JPH0768082A - Detergent loading device for washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent lint or foreign substance from mixing into a detergent- agitating container or pump, and at the same time, make it possible to put in or take out a detergent storage container to or from a washing machine main body. CONSTITUTION:A specified quantity of water and a detergent are inputted in a detergent-agitating container 16 by operating a water-feeding valve 12 and a detergent-feeding mechanism 15. At the same time, under a condition in which a water draining valve 13 and first through third control valves 19a-19c are closed, the water and detergent are agitated by making them circulate in the detergent-agitating container 16 by operating a pump 18. After a specified period of time until the detergent is dissolved by the water by this agitation and a detergent solution is generated has passed, the first control valve 19a is opened, and at the same time, a fifth control valve 19e is closed, and the detergent solution is inputted in a spindrying tub 2. Also, a detergent storage container 14 is constituted to be detachable from an external water tank 1.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a detergent loading device for a washing machine, which is attached to a washing machine main body for automatically loading a detergent into a water tank.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a prior art of a detergent charging device of this type, the applicant of the present invention has filed Japanese Patent Application No. 5-218555 (filing date:
(September 2, 1993). As shown in FIG. 10, this prior art detergent loading device has a washing machine body 5
Detergent storage container (detergent discharge device) 52 disposed in the inside 1
And a detergent stirring container 54 disposed below the detergent storage container 52 via an opening / closing mechanism 53.
4 and the water tank 55 are connected to each other by a water supply pipe 56, and a water shutoff valve 57 is interposed in the water supply pipe 56.
The detergent stirring container 54 and the upper part of the water tank 55 are connected to a water supply pipe 58.
And the circulation pump 5 is connected to the water pipe 58.
9 is installed.

In such a structure, after water is supplied into the water tank 55 until the water level reaches the specified level, the detergent is poured into the detergent agitating container 54 from the lower portion of the detergent storage container 52 through the opening / closing mechanism 53, and the water shutoff valve 57 is also provided. Is opened to allow water to flow into the detergent agitating container 54, and the circulation pump 59 is operated to allow the detergent to pass through the water supply pipe portion 58 together with the water in the water tank 55 into the water tank 5.
5 is supplied from above into the inside. It should be noted that the above-described prior art detergent feeding device has not yet been put to practical use.

[0004]

However, in the configuration of the above-mentioned prior art, the container 5 is used to remove the dirt in the detergent storage container 52 and the detergent stuck in the container 52.
2 When cleaning the inside, since the detergent storage container 52 is housed inside the washing machine main body 51, first, open the upper lid 61 provided at the upper end opening 60 of the washing machine main body 51,
Next, the detergent storage container 52 must be pulled up and taken out. In this removal process, the upper lid 6
In addition to the work of opening 1, the detergent storage container 52 is temporarily
The washing machine main body 51 has to be pulled up to a height higher than the uppermost portion, which is very difficult to take out.

Since the detergent storage container 52 cannot be taken out unless it is pulled up in this way,
It is necessary to shorten the dimension in the vertical direction, and accordingly, there is a limit to increasing the capacity for containing the detergent. Moreover, since the detergent storage container 52 is stored in the washing machine main body 51, the remaining amount of the detergent in the detergent storage container 52 cannot be visually recognized unless the upper lid 61 is opened.
Moreover, even when the upper lid 61 is opened and viewed, the washing machine body 5
It is difficult to accurately check the remaining amount of the detergent because it is looked into from the upper end opening 60 of No. 1.

Further, in the structure of the prior art described above, since the circulation pump 59 circulates the water and the detergent solution through the water tank 55, the detergent stirring container 54 and the water passages 56 and 58, the water and the detergent solution are put into the water tank 55. The lint and other foreign matter of the washed laundry are collected in the detergent stirring container 54 and the circulation pump 5.
There is a risk that they may remain or accumulate in the container 9 and hinder the functions of the container 54 and the pump 59. In addition, since it is inevitable that the detergent is not sufficiently dissolved in water and is poured from the upper portion of the water tank 55, the detergent may directly adhere to the laundry and the laundry may be discolored.

