JP3162960B2 - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more particularly to a washing machine having a function of dissolving a detergent in a washing tub.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a washing machine, it is preferred from the viewpoint of washing performance that washing is carried out after a detergent is sufficiently dissolved in water in advance. For example, in the washing machine described in Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 58-18886, a push button switch for dissolving the detergent is provided in the operation unit. When the operator presses this button after putting the detergent into the washing tub, the washing machine is operated. Dissolution of the detergent is promoted by injecting water into the tank and rotating the rotor. Then, after the detergent is sufficiently dissolved, the laundry is put in and the washing is performed.

As a washing machine having a function of dissolving a detergent, a washing machine having a dedicated box for dissolving the detergent at an upper portion of a washing tub has recently been commercialized. In this type of washing machine, when a predetermined amount of powder detergent is put into a dedicated box by an operator, water injection is started in the box, and a small rotary blade provided in the box is rotated. As a result, the powder detergent dissolves well in water while being stirred, and becomes a liquid detergent. Since the liquid detergent is poured into the washing tub, the detergent quickly spreads in the water in the washing tub.

[0004] However, since such a dedicated box naturally increases the cost considerably, it is desirable to dissolve the detergent in the washing tub by the rotating blade used in the washing step as described above from the viewpoint of cost. In recent years, the types of detergents used for washing have increased remarkably, and there are a wide range of powder detergents that are hardly soluble in water and liquid detergents that are very soluble. In particular, many powdered soaps do not melt even with the rotation of the small rotary blade as described above. Therefore, a washing machine capable of dissolving a detergent suitable for various detergents is desired.

In general, a fully automatic washing machine automatically detects the amount of laundry stored in a washing tub, and automatically determines the amount of water, water flow, washing time, etc., for achieving higher washing performance. The same automatic detection and setting is required even when the detergent is melted. Furthermore, it is necessary to improve water saving and operability, which are problems of conventional washing machines, while having a detergent dissolving function.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned various problems, and an object of the present invention is to dissolve a detergent according to the type of detergent and to reduce the amount of laundry. It is an object of the present invention to provide a washing machine capable of performing detection and automatically setting a water level, a water flow, a washing time, a rinsing method, a dehydration time, and the like suitable for the amount. Another object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine that dissolves a detergent according to the type of the detergent, and also saves water and improves operability.

[0007]

Means for Solving the Problems, Embodiments and Effects The first invention for solving the above problems is based on the rotation of a rotary blade provided at the bottom of the washing tub prior to washing the laundry. A washing machine for dissolving a detergent put into the washing tub by a water flow, wherein the amount of the laundry stored in the washing tub is adjusted by rotating the washing tub with a predetermined amount of water being supplied. In a washing machine that detects by a load when the wings are rotated, a) a water level detecting means for detecting a water level in the washing tub, and b) a water level in the washing tub detected by the water level detecting means,
Whether or not the detergent melting water level set at a position lower than the water level of the predetermined amount of water for detecting a load and not exceeding the water level even when laundry is stored in the washing tub And c) operation control means for rotating the rotary blades for a predetermined time after water is supplied to the washing tub until it is determined that the detergent has reached the water level. It is characterized by:

[0008] In the first aspect of the present invention, the water level for dissolving the detergent is lower than the load detection level for detecting the amount of the laundry, and the water level when the laundry is stored. It is provided at a position that does not exceed the water level even when anticipating a rise. The operation control means supplies water up to the detergent dissolving level, and then rotates the rotating blades to sufficiently dissolve the detergent put into the washing tub. After that, the laundry is stored in the washing tub. At this time, the water level in the washing tub is still lower than the load detection water level, so additional water is supplied until the load detection water level is reached. To rotate the rotor and detect the amount of laundry.

Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, since additional water is supplied as needed after the detergent is dissolved, it is possible to reliably detect the load amount without wastefully discharging water in which the detergent has been sufficiently dissolved. You. As a result, even if the operator does not select the water level, the washing water level suitable for the amount of the laundry is automatically determined, and the washing with excellent washing performance and the like is executed.

