Full-automated washer
First Claim
1. A washing machine comprising:
- a washing drum;
a stirring blade rotatably supported in the washing drum;
an electric motor for rotating the stirring blade;
a water supply valve for supplying water to the washing drum;
a water drain valve for draining water from the washing drum;
a water level detecting sensor for detecting a water level in the washing drum and for producing a water level detection signal indicative of the detected water level in the washing drum; and
an electrical control circuit for processing the water level detection signal to determine if the detected water level in the washing drum is equal to a selected water level, and for controlling the electric motor, the water supply valve, and the water drain valve;
wherein the water level detecting sensor comprises an LC oscillator for producing the water level detection signal, and wherein the water level detection signal has a frequency which varies in response to changes in the detected water level in the washing drum; and
wherein the electrical control circuit comprises;
a drive circuit for driving the electric motor, the water supply valve, and the water drain valve; and
a microcomputer for determining the frequency of the water level detection signal, and for controlling the electric motor, the water supply valve, and the water drain valve through the drive circuit;
wherein the microcomputer controls at least the water supply valve through the drive circuit in accordance with whether or not the detected water level in the washing drum is equal to the selected water level.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In a full-automated washer, a cloth amount sensor detects a quantity of an object being washed which is thrown into a washing drum as a value inclusive of information regarding a degree of bulkiness of the object to be washed. A processing circuit included in the full-automated washer is responsive to a detection output signal from the cloth amount sensor to determine a water supply amount, a cleanser feed amount, a stirring time and a rinsing time. The cloth amount sensor is mounted to a stirring motor. Upon an OFF-state of the motor, the detection output signal is generated by measuring a voltage waveform induced by inertial motion which varies in accordance the degree of bulkiness of the object to be washed.
28 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A washing machine comprising:
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a washing drum; a stirring blade rotatably supported in the washing drum; an electric motor for rotating the stirring blade; a water supply valve for supplying water to the washing drum; a water drain valve for draining water from the washing drum; a water level detecting sensor for detecting a water level in the washing drum and for producing a water level detection signal indicative of the detected water level in the washing drum; and an electrical control circuit for processing the water level detection signal to determine if the detected water level in the washing drum is equal to a selected water level, and for controlling the electric motor, the water supply valve, and the water drain valve; wherein the water level detecting sensor comprises an LC oscillator for producing the water level detection signal, and wherein the water level detection signal has a frequency which varies in response to changes in the detected water level in the washing drum; and wherein the electrical control circuit comprises; a drive circuit for driving the electric motor, the water supply valve, and the water drain valve; and a microcomputer for determining the frequency of the water level detection signal, and for controlling the electric motor, the water supply valve, and the water drain valve through the drive circuit; wherein the microcomputer controls at least the water supply valve through the drive circuit in accordance with whether or not the detected water level in the washing drum is equal to the selected water level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A washing machine comprising:
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a washing drum into which cloth is to be placed to be washed; a stirring blade rotatably supported in the washing drum; an electric motor for rotating the stirring blade; a water supply valve for supplying water to the washing drum; a water drum valve for draining water from the washing drum; a water level detecting sensor for detecting a water level in the washing drum and for producing a water level detection signal indicative of the detected water level in the washing drum; a cloth amount detecting sensor for detecting an amount of cloth placed into the washing drum to be washed and for producing a cloth amount detection signal indicative of the detected cloth amount in the washing drum; and an electrical control circuit for processing the water level detection signal to determine if the detected water level in the washing drum is equal to a selected water level, for processing the cloth amount detection signal to determine a necessary water level in the washing drum for properly washing the amount of cloth placed into the washing drum, and for controlling the electric motor, the water supply valve, and the water drain valve; wherein the water level detecting sensor comprises an LC oscillator for producing the water level detection signal, and wherein the water level detection signal has a frequency which varies in response to changes in the detected water level in the washing drum; and wherein the electrical control circuit comprises; a drive circuit for driving the electric motor, the water supply valve, and the water drain valve; and a microcomputer for determining the frequency of the water level detection signal, and for controlling the electric motor, the water supply valve, and the water drain valve through the drive circuit; wherein the microcomputer initiates a washing operation of the washing machine for washing cloth placed into the washing drum by performing the steps of; controlling the water supply valve to supply water to the washing drum while processing the water level detection signal until the microcomputer determines that the water level in the washing drum is equal to a first selected water level; controlling the electric motor to rotate the stirring blade while processing the cloth amount detection signal to determine the necessary water level in the washing drum for properly washing the amount of cloth placed into the washing drum, wherein the necessary water level is equal to or greater than the first selected water level; if the necessary water level is greater than the first selected water level, controlling the water supply valve to supply water to the washing drum while processing the water level detection signal until the microcomputer determines that the water level in the washing drum is equal to a second selected water level which is equal to the necessary water level; and controlling the electric motor to rotate the stirring blade to wash the cloth placed into the washing drum. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. A washing machine comprising:
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a washing drum for holding water; agitating means for agitating water in the washing drum; a water supply path for supplying water to the washing drum; a water drain path for draining water from the washing drum; a water supply valve for opening and closing the water supply path; a water drain valve for opening and closing the water drain path; a water level detecting sensor for detecting a water level in the washing drum and for producing a water level detection signal indicative of the detected water level in the washing drum; means for setting a selected water level in the washing drum; and an electrical control circuit for processing the water level detection signal to determine if the detected water level in the washing drum is equal to the selected water level, and for controlling the agitating means, the water supply valve, and the water drain valve; wherein the water level detecting sensor comprises an LC oscillator for producing the water level detection signal, and wherein the water level detection signal has a frequency which varies in response to changes in the detected water level in the washing drum; and wherein the electrical control circuit comprises; a drive circuit for driving the agitating means, the water supply valve, and the water drain valve; and a microcomputer for determining the frequency of the water level detection signal, and for controlling the agitating means, the water supply valve, and the water drain valve through the drive circuit; wherein the microcomputer controls at least the water supply valve in accordance with whether or not the detected water level in the washing drum is equal to the selected water level.
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Specification