JPH0433695A - Hot water and clod water mixing controller washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To save handling tie for the adjustment of temperature of supplied water by a user and to supply water while as automatically adjusting water temperature by comparing the water temperature value of water temperature detecting means with a preset water temperature value set by a water temperature setting means at every constant time interval by an arithmetic means, and setting the combination of energizing of a cold water side feed valve and a hot water side feed valve. CONSTITUTION:The water temperature detecting means 1 detects the temperature of water in which cold water and hot water are mixed, and the water temperature setting means 2 sets the targeted value of the water temperature in washing tub, and they are inputted to the arithmetic means 3, respectively. The cold water side feed valve 4 is a valve to control the supply of the cold water, and the hot water side feed valve 5 is the one to control the supply of the hot water. The arithmetic means 3 sets the combination of the energizing of the cold water side feed vale 4 and the hot water side feed valve 5 by data in the water temperature detecting means 1 and the water temperature setting means 2. Four patterns for the combination of the energizing of the cold water side feed valve 4 and the hot water side feed valve 5 are prepared, and a feed pattern O shows a state to stop the supply of the water. A feed pattern 1 is the pattern which energizes only the cold water side feed valve 4, in which the lowest feed water temperature is shown. A feed pattern is 2 the pattern which energizes the cold water side feed valve 4 and the hot water side feed valve 5, in which the intermediate feed water temperature is shown. A feed pattern 3 is the pattern which energizes only the hot water side feed valve 5, in which the highest feed water temperature is shown.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a hot water mixing control device for a washing machine that mixes water and hot water to perform washing with hot water.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In recent years, in order to improve washing efficiency, an increasing number of washing machines are capable of supplying hot water that is a mixture of water and hot water, and there is a need for a hot water mixing control device that can easily control the temperature of hot water.

Conventionally, a hot water mixing control device for this type of washing machine generally had a configuration as shown in FIG. The configuration will be explained below. As shown in the figure, the water supply valve changeover switch 14
is the water side water supply valve 15 during the water supply process of washing or rinsing.
This switch switches the combination of energizing the hot water side water supply valve 16, energizing only the water side water supply valve 15 (C position), energizing the water side water supply valve 15 and the hot water side water supply valve 16 (W position), and hot water side water supply. Only the valve 16 can be switched to energization (H position), and water is supplied based on the switching state of the water supply valve changeover switch 14, regardless of the temperature of the water actually supplied. The control means 17 controls opening and closing of the water side water supply valve 15 and the hot water side water supply valve 16.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention In such a conventional hot water mixing control device for a washing machine, the user has to adjust the water temperature every time they wash clothes in order to mix water and hot water and bring the supplied water to a temperature suitable for washing. There was a problem in that it was necessary to adjust the faucet and hot water tap or the hot water temperature while supplying water.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and its first object is to enable the user to dispense water while automatically adjusting the water temperature without the need for the user to adjust the water temperature.

A second purpose is to accurately control the temperature of hot water, which is a mixture of water and hot water, over a wide range.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the first object of the present invention, the calculation means for setting the combination of energization of the water side water supply valve and the hot water side water supply valve operates the water temperature detection means at regular time intervals. The first means for solving the problem is to compare the water temperature value with the set water temperature value set by the water temperature setting means and set the combination of energization of the water side water supply valve and the hot water side water supply valve.

In addition, in order to achieve the second objective, the calculation means in the first problem solving means is configured to perform a calculation proportional to the difference between the water temperature value of the water temperature detection means and the set water temperature value set by the water temperature setting means at regular time intervals. The second problem-solving means is to set the energization time of the water side water supply valve and the hot water side water supply valve.

Operation The present invention uses the above-mentioned first problem solving means to adjust the combination of energization of the water side water supply valve and the hot water side water supply valve so that the water temperature in the washing tub becomes the water temperature set by the water temperature setting means. Water can be supplied.

Further, according to the second problem solving means, even if the water temperature in the washing tub is set within a wide temperature range by the water temperature setting means, water can be supplied while accurately adjusting the set temperature.

Embodiments Hereinafter, embodiments of the first problem-solving means of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

As shown in the figure, a water temperature detection means 1 detects the temperature of a mixture of hot water and water, and a water temperature setting means 2 sets a target value for the water temperature in the washing tub, and inputs each to a calculation means 3. The water side water supply valve 4 is for opening and closing the supply of water, and the hot water side water supply valve 5 is for opening and closing the supply of hot water. Calculation means 3 is water temperature detection means 1
Based on the data of the water temperature setting means 2, the combination of energization of the water side water supply valve 4 and the hot water side water supply valve 5 is set. The water side water supply valve driving means 6 and the hot water side water supply valve driving means 7 are for driving the water side water supply valve 4 and the hot water side water supply valve 5, respectively. The water level detection means 8 is for detecting the water level in the washing tub and stopping the water supply when the water level reaches a set level.