[0010]

[0011]

[0012]

[0013]

[0014]

[0015]

[0016]

[0017]

[0018]

[0019]

[0020]

[0021]

[0022]

[0023]

[0024]

[0025]

[0026]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a washing machine according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an input key arrangement of an operation unit of the washing machine, FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an electric system of the washing machine, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart mainly showing the processing operation relating to the dissolving of the detergent.

First, the configuration of the entire washing machine will be described with reference to FIG. An operation unit 11 having input keys is provided at an upper rear portion of the machine frame 10. An outer tub 12 is disposed inside the machine casing 10, and a washing tub 13, which also serves as a dehydration tub having a large number of dehydration holes on a peripheral wall, is installed inside the outer tub 12. A rotating wing 14 for stirring the laundry is provided at the bottom of the washing tub 13.
The rotation of the motor 15 is controlled by a motor pulley 16,
The power is transmitted to the washing tub 13 and the rotary blade 14 via the belt 17, the main pulley 18, and the power switching mechanism 19. The power switching mechanism 19 rotates only the rotor 14 during washing,
At the time of spin-drying, mechanical switching is performed to rotate the washing tub 13 and the rotary blade 14 together.

A drain port 20 is provided at the bottom of the outer tub 12 and drains through a drain pipe 21 which is opened and closed by a drain solenoid valve 22. An air trap 23 is provided at one corner of the bottom of the outer tub 12, and is connected to a water level sensor 25 via a pressure hose 24. The water level in the tank 12 is detected. Water supplied from the water supply channel 26 is injected into the washing tub 13 via the water supply electromagnetic valve 27, and water from the pump water supply channel 28 is sucked up by the water absorption pump 29 and injected into the washing tub 13.

The water levels L _{1 to} L ₄ indicated by broken lines in the washing tub 13 in the figure are four pre-set washing (or rinsing) water level modes “minimum”, “low”, “medium” and "High"
Respectively. Further, the water level L ₀ that is set to a lower position than the water level L ₁ is promptly detected to and for the water level for performing the detergent dissolved in the operation as described below (hereinafter "Reset water supply abnormality when water Initial "Water level").

Next, the arrangement of input keys on the operation unit 11 of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The operation unit 11 includes an input unit 40 including a plurality of input keys, and a display unit 41 for displaying a mode or a numerical value selected by operating the input keys. Hereinafter, the function of each input key of the input unit 40 will be described in order.

The water level selection key 42 is used to change the amount of water during the washing step and the rinsing step to “minimal”, “low”,
This is an input key for the operator to manually select from among four modes of “medium” and “high”, and a portion of the selected water level mode in the display section 41 is turned on. Level of the washing tub 13 corresponding to the four modes is that shown in the position of L ₁ ~L ₄ in FIG. In addition, the water level in the washing step and the rinsing step is generally selected automatically in accordance with the amount of the laundry detected by the load sensor, and the selected water level mode is displayed.

The bath water use key 43 is connected to the pump water supply passage 28.
Is an input key for the operator to select whether to use the bath water supplied through the washing step, the first rinsing step, or the second rinsing step, and corresponds to the step in which the bath water is used. The portion inside the display section 41 is turned on.

The course selection key 44 is an input key for selecting one from a plurality of washing courses in which washing time, water flow, etc. are determined in advance according to the type of laundry and the degree of dirt. , Display unit 41 corresponding to the selected course
The part inside is lit.

The favorite course selection key 45 is an input key for the operator to freely set the time for washing and dehydration, the number of times of rinsing, and the like, and a value corresponding to the input operation is displayed on the display unit 41. Is done. By temporarily storing these numerical settings and selecting “own style” using the course selection key 44, a series of washing steps can be executed as stored.

