washing machine

Abstract

This disclosure provides a washing machine that can improve washing performance and prevent waste of detergent by optimizing the amount of detergent used using detection data from a foam detection means. [Solution] The washing machine in this disclosure comprises a housing, a water tank, a washing tub, a motor for rotating the washing tub, a water supply means for supplying water, a drainage means for discharging water, a fabric weight determination means for determining the amount of laundry, a detergent supply device for supplying detergent, a storage unit for storing information related to washing, a detergent amount calculation unit for calculating the amount of detergent to be added, a foam detection means for detecting the foam generated by the detergent, and a control means for sequentially executing processes such as washing, rinsing, and spinning. The control means calculates the amount of detergent to be added from the fabric weight determined by the detergent amount calculation unit and the stored washing information. If the storage unit has stored information that the foam detection means detected foam in the previous washing process, it determines that too much detergent has been added, and in the future, it reduces the amount of detergent to be added until the foam detection means no longer detects detergent foam.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a washing machine.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a washing machine provided with a liquid agent supply device. This washing machine includes a housing, a water tank supported inside the housing, a washing tub formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape and enclosed within the water tank, a motor for rotationally driving the washing tub, a water supply valve for supplying water into the water tank, drainage means for discharging the water in the water tank to the outside of the housing, cloth amount detection means for detecting the amount of cloth in the washing tub, a liquid agent supply device for supplying a liquid agent into the water tank, and a controller for controlling the water supply valve, the motor, etc. The controller performs cloth amount detection by the cloth amount detection means and performs detergent input by the water supply and the liquid agent supply device according to the detected cloth amount.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The present disclosure provides a washing machine having an automatic detergent input function, which optimizes the amount of detergent used.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The washing machine in this disclosure comprises a housing, a water tank vibration-damped and supported within the housing, a washing tub rotatably provided within the water tank, a motor for rotating the washing tub, a water supply means for supplying water into the water tank, a draining means for discharging water from the water tank to the outside of the housing, a fabric load determination means for determining the amount of laundry in the washing tub, a detergent supply device for supplying detergent into the water tank, a storage unit for storing information related to washing, a detergent load calculation unit for calculating the amount of detergent required for washing, a foam detection means for detecting detergent foam generated in the water tank, and the fabric load determination means, the detergent load calculation unit, and the foam detection means The system includes a control means that obtains information from the steps and controls the motor, water supply means, drainage means, etc., to sequentially execute processes such as washing, rinsing, and spinning. The control means is configured such that the detergent amount calculation unit calculates the amount of detergent to be added from the amount of fabric determined by the amount of fabric determination means and the washing information stored in the storage unit. In this case, if the storage unit has stored information that the foam detection means detected foam in the previous washing process, it is determined that too much detergent was added in the previous wash, and in the future, the amount of detergent to be added in the washing process is reduced until the foam detection means does not detect any detergent foam. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] The washing machine in this disclosure can improve washing performance and prevent waste of detergent by optimizing the amount of detergent used using detection data from the foam detection means. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] schematic cross-sectional view of the washing machine in Embodiment 1 [Figure 2] schematic front view of the washing machine in Embodiment 1 [Figure 3] Block diagram showing the internal configuration of the washing machine in Embodiment 1 [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] (Knowledge and other information that formed the basis of this disclosure) At the time the inventors conceived of this disclosure, while the foaming of detergent affects its cleaning power, there was no method for calculating the amount of detergent to use based on the degree of foaming. Therefore, the inventors discovered that if a detergent of unknown concentration were to be put into a washing machine, using too little detergent would reduce cleaning power and prevent clothes from being properly washed, while using too much detergent would lead to waste and environmental damage. To solve this problem, the subject matter of this disclosure was formed.

[0009] Therefore, this disclosure provides a washing machine that detects the foaming status of the detergent with a detergent foam detection unit, estimates the required amount of detergent based on the detection data from the detergent foam detection unit, and optimizes the amount of detergent used regardless of the detergent concentration or type.

[0010] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, unnecessary details may be omitted. For example, detailed explanations of already well-known matters or redundant explanations of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid the following explanation becoming unnecessarily verbose and to facilitate understanding for those skilled in the art.

