JPH0568774A - Washer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To perform various determinations correctly in a washer comprising a load determining means for determining a cloth quality, a washing quantity, etc., and a turbidity detecting means which executes detection in the middle of a load determining action by the load determining means. CONSTITUTION:In case a control relating to determination of a cloth quality is restarted immediately after detection of a water turbidity, after a predetermined number of energization (driving the motor), that is the first and the second in this case, are performed, a rotation number of a washer motor 5 when it is driven is detected, a difference between the current rotation number and the previous rotation number is computed, and these are integrated every time, as shown in a step S22, step S23, step S24, and step S25, thereby the rotation number as load data is nullificated as load determining data for the first and second immediately after detection of the turbidity.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a washing machine having a load judging means for judging the quality of cloth or the amount of laundry based on load data from a washing machine motor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, as a washing machine, one having a function of judging the cloth quality of laundry has been developed. In this product, water is supplied to a predetermined water level in the tub, and in the state where the laundry is stored in the tub together with this water, the washing machine motor is intermittently driven to rotationally drive the agitator, and each of the washing machine motors is driven. The load applied to the washing machine motor is detected each time it is driven, the amount of change in the load between the previous time and this time is sequentially integrated, and the cloth quality is determined based on the integrated value. In this way, the load data from the washing machine motor is used as the cloth quality determination data.

Explaining in detail with reference to FIG. 10, the washing machine motor is energized for a period of time Ta so as to rotate in the normal direction, and for a period of time Tb.
The washing machine motor is intermittently driven by repeating power-off and then energizing for a time Tc so as to perform reverse rotation. At each driving, the load of the washing machine motor is detected by the number of rotations, for example. Then, the difference S between the previous rotation speed and the current rotation speed is calculated, and the rotation speed difference S is integrated for each time. The quality of the cloth is determined by the magnitude of this integrated value.

The principle of cloth quality judgment is as follows. That is,
If the cloth quality is so-called thick and thick like jeans, it acts as a large load when moving close to or in contact with the agitator when it is agitated in the tank and moves relatively away from the agitator. It becomes a light load, and the fluctuation amount as a load is large. In addition, if the cloth quality is thin and flexible like underwear, the load is light when the stirrer is close to or in contact with the stirrer and away from the stirrer. small. Therefore, if the washing machine motor is driven intermittently to detect the load at each drive, and the amount of change between this load amount and the previous load is successively integrated, the accurate cloth quality can be determined from the integrated value. Is possible.

By the way, it has been considered to add a turbidity detecting function for detecting the turbidity of water in the tub to the washing machine having the cloth quality determining function. In this case, during the cloth quality determination operation, the washing machine motor is stopped for a time longer than the disconnection time Tb, and the turbidity of the water is detected during the stop, so that the cloth quality determination and the turbidity detection are performed. It is done intensively to improve driving efficiency.

Such an idea can be applied to the case of determining the amount of laundry. That is, when determining the laundry amount, the washing machine motor is driven intermittently, load data from the washing machine motor at each drive is integrated to finally obtain an average value, and the laundry amount is determined from this average value. To do. A motor stop period is provided during the determination operation to perform the turbidity detection described above, and the laundry amount determination and the turbidity detection are intensively performed.

[0007]

By the way, if a washing machine motor drive stop period is entered to detect water turbidity during the cloth quality determination operation or the laundry amount determination operation, immediately after the water turbidity detection is completed, When the intermittent driving of the motor is started, the load varies beyond the expected range, which may make the cloth quality judgment or the laundry amount judgment inaccurate.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to accurately detect water turbidity in a cloth quality judgment operation or a laundry amount judgment operation. There is a washing machine available.

[0009]

In the washing machine of the present invention, a washing machine motor is intermittently driven, and load data from the washing machine motor is calculated every time the washing machine motor is driven to calculate the cloth quality or the washing quality. A load determining means for determining the amount of material and the like, and a turbidity detecting means for detecting the turbidity of water in the tub while the washing machine motor is stopped in the middle of the load determining operation by the load determining means. The load determining means invalidates the load data when the washing machine motor is driven a predetermined number of times immediately after the turbidity detecting means detects the turbidity as the load determining data. Have.

