WO2018113769A1

WO2018113769A1 - Laundry equipment

Info

Publication number: WO2018113769A1
Application number: PCT/CN2017/117935
Authority: WO
Inventors: 谷越修
Original assignee: 青岛海尔洗衣机有限公司; Aqua株式会社
Priority date: 2016-12-22
Filing date: 2017-12-22
Publication date: 2018-06-28
Also published as: JP2018102355A; CN110114526B; CN110114526A

Abstract

Disclosed is laundry equipment, which can appropriately process washing that is fed in according to the cloth material thereof. The laundry equipment (1) contains: a box formed with a feed opening; an accommodating barrel for accommodating washing that is fed in through the feed opening; an infrared sensing part (29); and a control part (20). The infrared sensing part (29) comprises: a light-emitting part (35) for emitting, via an infrared LED, infrared light to the washing fed into the accommodating barrel through the feed opening; and a light-receiving part (36) for receiving the infrared light emitted by the light-emitting part (35) to the washing fed into the accommodating barrel through the feed opening. The control part (20) determines, based on the infrared light received by the light-receiving part (36), the cloth material of the washing fed into the accommodating barrel through the feed opening, and a process corresponding to the determined cloth material is performed on the washing.

Description

Laundry equipment

Technical field

The present invention relates to a laundry equipment such as a washer-dryer, a washing machine, a clothes dryer, and the like.

Background technique

The laundry is put into the laundry equipment. The laundry after the input is subjected to washing, drying, and the like in the laundry device.

Summary of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

There are various types of fabrics for washing, and there are appropriate washing methods and drying methods depending on the type of the cloth. Usually, the user himself/herself confirms the cloth of the laundry, and sets the operating conditions of the laundry device to perform washing and drying corresponding to the cloth. However, when the user does not confirm the fabric and puts the laundry into the laundry equipment, and does not set the operating conditions of the fabric suitable for the laundry, and directly starts the operation of the laundry equipment, it may be inappropriate to perform the corresponding cloth. The treatment damages the laundry.

The present invention has been made in view of the background, and an object thereof is to provide a laundry apparatus capable of appropriately treating a laundry to be placed in accordance with a cloth.

Solution to solve the problem

The present invention relates to a laundry apparatus comprising: a box body, an input port formed with a laundry; a receiving barrel disposed in the box body and accommodating the laundry input from the input port; and an infrared sensing unit having: The light-emitting portion includes an infrared LED that emits infrared light toward the laundry that is introduced into the storage tub from the input port, and a light-receiving portion that receives the light-emitting portion toward the accommodation from the input port. Infrared light emitted from the laundry that has been put in the tub; the fabric determining unit determines the cloth of the laundry that is fed into the storage tub from the input port based on the infrared light received by the light receiving unit; and the processing unit The laundry that has been put into the storage tub by the input port performs processing corresponding to the fabric determined by the fabric determining unit.

Further, according to the invention, the light-emitting portion has a plurality of types of infrared LEDs having different wavelengths of infrared light, and various infrared LEDs are caused to emit light at different timings.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the light-emitting portion has a plurality of infrared LEDs having the same wavelength.

Further, the present invention is characterized by further comprising: a distance sensing unit that senses a distance corresponding to a distance from the laundry input from the input port to the accommodating tub to the infrared ray sensing unit; The calibration unit calibrates the infrared sensing unit based on the distance sensed by the distance sensing unit.

Effect of the invention

According to the present invention, in the laundry device, when the laundry is put into the storage tub in the casing from the inlet of the casing, the infrared ray sensing portion emits the infrared light of the infrared LED toward the laundry through the light-emitting portion. Receiving by the light receiving unit. The cloth determination unit determines the cloth of the laundry based on the infrared light received by the light receiving unit. Then, the processing unit performs a process corresponding to the cloth determined by the cloth determining unit for the laundry, and for example, if it is a laundry of the fine cloth, it is gently washed and dried at a low temperature. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately treat the laundry to be charged according to the cloth.