[0011] The attached drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand this disclosure and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0012] (Embodiment 1) Embodiment 1 will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 3.

[0013] [1-1. Structure] [1-1-1. Washing machine configuration] In this embodiment, the washing machine 1 is a drum-type washing machine having an automatic liquid dispensing function. In this specification, "liquid" refers to a liquid used to wash laundry 15 such as clothes, and includes detergents, fabric softeners, neutral detergents, etc.

[0014] As shown in Figure 1, the washing machine 1 comprises a housing 2, a water tank 3, a drum 4, a drum rotation motor 5, an automatic dispensing unit 6, a connecting channel 8, a water supply valve 10, a drain valve 11, and a control unit (not shown).

[0015] The casing 2 is a component that forms the exterior of the washing machine 1. The front of the casing 2 is provided with a front opening 20 and a door 21 that can be opened and closed to cover the front opening 20.

[0016] The water tank 3 is a roughly cylindrical member located inside the housing 2 and has the function of holding laundry water. The water tank 3 has a cylindrical portion 34 and a bottom portion 36 that closes one end of the cylindrical portion 34. The central axis V0 of the water tank 3 passes through the center of the bottom portion 36. The central axis V0 is inclined with respect to the horizontal. The water tank 3 has a water tank opening 31 located facing the front opening 20 of the housing 2 and is sealed and connected to the front opening 20 of the housing 2 by a bellows 32. The water tank 3 is further provided with a water inlet 33 and a drain outlet 35 for water passage. The water inlet 33 is an opening connected to the connecting channel 8, and the drain outlet 35 is an opening for draining the water from the water tank 3 to the outside.

[0017] The drum 4 is a roughly cylindrical member that is rotatably mounted inside the water tank 3 around a central axis V0 and accommodates laundry 15 such as clothes. The drum 4 has numerous through holes 40. The through holes 40 connect the drum 4 and the water tank 3, allowing the wash water to move from the drum 4 to the water tank 3. The drum 4 also has drum openings 41 at positions facing the front opening 20 of the housing 2 and the water tank opening 31 of the water tank 3. In addition, the inner circumferential wall of the drum 4 is provided with agitation protrusions 4a that lift the laundry 15 in the rotational direction.

[0018] The drum rotation motor 5 is a component that rotates the drum 4 around its central axis V0. The drum rotation motor 5, for example, has a motor that rotates the drum 4.

[0019] Near the back inside the water tank 3, a foam detection means 50 is provided. The foam detection means 50 is composed of a pair including a first electrode 51 provided at the lower inner part of the water tank 3 and a second electrode 52 provided at the upper inner part of the water tank 3. The first electrode 51 is provided at a position where it is immersed in the washing water when the washing water is stored in the water tank 3. On the other hand, the second electrode 52 is provided above the water level of the washing water in the water tank 3. In the water tank 3, when a large amount of detergent foam is generated due to abnormal foaming and the detergent foam reaches the height of the second electrode 52, the electrical resistance value between the first electrode 51 and the second electrode 52 becomes small. When the electrical resistance value between the first electrode 51 and the second electrode 52 becomes small, the foam detection means 50 detects that a large amount of detergent foam has been generated.

[0020] The automatic dosing unit 6 is a unit that automatically doses a predetermined amount of liquid agent determined by the control unit from a tank storing the liquid agent into the water tank 3. When the liquid agent is not manually dosed, the automatic dosing unit 6 doses an appropriate type of liquid agent in an appropriate amount into the water tank 3 according to, for example, the amount and type of the laundry 15 during the washing process or the rinsing process. The automatic dosing unit 6 is connected to the water tank 3 via a connection flow path 8 in order to supply the liquid agent to the water tank 3.

[0021] The automatic dosing unit 6 includes a case 61, tanks 62A, 62B, 62C (tanks 62B, 62C not shown), liquid agent dosing devices 63A, 63B, 63C (liquid agent dosing devices 63B, 63C not shown), a liquid agent discharge flow path 64, a manual dosing part 65, and a water supply solenoid valve 66.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, the automatic dosing unit 6 is provided obliquely above the water tank 3 inside the housing 2. The automatic dosing unit 6 faces an openable and closable cover 60 provided on the upper surface of the housing 2. The automatic dosing unit 6 has a shape along the outer circumference of the cylindrical part 34 of the water tank 3.

