, in the configuration of FIG. 1, during the washing process and the rinsing process, the rotary drum 43 is rotationally driven in the forward rotation direction and the reverse rotation direction. Therefore, in the drain pipe 64, in the vicinity of the communicating portion with the water tank 42 and in the vicinity thereof, bubbles and the like are generated due to the rotational drive of the rotary drum 43, and it may be difficult to accurately detect the state of the washing water. is there.

Therefore, in the washing machine 100 of the present embodiment, the sensor 67 is attached to the vicinity of the filter case 83 instead of the connection portion between the water tank 42 and the drain pipe 64 and the vicinity thereof. Accordingly, it is possible to accurately detect the state of the washing water without being affected by bubbles due to the rotational drive of the rotary drum 43.

On the other hand, the height of the external drainage hose 66b is limited due to restrictions on the installation location of the washing machine 100, and the height of the drainage hose 66 is also limited due to restrictions on the configuration within the washing machine 100. Further, the lifting height h2 (for example, 1000 mm) of the drainage hose 66 is an example, and as long as it is lifted to a position higher than the maximum water level h1 (for example, 380 mm) during the washing process and the rinsing process, it is not necessarily h2 ( A height of 1000 mm) is not necessary.

Here, the internal volume of the portion where the water from the drainage pump 63 to the raised portion of the drainage hose 66 accumulates is defined as the internal volume v1. For example, assuming that the inner diameter of the average hose is 20 mm and the total length is 1500 mm, the internal volume v1 is about 470,000 mm ³ . Further, the total internal volume of the portion of the filter case 83 and the drain pipe 64 where the water of the sensor 67 mounting portion accumulates (when the sensor portion is submerged) is defined as an internal volume v2. For example, if the inner diameter of the filter case is 45 mm and the total length is 75 mm, it will be about 120,000 mm ³ , and if the inner diameter of the drain pipe is 22 mm and the total length is 150 mm, it will be about 60,000 mm ^3. Therefore, the total is about 180,000 mm ³ . Here, the drainage hose 66 and the like are configured so that the internal volume v1 is larger than the internal volume v2. As a result, the sensor 67 can be reliably submerged and the state of the washing water can be accurately detected.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of the configuration viewed from the side of the washing machine 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the lifting height h2 ′ of the drainage hose 66 is lower than h2 (for example, 500 mm. If the average hose inner diameter is 20 mm and the total length is 1000 mm, the internal volume v1 is about 310, 000 mm ³ ) (even in this case, the relationship of v1> v2 is satisfied). Thereby, it becomes possible to satisfy the restrictions of installation property and the configuration in the washing machine.

In the present embodiment, the rotation shaft 44 of the rotary drum 43 has been described using an example in which it is horizontally disposed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the rotary drum 43 is not limited thereto. The present invention can also be applied to a configuration in which the rotary shaft 44 is configured to be lifted forward or arranged vertically.

As described above, the first aspect of the washing machine according to the present embodiment includes a rotating drum formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, a water tank that rotatably includes the rotating drum, and a drain pipe connected to the water tank. And a sensor that is disposed in the drain pipe and that detects the state of the washing water in the aquarium. A filter case connected to the drain pipe and provided with a lint filter that collects lint, a drain pump that communicates with the filter case and discharges washing water in the aquarium, and a drain pump that is disposed And a drainage hose. The drainage hose is lifted halfway, and its maximum lifting height (h2) is higher than the highest water level (h1) and the sensor height (h3) during the washing process and the rinsing process.

According to such a configuration, when the drainage pump stops driving during drainage, water from the drainage pump to the lifting part (the lifted part) of the drainage hose is not discharged outside the machine, and the filter case and drainage. Water is left in the tube. Moreover, regardless of the installation situation of the external drainage hose, the draft surface of the remaining water is not positioned in the sensor portion after draining (the entire sensor is wetted by the remaining water). Therefore, no dirt accumulates on the optical path between the light emitting part and the light receiving part of the sensor, so that the state of the washing water can be detected correctly.