The present invention solves such a problem, in which the detergent is almost completely dissolved in water and then put into a water tank, and further, lint in the detergent stirring container and the circulation pump. And prevent the entry of foreign matter,
(EN) Provided is a detergent loading device for a washing machine in which the vertical dimension of the detergent storage container is large, the remaining amount of the detergent can be visually recognized from the outside, and which can be easily and easily put in and out of the washing machine body. It is intended.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, a detergent storage container, a detergent delivery mechanism for delivering the detergent in the detergent storage container, and a detergent delivered from the detergent delivery mechanism are introduced. A detergent stirring container, a water supply means for supplying water to the detergent stirring container, a stirring means for stirring the water and the detergent in the detergent stirring container, and a detergent solution generated in the detergent stirring container are provided in the washing machine body. It is also provided with a detergent solution charging means for charging a water tank and an operation control means.

Then, the operation control means operates the water supply means and the detergent delivery mechanism to supply a prescribed amount of water and detergent to the detergent agitating container, and at the same time operates the agitation means to deliver water and detergent. After stirring, the stirring causes the detergent to dissolve in water to form a detergent solution, and then,
The detergent delivery mechanism, the water supply means, the stirring means, and the detergent solution introduction means are controlled so that the detergent solution introduction means is operated to introduce the detergent solution into the water tank.

In the above structure, the detergent storage container may be installed at a position lower than the uppermost surface of the washing machine body and at a position facing the front surface of the washing machine body, and in this case, preferably. The detergent storage container is provided with an indicator for visually confirming the remaining amount of the detergent stored in the container from the outside.

Further, the water supply means is constituted by a water supply channel communicating with the detergent agitating container and a control valve for opening and closing the water supply channel, and the agitating means is a circulating water channel circulating inside the detergent agitating container and a control valve for opening and closing the circulating water channel. The detergent solution feeding means is constituted by a detergent feeding water channel communicating with the detergent stirring container and the water tank and a control valve for opening and closing the detergent feeding water channel, and the control valve provided in each water channel is operated by the operation control means. The opening / closing control can be performed at a preset timing.

Further, in addition to the above configuration, a detection means for detecting dirt of the washing liquid in the water tank during the washing operation and a determination means for determining whether or not to add the detergent according to a preset condition are provided. A function of adding detergent based on the determination result of the determination unit may be added to the operation control unit.

[0013]

According to the above construction, since the detergent and the detergent are stirred in the water until the detergent is dissolved in water to form the detergent solution in the detergent agitation container, the detergent solution is put into the water tank. The problem that the detergent of the above is supplied to the aquarium is eliminated. Further, the circulating water for dissolving the detergent is stirred in the detergent stirring container until the detergent is almost completely dissolved by the stirring means, so that it is possible to prevent the mixture of lint and foreign matter.

By providing the detergent storage container on the front surface of the washing machine, at least the vertical dimension of the detergent storage container can be increased, and the detergent storage amount can be increased. In addition, since the detergent storage container is on the front surface of the washing machine body, the detergent storage container can be easily put in and taken out, and the indicator provided on the detergent storage container makes it easy to determine the remaining amount of the detergent in the container. Can be confirmed.

In addition, when the laundry detected by the dirt detecting means is extremely dirty and a detergent needs to be added, the detergent solution can be additionally charged into the aquarium during the washing operation. Even when the size is large, good washing can be obtained even if the user does not check how dirt is removed during washing.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 schematically shows the appearance of a washing machine equipped with the detergent charging device according to this embodiment, and FIG. 2 shows a vertical cross section thereof. 1 and 2, reference numeral 1 denotes an outer tub constituting a main body of a washing machine. Inside the outer tub 1, a water tub 2 is provided by four supporting mechanisms (not shown) arranged around the water tub 2. It is provided in a suspended state.

