JP4589557B2 - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a water level detection device for a washing machine.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, as shown in FIG. 6, a fully automatic one tub washing machine suspends a water tub 2 in an outer box 1 through a vibration proof mechanism 5 including vibration proof springs and suspension bars. A washing / dehydrating tub 4 having a rotating blade 3 at the bottom is rotatably disposed in the water tub 2, and the peripheral portion of the upper opening of the outer box 1 is covered with a top cover 6. The upper clothing inlet is closed with a lid 7 so as to be freely opened and closed. In the figure, reference numeral 8 denotes a driving device using a speed reduction mechanism such as a motor or a clutch.
[0003]
An operation panel 9 provided with operation switches and the like is disposed on the front side of the top cover 6, and the washing operation is automatically performed below the operation panel 9 and inside the front panel 11 attached to the front side of the outer box 1. Control boards 10 and 12 to which electronic control parts and the like for making progress are attached are arranged.
[0004]
In such a washing machine, water is automatically supplied, and water is supplied up to the water level set by the operation switch, or up to the water level automatically set by the cloth amount (load) detected at the start of washing, and the water supply is stopped at this water level. However, as a means for detecting that the set water level has been reached, as shown in FIG. 7, for example, a water level sensor 13 using a semiconductor is arranged on the control board 10 below the operation panel 9.
[0005]
The water level sensor 13 is connected to the air chamber 14 connected to the water tank 2 at the other end of a pressure guiding tube 15 having one end communicating therewith, and detects a water level by detecting a change in air pressure due to a rise in the water level.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, the water level sensor 13 is arranged on the control board 10 in the space below the operation panel 9, but is attached to the control board 10 as a separate component from the control board 10. For this reason, not only is the cost required separately for mounting the water level sensor 13, but the space below the operation panel 9 is limited, and the control board 10 and the water level sensor 13 are placed in this narrow space. Are arranged side by side, and it is necessary to consider the arrangement.
[0007]
Furthermore, since a force is applied to the water level sensor 13 by connecting the pressure guiding tube 15 to the water level sensor 13, the water level sensor 13 needs to be installed in a horizontal portion, and the installation position is also restricted from this point.
[0008]
And depending on arrangement | positioning of the water level sensor 13, the pressure guide tube 15 will also be arrange | positioned along the downward direction of the control board 10, and there exists a possibility that a pressure may not be transmitted correctly.
[0009]
Further, in order to correctly transmit the pressure from the air chamber to the water level sensor 13, it is necessary to tightly connect the pressure guiding tube 15 to the water level sensor 13. However, in the conventional method in which the pressure guiding tube 15 is directly connected to the water level sensor 13, the load is applied to the element mounting portion and the substrate of the water level sensor 13 due to the stress caused by bending or pulling of the pressure guiding tube 15. Have difficulty. Furthermore, since the pressure guiding tube connecting portion of the water level sensor 13 is attached by soldering or the like, its strength is weak and the pressure guiding tube 15 cannot be directly connected thereto.
[0010]
The object of the present invention is to eliminate the inconvenience of the conventional example, and does not require a separate space for installing a water level sensor, can reduce the number of parts and reduce the cost, and is limited to the horizontal portion. It is an object of the present invention to provide a water level detection device for a washing machine that can be easily installed in a washing machine without being easily connected, can be easily connected to a pressure guiding tube, and can securely keep the connection secret. .
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, first, a water tub is slidably supported in an outer box, and a washing and dewatering tub having a rotating blade at the bottom is rotatably disposed in the water tub. A control board that covers the upper part of the outer box with a top cover provided with an operation panel and has a clothes insertion port for the washing and dewatering tub, and controls the driving operation below the operation panel and on the back of the front panel of the outer box In the washing machine in which the water level sensor in the water tank is fixed to the board in the board case of the control board, the water level sensor is fixed by a sensor cover that protrudes from the board case. Covering tightly, a pressure guiding tube having one end connected to the water tank is connected to the upper protrusion of the sensor cover.
[0012]
Accordingly, since the water level sensor is disposed inside the existing control board, it is not necessary to separately secure a space for disposing the water level sensor, for example, below the operation panel, and this space can be effectively used. Further, since the pressure guiding tube is connected to the sensor cover, a force due to the connection is not applied to the water level sensor which is supported by the sensor cover and weak in strength.
[0013]
Furthermore, since the water level sensor is tightly covered with the sensor cover, the airtightness of the connecting portion with the pressure guiding tube can be ensured.
[0014]
Secondly, since the lower part of the sensor cover is embedded in the resin for fixing the water level sensor to the substrate, the sensor cover is supported by the resin in the substrate and supports the force generated by connecting the pressure guiding tube. it can. Further, the water level sensor can be sealed with the sensor cover and the resin.
