EP2824230B1

EP2824230B1 - Washing machine and communication system for washing machine

Info

Publication number: EP2824230B1
Application number: EP12870624.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ran Wang; Hisashi Hagiwara; Tomotaka Yagi
Original assignee: Panasonic Corp
Current assignee: Panasonic Corp
Priority date: 2012-03-07
Filing date: 2012-12-12
Publication date: 2018-02-21
Anticipated expiration: 2032-12-12
Also published as: JP5873973B2; CN103781958B; CN103781958A; JP2013183842A; EP2824230A1; WO2013132563A1; EP2824230A4

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a washing machine and a communication system for the washing machine for changing the operation content of a memory of the washing machine by data communication of a portable information terminal and the washing machine.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, a washing machine or a washing/drying machine with a drying function executes the washing operation based on the operation courses defined with set content such as washing operation, rinsing operation, spin-drying operation, drying operation, and the like.
Thus, an operation section disposed on the washing machine or the washing/drying machine includes an input unit to which a user inputs the washing time in the washing operation, the number of rinsing times in the rinsing operation, the spin-drying time in the spin-drying operation, the drying time in the drying operation, and the like. The input unit is configured by a button for setting the washing time, a button for setting the number of rinsing times, a button for setting the spin-drying time, a button for setting the drying time, and the like.
The set content of the washing operation input through the input unit is written and stored in a memory. The washing machine executes the washing operation according to the set content stored in the memory (see e.g., patent document 1).
In the conventional configuration, however, the set content of the washing operation, and the like written in the memory needs to be changed each time the washing is carried out. Thus, problems arise in that it takes time for input and the input operation is time-consuming.
Furthermore, if the washing machine is installed outside, the user needs to go outside and change the set content of the washing operation each time of performing washing. Thus, this is inconvenient to the user.

Citation List

Patent Literature

PTL 1: Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 2002-119788 DE 10 2007 038 368 A1 discloses a household appliance such as a washing machine having a wireless communication system for communication between the appliance and a portable transmission/reception unit. The system is used to determine user authorization for operation of the household appliance.
EP 1 548 174 A1 discloses a washing/drying system comprising a washing machine which is configured to wirelessly transmit control information to a dryer or a washing machine via a remote control. WO 2013/021330 A1 has been cited under Article 54(3) EPC and discloses an electrical household appliance having data acquisition means with wireless communication means designed to interact with an external device outside the appliance in order to avoid the use of an oversized memory serving to contain a large number of washing programs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is defined by the independent claim, whereas the dependent claims constitute preferred embodiments.
In order to solve the problem described above, the washing machine according to the present invention includes a transmission/reception unit for performing data communication with a portable information terminal, the transmission/reception unit being disposed on a washing machine body; an operation course selection button for selecting an operation course; an input unit configured to set at least one of a washing time, a number of rinsing times, and a spin-drying time; an operation section including the operation course selection button, the input unit and a display unit for displaying a set content of the operation course set with the input unit; a memory for storing a set content of the operation course set by the data communication and the input unit; a control section for controlling a series of operations of the washing machine based on the set content stored in the memory, wherein the control section includes a rewriting unit of the memory, and rewrites the set content of the memory based on a signal received by the transmission/reception unit through the near field data communication with the portable information terminal brought close to the transmission/reception unit; wherein the transmission/reception unit is disposed in an embedded manner so as to not be exposed to the outer appearance of a washing machine body near the display unit. Accordingly, the set content of the operation course such as washing, rinsing, spin-drying, drying, and the like, for example, can be set through the portable information terminal. As a result, the washing machine excelling in convenience in which the set content of the operation course can be easily and rapidly changed can be realized.
Furthermore, the communication system for the washing machine according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention has a configuration of carrying out, through data communication, the set content of the operation course set in the washing machine between the transmission/reception unit of the washing machine and the transmission/reception unit of the portable information terminal.
Accordingly, the set content of the operation course of the washing machine can be easily changed through the portable information terminal. As a result, the communication system for the washing machine excelling in convenience and operability can be built.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a configuration of a washing machine and a communication system for the washing machine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the washing machine according to the exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram describing a configuration of a control circuit of the washing machine and the communication system for the washing machine according to the exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a view showing an operation section disposed on the washing machine according to the exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart describing a washing performance of the washing machine and the communication system for the washing machine according to the exemplary embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT

Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited by the present exemplary embodiment. Furthermore, a drum-type washing/drying machine with a drying function such as a heat pump type dehumidification drying unit will be hereinafter described by way of example, but it should be recognized that this is not the sole case.