[0023] The connection flow path 8 is a flow path for supplying the liquid agent from the automatic dosing unit 6 to the water tank 3. The connection flow path 8 extends downward from the automatic dosing unit 6 to the water inlet 33 of the water tank 3.

[0024] The water supply valve 10 is a valve for supplying water to the water tank 3 via the automatic supply unit 6. The water supply valve 10 is located on the upper part of the housing 2.

[0025] The drain valve 11 is configured to be openable and closable, and when opened, it is a valve that drains the water stored in the tank 3 through the drain port 35 of the tank 3. The drain valve 11 is located at the bottom of the housing 2.

[0026] Inside the housing 2 is a controller 7, which is a control means that controls the tub rotation motor 5, water supply valve 10, drain valve 11, water supply solenoid valve 66, etc., and sequentially executes a series of processes such as washing, rinsing, and spinning.

[0027] An operation display unit 9 is provided at the front upper part of the housing 2, which includes an operation unit for controlling the operation and a display unit for displaying the operating status. The operation display unit 9 is equipped with a start / stop switch (not shown) for starting or pausing the washing operation.

[0028] [1-1-2. Configuration of the control unit] As shown in Figure 3, the washing machine 1 is provided with a storage unit 12. The storage unit 12 consists of, for example, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory). The storage unit 12 stores various setting information related to the washing operation, including a detergent type storage unit 12a that stores information about the type of detergent.

[0029] The washing machine 1 is equipped with a controller 7. The controller 7 sequentially controls an operation control program based on operation control information such as operation sequence and operation control parameters in order to perform a washing operation. The controller 7 consists of a fabric load determination unit 7b and a detergent dispensing amount calculation unit 7a, etc. (other elements are not shown in the figure).

[0030] The laundry load determination unit 7b provides a function to classify laundry up to 10 kg into approximately 10 stages based on the torque current value when the drum rotation motor 5 is rotated at a constant speed. It also determines the amount of water to be used for washing according to the laundry load determination result.

[0031] The detergent amount calculation unit 7a calculates the detergent amount based on the detergent type obtained from the detergent type storage unit 12a and the fabric amount determination result obtained from the fabric amount determination unit 7b.

[0032] [1-2. Operation] The operation of washing machine 1, configured as described above, will be explained below.

[0033] [1-2-1. Washing Operation] The following explains the washing machine operation.

[0034] The user first turns on the washing machine 1. Then, they open the door 21, put the laundry into the drum 4, and close the door 21.

[0035] When the user presses the start switch, the laundry load determination unit 7b controls the drum rotation motor 5 to determine the amount of laundry and the amount of laundry in the drum 4. The amount of laundry detected by the laundry load determination unit 7b, the amount of detergent stored in the detergent type storage unit 12a, and the information from the foam detection means 50 are also sent to the detergent type calculation unit to calculate the amount of detergent to be added.

[0036] For example, if the foam detection means 50 indicates that there was foam up to the second electrode 52 in the previous washing step, it will be determined that too much detergent of unknown concentration has been added, and the system will reduce the predetermined amount of detergent when calculating the amount of detergent to be added.

[0037] Conversely, if the foam detection means 50 indicates that there was no foam up to the second electrode 52 in the previous washing process, it is determined that there was insufficient detergent of unknown concentration, and the system will add a predetermined amount of detergent when calculating the amount of detergent to be added.

[0038] After the optimized detergent is put into the drum 4, a predetermined amount of water is poured into the water tank 3 from the water supply pipe (not shown), and the drum 4 is rotated by the drum rotation motor 5 to start the washing process. As the drum 4 rotates, the laundry 15 contained in the drum 4 is lifted in the rotational direction by the agitation protrusions 4a provided on the inner circumferential wall of the drum 4, and repeatedly subjected to an agitation action as it falls from an appropriate height. The agitation action applies a beating action to the laundry 15, so dirt and other substances attached to the laundry 15 can be washed away.

