JP6286658B2 - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing machine that performs washing, rinsing, and dewatering of laundry in a washing tub, and more particularly to a drum-type washing machine or a washing and drying machine that also has a drying function.

  In the drum type washing machine, tap water is supplied from the outside of the washing machine by the water supply unit after the laundry is put into the washing tub. The tap water is supplied to an outer tub or a washing tub that accommodates the washing tub through a detergent container in which a predetermined amount of detergent has been put in advance. After the water supply, the laundry is sufficiently wetted with the washing liquid while rotating the washing tub at a low speed. After that, while the laundry tub is rotated at a low speed such that the laundry does not stick to the wall surface of the laundry tub for a certain period of time, the wet laundry is removed from the upper portion of the laundry tub with rotation to remove dirt. The drum type washing machine performs washing by operating in this way.

In such washing machine washing, the washing power is increased by heating the washing liquid.
Furthermore, when the change in the turbidity of the washing liquid is detected by a turbidity sensor and it is determined that the laundry is not easily soiled, it is considered that the washing liquid is heated to a predetermined temperature (see, for example, Patent Document 1). . This includes a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the washing water in the washing tub and a turbidity sensor for detecting the turbidity of the washing water in the washing tub, and an electric heater for heating the washing water in the washing tub. After the water supply, the type of the laundry stain is determined from the detection result of the turbidity sensor, and when it is determined that the stain is difficult to remove, the electric heater until the predetermined temperature is detected by the temperature sensor Control to operate. Accordingly, it is possible to perform washing at a temperature suitable for the type of dirt on the laundry without requiring the user to put extra hot water.

JP-A-5-300996

  However, in such a conventional configuration, the determination is based only on the turbidity change at room temperature due to the water temperature after water supply, so it is difficult to determine whether the amount of dirt is small or the dirt is difficult to remove from the laundry. Therefore, it is uncertain to determine how much dirt is difficult to remove.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and provides a washing machine capable of improving the washing performance by efficiently controlling the heating of the washing liquid by more accurately detecting the amount of dirt on the laundry. The purpose is to provide.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the washing machine of the present invention detects a dirt sensor that detects the amount of dirt in the washing liquid, a heating unit that is installed at the bottom of the outer tub and heats the washing liquid, and detects the water temperature of the washing liquid. A water temperature sensor that controls the heating unit to heat the washing liquid during the washing process, and the water temperature of the washing liquid is first.
The turbidity difference D32 between the turbidity D2 based on the output value of the dirt sensor when the predetermined temperature is reached and the turbidity D3 based on the output value of the dirt sensor when the second predetermined temperature is reached is a predetermined turbidity difference D32 When the value is higher than the value, the washing liquid is additionally heated by the heating unit. This makes it possible to control the heating amount of the washing liquid by determining the amount of dirt with respect to the stain that dissolves into the washing liquid every hour, and to accurately exhibit the cleaning performance.

  The washing machine of the present invention judges the amount of dirt dissolved in the washing liquid having a predetermined water temperature, and controls the heating amount of the washing liquid. Cleaning performance can be improved.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a drum-type washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The flowchart which shows the control at the time of the heating operation of the washing water of the drum type washing machine in Embodiment 1 of this invention Correlation diagram between dirt sensor output and dirt in Embodiment 1 of the present invention The figure which shows control of the heater ON time by the dirt sensor output in Embodiment 1 of this invention

A washing machine according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a washing tub that accommodates and rotates laundry, an outer tub that accommodates the washing tub, and a water supply that supplies water to the washing tub and the outer tub via a water supply valve. A water supply port, a motor that drives the washing tub, a dirt sensor that detects the amount of dirt in the washing liquid, a heating unit that is installed at the bottom of the outer tub and heats the washing liquid, and a water temperature of the washing liquid. A water temperature sensor to detect and a control unit for controlling the washing machine, wherein the control unit controls the heating unit to heat the washing liquid during the washing process, and the water temperature of the washing liquid is a first predetermined temperature. The turbidity difference D32 between the turbidity D2 due to the output value of the dirt sensor when reaching the second turbidity and the turbidity D3 due to the output value of the dirt sensor when reaching the second predetermined temperature is not less than a predetermined value . In this case, the washing liquid is additionally heated by the heating unit. In this way, it is judged whether it is necessary to additionally heat the dirt that has melted into the washing liquid, and the heating amount of the washing liquid is controlled so that the washing performance can be accurately demonstrated against any dirt. Can do. Moreover, the heating control according to the dirt amount of the laundry can be performed, and the cleaning performance can be improved.

