JPH03218798A - Full-automatic washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent air from being stagnant in a supplying path and a water feeding pump when it is started to feed water from a water tank to a washing tank, and to prolong the service life of the water feeding pump by preventing it from being broken down by executing control so that tap water can flow out to the water feeding path for recycle during prescribed time when recycle water is supplied from the water tank to the washing tank by the pump. CONSTITUTION:When a washing process is started, a main water feeding valve 3 and a sub water feeding valve 4 are opened and the tap water is supplied through the main water feeding valve 3, main water feeding paths A, B'3' and 3'', sub water feeding path 4', sub water feeding valve 4 and sub water feeding path B'4'' to a water feeding pump 9. During the lapse of prescribed time, the air stagnant at the sub water feeding path B'4'' and the water feeding pump 9 is blown out from the suction port of the water feeding pump 9 by the tap water and even when the sub water feeding path B'4'' is bent or twisted, it is restored by water pressure so that the water can easily flow. When the tap water is blown out of the suction port of the water feeding pump 9, the filter part of the pump can be cleaned. Therefore, under a satisfactory condition with a little sucking resistance, the water feeding pump 9 can be driven.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (A) Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to a fully automatic household washing machine, and particularly to a water supply control device thereof.

(Example) Conventional technology In a conventional washing machine equipped with a water supply pump, the water supply pump is operated to supply and control bath water, etc. from the water storage tank to the washing tank. 6 No. 494 (D0
6F 39/08).

In the conventional example, a hose is connected to the water supply pump, and the water supply pump transfers the supply water from the water tank to the washing tank, so if you want to transfer water from the water tank, you need to put the pump into the water tank and make preparations. Since this is done each time, the installation preparation status differs. In other words, each time the water supply pump is folded up, the hose is stretched out and the water supply pump is inserted into the water tank, so if the hose is bent or twisted, or the water level in the water tank is different, the water supply pump may not work even if the water supply pump is started. If the water supply starts inconsistently, or if the water level is low or residual water accumulates in the middle of the hose, the pump may run dry or run dry before water enters the water pump chamber. A situation arises in which the supply time becomes longer, which may damage the pump or shorten the life of the pump, resulting in problems such as longer supply times due to changes over time.

(c) Problems to be solved by the invention When the water supply pump starts supplying water from the water storage tank to the washing tank, air retention in the supply channel and the water supply pump is eliminated, preventing failure of the water supply pump and extending its service life. In addition, the purpose is to provide a stable configuration with little fluctuation in the water supply capacity of the pump even when the water supply pump is operated under fluctuating installation conditions and situations.

(2) Means to solve the problem The main water supply channel that supplies tap water and the auxiliary water supply channel that supplies water from a water tank such as a bathtub can be connected via a valve to switch the water supply from each water supply channel. In addition, when water tank water is supplied from the sub-supply channel to the washing tank by controlling the valve of the water supply channel, after supplying tap water to the sub-supply channel for a predetermined time,
The problem is solved by switching and controlling the valve so that water from the water tank can be supplied to the washing tank using a water supply pump.

(e) Operation When water storage tank water is selected to be supplied to the washing tub, tap water is supplied from the main water supply channel to the water supply pump via the auxiliary water supply channel for a predetermined period of time.

This supply water fills the space between the sub-water supply channel and the water supply pump, and the air pockets are also pushed out to the water storage tank. In this state, the water supply pump starts driving, the main water supply valve is closed, the sliding water supply valve is opened, and when the amount of discharged water is stabilized, water from the water tank starts to be sucked up, so that the water supply pump does not trap air. Since the inlet filter of the water pump is injected back with tap water each time, a part of the filter can be cleaned, there is no increase in suction resistance, and the water pump can operate without reducing the amount of water discharged by the pump.

(f) Example Embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a fully automatic washing machine of the present invention. Based on this figure, the fully automatic washing machine has an operation panel (2) at the rear of the upper part of the frame (1), and the back side thereof. is a vacant space for piping.

A main water supply channel A (3') having a main water supply valve (3) in the middle and a tank water supply valve (5) at the tip is piped into this piping space, and furthermore, the main water supply water valve (3) and the tank water supply valve (5) and the auxiliary water supply channel A (4') connected in communication with the auxiliary water supply valve (4') at its tip.
are arranged.

The main water supply valve (3) is a main water supply channel B made of a pressure-resistant hose.
The other end of the sub water supply valve (4) can be connected to a water faucet via a water tap (3”), and the sub water supply channel B made of a flexible hose is attached to the other end of the sub water supply valve (4).
(4”) can be connected. Sub-supply water channel B (4”)
A water supply pump (9) is connected to the other end.

The water supply changeover switch (6) selectively switches the water supply source to the washing tank (8) from tap water to the water storage tank (7), and
The water supply pump (9) starts driving in response to the N signal.

In addition, (12) is a water receiving tank provided on the outer periphery of the washing tub (8), (
l3) is a drain valve installed at the bottom of the water tank (12), and (11)
) is a water level sensor that detects the water level in the water tank (12) via a pipe, and (39) is a drive motor that rotates the agitator (35).

(10) is a power outlet for the water supply pump (9) which is linked to the water supply changeover switch (6).

