CN116234953A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A fully automatic washing machine (1) capable of properly handling a coagulated washing liquid agent when the washing liquid agent is fixed to an electrode terminal, comprising: a washing and dehydrating barrel (22) which is arranged in the box body (10) and used for washing the washed objects; a detergent box (400) for storing liquid detergent; a water supply unit (600) for throwing the detergent in the detergent box (400) into the washing and dehydrating barrel (22); a pair of electrode terminals (421, 422) disposed in the detergent case (400); a detergent amount detection unit (804) that outputs a pulse signal that changes according to a resistance value generated between the pair of electrode terminals (421, 422); a control unit (801); and a display unit (720). The control unit (801) determines whether or not a solidified detergent is fixed to the electrode terminals (421, 422) based on the pulse signal, and causes the display unit (720) to notify when it is determined that a solidified liquid agent is fixed to the electrode terminals (421, 422).

Description

Washing machine Technical Field

The present invention relates to a washing machine.

Background

For example, patent document 1 describes a washing machine capable of automatically charging a liquid detergent into a washing and dehydrating tub.

The washing machine of patent document 1 has a detergent box provided in a casing and accommodating a liquid detergent. The detergent box is closed inside by closing a supplementary inlet for supplementary detergent by a detergent box cover, and has an air inflow port and a liquid discharge port. The air inflow port is connected to an air pump. When the air pump is operated, the air pressure in the sealed detergent box is raised, and the detergent in the detergent box is extruded from the liquid outlet and put into the washing and dehydrating barrel. The user does not need to throw one amount of detergent into the washing machine during each washing operation, which is convenient.

When the remaining amount of the detergent in the detergent box becomes small, it is necessary to replenish the detergent in the detergent box. Therefore, the following structure can be considered: by detecting the liquid level in the detergent box, a message informing that the detergent needs to be replenished is given at the moment when the residual amount of the detergent in the detergent box is reduced.

In this case, it is possible to dispose a pair of electrode terminals in the detergent box and determine whether or not the liquid level in the detergent box is lower than a predetermined liquid level based on a change in resistance value generated between the pair of electrode terminals. When the amount of residual liquid in the detergent case becomes small and the state is made such that the detergent is not interposed between the pair of electrode terminals but air is interposed between the pair of electrode terminals, the resistance value between the pair of electrode terminals becomes large.

In addition, when the liquid level in the detergent box is lower than the prescribed liquid level, the detergent may remain on the surfaces of the pair of electrode terminals. If left alone for a long period of time without the replenishment of the detergent, the remaining detergent may be dried and solidified, and the solidified detergent may be fixed to the surface of the electrode terminal and cover the surface.

The resistance value of the detergent solidified into a gel-like solid state increases greatly. Therefore, in the case where the solidified detergent is fixed to the pair of electrode terminals, even if the detergent is then poured into the detergent box to increase the remaining amount of the detergent, the solidified detergent is interposed between the liquid detergent and the electrode terminals, and the resistance value between the pair of electrode terminals is easily kept high. In this way, there is a risk of erroneous judgment that the remaining amount of the detergent is reduced.

Prior art literature

Patent literature

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open No. 2001-259290

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine capable of appropriately coping with a case where a coagulated washing liquid agent is fixed to an electrode terminal.

Solution for solving the problem

The washing machine according to the main aspect of the present invention comprises: a washing barrel configured in the box body for washing the washed objects; a case for storing a liquid for washing; a loading mechanism for discharging the liquid agent from the inside of the case and loading the liquid agent into the washing tub; a pair of electrode terminals disposed in the case; a detection unit that outputs a detection signal that changes according to a resistance value generated between the pair of electrode terminals; a control unit that makes a first determination as to whether or not the liquid level in the case is lower than a predetermined liquid level, based on the detection signal; and a notification unit. Wherein the control unit makes a second determination as to whether or not the coagulated liquid agent is fixed to the electrode terminal based on the detection signal, and causes the notification unit to notify when it is determined that the coagulated liquid agent is fixed to the electrode terminal.

According to the above configuration, when the solidified liquid agent is fixed to the electrode terminal, the notification is provided by the notification unit, and therefore, the liquid level in the case can be prevented from being erroneously determined without being left alone in a state where the fixation of the liquid agent occurs.

In the washing machine of the present embodiment, a structure further including a storage unit may be employed. In this case, the control section may have the following structure: the detection signal output from the detection unit in a state before the liquid agent is put into the cartridge is stored in the storage unit as a reference detection signal, and the second determination is performed based on a result of comparing the detection signal obtained for the second determination with the reference detection signal.

According to the above configuration, since the reference detection signal actually obtained before the liquid agent is put into the cartridge is set as a reference for comparison with the detection signal obtained when the fixation of the solidified liquid agent is determined, the presence or absence of the fixation of the liquid agent can be accurately determined.

In the washing machine of the present aspect, the control unit may be configured to execute a process of discharging the liquid formulation from the inside of the casing and a process of discharging the hot water stored in the casing from the inside of the casing at a certain time after the storage, based on a predetermined operation.

According to the above configuration, the liquid agent fixed to the electrode terminal can be dissolved and removed by the hot water stored in the case.

Effects of the invention

According to the present invention, a washing machine that can appropriately cope with a case where a solidified washing liquid is fixed to an electrode terminal can be provided.

The effects and meaning of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of the embodiments. However, the following embodiment is merely an example of the implementation of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the contents described in the following embodiment.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a side sectional view of a full automatic washing machine of an embodiment.

Fig. 2 (a) is a perspective view of the ultrasonic cleaning device and the upper panel in a state in which the ultrasonic cleaning unit and the water storage unit are housed in the housing unit according to the embodiment. Fig. 2 (b) and (c) are perspective views of the main parts of the ultrasonic cleaning device and the upper panel in a state in which the ultrasonic cleaning unit and the water storage unit are pulled out from the storage unit according to the embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the structure of the water supply device according to the embodiment.

Fig. 4 (a) and (b) are top and bottom views, respectively, of the detergent box of the embodiment, and fig. 4 (c) is A-A' cross-sectional view of fig. 4 (a).

Fig. 5 (a) and (B) are top and bottom views, respectively, of the softener case of the embodiment, and fig. 5 (c) is a B-B' cross-sectional view of fig. 5 (a).

Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing the structure of the full-automatic washing machine according to the embodiment.

Fig. 7 (a) is a flowchart showing a process for acquiring a reference pulse signal according to the embodiment. Fig. 7 (b) is a flowchart showing the liquid agent replenishment notification processing according to the embodiment.

Fig. 8 (a) and (b) are diagrams schematically showing pulse signals output from the detergent amount detecting unit when the liquid level in the detergent box according to the embodiment is higher than the predetermined liquid level and lower than the predetermined liquid level, respectively. Fig. 8 (c) is a diagram schematically showing a pulse signal output from the detergent amount detecting unit in the case where the solidified detergent is fixed to the pair of electrode terminals according to the embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing a control process of the electrode cleaning operation according to the embodiment.

Description of the reference numerals

1: full automatic washing machine (washing machine); 10: a case; 22: washing dehydration barrel (washing barrel); 400: detergent box (box body); 421. 422: a pair of electrode terminals; 500: softener box (box body); 521. 522: a pair of electrode terminals; 600: a water supply unit (input mechanism part); 720: a display unit (notification unit); 801: a control unit; 802: a storage unit; 804: a detergent amount detecting unit (detecting unit); 805: a compliance amount detecting section (detecting section).

