JPH0691088A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prohibit invasion of detergent into a turbidity detection part, and enable a turbidity detection device to make an initial set correctly by executing supply of water by a second supply water means to supply water to the turbidity detection part till the initial set is made for the turbidity detection means in a supply water process. CONSTITUTION:Quantity and quality of detergent and degree of contamination and quality of the contamination are determined based on change of an output value of a turbidity detection device 12, and setting of a washing time, etc., are performed. Water is supplied only to a drain water case 10 as a turbidity detection part by performing supply water by a second supply water valve 24 till initial setting is made for the turbidity detection device 12 in a supply water process, while supply water to a washing tank 3 by a first supply water valve 23 is prohibited. Invasion of detergent charged to the washing tank into the drain water case 10 can thus be prohibited, thereby initial setting for the turbidity detection device 12 can be made correctly.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a washing machine having a function of 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. Further, in this one, two water supply valves are provided, one for supplying water into the washing tub and the other for supplying water to the turbidity detecting section so that the turbidity detecting section can be washed. Is being considered.

[0003]

However, even in the case considered as described above, the two water supply valves are designed to be opened at the same time, so that the detergent can be further washed before the water supply. Depending on how the detergent is put in, for example, before it is put in, the detergent enters the turbidity detection section by the water supplied into the washing tub, which causes the turbidity detection device to However, there is a problem that the initial setting is performed and the control of the washing operation is disturbed.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and therefore an object thereof is to make it possible to prevent the detergent from entering the turbidity detecting portion during water supply and to correctly set the turbidity detecting device. To provide a washing machine.

[0005]

To achieve the above object, in a washing machine of the present invention, a turbidity detecting means for detecting the turbidity of washing water in a washing tub by a turbidity detecting portion, and a washing machine. What is provided with the 1st water supply means which supplies water in a tank, and the 2nd water supply means which supplies water to the said turbidity detection part, Comprising: The said 2nd until the said turbidity detection means is initialized at the time of a water supply process.
It is characterized in that the water supply is controlled only by the water supply means.

[0006]

According to the above means, water is supplied only to the turbidity detecting portion until the turbidity detecting means during the water supply process is initially set, and water supply to the washing tub is restricted, so The introduced detergent is more effectively prevented from entering the turbidity detection unit.

[0007]

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 configuration of the entire washing machine. A water tank 2 is disposed in an outer box 1 while being supported by an elastic suspension mechanism 3, and the water tank 2 has a porous shape which also serves as a dehydration tank in this case. The washing tub 4 is provided. Inside the washing tub 4, an agitator 5 is arranged at the bottom.

Further, a drive mechanism 7 having a motor 6 as a main component is disposed below the water tub 2 and the agitator 5 and the washing tub (dehydration tub) 4 are selected by the drive mechanism 7. I try to rotate it.

Further, a drain port 8 is formed at the bottom corner of the water tank 2, and a drain case 10 having a drain valve 9 and a drain hose 11 are provided. Therefore, the drainage case 10 is provided with a turbidity detection device 12 that functions as turbidity detection means. As shown in detail in FIG. 3, the turbidity detecting device 12 includes a light emitting element 13 and a light receiving element 14, and the light emitted from the light emitting element 13 is discharged from the washing tub 4 into a drainage case. Light receiving element 14 through the washing water reaching 10
Is received and outputs a light reception signal (voltage), and its output value becomes smaller as the turbidity of the washing water becomes larger.

Further, in this case, the drainage case 10 functions as a turbidity detecting portion, and the drainage case 10 has a turbidity detecting device 12, particularly the light emitting element 13 and the light receiving element 1.
4, a water supply port 15 is formed facing the water supply port 4, and a water supply hose 16 (see FIG. 2) is connected to the water supply port 15.

On the other hand, a top cover 17 is mounted on the uppermost part of the outer box 1, and a microcomputer 18 shown in FIG. 4 is arranged inside the top cover 17.
The microcomputer 18 functions as a control means, and receives a detection signal for the turbidity of the washing water in the washing tub 4 from the turbidity detection device 12 and detects the water level in the water tub 2. Water level detection device 1
A water level detection signal is input from 9, and further various operation signals are input from an operation unit 20 including various operation switches provided on an operation panel (not shown).

