washing machine

Abstract

To provide a washing machine capable of detecting fixing of a washing treatment agent with an inexpensive and simple structure, in an automatic input tank.SOLUTION: A washing machine includes: an automatic input device including a treatment agent tank capable of storing a washing treatment agent for a plurality of times, and drive means driven for inputting the washing treatment agent in the treatment agent tank into a water tub; detection means for detecting a residual amount of the washing treatment agent in the treatment agent tank; and control means for controlling a washing operation. The detection means has at least two preset liquid level detection points. The control means integrates an input amount of the washing treatment agent according to the drive of the drive means and acquires it as an estimation amount, and also compares, with the estimation amount, a difference between a first residual amount and a second residual amount detected from the two liquid level detection points as an actual input amount. Thereby, fixing of the washing treatment agent in the treatment agent tank is detected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a washing machine. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, to improve user convenience, washing machines have been developed that are equipped with an automatic dispensing device that stores multiple doses of laundry treatment agent in a tank for automatic dispensing and automatically dispenses the required amount from the tank into the water tub during a wash cycle. In this type of washing machine, a sensor is provided to detect the remaining amount of laundry treatment agent in the tank, and the remaining amount detected by the sensor is notified to the user. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which capacitance sensors are arranged in four or five stages in the height direction of the liquid surface in the tank. This capacitance sensor is composed of a transmitting electrode and a receiving electrode that detect the liquid level in the tank by utilizing the fact that the capacitance changes according to the liquid level due to the difference in the relative dielectric constant between the laundry treatment agent and air. Therefore, by arranging the capacitance sensors in the tank as described above, it is possible to precisely detect the remaining amount of laundry treatment agent in the tank in four or five stages, such as a 1 / 2 liquid level when the amount of laundry treatment agent remaining in the tank is half, or a 1 / 4 liquid level. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-169885 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the sensor used in the tank for automatic dosing of the laundry treatment agent, such as the above-mentioned capacitance sensor, is expensive, and the labor required to assemble many electrodes increases. In addition, the laundry treatment agent is likely to adhere to and solidify on the inner wall of the tank for automatic dosing, which may affect the accuracy of liquid level detection and the amount of laundry treatment agent dispensed into the water tub. Therefore, the present invention provides a washing machine capable of detecting adhesion of laundry treatment agent in an automatic dispense tank using an inexpensive and simple structure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A washing machine according to an embodiment of the invention is a device for automatically dispensing a predetermined amount of laundry treatment agent into the water tub during a washing operation, and is equipped with an automatic dispensing device having a treatment agent tank capable of storing multiple loads of laundry treatment agent and a drive means that is driven to dispense the laundry treatment agent in the treatment agent tank into the water tub, a detection means that detects the remaining amount of laundry treatment agent in the treatment agent tank, and a control means that controls the washing operation, wherein the detection means has at least two preset liquid level detection points, and the control means accumulates the amount of laundry treatment agent dispensed in response to the drive of the drive means to obtain an estimated amount, and detects adhesion of laundry treatment agent in the treatment agent tank by comparing the difference between a first remaining amount and a second remaining amount detected from the two liquid level detection points as an actual amount dispensed with the estimated amount. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a washing machine according to a first embodiment; [Diagram 2] Schematic diagram to explain the internal structure of a washing machine [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a vertical cross-sectional side view showing the configuration of a processing agent tank and a detection means. [Figure 4] Block diagram showing electrical configuration [Diagram 5] A diagram showing the relationship between the amount of laundry and water and the amount of laundry treatment agent added [Figure 6] Flowchart showing the flow of a process for detecting adhesion of a laundry treatment agent [Figure 7] A flowchart showing a procedure for detecting adhesion in a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a number of embodiments embodying the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the embodiments, substantially the same components are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. First Embodiment The first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 6. The washing machine 1 of this embodiment is an example of a washing machine capable of performing a predetermined process on clothes, which is the laundry, including at least a washing process, a rinsing process, and a spin-drying process. As shown in Fig. 1, the washing machine 1 is a so-called horizontal axis drum washing machine in which the central axis of rotation of the rotating tub 4 extends horizontally or in a direction inclined with respect to the horizontal direction.

[0008] The outer box 2 that constitutes the outer shell of the washing machine 1 is in the shape of a rectangular box. The front part 2a of the outer box 2 is formed in a shape that slopes slightly downward toward the front, and the front part 2a is provided with a door 3 for opening and closing a laundry entrance (not shown). As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the rotating tub 4 and the water tub 5 that houses the rotating tub 4 are provided inside the outer box 2. Although not shown, the rotating tub 4 is a cylindrical drum with a bottom capable of housing laundry therein, and a well-known baffle for stirring up the laundry is provided on its inner peripheral surface. The water tub 5 is a cylindrical tub with a bottom capable of storing water, and is elastically supported by a suspension (not shown).