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the washing machine of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a side sectional view of a fully automatic washing machine 1.

Referring to fig. 1, a fully automatic washing machine 1 includes a casing 10 that forms an outer contour. The case 10 includes a square tubular body portion 11 having an upper and lower surface open, an upper panel 12 covering the upper surface of the body portion 11, and a footstand 13 supporting the body portion 11. An inlet 14 for laundry is formed in the upper panel 12. The inlet 14 is covered with a freely openable and closable upper cover 15. A control unit 16 is disposed inside the front portion of the upper panel 12. The control unit 16 controls the washing operation of the fully automatic washing machine 1 and the washing operation of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50.

The tub 20 having an open upper surface is elastically suspended and supported in the cabinet 10 by four hanging bars 21 having vibration-proof devices. A washing and dehydrating tub 22 having an open upper surface is disposed in the outer tub 20. The washing and dehydrating tub 22 rotates around a rotation axis extending in the vertical direction. A plurality of dehydration holes 22a are formed throughout the entire circumference on the inner circumferential surface of the washing and dehydrating tub 22. A balance ring 23 is provided at an upper portion of the washing and dehydrating tub 22. A pulsator 24 is disposed at the bottom of the washing and dehydrating tub 22. A plurality of blades 24a are radially provided on the surface of the pulsator 24. The washing and dehydrating tub 22 corresponds to a "washing tub" of the present invention.

A driving unit 30 for generating torque for driving the washing and dehydrating tub 22 and the pulsator 24 is disposed at an outer bottom of the outer tub 20. The drive unit 30 includes a drive motor 31 and a transmission mechanism portion 32. The transmission mechanism 32 has a clutch mechanism 32a, and transmits the torque of the drive motor 31 to only the pulsator 24 to rotate only the pulsator 24 during the washing and rinsing processes, and transmits the torque of the drive motor 31 to the pulsator 24 and the washing and dehydrating tub 22 to integrally rotate the pulsator 24 and the washing and dehydrating tub 22 during the dehydrating process, by the switching operation performed by the clutch mechanism 32 a.

A drain port 20a is formed at an outer bottom of the outer tub 20. A drain valve 40 is provided in the drain port 20a. The drain valve 40 is connected to a drain hose 41. When the drain valve 40 is opened, water stored in the wash water and dehydrating tub 22 and the outer tub 20 is discharged to the outside through the drain hose 41.

An overflow 20b is formed at an upper portion of the outer tub 20. When water above a predetermined overflow level is stored in the outer tub 20, water is discharged from the overflow port 20b. An overflow receiving portion 25 is provided on the outer surface of the outer tub 20 so as to cover the overflow port 20b. An overflow pipe 26 is connected to the bottom of the overflow receiving portion 25. The other end of the overflow pipe 26 is connected to a drain hose 41. The water discharged from the overflow 20b is received by the overflow receiving portion 25 and then flows to the drain hose 41 through the overflow pipe 26.

An ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is disposed at a substantially center of the rear portion of the upper panel 12. The ultrasonic cleaning apparatus 50 mainly performs a cleaning operation for removing dirt locally adhering to the object to be cleaned before the washing operation of the fully automatic washing machine 1.

A storage tank 60 is disposed behind the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 at the rear of the upper panel 12, and a drain receiving unit 70 is disposed below the ultrasonic cleaning device 50. The storage tank 60 stores water containing a detergent to be supplied to the water storage tub 210 of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 as cleaning water. The storage tank 60 is provided with a supply valve 61 for opening and closing an outflow port of the washing water from the tank.

The drain receiving portion 70 receives water drained from the water storage tub 210. The drain receiving portion 70 has a drain hole 71 for discharging the received water. One end of a drain pipe 72 is connected to the drain hole 71. The other end of the drain pipe 72 is connected to the upper portion of the overflow pipe 26. The water received by the drain receiving portion 70 is discharged to the drain hose 41 through the drain pipe 72 and the overflow pipe 26.

A water supply device 80 is disposed at the rear of the upper panel 12 so as to surround the ultrasonic cleaning device 50. The water supply device 80 is connected to a faucet, and has a function of supplying water into the washing and dehydrating tub 22. The water supply device 80 also functions as an automatic input device for automatically inputting the liquid detergent and the softener into the washing and dehydrating tub 22. The water supply device 80 further has a function of supplying the cleaning water to the storage tank 60. The detergent and softener are liquid agents for washing, and hereinafter, the detergent and softener may be collectively referred to as "liquid agent".

Fig. 2 (a) is a perspective view of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 and the upper panel 12 in a state where the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200 are housed in the housing unit 17. Fig. 2 (b) and (c) are perspective views of the main parts of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 and the upper panel 12 in a state where the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200 are pulled out from the storage unit 17. In fig. 2 (c), the cover 17b is omitted in order to see the inside of the housing 17.

Referring to fig. 2 (a) to (c), a receiving portion 17 for receiving the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is provided in the center of the rear portion of the upper panel 12. The front of the housing 17 in the upper panel 12 is opened as an entrance 17 a. A cover 17b is provided at the inlet/outlet 17 a.

The ultrasonic cleaning device 50 includes an ultrasonic cleaning section 100, a water storage section 200, and a main body section 300. The ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 includes an ultrasonic wave generating body 110 that generates ultrasonic waves, and is held by a main body 300. The water storage portion 200 is provided with a water storage tub 210 which is located below the ultrasonic wave generator 110 and can store washing water. The water tank 210 is supplied with washing water from a supply nozzle 62 connected to a supply valve 61 of the sump 60. The water storage part 200 is detachably attached to the main body part 300.

As shown in fig. 2 (a), during the cleaning operation, the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is pulled forward from the housing 17 and protrudes toward the inside of the inlet 14 of the upper panel 12. On the other hand, as shown in fig. 2 (b) and (c), when the cleaning operation is not performed, the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is stored in the storage unit 17. The inlet/outlet 17a of the housing 17 is closed by a cover 17b.

As shown in fig. 2 (a), the upper panel 12 has a funnel-shaped detergent injection port 18 formed at the rear left side of the inlet 14, and a funnel-shaped softener injection port 19 formed at the rear right side of the inlet 14. An opening 18a formed in the center of the detergent inlet 18 is connected to an inlet of a detergent box 400 described later. Filter 410 is attached to the inlet through opening 18 a. The opening 19a formed in the center of the softener inlet 19 is connected to an inlet of a softener cartridge 500 described later. The filter 510 is attached to the inlet through the opening 19 a. The liquid detergent is introduced into the detergent box 400 through the detergent injection port 18, and the liquid softener is introduced into the softener box 500 through the softener injection port 19.

Fig. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the structure of the water supply device 80. Fig. 4 (a) and (b) are top and bottom views, respectively, of the detergent box 400, and fig. 4 (c) is A-A' cross-sectional view of fig. 4 (a). Fig. 5 (a) and (B) are top and bottom views, respectively, of the softener box 500, and fig. 5 (c) is a B-B' cross-sectional view of fig. 5 (a).

As shown in fig. 3, the water supply device 80 includes a detergent box 400, a softener box 500, and a water supply unit 600.

