JP2010264053A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A washing machine capable of easily measuring the state of a washing liquid without largely changing the structure of a circulation path.
A water intake port 5 connected to a lower portion of an outer tub 2 and a washing liquid entering therein, a circulation path 9 communicating with one end of the water intake port 5, communicating with the other end of the circulation path 9 and washing in the washing tub 3 The discharge port 8 for discharging the liquid, the washing liquid state detecting means 10 for detecting the state of the washing liquid in the washing tub 3, the washing liquid is taken into the circulation path 9 and the washing liquid is discharged into the washing tub 3 from the discharge port 8. And a filter 14 for removing suspended particles between the water intake 8 and the circulation pump 15, and the washing liquid state detecting means 10 is installed between the filter 14 and the discharge port 8.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing machine that controls a washing operation in accordance with the state of a washing liquid.

  Conventionally, as a washing machine contamination detection device, a circulation path for circulating the washing liquid from the lowermost part of the outer tub and circulating the washing liquid to the washing tub is installed, and a washing liquid such as a turbidity sensor is provided in a part of the circulation path. It has been considered to install a dirt sensor for detecting the state of the washing and to control the washing process by detecting the state of the washing liquid such as dirt.

  When measuring the condition of the washing liquid in this circulation path, if bubbles or contaminants that flow into the washing liquid flow into the circulation path, measurement value variation tends to occur. In order to suppress the inflow of air, a method using a bubble trap or the like in which the shape of the circulation path is deformed is considered (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  In addition, if measurement is performed in a state where there is a water flow in the washing tub, it is considered that measurement is performed with the water flow stopped since measurement is easily influenced by water flow, bubbles, and contaminants even in the circulation path (for example, Patent Document 2). reference).

JP-A-61-206494 JP-A-2-213396

  However, with the above washing machine configuration, control of stopping rotation of the drum and pulsator to greatly change the structure of the conducting pipe used in the circulation path for installing a bubble trap or the like, or to stop the water flow at every measurement time. Need to do.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide a washing machine that can easily measure the state of the washing liquid without greatly changing the structure of the circulation path.

  In order to solve the above problems, the washing machine of the present invention is connected to the lower part of the outer tub and into which the washing liquid enters, a circulation path in which one end communicates with the water intake, and a communication with the other end of the circulation path. And a discharge port for discharging the washing liquid into the washing tub, a washing liquid state detecting means for detecting the state of the washing liquid in the washing tub, and the washing liquid taken from the intake port into the circulation path through the discharge port. A circulation pump that discharges the washing liquid into the washing tub, and a filter that removes suspended particles between the water intake and the circulation pump, and the washing liquid state detection means is provided between the filter and the discharge opening. It is to be installed. As a result, the filter removes suspended dust and the like from the washing liquid entering the circulation path, so that the washing liquid state detecting means can detect the state of the washing liquid itself without floating dirt and large bubbles.

In the washing machine of the present invention, the washing liquid state detection means is installed between the filter and the discharge port of the circulation path, so that the filter removes floating dust and the like from the washing liquid entering the circulation channel. The means detects the state of the washing liquid itself without floating dust or large bubbles,
It is possible to detect an accurate state of the washing liquid, such as the amount of detergent and the amount of dirt.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Installation drawing of washing liquid state detection means on the circulation path in the first embodiment of the present invention The other schematic block diagram of the washing machine in Embodiment 1 of this invention

  A first aspect of the invention relates to a bottomed cylindrical washing tub having a plurality of water passage holes on a peripheral surface, an outer tub that rotatably accommodates the washing tub, and a lower portion of the outer tub to connect a washing liquid. A water intake port that enters, a circulation path that communicates with one end of the water intake port, a discharge port that communicates with the other end of the circulation path and discharges the washing liquid into the washing tub, and a state of the washing liquid in the washing tub. Detecting the washing liquid state detecting means, a circulation pump for taking the washing liquid from the intake port into the circulation path and discharging the washing liquid from the discharge port into the washing tub, and between the intake port and the circulation pump The washing liquid state detecting means is installed between the filter and the discharge port, and the filter removes floating dust and the like from the washing liquid entering the circulation path. The liquid state detection means uses suspended dust and large air bubbles. It is possible to detect the state of the washing liquid itself is not.

  In a second aspect based on the first aspect, the washing liquid state detecting means is installed between the filter and the circulation pump. Accordingly, the state of the washing liquid can be detected without being affected by the foam discharge caused by the rotation of the circulation pump.

