JPH067580A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] A strong detergent liquid enters the detection chamber that has a turbidity detection device that detects the turbidity of the washing water in the washing tub. Even in such a case, the influence is eliminated so that the turbidity detection device can be properly initialized. [Structure] When water is supplied to the detection chamber at the beginning of the washing process, the stirring body in the washing tub is rotated for a predetermined time, and the turbidity is measured based on the output value of the turbidity detection device immediately after or immediately before the end of the rotation. Initialized the detector. In this case, when water is supplied to the detection chamber at the beginning of the washing process, the agitator in the washing tub is rotated for a predetermined time, and when the rotation causes the change in the output value of the turbidity detection device to fall below a predetermined value. The turbidity detection device may be initialized based on the output value.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a washing machine equipped with a turbidity detecting device for detecting the turbidity of washing water in a washing tub.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, as a washing machine, there has been provided one in which the turbidity of the washing water in the washing tub is detected to control the washing operation such as setting the washing time. In this case, however, the washing tub is provided with a detection chamber so as to be depressed from the inside thereof, and this detection chamber is provided with a turbidity detection device for detecting the turbidity of the washing water. Further, the initial setting of the turbidity detection device is performed at the time of water supply before rotating the stirring body in the washing tub at the beginning of the washing process.

[0003]

In the case of the above-mentioned one, the detergent is put in the washing tub and then the laundry is put, or after the laundry is put, the detergent is put, and further the detergent is put together with water supply. Depending on how to put in, the thick detergent solution may enter the detection chamber, and it is difficult for it to come out of the detection chamber that has collapsed from the inside of the washing tub. There was a problem in that the control of the was insane.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and therefore an object of the present invention is to eliminate the influence of a thick detergent solution that may enter the detection chamber and eliminate the influence of the detergent solution. Providing a washing machine with the correct initial settings.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, in the washing machine of the present invention, at the time of water supply at the beginning of the washing process, the stirring body in the washing tub is rotated for a predetermined time while supplying water to the detection chamber. The turbidity detecting device is initialized based on the output value of the turbidity detecting device immediately after or immediately before the end of the rotation.

In this case, when water is supplied to the detection chamber at the beginning of the washing process, the stirring member in the washing tub is rotated for a predetermined time, and the rotation causes the change in the output value of the turbidity detection device to be less than the predetermined value. The turbidity detecting device may be initialized based on the output value of the turbidity.

[0007]

According to the above means, in any case, the water in the detection chamber is replaced by the water supply to the detection chamber and the drawing action by the water flow generated by the rotation of the stirring body in the washing tub. Even if a strong detergent solution has entered the detection chamber, it is effectively removed from the detection chamber, and the turbidity of the detection chamber is set to the same condition as that of water in the washing tub when initializing the turbidity detection device. Becomes

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, FIG. 2 shows the overall structure of the washing machine. A water tub 2 is disposed in an outer box 1 while being supported by an elastic suspension mechanism 3, and in the water tub 2, in this case, a washing tub which also serves as a dehydration tub. 4 are arranged. Inside the washing tub 4, there is a stirring member 5 at the bottom.
Are installed. In addition, a motor 6 is provided in the lower part outside the water tank 2.
Is provided as a main component, and the stirring mechanism 5 and the washing tub (dehydration tub) 4 are selectively rotated by the driving mechanism 7.

Further, a drain port 8 is formed at the bottom corner of the water tank 2 and an air trap 9 is formed. A connection case 10 is commonly attached to these from below, and as a result, as shown in FIG. As described above, the washing chamber 3 is provided with the detection chamber 11 which is depressed downward from the inside thereof.

Therefore, the turbidity detection device 1 is installed in the detection chamber 11.
2 is provided. As shown in detail in FIG. 4, the turbidity detecting device 12 is configured by incorporating a light emitting element 13 and a light receiving element 14 into a bottom cap 15 of a connection case 10 so as to face each other. The light receiving element 14 receives the light emitted from the washing water from the washing tub 3 through the washing water reaching the detection chamber 11, and outputs a light receiving signal (voltage). The output value thereof has a large turbidity of the washing water. It is getting smaller.

Further, the connection case 10 is provided with a water supply port 16 facing between the turbidity detection device 12, particularly the light emitting element 13 and the light receiving element 14, and this and the water supply valve 2 described later.
6 is connected by a water supply hose 17 to form a water supply device 18 for supplying water to the detection chamber 11.

