JPH0435683A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To carry out an adequate washing by finding the capacity of washings depending on the height of the water level when a specific amount of water is fed in a washtub, and detecting the quality of washings depending on the water level variation in a set time from finishing a specific amount of water feeding. CONSTITUTION:The water level of a washtub 17 when a specific amount of water supply is finished by a constant amount water feeder 21 is detected by a water level detector 15, and a control/operation member 25 calculates the capacity of the washings depending on the water level. And the water level detector 15 detects the water levels when a specific amount of water is fed and when a set time passes, to find the water level variation, and the control/ operation member 25 decides the quality of water absorption of the washings. And, depending on the capacity and the quality of water absorption of the washings, the washing is carried out by controlling the washing time, the rinsing time, the dehydrating time, the water level, the water flow, and the like, by the control/operation member 25. As a result, an adequate washing can be carried out automatically.

Description

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

(Prior Art) When washing clothes using a washing machine, the capacity and quality of the laundry items, such as water absorption, are important factors for proper washing.

Conventionally, the capacity of the laundry has been determined based on the magnitude of the motor current during rotation of the pulsator, focusing on the fact that the rotational load of the pulsator is proportional to the capacity of the laundry. However, with this method, even if the volume of laundry is the same, the load varies depending on the unevenness of the laundry and the material, so there is a risk that accurate volume detection may not be possible. In addition, since the current consumption of the motor changes even with the same load due to changes in the commercial power supply, it is necessary to correct the commercial power supply voltage, frequency, etc. in order to accurately detect the capacity.

On the other hand, there was no particular strategy for detecting the quality of laundry.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) As mentioned above, although the capacity and quality of laundry are important factors in washing, there has been no appropriate detection means in the past, and in recent years fully automatic detection has not been available. Considering the widespread use of washing machines, some kind of countermeasure was desperately needed.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide a washing machine that can accurately detect the volume and quality of laundry and contribute to appropriate washing.

[Structure of the invention]

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above object, a constant water supply means for supplying a fixed amount of water to the washing tub, a water level detection means for detecting the water level in the washing tub, and a constant water supply means for constant water supply by the fixed quantity water supply means are provided. A capacity calculating means for calculating the volume of laundry in the washing tub based on the height of the water level at the end of the water supply of a certain amount, and a capacity calculation means for determining the quality of the laundry based on the change in the water level within a set time from the end of the water supply of a certain amount. The gist is to have a quality calculation means.

(Function) The washing machine according to the present invention focuses on the fact that there is a correlation between the volume of laundry and the amount of water absorbed, and the washing machine adjusts the height of the water level when a certain amount of water is supplied into the washing tub. Based on this, the capacity of the laundry is determined based on the amount of water being supplied, and the quality of the laundry is determined based on the change in water level within a set time from the end of supplying a certain amount of water, focusing on the fact that the water absorption rate differs depending on the quality of the laundry. It was designed to do so.

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

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 3 is an inner tank, 5 is an outer tank supported by a hanging rod 4 on the main body of the washing machine, 7 is a drain valve, 9 is a pulsator, and 11 is a clutch for transmitting the rotation of the motor 13 to the pulsator 9. , 15 is a water level detection unit for detecting the water level supplied to the inner tank 6 and the outer tank (hereinafter collectively referred to as "washing tank 17"), 19 is a water supply valve, and 21 is for supplying a certain amount of water. A constant water supply section 25 provided in the middle of the water supply pipe 23 is a control calculation section that controls the operation of the washing machine 1 as a whole. Note that the water level detection unit 15 is constituted by, for example, a diaphragm that converts pressure according to the height of the water level in the washing tub 17 into an oscillation frequency.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the quantitative water supply section 21. As shown in FIG. This quantitative water supply unit 21 has a structure in which a plurality of pairs of light emitting elements 27 and light receiving elements 29 are arranged facing each other in a region where a part of the water supply pipe 23 is thickened, and a light-shielding sphere 31 is arranged in this region. It is. In such a configuration, when water supply to the washing tub 17 is started while maintaining a constant amount of water per unit time, the spherical body 31 will move between one of the light emitting elements 27 and the light receiving element 29 according to this amount of water. Since the optical path is blocked, a desired constant amount of water can be supplied to the washing tub 17 by controlling the duration of this blocked state. Note that the above-described quantitative water supply section 21 is controlled by a control calculation section 25.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained.

In general, it is well known that when dry clothing is soaked in water, it absorbs water and becomes wet.The amount of water absorbed depends on the amount of clothing, size1, thickness, etc. Varies depending on capacity. Therefore, when a certain amount of water is supplied into the washing tub 17 having a known capacity, the water level should change depending on the capacity of the laundry in the washing tub 17.

In other words, the larger the capacity, the more water will be absorbed into the laundry, resulting in a lower water level (see Figure 3).
. In the washing machine 1 of the present embodiment, the water level detection unit 15 detects the water level in the washing tub 17 when the constant water supply unit 21 finishes supplying a certain amount of water, and the control calculation unit 25 controls the washing machine based on the height of the water level. I'm trying to find the capacity of something.

On the other hand, even if the volume of the laundry is the same, if the laundry has good water absorption, water absorption will continue even after the water supply has ended, and the final water level will be lower than that of laundry with poor water absorption. It should decrease relatively compared to (see Figure 3). In the washing machine 1 of this embodiment, the water level detecting section 15 detects the water level at the end of supplying a fixed amount of water by the quantitative water supply section 21 and when a set time T has elapsed thereafter, determines the water level change, and controls based on this. The calculation unit 25 determines whether the water absorbency of the laundry is good or bad.

Based on the results of the capacity and water absorbency of the laundry, the control calculation unit 25 thereafter executes the laundry while controlling the washing time, rinsing time, spin-drying time, water level, water flow, etc.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, appropriate washing can be automatically performed based on the quality of the laundry obtained from the capacity of the laundry and the quality of water absorption.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the present invention, focusing on the fact that there is a correlation between the capacity of laundry and the amount of water absorbed, the height of the water level when a certain amount of water is supplied into the washing tub is determined. The capacity of the laundry is determined based on This makes it possible to accurately detect the volume and quality of the laundry, contributing to appropriate washing.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a partial configuration of the embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the embodiment. 1...Washing machine 3...Inner tub 4...Hanging rod 5...Outer tub 7...Drain valve 9...Pulsator...Clutch 3...Motor 5...Water level detection section 7... Washing tub 9... Water supply valve 1... Fixed amount water supply section 3... Water supply pipe 5... Control calculation section 7... Light emitting element 9... Light receiving element 1... Sphere

Claims (1)

[Claims] A metered water supply means for supplying a fixed amount of water to the washing tub; a water level detection means for detecting the water level in the washing tub; 1. A washing machine comprising: a capacity calculation means for calculating the volume of the laundry; and a quality calculation means for determining the quality of the laundry based on changes in water level within a set time from the end of supplying a certain amount of water.