In addition, a reservation key 46 is an input key for reserving a washing start time, and a powdered soap dissolving key 47 is used when powdered soap that is hardly soluble in water is used before the laundry is put into the washing tub 13. This is an input key operated when it is desired to dissolve the powdered soap in advance in the washing tub 13 by strong water flow.

Next, the electrical configuration of the washing machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. A key input signal from the input unit 40 of the operation unit 11 is transmitted to the control unit 30 mainly composed of a microcomputer.
The water level detection signal is input from the. The control unit 30 has a memory in which an operation program is stored, receives a key input from the input unit 40, and according to a corresponding operation program,
Motor drive unit 31 for driving motor 15, water supply solenoid valve 2
7. Control the operation or operation of the water suction pump 29 and the drain electromagnetic valve 22 and the like. In addition, the display unit 41 responds to a key input signal.
Is displayed as described above.

FIG. 4 shows the basic flow of the washing process of the washing machine having the above-described configuration. In accordance with the operation program, the control unit 30 first executes the washing step, sequentially executes the first rinsing step and the second rinsing step, and finally executes the dewatering step. As described above, by operating the favorite course selection key 45 by the operator, it is also possible to execute only a part of the washing process. Since the detergent dissolving step is a preparation for the washing step, it is executed at the beginning of the washing step.

Hereinafter, the processing operation relating to the dissolution of the detergent in the washing machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the following description, the case where water is supplied to the washing tub 13 from the tap water supply channel 26 is described. However, even when the water is supplied from the pump water supply channel 28, the water supply electromagnetic valve 27 is opened and closed. The operation is basically the same except that the operation of the water suction pump 29 is started and stopped.

In the figure, steps S10 to S17 show the processing operation when the powder soap dissolving key 47 is operated. As described above, the powder soap dissolving key 47 is operated when it is desired to dissolve a powdered soap or the like, especially a hardly water-soluble detergent, in the washing tub 13 prior to the loading of the laundry. A melting course is performed.

When the operator operates the powder soap dissolving key 47, the control unit 30 opens the water supply electromagnetic valve 27 and starts water supply from the water supply water supply passage 26. Based on the detection signal of the water level sensor 25, the water level in the washing tub 13 water supply is continued until reaching the reset water level L ₀ (step S11). FIG.
As shown in, reset water level L ₀ is set to a much lower position than a very small water level L ₁ which is the lowest wash water level. The reset water level L ₀ is such that even if the water level rises due to a state where water is accumulated up to the reset water level and laundry is poured into the water level, the minimum water level L _1, which is the lowest wash water level, Is set in advance so as not to exceed. For example, the amount of water reset water level L ₀ when the amount of water very small water level L ₁ is about 25 liters is about 20 liters.

After the supply of water is stopped, the operator uses a detergent (soap).
Is put into the washing tub 13 (step S12), and the detergent melting operation is started (step S13). At this time, the control unit 30 controls the motor drive unit 31 to rotate the rotary blade 14 so that the water flow in the washing tub 13 becomes a strong water flow. The rotation speed of the rotor 14 is, for example, about 150 [rpm].
The operation time is about 2 to 3 minutes. By this strong water flow,
Insoluble powdered soap is also dissolved in water. Note that a predetermined amount of detergent (soap powder) may be automatically supplied from a detergent box held at an upper portion of the washing tub 13.

After the end of the detergent melting operation, the control unit 30 drives the buzzer provided in the operation unit 11 to notify the operator of the end of the detergent melting course (step S14). Further, the detergent melting flag in the control unit 30 is set to "1" (step S15). This flag has been reset to '0' in advance, and the fact that the detergent melting flag is '1' indicates that the detergent melting course has been executed.

Further, the control unit 30 activates the internal timer, and keeps energizing each electric circuit until the timer counts for 20 minutes (step S1).
6). If there is no input key operation within 20 minutes, the power supply is automatically cut off, and the power of the control unit 30 itself is also cut off except for the part related to the reception processing of the power key 49. (Step S17). That is, after the detergent melting course is completed, the operator is notified by a buzzer that the preparation for washing is ready, and waits for 20 minutes in a state where washing can be continued, but does not continue washing after 20 minutes. Automatically turns off.