  In the washing machine according to the second aspect of the invention, the control of the heating unit by the control unit of the first aspect of the invention additionally heats the washing liquid until a predetermined water temperature is reached. Thereby, since it can control to predetermined water temperature irrespective of a season or room temperature, cleaning performance can be improved by controlling cleaning performance more finely.

  In the washing machine according to the third aspect of the present invention, the control of the heating unit by the control unit of the first aspect performs additional heating only for a predetermined time. As a result, the heating time of the washing liquid can be controlled according to the amount of dirt on the laundry, so that heating control according to the amount of dirt on the laundry can be performed.

In the washing machine according to the fourth invention, the control unit of any one of the first to third inventions detects the turbidity D1 based on the output value of the dirt sensor at the start of the washing process, and the turbidity D2 When the turbidity difference D21 is greater than or equal to a predetermined value , the heating unit is controlled to perform additional heating of the washing liquid . At this time, when the turbidity difference D32 is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the case is less than the predetermined value Further, at least the additional heating time is lengthened or the additional heating is performed up to a high water temperature . This makes it possible to more accurately determine the amount and quality of dirt by comparing how the dirt dissolves due to the difference in water temperature, and to perform optimum heating control depending on the quality of the dirt by performing additional heating of the washing liquid.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a drum-type washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In the following description, the detergent water containing the detergent for washing, the rinse water for washing away the detergent, etc. are collectively referred to as the washing liquid. In FIG. 1, an outer tub 2 is disposed inside a housing 1 of a drum type washing machine. Further, a drum 3 as a washing tub is disposed inside the outer tub 2 so as to be rotatable by a rotating shaft slightly inclined from the horizontal direction. The drum 3 is connected to the motor 4 on the back surface, and the drum 3 is rotated by the rotation of the motor 4. The drum 3 is provided with a plurality of water passage holes (not shown) on the outer peripheral surface, and functions as a washing tub, a dewatering tub, and a drying tub according to the process.

The water supply port 9 is connected to the water supply, and supplies the tap water as washing liquid to the outer tub 2 and the drum 3 through the water supply valve 10. A water intake 5 is provided at the lowest part of the outer tub 2 and is connected to a pipe, and is connected to a drain pipe 7 via a drain valve 6 to form a drain path.
The water intake 5 is provided with a water level sensor 8 that is a water level detection unit that detects the water level of the washing liquid supplied from the water supply port 9. The water level sensor 8 is installed at a position that reacts immediately after the start of water supply, and detects the water level by detecting, for example, the pressure applied to the diaphragm as a deformation of the membrane. As a method for detecting the deformation of the diaphragm, a change in capacitance or a strain gauge is used.

  Further, a circulation path 12 connected to the discharge port 11 for discharging the washing liquid taken in from the intake port 5 in the direction of the drum 3 communicates between the intake port 5 and the drain valve 6. The washing liquid satisfying 3 can be circulated. The washing liquid is taken into the circulation path 12 using the circulation pump 13. In this way, since the washing liquid can be circulated by the circulation path 12 only by the control of the circulation pump 13, it can be circulated irrespective of the washing control for controlling the normal washing power such as the water flow by the rotation of the drum 3. .

  In the circulation path 12, a dirt sensor 17 constituted by a turbidity sensor is installed. The turbidity sensor is composed of, for example, a light emitting element such as an LED and a light receiving element such as a phototransistor. The path between the elements is made of a light-transmitting material, and the light received by the light-emitting element is received by the light-receiving element through the washing liquid, converted into a voltage, and output. Turbidity D is converted from the output voltage of the light receiving element of the turbidity sensor, and the higher the turbidity, the lower the voltage. That is, when a large amount of laundry stains in the washing liquid passing through the circulation path 12 and turbidity increases, a low voltage is output.

