JPH0817873B2 - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a washing machine in which a stirring operation in a washing process or a rinsing process is started below a set water level.

(Prior Art) In a washing machine equipped with a water level detecting means for detecting the water level in a tub, when performing a washing step and a rinsing step, first, water is supplied into the tub by a water supply valve, and the supplied water level is detected by the water level detecting means. Are sequentially detected, and when the detected water level (water supply level) reaches the set water level, the water supply operation is stopped, and then the stirring operation by the stirrer is executed at the set execution time. Thus, the stroke required time of the washing stroke or the tin stroke depends on the sum of the time required for the water level to reach the set water level and the predetermined stirring time.

By the way, some recent washing machines are designed to reduce the time required for washing and rinsing.
With this, when the water level reaches a certain level before reaching the set water level, the stirring operation is started, that is, the starting timing of the stirring operation is slightly advanced, and the time required for the stroke is shortened by the advanced time. I am trying to do it.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, in the above-mentioned one, since the water level at which the stirring operation is started, that is, the stirring start water level is uniquely set to the water level which is lower than the set water level by a constant water level difference, There was a problem. That is, when the amount of water supplied per unit time is small due to low tap water pressure, etc., the time from when the water level reaches the stirring start water level to when it reaches the set water level is long, but the set execution time of the stirring operation is Since it is a predetermined (constant), the water level in the tank may not reach the set water level until the stirring operation is started and ended (until the washing process or the rinsing process is completed), in other words, The washing or rinsing process may end without reaching the set water level. Also, when the amount of water supply per unit time is large,
In some cases, the time from reaching the stirring start water level to reaching the set water level was extremely short, and the time reduction width was so small that it was not possible to achieve good time reduction.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a washing process or a rinsing process with a water level shortage with respect to a set water level even if the amount of water supplied per unit time varies depending on tap water pressure or the like. It is an object of the present invention to provide a washing machine that can be executed without any trouble and can always reduce the time appropriately.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving Problems) According to the present invention, the water level detecting means for detecting the water level in the tank, and the set water level in the tank based on the water level detection result from the water level detecting means. Operation control means for controlling the water supply operation and starting the stirring operation from the stirring start water level below the set water level and controlling the washing or rinsing stroke so that this stirring operation is performed for the set execution time, and the inside of the tank. Unit time water supply amount detecting means for detecting the water supply amount of water supplied to the unit time, and the unit according to the detection result by the unit time water supply amount detecting means, the set water level and the setting execution time of the stirring operation. And a stirring start water level determining means for determining the stirring start water level.

(Operation) When the washing process or the rinsing process is started, the operation control means controls the water supply operation based on the water level detection result from the water level detection means so that the tank is at the set water level, and the set water level is set. The stirring operation is started from the following stirring start water level. In this case, the stirring start water level is not a uniquely determined water level, but is determined according to the detection result by the unit time water supply amount detection means, the set water level, and the setting execution time of the stirring operation. Therefore, the agitation start water level can be determined as an appropriate water level according to the amount of water supply per unit time, and therefore, the washing process or the rinsing process can be executed without causing a water level shortage with respect to the set water level, and always Appropriate time reduction can be achieved.

Embodiment An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, in FIG. 2, 1 is an outer box of the washing machine for combined use of dehydration,
Reference numeral 2 is a water receiving tank, 3 is a rotating tank for washing and dehydrating, 4 is a container-shaped agitator, 5 is a washing machine motor, and 6 is a drive unit. The washing machine motor 5 is normally and reversely rotated in the washing process and the rinsing process, and drives the stirring body 4 in the normal and reverse directions via the drive unit 6. The washing machine motor 5 is rotated in one direction in the dehydration process to drive the rotary tub 3 to rotate via the drive unit 6. On the other hand, 7 is an electromagnetically driven water supply valve for supplying water into the rotary tub 3, and 8 is an electromagnetically driven drain valve for discharging water in the rotary tub 3. Reference numeral 9 is an air trap provided at the bottom of the water receiving tank 2. One end of a pressure guiding pipe 10 is connected to the upper portion of the air trap 9, and the other end of the pressure guiding pipe 10 is the water level existing above the washing machine. A water level sensor 11 as a detection means is connected. The air trap 9 converts the water pressure corresponding to the water level in the water receiving tank 2 and thus the rotary tank 3 into air pressure, and guides the air pressure to the water level sensor 11 via the pressure guiding pipe 10. The water level sensor 11 detects the water level in the rotary tank 3 according to the air pressure. This water level detection signal is given to the microcomputer 13 via the A / D converter 12 shown in FIG. Microcomputer
13 is an operation control means by its software configuration,
It has a function as a unit time water supply amount detection means and a stirring water level determination means. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 14 is a switch input circuit, which is provided with various switches such as a water level setting switch and a start switch, and provides switch input to the microcomputer 13 in response to switch operation.
The water level setting switch sets the water level according to the number of operations n, and the number of operations n is read by the microcomputer 13 as n = 1,2,3,4,1,2, .... When n = 1, "small amount of water level"
(H ( ₁ )) is set, and below, when n = 2, “low water level”
(H ( ₂ )) is the “medium water level” when n = 3 (H ( ₃ ))
When n = 4, “high water level” (H ( ₄ )) is set.

Thus, the microcomputer 13 holds various data in its memory. That is, Hs lower than the water level H ( ₁ ) is possessed as the detection water level, and each water level is
Hs, H ( ₁ ), H ( ₂ ), H ( ₃ ), H ( ₄ ), the water equivalent to Ws, W ( ₁ ), W ( ₂ ), W ( ₃ ), W ( ₄ ), respectively I have it. Further, the microcomputer 13 is adapted to sequentially execute the steps shown in FIG. 4 for the operation control. That is, the washing process, the first rinsing process, the second rinsing process, and the dehydration process are performed in that order. In this case, the washing machine motor 5 and the water supply valve
7. The drain valve 8 is appropriately drive-controlled via the drive circuits 15, 16 and 17. In the washing process and each rinsing process, the water supply valve 7
The water supply operation by the stirrer and the stirrer operation by the stirrer 4 are performed, and the set execution time for the stirrer operation is fixedly set to the time Tp, for example.

Further, the microcomputer 13 detects the amount of water supply per unit time during the water supply operation and starts the stirring operation according to the detection result or the like. Hereinafter, this stirring operation start control will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 3 together with the control of the washing process or the rinsing process. In this flowchart, each water level H
(I), H (n) or water volume W (i), W (n) and time
"I" in () for Tk (i), Tk (n),
"N" is the parameter i,
It should be read as the content value of n. The control shown in this flowchart is executed in the washing process, the first rinsing process, and the second rinsing process by setting the water level by the water level setting switch and operating the start switch.

First, in step P ₁ , the parameter i and the time count values ts, tp are cleared, and in step P ₂ , the water level is changed to “H ( ₁ )”, “H (
₂ ) ”,“ H ( ₃ ) ”, and“ H ( ₄ ) ”. For example, if the water level “H ( ₄ )” is set, “H (n)” represents “H ( ₄ )”. In the next step P ₃ , the water supply valve 7 is opened to start the water supply operation, and in step P ₄ , the detection time (parameter
ts) starts counting. Then, based on the detection signal from the water level sensor 11, it is judged whether or not the feed water level in the rotary tank 3 has reached the detection water level “Hs” (step P ₅ ), and if so, the process proceeds to step P _6. The detection time ts counting is stopped, and thereafter, as shown in step P ₇ , the water supply amount “Wss” per unit time is detected. That is, the amount of water "Ws" corresponding to the water level "Hs" is the time ts until it reaches the detection water level "Hs".
Is divided by and the unit time water supply amount "Wss" is detected. If this unit time water supply "Wss" is large (small),
The water supply time to the set water level “H (n)” becomes short (long). In the next step P ₈ to S P _11, the water supply amount is the level "H _(1)" ... to "H (n)" Water time required to reach the "Tk _(1)" ... "Tk (n)" Calculate sequentially. That is, in the step P _8, and clears the parameters i, in step P ₉ the parameter i is incremented by "1". In this case, “i = 1”. And step
In P ₁₀ , the water volume “W ( ₁ )” corresponding to the water level “H ( ₁ )” is divided by the water supply volume “Wss” per unit time, and the water supply time required for water supply up to the water level “H ( ₁ )” is Tk (
₁ ) ”is calculated. Then, in the next step P ₁₁ , it is judged whether or not the parameter i has reached n, and if not, the process returns to step P ₉ . In this way, the water level "H ( ₁ )"
Calculate the required water supply time “Tk ( ₁ )” ... “Tk (n)” corresponding to each water level from the set water level to “H (n)”. Now, an example of the calculation result is shown in FIG.

In step P ₁₂ to step P _16, and determines the start of stirring water level "Hk". That is, the stirring start water level "Tk" is satisfied so that the feed water level in the rotary tank 3 finally reaches the set water level "H (n)" before the set execution time Tp for the stirring operation elapses. (I) ”is calculated. First, in step P ₁₂ , the parameter i is cleared, and in step P ₁₃ , i is incremented by “1”. Then, in step P ₁₄ , the water level “H ( ₁ )” ... “H
It is assumed that the stirring operation is started from the minimum water level “H ( ₁ )” in “(n)” and the time “Tk ( ₁ ) +” at which the stirring operation ends
"Tp" is the required water supply time "Tk" up to the set water level "H (n)"
(N) ”is determined. And
If not “Tk ( ₁ ) + Tp ≧ Tk (n)”, step P ₁₃
, The parameter i is further incremented, and in the next step P ₁₄ , as described above, “TK ( ₂ ) + Tp ≧ T
k (n) ”is determined. Here, if the above judgment is satisfied when the parameter i is “2”, i at this time is judged in step P ₁₅ (in this case (“2”), and in step P ₁₆ The stirring start water level "Hk" is determined according to the content value, that is, i
Is "2", it is determined that "Hk = H ( ₂ )". In this case, the stirring start water level “Hk” is, as described above, the water levels “H ( ₁ )”, “H ( ₂ )”, “H ( ₃ )”, “H (
₄ ) ”. In other words, the stirring start water level“ Tk ”is the set water level“ H (n) ”for the stirring start water level“ Tk ”.
The water level is set so that the stirring operation is completed after reaching the temperature of, and is the minimum water level.

Thereafter, step P ₁₇ the makeup water time to detect the "Th". This supply water time Th is
Since the water level slightly decreases due to the water absorption of the laundry in the tub (the actual water level slightly lowers with respect to the air pressure detected by the water level sensor 11), it is set to supplement the amount of water, and the set water level is set. After the detection, the make-up water time "T
"h" opens the water supply valve 7. This make-up water time “Th” is calculated by dividing a predetermined make-up water amount “Wh” by the above-mentioned unit time water supply amount “Wss”. Then, as can be seen from step P ₁₈ and step P ₁₉ , the rotary tank 3
When the feed water level inside reaches the stirring start water level Hk (the required time "Tk (i)" in this case, the time "Tk (2)" has elapsed), the stirrer 4 is driven to rotate in the forward and reverse directions. Start the stirring operation. Then, in the next step P ₂₀ , the counting of the execution time of the stirring operation is started with the parameter tp.
In step P _21, it is determined whether agitation operation execution time tp at this time has elapsed the set execution time Tp, the water supply valve 7 in step P _22, it is determined whether or not a closed,
In step P ₂₃ water supply level to determine whether it has reached the set water level "H (n)". Now, the time "Tk (n)" required to reach the set water level with respect to the time "Tk ( ₂ ) + Tp" at which the stirring operation ends is "Tk ( ₂ ) + Tp ≥ Tk (n)". there because, than decision "tp ≧ Tp?" in step P _21, because "or reaches a set water level H (n)" determination in step P ₂₃ is satisfied earlier in time, the step P ₂₃
Since the transition to the next step P _24, the makeup water time "T
h "to wait, and, to close the water supply valve 7 in step P _25. By waiting for the replenishment time “Th”, the water level drop due to water supply of the laundry is replenished. After this, since the water supply valve 7 is closed, the closed loop of steps P ₂₁ and P ₂₂ is executed, and when the stirring execution time tp reaches the set execution time Tp, the process moves to step P ₂₆ and stirring is performed. Stop the operation and end this process.

In the above description, the time Tr (see FIG. 4) during which the water supply operation and the stirring operation are simultaneously performed contributes to the reduction of the time required for the stroke. In this case, the water supply amount "Wss" per unit time is detected, and the set water level "H (n)" is detected based on the detection result "Wss".
"Tk (n)", etc., which is the time required to reach the set water level, is detected, and by these, the set water level "H" is set until the stirring operation is completed, that is, the washing process or the rinsing process is completed.
(N) ”so that the stirring start water level“ Hk ”
Therefore, the water level shortage with respect to the set water level “H (n)” will not occur. Moreover, the stirring start water level "Hk" is set to the minimum water level of the water levels that does not cause a water level shortage with respect to the set water level "H (n)", so that the stroke can be appropriately shortened without excess or deficiency.

In the above example, the water supply amount per unit time "Wss"
The make-up water time "Th" is set based on the above, and the make-up water is performed at that time, so the make-up water amount is independent of fluctuations in tap water pressure.
Can supply a predetermined amount of makeup water. That is, in the prior art, the make-up water time was uniquely set to a fixed time, so if there is a change in the water supply amount per unit time due to a change in tap water pressure, the make-up water amount also changes, but in the present embodiment, Such a problem does not occur.

Further, in the above embodiment, the stirring start water level "Hk" is set to any of the _four predetermined water levels (H ( ₁ ) ... H ( ₄ )), but this may be set linearly. Good.

Others The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and can be implemented with various modifications within a range not departing from the gist, for example, the present invention can be applied to a so-called two-tub type washing machine as well as a dehydrating / washing machine. Is.

[Effects of the Invention] As apparent from the above description, the present invention provides a water level detecting means for detecting the water level in the tank, and the water level detecting means for detecting the water level in the tank to set the water level in the tank. Operation control means for controlling the water supply operation and starting the stirring operation from the stirring start water level below the set water level and controlling the washing or rinsing stroke so that this stirring operation is performed for the set execution time, and the inside of the tank. Unit time water supply amount detecting means for detecting the water supply amount of water supplied to the unit time, and the unit according to the detection result by the unit time water supply amount detecting means, the set water level and the setting execution time of the stirring operation. It is provided with a stirring start water level determining means for determining the stirring start water level, whereby even if the water supply amount per unit time may fluctuate due to fluctuations in tap water pressure, etc. This has the excellent effect that the rinsing process can be executed without causing a water level shortage with respect to the set water level, and that the time can always be appropriately shortened.

[Brief description of drawings]

The drawing shows one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electrical configuration, FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional side view of a washing machine for combined use of dehydration, FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing control contents, and FIG. The chart, FIG. 5, is a diagram showing the relationship between the water supply level and the time change. In the figure, 3 is a rotary tub, 4 is a stirrer, 5 is a washing machine motor, 7
Is a water supply valve, 11 is a water level sensor (water level detection means), and 13 is a microcomputer (operation control means, unit time water supply amount detection means, stirring start water level determination means).

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A water level detecting means for detecting a water level in a tank, and a water supply operation is controlled so that the inside of the tank is at a set water level based on a water level detection result from the water level detecting means, and stirring below the set water level is performed. Operation control means for starting the stirring operation from the starting water level and controlling the washing process or rinsing process so that the stirring operation is performed for a set execution time, and the amount of water supplied per unit time of water supplied to the tank is detected. And a stirring start water level determining means for determining the stirring start water level according to the detection result by the unit time water supply amount detecting means, the set water level and the set execution time of the stirring operation. A washing machine consisting of