[0009] A washing machine motor 6, which is, for example, a DC brushless motor, is provided on the rear side of water tub 5. The rotating shaft of washing machine motor 6 penetrates the rear side of water tub 5 and is connected to the rear side of spinning tub 4, and spinning tub 4 is directly rotated by washing machine motor 6. 2, the washing machine 1 includes a water supply device 7 including a water supply path 7a for supplying water into the water tub 5, and a drainage device 8 including a drainage path 8a for draining the water in the water tub 5 to the outside of the machine. The water supply device 7 includes a water supply valve 7b (described later) and the like in the middle of the water supply path 7a extending from a water source (not shown) such as a water mains to the water tub 5. The drainage device 8 includes a drainage valve 8b and the like in the middle of the drainage path 8a extending from the bottom of the water tub 5 to the outside of the machine.

[0010] An operation panel 9 is provided on the front part of the top surface of the outer casing 2 shown in Fig. 1. The operation panel 9 includes a power switch and a start key, and has an operation section 9a for setting and issuing instructions for the washing operation courses, and a display section 9b for displaying various information to the user (see Fig. 4). In addition, the operation panel 9 allows the user to selectively set whether, when performing a washing operation, the laundry treatment agent is to be automatically dispensed by the automatic dispenser 10 described below, or whether a single dose of laundry treatment agent is to be manually dispensed using a manual dispenser case not shown.

[0011] 1, the water supply device 7 is provided, for example, in the left rear portion above the water tub 5 inside the outer box 2. The water supply device 7 includes a supply unit 7d in the middle of a water supply path 7a that extends from a hose connection port 7c connected to an external water source (not shown) to a connection port 5a (see FIG. 2) at the top of the water tub 5. The supply unit 7d is a portion to which the laundry treatment agent is supplied by the automatic dispenser 10, and the water supply valve 7b is provided between the hose connection port 7c and the supply unit 7d. The water supply valve 7b is driven and controlled by a control device 20 (see FIG. 4) that controls the entire washing machine 1, and opens and closes the water supply path 7a.

[0012] The automatic dispenser 10 is a device that stores a plurality of loads of laundry treatment agent in advance and automatically supplies a predetermined amount of the laundry treatment agent to the water tub 5 over a plurality of washing runs. As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the automatic dispenser 10 includes treatment agent tanks 11, 12 for storing laundry treatment agents such as detergent and fabric softener, a tank housing section 13 and cover 14 for housing these, dispenser pumps 15, 16, etc. The treatment agent tanks 11, 12 of this embodiment are configured as two separate containers, for example as shown in Figure 1, and one of these, the treatment agent tank 11, stores a liquid detergent as a laundry treatment agent, and the other treatment agent tank 12 stores a liquid fabric softener as a laundry treatment agent. Both of the treatment agent tanks 11 and 12 are made of, for example, synthetic resin material and have a rectangular container shape that is long in the front-rear or left-right direction. Each of the treatment agent tanks 11 and 12 has a capacity of, for example, at least several hundred mL to 2 L in order to store the laundry treatment agent to be used for multiple operations.

[0013] In addition, since the amount of detergent consumed is greater than the amount of fabric softener consumed in a typical washing operation, of the two treatment agent tanks 11, 12 shown in Fig. 1, the treatment agent tank 11 for storing the detergent has a larger capacity than the treatment agent tank 12 for storing the fabric softener. However, the capacities of the two treatment agent tanks 11, 12 may be the same.

[0014] The automatic dispenser 10 has dispense pumps 15, 16 in a number corresponding to the processing agent tanks 11, 12 (see FIG. 2). In this embodiment, the treatment agent tanks 11, 12 and the supply pumps 15, 16 each have a substantially similar configuration and form a pair on the left and right, and therefore, for convenience, in Figure 2, they are shown one each as the "treatment agent tank 11 (12)" and the "supply pump 15 (16)."

[0015] The dosing pump 15 is configured to draw in and discharge liquid by driving a piston with an actuator such as a motor or a solenoid. The dosing pump 15 has a pump connection part 15a on the inflow side, and is connected to the treatment agent tank 11 via the pump connection part 15a. This allows the dosing pump 15 to draw in a predetermined amount of liquid detergent from the treatment agent tank 11, and discharge the drawn liquid detergent to the supply part 7d side of the water supply path 7a.

[0016] The dosing pump 16 is configured as a pump 16 similar to the dosing pump 15, and is connected to the treatment agent tank 12 via a pump connection part 16a. This allows the dosing pump 16 to suck a predetermined amount of fabric softener from the treatment agent tank 11, and discharges the sucked liquid detergent to the supply part 7d side of the water supply path 7a. The above-mentioned supply pumps 15, 16 are driven by a control device 20 that controls the washing operation, and are controlled according to the type of laundry treatment agent. The "predetermined amount of laundry treatment agent" supplied during the washing operation refers to the amount of liquid detergent or fabric softener used in one washing operation, and will be described in detail later.

[0017] As shown in Fig. 1, the tank storage section 13 faces the opening 2b on the top surface of the outer box 2, and has a rectangular box shape with the top surface of the storage section 12 open. The tank storage section 13 is formed to a size that allows, for example, two processing agent tanks 11, 12 to be stored side by side inside the outer box 2. The cover 14 of the tank storage section 13 is rectangular and fits into the opening 2b. The cover 14 is rotatably supported by a support shaft 14a provided on the rear edge of the opening 2b, and opens and closes the opening 2b.

