JPH0759272B2 - Control device and control method for fully automatic washing machine - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention uses an optical sensor to determine whether or not a detergent has been put into a washing machine, and applies the fuzzy set theory to remove stains on laundry depending on the type of detergent (saturation). By adjusting the time)
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a washing machine control device and control method for improving incomplete washing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Various washing machines to which the conventional fuzzy set theory is applied are known. A specific example thereof is the washing machine disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-77296. The washing machine automatically adjusts the amount of water supplied to the washing machine according to the amount of dirt and the amount of water supplied when rinsing, and the water stored after injecting a predetermined amount of water into the rinsing tank In a washing machine for rinsing clothes by rotating, a control valve for adjusting the amount of water supplied to the rinse tank, and a water amount detecting means for detecting the amount of water supplied to the rinse tank under the adjustment of the water amount of the valve, A sensor that detects the turbidity of water in the water supply to the rinse tank, the detection signal from the water amount detection means and the sensor is input, and the amount of water injected into the rinse tank and the amount of water injected into the rinse tank are being stored in the rinse tank. Of the control valve, the fuzzy inference unit that calculates the amount that indicates the degree of openness of the control valve by the respective membership functions, such as the muddy water of water and the openness of the control valve, and the inference result by the fuzzy inference unit. Control That it is equipped with a means.

In such a washing machine, a sensor detects the degree of turbidity of water poured into the rinsing tank, and
The amount of water supplied is detected, and the amount of water supplied to the rinsing tank is adjusted by fuzzy inference based on the detected data.The optimum amount of water supplied can be adjusted according to the degree of turbidity in the rinsing tank, thus saving water. On the other hand, there is a problem that the detergent in the powder detergent tank is already exhausted and the surrounding environment of the washing machine makes it impossible to determine whether or not the detergent is properly added due to the phenomenon that the detergent is solidified.

Further, as another washing machine to which another fuzzy set theory is applied, there is a washing machine disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-274797. This washing machine automatically sets various washing conditions using fuzzy reasoning according to the quality, quantity, and degree of washing of the laundry, and automatically performs the washing operation including the steps of washing, rinsing, and dehydrating. In a washing machine to be performed in a typical manner, a sensor for detecting the state of laundry and the like, a manual input section that receives human power by an operation, and a fuzzy inference based on the information obtained from the sensor and the manual input section, the washing time, It is equipped with a control unit that determines various washing times such as rinsing time and controls the motor, water supply valve, drain valve, etc. By determining the washing conditions using fuzzy inference, it is possible to determine the conditions that take into account multiple information at the same time. Since it can be set, the optimum washing conditions (washing time, rinsing time) can be set, and there is the advantage that the amount of water used, the washing time, etc. can also be set by the setting method of Lulu of fuzzy reasoning. , Remember which kind of detergent is in the powder detergent tank and use it with the corresponding switch when washing. For example, when washing is finished and the power cord is unplugged, the microcomputer is reset. There is a problem in that the amount of detergent used is unnecessarily increased by exceeding the standard detergent supply amount that is basically set by the washing machine manufacturer due to the disappearance of the contents.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, the present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible to determine whether or not a detergent can be put in by a voltage level (transparency) checked by an optical sensor. An object is to provide a control device and a control method for an automatic washing machine. Another object of the present invention is to determine the type of detergent in the powder detergent tank,
An object of the present invention is to provide a control device and control method for a fully automatic washing machine that automatically supplies an appropriate detergent amount. Still another object of the present invention is to control a fully automatic washing machine for preventing wear of the laundry and wasting water of electricity and water by setting the optimum washing condition by operating the fuzzy set theory. It is to provide a control method.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a controller of a fully automatic washing machine according to the present invention operates by a microcomputer and the control of the microcomputer to supply water required for washing. The water supply valve drive unit, a water level detection unit for detecting whether or not water supply is appropriately performed by the operation of the water supply valve drive unit, and the permeation of a state where water is just supplied and a state in which detergent and laundry are put in. The degree of light is checked by the microcomputer to determine whether the detergent has been properly dispensed, and the degree of transparency checked by the optical sensor controller allows the detergent to be dispensed until a small water level is detected. The detergent motor drive unit, the cloth amount sensing unit for sensing the amount of laundry to be loaded, and the washing mode when the laundry loaded by the fabric amount sensing unit is sensed. The washing motor drive unit that drives the machine, the memory that stores the type of detergent that is determined by the microcomputer based on the transparency checked by the optical sensor control unit, and the micro if the detergent is abnormally charged. It is characterized by comprising an alarm unit that emits an alarm sound under the control of a computer.