The water and hot water supplied from the water side water supply port 9 and the hot water side water supply port 10 pass through the water side water supply valve 4 and the hot water side water supply valve 5, respectively, and are mixed before the water temperature detection means 1, and are sent to the outer tank 11 for washing. It can be stored as water. Further, the water level detection means 8 detects the water level in the washing tub by means of a hose connected from the bottom of the outer tub 11. In addition, 12 is a drain valve, and 13 is a drain port.

The combination of energization between the water side water supply valve 4 and the hot water side water supply valve 5 is the third one.
As shown in the figure, there are four patterns, and water supply pattern O is a state where water supply is stopped. In water supply pattern 1, only the water side water supply valve 4 is energized, and the temperature of the supplied water is the lowest. In the water supply pattern 2, the water side water supply valve 4 and the hot water side water supply valve 5 are energized, and the water supply water temperature is an intermediate value. In water supply pattern 3, only the hot water side water supply valve 5 is energized, and the temperature of the supplied water is the highest. Water supply is performed by combining patterns 1 to 3 above.

To explain the operation in the above configuration with reference to FIG. 4, first, in step 21, the water side water supply valve 4 and the hot water side water supply valve 5 are
energize for t0 seconds and open. As a result, water temperature detection means 1
detects the temperature of a mixture of water and hot water. Let this mixed water temperature be T. Next, in step 22, the set water temperature T is set by the water temperature setting means 2. and mixed water temperature T, are compared. Set the target water temperature in the washing tub here Water temperature T0±10
℃, if the mixed water temperature T□ is within the target water temperature range, the current water supply pattern is continued without changing in step 23.

If the mixed water temperature T exceeds the target water temperature range in step 22, that is, the mixed water temperature T becomes the set water temperature To + 10°C.
If it is higher, the water supply pattern is lowered by one rank in step 24. Therefore, if it is water supply turn 2, the water supply pattern becomes 1, and only the water side water supply valve 4 is energized and opened. This state is continued in step 25 for t seconds.

As a result, the temperature of water supplied to the washing tub becomes lower than the set water temperature T0 for t seconds.

If the mixed water temperature T is lower than the target water temperature range in step 22, that is, if the mixed water temperature T is lower than the set water temperature T, -10°C, the water supply pattern is increased by one rank in step 26. Therefore, if the water supply pattern is 2, the water supply pattern becomes 3, and only the hot water side water supply valve 5 is energized and opened. Then, in step 25, this state continues for t seconds. As a result, the temperature of water supplied to the washing tub becomes higher than the set water temperature T0 for t seconds.

In this way, when the mixed water temperature T is about to deviate from the target water temperature range, the calculating means 3 performs a calculation to correct it and bring it closer to the target water temperature range, and based on this result, the water side water supply valve 4 The hot water side water supply valve 5 is controlled.

In step 27, the water level in the washing tub detected by the water level detection means 8 is determined, and if the water level has reached the set level, the water supply operation is stopped and the process moves to the next step.

If the set water level has not yet been reached, the process returns to step 22 and the above-described operation is repeated every t seconds, but T at this time is not limited to the mixed water temperature and varies depending on the water supply pattern. Furthermore, if the rank is lowered from water supply pattern 1 in step 24, water supply pattern 1 is continued. Similarly, when raising the rank from water supply pattern 3 in step 26, water supply pattern 3 is continued.

According to the hot water mixing control device for a washing machine according to the embodiment of the first problem solving means, the calculating means 3 calculates the water temperature value of the water temperature detecting means 1 and the setting set by the water temperature setting means 2 at regular time intervals. Since the energization combination of the water side water supply valve 4 and the hot water side water supply valve 5 is set by comparing the water temperature value, if the water supply water temperature is about to deviate from the set water temperature, this can be corrected to bring it back to the set temperature. Calculations are performed to bring the temperature closer to the current temperature, and hot water at a temperature suitable for washing can be supplied to the washing tub.

Next, an embodiment of the second problem solving means will be described.

. The calculating means 3 in FIG. The energization time of 5 is set. The other configurations are the same as in the above embodiment.

To explain the operation in the above configuration with reference to FIG. 5, first, in step 31, the water side water supply valve 4 and the hot water side water supply valve 5 are
and t. Power on for seconds. Thereby, the water temperature detection means 1 detects the temperature of the mixture of water and hot water. This mixed water temperature is T,
shall be. Next, in step 32, the set water temperature T is set by the water temperature setting means 2. and mixed water temperature TIII. Here, the target water temperature in the washing tub is set as water temperature T. +1
If the mixed water temperature Tll+ is within the target water temperature range, the water side water supply valve 14 and hot water side water supply valve 15 are energized for t seconds in step 33.