[0018] Each of the processing agent tanks 11, 12 can be attached to and detached from the tank housing portion 13 through the opening 2b with the cover 14 open. In addition, as each of the treatment agent tanks 11, 12 is attached so as to be housed in the tank housing portion 13, it is connected to and fitted with the corresponding pump connection portion 15a, 16a (see Figs. 2 and 3). In this state, when the water supply valve 7b is opened, tap water supplied from the hose connection port 7c flows into the water supply path 7a and passes through the supply portion 7d. A predetermined amount of liquid detergent or fabric softener is automatically supplied to the supply portion 7d by the drive of the supply pump 15 or the supply pump 16. The liquid detergent or fabric softener supplied to the supply portion 7d is supplied into the water tub 5 via the water supply path 7a by the water supplied by the water supply valve 7b. In this way, the automatic dispenser 10 automatically dispenses a predetermined amount of laundry treatment agent into the water tub 5 during a washing operation.

[0019] The automatic dosing device 10 of this embodiment is configured to include reed switches 31, 32 as detection means 30 for detecting the remaining amount of laundry treatment agent in each of the treatment agent tanks 11, 12. Since the detection means 30 is disposed in the same manner in each of the treatment agent tanks 11, 12, the following description will focus on the treatment agent tank 11 and the configuration of the detection means 30 in that tank 11.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 3, the processing agent tank 11 is configured by combining a tank body 21 having an upper opening 23 and a tank cover 22 that covers the upper opening 23. The tank body 21 has a bottom wall 21a, and peripheral walls 21b to 21d, that is, a front wall 21b, a rear wall 21c, and left and right side walls 21d, and has the shape of a rectangular container that is long in the front-rear direction and has an open upper surface as described above.

[0021] The tank cover 22 is formed in the shape of a rectangular plate that is long in the front-rear direction, and is attached to the upper end of the tank body 21 to close the upper opening 23. A lid 26 that covers the supply port 25 is provided on the front part of the tank cover 22. The lid 26 is pivotally supported by a hinge 26a on the base end side thereof to open and close the supply port 25. This allows the user to open the lid 26 of the supply port 25 of the tank cover 22 in the treatment agent tank 11, supply liquid detergent through the supply port 25, and store the liquid detergent therein.

[0022] A connected portion 29 is provided inside the processing agent tank 11, located on the rear wall 21c side of the tank body 21, and is inserted into and connected to the connection portion 15a of the input pump 15. As shown in Fig. 3, the connected portion 29 has a horizontal portion extending inward from the rear wall 21c of the tank body 21 as its base end, and a vertical portion extending downward from the tip end of the horizontal portion toward the bottom wall 21a, each of which is cylindrical, and is formed into an inverted "L" shape overall.

[0023] Although not shown, a leakage prevention valve is provided at the bent portion between the horizontal and vertical portions of the connected portion 29. The leakage prevention valve is composed of a valve body that opens the internal valve port when the connecting portion 15a of the input pump 15 is inserted, and a biasing member that biases the valve body in a direction to close the valve port. As a result, when the connecting portion 15a of the input pump 15 is not inserted into the connected portion 29, the valve port is closed by the valve body, preventing the liquid detergent in the processing agent tank 11 from leaking out to the outside. On the other hand, when the connecting portion 15a of the input pump 15 is inserted into the connected portion 29, the valve body opens the valve port, allowing the input pump 15 to discharge the liquid detergent in the processing agent tank 11 to the supply portion 7d side through the connected portion 29. Although not shown, a mesh filter member is provided inside the treatment agent tank 11. The filter member is disposed at the rear lower part inside the treatment agent tank 11 so as to surround the connected part 29, and prevents dust and the like contained in the liquid detergent from being sucked in by the dosing pump 15.

[0024] As the detection means 30 , a swing lever 33 is provided within the processing agent tank 11 , and reed switches 31 , 32 are provided outside the processing agent tank 11 . 3, the swing lever 33 integrally comprises a lever portion 33b extending downward toward the front, a support portion 33c formed at the upper end of the lever portion 33b, and a float portion 33a formed at the lower end of the lever portion 33b. The support portion 33c of the swing lever 33 is attached to the rear side of the lower surface of the tank cover 22 and is supported so as to be swingable.

[0025] A permanent magnet 33m is attached to the float portion 33a as shown in Fig. 3. The float portion 33a is a float that floats on the liquid surface so that the liquid level of the liquid detergent is located approximately at the center of the float portion 33a, and the swing lever 33 swings around the support portion 33c as the amount of stored liquid detergent increases or decreases.

[0026] Here, in the treatment agent tank 11 in Fig. 3, the two-dot chain lines marked with the symbols "L0", "L1", and "L2" represent examples of liquid levels of the liquid detergent. Among these, the liquid level L1 corresponds to the liquid level of the first remaining amount when the remaining amount of liquid detergent in the treatment agent tank 11 is about 1 / 4. The liquid level L2 corresponds to the liquid level of the second remaining amount, which is located slightly above the lower end suction port 29a of the connected part 29, and at which refilling with liquid detergent is recommended.