  At the bottom of the outer tub 2, a hot water heater 14 including a sheathed heater is provided as a heating unit. The hot water heater 14 has a function of heating the washing liquid and washing the laundry inside the drum 3 with hot water. Further, the outer tub 2 is provided with a water temperature sensor 18 for detecting the water temperature of the washing liquid.

  If a large amount of foreign matter such as laundry fibers or hair is contained during the circulation of the washing liquid, the circulation pump 13 or the drain pipe 7 may be clogged. Therefore, a filter 15 is installed at the end of the water intake 5 to remove foreign matters such as laundry fibers and hair.

  The control unit 16 is configured by a microcomputer or the like, and receives a water level detection signal from the water level sensor 8 and controls the drain valve 6 and the water supply valve 10, the motor 4, the circulation pump 13 and the hot water heater 14. Thereby, the control part 16 controls all the washing processes. Further, the control unit 16 has a function as a cloth amount detection unit that detects a current signal flowing through the motor 4 and a rotation angle to determine the weight of the drum 3, that is, the weight of the laundry. Further, it has a function of controlling the hot water heater 14 and controlling the washing process based on the sensor output from the dirt sensor 17.

Next, the operation of the drum type washing machine of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the control flowchart of FIG. 2 and the configuration of FIG. When the user puts laundry into the washing machine and starts washing, the control unit 16 performs a water supply process (S1). The water supply process includes detection of the amount of laundry by the control unit 16. The control unit 16 detects information related to at least one motor operation such as the magnitude of the current signal of the motor 4, the amount of change in current, and the change in rotation angle when the drum 4 is rotated together with the laundry by controlling the motor 4. Thus, the amount of laundry is detected.

  The control unit 16 determines a basic water supply amount based on the amount of laundry. For example, when it is determined that the amount of laundry is “small”, WL1 at the “low” water level is set as the set water level. When it is determined that the amount of laundry is “medium”, WL2 at the “medium” water level is set as the set water level. In addition, when it is determined that the amount of laundry is “large”, the WL3 at the “high” water level is set as the set water level.

  Next, the control unit 16 opens the water supply valve 10 to supply water to the outer tub 2 and the drum 3 until the set water level is reached. During the water supply, the control unit 16 controls the circulation pump 13 to circulate the detergent water supplied together with the detergent from the discharge port 11 to the outer tub 2 via the circulation path 12. Thereby, the melt | dissolution to the water of a detergent can be accelerated | stimulated. In this case, when the circulating water is discharged from the discharge port 11 into the drum 3, the laundry absorbs the water before the detergent dissolves in the water. Therefore, it is necessary to control the circulation flow rate of the circulation pump 13 to such an extent that the circulating water is not discharged so much into the drum 3. For example, the number of rotations of the circulation pump 13 is controlled to 1200 rpm and the circulation flow rate is made to circulate with a very weak water flow at 2 liters per minute to generate a laundry liquid sufficiently mixed with detergent. When detecting the arrival of the set water level in the water supply, the control unit 16 closes the water supply valve 10 and ends the water supply process.

When the initial water supply is completed, the controller 16 measures the initial value of the washing liquid dirt sensor 17 (S2). The turbidity D 1 based on the output value of the dirt sensor 17 is a value of the laundry liquid itself containing only the detergent in which the laundry dirt has not yet dissolved in the laundry liquid. The controller 16 also detects the water temperature of the washing liquid by the water temperature sensor 18.

  Next, the control part 16 starts stirring, controlling the motor 4 and rotating the drum 3 at low speed (S3). The laundry is lifted in the drum 3 and falls by gravity from the upper part of the drum 3, and the kinetic energy at the time of dropping is effectively applied. The rotation speed of the drum 3 at this time is preferably a rotation speed that does not stick to the drum 3 wall surface by centrifugal force, and is preferably 60 rpm or less although it depends on the amount of laundry. The rotation direction may be continuous in the same direction, or may be switched to the opposite direction at an arbitrary time interval.

  While the laundry is being stirred by rotating the drum 3, the controller 16 drives the circulation pump 13 so that the washing liquid passes through the circulation path 12. As a result, the washing liquid is circulated from the discharge port 11 into the drum 3 through the circulation path 12. When 1 minute has elapsed since the activation of the circulation pump 13, the control unit 16 stops the circulation pump 13 and stops the circulation of the washing liquid. Further, when one minute has elapsed since the circulation pump 13 was stopped, the circulation pump 13 is again driven for one minute. Thus, the intermittent operation of the shower is performed by intermittently operating the circulation pump 13 to apply the washing liquid to the laundry.