(Exemplary Embodiment)

A washing machine and a communication system for the washing machine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be hereinafter described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.
FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a configuration of the washing machine and the communication system for the washing machine according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the washing machine according to the exemplary embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, washing machine 200 of the present exemplary embodiment is configured by at least washing machine body 210, operation section 8A and transmission/reception unit 230 disposed at an upper part of washing machine body 210.
The communication system for the washing machine of the present exemplary embodiment is configured by carrying out data communication between transmission/reception unit 230 of washing machine 200 and a transmission/reception unit (not shown) of portable information terminal 220.
In this case, the data communication is carried out by near field communication between transmission/reception unit 230 disposed on washing machine body 210 and the transmission/reception unit of portable information terminal 220, the near field communication complying with a protocol based on NFC (Near Field Communication) standard, for example. The NFC standard is a near field communication technology acknowledged as an international standard, where communication can be carried out bi-directionally between devices mounted with the transmission/reception unit of the same NFC communication standard. Thus, the near field communication technology complying with the NFC standard is currently widely used, for example, for traffic system card and electronic money, and furthermore, settlement service of the portable information terminal (e.g., portable telephone), and the like.
In the communication system for washing machine 200 of the present exemplary embodiment as well, the communication method based on the NFC standard is used for the data communication of transmission/reception unit 230 of washing machine body 210 and the transmission/reception unit of portable information terminal 220 to carry out the data communication by bi-directional communication.
Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, washing machine 200 of the present exemplary embodiment is configured by at least rotary drum 1, water tub 2, control circuit 100, circulating air blow paths 9 and 11, operation section 8A, and transmission/reception unit 230, each of which is accommodated in washing machine body 210.
Water tub 2 is disposed in washing machine body 210 in a suspended state by a suspension structure (not shown).
Rotary drum 1 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, and is included in water tub 2. In this case, rotary drum 1 is disposed with a shaft center direction of rotary drum 1 inclined downward from front side (left side of FIG. 2) toward rear side (right side of FIG. 2).
A great number of through-holes 1a communicating to water tub 2 is formed on an inner circumferential wall of rotary drum 1, and agitating projections (not shown) are formed at plural positions of the inner circumferential wall. Rotary drum 1 is rotatably driven in forward rotation direction and reverse rotation direction by motor 3 attached to the rear side (right side of FIG. 2) of water tub 2. The laundry accommodated in rotary drum 1 is thereby washed.
Clothing putting-in/taking-out port 1b leading to an open end of rotary drum 1 is also formed on the front side (left side of FIG. 2) of water tub 2. Furthermore, door 35 that openably/closably closes an opening disposed on an upward-facing inclined surface of washing machine body 210 is disposed on the front side of washing machine body 210. The laundry can be put in or taken out to and from rotary drum 1 through clothing putting-in/taking-out port 1b by opening door 35. At this time, the user can put in or take out the laundry without bending down since door 35 is disposed on the upward-facing inclined surface. Thus, the operability in putting in and taking out the laundry can be improved compared to the general drum type washing/drying machine having an opening in the horizontal direction.
Water tub 2 is connected with piping with a water pouring pipe line (not shown) including a water pouring valve and drain pipe line 40 including drain valve 27. The water pouring to water tub 2 and drainage from water tub 2 are carried out by controlling the water pouring valve and drain valve 27.
As shown in FIG. 2, control circuit 100 controls the water supply and drainage to and from water tub 2, the rotation of rotary drum 1, and the like to perform each step of washing, rinsing, and spin-drying (hereinafter, the three steps are collectively referred to as "washing operation").
For example, control circuit 100 drives air blow fan 4, which is an air blow unit, to perform a control of circulating the air in water tub 2 through circulating air blow paths 9 and 11 including a dehumidifying unit and a heating unit. The dehumidifying unit and the heating unit are configured by evaporator 19 and condenser 17 configuring an air conditioning machine connected to compression machine 16 with a refrigerant circuit, for example.
That is, control circuit 100 controls air blow fan 4 to introduce the damp air containing water vapor in water tub 2 from circulating air introducing pipe line 5 to circulating air blow paths 9 and 11. The water vapor in the introduced air is dew condensed with evaporator 19 to obtain dry air. The dry air is again heated in condenser 17 and blown into water tub 2 as dry high-temperature air. The laundry in rotary drum 1 can be efficiently dried by repeatedly circulating and exposing the dry high-temperature air to the laundry in rotary drum 1.