[0027] In this case, when the liquid level of the liquid detergent stored in the treatment agent tank 11 is at level L0, the swing lever 33 is in a stopped state with the float portion 33a floating above the liquid level. When the liquid detergent in the treatment agent tank 11 falls to a first remaining liquid level L1 below the liquid level L0, the float portion 33a descends in accordance with the liquid level, and when it further falls to a second remaining liquid level L2 at which refilling of the liquid detergent is recommended, the float portion 33a descends to a position close to the bottom wall 21a of the tank 11 in accordance with the liquid level. In this way, the swing lever 33 swings in accordance with the actual remaining amount of liquid detergent in the treatment agent tank 11 such that the float portion 33a describes an arc-shaped movement locus with the support portion 33c as a fulcrum.

[0028] Of the reed switches 31, 32, one is also referred to as the first reed switch 31 and the other is also referred to as the second reed switch 32. The first reed switch 31 and the second reed switch 32 are disposed outside the processing agent tank 11 and spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction. 3, the first reed switch 31 is provided to detect the permanent magnet 33m of the float 33a at a position corresponding to the liquid level L1 of the first remaining amount on the outside of the side wall 21d of the treatment agent tank 11. In this case, the first reed switch 31 detects the first remaining amount by using the intersection of the movement trajectory of the permanent magnet 33m of the float 33a and the liquid level L1 as the liquid level detection point 31a.

[0029] The second reed switch is provided to detect the permanent magnet 33m of the float 33a at a position corresponding to the liquid level L2 of the second remaining amount on the outside of the side wall 21d of the treatment agent tank 11. The second reed switch 32 detects the second remaining amount by using the intersection of the movement trajectory of the permanent magnet 33m of the float 33a and the liquid level L2 as the liquid level detection point 32a.

[0030] Although not shown in the figure, the treatment agent tank 12 is also equipped with a detection means 30 similar to that of the treatment agent tank 11 described above, and has a rocking lever 33 and two reed switches 31, 32 that detect the liquid levels L1, L2 of the fabric softener in the tank 12 (see Figure 4), and is configured to detect the first and second remaining amounts.

[0031] 4 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the above-mentioned washing machine 1. The control device 20 of the washing machine 1 is a control means mainly composed of a microcomputer including a storage unit 20a such as a ROM and a RAM. The control device 20 is connected to the dosing pump 15 for the processing agent tank 11 in the automatic dosing device 10, the first reed switch 31, and the second reed switch 32, as well as the dosing pump 16 for the processing agent tank 12, the first reed switch 31, and the second reed switch 32. The control device 20 is also connected to the operation unit 9a, the display unit 9b, the washing machine motor 6, the water supply valve 7b, the drain valve 8b, various sensors 35, etc. The various sensors 35 include a rotation sensor that detects the rotation speed of the washing machine motor 6.

[0032] As a result, the control device 20 controls the water supply valve 7b, the input pumps 15, 16, the washing machine motor 6, the drain valve 8b, etc. based on the control program pre-stored in the memory unit 20a and input signals from various sensors 35 including each reed switch 31, 32, in accordance with the washing operation course set by the user on the operation panel 4, thereby automatically performing a washing operation consisting of each of the steps of the washing process, the rinsing process, and the spin-drying process.

[0033] The storage unit 20a also stores a dosage table that specifies the amount of laundry treatment agent to be used in one washing operation for each type of laundry treatment agent. Fig. 5 shows dosage table T that specifies the amount of liquid detergent to be dispensed in the washing step, and "A, B, C" in Fig. 5 represent commercially available liquid detergents A, B, and C.

[0034] That is, for liquid detergent A, it is recommended that 10 ml of liquid detergent be poured into water tank 5 when 30 L of water is supplied to water tank 5. For liquid detergent B and liquid detergent C, specific standard amounts, such as 25 ml / 30 L and 40 ml / 30 L, are also set as a guideline for determining the amount to be poured into water tank 5.

[0035] The input amount table T specifies the input amounts of liquid detergent A, liquid detergent B, and liquid detergent C in correspondence with the "clothes weight" (i.e., the weight of the laundry) and the "amount of water" (i.e., the amount of water) to be supplied into the water tub 5 (see FIG. 5). Although not shown in the figure, an input amount table is also specified for fabric softeners, which specifies the input amounts of each type of fabric softener in correspondence with the weight of the laundry and the amount of water to be supplied into the water tub 5. In this way, the control device 20 determines the dosage amount corresponding to the weight of the laundry in the water tank 5 or the amount of water supplied and the type of laundry treatment agent by checking the dosage amount table T, and drives and controls the dosage pumps 15, 16 to dispense the laundry treatment agent in the determined dosage amount.

[0036] As will be described in detail in the following description of operation, the control device 20 of this embodiment integrates the amount of laundry treatment agent dispensed into each of the treatment tanks 11, 12 in response to the driving of the dispense pumps 15, 16, which serve as driving means, to obtain an estimated amount (see step S6 in FIG. 6).The control device 20 then determines the difference between the first and second remaining amounts detected from the two liquid level detection points 31a, 32a in each of the treatment tanks 11, 12 as the actual amount dispensed, and compares this with the estimated amount to detect adhesion of the laundry treatment agent in each of the treatment tanks 11, 12.