Further, according to the present invention, in the light-emitting portion, the plurality of infrared LEDs emit infrared light having different wavelengths by type, and therefore, the cloth determination unit can pass not only infrared light based on one wavelength but also various infrared rays based on different wavelengths. Light, accurately determine the fabric of the laundry. Further, since a plurality of kinds of infrared LEDs having different wavelengths of infrared light emit light at different timings according to the type, it is possible to prevent the light receiving unit from receiving in a state in which a plurality of types of infrared light having different wavelengths are mixed. With this configuration, the fabric determination unit can more accurately determine the cloth of the laundry based on various infrared rays received at different times by the light receiving unit at different wavelengths.

Further, according to the present invention, a plurality of infrared LEDs having the same wavelength are present in the light-emitting portion. Even if the infrared rays received by the light receiving unit are uneven depending on the position and state of the portion where the laundry is irradiated with the infrared light, it is possible to suppress the infrared light of the same wavelength from the plurality of infrared LEDs to the laundry. Since the amount of received light of the infrared light in the light receiving portion is uneven, the cloth determining unit can accurately determine the cloth of the laundry based on the infrared light received by the light receiving unit.

Further, according to the present invention, the infrared ray sensing unit having the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit is calibrated based on the distance corresponding to the distance from the laundry input from the input port to the accommodating barrel to the infrared ray sensing unit, and therefore, the cloth determining unit can be based on After the calibration, the infrared light emitted from the light-emitting portion and received by the light-receiving portion accurately determines the cloth of the laundry that is fed into the storage tub from the input port.

DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a laundry apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the laundry device.

3 is a schematic view of an infrared sensing portion of a laundry device.

Figure 4 is a flow chart showing the processing performed by the laundry apparatus.

Figure 5 is a flow chart showing the cloth sensing process performed by the laundry apparatus.

Fig. 6 is a timing chart showing an operation state of the infrared ray sensing unit and a distance value sensed by the distance sensing unit during the cloth sensing process.

Figure 7 is a flow chart showing the washing process performed by the laundry apparatus.

Figure 8 is a flow chart showing the drying process performed by the laundry apparatus.

detailed description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a laundry device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As the laundry device 1, a washing and drying machine, a washing machine, a clothes dryer, and a washing machine and a washing machine including a so-called vertical type, a drum type, and a double barrel type are mentioned, but the vertical laundry dryer is focused below. The laundry device 1 will be described.

The laundry device 1 includes a box-shaped case 2 and a receiving tub 3 disposed in the case 2. In the case 2, for example, the input port 4 of the laundry Q is formed in the upper surface portion 2A. In addition, if the washing machine 1 is a drum type washing and drying machine, the insertion opening 4 is formed in the front surface part 2B of the case 2. The casing 2 is formed with an annular peripheral wall 2C that extends from the upper surface portion 2A toward the lower side of the casing 2 while surrounding the inlet port 4. A drawer type detergent containing portion 5 is attached to, for example, a rear side region of the peripheral wall 2C. The upper surface portion 2A is provided with a door 6 that opens and closes the inlet port 4, and a display operation portion 7 that is disposed, for example, in a region on the front side of the inlet port 4. The display operation unit 7 is constituted by a switch, a liquid crystal panel or the like.

The accommodating tub 3 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape having a longitudinally extending central axis. The accommodating tub 3 may also have an outer tub 8 and an inner tub 9 that is coaxially received in the outer tub 8. In the laundry device 1, water from the water supply path 11 connecting the faucet 10 and the accommodating tub 3 is accumulated in the outer tub 8, and the water in the outer tub 8 is also accumulated in the inner tub through a plurality of small holes (not shown) formed in the inner tub 9. 9 inside. The water accumulated in the accommodating tub 3 is discharged to the outside of the machine through the drain path 12 connected to the bottom of the outer tub 8. An opening 9A opposed to the input port 4 from the lower side is formed on the upper surface of the inner tub 9. As indicated by a hollow arrow, the laundry Q is taken in from the input port 4 and accommodated in the accommodating tub 3 through the opening 9A. The inner tub 9 is driven to rotate about a central axis extending in the longitudinal direction by a drive unit 15 (see FIG. 2 described later) that receives electric power from the electric plug 14 connected to the socket 13 (see FIG. 2 described later). It should be noted that a pulsator (not shown) that is driven to rotate by the driving unit 15 may be provided at the bottom of the inner tub 9.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the laundry device 1. The laundry device 1 includes a control unit 20 as an example of a cloth determination unit and a processing unit. The control unit 20 is configured, for example, as a microcomputer including a memory 21 such as a CPU 21, a ROM, and a RAM, and a timer 23, and is embedded in the casing 2. The laundry device 1 further includes a water supply portion 25, a drain portion 26, a drying portion 27, and a cloth sensing portion 28. The display unit 7 , the drive unit 15 , the water supply unit 25 , the drain unit 26 , the drying unit 27 , and the cloth sensing unit 28 are electrically connected to the control unit 20 .