A drain valve 19 is connected to the connection case 10, and a drain hose 20 is connected to the drain valve 19.

On the other hand, a top cover 21 is mounted on the uppermost part of the outer box 1, and a microcomputer 22 shown in FIG.
The microcomputer 22 functions as a setting means for initializing the turbidity detecting device 12 as described later, and a detection signal for the turbidity of the washing water in the washing tub 3 is input from the turbidity detecting device 12. At the same time, the water level detection signal is input from the water level detection device 23 provided so as to detect the water level in the water tank 2 based on the change in the air pressure in the air trap 9, and further provided on an operation panel (not shown). Various operation signals are input from the operation unit 24 including various operation switches.

Then, based on those inputs and the control program stored in advance, the microcomputer 22 supplies water directly to the display section 25 including various displays of the operation panel and the washing tub 3 and the water supply. A water supply valve 26 provided to supply water to the detection chamber 11 via a hose 17, a drain valve 19, and a motor 6 of the drive mechanism 7.
A drive control signal is applied to the drive circuits 27 to 30 that drive the respective drive circuits.

Therefore, the operation based on the function of the microcomputer 22 will be described below. When the “start” switch (not shown) of the operation unit 24 is operated, the microcomputer 22 starts (starts) an operation for washing, as shown in FIG. Is opened and water supply to the washing tub 3 and the detection chamber 11 is started (step S1).

Then, it is judged by the water level detection signal from the water level detection device 23 whether or not the water level in the water tank 2 has reached a small level (step S2). 20 seconds) Motor 6 of drive mechanism 7
Is energized to rotate the stirring body 5 in the washing tub 4 forward and backward (step S3).

Immediately after the end of the rotation, the turbidity of the washing water in the washing tub 4 is detected by the detection signal from the turbidity detecting device 12 (step S4), and then the turbidity detecting device 1 is detected.
2 is initialized (step S5). The initial setting of the turbidity detecting device 12 is based on the magnitude (output value) of the detection signal from the turbidity detecting device 12, and the output value (voltage) is set to an initial value (for example, 3.5 [V]). The amount of light emitted from the light emitting element 13 and the output resistance value of the light receiving element 14 are adjusted so that the output value (turbidity of the washing water) of the turbidity detection device 12 at this time is changed. Shows the change in the case where a thick detergent solution has entered the detection chamber 11 at the beginning.

In this case, the output value of the turbidity detection device 12 is greatly reduced at first because the concentrated detergent liquid has entered the detection chamber 11 at the beginning of the water supply, and then gradually increases, but remains low. . However, after that, by further rotating the stirring body 5 in the washing tub 4 while continuing to supply water to the detection chamber 11, the output value of the turbidity detection device 12 greatly increases and stabilizes. This is because the water in the detection chamber 11 is replaced by the water supply to the detection chamber 11 and the drawing action by the water flow in the washing tub 4 generated by the rotation of the stirring body 5, and the dense water that has entered the detection chamber 11 is exchanged. This is because the detergent liquid is effectively removed and the turbidity of the water in the detection chamber 11 becomes the same as that of the water in the washing tub 4. The output value of the turbidity detection device 12 immediately after the rotation of the stirring body 5 is 3.3 [V], for example.
And the amount of light emitted from the light emitting element 13 and the light receiving element 14 so that it becomes an initial value (VO) of 3.5 [V].
The output resistance value of is adjusted.

FIG. 7 shows a change in the output value of the turbidity detecting device 12 when a thick detergent liquid does not enter the detecting chamber 11 during water supply. In this case, the turbidity detection device 1
The output value of 2 is the initial value (VO:
It is the level of fresh water), which decreases to the same level as described above by the rotation of the stirring body 5. That is, as is apparent from the above, when the concentrated detergent solution enters the detection chamber 11 during water supply, the concentrated detergent solution does not enter the detection chamber 11 due to the rotation of the agitator 5 accompanying the water supply to the detection chamber 11. In any case, the turbidity detection device 12 can be correctly initialized without any variation.