[0037] The operation of the above configuration will be described below using as an example a case where the adhesion of liquid detergent in the treatment agent tank 11 is detected. Here, Fig. 6 shows a flow of the adhesion detection process executed by the control device 20, where S1, S2, ... represent each step.

[0038] First, to perform a washing operation in the washing machine 1, the user operates the power switch to turn on the power and places laundry in the spin tub 4. In addition, an operation course is selected using the operation panel 9, and automatic liquid detergent dispensing and types of liquid detergents A to C are selected. In this case, for example, the reference amounts (10 ml / 30 L, 25 ml / 30 L, 40 ml / 30 L (see FIG. 5)) of the liquid detergents A to C are displayed on the display unit 9b of the operation panel 9, and one of the reference amounts can be preset by inputting and selecting using the operation unit 9a.

[0039] The control device 20 detects the weight of the laundry when the washing operation is started and the washing step is commenced. The weight of the laundry is detected by calculating the time required to rotate the spin tub 4 up to a predetermined rotation speed, and the time required to subsequently stop the drive of the spin tub 4 by the washing machine motor 6 and rotate the spin tub 4 by inertia, thereby causing the rotation speed of the spin tub 4 to decrease to the predetermined rotation speed. The weight of the laundry is detected by the rotation load of the washing machine motor 6.

[0040] As a result, before starting the water supply for the washing process, the control device 20 checks the amount of water to be supplied to the water tank 5 and the amount of liquid detergent to be supplied by comparing it with the amount table T based on the detected weight of the laundry and a preset standard amount of liquid detergent. The weight of the laundry is detected in four stages, 1 kg, 4 kg, 6 kg, and 10 kg, as shown in Fig. 5. Therefore, for example, when the weight of the laundry is 1 kg and the preset reference amount of liquid detergent A is 10 ml / 30 L, the determined amount of water to be supplied is 30 L, and the amount of liquid detergent to be dispensed is 10 ml. The user can also input and set the amount of water to be supplied to the water tub 5 during the wash cycle using the operation unit 9a. In this case, the control device 20 determines the amount of liquid detergent to be supplied by checking the amount table T based on the set amount of water to be supplied and the reference amount of liquid detergent.

[0041] Then, before the start of water supply, the control device 20 controls the drive of the supply pump 15 to supply the determined amount of liquid detergent. In this case, the liquid detergent to be supplied is discharged from the treatment agent tank 11 to the supply section 7d side of the water supply path 7a, and is then supplied into the water tub 5 via the water supply path 7a by the water supplied by the water supply valve 7b. As a result, the required amount of liquid detergent, that is, the amount of liquid detergent for one wash, is automatically supplied into the water tub 5 during the wash stroke (S1 in FIG. 6).

[0042] At this time, the control device 20 judges whether or not the permanent magnet 33m has been detected at the liquid level detection point 31a of the first reed switch 31 before the previous washing operation (S2). The judgment in S2 is made based on the setting of a detection judgment flag F1, which will be described later. If the detection judgment flag F1 is "detected" (S2: YES), the process proceeds to S6, and if it is "not set" (S2: NO), the process proceeds to S3.

[0043] In S3, the control device 20 judges whether or not the permanent magnet 33m has been detected at the liquid level detection point 31a of the first reed switch 31 during the current washing operation. In this case, for example, when a sufficient amount of liquid detergent is stored in the treatment agent tank 11, such as the liquid level L0 in Fig. 3, the permanent magnet 33m will not be detected at the liquid level detection point 31a (S3: NO), and the adhesion judgment process for the current washing operation will end (processing skipped).

[0044] In response to this, when the controller 20 determines that the remaining amount of liquid detergent in the treatment agent tank 11 has dropped to the liquid level L1 (first remaining amount) as a result of the driving of the dosing pump 15 in S1 and that the permanent magnet 33m has been detected at the liquid level detection point 31a of the first reed switch 31 (S3: YES), it sets the detection determination flag F1 to "detected" and resets the value of the accumulated amount, which is integrated as the estimated amount, to zero (S4).The controller 20 also stores the reset value of the accumulated amount (zero) in the memory unit 20a and ends the adhesion determination process for the wash operation.

[0045] The detection determination flag F1 is a flag for determining whether or not the permanent magnet 33m has been detected by the first reed switch 31. The detection determination flag F2 is also set depending on whether or not the permanent magnet 33m has been detected by the second reed switch 32. Therefore, when the remaining amount of liquid detergent in the treatment agent tank 11 exceeds the liquid level L1 (S2: NO and S3: NO), the control device 20 sets the detection determination flags F1 and F2 to "not set", and when any of the liquid level detection points 31a and 32a detect the permanent magnet 33m, the corresponding detection determination flags F1 and F2 are set to "detected".

[0046] When a new washing operation is started and automatic liquid detergent dispensing is performed (S1), if the detection determination flag F1 is set to "detected", the control device 20 determines that the first reed switch 31 has detected the permanent magnet 33m (S2: YES). At this time, the control device 20 adds (accumulates) the amount of detergent dispensed in this automatic detergent dispensing to the cumulative amount stored in the memory unit 20a, and overwrites and updates the value of the cumulative amount with the accumulated value (S7).