[0039] After the required washing time, the soiled laundry water is discharged through a drain pipe (not shown). Following the washing cycle, rinsing and spinning cycles are performed.

[0040] Table 1 shows the amount of detergent to be added based on the fabric load determination result of the washing machine in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. This is an example of the amount of detergent to be added based on the fabric load determination result calculated by the fabric load determination unit 7b, and shows the amount of detergent to be added based on the number of scoops of a typical detergent measured by the aforementioned measuring instrument.

[0041] [Table 1]

[0042] In this embodiment, when the user uses the automatic dispensing unit 6, the detergent amount calculated by the detergent dispensing amount calculation unit 7a is dispensed from the automatic dispensing unit 6 into the drum 4.

[0043] Furthermore, if the user manually dispenses detergent, the amount of detergent to be dispensed calculated by the detergent dispensing amount calculation unit 7a is displayed on the operation display unit 9, and the user dispenses the amount of detergent displayed on the operation display unit 9 into the manual dispensing unit 65.

[0044] In this embodiment, the amount of detergent to be dispensed can be calculated and automatically dispensed by increasing or decreasing parameters in accordance with predefined foam sensor information based on the results in Table 1. For example, if it was defined that the amount of detergent to be dispensed should be reduced by 2 mL from the amount in Table 1 when the foam sensor reacted last time, and the fabric load determination result was "5" and detergent A was used, then 18 mL of liquid detergent will be automatically dispensed.

[0045] Based on the above operating method, the amount of laundry in the washing tub determined by the fabric amount determination unit 7b, the detergent information in Table 1 stored in the memory unit, and the information from the detergent foam detection means 50 are added together, and the optimal amount of detergent to be added is calculated by increasing or decreasing the predetermined amount of detergent and then added to the drum.

[0046] Furthermore, the amount of detergent used is calculated to be less than usual during the hot summer months when detergent lathers well, thus helping to conserve detergent depending on the season.

[0047] In this embodiment, a drum-type washing machine with a drying function was used as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and similar effects can be obtained with washing machines without a washing function, top-loading washing machines, and twin-tub washing machines.

[0048] [1-3. Effects, etc.] As described above, in this embodiment, the washing machine 1 comprises a housing 2, a water tank 3 supported with vibration damping within the housing 2, a drum 4 rotatably mounted within the water tank 3, a drum rotation motor 5 for rotating the drum 4, a water supply valve 10 for supplying water into the water tank 3, a drain valve 11 for discharging water from the water tank 3 to the outside of the housing 2, a fabric load determination unit 7b for determining the amount of laundry in the drum 4, a detergent supply device for supplying detergent into the water tank 3, a storage unit 12 for storing information related to washing, and a detergent dispenser for washing. The system includes a detergent amount calculation unit 7a that calculates the amount of detergent, a foam detection means 50 that detects detergent foam generated in the water tank 3, and a controller 7 that obtains information from the fabric amount determination unit 7b, the detergent amount calculation unit 7a, the foam detection means 50, etc., and controls the tub rotation motor 5, water supply valve 10, drain valve 11, etc., to sequentially execute processes such as washing, rinsing, and spinning. The controller 7 is configured such that the detergent amount calculation unit 7a calculates the amount of detergent to be added from the fabric amount detected by the fabric amount determination unit 7b and the washing information stored in the memory unit 12. In this case, if the memory unit 12 has stored information that the foam detection means 50 detected foam in the previous washing process, the controller 7 may determine that too much detergent was added last time and reduce the amount of detergent to be added in future washing processes until the foam detection means 50 does not detect detergent foam.

[0049] As a result, washing machine 1 can wash with the appropriate amount of detergent without wasting any, enabling efficient and waste-free washing.

[0050] As in this embodiment, the washing machine 1, when the detergent amount calculation unit 7a calculates the amount of detergent to be put in, may determine that there was not enough detergent last time if the memory unit 12 does not contain any memory information that the foam detection means 50 detected foam in the previous wash cycle, and may increase the amount of detergent to be put in during future wash cycles until the foam detection means 50 detects detergent foam.