Further, the control method of the fully automatic washing machine of the present invention is as much as the detergent desires due to the phenomenon that the detergent is already exhausted in the powder detergent tub and the phenomenon that the detergent solidifies due to the environmental conditions around the washing machine. The first is to discriminate with a microcomputer by using the transmittance which is detected by an optical sensor when the detergent is not thrown in and the deviation of the detergent is caused.
When the detergent is dispensed for the time being as a result of the discrimination between the step 1 and the above first step, the optical sensor detects the transmittance of the dispensed detergent and stores it in the memory so that the user mistakenly does not wash the detergent. The fuzzy set theory is applied to the second step that allows the proper amount of detergent to be added even when the operation is performed, and the time relationship for separating the dirt of the laundry according to the type of detergent determined in the second step. And a third step of performing washing according to the generated washing conditions.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is an overall schematic view of a washing machine provided with an optical sensor module applied to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a structural diagram of the optical sensor module applied to the present invention.
In FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 1 is a puller that is rotated by the operation of a motor 2 to wash the laundry put into the washing tub, and 3 is composed of a light emitting section 4 and a light receiving section 5, and the light emitting section is described above. The light sensor 5 receives the light emitted from 4 and inputs it to a microcomputer to determine whether or not a detergent can be thrown. Reference numeral 6 is a predetermined shape and is attached to the top and bottom of the tob and added to the tob. A rubber packing that shrinks pressure. On the other hand, the optical sensor 3 is fixed to the inner surface of the lower portion of the washing machine ton by bolts, emits light into the washing tub, and receives the emitted light.

Next, FIG. 3 will be described. FIG. 3 is an overall block portion of a control device for a fully automatic washing machine according to the present invention. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 10 is a microcomputer for generally controlling all operations of the fully automatic washing machine of the present invention, and 20 is for supplying water required for washing into a washing tub when a washing course is selected. , A water supply valve drive unit operated under the control of the microcomputer 10, and 30 is a water level sensor that detects whether or not water has been supplied to a desired degree by the operation of the water supply valve drive unit 20.
Reference numeral 40 denotes a water level sensing unit which is input to the microcomputer 10 as a frequency value, and 40 denotes a transmittance (optical sensor output voltage) when only water is supplied and a transmittance when a detergent and laundry are put in. The optical sensor control unit for measuring the degree of water, inputting it to the microcomputer 10 and determining whether or not the detergent is put in the desired manner, 50 is a small amount of water level based on the result of the transmittance check of the optical sensor control unit 40. It is a detergent motor drive unit that feeds detergent until it is detected.

Further, reference numeral 60, when the small water level is sensed as a result of the sensing of the water level sensing unit 30, the laundry motor is driven while the laundry amount sensed by the laundry amount sensing unit 70 is sensed. The washing motor drive unit checks the transmittance of the washing motor when the washing motor is rotated by the optical sensor control unit 40. If the detergent is automatically put into the washing tub, 80 is filled in the washing powder tub beforehand. A microcomputer signal that identifies the detergent type put in the washing tub based on the information determined by the difference in the transmittance output from the optical sensor control unit 40 according to the detergent type (standard, general concentration) It is a memory that receives and stores the information, and enables an appropriate amount of detergent to be automatically added even when a customer mistakenly selects and selects a detergent type. Further, reference numeral 90 is an alarm unit for notifying the user through a buzzer or the like when the result of the determination by the microcomputer 10 based on the output voltage sensed by the optical sensor control unit 40 indicates that there is something wrong with the introduction of the detergent. is there.

