Abstract: A washing machine apparatus includes an optical sensor for detecting a light permeability of a liquid contained in a washer tank. The time duration of a washing cycle is determined in accordance with two variables. The first variable is a saturating time in which the detected light permeability becomes relatively constant. The second variable is the overall light permeability change during the washing cycle at the saturation time. The saturating time period and the light permeability change are fuzzy processed to obtain a remaining time duration of the washing cycle.

Abstract: A washing machine apparatus includes an optical sensor which detects a light permeability of a liquid contained in a washer tank and a volume sensor which detects a volume of laundries contained in the washer tank. A minimum washing time and a maximum washing time of a washing cycle are set based on the detected volume of laundries. During the washing cycle, at a saturation time in which the detected light permeability becomes relatively constant, an overall light permeability change is detected. A remaining washing time is set based on the thus detected overall light permeability change, so long as the total washing time falls within the minimum and maximum set in accordance with the detected volume of laundries.

Abstract: The automatic washing machine according to the present invention is provided with an optical sensor which consists of a light emitting element and a light receiving element to detect the light permeability of a solution of washing detergent and rinse water in a washer tank, and an output control means for controlling an output of the light emitting element of the optical sensor. The output control means is adapted to control such that the light permeability of water or air fed in the washer tank is a reference value, with effecting the initial setting of the optical sensor. Accordingly, the optical sensor is prevented from erroneously detecting the light permeability when it is stained with water drops or the like and, decreases its output. Moreover, the automatic washing machine is provided with a volume sensor for detecting the volume of laundries to be washed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a control apparatus for a washing machine, which judges the type of dirt and quantity of dirt, etc. in laundry items to be washed, to thereby ensure optimum results for the finished washed items. In addition, control of washing is executed by judgement operations executed at high speed, to enable highly accurate real-time control. The apparatus is provided with a transmission factor detection apparatus (19) for detecting the optical transmission factor of the washing liquid within a tub of the washing machine. The optical transmission factor detected by the transmission factor detection apparatus (19) and the duration of a saturation interval, which elapses from the start of washing until a condition of saturation of the optical transmission factor is attained, are used as information representing the type of dirt and quantity of dirt, etc. A microcomputer (16) determines the duration of a washing operation, etc.

Abstract: The control device for a washing machine is provided to have a function of testing the working characteristic of the transmission sensing device for sensing light transmission of water filled while the water supplied in a washing bath is fresh before putting detergent therein or stirring the cloth for rinsing. The control device makes it possible to automatically test the working characteristic of the transmission sensing device and judge if abnormality takes place if the washing or rinsing operation is executed while the washing machine is in operation.

Abstract: A washing machine includes an optical sensor for detecting a light permeability of detergent solution and rinse water in a washer tank. The optical sensor includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element. A microprocessor is provided for controlling a luminous intensity of the light emitted from the light emitting element. More specifically, the microprocessor sets the luminous intensity of the light emitting element such that an intensity of the light detected by the light receiving element is equal to or greater than a stored reference value during at least one of two operating states. The first of the two operating states is a state in which water is absent from the water tank. A second of the two operating states is a state in which water is present in the water tank and prior to agitation of the water in the water tank. Various processing cycles of the washing machine are carried out in accordance with the light permeability detected by the optical sensor.