  In a third aspect based on the first aspect, the washing liquid state detecting means is installed between the circulation pump and the discharge port. Accordingly, even when the circulation pump is stopped, the foam stops up to the circulation pump and does not stagnate at the location of the washing liquid state detection means, and thus the bubble exits toward the discharge port. The state can be detected accurately.

  According to a fourth invention, in the second or third invention, the washing liquid state detecting means is installed at a place where the circulation path is arranged in the vertical direction. Thereby, even when the circulation pump is stopped, the foam does not stagnate at the location of the washing liquid state detecting means and escapes toward the discharge port, so that the state of the washing liquid itself can always be accurately detected. it can.

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

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a washing machine using the washing machine dirt detection apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an outer box of the entire washing machine, and its interior. An outer tub 2 is disposed in the outer tub 2, and a drum 3 serving as a washing tub is disposed inside the outer tub 2 so as to be rotatable by a rotating shaft slightly inclined from the horizontal direction. The drum 3 has a motor 4 connected to the back surface, and the drum 3 is rotated by the rotation of the motor 4. The drum 3 is provided with a plurality of water holes on the outer peripheral surface, and functions as a washing tub, a dewatering tub, and a drying tub.

  A water intake port 5 is connected to the bottom of the outer tub 2, and a circulation path 9 connected to the discharge port 8 for discharging the washing liquid taken in from the water intake port 5 to the drum 3 communicates with the outer tub 2. The washing liquid and rinse liquid can be circulated.

The circulation path 9 has a filter 14 for removing suspended particles and lint from the water intake 5, and a washing liquid state detecting means 10 for detecting the state of the washing liquid is installed downstream of the filter 14, and further downstream of the circulation path 9. A circulation pump 15 for circulating the washing liquid is installed.

  Further, a drain valve 6 is installed between the filter 14 and the washing liquid state detection means 10. The drain valve 6 is connected to the drain pipe 7, and the drain valve 6 is controlled so that the washing liquid in the washing machine can be removed. The excess liquid is drained through the drain pipe 7.

  As shown in the sectional view of the circulation path 9 in FIG. 2, the washing liquid state detection means 10 measures the conductivity by the conductivity sensor 11 having a shape in which a pair of electrodes 13 a and electrodes 13 b are inserted into the circulation path 9. . The conductivity is measured by, for example, forming an RC oscillation circuit with the impedance of the washing liquid between the electrodes 13a and 13b and a capacitor on a control circuit (not shown), and outputting the change in the washing liquid impedance as a frequency change. Further, this may be converted into a voltage value.

  Before that, a turbidity sensor 12 composed of a light emitting element (not shown) such as an LED and a light receiving element (not shown) such as a phototransistor is installed oppositely across the circulation path 9. The portion of the circulation path 9 sandwiched between these elements is made of a translucent material, and the light emitted from the light emitting element is received by the light receiving element through the washing liquid in the circulation path 9 and converted into a voltage. Output. For this reason, at least the turbidity sensor portion of the washing liquid state detection means 10 has a light-shielded sealed structure so that the light receiving element does not receive light from the outside.

  The turbidity sensor 12 of the washing liquid state detection means 10 is installed at a position where the circulation path 9 is arranged in the horizontal direction with respect to the ground. When the light emitting element and the light receiving element are viewed in the longitudinal section of the circulation path 9 in FIG. They are arranged on the left and right sides below the center.

  The light emission control of the light emitting element 11 and the capture of the output of the light receiving element 12 are performed by a control circuit (not shown) such as a microcomputer, and the output value from the light receiving element 12 is used as the turbidity of the washing liquid passing through the circulation path 9. Processing is performed, and the washing process and the rinsing process are controlled based on the turbidity.

  In the washing liquid in the washing process, dirt from the laundry is dissolved by detergent and stirring, and the conductivity and turbidity gradually increase. For this reason, it is possible to determine the amount of dirt and the completion of cleaning by looking at changes in the conductivity and turbidity of the detergent liquid.

  Next, an operation for detecting the state of the washing liquid according to the present embodiment will be described.

  By operating the circulation pump 15 at the time of washing and rinsing, the washing liquid in the drum 3 and the outer tub 2 enters from the water intake 5 and circulates to the drum 3 through the circulation path 9 having the washing liquid state detecting means 10. To do. Thus, the water in the circulation path 9 always has the same concentration of the washing liquid in the drum 3 and the outer tub 2 as the detergent and dirt.