The detergent box 400 can store liquid detergent therein. The softener box 500 can store liquid softener therein. The water supply unit 600 intakes the detergent and the softener from the detergent box 400 and the softener box 500, respectively, and causes the taken-in detergent and softener to flow into the wash water dehydration tub 22 by supplying water to the wash water dehydration tub 22. In this manner, the water supply unit 600 inputs the detergent discharged from the detergent box 400 and the softener discharged from the softener box 500 into the washing and dehydrating tub 22. The detergent box 400 and the softener box 500 correspond to "boxes" of the present invention, and the water supply unit 600 corresponds to an input mechanism.

As shown in fig. 4 (a) and (b), the detergent box 400 is formed of, for example, a resin material and has a box shape long in the front-rear direction. A circular inlet 401 is formed on the front side of the upper surface of the detergent box 400. A filter 410 is attached to the inlet 401. The filter 410 captures foreign matters entering the detergent box 400 from the inlet 401. A circular discharge portion 402 protruding downward is formed on the front side of the bottom surface of the detergent box 400. A cylindrical discharge port 403 extending rearward is formed in the peripheral surface of the discharge portion 402.

As shown in fig. 4 (c), the detergent box 400 includes a detergent electrode unit 420 in order to detect that the remaining amount of the detergent in the box is reduced. The detergent electrode unit 420 is composed of a pair of electrode terminals 421, 422, i.e., a first electrode terminal 421 and a second electrode terminal 422.

The first electrode terminal 421 and the second electrode terminal 422 are formed of a conductive material such as steel, and include round bar-shaped terminal portions 421a and 422a and head portions 421b and 422b provided at upper end portions of the terminal portions 421a and 422 a. External threads are formed at the upper portions of the respective terminal portions 421a, 422 a. Further, a cross-shaped groove is formed in each of the head portions 421b, 422b so that the first electrode terminal 421 and the second electrode terminal 422 can be rotated by a screwdriver.

A first fitting boss 404 and a second fitting boss 405 protruding toward the inside of the case are formed on the top surface of the detergent case 400 in a manner of being aligned in the left-right direction. The first electrode terminal 421 and the second electrode terminal 422 are inserted into the inside of the detergent box 400 from above through the first and second fitting bosses 404 and 405. At this time, the upper portions of the terminal portions 421a, 422a having the external threads are fixed through the first fitting boss 404 and the second fitting boss 405 while rotating. As such, the first electrode terminal 421 and the second electrode terminal 422 are fixed to the top surface portion of the detergent box 400. The terminal portions 421a, 422a of the first electrode terminal 421 and the second electrode terminal 422 extend downward from the top surface portion of the detergent box 400, and the tip ends thereof are located near the bottom surface portion of the detergent box 400. The interval between the first electrode terminal 421 and the second electrode terminal 422 is relatively small, and is set to be about ten millimeters, for example.

When the liquid level in the detergent box 400 is higher than the predetermined liquid level L1 and the detergent is sufficiently interposed between the pair of electrode terminals 421 and 422, the resistance value generated between the pair of electrode terminals 421 and 422 is relatively small, and when the liquid level in the detergent box 400 is lower than the predetermined liquid level L1 and the detergent is hardly interposed or not interposed at all between the pair of electrode terminals 421 and 422, the resistance value generated between the pair of electrode terminals 421 and 422 is relatively large because of the substantially air interposed therebetween.

As shown in fig. 5 (a) and (b), the softener case 500 is formed of, for example, a resin material, and has a box shape long in the front-rear direction. A circular inlet 501 is formed on the front side of the upper surface of the softener case 500. A filter 510 is attached to the inlet 501. The filter 510 captures foreign matter entering the softener box 500 from the inlet 501. A circular discharge portion 502 protruding downward is formed on the front side of the bottom surface of the softener case 500. A cylindrical discharge port 503 extending rearward is formed in the peripheral surface of the discharge portion 502.

As shown in fig. 5 (c), the softener cartridge 500 includes a softener electrode unit 520 in order to detect that the remaining amount of the softener in the cartridge is reduced. The compliant electrode unit 520 is composed of a pair of electrode terminals 521, 522, i.e., a first electrode terminal 521 and a second electrode terminal 522.

The first electrode terminal 521 and the second electrode terminal 522 have the same structure as the pair of electrode terminals 421 and 422 of the detergent electrode unit 420, and include terminal portions 521a and 522a having male screws and head portions 521b and 522b having cross-shaped grooves.

As with the detergent box 400, a first fitting boss 504 and a second fitting boss 505 are formed at the top surface portion of the softener box 500. The first electrode terminal 521 and the second electrode terminal 522 are inserted into the inside of the softener case 500 from above through these fitting bosses 504, 505, and are fixed to these fitting bosses 504, 505. The terminal portions 521a and 522a of the first electrode terminal 521 and the second electrode terminal 522 extend downward from the top surface portion of the softener case 500, and the tips thereof are located near the bottom surface portion of the softener case 500. The interval between the first electrode terminal 521 and the second electrode terminal 522 is relatively small, and is set to be about ten millimeters, for example.

When the liquid level in the softener case 500 is higher than the predetermined liquid level L2 and the softener is sufficiently interposed between the pair of electrode terminals 521 and 522, the resistance value generated between the pair of electrode terminals 521 and 522 is relatively small, and when the liquid level in the softener case 500 is lower than the predetermined liquid level L2 and the softener is hardly interposed or not interposed at all between the pair of electrode terminals 521 and 522, the resistance value generated between the pair of electrode terminals 521 and 522 is relatively large because of the substantially air interposed therebetween.

Referring to fig. 3, the water supply unit 600 includes: waterway member 610, water supply valve 620, first three-way valve 630, second three-way valve 640, third three-way valve 650, and pump 660.

The water channel member 610 is provided with a water filling chamber 611. A water filling port 611a is formed at the bottom of the water filling chamber 611 and at the tip. The water filling port 611a faces above the washing and dehydrating tub 22.

A first waterway 612 and a second waterway 613 connected to the water filling chamber 611 are formed in the waterway member 610, and an inflow port 614 for water flowing to the first waterway 612 and an inflow port 615 for water flowing to the second waterway 613 are provided. Further, a branch waterway 616 branched from the first waterway 612 for supplying water to the storage tank 60 is formed in the waterway member 610. The outflow port 616a of the branch waterway 616 is connected to the inflow port of the storage tank 60.

A second three-way valve 640, a first three-way valve 630, a pump 660, and a third three-way valve 650 are disposed in the first waterway 612 in this order from the upstream, midway along the path from the inflow port 614 to the water injection chamber 611. Accordingly, the first waterway 612 is partitioned at the positions of the second three-way valve 640, the first three-way valve 630, the pump 660, and the third three-way valve 650, and has upstream side connection ports 617a, 617b, 617c, 617d and downstream side connection ports 618a, 618b, 618c, 618d at the respective positions.

The water supply valve 620 is a so-called double valve having a first valve 621 and a second valve 622 having a rated flow greater than that of the first valve 621. The water inlet 623 of the water supply valve 620 is connected to a faucet via a water supply hose, not shown. The water outlet 624 of the first valve 621 is connected to the inlet 614, and the water outlet 625 of the second valve 622 is connected to the inlet 615.

The first three-way valve 630 and the second three-way valve 640 have first water inlets 631, 641, second water inlets 632, 642, and water outlets 633, 643, and can be switched between a state in which the first water inlets 631, 641 communicate with the water outlets 633, 643 and a state in which the second water inlets 632, 642 communicate with the water outlets 633, 643. The third three-way valve 650 has a water inlet 651, a first water outlet 652, and a second water outlet 653, and is switchable between a state in which the water inlet 651 is in communication with the first water outlet 652 and a state in which the water inlet 651 is in communication with the second water outlet 653.