[0047] Next, the control device 20 judges whether the updated cumulative amount is equal to or greater than a preset threshold value α (S8). The threshold value α is the amount α of liquid detergent, which is the difference between the first remaining amount and the second remaining amount detected from the two liquid level detection points 31a and 32a. In other words, the threshold value α is the amount α of liquid detergent that can be automatically dispensed before the liquid level of the liquid detergent in the treatment agent tank 11 shown in FIG. 3 drops from the liquid level L1 to the liquid level L2, and is uniquely determined from the capacity of the treatment agent tank 11 and the positions of the liquid level detection points 31a and 32a. Since the amount α of liquid detergent in this embodiment corresponds to approximately ¼ of the capacity of the treatment agent tank 11, even if a reference amount of liquid detergent C is set or the weight of the laundry is relatively large, multiple automatic dispenses of the liquid detergent are possible.

[0048] Therefore, when the first reed switch 31 detects the permanent magnet 33m for the first time (S3: YES), the updated cumulative amount is determined to be less than the threshold value α (S8: NO, skipped). After the first reed switch 31 detects the permanent magnet 33m for the first time, steps S1, S2, S6, S7, and S8 are repeatedly executed each time automatic dispensing of liquid detergent is performed, so that the cumulative amount gradually increases.

[0049] When the controller 20 determines that the accumulated amount is equal to or greater than the threshold value α (S8: YES), it determines whether or not the permanent magnet 33m has been detected at the liquid level detection point 32a of the second reed switch 32 (S9). In this case, when the controller 20 determines that the detection determination flag F2 is "detected" and the second reed switch 32 has detected the permanent magnet 33m (S9: YES), it determines that the liquid detergent in the treatment agent tank 11 is not stuck (S10).

[0050] In contrast, when the control device 20 determines that the detection determination flag F2 is "not set" and the second reed switch 32 has not detected the permanent magnet 33m (S9: NO), it determines that the liquid detergent in the treatment agent tank 11 has solidified (S11).

[0051] That is, steps S1, S2, S6, S7, and S8 are repeatedly executed each time automatic liquid detergent dispensing is performed until the height of the liquid detergent in the treatment agent tank 11 drops from liquid level L1 to liquid level L2, and the accumulated amount S6 is obtained as an estimated amount. Therefore, if there is no adhesion of liquid detergent in the treatment agent tank 11, the accumulated amount and the actual amount of detergent dispensed match, so if the second reed switch 32 cannot detect the permanent magnet 33m (S9: NO) at the time when the agreement is estimated (the time when YES is determined in S8), it can be determined that the actual amount of detergent dispensed is small and that the liquid detergent in the treatment agent tank 11 is stuck (S11). In this case, the control device 20 displays on the display unit 9b of the operation panel 9 that the liquid detergent is stuck, and then ends the sticking determination process.

[0052] On the other hand, if there is no sticking of liquid detergent in the treatment agent tank 11 (S10) and the cumulative amount matches the actual amount added (S8: YES and S9: YES), when the second reed switch 32 detects the permanent magnet 33m, the control device 20 displays on the display unit 9b of the operation panel 9 that it is recommended to refill the liquid detergent, and then terminates the sticking determination process. The notification that the liquid detergent has solidified or that refilling of the liquid detergent is recommended can be made by displaying a message on the display unit 9b, turning on a lamp, or by sound using a speaker (not shown). The display unit 9b, the lamp, and the speaker constitute a notification unit.

[0053] Furthermore, adhesion of liquid detergent may occur around the swing lever 33, at the lower end suction port 29a of the connected part 29, at the filter member, etc. This may affect the detection accuracy of the liquid levels L1, L2 by the liquid level detection points 31a, 32a and the actual amount of liquid detergent dispensed into the water tub 5, and may also affect the detergent concentration in the water tub 5 and ultimately the cleaning power. However, by detecting adhesion of liquid detergent by the above-mentioned detection means 30 and reporting it on the display unit 9b, etc., the user can be prompted to maintain the treatment agent tank 11.

[0054] Furthermore, the threshold value α used to determine whether or not the liquid detergent has stuck is set to a relatively large value so that the liquid level detection points 31a, 32a are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction to ensure that multiple doses of liquid detergent are dispensed. This setting makes it possible to more accurately determine whether or not the liquid detergent has stuck, and improves the reliability of the determination, compared to when the threshold value is set to the amount of liquid detergent dispensed in one dose, i.e., when the threshold value is set to approximately the reference amount in the dispense amount table T and stuck liquid detergent is determined after one automatic dispense.

[0055] As described above, in the washing machine 1 of this embodiment, the detection means 30 has at least two preset liquid level detection points 31a, 32a, and the control means integrates the amount of laundry treatment agent dispensed in response to the driving of the drive means to obtain an estimated amount, and detects adhesion of laundry treatment agent in the treatment agent tank 11 by comparing the difference between the first remaining amount and the second remaining amount detected from the two liquid level detection points 31a, 32a as the actual dispensed amount with the estimated amount.

