Automatic washer

• US 4,335,592 A
• Filed: 11/25/1980
• Issued: 06/22/1982
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
• Original Assignee: Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
• Inventors: Torita, Fumio
• Primary Examiner(s): Coe, Philip R.
• Application Number:
  US06/210,532
• Time in Patent Office: 574 Days
• Field of Search: 68/12 R, 68/207
• US Class Current: 68/12.18
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2103/18 Washing liquid level
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2103/24 Spin speed; Drum movements
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2103/38 Time, e.g. duration
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2103/44 Current or voltage
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/02 Water supply
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/42 Detergent or additive supply
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/58 Indications or alarms to the control system or to the user
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/60 Audible signals
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 33/34 of water filling
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 34/04 Signal transfer or data transmission arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 34/08 Control circuits or arrangements thereof
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/08 Liquid supply or discharge arrangements supply of soap or other washing agents D06F39/02

Abstract

With an automatic washer embodying this invention, a stirring blade member is rotatably provided in a basket set in a tub. A torque of a motor is transmitted to the stirring blade member by means of a drive transmission. A water supply control system is set in a central processing unit. Where wash water is filled in the tub to a predetermined or standard level, then a water valve is closed. A number of rotations of the stirring blade member in the wash water in which material of washing is dipped is detected by a rotation detector. A length of time for which the water valve is to be left open is determined from the number of rotations of the stirring blade member. The water valve is left upon for a calculated length of time.

Claims

1. An automatic washer comprising:

a tub having a bottom wall for holding at least wash water;

water valve means for controlling an amount of wash water to be supplied to said tub;

a stirring blade member rotatably provided inside of said bottom wall of said tub;

drive means for rotating said stirring blade member;

measuring means connected to said drive means for detecting a number of rotations of said stirring blade member per unit time, and sending forth an output signal corresponding to said detected number of rotations;

detecting means for detecting an amount of wash water held in said tub to generate an output signal corresponding to the amount of wash water; and

valve control means for closing said water valve in response to said output signal from said detecting means, determining an amount of wash water to be additionally supplied to said tub upon receipt of said output signal from said measuring means, and opening said water valve for a length of time corresponding to said determined additional supply of wash water.

2. An automatic washer according to claim 1, wherein said drive means comprises:

an electric motor; and

drive transmission means for transmitting the drive force of said electric motor to said stirring blade member.

3. An automatic washer according to claim 1, wherein said detecting means contains water level switch means fitted to said tub to detect the level of wash water held in said tub and generate a detection signal.

4. An automatic washer according to claim 1, wherein said measuring means at least comprises:

a magnetic board rotatable in the same number of rotations as said stirring blade member; and

a magnet switch disposed near said rotatable magnetic board to generate count pulses corresponding to the number of rotations of said rotatable magnetic board.

5. An automatic washer according to claim 1, wherein said valve control means comprises:

means for closing said water valve in response to said output signal from said detecting means;

data-transmitting means for sending forth data on an amount of wash water to be additionally supplied to said tub in response to said output signal from the measuring means; and

wash water-additionally supplying means arranged to open said water valve only for a length of time corresponding to data on an amount of wash water to be additionally supplied to said tub, thereby replenishing said wash water held in said tub.

6. An automatic washer according to claim 5, wherein said data-transmitting means comprises:

time-measuring means for measuring a length of time T₁ required for wash water to be initially supplied to said level detected by said detecting means;

memory means for storing different wash water-additional supply data corresponding to different numbers of rotations of said stirring blade member;

means for reading from said memory means one of said wash water-additional supply data corresponding to said output signal of said measuring means; and

additional water supply time-calculating means for calculating a length of time T₂ required for said water valve to be opened from said length of time T₁ and said one of said wash water-additional supply data, and opening said water valve means for a length of time corresponding to said length of time T₂.

7. An automatic washer according to claim 6, wherein said valve control means contains means for again opening said water valve for a length of time equal to said length of time T₁, when said number of rotations detected by said measuring means is smaller than predetermined number.

8. An automatic washer according to claim 1, which comprises detergent feeder means for supplying said tub with an amount of a detergent corresponding to that of said wash water to be additionally supplied.

9. An automatic washer according to claim 8, which comprises means for displaying an amount of a detergent to be additionally supplied to said tub.

10. An automatic washer according to claim 9, wherein said detergent feeder means comprises:

first signal-generating means for generating a first voltage signal corresponding to a total amount of said wash water supplied to said tub;

pump means for feeding a detergent in said tub;

a motor for driving said pump;

second signal-generating means for generating a second voltage signal corresponding to a number of rotations of said motor; and

comparator means connected said first and second signal-generating means, for comparing the levels of said first and second voltage signals, and generating a stop signal at least to said motor when said first and second voltage signals are found to have the same voltage level.