JPH05220295A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] When using the remaining hot water in the bath, etc., the water level of the water thrown into the washing tank is clearly recognized, the splash is reduced, and the operability is improved. [Configuration] When the power is turned on, the current water level of the water stored in the rotary tank is displayed by each light emitting diode of the water level display unit based on the detection signal from the water level sensor 11. It is configured to. As a result, the user can clearly recognize the water level of the water put into the rotary tank.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a washing machine provided with a water level sensor for detecting the water level in a washing tub and a water level display means for displaying the water level.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a washing machine, for example, a washing machine for combined use of dehydration, when washing is carried out in a manual course, the user must check the water level in the washing tub, the strength of the washing water flow, the washing time, the number of rinses, the dehydration time, etc. After setting the operating conditions, the start key is operated to start the washing operation.

[0003]

By the way, when the user uses the remaining hot water in the bath for washing, the remaining hot water is manually put into the washing tub. At this time, the user
The amount of water put into the washing tank, that is, the water level of the water stored in the washing tank cannot be clearly recognized. in this case,
There is a method described below as one method for the user to clearly recognize the water level of the water put in the washing tank.

In this method, after setting operating conditions such as the water level in the washing tank and the strength of the washing water flow, the start key is operated with the tap of the water supply closed. In this state, the user puts the remaining hot water in the bath into the washing tank. After that, when the water level sensor detects that the water level of the water introduced into the washing tank has reached the set water level, the agitator is automatically rotationally driven to start the washing operation.

However, in the above-mentioned conventional structure, while the user is pouring the remaining hot water of the bath into the washing tank, as soon as the water level of the poured water reaches the set water level, the agitator suddenly moves. Since the structure is driven to rotate, there is a drawback that a large splash occurs due to the stirring body suddenly starting to rotate in a state where water in the washing tank is vigorously flowing. In addition, the faucet of the water supply must be closed before operating the start key, and the closed faucet of the water supply must be opened after the washing operation is started.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to enable the user to clearly recognize the water level of the water poured into the washing tub when the remaining hot water in the bath or the like is used for washing, and the washing operation is started. (EN) Provided is a washing machine capable of reducing splash at the time and improving operability.

[0007]

A washing machine according to the present invention comprises a water level sensor for detecting a water level in a washing tub and water level display means for displaying the water level. Based on the above, the display control means for displaying the current water level of the water stored in the washing tank on the water level display means in accordance with the detection signal from the water level sensor is provided.

[0008]

According to the above means, when the user puts the remaining hot water in the bath into the washing tub while the power is turned on, the display control means causes the washing based on the detection signal from the water level sensor. The current water level of the water stored in the tank is displayed on the water level display means. Therefore, the user can clearly recognize the water level of the water thrown into the washing tank.

After the remaining hot water is put into the washing tank, the start key can be operated after a short time, so that the water in the washing tank is almost stationary.
The stirrer starts to rotate, and the splash generated at the start of the washing operation is reduced. In addition, since it is not necessary to close or reopen the tap of the water supply, the operability is greatly improved.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a combined washing machine for dehydration will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, in FIG. 3 showing the entire structure of the washing machine for both dehydration and use, a water receiving tub 2 is elastically supported in an outer box 1 via an elastic suspension mechanism (not shown). In the water receiving tank 2, a rotating tank 3 which is a washing tank and a dehydration basket is arranged. An agitator 4 for washing is disposed on the inner bottom of the rotary tub 3.

At the outer bottom of the water receiving tank 2, a motor 5 for washing and dewatering operation and a mechanism portion 6 are provided. The mechanical section 6 decelerates the rotation of the motor 5 during washing and transmits it to only the stirring body 4 to rotate it, and also transmits the rotation of the motor 5 to the stirring body 4 and the rotary tub 3 during dehydration. The two are integrally rotated at high speed.

