JPS60171084A - Sensor rinsing apparatus of washer with sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

(57)【要約】本公報は電子出願前の出願データであるた
め要約のデータは記録されません。(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

【発明の詳細な説明】 産業上の利用分野 本発明は、一般家庭において使用するセンサー付洗濯機
のセンサー洗浄装置に関するもので弗る。DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to a sensor cleaning device for a sensor-equipped washing machine used in general households.

従来例の構成とその問題点 第１図〜第４図は従来のセンサー付洗濯機を示すＯ 図において、１は洗濯水を受ける洗濯水受槽、２は洗濯
水受槽１内部に設けた洗濯槽で、底部にパルセータ３を
、側壁には***４を多数設けている。Structure of the conventional example and its problems Figures 1 to 4 show a conventional washing machine with a sensor. A pulsator 3 is provided on the bottom, and many small holes 4 are provided on the side wall.

６は洗濯水受槽１の底部に形成した排水口、６は排水口
６に配設された排水弁で、流入管６ａと排出管６ｂと、
ゴム製の弁体６ｃを具備し、電気信号によって制御され
る電磁ソレノイド７によって開閉される。流入管６ａは
前記排水口６に接続される。ａａ、ａｂは前記流入管６
ａを挾み相対する位置に固着された発光素子と受光素子
である。6 is a drain port formed at the bottom of the washing water receiving tank 1, 6 is a drain valve disposed in the drain port 6, and includes an inflow pipe 6a and a discharge pipe 6b,
It is equipped with a rubber valve body 6c and is opened and closed by an electromagnetic solenoid 7 controlled by an electric signal. The inflow pipe 6a is connected to the drain port 6. aa and ab are the inflow pipes 6
A light-emitting element and a light-receiving element are fixed to opposite positions with a in between.

排出管６ｂは、前記弁体６ｃを介して上流の前記流入管
６ｂに対し、下流に位置し、ホース１６に接続され、洗
濯水を機外に排水する。The discharge pipe 6b is located downstream of the inflow pipe 6b upstream through the valve body 6c, is connected to the hose 16, and drains the washing water to the outside of the machine.

前記弁体６Ｃに一体に、前記発光素子８ａと受光素子８
ｂを配設した位置の流入管６ａ両内壁面に接触する洗浄
用摺動板９を形成しており、この摺動部は、弁体６ｃに
対し、伸縮自在に動くように弁体６ｃとの連絡部９ａの
肉厚ｔを弁体６ａの肉厚りに対し十分薄肉としている。The light emitting element 8a and the light receiving element 8 are integrated with the valve body 6C.
A cleaning sliding plate 9 is formed that contacts both inner wall surfaces of the inflow pipe 6a at the position where b is disposed, and this sliding portion is arranged to move telescopically with respect to the valve body 6c. The wall thickness t of the communication portion 9a is made sufficiently thinner than the wall thickness of the valve body 6a.

又洗浄用摺動板９には金属片１０がインサート成形され
ており、この金属片１０に引張シバネ１１が係着されて
いる。この引張シバネ１１の他端は、コ・ツクバネ１２
に係着されており、引張りバネ１１のバネ定数は６〜６
ｆｆ／ａｎ　でコックバネ１２のバネ定数に比べ非常に
小さい。コ・ツクバネ１２はコ・ソクロ、ンド１３に係
止され、連結板１７を介し、前記電磁ソレノイド７に連
絡している０コツクロツト１３は弁体６Ｃに係着されて
いるので、電磁ソレノイド７の吸引によって、弁座６ｄ
から離れ、流入管６ａと排出管６ｂは連絡され排水弁６
は開かれる。電磁ソレノイド７が吸引を解除すると圧縮
バネ１４によって弁体６Ｃは弁座６ｄを押えこみ、流入
管６ａと排出管６ｂは液密的に遮断され排水弁６は閉じ
る。又前記洗浄用摺動板９にはオモリ１６が接着されて
いる。Further, a metal piece 10 is insert-molded in the cleaning sliding plate 9, and a tension spring 11 is attached to this metal piece 10. The other end of this tension spring 11 is
The tension spring 11 has a spring constant of 6 to 6.
ff/an, which is very small compared to the spring constant of the cock spring 12. The spring 12 is locked to the cylinder 13, and the lock 13, which is connected to the electromagnetic solenoid 7 via the connecting plate 17, is locked to the valve body 6C. By suction, the valve seat 6d
The inflow pipe 6a and the discharge pipe 6b are connected to each other and the drain valve 6
will be opened. When the electromagnetic solenoid 7 releases suction, the valve body 6C presses down the valve seat 6d by the compression spring 14, the inflow pipe 6a and the discharge pipe 6b are fluid-tightly shut off, and the drain valve 6 is closed. Further, a weight 16 is bonded to the cleaning sliding plate 9.