[0056] In the above configuration, for example, as in S8, the threshold value α is set as the actual input amount and compared with the estimated amount, which is the cumulative amount. If there is no adhesion of the laundry treatment agent in the treatment agent tank 11, the actual input amount and the estimated amount will match, so if the second remaining amount cannot be detected at the liquid level detection point 32a, it means that the laundry treatment agent has not decreased in response to the driving of the driving means. Therefore, in such a case, it can be determined that the actual input amount is small and the liquid detergent in the treatment agent tank 11 has stuck. Also, according to this, it is possible to determine whether the liquid detergent has stuck by a relatively inexpensive and simple configuration using two liquid level detection points 31a, 32a. In this embodiment, the configuration for detecting adhesion of liquid detergent in the treatment agent tank 11 has been mainly described, however, it goes without saying that adhesion of fabric softener in the treatment agent tank 12 can also be detected using a detection means 30 similar to that in the treatment agent tank 11.

[0057] When the control means detects the first remaining amount at one of the two liquid level detection points 31a, 32a, and then the integrated estimated amount reaches the threshold value α corresponding to the difference, but does not detect the second remaining amount at the other liquid level detection point 32a, the control means detects this as adhesion of the laundry treatment agent. According to this, by setting the threshold value α in advance, it is possible to simply and unambiguously determine adhesion of the laundry treatment agent.

[0058] Of the two liquid level detection points 31a, 32a, one liquid level detection point 32a is disposed at a position that corresponds to the remaining amount of laundry treatment agent at which replenishment is recommended. According to this, a single liquid level detection point 32a can be used to identify a state in which the remaining amount of laundry treatment agent in the treatment agent tank 11 is low. In addition, if the user visually recognizes that the laundry treatment agent has stuck in the treatment agent tank 11 when refilling the laundry treatment agent, this can be used as an opportunity to clean the treatment agent tank 11.

[0059] The device includes a notification unit for notifying the user when adhesion of the laundry treatment agent in the treatment agent tank 11 is detected. With this, by notifying the user of adhesion of the liquid detergent in the treatment agent tank 11 using, for example, the display unit 9b as the notification unit, the user is prompted to clean the treatment agent tank 11, and the liquid detergent is prevented from being used while it is still adhered to the tank.

[0060] <Other embodiments> Fig. 7 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. S21, S22, S23, S24, and S25 in Fig. 7 are similar to S1, S2, S3, S4, and S5 in Fig. 6. Therefore, the following mainly describes the points that are substantially different from the previously described embodiments.

[0061] That is, when automatic dispensing of liquid detergent is performed in S21, the control device 20 determines whether or not the permanent magnet 33m has been detected by the first reed switch 31 before the previous washing operation (S22). When the control device 20 determines from the detection determination flag F1 that the permanent magnet 33m has been detected by the first reed switch 31 (S22: YES), it adds the amount of magnet inserted in this automatic insertion to the cumulative amount stored in the memory unit 20a and updates the cumulative amount after the addition (S27).

[0062] Next, the control device 20 determines whether or not the permanent magnet 33m has been detected at the liquid level detection point 32a of the second reed switch 32 by this automatic closing (S28). In this case, as described above, it is planned that the automatic closing will be repeated multiple times from when the permanent magnet 33m is first detected at the liquid level detection point 32a of the first reed switch 31 until the permanent magnet 33m is detected at the liquid level detection point 32a of the second reed switch 32. Therefore, after the first reed switch 31 detects the permanent magnet 33m for the first time (S23: YES), the second reed switch 32 will not detect the permanent magnet 33m by this automatic closing (S28: NO).

[0063] In contrast, after the first reed switch 31 initially detects the permanent magnet 33m, steps S21, S22, S26, S27, and S28 are repeatedly executed each time automatic dispensing of liquid detergent is performed, so that the cumulative amount accumulated in S26 gradually increases, and when it reaches the second remaining amount, the permanent magnet 33m is detected by the second reed switch 32 (S28: YES).

[0064] At this time, the control device 20 judges whether the cumulative amount updated in S27 is equal to or less than a preset threshold value α (S29). If the control device 20 judges that the cumulative amount is equal to or less than the threshold value α (cumulative amount≦threshold value α, S29: YES), it judges that the liquid detergent in the treatment agent tank 11 is not stuck (S30), and if the control device 20 judges that the cumulative amount exceeds the threshold value α (S29: NO), it judges that the liquid detergent in the treatment agent tank 11 is stuck (S31).

[0065] That is, steps S21, S22, S26, S27, and S28 are repeatedly executed each time automatic liquid detergent dispensing is performed until the height of the liquid detergent in the treatment agent tank 11 drops from liquid level L1 to liquid level L2, and the accumulated amount in S26 is obtained as an estimated amount. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, if there is no solidification of liquid detergent in the treatment agent tank 11, the accumulated amount and the actual amount dispensed match, and if the accumulated amount exceeds the threshold value α (S29: NO) at the time when the agreement is estimated (the time when YES is determined in S28), it can be determined that the actual amount dispensed is small and the liquid detergent in the treatment agent tank 11 is solidified (S31). In this case, the control device 20 displays on the display unit 9b of the operation panel 9 that the liquid detergent is solidified, and then ends the solidification determination process.