[0010]

When the washing machine motor drive stop period for water turbidity detection is entered during the cloth quality determination operation or the laundry amount determination operation, the intermittent drive of the washing machine motor is started immediately after the water turbidity detection is completed. , The load may vary beyond the expected range. If the load data at this time is used for load determination, it may cause inaccuracy in the determination of cloth quality. However, according to the above means, the load when the washing machine motor is driven a predetermined number of times immediately after the turbidity detection is performed. Since the data is invalidated as the load determination data, the determination error factor is removed, and therefore the cloth quality, the laundry amount, etc. can be accurately determined.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

First, FIG. 4 shows a washing machine for both dehydration and use. A water receiving tank 2 is provided inside the outer box 1, and a rotating tank 3 which also serves as a washing tank and a dehydrating tank is provided inside the water receiving tank 2. A stirring member 4 is provided in the lower inside of the rotary tank 3.
Is provided. And DC is provided on the lower outside of the water receiving tank 2.
A mechanism portion 6 mainly including a washing machine motor 5 including a brushless motor is provided, and a drain valve 7 is provided in a drain passage at the bottom of the water receiving tub 2.

A water supply valve 8 and a water level sensor 9 are provided inside the top cover 1a above the outer box 1, and a controller 10 is provided inside the front part. An optical sensor 11 having a light emitting element and a light receiving element is arranged at the bottom of the water receiving tank 2. The optical sensor 11 outputs a signal according to the turbidity of the water in the water receiving tank 2.

Next, FIG. 3 shows an electrical configuration. A DC power supply circuit 13 is connected to the AC power supply 12, and a motor drive circuit 14 formed by connecting six transistors in a three-phase bridge connection is connected to the output side of the DC power supply circuit 13. The washing machine motor 5 is driven. Each transistor of the motor drive circuit 14 is controlled by the motor control circuit 15.

The control device 10 comprises a microcomputer, various A / D converters, etc., and the control device 10 includes a hall IC 5a for detecting the rotational position of the washing machine motor 5. An output signal is provided, and the control device 10 detects the rotation speed of the washing machine motor 5 based on this output signal. Further, the control device 10 outputs a motor control signal to the motor control circuit 15, and when the motor control circuit 15 receives the motor drive control signal, the motor control circuit 15 outputs the output signal from the hall IC 5a. Based on this, a control signal is output to the motor control circuit 15 to control the energization timing and the applied voltage to the washing machine motor 5.

The control device 10 is provided with switch signals from various switches 16 such as a start switch and a course selection switch, and the water level sensor 9 is also provided.
A water level detection signal from is supplied. Then, the control device 10 appropriately controls the water supply valve 8 and the drain valve 7 via the drive circuits 17 and 18 by the execution of the operation program by the internal microcomputer, and at the same time, the motor control circuit 15 and the display 19 are provided. To control the washing operation and the dehydration operation.

The control device 10 is adapted to detect the amount of laundry, to judge the cloth quality and to judge the water turbidity when controlling the washing operation, that is, it has a function as a load judging means and a turbidity judging means. .. As will be apparent from the description below, in the first embodiment, the turbidity is detected during the cloth quality determination operation.

The control by the control device 10 is shown in FIG.
2 and FIG. The flowcharts shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 start when the fully automatic course is selected by the course selection switch and the start switch is operated. First, the controller 10 opens the water supply valve 8. To supply water (step S
1).

The water level in the rotary tank 3 is a predetermined water level (the lowest water level among a plurality of water levels set in the washing operation).
(Step S2), and if so,
The water supply is stopped (step S3), the motor control circuit 15 is controlled, and the washing machine motor 5 is electrically disconnected and driven (step S).
4). In this case, a predetermined voltage is applied during energization. Washing machine motor 5
Is driven to rotate the stirring body 4, and the laundry is stirred with water.

