JP5152238B2 - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing machine that performs operation control of stroke operation in accordance with the type of detergent that is input.

  Conventionally, this type of washing machine has a dirt sensor for detecting the state of the washing liquid such as a conductivity sensor installed in the water tank as a washing liquid state detecting means, and detects the state of the washing liquid by washing. It is considered to control the process (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 6 shows a longitudinal sectional configuration diagram of a conventional washing machine described in Patent Document 1. As shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 6, a permeability detecting means 3 for detecting the permeability of the washing liquid is provided at a drain outlet of a receiving cylinder 2 that houses a washing tub 1 in which a stirring blade 7 is disposed on the inner bottom. In this transmittance detecting means 3, the detected transmittance is converted into a voltage value by a first control means 3 'comprising an input section, an output section, and an arithmetic control section. The first control means 3 ′ drives the motor 6 for driving the stirring blade 7 via the motor driving means 5 based on this voltage value.

  The washing liquid conductivity detecting means 4 between the washing tub 1 and the receiving cylinder 2 discriminates the type of detergent, and is driven by a motor by a second control means 4 'comprising an input part, an output part and an arithmetic control part. The motor 6 is driven via the means 5.

  When a certain period of time has elapsed since the start of washing, the permeability detection means 3 detects the washing liquid permeability. Then, when the change rate of the transmittance becomes equal to or less than the set value, the washing is detected, and then the conductivity detection is performed by the conductivity detection means 4, and from the conductivity detected by the second control means 4 ′. The type of detergent is judged. If it is a powder detergent, the washing process is completed, and if it is a liquid detergent, the washing time is extended.

JP-A-63-154196

  However, in such a conventional configuration, regardless of the type of detergent, first, the washing operation is performed while dissolving the detergent for a set time, and after that time has elapsed, the type of detergent is changed. Because it is configured to determine whether to end the washing operation or extend the washing operation, there is no difference in the detergent dissolution time, and there is a problem in reducing the time of the entire washing process. It was.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to shorten the washing process time by grasping the water temperature at the initial stage of the stroke operation.

In order to achieve the above object, the washing machine of the present invention includes an outer tub elastically suspended in a housing, an inner tub rotatably supported in the outer tub, and an inner bottom portion of the inner tub. Pulsator provided, drive means for rotationally driving the inner tub or the pulsator , an automatic liquid detergent charging device and a water supply valve for storing the liquid detergent formed in the upper part of the housing, and drainage communicating with the bottom of the outer tub a duct, and a drain valve you drain water from the outer tub via the drainage duct, a temperature detecting means provided in the drainage duct, a cleaning hose connecting the waste water duct and the water supply valve, the driving means to control the operation of such a water supply valve, the detergent dissolving step of dissolving the detergent by rotating the inner tub at a lower level than the outer peripheral portion upper surface of the pulsator, washing, rinsing, a series of strokes of dehydrated sequentially Control means to control The control means detects the temperature of the supplied water by operating the water supply valve by the temperature detection means, and determines the time of the detergent dissolution process to be performed after the automatic detergent is added according to the detected temperature. It is a thing.

  Thereby, the time of a washing process can be shortened and it can lead to energy saving.

  The washing machine of the present invention can save energy by shortening the washing process time according to the water temperature.

1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Block diagram of the washing machine Operation display section of the washing machine Diagram showing the sequence from washing to dehydration of the washing machine Flow chart from washing to dehydration of the washing machine Vertical cross-sectional configuration diagram of a conventional washing machine