Then, based on those inputs and the control program stored in advance, the microcomputer 18 causes the display unit 21 including various displays of the operation panel and the water injection device shown in FIG. First water supply means provided so as to supply water via the first
Water supply valve 23, water supply hose 16 in the drainage case 10
A second water supply valve 24, which is a second water supply means provided to supply water through the drainage valve 9, and the motor 6 of the drive mechanism 7.
A drive control signal is applied to the drive circuits 25 to 29 for respectively driving the.

Therefore, the operation based on the function of the microcomputer 18 will be described below. When a "start" switch (not shown) of the operation unit 20 is operated, the microcomputer 18 starts (starts) an operation for washing, as shown in FIG.
Only the water supply valve 24 is opened to start water supply into the drainage case 10 (step S1).

Then, the water level in the water tank 2 is reset by the water level detection signal from the water level detection device 19 as shown in FIG.
(Step S2), and when it is judged that it has reached, the turbidity of the washing water in the washing tub 4 is detected by the detection signal from the turbidity detection device 12 (step S3). ) After that, the turbidity detection device 12 is initialized (step S4). The initial setting of this turbidity detection device 12 is the magnitude (output value) of the detection signal from the turbidity detection device 12.
The output value (voltage) is based on
[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. After this initial setting, the first water supply valve 23 is also opened to wash the washing tub 4
Water supply to the inside is started (step S5).

However, after step S5, the microcomputer 18 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 19 (step S6). When it is determined that the water supply has been reached, the first and second water supply valves 23 and 24 are closed and the water supply by them 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, Determine the amount and quality of the detergent, the degree of dirt on the laundry and the quality of the dirt, and set the washing time, etc., and proceed with the operation.

As described above, in the case of this structure, the second period is set until the turbidity detection device 12 during the water supply process is initialized.
Since only the water supply valve 24 supplies water to the drainage case 10 which is the turbidity detection unit, and the first water supply valve 23 refrains from supplying water to the washing tub 4, The detergent added to the drainage case 10
That is more effectively prevented from getting inside,
Thus, the turbidity detection device 12 can be properly initialized.

In the case of this structure, as shown in FIG. 5, when the dehydration is completed (step S11), the brake device is operated to start stopping the rotation of the washing tub (in this case, the dehydration tub) 4. (Step S12), then the washing tub 4
Determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed to stop the rotation without fail (step S13), and when it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed, the drain valve 9 is opened to remove the water from the water tub 2 and the washing tub 4. Is drained (step S14). Then, after that, only the second water supply valve 24 is opened to start water supply into the drainage case 10 (step S15),
Also in this case, it is determined whether or not the predetermined time has elapsed (step S16), and when it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed,
The second water supply valve 24 is closed to end the water supply thereby, and the drain valve 9 is closed to end the drainage (step S17), whereby the turbidity detection device 12, especially its light emission. The cleaning of the element 13 and the light receiving element 14 can also be more effectively performed by the water separately supplied into the drainage case 11.

[0018]

As is clear from the above description, the washing machine of the present invention is provided with a turbidity detecting means for detecting the turbidity of the washing water in the washing tub by the turbidity detecting section, and a water supply in the washing tub. And a second water supply means for supplying water to the turbidity detection unit, wherein only the second water supply means is provided until the turbidity detection means is initialized during the water supply process. It is characterized in that it is controlled to supply water by, by which, until the turbidity detection means during the water supply process is initialized, water is supplied only to the turbidity detection unit,
Since water supply to the washing tub is restricted, the detergent introduced into the washing tub can be more effectively prevented from entering the turbidity detection unit, and an excellent effect that the turbidity detection device can be properly initialized can be obtained. .

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart for explaining a main operation according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 2] Side view of the entire fracture

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the turbidity detection device portion.

FIG. 4 is a schematic electrical configuration diagram.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining different actions.

[Explanation of symbols]

4 is a washing tub, 10 is a drainage case (turbidity detection unit), 12 is a turbidity detection device (turbidity detection means), 18 is a microcomputer (control means), and 23 is a first water supply valve (first water supply). Means), 24 is a second water supply valve (second water supply means).

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A turbidity detection unit for detecting the turbidity of washing water in a washing tub by a turbidity detection unit, a first water supply unit for supplying water into the washing tub, and water for the turbidity detection unit. A washing machine comprising: a second water supply means, and a control means for controlling to supply water only by the second water supply means until the turbidity detection means is initialized in a water supply process.