Therefore, the rotation speed is detected from the output signal from the Hall IC 5a (step S5), and the load of the washing machine motor 5 is detected by this. That is, since a predetermined voltage is applied to the washing machine motor 5, the rotation speed decreases when the load applied to the washing machine motor 5 is large, and the rotation speed increases when the load is small. Therefore, the load applied to the washing machine motor 5 is detected by detecting the rotation speed. The amount of laundry is determined based on the load data from the washing machine motor 5, that is, the number of revolutions (step S6). Then, the washing machine motor 5 is stopped by disconnection (step S7).

Next, it is judged whether the laundry amount judgment result is "small amount", "slightly small amount", "normal amount", or "large amount" (step S8). If it is "small amount", the current water level ("small water level") is moved to step S18, and if it is "slightly small amount", water is supplied to "low water level" (step S9, step S10, step S11). If it is "normal amount", water is supplied up to "medium water level" (step S12, step S13, step S14). Then, it moves to step S18. If "large amount", it is "high water level". Water is supplied (step S15, step S16, step S17) and the process proceeds to step S18.

The control related to the cloth quality determination is step S1.
8, step S19, step S20, step S2
1, step S25, step S26, step S2
7, step S28, step S29, step S3
0, step S31, and step S21 and step S22 in the middle indicate the water turbidity detection operation. This will be described in detail below.

First, the washing machine motor 5 is electrically disconnected and driven intermittently (step S18). At this time, washing machine motor 5
The pattern of the interruption of electricity depends on the water level. That is,
In the case of "high water level", it is energized to rotate forward for 1.5 seconds and cut off for 0.6 seconds, and it is energized for reverse rotation for 1.5 seconds to cut off for 0.6 seconds. repeat. Similarly, in the case of "medium water level", 1.2 seconds energization (forward rotation) cuts off for 0.6 seconds, 1.2 seconds energization (reverse rotation) repeats for 0.6 seconds, "low water level" In both the case of "and low water level", the power is cut for 0.5 seconds by energizing for 1.0 second (forward rotation),
Energization for 1.0 second (reverse rotation) and disconnection for 0.5 seconds are repeated.

Then, at each driving, the rotation speed as load data from the washing machine motor 5 is detected (step S1).
9), the difference between the current rotation speed and the previous rotation speed is calculated, and this difference is added up every time (step S20). Until 43 seconds have passed through the control in steps S18, S19 and S20 (determined in step S21)
Run.

After 43 seconds, the washing machine motor 5
Is stopped (step S22), the signal from the optical sensor 11 is read, and the turbidity of the water is detected (step S2).
3). This turbidity detection is executed for a predetermined time, for example, 15 seconds (time determination in step S24). After the lapse of 15 seconds, the control related to the cloth quality determination is restarted.

That is, the washing machine motor 5 is intermittently driven according to the power interruption pattern described in step S18 (step S25). Then, at a predetermined number of times in this case, when the first and second energization (motor drive) has elapsed (step S
26), the number of revolutions when the washing machine motor 5 is driven thereafter is detected (step S27), the difference between the present number of revolutions and the previous number of revolutions is calculated, and this is integrated for each time. Calculation is performed (step S28).

Here, the washing machine motor 5 is driven for the first time and the second time immediately after the turbidity is detected, and the detection of the number of revolutions is started, so that the rotation is performed when the washing machine motor 5 is driven for the first time and the second time. There is no number detection, in other words, the rotation speed, which is the load data, is invalidated as the cloth quality determination data (load determination data) at the first time and the second time immediately after the turbidity detection.

Therefore, the rotation speed detection and calculation are executed for a predetermined time, 37 seconds in this case (time judgment in step S29). When this 37 seconds has elapsed, the integrated value calculated in step S20 and the integrated value of this time (step S28) are totaled (step S30), and the cloth quality is determined from this total integrated value (step S31).