以上のような構成において従来のセンサー付洗濯機の動
作を説明すると、洗濯時は、洗濯槽２に洗濯物、水、洗
剤を投入する。この際、排水弁６は第２図に示すように
閉じているので、洗濯液は、洗濯槽２および排水弁６の
流入管６ａに満たされている。そして、洗濯及びすすぎ
を開始すると、洗濯液及びすすぎ液の濁度が増加してく
る。すると、受光素子８ｂに達する発光素子８ａの光が
減少し、受光素子８ｂの出力電圧が第８図のように変化
する。洗濯によって汚れが落ちると、洗濯液の濁度は増
加し、受光素子８ｂの出力電圧は低下する。従って受光
素子８ｂの出力電流により、濁度変化を検知し、洗浄終
了を検知することができる。しかし、洗濯液と共に洗濯
物の汚れが洗濯時に出されて、流入管６ａの内壁を汚し
てしまい、発光素子８ａからの光をさえぎシ、受光素子
８ｂには少ない光の量しか到達できない状態となり、前
述の濁度変化の検知に誤まりが発生し、洗浄およびすす
ぎ終了の判断を誤まる欠点がある。そこで前記流入管６
ａの内壁の発光素子８ａ及び受光素子８ｂ間の光の通過
部６ｄの汚れを機械的に除去することが必要となる。と
ころで、排水時、前述のように排水弁６を開くと、コッ
ク、バネ１２及び、引張りバネ１１を介して、洗浄用摺
動板９は弁体６Ｃと一体に図中左方向に動く。排水が終
了し、電磁ソレノイド７の吸引を中止すると、洗浄用摺
動板９は、弁体６Ｃと一体に図中右方向に動き、弁体６
Ｃは弁座６ｄに当たシ、止まシ、排水弁６は閉じるが、
洗浄用摺動板９は、おもり１６が固着されており、且つ
、引張りノくネ１１のノ（ネ定数が小さいので、第４図
のように電磁ソレノイド７が吸引する直前時の位置を通
りすぎ、さらに図中右方向に引張バネ１１による引張力
カ；前記慣性力に達するまで動き、流入管６ａの内壁に
接触し、光の通過部６ｄに付着した汚れを機械的におと
すようになっている。前記慣性力が０になると、前記引
張シバネ１１の力で、洗浄用摺動板９は図中左方向に引
張られ第２図の位置にもどり安定するＯ 次に従来のセンサー付洗濯機の欠点を説明すると、前述
のような光の通過部の汚れ落とし機構をもたない洗濯機
の弁体６Ｃは耐久強度、耐オゾン、耐洗剤等の品質確保
の為、カーボンの含まれる合成ゴム製材料からなってい
るが、この材質にて、汚れ落とし機構をもつ弁体６ｃを
製造すると、洗浄用摺動部の接触によシ光の通過部６ｄ
に黒色のカーボンが付着し、汚れが付着したのと同様に
濁度検知に悪影響を及ばず。この為、弁体６Ｃの材質に
白色のシリコンゴム等を使用していた。ところが、シリ
コンゴムは従来の合成ゴムに比較し、耐切削強度が不十
分であり、洗濯液にふくまれる金属粉等で破れることが
憂慮されていた。又、コスト的にも従来の合成ゴムよシ
高価なものとなり、製造原価を増大させていた。The operation of a conventional sensor-equipped washing machine configured as described above will be explained. During washing, laundry, water, and detergent are put into the washing tub 2. At this time, since the drain valve 6 is closed as shown in FIG. 2, the washing tub 2 and the inflow pipe 6a of the drain valve 6 are filled with washing liquid. Then, when washing and rinsing are started, the turbidity of the washing liquid and the rinsing liquid increases. Then, the light from the light emitting element 8a that reaches the light receiving element 8b decreases, and the output voltage of the light receiving element 8b changes as shown in FIG. When dirt is removed by washing, the turbidity of the washing liquid increases and the output voltage of the light receiving element 8b decreases. Therefore, it is possible to detect a change in turbidity and the end of cleaning based on the output current of the light receiving element 8b. However, dirt from the laundry comes out together with the washing liquid during washing, staining the inner wall of the inflow pipe 6a, blocking the light from the light emitting element 8a, and causing only a small amount of light to reach the light receiving element 8b. However, there is a drawback that errors occur in the detection of the above-mentioned turbidity change, leading to erroneous judgments on the completion of cleaning and rinsing. Therefore, the inflow pipe 6