A drain valve 7 and a drain pipe 9 are provided at the drain port 7 formed at the bottom of the water receiving tank 2. An air trap 10 is provided adjacent to the drainage port 7. The air trap 10 includes a water level sensor 11
Are connected via the air tube 12.

The water level sensor 11 is disposed in the rear portion of the upper cover 13 of the outer box 1, and is composed of, for example, an oscillation circuit including a capacitance type pressure sensor. Is detected and a frequency signal corresponding to the water level is generated. The water level is "low", "medium",
Each “high” oscillation frequency is, for example, 22.6 kH.
z, 21.9 kHz, 21.5 kHz.

A water supply valve 14 is provided at the rear of the upper cover 13. A power switch 15 is provided on the rear portion of the upper surface of the upper cover 13.

On the other hand, an operation panel 16 as shown in FIG. 4 is provided on the front portion of the upper surface of the upper cover 13. The operation panel 16 includes a washing course display section 17, a timer display section 18, and a water level display section 19 which is a water level display means.
Are arranged. The laundry course display portion 17 is provided with characters indicating various laundry operation courses and a light emitting diode. The timer display unit 18 is provided with a segment type light emitting diode, and displays the current time, the reservation time, the remaining time, the washing time, the number of rinses, the dehydration time, and the like.

In the water level display section 19, "small amount",
"Low", "medium", and "high" indicating the water level and the light emitting diodes 19a, 19b, 19c, 19d indicating the water level
And are provided. As will be described later, the water level display unit 19 displays the current water level of the water stored in the rotary tank 4,
Alternatively, the water level in the rotary tub 4 automatically set by detecting the amount of cloth, or the water level in the rotary tub 4 selected and set by the user is displayed.

The operation panel 16 includes a course switching key 20, a dehydration time setting key 21, and a rinsing frequency setting key 2.
2, washing time setting key 23, start key (also used as a temporary stop key) 24, water level setting key 25, tank washing setting key 2
6. A paste setting key 27 is provided.

In FIG. 5 showing the electrical configuration, the operation control means such as the microcomputer 28 is
A program for controlling the washing and dehydrating operations is stored in the internal memory. This microcomputer 28
Has the function of display control means.

The microcomputer 28 has various switch signals from an input circuit 29 equipped with various switches that are turned on and off by various keys of the operation panel 16, a water level detection signal (frequency signal) from the water level sensor 11, and a motor 5.
It receives a detection signal from a motor current detection circuit 30 that detects a current flowing through the motor. Further, the microcomputer 28 drives and controls a display circuit 31 including various display portions of the operation panel 16, and drives the motor 5, the drain valve 8 and the water supply valve 14 respectively, and drive circuits 32, 33, and
It is configured to drive and control via 34.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. The flowcharts of FIGS. 1 and 2 mainly show the control contents of the function of the display control means of the microcomputer 28. As shown in FIG. 1, when the power switch 15 is turned on and the power is turned on (step S1), first, based on the water level detection signal (frequency signal) from the water level sensor 11, the rotary tank 3 (water receiving tank 2 It is determined whether or not water is stored in () (step S2). Specifically, in step S2, the oscillation frequency a from the water level sensor 11 is 22.6 kHz.
It is determined whether or not z or less.

Here, when the water is stored above the "low" water level, the oscillation frequency a becomes 22.6 kHz or less, so the process proceeds to "YES" in step S2. Hereinafter, the water level of the water stored in the rotary tank 3 is “low”, “medium”,
It is determined which is "high", and control is performed to selectively cause the light emitting diodes 19b, 19c, 19d corresponding to each water level to emit light.

Specifically, in step S3, it is determined whether the oscillation frequency a from the water level sensor 11 is 22.6 kHz or less and is higher than 21.9 kHz. Here, when the water level is “low” or higher and lower than “medium”, the oscillation frequency a is 22.6 kHz or lower and 21.
Since it is higher than 9 kHz, "YE
Proceeding to "S", the light emitting diode 19b indicating "low" water level is caused to emit light (light up) (step S4).