The control unit 20 accepts an operation performed by the user on the display operation unit 7, or visually displays necessary information on the display operation unit 7, or emits a buzzer. The control unit 20 controls the driving of the driving unit 15 to rotate the inner tub 9 or the pulsator (not shown) or to stop the rotation. The water supply unit 25 includes at least a water supply valve (not shown) provided in the middle of the water supply path 11 in the casing 2. The downstream portion of the accommodating tub 3 is closer to the water supply passage 11 than the water supply valve, and passes through the detergent accommodating portion 5 to reach the accommodating tub 3. The control unit 20 opens or closes the water supply valve to supply water to the storage tub 3 or to stop the water supply. The detergent contained in the detergent accommodating portion 5 is supplied to the accommodating tub 3 in accordance with the water at the time of water supply. The drain portion 26 includes at least a drain valve (not shown) provided in the middle of the drain passage 12. The control unit 20 opens and closes the drain valve to drain the storage tub 3 or stop draining. The drying unit 27 includes at least a duct (not shown) connected to the accommodating tub 3, a fan that causes air in the duct to flow in the accommodating tub 3, and a heater that heats air flowing in the duct (not shown) Show). The control unit 20 supplies hot air into the accommodating tub 3 by controlling the driving of the fan and the heater. The laundry Q in the accommodating tub 3 is dried by hot air.

The fabric sensing unit 28 is configured to sense the cloth of the laundry Q that is fed into the storage tub 3 from the inlet 4 of the casing 2 by infrared light, and is, for example, the rear side of the peripheral wall 2C of the casing 2 The area is placed facing the input port 4 (see Fig. 1). The cloth sensing unit 28 includes an infrared sensing unit 29 , a distance sensing unit 30 , and a calibration unit 31 .

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the infrared sensing unit 29. The infrared ray sensing unit 29 has a light emitting unit 35 and a light receiving unit 36. The light-emitting portion 35 has an infrared LED 37 that emits infrared light by being turned on and is turned off by being turned off. The infrared LED 37 has a plurality of types depending on the wavelength of the infrared light. In the present embodiment, the light-emitting unit 35 includes three types of infrared LEDs 37, a first infrared LED 37A, a second infrared LED 37B, and a third infrared LED 37C. Further, there are a plurality of infrared LEDs 37 having the same wavelength. In the present embodiment, three of the first infrared LEDs 37A, the second infrared LEDs 37B, and the third infrared LEDs 37C are respectively present. In this case, the infrared LEDs 37 are arranged in a ring shape in a total of nine, and are arranged in the order of the first infrared LED 37A, the second infrared LED 37B, the third infrared LED 37C, and the first infrared LED 37A. The light receiving unit 36 is composed of a photodiode and is arranged to be surrounded by nine infrared LEDs 37. A well-known ranging sensor can be used as the distance sensing unit 30. It should be noted that the infrared sensing unit 29 and the distance sensing unit 30 may be integrally formed or may be disposed to be separated from each other.

The sensing range 40 of the infrared ray sensing unit 29 and the distance sensing unit 30 is set to extend from the cloth sensing unit 28 in a substantially horizontal fan shape and to straddle substantially the entire area of the input port 4 (refer to the dotted line in FIG. 1). Section line section). The sensing range 40 is a range in which the infrared rays emitted from the respective infrared LEDs 37 of the infrared sensing unit 29 actually arrive. The distance sensing portion 30 can sense the distance from the object existing in the sensing range 40 to the distance sensing portion 30. The distance coincides with the distance from the object existing in the sensing range 40 to the infrared sensing portion 29 by performing data correction as needed. That is, the distance sensed by the distance sensing unit 30 is a distance corresponding to the distance from the object existing in the sensing range 40 to the infrared sensing portion 29.