The washing machine and the communication system for the washing machine of the present exemplary embodiment are configured as described above.
The washing operation of the washing machine executed by control circuit 100 will be described below. The detailed configuration and operation of control circuit 100 will be described below with reference to FIG. 3.
First, the user opens door 35 of washing machine 200 and puts the laundry and the detergent in rotary drum 1. The user then operates operation section 8A disposed at the upper part of the front surface of washing machine body 210 to input the operation course, and the like, for example. Control circuit 100 thereby controls each component according to the input operation course and starts the washing operation described below.
First, control circuit 100 controls the water pouring valve to pour a predetermined amount of water from the water pouring pipe line into water tub 2. After the water is poured, control circuit 100 controls motor 3 to rotatably drive rotary drum 1. The washing step of the washing machine is thereby started.
In this case, the laundry accommodated in rotary drum 1 is repeatedly subjected to the so-called agitating operation of being lifted up and dropped from the appropriate lifted height in the rotating direction by the agitating projections provided on the inner circumferential wall of rotary drum 1. The washing is thereby carried out with the laundry subjected to the action of beat washing.
After elapse of a predetermined washing time, control circuit 100 controls drain valve 27 to discharge the unclean washing solution from drain pipe line 40.
Control circuit 100 then performs the spin-drying step of controlling rotary drum 1 to rotate in high speed, and spin-drying the washing solution contained in the laundry.
Thereafter, control circuit 100 performs the rinsing step of controlling the water pouring valve and pouring water from the water pouring pipe line into water tub 2. In the rinsing step as well, the laundry accommodated in rotary drum 1 is repeatedly subjected to the agitating operation of being lifted up and dropped by the agitating projections according to the rotation of rotary drum 1 to perform the rinsing, similar to the washing step.
The drum type washing/drying machine of the present exemplary embodiment has a function of drying the laundry accommodated in rotary drum 1.
Control circuit 100 then performs the control to exhaust the air in water tub 2 from circulating air introducing pipe line 5, perform dehumidification and heating through circulating air blow paths 9 and 11, and blow the dry air again into water tub 2, as described above.
Specifically, control circuit 100 rotatably drives air blow fan 4 to generate a flow of air in circulating air blow paths 9 and 11. The damp air in rotary drum 1 accommodating the laundry is thereby exhausted from water tub 2 to circulating air introducing pipe line 5 through through-hole 1a, and the like.
The water vapor in the air exhausted to circulating air introducing pipe line 5 is dew condensed and dehumidified by evaporator 19 located upstream of air blow fan 4. Furthermore, the dehumidified air is heat exchanged and heated in condenser 17 to become the dry high-temperature air.
The dry high-temperature air is sent to circulating air blow paths 9 and 11 from air blow fan 4 to water tub 2 to be blown into water tub 2. The dry air of high-temperature blown into water tub 2 is introduced into rotary drum 1 through through-hole 1a, escaped to water tub 2 while making contact with the laundry such as clothing, and again exhausted to circulating air introducing pipe line 5.
That is, the drying step of the laundry is carried out by repeating the circulation of air through circulating air blow paths 9 and 11 described above.
When performing the drying step using circulating air blow paths 9 and 11, foreign substances, mainly yarn waste, and the like produced from the laundry such as clothing are mixed in the circulating air and circulated therewith. The foreign substances may pose problems in the drying step such as clogging of evaporator 19 and condenser 17, biting to a rotation unit of air blow fan 4, deposition on the inner surface of air blow fan 4, and the like.
The maintenance described below for removing the foreign substances is then carried out.
Specifically, a filter for removing the foreign substance in the circulating air is generally disposed in the middle (e.g., upstream side of evaporator 19, condenser 17, and air blow fan 4) of circulating air blow paths 9 and 11. The foreign substances mixed in the air that has dried the laundry are thereby caught with the filter, thus preventing the foreign substances from mixing in the circulating air blown toward the downstream side. As a result, the functions of evaporator 19, condenser 17, air blow fan 4, and the like can be conserved for a long period, and a highly reliable washing machine can be realized.