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an outer tub that is elastically suspended in a casing, an inner tub that is rotatably supported in the outer tub, a pulsator provided at an inner bottom of the inner tub, and the inner tub Or a driving means for rotationally driving the pulsator , a liquid detergent automatic charging device and a water supply valve for storing the liquid detergent formed in the upper part of the housing, a drainage duct communicating with the bottom of the outer tub, and the drainage duct a drain valve you drain water from the outer tub, and a temperature detecting means provided in the drainage duct, a cleaning hose connecting the waste water duct and the water supply valve, the driving means, an operation such as the water supply valve And a detergent dissolving process for dissolving the detergent by rotating the inner tank at a lower water level than the outer peripheral upper surface of the pulsator, and a control means for sequentially controlling a series of processes of washing, rinsing and dehydration, The control means is the water supply The temperature of the supplied water is detected by the temperature detection means, and the time of the washing process of the detergent to be performed after the automatic introduction of the detergent is determined according to the detected temperature. Time can be shortened effectively, leading to energy saving.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, when automatic liquid detergent input is selected, the time of the detergent dissolution process performed after automatic detergent input is shortened compared to when using a powder detergent, so that the type of detergent can be reduced. Thus, the washing process time can be shortened effectively and energy saving can be achieved.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the thing of the same structure as a prior art example attaches | subjects the same code | symbol, and abbreviate | omits description. Further, the present invention is not limited by this embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block circuit diagram of the washing machine.

  In FIG. 1, a housing 41 is provided with an outer tub 43 that is elastically suspended by a plurality of suspensions 42 and absorbs vibration during dehydration by the suspensions 42. Inside the outer tub 43, an inner tub 44 for storing clothes and objects to be dried is disposed rotatably around a washing / dehydrating shaft 45 having a hollow and double structure. Further, a pulsator 46 that stirs the object to be dried is rotatably arranged.

  In addition, the inner peripheral wall of the inner tank 44 is provided with a number of drain holes for dehydration and a plurality of vent holes 44a, and a fluid balancer 47 is provided above. A motor (driving means) 48 is attached to the outer bottom of the outer tub 43 and is connected to the inner tub 44 or the pulsator via the clutch 49 and the washing / dehydrating shaft 45 for switching the transmission of rotational force to the washing / dehydrating shaft 45 during washing or dehydrating. 46 is connected. The pulsator 46 has a substantially pan-like shape having an inclined surface 50 on the outer periphery, and forms a stirring protrusion 51. The clothes are stirred during the washing process, and the object to be dried is rotated by the pulsator 46 during the drying process. It is easy to soar upward along the inclined surface by centrifugal force. In other words, the clothes are configured to move left and right (in the rotational direction) and also move up and down by stirring.

  The heat exchange duct 52 of the drying function dehumidifies the circulating hot warm air (circulating air), and once connected to the drainage passage port 54 provided in the lower part of the outer tub 43 through the connection duct 53, The other end is connected to the inlet side of the hot air blowing means 61 constituting the hot air circulation path 57.

  A first temperature detecting means 62 for detecting the temperature of the circulating air entering the hot air blowing means 61 is provided on the inlet side of the hot air circulation path 57, and the circulation heated by the heater is provided on the outlet side. Second temperature detecting means 63 for detecting the temperature of the wind is provided to detect the circulating wind temperature during the drying process.

  The outer tub 43 is provided with an outer tub cover 65 that hermetically covers the upper surface of the outer tub 43, and the outer tub cover 65 is provided with a hot air blowing hole 60 from the upper and lower bellows-like hose 58 that can be expanded and contracted. Yes. Further, an inner lid 66 is provided on the outer tank cover 65 so as to be freely opened and closed so that clothes can be taken in and out.

  An upper frame body 68 having a clothing insertion port 67 is attached to the upper portion of the housing 41 at a substantially central portion, and an outer lid 69 is provided so as to be able to open and close so as to cover the clothing insertion port 67.

  A support member 71 equipped with a hot air blowing means 61, a water supply valve 70, and the like is provided inside the rear portion of the upper frame 68.

  The water supply valve 70 has a multi-valve configuration in which two or more water channels can be opened and closed, and is supplied from tap water or the like. One of the water channels has a small flow rate by reducing the open area of the valve or the discharge port area on the washing hose 72 side. With a structure in which water flows, the cleaning hose 72 is connected to a cleaning pipe 77 formed in the drain duct 75 at the outer bottom of the outer tub 43, and the other water channel increases the open area of the valve or the discharge port area on the water supply hose 73 side. Thus, the water flows at a large flow rate, and the water supply hose 73 is connected to the inner tub 44 through a water injection member (not shown) provided on the support member 71 so as to supply water as washing water.