In the automatic washing machine having the above structure, the pulse wave is continuously applied from the microcomputer 10 to the optical sensor control section 40 while the selection motor is rotating, and the turbid saturation time during the washing machine progress, that is, the dirt of the laundry is separated. Hold time,
When the water level sensed by the water level sensing unit 30 is based on the high water level, the output voltage of the optical sensor control unit 40 is received for x minutes from the time when the washing time has passed y minutes to determine whether or not saturation is possible (FIG. 7, FIG. 8).

The method of determining whether the saturation is possible or not is to obtain the average of the first three and the average of the final three from the input data for the above x minutes (maximum 25 in case of small water level), and the absolute value of the difference is 0. If it is less than 0.02 V, it is determined to be saturated. That is, [(Material 1 + Material 2 + Material 3) / 3-
(Material 18 + Material 19 + Material 20/3] <0.02V ...
……… (1), it is decided that it is saturated,
Processing beyond the input of the optical sensor 3 is not performed thereafter.
However, if it is determined that it is not saturated, one piece of data is additionally input in the next cycle, and for the total of 20 pieces, which was added to the previous 19 pieces, washing is continued until it is saturated by the above formula (1). To do. At this time, the microcomputer 1
If saturation is not detected within the standard washing time by water level set to 0, the washing time display on the display will detect the saturation while continuing to wash while keeping the washing time.
When the maximum washing time is finished, the washing process is finished and the subsequent process is carried out. On the other hand, Table 1 shows the standard washing machine time and the maximum washing time.

[0013] If it is saturated, fuzzy inference is performed.The data required for the above fuzzy inference is the past time held from the beginning of the washing process, that is, the saturation time and the last three sensed at the time of saturation. It is the average value (turbidity) of the material. That is, fuzzy inference is performed by the following method based on the saturation time and the turbidity value, and the finally determined value is added to or subtracted from the remaining wash time.

(A) The functions for saturation time (T) and turbidity (V) are defined as follows (see FIG. 9).

(B) Substituting the saturation time (T) and the turbidity (V) into the function defined in the above equation (a), x ₁ ,
The values of x ₂ , x ₃ and y ₁ , y ₂ , y ₃ are calculated (see FIG. 10). However, when the turbidity (v) is 3.0 < V < 4.2, it is calculated by the function of (a) above, and when it is not, if the turbidity (V) V> 4.2. If so, x ₁ = x ₂ = 0.0 x ₃ = 1.0, and if the turbidity (V) is V <3.0, then x ₁ = 1.0 x ₂ = x ₃ = It is 0.0. Further, if the saturation time (T) is 3.0 < T < 10.0, the calculation is performed by the function of (a) above, and if not, if the saturation time (T) is T> 10.0. If so, y ₁ = y ₂ = 0.0 y ₃ = 1.0, and if the saturation time (T) is T <3.0, then y ₁ = 1.0 y ₂ = y ₃ = It is 0.0.

(C) The following function for adjusting the washing time is held (see FIG. 11). _{t 1 = -0.5 × | t |} +1.0 t 2 = -0.5 × | t-3 | + 1.0 = t 4 t 3 = -0.5 × | t-6 | + 1.0 = _{t 5 = t 7 t 6 =} -0.5 × | t-9 | + 1.0 = t 8 t 9 = -0.5 × | t-12 | +1.0 i.e., _'from t _9' t ₁ until Should also be held, which is a function value obtained by multiplying each of the above t ₁ to t by t. (D) Double the combination of (x ₁ , x ₂ , x ₃ ) and (y ₁ , y ₂ , y ₃ ) obtained from (b) above. product ₁ = x ₁ × y ₁ product ₂ = x ₁ × y ₂ product ₉ = x ₃ × y ₃ .