Steps S11 to S17 described above are a series of processes for dissolving the detergent. If the amount of laundry is extremely small, for example, before or during the dissolving of the detergent in step S13, the operator needs to do so. The laundry may be thrown into the washing tub 13 to complete the washing. In such a case, after the detergent is melted, the drainage electromagnetic valve 22 is forcibly opened by operating the input unit 40 to perform drainage. At this time, the condition in which the detergent dissolving flag is set to “1”, that is, the condition that the detergent is dissolved in the water in the washing tub 13 has been eliminated, so the detergent dissolving flag is set to “0”.
Need to be reset.

Therefore, when a washing course such as a standard course is set, a flag for detecting that the drain solenoid valve 22 is opened after the detergent dissolution course is executed is determined, or the drain solenoid valve 22 is set. It is determined whether or not the water in the washing tub 13 has been drained after the detergent is dissolved by a method such as determining the open / closed state (step S18). And
If drainage has been performed, the process proceeds to step S19,
After resetting the detergent melting flag to "0", the process proceeds to step S20. On the other hand, when the drainage is not performed, the process proceeds to step S20 without changing the detergent melting flag.

In both the case where washing is performed after the course of dissolving detergent and the case where washing is performed without performing the course of dissolving detergent, the washing process is performed by the processing operations of steps S20 to S32 in a standard washing course. A series of steps from to the dehydration step are continuously performed.

When the laundry is put into the washing tub 13 (step S20) and the start key 48 is pressed, the control unit 30
Starts operation according to the operation program. First, the control unit 30 opens the water supply solenoid valve 27 and starts water supply from the water supply water supply channel 26. Based on the detection signal of the water level sensor 25,
Water until the water level in the washing tub 13 reaches a very small water level L ₁ is continued (step S21).

In the present embodiment, the minimum water level L ₁ is the minimum water level for washing or rinsing, and is also the water level for detecting the load of the laundry. If the detergent dissolving course has been executed in advance, water has already accumulated in the washing tub 13 before the water supply in step S19, but the water supplied during the detergent dissolving course is the reset water level L _{0 as} described above. because it is up (refer to step S11), and does not exceed the extremely small water level L ₁ even if increase of the water level due to introduction of the laundry. That is, neither the minimum washing water level nor the water level for load detection is exceeded.

[0049] After the water up to a very small level L ₁ is water, the load detection for detecting executed the amount of laundry (step S22). At this time, the control unit 30
The motor drive unit 31 is controlled so that a certain predetermined voltage is applied for a short time. As a result, the rotor 14 is rotated for a short time, but the time until the rotation is stopped depends on the load amount, that is, the amount of laundry. In the motor drive unit 31, a pulse signal corresponding to the rotation of the motor 15 is obtained, and the rotation of the rotor 14 is stopped earlier as the load becomes larger, so that the number of obtained pulses is reduced. The control unit 30 counts the number of pulses and detects a load amount based on the result.

In step S22, the rotating blade 14 is rotated as described above and the number of pulses corresponding to the load amount is
Is counted. In determining the water level corresponding to the amount of the laundry based on the number of pulses, the water in the washing tub 13 also becomes a load for the rotation of the rotary wing 14, so that the minimum water level L ₁
The amount of laundry is estimated by an appropriate detection criterion in which the load of water is considered in advance. However, an error occurs in the detection of the load amount depending on whether or not the detergent is dissolved in the water when the load amount is detected. That is, when the load detection is performed in a state where the detergent is dissolved in water, the slip between the laundry and the inner surface of the rotary wing 14 or the inner wall of the washing tub 13 is improved, and the load detection is performed only in the water. The load is smaller than in the case.