It is necessary to mechanically remove dirt from the light passing portion 6d between the light emitting element 8a and the light receiving element 8b on the inner wall of the light emitting element 8a. By the way, when draining water, when the drain valve 6 is opened as described above, the cleaning sliding plate 9 moves to the left in the figure together with the valve body 6C via the cock, the spring 12, and the tension spring 11. When the drainage is finished and the suction of the electromagnetic solenoid 7 is stopped, the cleaning sliding plate 9 moves to the right in the figure together with the valve body 6C, and the valve body 6C moves to the right in the figure.
C hits the valve seat 6d, stops, and the drain valve 6 closes, but
The cleaning sliding plate 9 has a weight 16 fixed thereto, and since the tensile force 11 has a small constant, the cleaning sliding plate 9 passes through the position just before the electromagnetic solenoid 7 attracts the suction, as shown in Fig. 4. Then, it moves further to the right in the figure until the tensile force of the tension spring 11 reaches the above-mentioned inertial force, contacts the inner wall of the inflow pipe 6a, and mechanically removes the dirt attached to the light passage section 6d. When the inertial force becomes 0, the cleaning sliding plate 9 is pulled to the left in the figure by the force of the tension spring 11, returning to the position shown in Figure 2 and becoming stable. To explain the drawbacks of the machine, the valve body 6C of the washing machine, which does not have a mechanism for removing dirt from the light passage part as mentioned above, is made of synthetic material containing carbon in order to ensure quality such as durable strength, ozone resistance, detergent resistance, etc. Although it is made of a rubber material, if the valve body 6c with the dirt removal mechanism is manufactured using this material, the light passing portion 6d will be damaged due to contact with the cleaning sliding portion.
Black carbon adheres to the surface, and it does not have any negative effect on turbidity detection, similar to when dirt adheres to the surface. For this reason, white silicone rubber or the like has been used as the material for the valve body 6C. However, silicone rubber has insufficient cutting strength compared to conventional synthetic rubber, and there have been concerns that it may break due to metal powder contained in washing liquid. In addition, it is more expensive than conventional synthetic rubber, increasing manufacturing costs.