  The support member 71 inside the upper frame 68 can store an amount of liquid detergent that can be used for a plurality of washings, and automatically puts the liquid detergent into the outer tub 43. 64 is configured. A flexible detergent pouring hose 59 is connected between the liquid detergent automatic charging device 64 and the outer tank cover 65, and the liquid pumped from the liquid detergent automatic charging device 64 by an air pump or the like (not shown). The detergent is dropped between the outer tank 43 and the inner tank 44 through the detergent water injection hose 59. Since the detergent water supply hose 59 is flexible, even when the entire outer tub 43 that is a vibration system is swung during dehydration, there is almost no influence on the vibration system or the detergent water supply hose 59 itself.

  A drain valve 74 for draining the water in the outer tub 43 is provided at the bottom of the outer tub 43 and connected to the heat exchange duct 52 and the connection duct 53 via the drain duct 75, and the connection duct 53 and the heat exchange duct are connected. The drainage from 52 is guided to the drainage duct 75 and the drainage valve 74 and drained from the drainage hose 76 to the outside of the machine. Further, as described above, the drain duct 75 is formed with a cleaning pipe 77 to which one end of the cleaning hose 72 piped to the water supply valve 70 is connected.

  A turbidity detecting means 92 for causing the drainage duct 75 to emit and receive a light beam upstream of the drainage valve 74, detect the turbidity of the washing water based on the transmission degree and change rate, and detect the degree of dirt on the clothes. Is attached. A third temperature detecting means 97 is provided on the outer surface of the drainage duct 75 to detect the temperature of the water in the drainage duct 75, that is, the temperature of the washing water supplied from the water supply valve 70 into the outer tank 43 that communicates. It is like that.

  A conductivity detecting means 78 having a pair of electrodes 94 for detecting the conductivity of washing water and detecting the presence or absence of water and the type of detergent is provided inside the outer periphery of the outer tub 43. Since it is below the upper surface of the outer periphery of the pulsator 46 at the lower part of 43, it is difficult to be affected by the water flow caused by the rotation of the pulsator 46, and the conductivity can be detected stably.

  Further, an air trap 95 is formed on the outer peripheral side wall of the outer tub 43, connected to a water level detecting means 90 configured by a pressure sensor or the like with an air pipe 96, and by the water pressure of the washing water supplied into the outer tub 43. Multiple levels of water level can be detected.

  The cooling blower 79 is attached to the side surface of the housing 41 and is configured to blow air so as to cool the outer tub 43, the heat exchange duct 52, and the like inside the housing 41.

  The control device 80 is integrally formed, and is disposed substantially vertically on the back surface (back cover) 81 of the housing 41, and a cooling blower 79 is provided below the control device 80. The control device 80 is covered and protected by a cover 82.

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

  In the block circuit diagram of FIG. 2, the control device 80 includes a motor (drive means) 48, a clutch 49, a drying fan 55 and a heater 56 that constitute the hot air blowing means 61, and a drain valve via a load drive means 86. 74, control means 87 for controlling the operation of the cooling fan (cooling means) 79, the water supply valve 70, etc., and controlling the steps of washing, rinsing, dehydration and drying, and the sterilization / deodorization process.

  The control means 87 is constituted by a microcomputer or the like, and starts operating when power is supplied from a commercial power supply 88 when the power switch 89 is turned on. The cloth amount detection means 93, the water level detection means 90, and the first temperature detection means 62 are started. The outputs of the second temperature detecting means 63 and the third temperature detecting means 97 are inputted, and the set contents are displayed on the display means 84 based on the contents set by the input by the input setting means 83. A motor 48, a clutch 49, a drying fan 55, a heater 56, a drain valve 74, a cooling fan 79, a water supply valve 70, a water absorption pump 91, and a load driving means 86 composed of a bidirectional thyristor, a relay, etc. The operation of the air pump 40 or the like is controlled, and the steps of washing, rinsing, dewatering and drying are controlled. The input setting unit 83 and the display unit 84 constitute an operation display unit 85.