If the water temperature exceeds the target water temperature range in step 32, that is, the mixed water temperature T is the set water temperature T. If the temperature is higher than +10° C., in step 34, the water side water supply valve 4 is energized for t seconds, and the hot water side water supply valve 5 is energized for a time equal to t seconds multiplied by a coefficient k smaller than 1. Therefore, in step 34, the temperature of the mixed water supplied to the washing tub for t seconds is the set water temperature T. In addition, the target water temperature range and energization interval are determined in seconds for the coefficient, but for example, when k<O, k=o.As a result, the mixed water temperature T, becomes the target water temperature. When the mixed water temperature T1 exceeds the target water temperature range by a small amount, the coefficient k becomes smaller than when the mixed water temperature T1 slightly exceeds the target water temperature range, and the temperature of the mixed water supplied to the washing tub for t seconds in step 34 becomes lower.

If the water temperature falls below the target water temperature range in step 32, that is, the mixed water temperature T becomes the set water temperature T. If it is lower than -10°C, in step 35, the water side water supply valve 4 is energized for a time equal to t seconds multiplied by a coefficient k smaller than 1, and the hot water side water supply valve 5 is energized for t seconds. Therefore, for t seconds in step 35, the temperature of the mixed water supplied to the washing tub is the set water temperature T. becomes higher. Similarly to step 34, if the mixed water temperature T is significantly lower than the target water temperature range, the coefficient k will be smaller than if the mixed water temperature T is slightly lower than the target water temperature range, and in step 35 the washing will be done in t seconds. The temperature of the mixed water supplied to the tank will be higher.Thus, in steps 33 to 35, if the mixed water temperature T is about to deviate from the target water temperature range, it is corrected to bring it closer to the target water temperature range. The water side water supply valve 4 and the hot water side water supply valve 5 are controlled based on the result.

In step 36, the water level of the washing tub detected by the water level detection means 8 is determined, and if it has not yet reached the set water level,
Returning to step 31, the above-described operation is repeated. if,
If the water level reaches the set level, the water supply operation is stopped and the process moves to the next step.

In the above embodiment, the coefficient k is defined as in equation (1), but it may be defined in proportion to the difference between the mixed water temperature T and the set water temperature T0. For example, when kku0, k=0
) is acceptable as long as the water temperature in the washing tub converges to the target water temperature.

As described above, according to the hot water mixing control device for a washing machine according to the embodiment of the second problem solving means, the calculating means 3 calculates the water temperature value of the water temperature detecting means 1 and the setting set by the water temperature setting means 2 at regular time intervals. Since the energization time of the water side water supply valve 4 and hot water side water supply valve 5 is set in proportion to the difference with the water temperature value, the temperature of the hot water mixed with water and hot water can be controlled accurately over a wide range (
Can be controlled.

Effects of the Invention As is clear from the above embodiments, according to the present invention, the calculation means compares the water temperature value of the water temperature detection means and the set water temperature value set by the water temperature setting means at regular time intervals, and Since the combination of energization of the water supply valve and hot water side water supply valve is set, if the water supply water temperature tries to deviate from the set water temperature, a calculation is performed to correct this and bring it closer to the set water temperature, and the result is Based on this, the water side water supply valve and the hot water side water supply valve can be controlled, and hot water at a temperature suitable for washing can be supplied to the washing tub while automatically adjusting the water temperature.

Further, the calculation means sets the energization time of the water side water supply valve and the hot water side water supply valve at regular intervals in proportion to the difference between the water temperature value of the water temperature detection means and the set water temperature value set by the water temperature setting means. Because of this, the temperature of the hot water that is a mixture of water and hot water can be precisely controlled over a wide range.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a hot water mixing control device for a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a sectional view of a washing machine equipped with the hot water mixing control device, and Fig. 3 is a hot water mixing control device of the washing machine. An explanatory diagram of the water supply pattern of the control device, FIG. 4 is an operation flowchart of the hot water mixing control device of the washing machine, FIG. 5 is an operation flowchart of the hot water mixing control device of the washing machine according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 1 is a block diagram of a conventional hot water mixing control device for a washing machine. 1...Water temperature detection means, 2...Water temperature setting means, 3...Calculation means, 4...Water side water supply valve, 5...・Hot water side water supply valve. Name of agent: Patent attorney Shigetaka Awano and one other person Figure 1 Figure 3 Figure 4 Intersection Figure 5

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A water side water supply valve that opens and closes the water supply, a hot water side water supply valve that opens and closes the hot water supply, a water temperature detection means that detects the temperature of the mixed water and hot water, and a target value for the water temperature in the washing tub. water temperature setting means for setting the water temperature, and calculation means for setting the combination of energization of the water side water supply valve and the hot water side water supply valve, and the calculation means calculates the water temperature value of the water temperature detection means and the Compare the set water temperature value set by the water temperature setting means,
A hot water mixing control device for a washing machine configured to set a combination of energization of the water side water supply valve and the hot water side water supply valve. (2) The calculation means sets the energization time of the water side water supply valve and the hot water side water supply valve at regular intervals in proportion to the difference between the water temperature value of the water temperature detection means and the set water temperature value set by the water temperature setting means. A hot water mixing control device for a washing machine according to claim 1, which is constructed as follows.