A washing / dehydrating tub 3 is rotatably disposed inside the water tub 2. This washing / dehydrating tub 3 has a bottom surface provided with a reinforcing flange 3a.
A large number of water passage holes 4 are formed in a and the peripheral wall 3b.
A pulsator 5 that stirs the laundry is exposed to the inner bottom of the washing / dehydrating tub 3. The pulsator 5 stirs the water in the water tank, and the back surface of the pulsator 5 is provided with pumping blades 6 for causing a pumping-up action of water during rotation.

Further, a mechanism portion 7 is provided in the outer tub 1 located below the bottom of the water tub 2. This mechanical section 7
Is connected to a motor 9 via a belt 8 and is configured to selectively transmit the drive of the motor 9 to the pulsator 5 and the washing / dehydrating tub 3.

Reference numeral 10 denotes an upper surface plate portion mounted around the upper end opening of the outer tub, and provided with an operation panel (not shown), and the operation panel covers the upper part of the washing machine. In addition, a laundry loading port 10a that is opened and closed by the upper lid 11 is formed in the center of the upper plate 10.
Reference numeral 12 is a water supply valve which is connected to a faucet for water supply, and 13 is a drain valve which discharges water of the washing machine to the outside.

Now, in order to start the washing operation, when the laundry is put in the washing / dehydrating tub 3 and the motor 9 is driven, the rotation of the motor 9 is driven by the pulsator via the belt 8 and the mechanism portion 7. 5, and the laundry and water in the washing / dehydrating tub 3 are agitated by the forward and reverse driving of the pulsator 5.

Further, when the dehydration operation is performed, the drive transmission system of the mechanism portion 7 is switched so that the driving force of the motor 9 is transmitted to the washing and dehydrating tub 3, and the motor 9 is driven from this state. By doing so, the washing and dehydrating tub 3 is rotationally driven, and the dehydration operation is performed.

In the washing machine constructed and operated as described above, the detergent feeding device of this embodiment is provided in the outer tub 1, and the detergent storage container 14, the detergent delivery mechanism 15, the detergent stirring container 16, the water tub 2 are provided. Piping system 17, pump 18, first to fifth control valves 19a, which are arranged between
.About.19e and a microcomputer 20 as an operation control means.

FIG. 3 shows a vertical side surface of the detergent storage container 14, and FIG. 4 shows a vertical front surface thereof. 5 shows the external appearance of the detergent storage container 14, and FIG. 6 shows the detergent delivery mechanism 15 in an exploded manner. As shown in these figures, the detergent storage container 14 is a vertically long container having an open top surface,
Long transparent window 2 at the center of the front as an indicator
1 is formed, and the container 1 is formed through the transparent window 21.
The remaining amount of the detergent S stored in 4 can be visually confirmed from the outside.

On the other hand, the outer tub 1 is formed with a storage space 22 for the detergent storage container 14 which is open to the front side, and the detergent storage container 14 is pivotally supported on the outer tub 1 by a lower end front portion via a pivot 23. In this state, it is mounted in the storage space 22 so that it can be freely moved in and out. The detergent storage container 14 thus mounted on the outer tub 1 is lower than the upper end opening of the outer tub 1 and
24 provided on the front side so as to face the front surface of the
To operate the detergent inlet 25 at the upper end of the storage space 22
The detergent S can be replenished by pulling it out from.

In the detergent delivery mechanism 15, a detergent delivery wheel 27 is integrally rotatably attached to a rotary shaft 26 that is detachably provided in the lower center of the detergent storage container 14, and the detergent storage container 14 of the rotary shaft 26 is removed from the detergent storage container 14. The driven gear 28 is attached to the shaft end protruding outward, while the microcomputer 2
A drive unit 29, which is driven and controlled by 0, is attached in the outer tub 1, and a drive gear 30 attached to the output shaft end of the drive unit 29 is meshed with the driven gear 28.