The first water inlet 631 and the water outlet 633 of the first three-way valve 630 are connected to the upstream connection port 617b and the downstream connection port 618b, respectively. The water inlet 651, the first water outlet 652, and the second water outlet 653 of the third three-way valve 650 are connected to the upstream connection port 617d, the downstream connection port 618d, and the connection port 616b of the branch waterway 616, respectively. The first water inlet 641 and the water outlet 643 of the second three-way valve 640 are connected to the upstream connection port 617a and the downstream connection port 618a, respectively.

Pump 660 is a piston pump. The suction port 661 and the discharge port 662 of the pump 660 are connected to the upstream connection port 617c and the downstream connection port 618c, respectively.

The second water inlet 632 of the first three-way valve 630 is connected to the discharge port 403 of the detergent box 400 via a rubber detergent supply pipe 430. The second water inlet 642 of the second three-way valve 640 is connected to the outlet 503 of the softener box 500 via a softener supply pipe 530 made of rubber.

Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing the structure of the fully automatic washing machine 1.

The fully automatic washing machine 1 includes an operation unit 710 and a display unit 720 in addition to the above-described configuration. Further, the control unit 16 includes: a control unit 801, a storage unit 802, an operation detection unit 803, a detergent amount detection unit 804, a softener amount detection unit 805, a display drive unit 806, a motor drive unit 807, a clutch drive unit 808, six valve drive units 809 to 814, a pump drive unit 815, and a generator drive unit 816. The detergent amount detecting unit 804 and the softener amount detecting unit 805 correspond to "detecting units" in the present invention.

The operation unit 710 includes various operation buttons such as a power-on button 711, a power-off button 712, a start button 713, a mode selection button 714, a cleaning button 715, a detergent throw-in button 716, and a softener throw-in button 717. The power on button 711 and the power off button 712 are buttons for turning on and off power to the fully automatic washing machine 1, respectively. The start button 713 is a button for starting the washing operation and the cleaning operation. The mode selection button 714 is a button for selecting an arbitrary operation mode from a plurality of operation modes of the washing operation. The cleaning button 715 is a button for selecting a cleaning operation. The detergent input button 716 is a button for selecting whether or not to set automatic input of detergent, and if the automatic input is set, setting the amount of detergent to be one of normal, more amount, and less amount. The softener input button 717 is a button for selecting whether or not to set the automatic input of the softener, and if the automatic input is set, setting the amount of the softener to one of normal, larger amount, and smaller amount.

The display unit 720 includes a plurality of LEDs and a seven-segment display, and displays the operation mode selected by the mode selection button 714, the progress degree or the remaining time of the washing operation, and the setting results of the detergent push-in button 716 and the softener push-in button 717, that is, one of "normal", "large amount", "small amount", and "none", and the like. Further, the display unit 720 displays that the detergent and the softener are required to be replenished, and that the pair of electrode terminals 421 and 422 in the detergent box 400 and the pair of electrode terminals 521 and 522 in the softener box 500 are required to be cleaned. The display unit 720 corresponds to a "notification unit" of the present invention.

The operation detection unit 803 outputs an operation signal corresponding to an operation button operated by the user, among the various operation buttons of the operation unit 710, to the control unit 801.

The detergent amount detector 804 is connected to a pair of electrode terminals 421 and 422 of the detergent electrode unit 420. The detergent amount detecting section 804 has a circuit configuration including a rectangular wave generating circuit and an inverting circuit inverting an output voltage of the rectangular wave generating circuit, and outputs a pulse signal in which a pulse width and a period of a high voltage vary according to a resistance value generated in the pair of electrode terminals 421 and 422 by shifting a voltage waveform of a reference terminal of a comparator constituting the rectangular wave generating circuit in a voltage magnitude direction. For example, when the liquid level in the detergent box 400 is higher than the predetermined liquid level L1 and the resistance between the pair of electrode terminals 421 and 422 is in a relatively low state, the pulse width of the high voltage is relatively widened, and when the liquid level in the detergent box 400 is lower than the predetermined liquid level L1 and the resistance between the pair of electrode terminals 421 and 422 is in a relatively high state, the pulse width of the high voltage is relatively narrowed.

The softener amount detecting section 805 has the same circuit configuration as the detergent amount detecting section 804, and outputs a pulse signal in which the pulse width and period of the high voltage vary according to the resistance value generated in the pair of electrode terminals 521 and 522. For example, when the liquid level in the softener case 500 is higher than the predetermined liquid level L2 and the resistance between the pair of electrode terminals 521 and 522 is in a relatively low state, the pulse width of the high voltage is relatively wide, and when the liquid level in the softener case 500 is lower than the predetermined liquid level L2 and the resistance between the pair of electrode terminals 521 and 522 is in a relatively high state, the pulse width of the high voltage is relatively narrow.

The resistance values of the detergent and the softener vary depending on the kind thereof. Therefore, when the type of the detergent stored in the detergent box 400 is changed, the pulse width of the high voltage of the pulse signal from the detergent amount detecting unit 804 may be changed when the liquid level in the detergent box 400 is higher than the predetermined liquid level L1. Similarly, when the type of the softener stored in the softener cartridge 500 is changed, the pulse width of the high voltage of the pulse signal from the softener amount detecting unit 805 may be changed when the liquid level in the softener cartridge 500 is higher than the predetermined liquid level L2.

In the following description, the "pulse width of high voltage" will be simply referred to as "pulse width".

The display driving unit 806, the motor driving unit 807, the clutch driving unit 808, the six valve driving units 809 to 814, the pump driving unit 815, and the generator driving unit 816 drive the display unit 720, the driving motor 31, the clutch mechanism 32a, the water supply valve 620, the first three-way valve 630, the second three-way valve 640, the third three-way valve 650, the supply valve 61, the drain valve 40, the pump 660, and the ultrasonic generator 110, respectively, in response to control signals from the control unit 801.

The memory section 802 includes an EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read only memory), a RAM (random access memory), and the like. The storage unit 802 stores programs for executing the washing operation in various operation modes and the washing operation performed by the ultrasonic cleaning device 50. The storage unit 802 stores various parameters and various control flags for execution of these programs.

The control unit 801 includes a CPU (central processing unit) and the like, and controls the display driving unit 806, the motor driving unit 807, the clutch driving unit 808, the six valve driving units 809 to 814, the pump driving unit 815, the generator driving unit 816 and the like according to programs stored in the storage unit 802 based on respective signals from the operation detecting unit 803, the detergent amount detecting unit 804, the softener amount detecting unit 805 and the like.

The fully automatic washing machine 1 can perform washing operations in various operation modes. In the washing operation, a washing process, an intermediate dehydrating process, a rinsing process, and a final dehydrating process are sequentially performed.

During the washing and rinsing processes, the pulsator 24 rotates clockwise and counterclockwise in a state that water is stored in the washing and dehydrating tub 22. By the rotation of the pulsator 24, a water current is generated in the washing and dehydrating tub 22. During the washing process, the laundry is washed by the generated water flow and the detergent contained in the water. During the rinsing process, the laundry is rinsed by the generated water flow.

The wash and dehydration tub 22 and the pulsator 24 integrally rotate at a high speed during the intermediate dehydration process and the final dehydration process. The laundry is dehydrated by the centrifugal force generated in the washing and dehydrating tub 22.