After that, it is judged whether the cloth quality judgment result is "supple", "normal", or "stiff" (step S32). If it's supple,
Perform the washing operation in the "weak course" (step S3
3) If it is "normal", the washing operation is executed in the "standard course" (step S34), and if it is "stiff",
The washing operation is executed in the "strong course" (step S3
5).

As described above, according to this embodiment, the number of revolutions (load data) when the washing machine motor 5 is driven a predetermined number of times (twice in this embodiment) immediately after the turbidity detection is used as the cloth quality determination data (load determination). Since the data) is invalidated, the cloth quality judgment error factor can be removed, and therefore, the cloth quality can be accurately judged.

FIG. 5, not FIG. 7, shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, an induction motor is used as the washing machine motor 21. The washing machine motor 21 is energized in the forward direction by the triacs 22 and 23, energized in the reverse direction, and further disconnected from the triacs 22 and 23. It is turned on and off by the drive circuit 24 which operates according to the control signal.

A phase difference detecting device 25 is provided to detect the phase difference between the voltage applied to the washing machine motor 21 and the current flowing through it. This phase difference decreases when the load applied to the motor 21 is large, and increases when the load is small. Therefore, this phase difference is caused by the washing machine motor 2
It is the load data from 1.

As can be seen from the flowcharts of FIGS. 5 and 6, in this embodiment, the phase difference is detected as the load data when the washing machine motor 5 is driven (steps R19 and R27). Further, in this embodiment, the power interruption pattern of the washing machine motor 5 executed for the cloth quality determination is 1.1 in the case of "high water level" unlike the case of the above-mentioned first embodiment. It is repeated that electricity is supplied for forward rotation for 0.7 seconds to disconnect electricity for 0.7 seconds, and electricity is supplied for reverse rotation for 1.1 seconds for electricity removal for 0.7 seconds. Similarly, in the case of "medium water level", "low water level" and "low water level", in both cases, 0.6 second energization (forward rotation) cuts off for 0.5 seconds and 0.6 second energization (reverse rotation). Repeated disconnection for 0.5 seconds. This makes it possible to optimally detect the phase difference which is the load data.

When the control relating to the cloth quality determination is restarted immediately after the water turbidity is detected, as can be understood from Step R23, Step R26, Step R27 and Step R28, immediately after the water turbidity is detected, the predetermined number of times is reached. In this case, when the first and second energization (motor drive) has elapsed, the phase difference at the time of driving the washing machine motor 5 thereafter is detected, the difference between the present rotational speed and the previous phase difference is calculated, and this is calculated. Since the integration calculation is performed every time, the phase difference, which is the load data in this embodiment, is invalidated as the cloth quality determination data (load determination data) at the first time and the second time immediately after the turbidity detection.

As a result, in this embodiment as well as in the first embodiment described above, the cloth quality judgment error factor can be eliminated, so that the cloth quality can be accurately judged.

In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the load data is detected during each of the forward rotation and the reverse rotation of the washing machine motor 5. However, this is detected only during each forward rotation drive or each reverse rotation drive. The cloth quality may be determined by detecting and calculating the load data only at the time.

8 and 9 show a third embodiment of the present invention. In the first and second embodiments, the turbidity is detected during the cloth quality determination operation, but in the third embodiment, the turbidity is detected during the laundry amount determination operation. The detection is performed, and the cloth quality is not determined.

The details will be described below. First, water is supplied to a predetermined water level (steps T1 to T3), the washing machine motor 5 is intermittently driven to determine the amount of laundry (step T4), and the rotation speed as load data from the washing machine motor 5 is detected (step T5), and the number of revolutions of each time is integrated until a predetermined time, for example, 43 seconds has elapsed from the start of motor driving (determined in step T7) (step T6).