[0015]
Third, the sensor cover protrudes below the cover body, a cap-shaped cover body that covers the upper part of the water level sensor, a cylindrical connection part that protrudes above the cover body and is connected to the pressure guiding tube. The cover body is formed with a notch for inflow of resin so that the sensor cover is placed on the water level sensor and the leg is embedded in the resin. Thus, the water level sensor can be sealed by a combination of the resin and the sensor cover.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a longitudinal front view showing a first embodiment of a water level detection device for a washing machine according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of a washing machine provided with a water level detection device. Since it is as explained, detailed explanation here is omitted. The water level detection device of the present invention is also connected to the other end of the pressure guiding tube 15 having one end connected to the air chamber 14, and is constituted by a water level sensor using a semiconductor.
[0017]
In the present invention, the water level sensor 13 is fixed on the substrate 16 disposed in the substrate case 12a of the control substrate 12 installed on the back surface of the front panel 11 disposed in the front portion of the outer box 1. The board 16 is provided with electronic parts and the like for controlling the operation of the washing machine, and is already installed in the control board 12.
[0018]
The upper part of the water level sensor 13 is covered with a sensor cover 17. As shown in FIG. 3, the sensor cover 17 includes a cap-shaped cover main body 17a that covers the upper portion of the water level sensor 13, and a cylindrical connection portion that protrudes from the upper portion of the cover main body 17a and is connected to the pressure guiding tube 15. 17b and a leg portion 17c that protrudes below the cover body 17a and is embedded in the resin. The cover body 17a has a notch 17e for inflow of the resin. In the figure, 17d indicates a cap that closes the upper end of the connecting portion 17b.
[0019]
In this case, the cover main body 17 a is formed to have a diameter larger than the diameter of the water level sensor 13, and the connection portion 17 b is formed to be approximately equal to the diameter of the pressure sensing unit 13 a formed at the upper part of the water level sensor 13.
[0020]
In order to fix the water level sensor 13 to the control board 12 using the sensor cover 17, after fixing the water level sensor 13 to the board 16, the cover body 17a is covered so as to cover the water level sensor 13 from above, and the leg portion 17c is inserted into the substrate 16 and fixed.
[0021]
In this state, a resin 18 such as urethane is injected into the substrate case 12a of the control substrate 12 and filled up to the vicinity of the upper surface of the cover body 17a of the sensor cover 17. As a result, the leg portion 17c of the sensor cover 17 is buried in the resin 18, the resin 18 is filled inside the substrate case 12a on the outside of the cover main body 17a, and the resin 18 is also formed inside the cover main body 17a from the notch 17e. And the water level sensor 13 is buried in the resin 18 leaving the pressure sensing part 13a.
[0022]
In this way, the water level sensor 13 is disposed in the sensor cover 17, and the pressure sensing part 13 a protrudes into a sealed space surrounded by the cover body 17 a, the connection part 17 b and the upper surface of the resin 18. Therefore, if the upper portion of the connecting portion 17b is cut at the broken line position shown in FIG. 3, the cap 17d portion is removed, and the pressure guiding tube 15 is connected to the cut portion, the lead is introduced to the water level sensor 13 through the connecting portion 17b. The pressure tube 15 is tightly connected.
[0023]
In this connected state, the force from the pressure guiding tube 15 and its connecting portion is supported by the sensor cover 17, and the sensor cover 17 has a leg portion 17c embedded in the resin 18 in the substrate case 12a. The force from the pressure tube 15 and its connecting portion is not applied to the water level sensor 13 or the fixing portion by soldering the substrate 16 of the water level sensor 13.
[0024]
In the above-described embodiment, the control board 12 on which the water level sensor 13 is disposed is disposed on the back surface of the front panel 11, but is not limited thereto, and is disposed below the operation panel 9. The control board 10 can also be used.
[0025]
FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the sensor cover 17, and the basic structure is the same as that of the first embodiment, but the lower part of the connecting portion 17b protruding from the cover body 17a is extended downward in the cover body 17a. Further, the length of the notch 17e is lengthened, and the lower end of the connecting portion 17b is positioned below the upper end position of the notch 17e.
[0026]
Thereby, in a state where the sensor cover 17 is put on the water level sensor 13, the pressure sensing part 13a enters the inside of the connection part 17b. Therefore, if the resin 18 is injected into the substrate case 12a, the resin 18 enters the inside of the cover main body 17a through the notch 17e, and the resin 18 is filled up from the lower end position of the connecting portion 17b. Since the resin 18 does not flow inside the connecting portion 17b, the pressure sensing portion 13a is not buried in the resin 18.
[0027]
Further, even if the upper surface of the resin 18 undulates, the resin 18 does not flow into the inside of the connecting portion 17b, so that the pressure sensing unit 13a does not contact the resin 18. Therefore, the pressure sensing part 13a protrudes into the sealed space in the connection part 17b.