When automatic detergent supply is set based on the operation of the detergent supply button 716, detergent is automatically supplied into the washing and dehydrating tub 22 through the water supply device 80 at the time of water supply during washing. At this time, the third three-way valve 650 is switched to a state in which the water inlet 651 is connected to the first water outlet 652, and the first water passage 612 is blocked from the storage tank 60 and connected to the water injection chamber 611. The second three-way valve 640 is switched to a state in which the first water inlet 641 is connected to the water outlet 643, and the first water channel 612 is connected to the second three-way valve 640.

First, the first three-way valve 630 is switched to a state in which the second water inlet 632 communicates with the water outlet 633. Thereby, the detergent introduction path between the first water path 612 and the detergent box 400, which is realized by the detergent supply pipe 430, is opened. The pump 660 operates, and air on the upstream side of the pump 660 in the first water path 612 is sucked, and the upstream side becomes negative pressure. Thereby, as shown by the one-dot chain line in fig. 3, the liquid detergent in the detergent box 400 is sucked into the first waterway 612 through the detergent supply pipe 430. An amount of detergent corresponding to the operation time of the pump 660 is stored in the first waterway 612.

Next, the first three-way valve 630 is switched to a state in which the first water inlet 631 communicates with the water outlet 633. Thereby, the detergent introduction path between the first water path 612 and the detergent box 400, which is realized by the detergent supply pipe 430, is in a closed state. The first waterway 612 is connected to the position of the first three-way valve 630. As shown by solid arrows in fig. 3, the first valve 621 of the water supply valve 620 is opened, and water from the tap is supplied into the first waterway 612. The water flowing through the first waterway 612 washes away the detergent stored in the first waterway 612. The detergent washed away by the water flows into the water injection chamber 611 together with the water, and is poured into the washing and dehydrating tub 22 through the water injection port 611 a.

Further, in the water supply valve 620, the first valve 621 is opened and the second valve 622 is opened, so that water is supplied into the washing and dehydrating tub 22. As indicated by the broken line arrow in fig. 3, water from the faucet is supplied into the second water passage 613, flows into the second water passage 613, reaches the water injection chamber 611, and is discharged from the water injection port 611a into the washing and dehydrating tub 22. At this time, the flow rate of the water flowing through the second waterway 613 is greater than that of the water flowing through the first waterway 612. When the water level in the washing and dehydrating tub 22 reaches a predetermined washing water level, the first and second valves 621 and 622 are closed, and the water supply is terminated.

When automatic softener input is set based on the operation of the softener input button 717, the softener is automatically input into the washing and dehydrating tub 22 through the water supply device 80 at the time of water supply during rinsing. At this time, the first waterway 612 is connected to the water injection chamber 611 as in the cleaning process. The first three-way valve 630 is switched to a state in which the first water inlet 631 communicates with the water outlet 633, and the first water path 612 is connected to the position of the first three-way valve 630.

First, the second three-way valve 640 is switched to a state in which the second water inlet 642 communicates with the water outlet 643. Thereby, the introduction path of the softener between the first waterway 612 and the softener cartridge 500, which is realized by the softener supply pipe 530, is opened. The pump 660 operates, and as shown by the two-dot chain line in fig. 3, the softener of the liquid in the softener box 500 is sucked into the first waterway 612 via the softener supply pipe 530. A quantity of softener corresponding to the operation time of the pump 660 is stored in the first waterway 612.

Next, the second three-way valve 640 is switched to a state in which the first water inlet 641 and the water outlet 643 are in communication. Thereby, the introduction path of the softener between the first waterway 612 and the softener cartridge 500, which is realized by the softener supply pipe 530, is closed. The first waterway 612 is connected to the second three-way valve 640. As shown by solid arrows in fig. 3, the first valve 621 is opened, and water from the tap is supplied into the first waterway 612. The softener stored in the first water path 612 is washed away by the water flowing through the first water path 612 and flows into the water injection chamber 611, and is poured into the washing and dehydrating tub 22 through the water injection port 611 a.

Further, as in the washing process, the second valve 622 and the first valve 621 are simultaneously opened to supply water into the washing and dehydrating tub 22.

The water level, i.e., the amount of water, in the washing and dehydrating tub 22 during the washing and rinsing processes is determined according to the load amount of laundry detected before the water supply. The amount of the liquid agent to be put into the washing and dehydrating tub 22, that is, the amount of the liquid agent to be used, is determined based on the amount of water.

For example, the amount of the liquid agent with respect to the reference water amount (for example, 30 liters) is associated with the type of each liquid agent, and is stored in the storage unit 802 in advance. The user selects and sets the type of liquid agent stored in the detergent box 400 and the softener box 500 from the types of liquid agents by a predetermined setting operation. The control unit 801 reads out the amount of the liquid formulation of the set type with respect to the reference water amount from the storage unit 802, calculates the amount of the liquid formulation corresponding to the water amount from the read out amount of the liquid formulation and the water amount determined based on the load amount, and uses the calculated amount of the liquid formulation as the amount of the liquid formulation used in the washing operation. When the "more amount" or "less amount" is set by the detergent input button 716 and the softener input button 717, the calculated amount of the liquid agent is increased or decreased by a predetermined ratio as the usage amount of the liquid agent.

At the time of water supply in the washing process, a certain amount of detergent is introduced from the detergent box 400 into the first waterway 612 of the water supply unit 600 by the operation of the pump 660. Likewise, at the time of water supply in the rinsing process, the determined usage amount of the softener is introduced from the softener box 500 into the first waterway 612 of the water supply unit 600 by the operation of the pump 660.

When automatic detergent supply is not set, detergent is not introduced from the detergent box 400 to the water supply unit 600 and tap water is supplied to the first water path 612 during water supply during washing, and detergent is not automatically supplied to the washing and dehydrating tub 22. In this case, water is supplied to the washing and dehydrating tub 22 only through the second waterway 613 of the water supply unit 600. The detergent is manually put into the washing and dehydrating tub 22 by a user. Similarly, when automatic softener input is not set, softener is not introduced from the softener box 500 into the water supply unit 600 and tap water is supplied to the first water channel 612 during water supply in the rinsing process, and softener is not automatically input into the washing and dehydrating tub 22. In this case, water is supplied to the washing and dehydrating tub 22 only through the second waterway 613 of the water supply unit 600. The softener is manually thrown into the wash dewatering tub 22 by a user.

The fully automatic washing machine 1 can perform a washing operation by the ultrasonic washing apparatus 50.

In the washing operation, after the washing water is supplied from the reserve tank 60 to the water storage tub 210, the dirt adhering portion of the laundry is interposed between the water storage tub 210 and the ultrasonic wave generating body 110. The dirt adhering portion is soaked in the washing water stored in the water storage tub 210 and is in contact with the front end surface of the ultrasonic wave generating body 110. When the ultrasonic wave generator 110 is operated, ultrasonic waves are generated from the front end thereof. Dirt is peeled from the object to be cleaned by the action of ultrasonic waves. In this case, the cleaning force is increased by applying the force of the detergent.

In the water supply during the washing operation, the washing water is supplied into the storage tank 60 by the water supply device 80 before the water is supplied into the water storage tub 210. At this time, the supply valve 61 is closed.

First, the third three-way valve 650 is switched to a state in which the water inlet 651 is communicated with the second water outlet 653. Thereby, the first water channel 612 is isolated from the water filling chamber 611 and connected to the storage tank 60 via the branch water channel 616. As in the cleaning process, after the first three-way valve 630 is switched to a state in which the detergent can flow into the first waterway 612, the pump 660 is operated, and the liquid detergent in the detergent box 400 is sucked into the first waterway 612 and stored in the first waterway 612.