発明の目的 本発明は、このような従来の問題を解消し、品質とコス
ト低減効果の向上をはかったセンサー付洗濯機のセンサ
ー洗浄装置を提供するものである。OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves these conventional problems and provides a sensor cleaning device for a washing machine with a sensor that improves quality and cost reduction effects.

発明の構成 本発明のセンサー付洗濯機のセンサー洗浄装置は洗濯水
受槽の排水口に配設され、流入管と排出管とゴム製の弁
体を具備する排水弁と、前記流入攬を挾み相対する位置
に配設した発光素子と受光素子を備え、前記弁体に前記
発光素子と受光素子を配設した位置の流入管筒内壁面に
接触し、前記弁体とは異材質型の洗浄用摺動板を固着し
、弁体の洗浄用摺動板固着部は、弁体に対し、伸縮自在
に動くように、弁体との連絡部の肉厚を弁体に対し薄肉
とするとともに、前記洗浄用摺動板の一部にバネ材を係
着し、弁体本体方向に常に引張したものであシ、この洗
浄用摺動板を弁体とは異材質にするとともに、洗浄用摺
動板の一部にバネ材を係着し、弁体本体方向に常に引張
したことにより、洗浄用摺動板が弁体よシはずれるのを
防止するとともに、洗浄用摺動板の材質を弁体と異材質
にすることによって、弁体を品質的にすぐれ、安価な材
料にて構成できるようにするものである。Structure of the Invention The sensor cleaning device of the sensor-equipped washing machine of the present invention is disposed at the drain port of the washing water receiving tank, and includes a drain valve having an inflow pipe, a discharge pipe, and a rubber valve body, and a drain valve that sandwiches the inflow pipe. A cleaning device comprising a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element disposed at opposite positions, the valve body being in contact with the inner wall surface of the inflow pipe cylinder at the position where the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element are disposed, and made of a material different from that of the valve body. The sliding plate for cleaning the valve body is fixed, and the part of the sliding plate for cleaning the valve body has a thinner wall thickness at the communication part with the valve body so that it can move telescopically with respect to the valve body. , a spring material is attached to a part of the cleaning sliding plate and is constantly pulled in the direction of the valve body, and this cleaning sliding plate is made of a different material from the valve body, and the cleaning By attaching a spring material to a part of the sliding plate and constantly pulling it toward the valve body, the cleaning sliding plate is prevented from coming off the valve body, and the material of the cleaning sliding plate is By making the material different from that of the valve body, the valve body can be made of a material that is superior in quality and inexpensive.

実施例の説明 以下、添付図面の第６図〜第７図に基づいて本発明の一
実施例について説明する。排水弁６内部を除き、洗濯機
本体及び、受光素子、発光素子の取シつけ位置、センサ
ーによる洗浄及びすすぎ終了検知原理は従来例と同一で
ある。第６図において、６Ｃは合成ゴム製の弁体であシ
、洗浄用摺動板９はシリコンゴム製であり、弁体６ｃの
洗浄用摺動板固着部６ｅに接着されておシ、洗浄用摺動
板９にインサートされた金属板１ｏには、前述の引張シ
バネ１１の他端は、コックバネ１２に係止されている。DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 of the accompanying drawings. Except for the inside of the drain valve 6, the main body of the washing machine, the mounting positions of the light-receiving element and the light-emitting element, and the principle of detecting the completion of washing and rinsing using the sensor are the same as those of the conventional example. In FIG. 6, 6C is a valve body made of synthetic rubber, and the cleaning sliding plate 9 is made of silicone rubber, and is glued to the cleaning sliding plate fixed part 6e of the valve body 6c. The other end of the aforementioned tension spring 11 is locked to a cock spring 12 on the metal plate 1o inserted into the sliding plate 9.

他の構成は従来例と同一である。又動作についても従来
と同一である。即ち第６図は排水弁６が閉じている通常
の状態、第７図は排水弁の閉じた直後で、洗浄用摺動板
９がとび出したところである。The other configurations are the same as the conventional example. The operation is also the same as the conventional one. That is, FIG. 6 shows a normal state in which the drain valve 6 is closed, and FIG. 7 shows a state immediately after the drain valve is closed, with the cleaning sliding plate 9 protruding.

次に本実施例の効果について説明すると、弁体６は従来
の光通過部６ｄの洗浄機構を有しない洗濯機と同様の材
質の合成ゴムを利用でき、品質、原価的に向上する。又
、洗浄用摺動板９は引張９バネ１１で常に、弁体６ｃに
引張られているために、弁体６ｃとの接着が不十分であ
ったり、又、洗濯液中に異物があシ、洗浄用摺動板９に
外部から力が加わったりして、弁体６ｃと分離しようと
する力が加わった場合、分離するのを防ぐ。Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described. The valve body 6 can be made of synthetic rubber, which is the same material as the conventional washing machine that does not have a cleaning mechanism for the light passage section 6d, and the quality and cost are improved. In addition, since the cleaning sliding plate 9 is always pulled against the valve body 6c by the tension spring 11, the adhesion to the valve body 6c may be insufficient, or there may be foreign matter in the washing liquid. If a force is applied to the cleaning sliding plate 9 from the outside to cause it to separate from the valve body 6c, this prevents it from separating.