  The controller 16 starts energization of the hot water heater 14 while agitating the drum 3 by repeatedly driving and stopping the circulation pump 13 (S4). When the water temperature sensor 18 detects that the water temperature has reached a first predetermined temperature (for example, 25 ° C.) (YES in S5), the turbidity D2 of the washing liquid is measured by the dirt sensor 17 in the circulation path 12. (S6). At this time, the washing liquid has sufficiently penetrated into the laundry, and the dissolution of the water-soluble dirt of the laundry into the washing liquid has started. When the temperature of the washing liquid at the time of water supply has reached the first predetermined temperature, stirring is performed for a predetermined time without energizing the hot water heater 14, and the turbidity D2 of the washing liquid is measured. Good.

Further, the circulation pump 13 is repeatedly driven and stopped to stir the drum 3 and the hot water heater 14 is energized. When the water temperature reaches a second predetermined temperature (for example, 30 ° C.) (
(YES in S7), the turbidity D3 of the washing liquid is measured by the dirt sensor 17 in the circulation path 12 (S8). At this time, the water temperature of the washing liquid further rises, so that the oily soil that easily dissolves at the high temperature of the laundry increases in the washing liquid.

  The amount and quality of the washing liquid are detected by calculating the difference between the initial value of the dirt sensor 17. The detection value of the dirt sensor 17 is converted to a turbidity D by performing scale conversion in consideration of the maximum washing liquid and dirt. Then, as the turbidity difference D21 between the turbidity D2 and the turbidity D1, and the turbidity difference D32 between the turbidity D3 and the turbidity D2, each turbidity difference is expressed by a numerical value from 0 to 10 with a maximum value of 10. . Then, the control unit 16 determines the quality and amount of dirt based on the turbidity difference as shown in FIG. Based on this determination, the energization time of the hot water heater is controlled as shown in FIG.

For example, if the turbidity difference D21 is 5 or more (NO in S10) and the turbidity difference D32 is 5 or more ( NO in S11), the control unit 16 determines that there are a large amount of various water-soluble and oily stains. Then, the warm water heater 14 is energized and the washing liquid is additionally heated for 15 minutes (S12).

  If the turbidity difference D21 is 5 or more (NO in S10) and the turbidity difference D32 is less than 5 (YES in S11), the control unit 16 determines that there is a lot of water-soluble dirt, and the hot water heater 14 Is energized and the washing liquid is additionally heated for 10 minutes (S13).

  Further, if the turbidity difference D21 is less than 5 (YES in S10) and the turbidity difference D32 is 5 or more (NO in S11), the control unit 16 does not have a large amount of dirt but a large amount of oil-soluble dirt. The hot water heater 14 is energized, and the washing liquid is additionally heated for 10 minutes (S13).

  Further, if the turbidity difference D21 is less than 5 (YES in S10) and the turbidity difference D32 is less than 5 (YES in S11), the control unit 16 determines that the entire dirt is small, and the hot water heater 14 is energized. Is finished (S15).

When a predetermined time for energizing the hot water heater 14 has elapsed, the additional heating is terminated.
If the set time (for example, 50 minutes from S2) has not elapsed (NO in S16), the stirring operation and the circulation pump operation of the drum 3 are repeated. If the set time of the washing process has elapsed (YES in S16), the washing process is terminated and the process proceeds to the next rinsing process.

  As described above, the control unit accurately determines the amount and quality of the washing liquid after water supply, and when it is determined that the amount of dirt is large or that there is a large amount of dirt that is difficult to dissolve, the time for additional heating of the washing liquid The heating of the washing liquid is efficiently controlled so as to promote the dissolution of dirt by lengthening the length. Thereby, it is possible to accurately exhibit the cleaning performance against any dirt. Moreover, the heating control according to the dirt amount of the laundry can be performed, and the washing performance of the washing machine can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, at the start of the washing process, the turbidity D1 based on the output value of the dirt sensor is measured, and after determination based on the turbidity difference D21 from the turbidity D2, additional heating is performed by the turbidity difference D32. Although the necessity was judged, the measurement of turbidity D1 and the judgment by it may be excluded. In this case, the judgment on the quality of the dirt is reduced, but the amount of dirt can be judged for the dirt that dissolves in the washing liquid every hour, and the heating amount of the washing liquid can be controlled, and the washing performance is demonstrated accurately. can do.