Next, the first three-way valve 630 is switched to a state in which the detergent introduction path is closed and the first waterway 612 is connected at the position of the first three-way valve 630. Then, the first valve 621 of the water supply valve 620 is opened, and water from the tap is supplied into the first waterway 612. The detergent stored in the first waterway 612 is washed away by the water flowing through the first waterway 612, and the detergent is mixed with the water to be washing water. The washing water flows into the storage tank 60 through the branch waterway 616. When a predetermined amount of washing water is stored in the storage tank 60, the first valve 621 is closed.

The supply valve 61 is opened, and the washing water in the storage tank 60 is supplied into the water storage tub 210 through the supply nozzle 62. Then, in the washing operation, each time the washing water in the water storage tub 210 is reduced by the water absorption of the laundry, a corresponding amount of washing water is supplied from the storage tank 60 to the water storage tub 210.

The fully automatic washing machine 1 of the present embodiment has a function of notifying the need for replenishment of the liquid agent when the amount of the liquid agent in the detergent box 400 or the softener box 500 becomes small. The control unit 801 performs a liquid replenishment notification process as a process for this function.

In the liquid agent replenishment notification process, a pair of electrode terminals 421 and 422 are used to detect the liquid level in the detergent box 400, and a pair of electrode terminals 521 and 522 are used to detect the liquid level in the softener box 500. Here, when the liquid level is lower than the predetermined liquid levels L1 and L2, the liquid agent may remain on the surfaces of the pair of electrode terminals 421, 422, 521, 522. If left alone for a long time without replenishing the liquid agent, the remaining liquid agent may dry and solidify, and the solidified liquid agent may be fixed to the surfaces of the electrode terminals 421, 422, 521, 522.

The resistance value of the liquid agent solidified into a gel-like or solid state increases greatly. Therefore, when the pair of electrode terminals 421, 422, 521, 522 are fixed with the solidified liquid agent, the resistance value between the pair of electrode terminals 421, 422, 521, 522 is likely to be kept high even if the liquid agent is replenished, and there is a possibility that the amount of the liquid agent is erroneously determined to be small.

Therefore, in the liquid agent replenishment notification process, it is also notified that the solidified liquid agent is detected to be fixed to the pair of electrode terminals 421 and 422 in the detergent box 400 and the pair of electrode terminals 521 and 522 in the softener box 500, and that these electrode terminals 421, 422, 521 and 522 need to be cleaned.

Before the liquid agent replenishment notification processing is executed, the processing for acquiring the reference pulse signal a for detecting the fixation of the solidified liquid agent in the processing is executed at a time before the liquid agent is put into the detergent box 400 and the softener box 500, for example, at the time of shipment inspection of the factory of the fully automatic washing machine 1.

Fig. 7 (a) is a flowchart showing a process for acquiring the reference pulse signal a.

Referring to fig. 7 (a), the control unit 801 energizes the space between the pair of electrode terminals 421 and 422 in the detergent box 400 and the space between the pair of electrode terminals 521 and 522 in the softener box 500 for a predetermined time period, for example, 2 seconds (S101). Then, the control unit 801 obtains the pulse signal output from the detergent amount detection unit 804 as the reference pulse signal a related to the detergent, and obtains the pulse signal output from the softener amount detection unit 805 as the reference pulse signal a related to the softener (S102). The reference pulse signal a has a waveform corresponding to a resistance value generated between the pair of electrode terminals 421, 422, 521, 522 in a state where the liquid agent is not interposed between the pair of electrode terminals 421, 422, 521, 522 and the liquid agent is not fixed and solidified on the pair of electrode terminals 421, 422, 521, 522.

The control unit 801 stores the acquired reference pulse signal a, i.e., information defining the waveform of the pulse signal, for example, the pulse width and the period of the high voltage, in the storage unit 802 (S103).

Fig. 7 (b) is a flowchart showing the liquid agent replenishment notification process. Fig. 8 (a) and (b) are diagrams schematically showing pulse signals output from the detergent amount detecting unit 804 when the liquid level in the detergent box 400 is higher than the predetermined liquid level L1 and lower than the predetermined liquid level, respectively. Fig. 8 (c) is a diagram schematically showing a pulse signal output from the detergent amount detecting unit 804 in the case where the solidified detergent is fixed to the pair of electrode terminals 421 and 422.

The liquid agent replenishment notification processing is executed in parallel by the control unit 801 for each of the detergent in the detergent box 400 and the softener in the softener box 500. The time at which the liquid agent replenishment notification process is executed may be set to at least one of, for example, the time at which the washing operation is completed, the time at which the power supply to the fully automatic washing machine 1 is turned on, and the time at which an operation for confirming the remaining amount of the detergent or softener is performed. In the case where the liquid replenishment notice processing is executed at the time of completion of the washing operation, the liquid replenishment notice processing may be executed at the time of completion of the washing operation.

Hereinafter, the notification liquid replenishment process will be described by taking a process for notifying the detergent in the detergent box 400 as an example.

Referring to fig. 7B, the control unit 801 performs energization for a predetermined period of time, for example, 2 seconds, between the pair of electrode terminals 421 and 422 (S201), and acquires a pulse signal B output from the detergent amount detection unit 804 during the energization (S202). Then, the control unit 801 determines whether or not the pulse width of the acquired pulse signal B is smaller than a threshold value (S203).

As shown in fig. 8 (a), when the liquid level in the detergent box 400 is higher than the predetermined liquid level L1, the resistance between the pair of electrode terminals 421 and 422 is reduced by the detergent, and thus the pulse width is widened. On the other hand, as shown in fig. 8 (b), when the liquid level in the detergent box 400 is lower than the predetermined liquid level L1, the resistance between the pair of electrode terminals 421 and 422 is increased by the air, and thus the pulse width is narrowed. As shown in fig. 8 (c), when the solidified detergent is fixed to the pair of electrode terminals 421 and 422, the resistance value between the pair of electrode terminals 421 and 422 increases due to the solidified detergent, and the pulse width becomes narrower, regardless of whether the liquid level is higher or lower than the predetermined liquid level L1. When the solidified detergent is fixed to the pair of electrode terminals 421 and 422, the resistance is lower than that when air is interposed, and the pulse width is wider than that when the liquid level is lower than the predetermined liquid level L1. Further, the period of the pulse signal is shorter than that when the liquid level is lower than the predetermined liquid level L1.

The threshold is set between a pulse width when the liquid level in the detergent box 400 is higher than the prescribed liquid level L1 and a pulse width when the liquid level is lower than the prescribed liquid level.

When the pulse width is smaller than the threshold value (S203: yes), it can be considered that the liquid level in the detergent box 400 is lower than the predetermined liquid level L1 or that the solidified detergent is fixed to the pair of electrode terminals 421 and 422. Therefore, the control unit 801 reads the reference pulse signal a related to the detergent from the storage unit 802, compares the pulse signals B acquired in the reference pulse signals a and S202, and determines whether or not the reference pulse signals a and S are substantially equal to each other, that is, whether or not the difference between the reference pulse signals a and B is within a predetermined range considered to be equal, which is set in consideration of detection errors and the like (S204).

