JPS6222694A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] (b) Industrial application field The present invention relates to a washing machine equipped with a turbidity detection device.

(Example) Conventional technology This type of washing machine detects the initial value data of fresh water immediately after water supply is completed and the turbidity data after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the process, and the ratio or difference between these two data is set as a reference value. JP-A-54-66567 discloses a method for detecting turbidity by comparison.

However, if water is supplied into the tank during the rinsing process, for example, the detergent contained in the laundry will flow out during the washing process, making it impossible to obtain appropriate initial value data. Also, in the washing process, detergent is normally added at the same time as water is supplied, and the influence of this detergent will similarly affect the initial value data.

Furthermore, after using the washing machine, detergent adheres to the surface of the turbidity detection device, leading to a decrease in accuracy.

(c) Problems to be Solved by the Invention The present invention is intended to prevent a decrease in the accuracy of a washing machine equipped with a turbidity detection device.

(d) Means for Solving the Problems The washing machine of the present invention is equipped with a turbidity detection device comprising a light emitting element and a light receiving element for detecting the turbidity of the washing liquid. A turbidity detection device is installed below the lowest water level in the tank, and a water supply inlet from a water supply section is formed near the top of the turbidity detection device.

(E) Effect: The water flow from the water supply inlet displaces the detergent liquid around the turbidity detection device, so the initial value data is not affected by the detergent. Furthermore, the water flow cleans the surface of the turbidity detection device.

(f) Example Embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

In the fully automatic washing machine shown in Figure 6, (1) is the machine frame, (2)
is an operating section installed at the rear of the upper part of the machine frame (1), <3) is an outer tank installed inside the machine frame (1), and (4) is installed inside the outer tank (3), with dehydration holes around it. (5) An inner tank having ..., <6
) is a rotor installed at the bottom of the inner tank (4), and (7) is a drive motor, which is connected to the inner tank (4) and rotor (6) via a power transmission mechanism (8). , Rotate when washing! (6
) is rotated, and during dewatering, both the inner tank (4) and the rotary blade (6) are rotated at high speed. (9) is a drain port installed at the bottom of the outer tank (3), (10) is a drain solenoid valve, (11) is a #J water hose, and (12) is installed at the bottom corner of the outer tank (3). It is a pressure switch (13) in the operation part (2).
) via a pressure hose (14). (15
) is the water supply solenoid valve installed in the water supply channel (16), (17) is the turbidity detection device installed at the bottom of the inner wall of the outer tank (3), (
18) is a water supply inlet formed on the side of this turbidity detection device (17); (19) is a branch from the water supply channel (16);
This is a lower water supply channel connected to the water supply inlet (18).

FIG. 5 shows a block circuit diagram of the control mechanism, where (20) corresponds to the control device and is a microcomputer which is the center of control, and the pressure switch (20) serves as the water level detection means.
13), the turbidity detection device (17), and the water level setting button (21).
) and various operation switches (22)
When the signal is inputted, the display circuit (23), the buzzer circuit (24) that notifies the end of the process, the drive motor drive circuit (25), and the supply/drainage solenoid valve drive circuit (26) are activated. Control the operation.The turbidity detection bag fIt
The input signal from (17) is converted into a standard value unit in a calculator (27), and compared with the standard value in a comparator (28) to determine the degree of turbidity.

Next, the turbidity detection device (17) will be explained based on FIGS. 2 and 3.

<29) is the water supply inlet (1) in the outer tank (3).
The transparent window (30) provided below the transparent window (29)
It is a sensor holder attached to the outer surface of The element (31) and the light receiving element (32) are the light emitting element (3
1) The light emitted from the water supply inlet (18
), the angles of the light are adjusted so that the light is reflected by a tongue-shaped reflecting plate (33) hanging down from the top of the light receiving element (32) and incident on the light receiving element (32). (34) is a cover of the sensor holder (30), and (35) is a water seal member. In addition, four light emitting elements (
31>... is used for brightness adjustment, and normally one is sufficient.

The light receiving element (32) may be an amorphous visible light full spectrum sensor (hereinafter referred to as a-8i sensor) or an amorphous integrated full color sensor (hereinafter referred to as a-8i sensor).
3i color sensor).