[0066] Furthermore, in this second embodiment, when the control device 20 detects the permanent magnet 33m by the second reed switch 32 (S28: YES), it determines that the liquid detergent in the treatment agent tank 11 has fallen to a second remaining amount, and displays on the display unit 9b of the operation panel 9 that it is recommended to refill the liquid detergent.

[0067] As described above, the control means of the second embodiment detects the accumulated estimated amount as adhesion of laundry treatment agent when the accumulated estimated amount exceeds the threshold value α corresponding to the difference between the time when the first remaining amount is detected at one of the two liquid level detection points 31a, 32a and the time when the second remaining amount is detected at the other liquid level detection point 32a. According to this, by setting the threshold value α in advance, it is possible to easily and uniquely determine whether the laundry treatment agent has adhered, and the like. This provides the same effects as the first embodiment.

[0068] Of course, each of the above-described embodiments can be applied to a vertical axis type washing machine (not shown). In addition, each of the embodiments can be combined, or the modified forms described in each of the embodiments can be combined. The two liquid level detection points in the detection means 30 are not limited to the liquid level detection points 31a, 32a in the reed switches 31, 32, but may be two liquid level detection points in the float portion 33a of the swing lever 33. Specifically, a plurality of permanent magnets are provided as liquid level detection points for the float portion 33a, and a linear Hall sensor is provided outside the processing agent tank 11. The linear Hall sensor is a sensor that outputs a voltage linearly in response to a change in magnetism, and the output value is read by the control device 20 to identify the state of magnetism, i.e., the position of the float portion 33a. Therefore, by arranging a plurality of permanent magnets at a distance from each other in the float portion 33a, it is possible to detect the corresponding first and second remaining amounts.

[0069] When the liquid level L1 is detected by the first reed switch 31, the notification unit may notify that the remaining amount of the laundry treatment agent is low. In this case, for example, the display unit 9b of the operation panel 9 displays the remaining amount of the liquid detergent in stages corresponding to the liquid levels L1, L2 detected by the first reed switch 31 and the second reed switch 32. In this way, by utilizing the two liquid level detection points 31a, 32a, not only adhesion of the laundry treatment agent but also reduction in the remaining amount can be detected, which is inexpensive and improves convenience.

[0070] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples. These novel embodiments are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. , and can be implemented in various other forms, without departing from the spirit of the invention. Various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made. These embodiments and modifications are within the scope of the invention. Patent claims and their equivalents Can be enjoyed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] In the drawings, 1 is a washing machine, 5 is a water tub, 9b is a display unit (alert unit), 10 is an automatic dosing device, 11 and 12 are processing agent tanks, 15 and 16 are dosing pumps (driving means), 20 is a control device (control means), 30 is a detection means, and 31a and 32a are liquid level detection points.

Claims

1. Outer box and A water tank provided inside the outer box; A device for automatically adding a predetermined amount of laundry treatment agent to the water tub during a washing operation, the automatic adding device having a treatment agent tank capable of storing a laundry treatment agent for multiple washes and a driving means for driving the laundry treatment agent in the treatment agent tank to the water tub; a detection means for detecting a remaining amount of the laundry treatment agent in the treatment agent tank; A control means for controlling the washing operation, The detection means has at least two preset liquid level detection points, The control means is configured to integrate the amount of laundry treatment agent dispensed in response to the drive means to obtain an estimated amount, and to detect adhesion of the laundry treatment agent in the treatment agent tank by comparing the difference between the first remaining amount and the second remaining amount detected from the two liquid level detection points as the actual amount dispensed with and with the estimated amount, and if the first remaining amount is detected at one of the two liquid level detection points and the integrated estimated amount reaches a threshold value equivalent to the difference, but the second remaining amount is not detected at the other liquid level detection point, the washing machine detects this as adhesion of the laundry treatment agent.

2. Outer box and A water tank provided inside the outer box; A device for automatically adding a predetermined amount of laundry treatment agent to the water tub during a washing operation, the automatic adding device having a treatment agent tank capable of storing a laundry treatment agent for multiple washes and a driving means for driving the laundry treatment agent in the treatment agent tank to the water tub; a detection means for detecting a remaining amount of the laundry treatment agent in the treatment agent tank; A control means for controlling the washing operation, The detection means has at least two preset liquid level detection points, The control means is configured to integrate the amount of laundry treatment agent dispensed in response to the drive means to obtain an estimated amount, and to detect adhesion of the laundry treatment agent in the treatment agent tank by comparing the difference between the first remaining amount and the second remaining amount detected from the two liquid level detection points as the actual amount dispensed with the estimated amount, and if the integrated estimated amount exceeds a threshold value corresponding to the difference between the detection of the first remaining amount at one of the two liquid level detection points and the detection of the second remaining amount at the other liquid level detection point, the washing machine detects this as adhesion of the laundry treatment agent.

3. 3. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein one of the two liquid level detection points is located at a position corresponding to a remaining amount of the laundry treatment agent at which replenishment is recommended.

4. 4. The washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising an alarm unit for notifying the user when adhesion of the laundry treatment agent in the treatment agent tank is detected.

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