In the detergent amount detecting section 804, when the resistance value is changed in a range where the resistance value between the pair of electrode terminals 421 and 422 is high, the pulse width of the low voltage is larger than the pulse width change of the high voltage in the circuit configuration. Therefore, as shown in fig. 8 (b) and (c), when the liquid level in the detergent box 400 is lower than the predetermined liquid level L1 and when the solidified detergent is fixed to the pair of electrode terminals 421 and 422, the period of the pulse signal is liable to be greatly different. Therefore, in the present embodiment, whether or not the pulse signal B and the reference pulse signal a are substantially equal is determined by whether or not the periods of the two signals are substantially equal. The pulse width of the low voltage may be compared with the same period, instead of the period.

When the pulse signal B and the reference pulse signal a are substantially equal (S204: yes), it can be considered that the detergent that has not solidified is not fixed to the pair of electrode terminals 421 and 422, and the liquid level in the detergent box 400 is lower than the predetermined liquid level L1. Therefore, the control unit 801 adds the latest detergent usage X to the cumulative value XT of the usage, and obtains a new cumulative value XT of the usage (S205). For example, when the liquid agent replenishment notice processing is performed at the time of completion of the washing operation, the latest detergent usage amount X is the usage amount in the current washing operation, and when the liquid agent replenishment notice processing is performed at the time of turning on the power to the fully automatic washing machine 1, the latest detergent usage amount X is the usage amount in the previous washing operation.

Next, the control unit 801 determines whether or not the integrated value XT of the usage amount is greater than a threshold value (S206). Here, the threshold value is set to a value such that, for example, when the threshold value is subtracted from the amount of the detergent when the liquid level in the detergent box 400 is substantially at the predetermined liquid level L1, the detergent of the one-time washing operation amount remains in the detergent box 400.

When the integrated value XT of the usage amount is equal to or smaller than the threshold value (S205: no), the control unit 801 stores the integrated value XT of the usage amount in the storage unit 802 (S208). At this time, the integrated value XT of the usage amount is stored in the EEPROM of the storage unit 802 so as to be stored even when the power supply to the fully automatic washing machine 1 is turned off.

When the liquid level in the detergent box 400 is lower than the predetermined liquid level L1, the integrated value XT of the usage amount increases because the usage amount X of the detergent is added every time the detergent is used. Thus, when the integrated value XT of the usage amount exceeds the threshold (S206: yes), the control unit 801 causes the display unit 720 to notify that the detergent box 400 needs to be replenished (S207). For example, the display unit 720 is assigned to an LED that is turned on or blinks to indicate that replenishment is required. The notification by the display unit 720 is stopped when a predetermined time elapses, for example.

The control unit 801 stores the integrated value XT of the usage amount exceeding the threshold in the storage unit 802 (S208).

If it is determined that the pulse signal B and the reference pulse signal a are not substantially equal to each other in S204 (S204: no), it can be considered that the solidified detergent is fixed to the pair of electrode terminals 421 and 422. Accordingly, the control unit 801 causes the display unit 720 to notify that the cleaning of the pair of electrode terminals 421 and 422 in the detergent box 400 is required (S209). For example, the display unit 720 is configured to turn on or off an LED indicating that cleaning is required. The notification by the display unit 720 is stopped when the control unit 801 receives an operation for electrode cleaning operation described later.

In S203, when the pulse width is equal to or greater than the threshold value (S203: NO), it can be considered that the liquid level in the detergent box 400 is equal to or greater than the predetermined liquid level L1. Therefore, the control unit 801 sets the integrated value XT of the usage amount to zero (S210). That is, when the integrated value XT of the usage amount is not zero, the value is reset to zero, and when the integrated value XT of the usage amount is zero, the value is maintained to zero. When the liquid level lower than the predetermined liquid level L1 becomes equal to or higher than the predetermined liquid level L1 by replenishing the detergent into the detergent box 400, the integrated value XT of the usage amount is reset to zero.

The control unit 801 stores the integrated value XT of the use amount of zero in the storage unit 802 (S208).

Thus, the liquid replenishment notification processing ends.

The softener-related control process in the softener box 500 is the same as the detergent-related control process in the detergent box 400. That is, current is supplied between the pair of electrode terminals 521 and 522, and it is determined whether or not the liquid level in the softener case 500 is lower than the predetermined liquid level L2 and whether or not the solidified softener is fixed to the pair of electrode terminals 521 and 522, based on the conduction state. Then, when the cumulative value XT of the usage amount of the softener exceeds the threshold value in a state where the liquid level is lower than the predetermined liquid level L2, the display unit 720 notifies that the cumulative value XT is greater than the threshold value. For example, the display unit 720 is assigned to a LED that indicates that the softener needs to be replenished and blinks or lights up. When the solidified softener is fixed to the pair of electrode terminals 521 and 522, the display unit 720 notifies the solidified softener. For example, the display unit 720 is configured to flash or turn on an LED indicating that the pair of electrode terminals 521 and 522 need to be cleaned.

When the liquid formulation replenishment notice processing is executed at the time of completion of the washing operation and at the time of the power-on operation of the fully automatic washing machine 1 and/or at the time of the operation for confirming the remaining amount of the detergent and the softener, the processing for calculating the integrated value XT of the usage amount in S205 is not executed at the time of the power-on operation of the fully automatic washing machine 1 and/or at the time of the operation for confirming the remaining amount of the detergent and the softener.

In the fully automatic washing machine 1 of the present embodiment, when the notification of urging the cleaning of the pair of electrode terminals 421, 422 in the detergent box 400 or the pair of electrode terminals 521, 522 in the softener box 500 is made, the user can perform the electrode cleaning operation for cleaning the electrode terminals 421, 422, 521, 522, that is, the electrode cleaning.

Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing a control process of the electrode cleaning operation.

When an operation for the electrode cleaning operation is performed by the user, the electrode cleaning operation is started. It should be noted that the following structure may be adopted: after the notification of urging the electrode cleaning is made by the display unit 720, the control unit 801 does not accept operations other than the operation for the electrode cleaning operation.

Referring to fig. 9, the control section 801 waits for an operation for discharging the detergent or an operation for discharging the softener (S301, S302). When the operation for discharging the detergent is performed (yes in S301), the control unit 801 operates the first three-way valve 630, the pump 660, and the first valve 621, and after all the detergent in the detergent box 400 is discharged into the washing and dehydrating tub 22, opens the drain valve 40 to discharge the detergent to the outside (S303). When the operation for discharging the softener is performed (yes in S302), the control unit 801 operates the second three-way valve 640, the pump 660, and the first valve 621, and after all the softener in the softener case 500 is discharged into the washing and dehydrating tub 22, opens the drain valve 40 and discharges the softener to the outside (S304), as in the case of automatically charging the softener.

Next, the control unit 801 causes the display unit 720 and a buzzer (not shown) to inform of the administration of warm water (S305). According to this notification, the user starts the operation after pouring warm water into the detergent box 400 from which the detergent is discharged or into the softener box 500 from which the softener is discharged.

When the start operation is performed (S306: yes), the control unit 801 waits for a predetermined standby time to elapse (S307). The standby time is set to about several tens of minutes, and during this time, the detergent fixed to the pair of electrode terminals 421 and 422 in the detergent box 400 or the softener fixed to the pair of electrode terminals 521 and 522 in the softener box 500 is dissolved and removed by the warm water introduced.

When the standby time has elapsed (yes in S307), the control unit 801 discharges the warm water in the detergent box 400 or the softener box 500 to the outside by the same control operation as when the detergent is discharged or when the softener is discharged (S308).