Further, the second aspect is the first aspect in which the maximum lifting height (h2) of the drain hose is determined when the drain pump is stopped after the drain pump is driven and the water in the water tank is discharged. The residual water of the drain hose is submerged in at least a part of the filter case and drain pipe, and the sensor is submerged by the residual water.

With this configuration, the draft surface does not reach the sensor unit after washing is completed, dirt is less likely to adhere, and the state of the washing water can be accurately detected.

Further, the third aspect is the first aspect or the second aspect, in which the internal volume (v1) of the drainage hose to the maximum lifted position is the total internal volume of the sensor case of the filter case and the drainage pipe ( It is configured to be larger than v2).

With such a configuration, the sensor unit can be surely submerged even after the washing water discharge operation in the aquarium is completed, so that the draft surface is not located on the sensor unit after the washing is finished, and dirt is attached. This makes it difficult to detect the washing water accurately.

The fourth mode is any mode from the first mode to the third mode, and the sensor is attached in the vicinity of the filter case of the drain pipe.

Such a configuration makes it difficult to be affected by floating particles such as lint in washing water, and accurately detects the state of the washing water without being affected by bubbles generated by the rotating operation of the rotating drum. be able to.

As described above, according to the present invention, after the washing is finished, the draft surface is not located on the sensor unit, and it becomes difficult to get dirt. Therefore, the state of the washing water can always be accurately detected, and appropriate to the degree of dirt. It is possible to achieve a special effect that it is possible to realize control of a simple washing process. Therefore, this invention is useful as a washing machine etc. which perform the washing operation according to the state of the dirt of washing water.

40 Housing Opening 41 Washing Machine Housing 42 Water Tank 43 Rotating Drum 44 Rotating Shaft 45 Motor 46 Belt 47 Protrusion Plate 48 Water Passing Hole 49 Water Tank Unit 50 Spring Body 51 Anti-Vibration Damper 52 Lid 53 Clothes Apparel 54 Water Supply System 55 Drainage System 56 Circulation system 57 First solenoid valve 58 Second solenoid valve 59 First water supply hose 60 Second water supply hose 61 Detergent housing 62 Water supply path 63 Drain pump 64 Drain pipe 65 Lint filter 66 Drain hose 66b External drain Hose 67 Sensor 67a Light emitting part 67b Light receiving part 68 Circulation pump 69 Inflow side path 70 Spout 71 71 Concave 72 Hot water heater 73 Temperature detection part 74 Air trap 75 Air pipe 76 Water level detection part 77 Connection hose 79 Operation panel 80 Control device 82 Seal packing 8 Filter case 84 filter knob 85 the passage 86 injection guide plate 100 Washer

Claims

A rotating drum formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape;
A water tank containing the rotating drum rotatably,
A drain pipe connected to the water tank;
A sensor that is disposed in the drain pipe and detects the state of the washing water in the water tank;
A filter case connected to the drainage pipe and provided with a lint filter for collecting lint,
A drainage pump that communicates with the filter case and discharges washing water in the water tank,
A drainage hose disposed in communication with the drainage pump,
The drain hose is lifted halfway, and its maximum lifting height (h2) is higher than the maximum water level (h1) during the washing process and the rinsing process, and the height of the sensor (h3). Machine.
The maximum lifting height (h2) of the drainage hose is such that when the drainage pump stops and the drainage pump stops after the drainage pump is driven and the water in the water tank is drained, the filter The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the case and the drain pipe is submerged, and the height of the sensor is submerged by the residual water.
The internal volume (v1) of the drainage hose up to the maximum lifted position is configured to be larger than the total internal volume (v2) of the filter case and the sensor mounting portion of the drainage pipe. The washing machine according to claim 2.
The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sensor is attached to the vicinity of the filter case of the water pipe.