  Further, the control means 87 determines the presence or absence of the washing water and the detergent based on the conductivity of the washing liquid obtained from the conductivity detection means 78, the light transmittance obtained from the turbidity detection means 92, and the rate of change thereof. Detects the type and degree of dirt on clothing, and controls each process.

  In the above configuration, basic operations of washing, rinsing, and dehydration processes when the automatic liquid detergent input referred to in the present application is selected will be described.

  FIG. 3 is an operation display section diagram of the washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 shows a washing-dehydration sequence table of the washing machine, and FIG. 5 shows the washing-dehydration control. It is a flowchart. This will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In the sequence table of FIG. 4, the basic process includes a preparation operation, a washing process, a rinsing (1) process, a rinsing (2) process, and a dehydrating process.

  In the preparatory work, the user opens the outer lid 69, opens the inner lid 66, and puts clothes into the inner tub 44. In the operation display section diagram of FIG. 3, the input setting means 83 presses the power-on button 83a to turn on the power, and the course is set with the course button 83b, the washing / drying switch button 83c, and the stroke button 83d. When the bath water button 83e is set to select whether or not the bath water use process can be selected, and when liquid detergent automatic charging is selected, the liquid detergent automatic charging button 83f is pressed and the liquid detergent display portion 84f is set to the degree of liquid detergent amount. And start driving.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 5, when the process starts (S101), the cloth amount detected by the cloth amount detecting and fixing means 93 is detected (S102), and the control means 87 detects the water level and the detergent amount. Determination and provisional determination of the subsequent sequence are performed and displayed on the water level display part 83g and the digital display part 84h of the display means 84 (S103).

  At the same time, the water supply valve 70 with a small flow rate operates to start water supply to the cleaning hose 72 side (water supply b), and water is supplied from the cleaning pipe 77 into the drain duct 75 so as to fill the drain duct 75 ( S104). Then, the turbidity detection D0 determination (S105) is performed, and the turbidity of the supplied tap water is detected by the turbidity detection means 92, and the data is input to the control means 87.

  In addition, the water level is set so that the water level becomes higher in order from rank 1 to rank 9, and the water level up to rank 3 is lower than the upper surface of the outer peripheral portion of pulsator 46, and rank 4 ("very low" water level) From rank to rank 9 ("high 2" water level) is a water level where washing and stirring b, which will be described later, is performed according to the amount of cloth. 4 and 5 show an example in which the amount of cloth is large and it is detected so as to be set to a high water level (rank 9).

  Subsequently to the water level / detergent amount display (S103), the detergent is supplied (S106).

  There are cases where the user puts in a powder detergent according to the detergent amount display displayed on the digital display section 84h and a liquid detergent is automatically put in, as described above in the preparation work. Since the liquid detergent automatic loading button 83f is selected for selection, in this embodiment, the case where the liquid detergent is automatically charged in a standard amount will be described.

  When the liquid detergent is automatically charged between the outer tank 43 and the inner tank 44 via the liquid detergent hose 59 from the liquid detergent automatic charging device 64, the water supply valve 70, that is, the small flow rate water supply valve 70 is opened. In operation, water passes through the drainage duct 75 and the connection duct 53 via the cleaning hose 72 and the cleaning pipe 77, and is supplied from the lower side to the tank to the water level rank 1 (S107). The temperature of the tap water is detected by the third temperature detecting means 97 (S108).

  The water level rank 1 is a low-capacity water level that is approximately 100 mm lower than the upper surface of the outer peripheral portion of the pulsator 46 and is immersed in water, and the water level is detected by the conductivity detection unit 78 (S109). Stops (S110).

  Next, with the drain valve 74 closed, the clutch 49 of the transmission mechanism is switched to the dehydrating side, and the power of the motor 48 is transmitted to the inner tank 44 through the dehydrating shaft and rotated, so that the inner tank 44 and the pulsator are rotated. 46 is rotated at a low speed of about 50 to 120 r / min at the same time, and a tank rotation operation for dissolving the detergent is performed (S111).