Next, the control unit 801 determines whether or not the fixation of the solidified detergent to the pair of electrode terminals 421 and 422 or the fixation of the solidified softener to the pair of electrode terminals 521 and 522 has been eliminated (S309). That is, the control unit 801 energizes the pair of electrode terminals 421 and 422 or the pair of electrode terminals 521 and 522, acquires the pulse signal B, compares the pulse signal B with the reference pulse signal a, and determines that the fixation of the detergent or the softener is eliminated when the pulse signal B and the reference pulse signal a are substantially equal.

When the fixation has been removed (S309: yes), the control unit 801 causes the display unit 720 and the buzzer to notify that the electrode cleaning is completed with the removal of the fixation (S310), and completes the electrode cleaning operation.

If the fixation is not removed (S309: no), the control unit 801 repeats a series of processes in S305 to S308 until the series of processes reaches a predetermined number of times or the fixation is removed. When the fixation has not been removed for a predetermined number of times (S311: yes), the control unit 801 causes the display unit 720 and the buzzer to inform that the electrode cleaning is completed in a state where the fixation has not been removed (S312), and the electrode cleaning operation is completed.

Effect of the embodiments >

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not the solidified detergent is fixed to the pair of electrode terminals 421 and 422 based on the pulse signal B that varies according to the resistance value generated between the pair of electrode terminals 421 and 422, and whether or not the solidified softener is fixed to the pair of electrode terminals 521 and 522 based on the pulse signal B that varies according to the resistance value generated between the pair of electrode terminals 521 and 522, and when the solidified detergent or softener is fixed, the display unit 720 notifies that the electrode cleaning is necessary. This prevents the solidified detergent and softener from being left alone in a fixed state, and prevents the liquid level in the detergent box 400 and the liquid level in the softener box 500 from being misjudged.

Further, according to the present embodiment, since the reference pulse signal a actually obtained before the detergent is put into the detergent box 400 and the reference pulse signal a actually obtained before the softener is put into the softener box 500 are set as the reference for comparison with the pulse signal B obtained when the fixation of the solidified detergent or softener is determined, the presence or absence of the fixation of the detergent or softener can be accurately determined.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the electrode cleaning operation including the process of discharging the detergent from the detergent box 400 or the softener from the softener box 500 and the process of discharging the warm water stored in the detergent box 400 or the softener box 500 from the box body at a certain time after the storage after the discharge of the detergent or the softener can be performed based on the predetermined operation, and therefore, the fixation of the solidified detergent or the softener can be eliminated.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications other than the above embodiments may be made.

For example, in the above embodiment, the reference pulse signal a actually detected before the detergent is put into the detergent box 400 and the reference pulse signal a actually obtained before the softener is put into the softener box 500 are set as the reference for comparison with the pulse signal B obtained when the solidified detergent or the softener is fixed. However, the reference pulse signal may be uniformly set to a reference pulse signal prepared in advance as a reference for comparison with the pulse signal B, instead of actually obtaining the reference pulse signal in units of products.

In the above embodiment, the water supply device 80 includes the detergent box 400 and the softener box 500, and is configured to automatically feed both the detergent and the softener into the washing and dehydrating tub 22. However, the water supply device 80 may be configured not to include any one of the detergent box 400 and the softener box 500. In the case of adopting the structure without the softener case 500, the processes of S302 and S304 are not performed in the electrode cleaning operation of fig. 9. Similarly, in the case of adopting a structure without the detergent box 400, the processes of S301 and S303 are not performed in the electrode cleaning operation of fig. 9.

Further, in the above embodiment, the detergent amount detecting unit 804 has a circuit configuration for outputting a pulse signal whose pulse width and period of a high voltage change according to a resistance value generated between the pair of electrode terminals 421 and 422, but may have a circuit configuration for outputting a detection signal different from the pulse signal, such as a voltage signal having a different magnitude. Similarly, the compliance amount detecting unit 805 may have a circuit configuration that outputs a detection signal different from the pulse signal.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, in the liquid agent replenishment notification process, notification indicating that the replenishment of the liquid agent is required and notification indicating that the electrode cleaning is required are performed by the display of the display unit 720. However, these notification may be performed by a sound from a speaker, not shown, provided in the fully automatic washing machine 1, a sound from a buzzer, or the like.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, as the input mechanism portion for automatically inputting the detergent in the detergent box 400 and the softener in the softener box 500 into the washing and dehydrating tub 22, the water supply unit 600 that intakes the detergent and the softener into the first water passage 612 and causes the detergent and the softener to flow into the washing and dehydrating tub 22 by the water flowing in the first water passage 612 is used. However, as long as the detergent and softener can be automatically introduced into the washing and dehydrating tub 22, an introduction mechanism having a different structure from the water supply unit 600 may be used.

The shape and arrangement of the pair of electrode terminals 421, 422, 521, 522 in the detergent box 400 and the softener box 500 are not limited to the above embodiments, and may be any shape and arrangement.

Further, in the above embodiment, the hot water is manually put into the detergent box 400 or the softener box 500 by the user during the electrode cleaning operation, but the hot water may be automatically put from a hot water supply source such as a hot water heater.

In the above embodiment, the fully automatic washing machine 1 is provided with the ultrasonic cleaning device 50, and the supply nozzle 62 and the storage tank 60 are provided for supplying water to the ultrasonic cleaning device 50. However, the fully automatic washing machine 1 may be configured without the ultrasonic cleaning device 50, the supply nozzle 62, and the storage tank 60. In this case, the third three-way valve 650 and the branch waterway 616 are not provided in the water supply device 80.

Further, in the above embodiment, the fully automatic washing machine 1 is shown. However, the present invention can also be applied to a washing machine other than the fully automatic washing machine 1, for example, a drum type washing machine having a horizontal axis type drum as a washing tub. In addition, the invention can also be applied to a full-automatic washing and drying integrated machine with a drying function and a drum-type washing and drying integrated machine.

Further, the embodiments of the present invention can be modified in various ways as appropriate within the scope of the technical idea shown in the technical proposal.

Claims (3)

1. A washing machine is characterized by comprising:

   a washing barrel configured in the box body for washing the washed objects;

   a case for storing a liquid for washing;

   a loading mechanism for discharging the liquid agent from the inside of the case and loading the liquid agent into the washing tub;

   a pair of electrode terminals disposed in the case;

   a detection unit that outputs a detection signal that changes according to a resistance value generated between the pair of electrode terminals;

   a control unit that makes a first determination as to whether or not the liquid level in the case is lower than a predetermined liquid level, based on the detection signal; and

   a notification unit for notifying the user of the presence of the user,

   the control unit makes a second determination as to whether or not the coagulated liquid agent is fixed to the electrode terminal based on the detection signal, and causes the notification unit to notify when it is determined that the coagulated liquid agent is fixed to the electrode terminal.
2. A washing machine as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that,

   the device is also provided with a storage part,

   the control unit stores the detection signal outputted from the detection unit in the state before the liquid agent is introduced into the cartridge as a reference detection signal in the storage unit, and performs the second determination based on a result of comparing the detection signal obtained for performing the second determination with the reference detection signal.
3. A washing machine as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that,

   the control unit performs a process of discharging the liquid agent from the inside of the case and a process of discharging the hot water stored in the case from the inside of the case at a certain time after the storage after the liquid agent is discharged, based on a predetermined operation.

Images