JPH03224595A - washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To surely prevent migration by suspending washing by detecting a dyeing state of a washing liquid caused by color fading of a laundry in the course of washing, discharging the washing liquid, and also, informing it. CONSTITUTION:At the bottom part of an outer tank 2, two sets of light emitter 11, a photodetector 12 and light emitter 21, photodetector 22 are provided opposingly, and a color of a washing liquid in which supplied water and a washing liquid from a detergent dissolving part 15 are mixed is detected and outputted to an arithmetic control part 16. The arithmetic control part 16 compares output variations from the photodetectors 12, 22 after a prescribed time elapses after washing is started, and after a prescribed time elapses therefrom and decides whether a fear of migration exists or not. In the case a fear of migration exists, washing is suspended immediately and a drain valve 9 is allowed to execute an opening operation, an advance of migration is stopped, and also, it is alarmed that a fear of migration exists. In such a way, the migration can be prevented surely.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Purpose of the invention] (Industrial application field) The present invention relates to washing machines.

(Prior Art) Everyone has experienced the occurrence of dye transfer due to discoloration of laundry during washing. In order to prevent dye transfer, you can take measures such as quickly noticing that the washing liquid is dyed in a faded color during washing, or separating laundry that fades before washing. In any case, the user had no choice but to rely on his or her experience, which was a burden to the user. In particular, there has been a strong desire for some kind of effective measure to prevent dye transfer due to the recent trend towards labor saving associated with the spread of fully automatic washing machines.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) As described above, there has been a strong desire to improve the prevention of dye transfer, which has hitherto been a burden to users.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine that can reliably prevent dye transfer without burdening the user.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes a color detection means for detecting the color of the washing liquid, and a color detecting means for detecting the color of the washing liquid and detecting the risk of dye transfer based on the detected color of the washing liquid. The gist of the present invention is to include a dye transfer detection means for detecting the dye transfer, and a processing control means for stopping the washing, draining the washing liquid, and notifying the user when the possibility of dye transfer is detected.

(Function) In the washing machine according to the present invention, when a risk of dye transfer is detected based on the dyeing status of the washing liquid due to discoloration of the laundry during washing, washing is stopped and the washing liquid is drained. We are trying to notify the public accordingly.

(Example) Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in detail using the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional configuration of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is the main body of the washing machine, 2 is a washing tub (outer tub) that is elastically suspended by a suspension 4, and 3 is a washing tub (inner tub) for washing and dehydrating laundry.There are many drains on the side of the surrounding wall. It has a hole 6 for use. A pulsator 13 is provided at the bottom of the inner tank 3, and is rotated by a drive motor 8 via a manufacturer case 7 containing a brake and clutch mechanism. In addition, two sets of light emitters 11 are provided at the bottom of the outer tank 2. A light receiver 12 and a light emitter 21. The light receiver 22 is the second
As shown in the figure, the color of the washing liquid is calculated by detecting the color of the washing liquid in which the water supplied from the water supply hose 14 and the detergent liquid from the detergent dissolving unit 15 which dissolves the detergent in advance with a certain amount of water are mixed. It is output to the control section 16 and constitutes a color detection means.

The light emitter 11 and the light emitter 21 have different emission wavelengths. For example, the light emission wavelength of the light emitter 11 is 635 nm.
m, the emission wavelength of the light emitter 21 is 565 nm. In addition,
Reference numeral 10 denotes a drainage hose, which is controlled to communicate with the outer tank 2 via a drainage valve 9. Moreover, 5 is a balancer provided at the upper part of the inner tank 3.

Further, in FIG. 1, the arithmetic control unit 16 is composed of, for example, a microcomputer that controls the operation of the entire washing machine, and in particular, the calculation control unit 16 is configured to control the operation of the washing machine as a whole. It has a function of detecting the possibility of staining and executing the necessary processing, and constitutes a dye transfer detection means and a processing control means.

Next, the principle of detecting the risk of stain transfer is shown in Figures 3 and 4.
This will be explained using figures.

Since dye transfer is caused by discoloration of the laundry, in order for dye transfer to occur, the washing liquid must contain a large amount of this discolored color component as washing progresses. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether there is a risk of dye transfer based on the state of color change of the washing liquid.

Specifically, focusing on the fact that if color fading occurs, only the output change is large from the light receiver with high light receiving sensitivity for that color,
．． Changes in the output from the light receiver 12.22 and the output from the light receiver 12.22 after a predetermined time t1 have elapsed are determined and compared. If color fading has not occurred, the output change ΔvA1 by the light receiver 12 and the output change ΔVBI by the light receiver 22 correspond only to the component of dirt removed from the laundry, so they are approximately the same value (
(See Figure 3). However, if color fading has occurred, either the output change ΔV^2 due to the photoreceiver 12 or the output change ΔVB2 due to the photoreceiver 22 will be a large value, and the two will never be approximately the same value (fourth (see figure), it is determined that there is a risk of dye transfer. Incidentally, Fig. 4 shows the case of ΔV^2 × ΔvI]2, but in this case, the output wavelength of the emitter 21 facing the photoreceiver 22 is 565 nm, so there is no possibility of blue color migration. It can be determined that there is a risk. Conversely, in the case of ΔvA2>ΔVB2, since the output wavelength of the light emitter 11 facing the light receiver 12 is 635 nm, it can be determined that there is a risk of red color migration.

Next, the action for preventing dye transfer in this embodiment will be explained using a processing flow chart of the arithmetic and control unit 16 shown in FIG.

Output changes ΔvA, ΔV based on the outputs from the light receivers 12, 22 after a certain period of time to has passed since washing started and after a certain period of time t1 has passed since then.

is determined and the two are compared to determine whether there is a risk of dye transfer as described above (steps 100 to 160).

As a result of the judgment, if there is no risk of dye transfer, washing proceeds according to the normal process (step 190), but if there is a risk of dye transfer, the washing is immediately stopped and the drain valve 9 is opened to drain the washing liquid. The water is drained to stop the progress of dye transfer, and a warning is issued that there is a risk of dye transfer (step 170, 1).
80).

Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to detect and notify the risk of dye transfer without imposing any burden on the user, and to quickly take measures against dye transfer by draining the washing liquid. can.

In this example, two sets of light emitters and light receivers with different light receiving sensitivities were provided as washing liquid color detection means.
It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the number of sets, and for example, a larger number of sets of light emitters and light receivers having different light receiving sensitivities may be provided.

Further, the color detection method is not limited to one using a light emitter and a light receiver.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, when the possibility of dye transfer is detected based on the dyeing status of the washing liquid due to discoloration of the laundry during washing, washing is stopped and the washing liquid is removed. Since the system is designed to notify the user at the same time as draining the water, it is possible to ensure prevention of contamination transfer without placing any burden on the user.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a partial configuration of FIG. 1, and FIGS.
The figure is a diagram for explaining the features of the embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a processing flowchart of the embodiment. 1...Washing machine body 2...Washing tub (outer tub) 3.
・Washing tub (inner tank) 4... Suspension 5... Balancer 6... Hole 7... Mechanical case 8... Drive motor 11.2
1... Light emitter 12.22... Light receiver 13... Pulsator 14... Water absorption hose 16... Arithmetic control unit

Claims (1)

[Claims] A color detection means for detecting the color of the washing liquid, a dye transfer detection means for detecting the possibility of dye transfer based on the detected color of the washing liquid, and a color transfer detection means for detecting the possibility of dye transfer based on the detected color of the washing liquid, and when a risk of dye transfer is detected, the washing is stopped and the washing liquid is drained. 1. A washing machine comprising processing control means for notifying the user when the washing machine is operating.