The detergent delivery vehicle 27 is formed to have substantially the same width as the inside width of the detergent storage container 14, and cylindrical surface portions 27a are formed on the four sides of the peripheral surface, and each cylindrical surface portion 2 is formed.
A detergent receiving concave portion 27b is formed between the 7a and the cylindrical surface portion 27.
During rotation, a is intermittently almost in close contact with the circumferential surface portions 14a provided on both sides of the detergent delivery vehicle mounting portion of the detergent storage container 14.

In the detergent delivery mechanism 15 having such a structure,
When the drive unit 29 is started to be driven by a command from the microcomputer 20 and the rotation of the drive unit 29 is transmitted via the drive gear 30 and the driven gear 28 to rotate the detergent delivery vehicle 27, the detergent delivery vehicle 27 receives the detergent. The recess 27b rotates with the detergent S placed thereon. At this time, the cylindrical surface portions 27a on both sides of the detergent receiving concave portion 27b have the detergent storage container 1
By contacting the circumferential surface portion 14a of No. 4, the detergent S is received only in the space portion surrounded by the circumferential surface portion 14a and the detergent receiving recess 27b, so that the detergent S is dispensed into the detergent stirring container 16 by a constant amount. Will be done.

Further, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the detergent storage container 14 can be removed from the outer tub 1 integrally with the detergent delivery wheel 27 and the rotating shaft 26, and as shown in FIG. The detergent delivery vehicle 27 and the rotary shaft 26 can be removed from the detergent storage container 14. Therefore, the detergent storage container 14, the detergent receiving recess 27b, and the rotary shaft 26 can be disassembled and individually cleaned when not in use, so that hygiene can always be maintained during use, and failure of the mechanism due to the intervention of the detergent S can be minimized. It can be prevented.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the detergent stirring container 16 is disposed below the detergent storage container 14 and the detergent delivery mechanism 15, and the detergent S delivered from the detergent delivery mechanism 15 is opened at the upper end. It is designed to be input from 16a. Further, a side surface portion and a lower end portion of the detergent agitating container 16 respectively communicate with a piping system 17 and a water inlet 16b and a water inlet 1
6c are open respectively. Further, a water level detection switch 31 for detecting the water level in the detergent stirring container 16 is provided above the detergent stirring container 16.

The piping system 17 extends from the bottom opening of the water tank 2 to the outer tank 1
Pipe 1a that branches from the drainage pipe 17a and the drainage water channel 17a leading to the outside of the water and leads to the water inlet 16b of the detergent stirring container 16
7b, a water supply pipe 17c that branches from the drainage water passage 17a and leads to the water supply port 16c of the detergent stirring container 16, and the water supply water passage 17
It is constituted by a pumping pipe 17d which communicates with b and the detergent introducing water channel 17c and communicates with the upper part of the water tank 2.

In this piping system 17, the first control valve 19a is installed in the pumping pipe 17d at a downstream side of the meeting place with the water supply pipe 17b, and the second control valve 19b is provided in the water supply pipe 17b.
b is installed in the middle of the drain pipe 17a and the pumping pipe 17d, and the third control valve 19c is installed in the water pipe 17c between the drain pipe 17a and the pumping pipe 17d. Is the pumping pipe 1 in the water pipe 17c
7d is installed upstream of the meeting place, and the fifth control valve 19e is installed upstream of the meeting place of the pumping pipe 17d in the water supply pipe 17b.

The control valves 19a to 19e are controlled to be opened and closed at a preset timing according to a command from the microcomputer 20. Further, the pump 18 is installed at a meeting place between the water supply pipe 17c and the pumping pipe 17d.