The aligning unit 31 is configured to align the infrared ray sensing unit 29 by adjusting the gain of each of the infrared ray LEDs 37 and the light receiving unit 36 of the light emitting unit 35. The control unit 20 may also serve as the calibration unit 31, or the calibration unit 31 may be incorporated in each of the light-emitting unit 35 and the light-receiving unit 36. It should be noted that the method of calibration is well known, and thus the detailed description herein is omitted.

Next, the washing and drying operation performed by the washing machine 1 by the control unit 20 will be described. Referring to the flowchart of FIG. 4, the washing and drying operation has a process of sensing the cloth of the laundry Q put into the accommodating tub 3 (step S1), and washing the laundry Q in the accommodating tub 3 The process of washing (step S2) and the process of drying the washed laundry Q in the containing tub 3 (step S3). It should be noted that, in the case where the laundry device 1 is a washer-dryer, all the processes of steps S1 to S3 are performed, but for the laundry device 1 as a washing machine, the drying process of step S3 is omitted, for drying clothes The washing machine 1 of the machine omits the washing process of step S2.

Fig. 5 is a flow chart showing a cloth sensing process. FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing an operation state of the infrared ray sensing portion 29 and a sensing value obtained by the distance sensing portion 30 in the cloth sensing process. In the time chart, the horizontal axis represents the elapsed time, and the vertical axis represents the ON/OFF states of the first infrared LED 37A, the second infrared LED 37B, and the third infrared LED 37C of the infrared sensing unit 29, and the distance sensing unit 30. The value of the distance that is always sensed.

When the cloth sensing process of step S1 is started, the control section 20 monitors whether or not the value of the distance sensed by the distance sensing section 30 has changed (step S11). In the case where the laundry Q does not exist in the sensing range 40 of the input port 4, the distance value sensed by the distance sensing unit 30 is fixed. When the laundry Q is put into the input port 4, it traverses from the front of the distance sensing portion 30 and passes through the sensing range 40, whereby the distance value changes (YES in step S11). At this time T1 (see FIG. 6), the distance sensing unit 30 senses the distance corresponding to the distance from the laundry Q that has been fed from the input port 4 to the accommodating tub 3 to the infrared ray sensing unit 29 as a change. Distance value. Immediately after the time T2 (see FIG. 6), the control unit 20 calibrates the infrared sensing unit 29 by the calibration unit 31 based on the changed distance value (step S12). By this calibration, each of the infrared LEDs 37 of the light-emitting portion 35 of the infrared ray sensing unit 29 can emit infrared light having an optimum intensity in consideration of the attenuation corresponding to the changed distance value, and the light-receiving portion 36 can receive the infrared ray having the intensity within the target range. . In addition, although the intensity of the infrared light is the intensity of the so-called infrared light, for example, the amount of the infrared light may be regarded as the intensity of the infrared light. Further, it is important that each of the infrared LEDs 37 emits infrared light of an optimum intensity. Therefore, at least the light-emitting portion 35 may be calibrated in the light-emitting portion 35 and the light-receiving portion 36.

Next, the control unit 20 causes the various infrared LEDs 37 of the light-emitting unit 35 of the calibrated infrared ray sensing unit 29 to emit light at different timings for each type of the infrared ray LED 37 (steps S13 to S15). As an example, referring to FIG. 6, the control unit 20 first turns on all of the first infrared LEDs 37A for a predetermined period of time and emits light (step S13), and then turns on and emits all of the second infrared LEDs 37B at a predetermined time (steps). S14), then all of the third infrared LEDs 37C are simultaneously turned on and illuminated for a predetermined time (step S15). Thereby, the light-emitting portion 35 emits infrared light toward the laundry Q that is fed into the storage tub 3 from the input port 4 by the respective infrared LEDs 37. In addition, the light emission time of each of the infrared LEDs 37 may be fixed irrespective of the type of the infrared LEDs 37 as in the above-described embodiment (see FIG. 6), or may be different depending on the type of the infrared LEDs 37.