Furthermore, the light emitting element (31)... is colored with a green light emitting diode to color the reflective surface of one of the reflective plates (33) in a yellow fluorescent color. By doing this, the light incident on the light receiving element (32) becomes a mixed color of greenish and yellowish colors, and in the case of green light, the light having the spectral sensitivity characteristics shown in Figure 4A becomes a mixed color. As shown in Figure B, the half-width of the sensitivity characteristics expands, approaching the sensitivity characteristics of the a-8i sensor, and using the a-8i color sensor, red (R)
, green (G), and blue (B) (however, the peak sensitivity is reduced accordingly). Note that the coloring of the reflective surface is not particularly yellow.

Now, in this embodiment, the light receiving element (32) is a-
Using the 8i sensor, the following operation based on turbidity detection is performed first.
This will be explained based on the diagram and FIG.

Figure 1 shows the output characteristics of the light-receiving element (32) when the washing machine progresses sequentially from water supply to the washing process. As a result, the output of the light receiving element (32>) is unstable.

Therefore, in order to obtain a stable output vO which is the initial value data of fresh water, a delay time td is provided from the completion of water supply until the initial value data is detected.

During the water supply, the detergent components in the tank are pushed out from around the turbidity detection device (17) due to the water flow flowing out from the water supply inlet (18) above the turbidity detection device (17). The water is washed away, and even after the water supply is completed, the device (17) cannot be approached for a while. Therefore, it is possible to obtain stable initial value data that is extremely close to that of fresh water.

After detecting the initial value data Vo, the rotary blade (6) is rotated to start the second washing process. In the washing process, as time passes, the detergent dissolves and dirt separates from the laundry, so the output of the light receiving element (32) gradually decreases. Therefore, the microcomputer (20) obtains the output Vx from the light receiving element (32) after a predetermined time (tx-to) has elapsed from the start of the washing process, and furthermore obtains the output Vx from the light receiving element (32), and also obtains the output Vx from the initial value data Vo.
/Vx is determined and compared with a predetermined reference value 2. Then, if Vo/Vx>Z, it is determined that the turbidity of the washing liquid is high, and in the next rinsing process, a first rinsing process is performed in which rinsing is repeatedly performed, and Vo/Vx≦Z.
If so, it is assumed that the turbidity of the washing liquid is not very high.
Perform a standard second rinse step.

The above-mentioned measure detection means can also be applied to the rinsing process, and the output ratio may be detected from time to time to detect the progress of the process.

In this embodiment, when water is supplied, the surface of the transparent window (29>) and the reflective surface of the reflector plate (33>) are automatically or artificially cleaned with water flowing out from the water supply inlet (18). be able to.

In addition, as shown in Figure 4, the a-8i sensor has a peak value that is almost the same as the human visual sensitivity (approximately 5,500 people), so the turbidity detection results match the user's appearance, making it easier for the user to see. It gives a sense of security.

(g) Effects of the Invention The present invention provides a washing machine equipped with a turbidity detection device with a water supply inlet near the top of the turbidity detection device, so that the turbidity detection device can be operated by supplying water. The surface can be cleaned, preventing deterioration in detection accuracy and prolonging the life of the device.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the output characteristics of the light receiving element during the water supply and washing process of the washing machine of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing the turbidity detection process, and Fig. 3 (a) is a diagram of the turbidity detection device. Cross-sectional view, Figure (b) is a plan view of the sensor holder, Figure 4 is a spectral sensitivity characteristic diagram of the light-receiving element, Figure 5 is a block circuit diagram of the control mechanism, and Figure 6 is a cross-section of main parts of a fully automatic washing machine. FIG. (17)...Turbidity detection device, (18)...Water supply inlet, (31)...Light emitting element (light emitting diode), (32)...
)... Light receiving element (amorphous visible light full spectrum sensor).

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) In a washing machine equipped with a turbidity detection device consisting of a light emitting element and a light receiving element for detecting the turbidity of the washing liquid, the turbidity detection device is installed below the lowest water level in the tank, A washing machine further comprising a water supply inlet from a water supply section formed in the vicinity above the turbidity detection device.