(E) The following is calculated. _{F 1 = t 1 × product 1} + t 2 × product 2 + ..... + t 9 × product 9 F2 = t 1 '× product 1 + t 2' × product 2 + ..... + t 9 '× product 9 (However, if each term in the above equation is a negative number, it is set to zero (0)).

(F) The value F ₁ obtained from the above (e),
Integration from the interval (0.12) to F ₂

(G) The final value is determined as follows. (H) The final value obtained from (g) above is added to the remaining washing time at present and calculated. (I) After that, the washing proceeds until the washing time becomes zero.

Next, FIGS. 4 to 6 will be described.
4 to 6 are flowcharts showing the operation sequence of the fully automatic washing machine of the present invention, where S means a step. When a washing course is selected, the fully automatic washing machine of the present invention first turns on the water supply valve in step S1,
In order to determine whether or not the water supply valve is turned on in step S1, the frequency output from the water level sensor is sensed in step S2, and it is determined whether the current frequency is equal to or higher than the reset point.

As a result of the determination in step S2, if the current frequency is not higher than the reset point (in the case of NO), the process returns to step S1 and the above operation is repeated, and the determination result in step S2 shows the current frequency. If is above the reset point (in the case of yes), the desired water is supplied into the washing tub, so step S
Proceeding to step 3, the output voltage A of the optical sensor is checked in the state where only water is supplied. Next, in step S4, the detergent motor is turned on, and the detergent is supplied until the small water level is detected.

When the small amount of water level is detected in the step S4 and the introduction of the detergent is completed, the process proceeds to step S5, and it is confirmed by the microcomputer 10 whether the present frequency output from the water level sensor is suitable for the small amount of water level. , If it is determined that the frequency is not suitable for the small water level (N
In the case of (O), the process returns to step S4, the water supply valve and the washing motor are turned on again, and an appropriate detergent is added to the small water level,
If the current frequency is a frequency suitable for the small water level in step S5 (yes), the water supply valve and the detergent motor are turned off in step S6, and the process proceeds to step S7, where the amount of laundry put into the washing tub is reached. To sense.

Next, in step S8, with the detergent and laundry loaded, the optical sensor output voltage B when the washing motor is rotated is checked, and the process proceeds to step 9 to perform the above step S8.
When the optical sensor output voltage A in the state where only water is supplied to the washing tub checked in 3 is smaller than the optical sensor output voltage B in the state where the laundry is loaded (in the case of yes)
Since the voltage level is higher when the laundry is present than when only the water is present in the washing tub, it is determined that the detergent has been properly introduced and the water level is determined.
In this case, since the detergent has not been normally added, an alarm sound is emitted via the buzzer 90 in step S91 so that the user can be ascertained.

After the water level is determined in step S10, the process proceeds to step S11, in which the water supply valve and the detergent motor are turned on so that the water is filled up to the determined water level, and the water level is determined. Make sure to add the appropriate amount of detergent for the water level.

Then, in step S12, it is checked whether or not the water has been supplied up to the water level determined. If the water has been supplied up to the determined water level (in the case of yes), the process proceeds to step S13 to turn off the water supply valve and further When water is not supplied and the water has not been supplied to the determined water level (in the case of NO)
To return to step S11, the water is supplied up to the determined water level.

Next, in step 14, in order to determine the type of detergent that has been put in, the washing motor is turned on for a predetermined time, and in step 15, the washing motor is operated to detect the turbidity, and the process proceeds to step S16. The microcomputer 10 determines whether or not the voltage is at the same level as the selected detergent type, and if it is the same as the already selected detergent type (in the case of yes), it is switched to the washing step, and if it is not the same (NO). In the case of), step S1
The type input in 7 is determined.

As a result of the above discrimination, if the detergent introduced into the washing tub 7 does not match the selected detergent and the voltage level, and thus the type of introduced detergent is different, step S
In 171 the detergent type stored in the EAROM (memory IC) is changed, in step S172 the detergent loading motor drive time is reset, after which the operation returns to step S1 and the subsequent operation is repeated.