発明の効果 上記実施例からあきらかなように、本発明のセンサー付
洗濯機のセンサー洗浄装置は、とくに洗浄用摺動板と、
弁体とを別部品で構成し、洗浄用摺動板に引張シバネを
係止して、弁体側に常に引張ることにより、弁体の材質
を洗浄用摺動板の材質に無関係に選定でき、その品質の
向上及び原価軽減をはかることができ、同時Ｋ、弁体と
洗浄用摺動板の固着の安定性を維持できるものである。Effects of the Invention As is clear from the above embodiments, the sensor cleaning device for a sensor-equipped washing machine of the present invention has a cleaning sliding plate,
By configuring the valve body as a separate part, and by locking a tension spring on the cleaning sliding plate and constantly pulling it toward the valve body, the material of the valve body can be selected regardless of the material of the cleaning sliding plate. It is possible to improve the quality and reduce the cost, and at the same time maintain the stability of the adhesion between the valve body and the cleaning sliding plate.

【図面の簡単な説明】[Brief explanation of drawings]

第１図は一般的なセンサー付洗濯機の断面図、第２図は
従来のセンサー付洗濯機の要部の断面図。 第３図は第２図のＡ−Ａ線における断面図、第４図は同
要部の動作状態における断面図、第６図は本発明の一実
施例を示すセンサー付洗濯機のセンサー洗浄装置の断面
図、第６図は第６図のＢ−Ｂ線における断面図、第７図
は同センサー洗浄装置の動作状態における断面図、第８
図は流入管の汚れ具合と受光素子の出力電圧の関係を示
す特性図である。 １・・・・・・洗濯水受槽、６・・・・・・排水口、６
・・・・・・排水弁、６ａ・・・・・・流入管、６ｂ・
・印・流出管、６ｃ・・・・・・弁体、６ｅ・・・・・
・固着部、８ａ・・・・・・発光素子、８ｂ・・・・・
・受光素子、９・・・・・・洗浄用摺動板、１１・旧・
・引張りバネ。 代理人の氏名　弁理士　中　尾　敏　男　ほか１名第１
図 第２図 第　４　図 第　５１．２Ｉ 第６図 ｄ 第７図 第８図 □′Ｊろ衆具瞥　（入］FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a general washing machine with a sensor, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the main parts of a conventional washing machine with a sensor. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the same essential parts in an operating state, and FIG. 6 is a sensor cleaning device for a sensor-equipped washing machine showing an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 6, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the sensor cleaning device in an operating state, and FIG.
The figure is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between the degree of contamination of the inflow pipe and the output voltage of the light receiving element. 1...Washing water tank, 6...Drain port, 6
...Drain valve, 6a...Inflow pipe, 6b.
・Mark・Outflow pipe, 6c... Valve body, 6e...
・Fixed part, 8a... Light emitting element, 8b...
・Light receiving element, 9...Sliding plate for cleaning, 11・Old・
・Tension spring. Name of agent: Patent attorney Toshio Nakao and 1 other person No. 1
Figure 2 Figure 4 Figure 51.2I Figure 6 d Figure 7 Figure 8 □'

Claims (1)

【特許請求の範囲】[Claims] 洗濯水受槽の排水口に配設され、流入管と排出管とゴム
製の弁体を具備する排水弁と、前記流入管を挾み相対す
る位置に配設した発光素子および受光素子を備え、前記
弁体に前記発光素子と受光素子を配設した位置の流入管
両内壁面に接触し、前記弁体とは異材質膜の洗浄用摺動
板を固着し、弁体の洗浄用摺動板固着部は、弁体に対し
、伸縮自在に動くように、弁体との連絡部の肉厚を弁体
に対し薄肉とするとともに、前記洗浄用摺動板の一部に
バネ材を係着し、弁体方向に常に引張したセンサー付洗
濯機のセンサー洗浄装置。A drain valve disposed at a drain port of a washing water receiving tank and comprising an inflow pipe, a discharge pipe, and a rubber valve body, and a light emitting element and a light receiving element disposed at opposite positions sandwiching the inflow pipe, A cleaning sliding plate made of a membrane different from that of the valve body is fixed to the valve body in contact with both inner wall surfaces of the inflow pipe at a position where the light emitting element and the light receiving element are disposed, and a cleaning sliding plate is fixed to the valve body. The plate fixing portion has a connecting portion with the valve body made thinner than the valve body so that it can move telescopically with respect to the valve body, and a spring material is attached to a part of the cleaning sliding plate. A sensor cleaning device for a washing machine equipped with a sensor that is constantly pulled in the direction of the valve body.