After the elapse of 43 seconds, the washing machine motor 5 is stopped to detect the turbidity (step T8), and the signal from the optical sensor 11 is read to detect the turbidity of the water (step T9). ). This turbidity is detected for a predetermined time, for example, 15
Execute for seconds (time judgment at step T10). After the lapse of 15 seconds, the control related to the laundry amount determination is restarted.

That is, the washing machine motor 5 is driven intermittently (step T11). Then, in this case, when the first and second energizations (motor drive) have passed a predetermined number of times (determined in step T12), the washing machine motor 5 thereafter.
The number of revolutions during driving is detected (step T13), and the number of revolutions is integrated at each time (step T13).
14).

Here, the detection of the number of revolutions is started after the first and second washing machine motors 5 are driven immediately after the turbidity is detected, so that the first and second washing machine motors 5 are driven. There is no rotation speed detection. In other words, the rotation speed that is the load data is invalidated as the laundry amount determination data (load determination data) at the first time and the second time immediately after the turbidity detection.

Therefore, the rotation speed detection and calculation are executed for a predetermined time, 37 seconds in this case (time judgment in step T15). When this 37 seconds elapses, the integrated value calculated in step T6 and the integrated value of this time (step T14) are summed to calculate an average value (step T1
6) Determine the amount of laundry from this average value (step T
17).

After that, the washing machine motor 5 is stopped by cutting off the electric power (step T18). Then, it is determined whether the laundry amount determination result is "small amount", "slightly small amount", "normal amount", or "large amount" (step T1).
9). If it is "small amount", the current water level ("small water level") is moved to step T29, and if it is "slightly small amount", water is supplied to "low water level" (step T20, step T21, step T22). If it is "normal amount", water is supplied to "medium water level" (step T23, step T24, step T25), and the process proceeds to step T29. If "large amount", it is "high water level". Water is supplied (step T26, step T27, step T28) and the process proceeds to step T29. This step T
At 29, a washing operation is executed according to each laundry amount and each water level.

In the third embodiment, the turbidity is detected during the laundry amount determination operation, but the number of revolutions (load data) when the washing machine motor 5 is driven a predetermined number of times immediately after the turbidity is detected is washed. Since the quantity determination data (load determination data) is invalidated, the laundry quantity determination error factor can be removed, and thus the laundry quantity can be accurately determined.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, the load data from the washing machine motor is not limited to the above-described motor rotation speed or phase difference, but may be a motor current or the like. Alternatively, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0046]

As is apparent from the above description, the present invention drives the washing machine motor intermittently and calculates load data from the washing machine motor every time the washing machine motor is driven to calculate the cloth quality or Load determining means for determining the amount of laundry,
And a turbidity detection unit for detecting the turbidity of water in the tub in a state where the washing machine motor is stopped during the load determination operation by the load determination unit, wherein the load determination unit is The load data when the washing machine motor is driven a predetermined number of times immediately after the turbidity detection means detects the turbidity is invalidated as the load determination data. It is possible to eliminate an error factor in the quality judgment or the laundry amount judgment, and therefore, it is possible to accurately perform these judgments.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing control contents in a first embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 2] Flow chart

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an electrical configuration.

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional side view of the washing machine.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing control contents in the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an electrical configuration.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a washing machine motor electrical connection / disconnection pattern and a change in the number of revolutions for explaining the conventional cloth quality determination content.

[Explanation of reference numerals] 3 is a rotary tank, 4 is a stirring body, 5 is a motor, 8 is a water supply valve, 1
Reference numeral 0 is a control device (load determination means, turbidity detection means), and 11 is an optical sensor.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A load determining means for intermittently driving a washing machine motor, calculating load data from the washing machine motor each time the washing machine motor is driven, and determining cloth quality, laundry amount, etc. And a turbidity detecting means for detecting the turbidity of water in the tub in a state where the washing machine motor is stopped in the middle of the load determining operation by the load determining means. A washing machine characterized in that load data when a washing machine motor is driven a predetermined number of times immediately after turbidity detection means detects turbidity is invalidated as load determination data.