Among the infrared light emitted from the respective infrared LEDs 37 toward the laundry Q, the infrared light reflected by the laundry Q is received by the light receiving unit 36. However, since the light-emitting timing of the infrared ray LED 37 is different depending on the type thereof, the light-receiving portion 36 receives the infrared ray emitted from the infrared ray LED 37 and reflected by the laundry Q at different timings depending on the type of the infrared ray LED 37. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the light receiving unit 36 receives the infrared ray of the first wavelength emitted from the first infrared LED 37A and reflected by the laundry Q, and then receives the second wavelength emitted from the second infrared LED 37B and reflected by the laundry Q. Infrared, then, receives infrared rays of a third wavelength emitted from the third infrared LED 37C and reflected by the laundry Q. Therefore, the light emission at the first wavelength and the time at which the light is received, the time at which the light of the second wavelength is emitted and the time at which the light is received, and the time at which the light of the infrared light of the third wavelength and the time of receiving the light are shifted are not overlapped.

At time T3 after the laundry Q that has been placed in the input port 4 passes through the sensing range 40, since the infrared light is not reflected, the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 36 is zero, and the distance sensed by the sensing unit 30 is The value is restored to the value before the laundry Q is introduced (see Fig. 6). It should be noted that the time T1 from the start of the input of the laundry Q to the time T3 after the completion of the input is a moment. Further, during the period from time T1 to time T3, the distance value is not necessarily fixed as shown in FIG. 6, and may be varied. If the state in which the amount of received light is not zero continues (NO in step S16), the laundry Q continues to pass through the sensing range 40, and therefore, the control unit 20 repeats the processing of steps S13 to S15, which is different for each infrared LED 37. The time is such that each of the infrared LEDs 37 emits light a plurality of times.

When the amount of received light is zero (YES in step S16), the control unit 20 performs reflection based on the laundry Q that has passed through the sensing range 40 when it is input from the input port 4 to the receiving tub 4, and is received by the light receiving unit 36. The intensity of the infrared light of each wavelength is determined, and the cloth of the laundry Q is determined (step S17). Specifically, the intensity of the infrared light of each wavelength reflected by the laundry Q differs depending on the infrared absorption spectrum of each of the fabrics of the laundry Q, and therefore is an inherent value for each fabric, and corresponds to The reference data associated with the cloth is collected and stored in advance in the memory 22 (refer to FIG. 2). The control unit 20 determines, as the cloth of the current laundry Q, the cloth related to the data of the reference data of the memory 22 that matches or substantially matches the intensity of the infrared light of each wavelength received by the light receiving unit 36. In the case where a plurality of laundry materials Q are placed in the input port 4 together, the fabric of each of the plurality of laundry materials Q that are irradiated with the infrared rays from the infrared LEDs 37 in the laundry Q is collectively determined. Thus, when there are a plurality of laundry items Q accommodated in the accommodating tub 3 in order to receive the current washing and drying process, the control unit 20 can grasp most of the laundry materials Q.

As described above, in connection with the determination of the cloth, the plurality of infrared LEDs 37 in the light-emitting portion 35 emit infrared light having different wavelengths. Therefore, the control portion 20 can pass not only infrared light based on one wavelength but also different wavelengths. A variety of infrared light is used to accurately determine the fabric of the laundry Q. Further, since the plurality of types of infrared LEDs 37 having different wavelengths of infrared light emit light at different times (see FIG. 6), it is possible to prevent the light receiving unit 36 from receiving in a state in which a plurality of types of infrared light having different wavelengths are mixed. Thereby, the control unit 20 can more accurately determine the cloth of the laundry Q based on various infrared rays received by the light receiving unit 36 at different times for each wavelength.

Then, a plurality of infrared LEDs 37 having the same wavelength are present in the light-emitting portion 35 (see FIG. 3). Even if the infrared light received by the light receiving unit 36 is uneven depending on the inclination of the portion irradiated with the infrared light in the laundry Q, the presence or absence of the pleats, etc., the infrared rays of the same wavelength can be emitted from the plurality of infrared LEDs 37. Since the laundry Q is irradiated to the unevenness of the amount of reflection of the infrared ray in the light receiving unit 36, the control unit 20 can accurately determine the cloth of the laundry Q based on the infrared light received by the light receiving unit 36.

