JPS6243720B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a water level control device for an automatic washing machine that can automatically control the minimum amount of water required depending on the amount of laundry loaded.

Conventional fully automatic washing machines generally use a water level detection device using a diaphragm or the like to detect the washing water level at three levels: high, medium, and low.
Then, depending on the amount of laundry, the user switches the detected water level of this water level detection device to one of high, medium, and low, and operates the device for each washing operation.

In such a water level detection method, there are only three steps to select from, which is very small, so the water amount cannot be precisely set, and tap water is used unnecessarily.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional drawbacks and provides an automatic washing machine that is capable of automatically adding the minimum amount of water required according to the amount of laundry loaded, Examples thereof will be described below.

In the figure, 1 is a water supply valve, 2 is a multi-stage water level detection device, 3 is a light emitting diode, 4 is a photodetector consisting of a phototransistor, 5 is a microcomputer that forms the center of control, and 6 is a pulsator.

Next, the above configuration will be explained in more detail in relation to its operation. Generally, after loading the laundry, the user adds detergent and starts the washing operation by operating a switch to start washing. That is, the microcomputer 5
opens the water supply valve 1 and starts adding tap water, and at the same time always checks whether the multi-stage water level detection device 2 has issued a minimum water level signal, and when the minimum water level is confirmed, closes the water supply valve 1. Close to temporarily stop water supply.

Next, the microcomputer 5 turns on the light emitting diode 3, rotates the pulsator 6 for several seconds while checking the signal received by the photodetector 4, and detects a change in the signal received by the photodetector 4. If the amount of laundry thrown in and the amount of water thrown in at this point are suitable, the laundry is rotated by the pulsator 6,
The injected tap water becomes cloudy due to the detergent, and the transparency between the light emitting diode 3 and the photodetector 4 decreases within a few seconds.This is obtained as a reception signal of the photodetector 4, and the microcomputer 5 You can check that the laundry is spinning based on the amount of water that has been added.

In addition, when the laundry is not rotated by the pulsator 6, the injected water moves only near the pulsator 6, and the entire injected tap water does not become cloudy due to the detergent, but instead flows between the light emitting diode 3 and the photodetector 4. The transparency of the water does not change, indicating that the amount of water added is small relative to the amount of laundry. In this case, the microcomputer 5 opens the water supply valve 1 again and pours in tap water until it reaches the second detection water level of the multi-stage water level detection device 2, and the water is poured in between the light emitting diode 3 and the photodetector 4. The change in transparency is detected by rotating the pulsator 6 for several seconds.

Thereafter, the detected water level of the multi-stage water level detection device 2 is set to 3.
The optimum water level is set at the optimum water level for the amount of laundry loaded, that is, when the transparency detected by the light emitting diode 3 and the photodetector 4 changes significantly. , proceed to the next washing process.

Furthermore, if the microcomputer 5 temporarily stores the optimal water level position of the multi-stage water level detection device 2, the microcomputer 5 can use it as comparison data when measuring the amount of water to be introduced during the rinsing process. , we will move one step further towards automation.

As is clear from the above embodiments, according to the present invention, there is no need for the user to set the water level according to the amount of laundry during washing, and the amount of water required is extremely small and automatic. Because the system is controlled, good cleaning performance can be maintained without using unnecessary tap water.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The figure is a block diagram of a water level control device for an automatic washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1... Water supply valve, 2... Multi-stage water level detection device, 3
...Light emitting diode, 4...Photodetector, 5...Microcomputer, 6...Pulsator.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1 A washing tub, a water supply valve for supplying water into the washing tub, a rotatable pulsator disposed at the inner bottom of the washing tub, a light emitting diode, and a light detection device that receives light from the light emitting diode through washing water. a water level detection device that can sequentially detect the water level in the washing tub in multiple stages; and a photodetector that detects the degree of cloudiness caused by stirring the washing water together with the detergent and the laundry, Water level control device for automatic washing machines equipped with a microcomputer that operates the water supply valve so that the water level detection device detects a higher water level when the water level is not available.