[0028]
The connection method with the pressure guiding tube 15 is the same as that in the first embodiment, and the pressure change from the air chamber 14 is transmitted to the pressure sensing unit 13a via the pressure guiding tube 15 and the connection portion 17b. In this case, since the pressure sensing part 13a protrudes inside the connection part 17b, the pressure change is reliably and accurately transmitted.
[0029]
Further, since the outside of the connection portion 17b is buried in the resin 18, the connection portion 17b itself is also supported by the substrate case 12a, and the force from the connection portion with the pressure guiding tube 15 can be sufficiently supported by the substrate case 12a.
[0030]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the water level detection device for a washing machine according to the present invention firstly has a water tub suspended in a swingable manner in the outer box, and a washing and dewatering tub provided with a rotary blade at the bottom in the water tub. Cover the top of the outer box with a top cover that has an operation panel and a clothing input port to the washing and dewatering tub, and operate under the operation panel or behind the front panel of the outer box. In a washing machine provided with a control board for controlling operation, a sensor in which a water level sensor for detecting a water level is fixed to a board in a board case of the control board by a change in air pressure in the water tank, and an upper part protrudes from the board case. The water level sensor is covered tightly with a cover, and a pressure guiding tube having one end connected to the water tank is connected to the upper protruding portion of the sensor cover.
[0031]
Thus, since the water level sensor is disposed inside the existing control board, it is not necessary to separately secure a space for disposing the water level sensor, for example, below the operation panel, and this space can be used effectively. Further, since the pressure guiding tube is connected to the sensor cover, a force due to the connection is not applied to the water level sensor which is supported by the sensor cover and weak in strength.
[0032]
Furthermore, since the water level sensor is tightly covered with the sensor cover, the airtightness of the connecting portion with the pressure guiding tube can be ensured.
[0033]
Secondly, since the lower part of the sensor cover is embedded in the resin for fixing the water level sensor to the substrate, the sensor cover is supported by the resin in the substrate and supports the force generated by connecting the pressure guiding tube. it can. Further, the water level sensor can be sealed with the sensor cover and the resin.
[0034]
Third, the sensor cover protrudes below the cover body, a cap-shaped cover body that covers the upper part of the water level sensor, a cylindrical connection part that protrudes above the cover body and is connected to the pressure guiding tube. The cover body is formed with a notch for inflow of resin so that the sensor cover is placed on the water level sensor and the leg is embedded in the resin. Thus, the water level sensor can be sealed by a combination of the resin and the sensor cover.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal front view showing a first embodiment of a water level detection device for a washing machine of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a washing machine equipped with a water level detection device of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a sensor cover that is a main part of a water level detection device for a washing machine according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal front view showing a first embodiment of a water level detection device for a washing machine according to the present invention before connection of a pressure guiding tube.
FIG. 5 is a longitudinal front view showing a second embodiment of a water level detection device for a washing machine according to the present invention before connection of a pressure guiding tube.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a washing machine equipped with a conventional water level detection device.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an installation state of a conventional water level detection device.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Outer box 2 ... Water tank 3 ... Rotating blade 4 ... Washing and dewatering tank 5 ... Anti-vibration mechanism 6 ... Top cover 7 ... Cover 8 ... Drive device 9 ... Operation panel 10 ... Control board 11 ... Front panel 12 ... Control board 12a ... Board case 13 ... Water level sensor 13a ... Pressure sensing part 14 ... Air chamber 15 ... Pressure guiding tube 16 ... Board 17 ... Sensor cover 17a ... Cover body 17b ... Connection part 17c ... Leg part 17d ... Cap 17e ... Notch 18 ... Resin

Claims (3)

A water tank is slidably supported in the outer box, and a washing / dehydration tank with a rotating blade at the bottom is rotatably arranged in the water tank, and the upper part of the outer box is put into the washing / dehydration tank. In the washing machine having a mouth and covering with a top cover provided with an operation panel, a control board for controlling the driving operation is provided below the operation panel and on the back of the front panel of the outer box,
A water level sensor that is fixed to a substrate in a substrate case of the control substrate by a soldered fixing portion and detects a water level by a change in air pressure in the water tank;
Resin injected into the substrate case and fixing the water level sensor to the substrate;
A sensor cover provided in the substrate case so as to be spaced apart from the water level sensor and covering the water level sensor densely from above;
The sensor cover includes a cover main body and a connection portion provided to protrude from an upper portion of the cover main body and connected to a pressure guiding tube having one end connected to the water tank, and the lower portion of the sensor cover includes the resin A washing machine characterized by being embedded inside.   The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the sensor cover further includes leg portions that project downward from the cover body and are inserted into and fixed to the substrate.   The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the sensor cover is further provided with a notch for resin inflow provided on the cover body.

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