  As a result, the washing liquid in the tub slowly rotates between the inner tub 44 and the outer tub 43 by the action of centrifugal force, and the detergent is sufficiently dissolved and foamed without the washing liquid adhering to the dirt on the clothes. .

  Here, in the case of a powder detergent, the dissolution time is set to 80 seconds.

  On the other hand, when the automatic introduction of the liquid detergent is selected in the preparatory work before the start (S101) (S112), and the input amount is selected as the standard amount (S113), according to the result of the water temperature detection (S108). Rotating the tank for dissolving the detergent divided into three stages: 40 seconds when the water temperature is higher than a predetermined temperature (normal temperature, for example, 20 degrees), 45 seconds at normal temperature, and 50 seconds when the water temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature. Time is set (S114).

  This is because the powder detergent does not require time until the granular detergent powder dissolves in water, and the liquid detergent does not require that time, and it only needs time to foam evenly with the supplied water. Because. Moreover, since the speed | rate of detergent melt | dissolution is dependent on water temperature, the tank rotation time of detergent melt | dissolution is divided into several steps according to the water temperature of feed water. That is, the tank rotation time is set shorter as the water temperature becomes higher, and conversely, the tank rotation time is set longer as the water temperature becomes lower.

  In addition, washing water in which detergent is dissolved at a high concentration with a low water level of rank 1, that is, a small volume of washing water is prepared.

  Next, the tank rotation is stopped (S115), D1 determination of turbidity detection is performed (S116), and an initial value of turbidity due to the washing liquid detergent is detected by the turbidity detecting means 92, and the previous step ( The turbidity of the tap water detected in (D0 determination) is excluded, and the data of the washing liquid in a state in which the dirt from the clothing is not extracted is input to the control means 87 (S117).

  Next, while supplying water up to rank 2, with the drain valve 74 closed, the clutch 49 of the transmission mechanism is switched to the dewatering side, and the power of the motor 48 is transmitted to the inner tank 44 via the dewatering shaft. The inner tank 44 and the pulsator 46 are rotated together at a lower speed around 35 r / min (water supply & tank rotation) (S118).

  Then, after stopping, the water supply valve 70 with a large flow rate is operated (water supply a), water is supplied up to rank 3 (S119), and the power of the motor 48 is driven by the clutch 49 of the transmission mechanism unit via the washing shaft. And agitation a that the pulsator 46 rotates is performed (S120), and further water is supplied up to rank 5 (S121), and agitation a is performed (S122). A plurality of water level detection of rank 2 or higher at the time of water supply is performed by the pressure type water level detection means 90.

  By these operations, at a water level lower than the rated water level (here, the water level of rank 9 set by detecting the amount of cloth), in this case, at a water level 4 ranks below the high water level, so-called detergent high concentration stirring with a high cleaning effect. The detergent is sufficiently dissolved in advance and foaming is also sufficiently performed, and dirt on clothes is effectively eluted in the washing liquid.

  Then, the pulsator drive is stopped (S123), D2 determination of turbidity detection is performed (S124), and the turbidity of the washing liquid is detected by the turbidity detecting means 92, and whether the clothes are dirty or small. Is input to the control means 87 (S117). This data is calculated and verified together with D3 determination (S127) described later.

  Next, the water supply valve 70 having a large flow rate is operated (water supply a), and water supply starts into the inner tub 44 through the water supply hose 73 to the rated water level, that is, in the case of FIGS. 4 and 5, the high water level (rank 9). ) Until the water is supplied (S125). When the water supply is finished, the washing and stirring b (S126) for the determined time starts, and the pulsator 46 rotates, whereby the clothes are caught by the stirring protrusion 11 of the pulsator 46 and drawn into the center. The clothing at the center lower layer portion of the inner tub 44 is pushed up to the upper layer portion of the inner tub 44 by the drawn-in clothing. In this way, the clothes in the inner tub 44 are agitated, and the dirt contained in the garments is performed by the mechanical force acting by the contact between the clothes, or the inner wall of the inner tub 44 and the pulsator 46, and the hydrodynamic force. The turbidity of the washing water gradually changes as it elutes into the washing water.