Therefore, the detergent dissolution flag is determined in step S23. If the flag is "1", that is, if the detergent dissolution has already been performed, step S24 is performed.
Then, the load amount is corrected. When the load amount is determined based on the number of pulses as in the present embodiment, correction is performed in such a manner that the load amount increases by reducing the number of pulses obtained at the time of load amount detection by a predetermined number. If the flag is "0" in step S23, the load correction is not performed.

Then, the amount of laundry is determined based on the corrected load amount, that is, the number of pulses, and an appropriate washing water level,
The washing conditions such as the strength of the water flow and the washing time are determined (step S25). Next, the water supply solenoid valve 27 is opened to restart water supply, and the washing water level set according to the amount of laundry, that is, the water level mode of one of “minimal”, “low”, “medium”, and “high” water supply electromagnetic valve 27 is closed when the corresponding level L ₁ ~L ₄ Mademizu is accumulated water is stopped (step S26).

If the detergent dissolution course has not been executed beforehand, the detergent is introduced here. After the introduction of the detergent, the rotor 14 is rotated to start washing (step S27).
However, first, in order to quickly dissolve the supplied detergent, a detergent dissolving operation is performed in a strong water flow for the first predetermined time. That is, the control unit 30 controls the motor drive unit 31 to rotate the rotary wings 14 so as to generate a strong water flow. At this time, the rotation speed of the rotor 14 is, for example, about 150 [rpm], and the time is about 1 to 2 minutes.

After dissolving the detergent in such a strong water flow,
Washing is performed for a predetermined time in a standard water flow. Here, the standard water flow is a water flow suitable for the fabric detected by a fabric sensor that determines the type of the fiber of the laundry at the same time as or separately from the load amount detection. In general, washing is performed with a strong water flow in the case of fibers such as cotton that have little damage to the cloth, and with a relatively weak water flow in the case of fibers that easily cause cloth damage such as synthetic fibers.

After the washing is completed, the detergent melting flag is set to "0".
Is reset to (Step S28). Step S23
The flag reset process after the flag determination in may be performed at any time before the next new washing course, detergent melting course, or the like is started after the flag determination.

Following the washing, a rinsing step (step S)
29) and a dehydration step (Step S30) are performed.
After the spin-drying step is completed, the control unit 30 activates the internal timer, and when the timer counts for 5 seconds (step S31), the power of the control unit 30 other than the part related to the process of receiving the power key 49 is cut off. (Step S3
2).

It should be noted that the numerical values and the like in the above-described embodiment are merely examples, and it is apparent that they can be changed as appropriate within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

The detergent dissolving course may be executed not only by operating the soap dissolving key 47 alone but also by incorporating the detergent dissolving course at the beginning of the washing course.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a washing machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an arrangement of input keys of an operation unit of the washing machine.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an electric system of the washing machine.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a basic flow of a washing process.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing operation relating to dissolving the detergent in the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Operation part 13 ... Washing tub 14 ... Rotor blade 25 ... Water level sensor 30 ... Control part 40 ... Input part 47 ... Powder soap dissolving key

Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Yuji Nagafuku 2-5-1-5 Keihanhondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-5-38393 (JP, A) JP-A-6- 225988 (JP, A) JP-A-63-117798 (JP, A) JP-A-9-28973 (JP, A) JP-A-4-112391 (JP, U) JP-A-58-17886 (JP, U) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) D06F 33/02

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A washing machine for dissolving a detergent introduced into a washing tub by a water flow generated by rotation of a rotor provided at a bottom of the washing tub prior to washing of the laundry, the washing machine being contained in the washing tub. A) a washing machine that detects the amount of laundry by a load when the rotor is rotated while a predetermined amount of water is supplied into the washing tub; a) detecting a water level in the washing tub. Water level detection means, b) the water level in the washing tub detected by the water level detection means,
Whether or not the detergent melting water level set at a position lower than the water level of the predetermined amount of water for detecting a load and not exceeding the water level even when laundry is stored in the washing tub And c) operation control means for rotating the rotor for a predetermined time after water is supplied to the washing tub until it is determined by the determining means that the detergent has reached the water level. A washing machine, characterized in that: