Washing device

Abstract

To solve the problem in which, in an automatic operation of a washing device, even though the amount of laundry is detected and an optimum water amount is determined, in the step of generating a washing liquid, as a washing tub, a pulsator and a drum are rotated before the optimum water amount is attained, the laundry is likely to be damaged.SOLUTION: A washing device is provided which enables a well-balanced automatic operation that reduces the frequency of laundry damage while securing washing capacity, by providing means for receiving information about the detergent type which is conveyed by a user, having a control program of an automatic operation according to the type of the detergent, and by adopting a step of an automatic operation most suitable for the type of the detergent.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a laundry machine. [Background technology]

[0002] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2014-64791 discloses the automatic operation process of a typical washing machine. In the automatic operation process, a typical washing machine is equipped with a water volume determination unit that detects the amount of laundry and determines the amount of water, and a laundry liquid generation unit that dissolves detergent in water to generate laundry liquid. Each process is controlled by a control program that controls the washing, rinsing, and spin cycles. Japanese Patent Publication No. 2014-210123 discloses a washing machine that detects the electrical conductivity of the laundry liquid, determines whether it contains powder detergent, and changes the time of the laundry liquid generation process depending on whether the detergent is powder or not. Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-29614 discloses a washing machine that allows the user to evaluate the washing results and modify the washing machine's default process to suit the user's preferences. Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-225988 discloses an "automatic operation process including a detergent dissolving process at a low water level." Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-338488 discloses a washing machine that automatically detects the amount of laundry, the type of laundry fiber, the degree of soiling of the laundry, and the water temperature to determine the type and amount of detergent. It also discloses a technical concept that enables automatic detergent dispensing by button operation, and "determines the type of laundry materials to be used and the timing of dispensing." Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-108593 discloses "a fully automatic washing machine that sends air to dissolve the detergent in the pre-soaking process" and "a highly concentrated washing liquid." Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-38393 discloses "a washing machine characterized by having a detergent dissolution control means that ends the detergent dissolution course without operating the drainage means." Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 5-35082 discloses "an input means for inputting the type of powder detergent, and if the input powder detergent is poorly soluble in water, it controls the degree of rinsing to be stronger." [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2014-64791 [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2014-210123 [Patent Document 3] Patent Publication No. 2021-29614 [Patent Document 4] Patent Publication No. 6-225988 [Patent Document 5] JP 4-338488 [Patent Document 6] Patent Publication No. 59-108593 [Patent Document 7] JP 5-38393 [Patent Document 8] Tokuji Hei 5-35082 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Previous washing machines lacked a means to communicate the type of detergent to be used. Therefore, automated operation was adopted for both the washing liquid preparation process, which involves dissolving or diluting the detergent in water, and the main wash process. Types of laundry detergent include powder, solid, low-concentration liquid, high-concentration liquid, gel, and capsule. For solid and powder detergents, the dissolving process is crucial, so the washing liquid preparation process and the main wash process, which depend on the amount of water and time, are based on the assumption that powder detergent, which is the least soluble in water, is used. On the other hand, low-concentration liquid, high-concentration liquid, and gel detergents are already dissolved, so there is no need to carefully dissolve them. Capsule detergents contain ultra-high-concentration detergent sealed in a water-soluble film, so the detergent will not disperse in the water if they are not immersed in water. Previous washing machines with automatic operation functions automatically determined the optimal amount of water for the detected laundry load. However, in order to dissolve the powder detergent and complete the wash quickly, they would rotate the washing tub, pulsator, and drum before the optimal amount of water was reached, which created a problem of increased damage to laundry during the washing liquid preparation process. When the optimal amount of water was used, laundry was less likely to be damaged. On the other hand, the dissolving process for liquid detergents is less important than for powder detergents. In addition to the powder and liquid detergents mentioned above, high-concentration liquid detergents and gel detergents are also now available. Many previous washing machines prioritized preventing residual powder detergent and reducing washing time, resulting in increased damage to laundry. While low-concentration liquid detergents do not require a dissolving process, they offer inferior cleaning power compared to powder and high-concentration liquid detergents. After the washing machine detected the laundry load and displayed the optimal water amount, the user would add the amount of detergent recommended by the detergent manufacturer based on the amount of water. Because detergent prices vary depending on the type of detergent, the cost of each wash also varies. Furthermore, the type of detergent used varies widely depending on the user's preferences and habits. Different detergents may be used depending on whether the laundry is heavily soiled or not. There has been a demand for washing machines that can adopt the most suitable automatic operation process depending on the type of detergent. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The washing machine of the present invention, which solves the above problems, is characterized by having a means for receiving information input by a user about the type of detergent used during automatic operation, and a program for controlling the automatic operation process according to the type of detergent, and adopting the process according to the type of detergent specified. Note that the type of detergent in this invention is determined by the combination of the state and shape of the detergent. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] The washing machine of the present invention can communicate the type of detergent, making it possible to solve the problem of reducing washing time and ensuring the ability to remove dirt while minimizing damage to laundry when operated automatically. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a laundry machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a laundry device according to an embodiment of claim 2 of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a laundry device according to an embodiment of claim 3 of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram showing an operation process of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 5] 10 is a diagram showing examples of control values ​​relating to the type of detergent, the amount of water and time in the washing liquid generation process, and the amount of water and time in the main washing process. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a part of a data table stored in a storage unit or memory. [Figure 7] 10 shows modified examples of control values ​​relating to the type of detergent, the amount of water and time in the washing liquid generation process, and the amount of water and time in the main washing process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that each drawing is merely a schematic illustration to allow a sufficient understanding of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated examples.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, the amount of water for the main wash determined by the laundry weight calculation unit in FIG. 1 and the information on the type of detergent provided by the user via the operation switch in FIG. 1 or the external information input unit in FIG. 2 are used to determine the amount of water and time for the laundry liquid generation process and the time for the main wash process using the control values ​​in FIG. 5 stored in the memory unit in FIG. 1, and the automatic operation process in FIG. 4 is performed.

[0010] FIG. 1 shows an example of a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a washing machine of the present invention. The means for communicating the type of detergent used in the washing machine is described below. The operating switch shown in FIG. 1 is provided on the housing as a means for communicating the type of detergent. The operating switch is provided as a touch panel or button. Examples of options available on the button or touch panel are as follows: a washing machine with two options (powder detergent and liquid detergent); a washing machine with three options (powder detergent, low-concentration liquid detergent, and high-concentration liquid detergent); a washing machine with four options (powder detergent, low-concentration liquid detergent, high-concentration liquid detergent, and gel detergent); a washing machine with five options (powder detergent, low-concentration liquid detergent, high-concentration liquid detergent, gel detergent, and capsule detergent); and a washing machine with six options (powder detergent, low-concentration liquid detergent, high-concentration liquid detergent, gel detergent, capsule detergent, and tablet detergent). In addition to inputting detergent type information, the operating switch also includes conventional buttons for powering on / off, selecting modes, and starting and pausing.

[0011] The external information input unit recited in claim 2 refers to a device for reading the barcode or two-dimensional barcode printed on the detergent container. It may be possible to add a voice recognition unit to the input unit to allow input by voice, or to add a communication unit to the input unit to allow input via a communication terminal. Figure 2 shows a configuration in which an external information input unit is added to the configuration of claim 1. It is also possible to input the product number printed on the detergent container using a touch panel or button. The type of detergent to be used is indicated by the detergent's product number itself, rather than by the type of detergent, such as powder or liquid. In this case, data linking the detergent's product number and type, disclosed by the detergent manufacturer, is stored in a storage unit or memory within the control device. An example of a portion of the data table is shown in Figure 6.

[0012] Figure 3 shows a configuration in which an information input means for rewriting the control program or rewriting or adding to the data table is added to the configuration of claim 2. It is preferable that the washing machine manufacturer, based on information from the detergent manufacturer, determine the automatic operation process as an after-sales service so that it can handle new detergents released after the washing machine is shipped, and create an environment in which it can be provided to users. For this purpose, a wired or wireless communication unit is provided. The control program is rewritten or the data table is rewritten or added via the communication unit. Figure 3 shows a configuration in which a communication unit is added to the configuration of claim 2. It is preferable that the microcomputer in the control device is rewritable, but if the microcomputer is not rewritable, a rewritable memory is provided within the control device.

[0013] The automatic operation of the present invention is described below. Figure 5 shows an example of the control values ​​for the water volume and duration in the liquid preparation process and the water volume and duration in the main wash process for each type of detergent. When a powder detergent is selected by the user, the motor is driven for two minutes at 50% of the optimal amount of water in the liquid preparation process to rotate the washing tub, pulsator, and drum. During the main wash, the motor is driven for five minutes at 100% of the optimal amount of water to rotate the washing tub, pulsator, and drum. When a low-concentration detergent is selected by the user, the motor is driven for three seconds at 100% of the optimal amount of water in the liquid preparation process to rotate the washing tub, pulsator, and drum. During the main wash, the motor is driven for eight minutes at 100% of the optimal amount of water to rotate the washing tub, pulsator, and drum. When a high-concentration detergent is selected by the user, the motor is driven for 30 seconds at 85% of the optimal amount of water in the liquid preparation process to rotate the washing tub, pulsator, and drum. During the main wash, the motor is driven for 6 minutes at 100% of the optimum amount of water, rotating the washing tub, pulsator, and drum. When capsule detergent is selected by the user, the washing liquid generation process runs the motor for 45 seconds at 65% of the optimum amount of water, rotating the washing tub, pulsator, and drum. During the main wash, the motor is driven for 7 minutes at 100% of the optimum amount of water, rotating the washing tub, pulsator, and drum.

[0014] Currently, automatic washing machines generally allow users to select modes such as "thorough wash" and "quick wash." The phrase "adopting a process" in claim 1 refers to adopting a process that determines the optimal amount of water and its duration for the liquid preparation process and the amount of water and its duration for the main wash based on information about the type of detergent provided to the user, rather than selecting a mode. However, because the type of detergent is provided after the mode is selected, the relationship between the amount of water and its duration for the liquid preparation process and the amount of water and its duration for the main wash process will differ for each mode, even if the same type of detergent is used.

[0015] The automatic driving process in the present invention will be described below. The automatic driving process is shown in FIG. In a conventional washing machine, the power is turned on by flipping a switch, laundry is placed in the washing tub, and a fully automatic mode such as normal wash, thorough wash, or quick wash is selected. Then, by pressing the start button, the washing tub and pulsator rotate before adding water, the amount of laundry is detected, and the optimal amount of water is displayed. The user then adds the optimal amount of detergent based on the displayed information. After displaying the amount of water, the washing machine starts supplying water and begins the washing, rinsing, and spin-drying cycles. In the case of a washing machine according to the present invention, the power is turned on, laundry is placed in the washing tub, and a fully automatic mode such as normal wash, thorough wash, or quick wash is selected. Then, by pressing the start button, the washing tub and pulsator rotate before supplying water, the amount of laundry is detected, and the optimal amount of water is displayed. The user then tells the washing machine what type of detergent to use, and then adds detergent. The lid is closed, and the washing machine starts supplying water. The washing, rinsing, and spin-drying cycles then begin. It would be even better if the "usual detergent type" could be registered and prioritized so that if the user closes the top lid without selecting a detergent type, a sound or a display would indicate that a detergent type has not been selected, and if a certain amount of time has passed without the top lid being opened again, the automatic operation process would be adopted assuming that the preset "usual detergent" had been selected.Of course, one embodiment of the present invention would also be to equip a conventional washing machine with a function that uses a touch panel and display to indicate the type of detergent, for example, a "gentle mode," which prioritizes reducing damage to laundry. [Example]

[0016] The water volume and duration for the liquid preparation process and the main wash process for each type of detergent in the washing machine according to the present invention are shown below. When a powder detergent is selected by the user, the motor is driven for two minutes at 50% of the optimal amount of water to rotate the washing tub, pulsator, and drum during the liquid preparation process. During the main wash, the motor is driven for five minutes at 100% of the optimal amount of water to rotate the washing tub, pulsator, and drum. When a low-concentration detergent is selected by the user, the motor is driven for three seconds at 100% of the optimal amount of water to rotate the washing tub, pulsator, and drum during the liquid preparation process. During the main wash, the motor is driven for eight minutes at 100% of the optimal amount of water to rotate the washing tub, pulsator, and drum. When a high-concentration detergent is selected by the user, the motor is driven for 30 seconds at 85% of the optimal amount of water to rotate the washing tub, pulsator, and drum during the liquid preparation process. During the main wash, the motor is driven for 6 minutes with 100% of the optimum amount of water, rotating the washing tub, pulsator, and drum. When capsule detergent is selected by the user, the washing liquid generation process runs the motor for 45 seconds with 65% of the optimum amount of water, rotating the washing tub, pulsator, and drum. During the main wash, the motor is driven for 7 minutes with 100% of the optimum amount of water, rotating the washing tub, pulsator, and drum. Additional notes

[0017] The tests conducted and the results regarding the type of detergent, the amount of water and time in the washing liquid production process, and damage to laundry are as follows. Tests 1 to 8 are In the process of producing laundry liquid, 50% of the optimal amount of water for the main wash To compare how much damage the laundry is doing, The test was conducted using each type of detergent, assuming 100 washes. Tests 9 to 12 are Based on the results of Tests 1 to 8, For each type of detergent, In the process of producing laundry liquid, Hypothesize the ideal water level and time, Based on this, we carried out the survey and observed the degree of damage to the laundry. The type of detergent, the amount of water and time in the washing liquid generation process, the amount of water and time in the main washing process, The tests and results regarding the amount of water and the damage to laundry are as follows. All of the following tests were conducted using a Haier AQW-P70A vertical washing machine. Twenty unused bath towels made of 100% cotton and weighing 300 g when dry were prepared, and each was cut with scissors into a 10 cm square to serve as a test sample. Based on the laundry load detection, the optimum amount of water was 55 liters. We confirmed that the AQW-P70A's standard course requires approximately 30 liters of water for two minutes to generate the washing liquid. After each test, the water volume was set to 55 liters, the standard course was run once, and the plants were placed in baskets to dry and the degree of damage was observed. Test 1. The water volume was set to 55 liters, and once the water reached 55 liters, 49g of Kao Corporation's Attack High Penetration Biogel, a low-concentration liquid detergent, was added, followed by the above sample, and the machine was run in wash mode for 12,000 seconds. No damage was caused to the laundry. Test 2. The water volume was set to 30 liters, and once the water reached 30 liters, 49g of Kao Corporation's Attack High Penetration Biogel, a low-concentration liquid detergent, was added, followed by the above sample, and the machine was run in wash mode for 12,000 seconds. The laundry was severely damaged. Test 3. The water volume was set to 55 liters, and after the water reached 55 liters, 20g of Lion Corporation's superNANOX, a highly concentrated liquid detergent, was added, followed by the above sample, and the machine was run in wash mode for 12,000 seconds. No damage was caused to the laundry. Test 4. The water volume was set to 30 liters, and after the water reached 30 liters, 20g of Lion's SuperNANOX, a highly concentrated liquid detergent, was added, followed by the above sample, and the machine was run in wash mode for 12,000 seconds. The laundry was severely damaged. Test 5. The water volume was set to 55 liters, and after the water reached 55 liters, one capsule of P&G Ariel Sport detergent was added, followed by the above sample, and the machine was run in wash mode for 12,000 seconds. No damage was done to the laundry. Test 6. The water volume was set to 30 liters, and after the water reached 30 liters, one capsule of P&G Ariel Sport detergent was added, followed by the above sample, and the machine was run in wash mode for 12,000 seconds. The laundry was severely damaged. Test 7. The water volume was set to 55 liters, and after the water reached 55 liters, 36g of Kao Attack Highly Active Biopower powder was added, followed by the above sample, and the machine was run in wash mode for 12,000 seconds. There was no damage to the laundry. Test 8. The water volume was set to 30 liters, and after the water reached 30 liters, 36g of Kao Attack Highly Active Biopower powder was added, followed by the above sample, and the machine was run in wash mode for 12,000 seconds. The laundry was severely damaged. Test 9. The water volume was set to 55 liters, and once the water reached 55 liters, 49g of Kao Corporation's Attack High Penetration Biogel, a low-concentration liquid detergent, was added, followed by the above sample, and the machine was run in wash mode for 300 seconds. No damage was caused to the laundry. Test 10. The water volume was set to 41 liters, and after the water reached 41 liters, one capsule of P&G Ariel Sport detergent was added, followed by the above sample, and the machine was run in wash mode for 4,500 seconds. No damage was done to the laundry. Test 11. The water volume was set to 48 liters, and after the water reached 48 liters, 20g of Lion Corporation's superNANOX, a highly concentrated liquid detergent, was added, followed by the above sample, and the machine was run in wash mode for 3000 seconds. No damage was caused to the laundry. Test 12. The water volume was set to 30 liters, and after the water reached 30 liters, 36g of Kao Attack Highly Active Biopower powder was added, followed by the above sample, and the machine was run in wash mode for 6000 seconds. Slight damage to the laundry was observed. As a modification of FIG. For each type of detergent, The amount of water and time required for the washing process, This shows the relationship between the amount of water and the time required for the main washing process. Variation 1. When the optimum amount of water for the main wash, determined based on the amount of laundry, is x liters, When powder detergent is input, the water volume for the washing liquid generation process is 65% of x, the time is 3 minutes, and the main wash time is 10 minutes. When low-concentration liquid detergent is input, the water volume x of the washing liquid generation process is 100%, the time is 5 seconds, the main wash time is 10 minutes, When high-concentration liquid detergent is input, the water volume of the washing liquid generation process is 90%, the time is 50 seconds, the main wash time is 10 minutes, When capsule detergent is input, the control values ​​are 90% of the water volume x in the washing liquid generation process, 1 minute for the time, and 10 minutes for the main wash. When the optimum amount of water for the main wash, determined based on the amount of laundry, is x liters, When powder detergent is input, the water volume for the washing liquid generation process is 50% of x, the time is 1 minute, and the main wash time is 5 minutes. When low-concentration liquid detergent is entered, the water volume x of the washing liquid generation process is set to 100%, the time is set to 0 seconds, and the main wash time is set to 5 minutes. When high-concentration liquid detergent is input, the water volume of the washing liquid generation process is 85%, the time is 15 seconds, the main wash time is 5 minutes, When capsule detergent is input, the control values ​​are 65% of the water volume x in the washing liquid generation process, 30 seconds for the time, and 5 minutes for the main wash. When the optimum amount of water for the main wash, determined based on the amount of laundry, is x liters, When powder detergent is input, the water volume of the washing liquid generation process is 50% of x, the time is 30 seconds, the main wash time is 6 minutes, When low-concentration liquid detergent is input, the water volume x of the washing liquid generation process is set to 90%, the time is set to 0 seconds, the main wash time is set to 6 minutes, When high-concentration liquid detergent is input, the water volume of the washing liquid generation process is 50% of x, the time is 5 seconds, the main wash time is 6 minutes, When capsule detergent is input, the control values ​​are 50% of the water volume x in the washing liquid generation process, the time is 10 seconds, and the main wash time is 6 minutes.

Claims

1. In automatic operation, the washing machine is provided with a means for receiving information on the type of detergent transmitted by a user and an automatic washing process according to the type of detergent, and adopts the process according to the specified type of detergent.

2. 2. The laundry machine according to claim 1, further comprising: an external information input means for inputting product information of the detergent; and a storage means.

3. 3. The laundry machine according to claim 2, further comprising information input means for rewriting the control program or rewriting or adding to the data table.

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