After the step S5, however, the microcomputer 22 determines whether the water level in the water tank 2 has reached the set water level based on the water level detection signal from the water level detection device 23 (step S6). When it is determined that the water has arrived, the water supply valve 26 is closed and the water supply to the inside of the washing tub 3 and the detection chamber 11 is completed (step S7). Then, after that, the washing is started by rotating the stirring body 5 forward and backward in earnest (step S8). After that, although not shown, for example, due to a change in the output value of the turbidity detection device 12, The amount of detergent and the quality of the laundry, the degree of soiling of the laundry and the quality of the soiling are determined, and the washing time is set to proceed with the laundry.

The initial setting of the turbidity detecting device 12 may be performed not just after the rotation of the stirring body 5 but immediately before the rotation thereof. Further, as is clear from FIGS. 6 and 7, the output value of the turbidity detection device 12 stabilizes at a predetermined value or less when the agitator 5 is rotated for a short period of time during water supply, and thus becomes stable. The turbidity detection device 12 may be initialized when it becomes low.

Besides, for example, the turbidity detecting device is not limited to the above-mentioned set of the light emitting element 13 and the light receiving element 14, but is of an electrode type for detecting the electric resistance value of the washing water in the washing tub 4. May be. Further, the detection chamber may not be depressed downward from the washing tub 4 but may be depressed outward. Furthermore, as a whole, the present invention is not limited to the above-described dehydrating and washing machine, but can be similarly applied to the washing tub side of a two-tub type washing machine.

[0023]

The washing machine of the present invention is as described above, and has the following effects.

In the washing machine according to the first aspect of the present invention, water is supplied to a detection chamber having a turbidity detection device which is provided in the washing tub so as to be depressed from the inside thereof and detects the turbidity of the washing water in the washing tub. A device is provided, and at the time of water supply at the beginning of the washing process, water is supplied to the detection chamber by the water supply device, the stirring body in the washing tub is rotated for a predetermined time, and the output of the turbidity detection device immediately after or immediately before the end of the rotation. By initializing the turbidity detection device based on the value, even if a thick detergent solution may enter the detection chamber, the effect is eliminated,
Correct initial setting of the turbidity detection device can be performed.

In the washing machine according to the second aspect, water is supplied to a detection chamber having a turbidity detecting device which is provided in the washing tub so as to be depressed from the inside thereof and detects the turbidity of the washing water in the washing tub. A device is provided, and when the water is supplied to the detection chamber by the water supply device at the beginning of the washing process, the stirring body in the washing tub is rotated for a predetermined time, and the rotation changes the output value of the turbidity detection device. When the turbidity detection device is initialized based on the output value when it becomes a predetermined value or less, similarly, even if a thick detergent solution may enter the detection chamber, The effect can be eliminated and the correct initial setting of the turbidity detection device can be performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart for explaining an operation showing an embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 2] Side view of the washing machine as a whole

FIG. 3 is a cutaway side view of the detection chamber portion.

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional front view of a turbidity detection device portion taken along line AA of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a schematic electrical configuration diagram.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing changes in the output value of the turbidity detection device.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing changes in the same output value in different cases.

[Explanation of symbols]

4 is a washing tub, 5 is an agitator, 7 is a drive mechanism, 11 is a detection chamber, 12 is a turbidity detection device, 18 is a water supply device, and 22 is a microcomputer (setting means).

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A washing chamber is provided with a detection chamber provided so as to be depressed from the inside thereof, and a turbidity detection device for detecting the turbidity of the washing water in the washing tub in the detection chamber. A water supply device for supplying water to the detection chamber is provided, and at the time of water supply in the initial stage of the washing process, the agitator in the washing tub is rotated for a predetermined time with water supply to the detection chamber by the water supply device and immediately after the end of the rotation. Alternatively, the washing machine is provided with a setting means for initializing the turbidity detecting device based on the output value of the turbidity detecting device immediately before. 2. A washing chamber is provided with a detection chamber provided so as to be depressed from the inside thereof, and a turbidity detection device for detecting the turbidity of the washing water in the washing tub in the detection chamber. In addition to the above, a water supply device for supplying water to the detection chamber is provided, and the water is supplied to the detection chamber by the water supply device at the time of water supply in the initial stage of the washing process, and the stirring body in the washing tub is rotated for a predetermined time to rotate the agitator. A washing machine comprising a setting means for initializing the turbidity detection device based on the output value when the change in the output value of the turbidity detection device is below a predetermined value.