On the other hand, in step S18, the amount of detergent added is determined. If a small amount of detergent has been added (yes), the process proceeds to step S19 to turn off the washing motor, and in step S20 the water supply valve is turned off to insert detergent. The motor is turned on to ensure the proper amount of detergent is dispensed. On the other hand, as a result of the detergent amount determination in step S18, if the detergent is properly added (in the case of NO), the process returns to step S17 and the subsequent operation is repeated.

The water supply valve in step S20 is set to 1
Repeated operation of turning off for 5 seconds and turning on for 2 seconds is performed. Therefore, in step S21, it is determined whether or not 15 seconds have elapsed, and as a result of the above determination, when 15 seconds have elapsed (yes
In the case of s), the process proceeds to step S22, the water supply valve is turned on for 2 seconds, the detergent feeding motor is turned on and the detergent is fed, and then it is determined in step S23 whether the additional detergent feeding is completed,
When the addition of the additional detergent is completed (in the case of yes),
Move to the washing process.

On the other hand, if 15 seconds has not elapsed in step 21 (NO), step S23 described above is performed.
If the addition of additional detergent has not been completed in (if NO)
For all, the process returns to step S20 and the subsequent operation is repeated. On the other hand, the addition of the additional detergent while performing the operation of turning the water supply valve off for 15 seconds and on for 2 seconds is performed when the additional detergent should be replenished in a state where the water level is set to a high water level and the water supply is completed up to the high water level. This is to prevent an overflow from occurring when the recharging motor and the water supply valve are turned on at the same time.

After the above-described operation, and when the result of the determination in step S16 is that the detergent type already selected and the type of the introduced detergent are the same (in the case of yes), the washing process of step S24. Enter. When the washing process is started, it is determined in step S25 whether or not the turbidity is still unsaturated but x minutes or more. If the determination result is that the turbidity is still unsaturated and x minutes or more ( (Yes), the process proceeds to step S26 and the start time ts is obtained, and the turbidity is sensed in step S27, the saturation is checked, and the end time t is determined in step S28.
get e.

Next, in the total washing time defined in step S29, a time te-ts is subtracted from the end time te of step S28 minus the start time ts of step S26, and zero is finally set in step S30. Then, in step S31, it is determined whether or not it is saturated.

As a result of the determination as to whether or not saturation is possible in step S31, if saturated (yes), step S31
After performing saturation detection and fuzzy inference at 32, the process proceeds to step S33. If the result of the determination as to whether or not saturation is possible at step S31 is unsaturated (NO), the process proceeds directly to step S33 to adjust the washing time. , The final time is added to the total washing time, the process returns to step S24, and the subsequent operation is repeated.

On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S25, when the turbidity is still unsaturated but not more than x minutes (in the case of NO), it is determined in step S34 whether it is saturated or not. If the determination result is saturated (in the case of yes), the process proceeds to step S35, 0.1 minute is subtracted from the total washing time, and it is determined in step S36 whether the total washing time is zero. ,
If the total washing time is zero (if yes), step 37
Go to the next step and finish.

On the other hand, in the case where the above step S34 is unsaturated (in the case of NO), the routine proceeds to step S38, where 0.1 minute is added to the past time, and when the total washing time in above step S36 is not zero (NO). In the case of), the process returns to step S24 and the subsequent operation is repeated.

[0036]

As described above, according to the control device and control method for a fully automatic washing machine of the present invention, whether or not a detergent can be dispensed can be accurately determined, and even if the detergent type is selected by mistake. Not only can it be determined by automatically supplying an appropriate amount of detergent, but optimum washing conditions can be set by fuzzy set theory, and washing can be performed automatically to prevent wear of the laundry, It has a considerable economic effect of preventing waste of electricity and water.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall schematic view of a washing machine equipped with an optical sensor module applied to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a structural view in which an optical sensor module applied to the present invention is attached.