When the start key 24 is operated in this state, the operation proceeds to "YES" in step S5, and the washing operation is performed at the "low" water level, that is, the current water level of the water stored in the rotary tank 3. Is performed (step S6). After that, when the washing operation is completed, a rinsing operation and a dehydrating operation are sequentially performed (steps S7 and S8).

On the other hand, in step S3, when the water level is above "medium", the oscillation frequency a is 21.9k.
Since the frequency becomes equal to or lower than Hz, the process proceeds to "NO" in step S3. Further, if the start key 24 is not operated in step S5, the process proceeds to "NO" in step S5. Then, in step S9, the oscillation frequency a from the water level sensor 11 is 21.9 kHz or less and 21.5 kHz.
It is determined whether or not it is higher than Hz.

Here, the water level is "medium" or higher and "high".
If it is lower, since the oscillation frequency a is 21.9 kHz or less and is higher than 21.5 kHz, the process proceeds to “YES” in step S9, and it is determined whether or not the light emitting diode 19b indicating “low” water level is emitting light. It is determined (step S10).

Now, the light emitting diode 19 showing "low" water level
If b is emitting light, "YE
Proceeding to "S", the light emitting diode 19b showing "low" water level is extinguished (turned off), and then the light emitting diode 19c showing "medium" water level is emitted (step S11). Also,
If the light emitting diode 19b indicating "low" water level is not emitting light, the process proceeds to "NO" in step S10,
The light emitting diode 19c indicating the "medium" water level is caused to emit light (step S12).

When the start key 24 is operated in the above state, the process proceeds to "YES" in step S13,
The washing operation is performed at the "medium" water level, that is, at the current water level of the water stored in the rotary tank 3 (step S14).
After that, when the washing operation is completed, a rinsing operation and a dehydrating operation are sequentially performed (steps S7 and S8).

In step S9, when the water level is "high" or higher, the oscillation frequency a is 21.5k.
Since the frequency becomes equal to or lower than Hz, the process proceeds to "NO" in step S9. In step S13, the start key 24
Even if is not operated, the process proceeds to "NO" in step S13. Then, in step S15, it is determined whether or not the light emitting diode 19c indicating the "medium" water level is emitting light (step S15).

Now, the light emitting diode 19 showing "medium" water level
If c is emitting light, “YE
After proceeding to "S" and extinguishing the light emitting diode 19c showing "medium" water level, the light emitting diode 19 showing "high" water level
Light d is emitted (step S16). If the light emitting diode 19c indicating the "medium" water level is not emitting light, the process proceeds to "NO" in step S15, and the light emitting diode 19d indicating the "high" water level is caused to emit light (step S1.
7).

When the start key 24 is operated in the above state, the process proceeds to "YES" in step S18,
The washing operation is performed at the "high" water level, that is, at the current water level of the water stored in the rotary tank 3 (step S19).
After that, when the washing operation is completed, a rinsing operation and a dehydrating operation are sequentially performed (steps S7 and S8).

In step S2, when the water is not stored in the rotary tank 4 and when the water level is lower than "low", the oscillation frequency a is higher than 22.6 kHz. Then, the process proceeds to "NO" to determine whether the start key 24 has been operated (step S20). Here, when the start key 24 is operated, the process proceeds to “YES” in step S20, the sensor operation course, that is, the cloth amount is detected, and the optimum water level is set and set for the detected cloth amount. The washing operation is performed at the specified water level (step S21). After that, when the washing operation is completed, a rinsing operation and a dehydrating operation are sequentially performed (steps S7 and S8).

When the cloth amount is detected, the load current flowing through the motor 5 is detected by the motor current detecting circuit 30, and the cloth amount is detected by this detection signal.