Further, in step S12, the infrared ray sensing unit 29 having the light-emitting portion 35 and the light-receiving portion 36 is calibrated based on the distance corresponding to the distance from the laundry Q input from the input port 4 to the accommodating tub 3 to the infrared ray sensing portion 29. . Therefore, the control unit 20 can accurately determine the cloth of the laundry Q that is fed from the input port 4 to the storage tub 3 based on the infrared light emitted from the light-emitting unit 35 and received by the light-receiving unit 36 after the calibration.

When the fabric determination in step S17 is completed, the cloth sensing process ends, and the control section 20 starts the washing process or the dehydration process. Figure 7 is a flow chart showing the washing process. In the washing process, first, the control unit 20 confirms whether or not the laundry Q can be washed with water based on the laundry that has been determined in the previous cloth sensing process, in the laundry Q that has been loaded into the storage tub 3 (step S21). In the memory 22, data on the water absorption of the cloth which can be washed with water and which can be washed with water can be stored in advance. Examples of the cloth that cannot be washed include silk, wool, rayon, cuprammonium, and acetate. When the laundry Q that has been placed in the accommodating tub 3 cannot be washed (NO in step S21), the control unit 20 warns that the laundry Q cannot be washed by displaying the display, buzzer, or the like on the operation unit 7 (step S22). In addition, even if a plurality of laundry Qs are present, only one of the laundrys Q cannot be washed (NO in step S21), and the control unit 20 also issues a warning (step S22).

When the user selects the laundry Q to be washed in this time by the display operation unit 7 or the like according to the warning in step S22 (YES in step S23), the control unit 20 performs washing according to the light washing mode (step S24). Specifically, the control unit 20 gently washes the washing solution Q from the water supply path 11 or the like by gently washing the light washing mode-dedicated detergent solution generated by the fashion garment detergent contained in the detergent accommodating portion 5 to the laundry Q. Material Q is cleaned. On the other hand, if the user who has received the warning does not select the gentle washing mode after a predetermined time elapses (NO in step S23), the control unit 20 forcibly ends the current washing process.

When the laundry Q put into the accommodating tub 3 can be washed with water (YES in step S21), the control unit 20 confirms the water absorbability of the laundry Q based on the data of the memory 22. When there are a plurality of laundry substances Q to be supplied, the control unit 20 also confirms the laundry Q having high water absorption such as cotton and hemp, and the laundry having low water absorption such as polyester, nylon or acrylic fiber in step S25. Q is more. As a result of the confirmation, if the laundry Q having a high water absorbability in the accommodating tub 3 is the largest (YES in step S25), the control unit 20 supplies water more than a normal predetermined amount (step S26), and performs the normal mode. Washing (step S27). In the normal mode, the control unit 20 washes or rinses the laundry Q by a water flow or the like generated by driving the inner tub 9 and the pulsator (not shown), and generates the high-speed rotation of the inner tub 9 at the final stage or the like. The centrifugal force dehydrates the laundry Q.

On the other hand, if the laundry Q having a low water absorbability in the accommodating tub 3 is the largest (NO in step S25), the control unit 20 supplies water in a manner less than a normal predetermined amount (step S28), and performs the normal mode. Washing (step S27). In addition, the water supply amount prescribed in steps S26 and S28 is set based on the existence ratio of the laundry Q having high water absorbability in the containing tub 3 and the laundry Q having low water absorbability. Further, for the washing in the normal mode, a usual detergent different from the laundry for fashion clothes can also be used for washing the laundry Q.

Figure 8 is a flow chart showing the drying process. In the drying process, first, the control unit 20 confirms whether or not the laundry Q can be dried according to the cloth determined by the laundry Q put into the accommodating tub 3 in the previous cloth sensing process (step S31). ). As a fine fabric which is difficult to dry, silk, wool, rayon, copper ammonia fiber, acetate fiber, nylon, and acrylic fiber are listed. In the memory 22, data relating to the drying temperature of the cloth which can be dried and which can be dried can be stored in advance. The drying temperature refers to the temperature in the accommodating tub 3 to which the hot air is supplied by driving the drying unit 27 (refer to FIG. 2). When the laundry that has been placed in the accommodating tub 3 cannot be dried (NO in step S31), the control unit 20 warns that the laundry Q cannot be dried by the display, buzzer, or the like on the operation unit 7 (step S32). And forced to end the drying process.