Reference numeral 32 is a dirt condition detector for detecting dirt of the washing liquid in the water tank during the washing operation. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the dirt condition detecting section 32 has a light transmitting section 33 formed in the middle of the drain pipe 17a, and a light projecting section 34 and a light receiving section 35 are arranged on both sides of the light transmitting section 33. After that, the floodlight 3
The light of No. 4 is received by the light receiving unit 3 through the washing liquid flowing through the drain pipe 17a.
The output of the light receiving unit 35 is configured to increase or decrease depending on the degree of light transmission when reaching 5.

The output of the light receiving section 35 is sent to a dirt judging section 36 provided in the microcomputer 20, and the dirt judging section 36 judges whether or not the detergent S should be added according to a preset condition. At 20, the detergent delivery mechanism 15 is determined based on the determination result of the stain determination unit 36.
To operate.

FIG. 8 shows a control flowchart of the microcomputer 20, and FIG. 9 shows the operation of each control valve 19a to 19e. As shown in this figure, when the washing operation of the washing machine is started in step # 10, the water supply valve 12 of the washing machine is opened, water is supplied from the water supply valve 12 to the water tank 2, and the laundry in the washing and dehydrating tank 3 is washed. Is immersed in water. At the same time, in step # 20, a specified amount of detergent S is put into the detergent stirring container 16 from the detergent delivery mechanism 15.

In step # 30, as shown in FIG. 9A, only the second control valve 19b and the fifth control valve 19e are opened, and the other control valves 19a, 19c, 19d and the drain valve 13 are closed. Hold. Therefore, the water supplied from the water supply valve 12 into the water tank 2 is drained from the lower portion of the water tank 2 to the drain pipe 17a.
And the detergent agitating vessel 16 via the water supply pipe 17b and the detergent agitating vessel 16 to enter the detergent agitating vessel 16 through Step # 4.
At 0, the detergent S and water are mixed in the detergent stirring container 16. In this case, as another aspect, the water supplied from the water supply valve 12 may be directly supplied to the detergent stirring container 16 without passing through the water tank 2.

At step # 50, the water level detection switch 31
When the water level of the predetermined amount is detected, the second control valve 19b is closed, the fourth control valve 19d is opened, and the pump 18 is operated in step # 60 as shown in FIG. 9 (B). As a result, the water in the detergent agitating container 16 is supplied to the water inlet
6c to water pipe 17c, pump 18 and fifth control valve 19
It circulates through the circulating water passage which passes through e and returns to the detergent stirring container 16 again. The circulation of the water mixed with the detergent S is
Is repeated for a set time until it dissolves almost completely in water. The water supply valve 12 is stopped when a specified amount of water is stored in the water tank 2.

Then, after the set time has elapsed, step # 70
Then, as shown in FIG. 9C, the fifth control valve 19e is closed, the first control valve 19a is opened, and the detergent solution in which the detergent S is dissolved is supplied to the water supply pipe 17c, the pump 18, and the water pump 17
The water is supplied from above to the water tub 2 via d, and the washing operation is executed in step # 80.

In this case, by opening the third control valve 19c and operating the pump 18 at appropriate times, it is possible to efficiently circulate the detergent solution from the water tank 2 through the drain pipe 17a and the water supply pipe 17c. Is. After the washing is completed, the drain valve 13 is opened to drain the water in the washing machine to the outside.

[0040]

As described above, according to the present invention, the water supply means and the detergent delivery mechanism are operated to supply a prescribed amount of water and detergent to the detergent agitating container, and at the same time, the agitation means is activated to generate water. The detergent is agitated, and after a predetermined time elapses until the detergent is dissolved in water and a detergent solution is generated by the agitation, the detergent solution feeding means is operated to feed the detergent solution into the water tank. Therefore, the added detergent is almost completely dissolved in water in the detergent stirring container,
The problem that the undissolved detergent is supplied into the water tank is eliminated. Further, the circulating water for dissolving the detergent is stirred in the detergent stirring container until the detergent is almost completely dissolved by the stirring means, so that it is possible to prevent the mixture of lint and foreign matter.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the detergent storage container is installed lower than the uppermost surface of the washing machine main body and at a position facing the front surface of the washing machine main body so as to be able to move in and out, at least the storage container of the washing machine main body It is possible to increase the vertical dimension, which can increase the detergent storage amount. Further, since the detergent storage container is on the front surface of the washing machine body, the detergent storage container can be easily put in and taken out.