  In the washing liquid state detecting means 10, for example, the outputs of the conductivity sensor and the turbidity sensor are used as the conductivity and turbidity of the washing liquid at that time for controlling the washing process and the rinsing process every minute. In particular, when measuring the conductivity of the washing liquid, it is possible to determine the type of detergent and the amount of detergent in the washing liquid, and to determine the amount of dirt of ionic components mainly composed of sweat that has melted out of the laundry. More precise control can be performed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the washing liquid always passes through the circulation path 9, the water in the circulation path 9 is always equal to the washing liquid in the drum 3 and the outer tub 2. Inside, the filter 14 removes large particles such as suspended dust and large bubbles, so that the washing liquid state detecting means 10 can detect the state of the washing liquid with little influence of the particles and bubbles, and to the electrode 13. Can reduce the adhesion of floating waste.

  In particular, since the washing liquid is further stirred when the circulation pump 15 is operated, the foam generation by the circulation pump 15 can be achieved by installing the washing liquid state detecting means 10 upstream of the circulation pump 15 as shown in FIG. It is possible to avoid being affected by.

  In addition, since the washing liquid is water containing a detergent, it originally has a lot of bubbles. In the state where the circulation pump 15 is operated, even a large amount of foam in the washing tub is sucked in, so even if it passes through the filter 14, the turbidity is detected to be higher than the actual washing liquid turbidity. For this reason, at least when the turbidity sensor 12 detects turbidity, the circulation pump 15 may be stopped.

  The operation of the circulation pump 15 is, for example, operated for 30 seconds, and then repeatedly stopped for 30 seconds. When the state of the washing liquid in the circulation path 9 after the 30-second stop is stabilized, the measurement by the washing liquid state detecting means 10 is performed. And the output may be the state of the washing liquid at that time.

  When the circulation pump 15 stops, the bubbles flowing into the circulation path 9 stop before the circulation pump 15, so that the washing liquid state detection means 10 is placed between the circulation pump 15 and the discharge port 8 as shown in FIG. If installed, even if the circulation pump 15 is stopped, the bubbles after the circulation pump 15 easily escape to the discharge port 8, so that the bubbles always stay in the circulation path 9 without stagnation at the location of the washing liquid state detection means 10. Since the turbidity of the washing liquid can be measured without being affected by the bubbles, there is no fear that the turbidity measurement variation due to the amount of bubbles in the type and amount of detergent is generated.

  Furthermore, if the washing liquid state detecting means 10 is installed at a place where the circulation path 9 is arranged in the vertical direction, the bubbles are stagnated at the place of the washing liquid state detecting means 10 regardless of the operation state of the circulation pump 15. Since the discharge port 8 exits quickly without being detected, the state of the washing liquid itself can always be accurately detected.

  In addition, the configuration of the washing machine in the above embodiment has been described with a drum-type washing machine in which the washing tub has a rotation axis inclined from the horizontal direction, but the washing tub is a vertical washing machine having a rotation axis in the vertical direction. Even if it exists, if a circulation path is comprised from the water intake connected to the lower part of an outer tank, the effect similar to said content can be acquired.

  As described above, since the washing machine according to the present invention can detect the state of the cleaning liquid with less measurement variation using the circulation path circulated from the cleaning tank to the cleaning tank, the washing machine according to the present invention can also be used for a cleaning device such as a fiber. Applicable.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Outer box 2 Outer tank 3 Drum 4 Motor 5 Water intake 6 Drain valve 7 Water distribution pipe 8 Discharge port 9 Circulation route 10 Washing liquid state detection means 11 Conductivity sensor 12 Turbidity sensor 13 Electrode 14 Filter 15 Circulation pump

Claims (4)

A bottomed cylindrical washing tub having a plurality of water passage holes on the peripheral surface, an outer tub that rotatably accommodates the washing tub, a water intake port that is connected to a lower portion of the outer tub and into which washing liquid enters, and A circulation path whose one end communicates with the water intake, a discharge port which communicates with the other end of the circulation path and discharges the washing liquid into the washing tub, and a washing liquid state detection which detects the state of the washing liquid in the washing tub Means, a circulation pump for taking in the washing liquid from the intake port into the circulation path and discharging the washing liquid into the washing tub from the discharge port, and a filter for removing suspended particles between the intake port and the circulation pump The washing liquid state detecting means is installed between the filter and the discharge port. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the washing liquid state detecting means is installed between the filter and the circulation pump. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the washing liquid state detecting means is installed between the circulation pump and the discharge port. 4. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the washing liquid state detecting means is installed at a place where the circulation path is arranged in the vertical direction.