FIG. 3 is an overall block diagram of a control device for a fully automatic washing machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a first half portion of a flowchart showing an operation sequence of the control method for the fully automatic washing machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an intermediate part of a flowchart showing the operation sequence of the control method for the fully automatic washing machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is the second half of the flowchart showing the operation sequence of the control method for the fully automatic washing machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a graph showing a saturation determination method applied to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is another graph showing a saturation determination method applied to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a functional relationship graph of saturation time and turbidity required to perform fuzzy inference applied to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is another graph showing a functional relationship between saturation time and turbidity required to perform fuzzy inference applied to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a functional relation graph for washing time adjustment of fuzzy reasoning applied to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Pulsator 2 Motor 3 Optical sensor 4 Light emitting part 5 Light receiving part 6 Rubber packing 7 Washing tub 8 Turb 10 Microcomputer 20 Water supply valve driving part 30 Water level sensing part 40 Optical sensor control part 50 Detergent motor driving part 60 Washing motor driving part 70 Cloth Quantity sensor 80 Memory 90 Alarm unit

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A microcomputer, a water supply valve drive section operated by the control of the microcomputer to supply water required for selection, and whether or not water is appropriately supplied by the operation of the water supply valve drive section. A water level sensing unit that senses, and the state that the water has just been supplied and the detergent,
The light sensor control unit that checks the transmittance of the laundry in the loaded state and determines whether the detergent has been appropriately charged by the microcomputer, and the transmittance checked by the optical sensor control unit, the small water level Detergent motor drive unit that puts in detergent until the time when it is detected, cloth amount detection unit that detects the amount of laundry put in, and drive the washing motor when the laundry amount input by the cloth amount detection unit is detected The washing motor drive unit, a memory for storing the detergent detergent determined by the microcomputer based on the transmittance checked by the optical sensor control unit, and the microcomputer control when the detergent detergent is abnormal. The control device for the fully automatic washing machine, comprising: 2. The controller of a fully automatic washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the sensing unit uses a water level sensor to check whether or not the water supply is performed to a desired degree by using a frequency value. 3. The light sensor control unit receives light emitted from the light emitting unit of the light sensor by a light receiving unit and inputs the light into a microcomputer to determine whether or not the detergent injection is normal. The control device for the fully automatic washing machine according to claim 1. 4. The controller of a fully automatic washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the memory is an electrically convertible ROM. 5. The fully automatic system according to claim 1, wherein the microcomputer continuously applies the pulse wave during rotation of the washing motor to the optical sensor control unit to maintain the turbidity saturation time during the washing process. Washing machine controller. 6. A situation in which the progress of washing progresses due to the detergent not being dispensed to a desired degree due to a phenomenon in which the detergent is hardened due to the state in which the detergent in the powder detergent tub has already been exhausted and the surrounding environmental conditions of the washing machine. Using the transmittance detected by the optical sensor, the first step of determining by the microcomputer and the result of the above first step, when the detergent is put in for the time being, the optical sensor detects the transmittance depending on the type of the introduced detergent. Then, the second step of storing the amount in the memory so that an appropriate amount of detergent is added even when the user mistakenly selects the detergent type, and the detergent determined in the second step The fuzzy set theory is applied to the time relationship of the dirt separation of the laundry depending on the type, and the third step is to perform the washing according to the generated washing conditions. Control method for fully automatic washing machine. 7. The first step is to introduce detergent when the optical sensor output voltage when only water is supplied is smaller than the optical sensor output voltage when laundry is applied. The method for controlling a fully automatic washing machine according to claim 6, wherein the water level is determined by determining whether the water level is high. 8. The second step, if the detergent put into the washing tub is not the same as the detergent selected by the user,
7. The method for controlling a fully automatic washing machine according to claim 6, wherein the type of detergent stored in the memory is changed and the motor drive time for loading the detergent is reset. 9. In the second step, if it is determined that the amount of detergent added is small, after operating the water supply valve for 2 seconds,
The control method of the fully automatic washing machine according to claim 6, wherein a repetitive operation is performed without operating for 5 seconds. 10. The control method for a fully automatic washing machine according to claim 6, wherein the third step performs fuzzy inference when it is determined that the saturation occurs.