On the other hand, steps S18 and S20
If the start key 24 is not operated at
In steps S18 and S20, "N
"O", and returns to step S2. That is, if the start key 24 is not operated while the power is turned on, the current water level of the water stored in the rotary tank 3 based on the detection signal from the water level sensor 11 indicates the light emitting diodes of the water level display unit 19. 19a to 19d. Therefore, when the user puts the remaining hot water in the bath into the rotary tub 3 without operating the start key 24, the current water level in the rotary tub 3 is displayed in real time in accordance with the input amount.
Displayed in.

Therefore, when the user puts the remaining hot water in the bath into the rotary tub 3, the user can simply turn on the power switch 15 to clearly determine the water level of the water poured into the rotary tub 3. Can be recognized. And the remaining hot water etc.
The start key 24 can be operated after a short time after being put into the inside, so that the stirring body 4 starts to rotate in a state where the water in the rotary tank 3 is almost stationary, and the conventional configuration is adopted. Unlike, the splash generated at the start of the washing operation can be reduced.

Further, since the operation of closing or reopening the tap of the water supply can be dispensed with, the operability is greatly improved as compared with the conventional construction. Further, when the washing operation is performed twice with the same washing water, the actual water level of the washing water in the rotary tub 3 after the first washing operation is performed before the second washing operation is performed. It is displayed on the water level display unit 19. Therefore, the user can accurately recognize the water level of the washing water in the rotary tub 3, that is, the amount of washing water, and when the amount of washing water is small, water and detergent can be added, which is convenient. improves.

In the rinsing operation of step S7 described above, when the current water level of the water stored in the rotary tank 3 is detected and the washing operation is executed at the detected water level, the detected water level It is controlled to execute the rinse operation at the water level one step higher. Specifically, when the detected water level is between "low" and "medium", it is "medium" water level, and when the detected water level is between "medium" and "high", it is "high" water level and rinsed. Driving is executed. The rinsing operation is performed at the "high" water level when the detected water level is higher than the "high" and at the "low" water level when the detected water level is just "low".

Incidentally, although not shown in the flow charts of FIGS. 1 and 2, when washing is performed in a manual course, the user can set the water level in the rotary tub 3, the strength of the washing water flow, the washing time, and the rinsing. This is done by setting operating conditions such as the number of times and the dehydration time. In such a case, in order to select and set the water level in the rotary tank 3, the water level setting key 25 on the operation panel 16 is used.
To operate. At this time, when the water level setting key 25 is operated, the light emitting diodes 19a, 19b, 19c and 19d of the water level display section 19 are selectively emitted each time the operation is performed, and the water level of the emitted light emitting diode is selectively set. You can recognize that.

In the above embodiment, the water level indicator 19 is also used when the current water level stored in the rotary tank 3 is manually set when the power is on.
However, instead of this, a dedicated water level display section for displaying the current water level may be provided and displayed on this.

[0039]

As is apparent from the above description, the present invention indicates the current water level stored in the washing tank according to the detection signal from the water level sensor based on the power-on operation. Since the display control means for displaying is displayed, when the user uses the remaining hot water in the bath for washing,
The water level introduced into the washing tub can be clearly recognized, and the splash at the start of the washing operation can be reduced, and the operability can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart (part 1) showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart (part 2).

[Figure 3] Vertical side view of the washing machine

FIG. 4 is a top view of the operation panel.

FIG. 5: Block diagram

[Explanation of symbols]

1 is an outer box, 2 is a water receiving tank, 3 is a rotating tank (washing tank), 4 is a stirrer, 5 is a motor, 11 is a water level sensor, 15 is a power switch, 16 is an operation panel, 19 is a water level indicator (water level) Display means), 19a, 19b, 19c and 19d are light emitting diodes, 28 is a microcomputer (display control means),
Reference numeral 31 denotes a display circuit.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A washing machine comprising a water level sensor for detecting a water level in a washing tub and a water level display means for displaying the water level, wherein a detection signal from the water level sensor is detected based on a power-on operation. Accordingly, the washing machine is provided with display control means for displaying the current water level of the water stored in the washing tub on the water level display means.