The fully automatic washing machine of this embodiment is controlled by a microcomputer, and the control mechanism of the washing machine centered on this microcomputer (14) (hereinafter referred to as microcomputer) will be described below with reference to FIG.

The microcomputer (14) includes a CPU (15), an R.A.
M (16), R O M (17), Timer (18)
, system path (19) and input/output ports} (20) ~
(25). The CPU (15) is composed of a control section (26) and a calculation section (27), the control section (26) fetches and executes instructions, and the calculation section (27) performs the instruction execution stage. In the control section (
26) performs arithmetic processing such as binary addition, logical operation, increase/decrease, and comparison on data given from input devices and memory.

The R A M (16) is for storing data regarding the washing machine, and the R O M (17)
In this method, the means for operating the washing machine, the setting of conditions for judgment, the rules for processing various information, etc. are loaded in advance.

The input key circuit (20) to (22) includes an input key circuit (28) composed of the various operation keys, the water level sensor (37) for detecting the water level, and a top lid safety switch (29) that is linked to the opening and closing of the top lid. ), and based on this information, an LED drive circuit (30) consisting of the LED group is output from the output ports (23) to (25).
, a buzzer circuit (31) for process completion notification or abnormality notification, and a load drive circuit (32) consisting of a bidirectional cyrisk, etc.
), etc., a control signal is sent out. The load drive circuit (32
) according to the control signal from the microcomputer (14),
Left and right rotation circuit (33) of rotary blade drive motor (39) (
34), controls the operation of the water supply solenoid valve drive circuits (3) to (5) and the drainage solenoid valve drive circuit (13).

(40) is a power supply circuit that supplies voltage to the microcomputer (14), and (38) is a reset circuit.

Next, the operation when using water in the water tank (7) will be explained with reference to FIGS. 2 and 4.

Before starting washing, set the washing program, water level, water flow, etc., and press the water supply switch (
6) to ON (water faucet (36) is open)
.

When the washing start switch (37) is turned on to start the washing process, the main water supply valve (3) and the sub-water supply valve (4) are opened, and tap water is supplied to the main water supply valve (3), main water supply channels A and B ( 3')
, (3''), the sub water supply channel (4'), the sub water supply valve (4), and the sub water supply channel B (4") to the water supply pump (9). During a predetermined period of time (S-2) (e.g. about 3 seconds), the air accumulated in the sub water supply channel B (4") and the water supply pump (9) due to the tap water is discharged from the suction port of the water supply pump (9). Even if the auxiliary water supply channel B (4") is deformed (bent or twisted), the water pressure restores it to a shape that allows water to flow easily, and tap water flows through the suction port of the water supply pump (9). When the water is blown out from the pump, a part of the filter of the pump can be cleaned, so the water supply pump (9) can be driven under favorable conditions with little suction resistance (S-3). Therefore, the discharge capacity of the water supply pump (9) is not reduced, there is no air accumulation in the pump chamber, etc., and the life of the pump is not shortened, allowing it to be used for a long period of time.

The set water level (high, medium, low) (S-4) is detected by the water level sensor (11), the water supply pump (9) is stopped, water suction from the water tank (7) is finished, and cleaning is performed automatically. Start the process.

On the other hand, a case will be described in which the water in the water tank (7) is not used.

When the water supply selector switch (6) is turned OFF (S-1),
Only the sub water supply valve (4) is turned OFF (S-5), tap water is supplied as before, and the water level is controlled by the water level sensor (l1), and when the set water level is detected (S-6), the main water supply valve (3) is turned off.
and the tank water supply valve (5) are closed, and the cleaning process is automatically started.

(G) Effects of the Invention In the present invention, when reused water is supplied from the water storage tank to the washing tank using a pump, tap water is controlled to flow out into the water supply channel for reuse for a predetermined period of time. By using water pressure to restore the deformed waterway and pushing out the air accumulated in the water supply channel through the suction port of the water supply pump, air pockets in the pump chamber are eliminated.
Since the pump is not driven in a state where air is trapped, the pump life is not shortened and the pump discharge volume does not decrease, and the pump discharge volume can be maintained stably over a long period of timeζ
I can do that.

In addition, dirt attached to a part of the filter of the water pump,
Since it can be removed with tap water, pump performance can be maintained constant for a long period of time without reducing the amount of water discharged.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a fully automatic washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the connection of the water supply valves, and FIG. FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) are flowcharts of water supply control. (3) Main water supply valve, (4) Sub-water supply valve, (5)
...tank water supply valve, (6) ...water supply selector switch, (7
)...Bathtub (water tank), (8)...Washing tub, (9)
...Water pump.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) Equipped with a main water supply channel that supplies tap water and a sub-supply channel that supplies water from a water tank such as a bathtub to the washing tank using a water supply pump, and selectively uses tap water or water from the water tank. In a system that is configured to switch between uses, the main and auxiliary water supply channels are connected through multiple valves, and when water from the water tank is selected, tap water is used as the main water supply for a predetermined period of time at the beginning of water supply. This fully automatic washing machine is designed to supply water from the main water supply valve to the pump side via the sub-water supply channel, then close the main water supply valve, drive the water supply pump, and supply water from the water tank to the washing tank.