[0051] As a result, washing machine 1 can wash with the appropriate amount of detergent, ensuring washing performance and preventing problems such as insufficient washing performance and poor stain removal due to insufficient detergent, thus enabling efficient and waste-free washing.

[0052] As in this embodiment, the washing machine 1 is equipped with an operation display unit 9 having an operation unit for making various settings and a display unit for displaying the settings, and the controller 7 may be configured to display the amount of detergent to be dispensed calculated by the detergent dispensing amount calculation unit 7a on the display unit.

[0053] This allows the user to be notified of the appropriate amount of detergent to use, improving the convenience of the washing machine.

[0054] (Other embodiments) As described above, Embodiment 1 has been explained as an example of the technology disclosed in this application. However, the technology in this disclosure is not limited to this and can be applied to embodiments that have been modified, replaced, added, or omitted. Furthermore, it is possible to create new embodiments by combining the components described in Embodiment 1 above.

[0055] In Embodiment 1, a drum-type washing machine was described as an example of a washing machine. The washing machine may also be a top-loading washing machine. [Industrial applicability]

[0056] This disclosure describes a method for improving washing performance and preventing detergent waste by optimizing the amount of detergent used using detection data from a foam detection means. Specifically, this disclosure is applicable to drum-type washing machines, top-loading washing machines, and the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1. Washing machine 2 cabinets 3 Aquariums 4. Drum (washing tub) 4a Stirring projection 5. Tank Rotating Motor (Motor) 6. Automatic feeding unit 7. Controller (control means) 7a Detergent input amount calculation unit 7b Cloth amount determination section (cloth amount determination means) 8 Connection Channels 9 Operation display section 10. Water supply valve (means of water supply) 11. Drain valve (means of drainage) 12 Storage section 12a Detergent type memory section 15 Laundry 20 Front opening 21 Doors 31 Aquarium opening 32 Bellows 33 Water inlet 34 Cylinder part 35 Drain 36 Bottom 41 Drum opening 50. Bubble detection means 51 First electrode 52 Second electrode 61 Cases (Detergent Dispensing Devices) 62A, 62B, 62C Tanks (detergent supply devices) 63A, 63B, 63C Liquid dispensing device (detergent supply device) 64 Liquid Dispensing Channel 65 Manual input section 66 Water supply solenoid valve V0 center axis

Claims

1. The casing and A water tank, which is vibration-damped and supported within the aforementioned housing, A washing tub is rotatably installed in the aforementioned water tank, A motor that rotates the washing tub, A water supply means for supplying water into the aforementioned water tank, A drainage means for discharging the water in the tank to the outside of the housing, A fabric quantity determining means for determining the amount of laundry in the washing tub, A detergent supply device that supplies detergent into the water tank, A memory unit that stores information related to laundry, A detergent amount calculation unit that calculates the amount of detergent required for washing, A foam detection means for detecting the foam of detergent generated in the water tank, The system includes a control means that obtains information from the fabric quantity determination means, the detergent input amount calculation unit, the foam detection means, etc., and controls the motor, the water supply means, the drainage means, etc., to sequentially execute processes such as washing, rinsing, and dewatering. The control means is configured such that the detergent amount calculation unit calculates the amount of detergent to be used from the amount of fabric determined by the amount of fabric determination unit and the laundry information stored in the storage unit. In this washing machine, if the memory unit contains memory information indicating that the foam detection means detected foam in the previous washing cycle, it determines that too much detergent was used in the previous cycle, and in the future, the amount of detergent added in each washing cycle is reduced to the point where the foam detection means does not detect any detergent foam.

2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the control means, when the detergent amount calculation unit calculates the amount of detergent to be put in, determines that there was not enough detergent in the previous wash if the memory unit does not contain any memory information of foam detection by the foam detection means in the previous wash cycle, and increases the amount of detergent to be put in during future wash cycles until the foam detection means detects detergent foam.

3. The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, comprising an operation display unit having an operation unit for making various settings and a display unit for displaying the settings, wherein the control means causes the detergent amount calculated by the detergent amount calculation unit to be displayed on the display unit.

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