When the laundry Q put into the accommodating tub 3 can be dried (YES in step S31), the control unit 20 confirms the optimum drying temperature of the laundry Q to be input based on the data stored in the memory 22. As a result, if the laundry Q in the accommodating tub 3 needs to be dried at a temperature lower than the normal drying temperature, for example, as polyester (YES in step S33), the control unit 20 performs, for example, 60 degrees. Drying at a low temperature (step S34). On the other hand, if the laundry Q in the storage tub 3 is dried at a normal drying temperature as in cotton or linen (NO in step S33), the control unit 20 performs, for example, 80 to 90 degrees. Drying at the usual drying temperature (step S35).

As described above, the control unit 20 determines the fabric in the cloth sensing process in step S1 for the laundry Q that has been loaded into the storage tub 3 from the input port 4, and performs processing corresponding to the determined fabric (steps S22, S24). , processing of S26 to S28, S32, S34, and S35). Further, for the laundry Q of the cloth that cannot be washed, the forced end of the washing process is also an example of the treatment without responding to the warning in step S22. Further, for the laundry Q of the cloth which cannot be dried, the forced end of the drying process after the warning in step S32 is also an example of the processing. The laundry device 1 performs the processing corresponding to the cloth in this manner, for example, if it is a fine cloth, it is gently washed and dried at a low temperature, so that the laundry Q to be fed can be appropriately treated according to the cloth.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.

For example, in the infrared ray sensing unit 29 of the above-described embodiment, the light receiving unit 36 receives infrared light that is emitted from the light emitting unit 35 and is reflected by the laundry Q, and determines the cloth of the laundry Q based on the amount of reflection of the infrared light. Instead of this, the light receiving unit 36 receives the infrared light that has passed through the laundry Q, and determines the cloth of the laundry Q based on the amount of transmission of the infrared light. In this case, the light receiving unit 36 is disposed to face the light emitting unit 35 with the sensing range 40 interposed therebetween.

In addition, the distance from the laundry Q to the infrared ray sensing unit 29 may be sensed by the infrared ray sensing unit 29 itself based on the time at which the light receiving unit 36 receives the infrared light from the light emitting unit 35, and in this case, The infrared ray sensing unit 29 also functions as the distance sensing unit 30.

Description of the reference numerals

1 laundry equipment

2 cabinet

3 accommodating barrel

4 entrance

20 Control Department

29 Infrared sensing department

30 distance sensing department

31 Calibration Department

35 light department

36 Receiving Department

37 infrared LED

Q Washing.

Claims

A laundry device comprising:

The box body is formed with an input port for washing;

a accommodating barrel disposed in the box and accommodating the laundry input from the input port;

The infrared ray sensing unit includes a light emitting unit and includes an infrared ray LED, and the infrared ray LED emits infrared light toward the laundry that is introduced into the accommodating tub from the input port, and the light receiving unit receives the light emitting unit toward the illuminating unit. Infrared light emitted by the input port to the washing container;

The cloth determining unit determines the cloth of the laundry that is fed into the storage tub from the input port based on the infrared light received by the light receiving unit;

The processing unit performs processing corresponding to the cloth determined by the cloth determining unit on the laundry that has been loaded into the storage tub from the input port.
A laundry apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

The light-emitting portion has a plurality of types of infrared LEDs having different wavelengths of infrared light, and causes the various infrared LEDs to emit light at different timings.
A laundry apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein

The light emitting portion has a plurality of infrared LEDs having the same wavelength.
A laundry apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising:

a distance sensing unit that senses a distance corresponding to a distance from the laundry input from the input port to the accommodating barrel to the infrared ray sensing unit;

The calibration unit calibrates the infrared sensing unit based on the distance sensed by the distance sensing unit.