  Even after the start of washing and stirring b in the washing process at a predetermined rated water level (ranks 6 to 9), the turbidity detection means 92 performs D3 determination of turbidity detection of the washing liquid (S127), and detection by D2 determination The calculation and verification are performed together with the data (S128), and the subsequent washing time (S129) can be corrected.

  In the next process, the rinse (1) process, the drain valve 74 is opened and the water in the inner tank 44 is drained, and then the clutch 49 of the transmission mechanism is switched to the dewatering side to apply centrifugal force to the clothing. After the water is separated from the clothes, the water supply valve 70 is operated with the water supply a to supply water up to a high water level (rank 9), the motor 48 is driven again, and the detergent liquid is discharged from the clothes. The rinsing stirring c is started (S130).

  In the rinsing process (2), that is, the final rinsing process, draining and dewatering are performed in the same manner as in the rinsing process (1), and after the rinsing is completed, the rinsing stirring c is started (S131).

  In the dehydration process, after rinsing is completed, the drain valve 74 is opened and the water in the inner tub 44 is drained from the drain hose 76, and then the clutch 49 of the transmission mechanism is switched to the dehydration side to This is performed by separating the moisture from the garment by transmitting it to the inner tub 44 and rotating it, and applying centrifugal force to the garment (S132).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the automatic setting of the liquid detergent is selected by the input setting means provided on the front surface of the upper frame, the time of the detergent dissolving process performed after the detergent is charged is determined when the powder detergent is used. The temperature of the supplied water is detected by the temperature detection means by operating the water supply valve, and the detergent dissolution process time is divided into multiple stages according to the detected temperature, and the detergent dissolution process A high-concentration detergent solution is prepared for the detergent high-concentration stirring process that follows.

  As a result, the time required for the washing machine can be effectively shortened according to the type of detergent and the water temperature, so energy saving can be achieved, and detergent dissolution is prepared at a high concentration, and the detergent is highly concentrated. The effect of the process can be enhanced.

  As described above, the washing machine according to the present invention can be applied to various washing machines and the like because the washing time can be shortened according to the type of detergent and the water temperature.

43 Outer tank 44 Inner tank 46 Pulsator 48 Motor (drive means)
53 Connection Duct 64 Automatic Liquid Detergent Device 68 Upper Frame 70 Water Supply Valve 71 Support Member 72 Washing Hose 74 Drain Valve 75 Drain Duct 83 Input Setting Means 84 Display Means 85 Operation Display Unit 87 Control Means 97 Third Temperature Detection Means

Claims (2)

An outer tank that is elastically suspended in the housing, an inner tank that is rotatably supported in the outer tank, a pulsator provided on the inner bottom of the inner tank, and the inner tank or the pulsator that rotates. Driving means, a liquid detergent automatic charging device and a water supply valve for storing the liquid detergent configured in the upper part of the housing, a drainage duct communicating with the bottom of the outer tub, and water from the outer tub via the drainage duct a drain valve you waste water, a temperature detecting means provided in the drainage duct, the washing hose and, said drive means for connecting the drainage duct and the water supply valve to control the operation of such a water supply valve, the pulsator A detergent dissolving process for rotating the inner tank at a water level lower than the upper surface of the outer periphery to dissolve the detergent, and a control means for sequentially controlling a series of washing, rinsing, and dehydration processes, the control means comprising the water supply Operate the valve The temperature of the water water detected by said temperature detecting means, a washing machine, characterized in that to determine the time of the detergent lysis step performed after the detergent automatic insertion in accordance with the detected temperature. 2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein when automatic introduction of the liquid detergent is selected, the time of the detergent dissolution process after the automatic introduction of the detergent is made shorter than when the powder detergent is used.

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