  Further, in this embodiment, the difference in turbidity based on the output of the dirt sensor is used for the judgment of dirt. However, when a detergent having a low turbidity such as a liquid detergent is used, the dirt dissolves into the washing liquid. The determination of dirt may be performed using the absolute value of the turbidity at the time when it is performed. In addition, if both the turbidity difference and the absolute value are used, the amount and quality of dirt can be detected more accurately based on the amount of dirt and the speed of dissolution, so finer control of heating of the washing liquid is possible. It can be performed.

  In this embodiment, the amount of dirt is estimated by combining the turbidity difference between the turbidity due to the output of the dirt sensor before heating and the two turbidities in total at two predetermined temperatures. However, if only any two turbidities are used, the amount of dirt can be estimated more easily.

  Further, in this embodiment, the additional heating performed according to the amount of dirt is controlled by the length of the heating time, but if the water temperature is detected and the additional heating is performed to a higher water temperature as the dirt increases, it depends on the season and room temperature. Therefore, the cleaning performance can be improved by controlling the cleaning performance more finely.

  Further, in this embodiment, the set time of the washing process is set to 50 minutes of the predetermined time. However, if the amount of laundry is detected at the start of washing, the longer the time is set, the more laundry is detected. The cleaning performance can be maintained regardless of the amount of laundry. In addition, if the additional heating time is set as a time frame different from the predetermined time, the washing time can be increased as the amount of dirt that causes additional heating is increased. Absent.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, although the hot water heater as a heating part installed in the lower surface of an outer tub for the heating of the washing | cleaning liquid was illustrated with the sheathed heater, other than steam, a heat pump, and IH (induction heating) A heating device can be used.

  In addition, although the configuration of the washing machine in each of the above embodiments has been described with a drum-type washing machine having a rotating shaft in which the washing tub is inclined from the horizontal direction, the washing machine has a drum-type washing machine having a rotating shaft in the horizontal direction. Even if the washing tub is a vertical washing machine having a vertical rotation axis, the same effect as described above can be obtained.

  As described above, the washing machine according to the present invention can always stably obtain the washing performance using the circulation path circulated from the washing tub to the washing tub. it can.

1 housing 2 outer tub 3 drum (washing tub)
4 Motor 5 Water intake 6 Drain valve 7 Drain pipe 8 Water level sensor 9 Water supply port 10 Water supply valve 11 Discharge port 12 Circulation path 13 Circulation pump 14 Hot water heater (heating unit)
15 Filter 16 Control Unit 17 Dirt Sensor 18 Water Temperature Sensor

Claims (4)

A washing tub that accommodates and rotates laundry, an outer tub that accommodates the washing tub, a water supply port that is connected to water and supplies water to the washing tub and the outer tub via a water supply valve, and drives the washing tub A motor that detects the amount of dirt in the washing liquid, a heating unit that is installed at the bottom of the outer tub to heat the washing liquid, a water temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the washing liquid, and a control of the washing machine And a controller that controls the heating unit to heat the washing liquid during the washing process, and the dirt sensor output when the water temperature of the washing liquid reaches a first predetermined temperature. When the turbidity difference D32 between the turbidity D2 by the value and the turbidity D3 by the output value of the dirt sensor when the second predetermined temperature is reached is a predetermined value or more, the washing liquid is added by the heating unit Washing machine to heat. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the control of the heating unit by the control unit is additionally heated until the washing liquid reaches a predetermined water temperature. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the control of the heating unit by the control unit is additionally heated for a predetermined time. The control unit measures the turbidity D1 of the output value of the dirt sensor at the start of the washing process, and controls the heating unit when the turbidity difference D21 from the turbidity D2 is a predetermined value or more. Additional heating of the washing liquid is performed. At this time, when the turbidity difference D32 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, at least the additional heating time is increased or the additional heating is performed up to a higher water temperature than when the turbidity difference D32 is less than the predetermined value. Item 4. The washing machine according to any one of Items 1 to 3.