According to the third aspect, since the indicator is provided in the detergent storage container, the remaining amount of the detergent in the detergent storage container can be easily confirmed through the indicator, which is convenient.

According to the present invention, the water supply means, the agitation means and the detergent solution charging means are respectively constituted by a water channel and a control valve interposed in the water channel, and each control valve is opened / closed at a preset timing. Since this is done, it is possible to realize reliable control with a simple configuration.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there are provided a detecting means for detecting the dirt of the washing liquid in the water tank during the washing operation, and a judging means for judging whether or not the detergent is added according to a preset condition. Since the detergent is added based on the judgment result, if the laundry is extremely dirty, the detergent solution can be added to the aquarium during the washing operation.
Even if the user does not check how dirt is removed during washing, good washing can be obtained and usability is improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a washing machine including a detergent charging device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional side view thereof.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional side view showing a detergent storage container in an enlarged manner.

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional front view thereof.

FIG. 5 is an external perspective view thereof.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a detergent delivery mechanism.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view of an essential part showing an example of a dirt condition detection unit.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an outline of the operation of the operation control unit.

FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically showing the operation of first to fifth control valves.

FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional side view of a washing machine including a detergent feeding device according to a prior art example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Outer tank 2 Water tank 3 Washing / dehydrating tank 12 Water supply valve 13 Drain valve 14 Detergent storage container 15 Detergent delivery mechanism 16 Detergent stirring container 17 Piping system 17a Drain pipe 17b Water supply pipe 17c Water supply pipe 17d Pumping pipe 18 Pump 19a 1st control valve 19b 2nd control valve 19c 3rd control valve 19d 4th control valve 19e 5th control valve 20 Microcomputer 21 Transparent window 31 Water level detection switch 32 Dirt condition detection part 36 Dirt determination part S Detergent

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A detergent storage container, a detergent delivery mechanism for delivering the detergent in the detergent storage container, a detergent stirring container into which the detergent delivered from the detergent delivery mechanism is put, and a water supply means for supplying water to the detergent stirring container. A stirring means for stirring the water and the detergent in the detergent stirring container, a detergent solution charging means for charging the detergent solution generated in the detergent stirring container into a water tank provided in the washing machine body, the water supply means, and The detergent delivery mechanism is operated to add a specified amount of water and detergent to the detergent agitating container, and the agitating means is activated to agitate the water and the detergent, and the agitation causes the detergent to dissolve in the water and the detergent solution. Operation for controlling the detergent delivery mechanism, the water supply means, the stirring means, and the detergent solution introduction means so that the detergent solution introduction means is operated and the detergent solution is introduced into the water tank after a lapse of a predetermined time until Control A detergent feeding device for a washing machine, comprising: a control means. 2. The detergent loading device for a washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the detergent storage container is installed at a position lower than a top surface of the washing machine body and in a position facing a front surface of the washing machine body. 3. The detergent loading device for a washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the detergent storage container is provided with an indicator for visually confirming the remaining amount of the detergent stored in the container from the outside. 4. The water supply means is composed of a water supply channel communicating with the detergent agitating container and a control valve for opening and closing the water supply channel.
The stirring means is composed of a circulating water channel that circulates inside the detergent stirring container and a control valve that opens and closes the circulating water channel. 2. The detergent injection device for a washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the operation control means is configured to control the opening / closing of each of the control valves at a preset timing. 5. The operation control means comprises: detection means for detecting dirt of the washing liquid in the water tank during the washing operation; and determination means for determining whether or not to add detergent according to a preset condition. The detergent introduction device for a washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising an operation control function of adding detergent based on the determination result of the determination means.