The control circuit of the washing machine and the communication system for the washing machine according to the present exemplary embodiment will be hereinafter more specifically described with reference to FIG. 3 while referencing FIG. 2.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram describing the configuration of the control circuit of the washing machine and the communication system for the washing machine according to the present exemplary embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 3, control circuit 100 is configured by at least first motor 101, sensors 101a, 101b, and 101c, first inverter circuit 102, first inverter drive circuit 103, second motor 111, second inverter circuit 112, second inverter drive circuit 113, current detector 114, control section 121, temperature detector 122, load drive unit 132, drying fan 133, water supply valve 134, drain valve 135, DC power supply conversion unit 140, and the like.
First motor 101 corresponds to motor 3 in FIG. 2, and rotatably drives rotary drum 1. In this case, an electric angle of first motor 101 is detected by three sensors 101a to 101c including a hall IC, for example, disposed near a rotator (rotor). Sensors 101a to 101c are disposed on a stator of first motor 101 so as to face a permanent magnet disposed on the rotor of first motor 101 at an interval of an electric angle of 120 degrees with respect to each other. The detection outputs of sensors 101a to 101c are input to control section 121.
Control section 121 controls first inverter circuit 102 driven by first inverter drive circuit 103 based on the input detection outputs of sensors 101a to 101c. Control section 121 thereby controls the rotation operation such as the rotation speed of first motor 101, and the like through first inverter circuit 102.
In this case, first inverter circuit 102 includes six sets of parallel circuits of a switching element including a power transistor (IGBT: Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor) and a reverse conduction diode, for example. First inverter circuit 102 is configured from three sets of series circuits in which two sets of parallel circuits are respectively series connected. A node between the switching elements in each set of series circuit is connected to a U terminal, a V terminal, and a W terminal of a three-phase winding in first motor 101. The U terminal, the V terminal, and the W terminal of first motor 101 thus can be set to three states of positive voltage, zero voltage, and release according to an ON/OFF combination of the two switching elements in each set of series circuit.
The ON/OFF switching of the switching element configuring first inverter circuit 102 is controlled by control section 121 and first inverter drive circuit 103 based on the information of the detection outputs of sensors 101a to 101c.
Second motor 111 rotatably drives compression machine 16 in FIG. 2. Control section 121 controls the rotation operation such as the rotation speed of second motor 111 through second inverter drive circuit 113 and second inverter circuit 112.
In this case, second inverter circuit 112 includes six sets of parallel circuits of a switching element including the power transistor (IGBT) and the reverse conduction diode, similar to first inverter circuit 102. Second inverter circuit 112 is configured from three sets of series circuits in which two sets of parallel circuits are respectively series connected. A node between the switching elements in each set of series circuit is connected to a U terminal, a V terminal, and a W terminal of a three-phase winding in second motor 111. The U terminal, the V terminal, and the W terminal of second motor 111 thus can be set to three states of positive voltage, zero voltage, and release according to an ON/OFF combination of the two switching elements in each set of series circuit.
Current detector 114 detects the current output from three sets of series circuits configuring second inverter circuit 112. The detection result detected by current detector 114 is input to control section 121.
The ON/OFF switching of the switching element configuring second inverter circuit 112 is controlled by control section 121 and second inverter drive circuit 113 based on the detection result of current detector 114.
Temperature detector 122 detects the temperature of the refrigerant in compression machine 16 or in the pipe line shown in FIG. 2. The temperature of the refrigerant is proportional to the pressure of the interior of compression machine 16. That is, the refrigerant temperature is high if the pressure in compression machine 16 is high, and the refrigerant temperature is low if the pressure in compression machine 16 is low.
Load drive unit 132 controls drying fan 133, water supply valve 134, and drain valve 135 based on a control signal of control section 121. Drying fan 133 corresponds to air blow fan 4 shown in FIG. 2, and flows a dry warm air generated by heat exchanging unit 18 including compression machine 16 into water tub 2. Water supply valve 134 is disposed on the water supply pipe line, and supplies the water to water tub 2. Drain valve 135 is disposed on drain pipe line 40, and discharges the water in water tub 2 to the outside.
DC power supply conversion unit 140 is configured by diode bridge 136, choke coil 137, and smoothing capacitors 138 and 139, and converts AC input from commercial power supply 131 to DC. The DC power supply output from DC power supply conversion unit 140 is input to first inverter circuit 102 and second inverter circuit 112.
Control section 121 is input with the information of a current value of second inverter circuit 112 for rotatably driving compression machine 16 detected with current detector 114, the information of the refrigerant temperature in compression machine 16 detected by temperature detector 122, and the pulse detected with sensors 101a to 101c. In this case, control section 121 detects a rotation period of first motor 101 based on the pulses input from sensors 101a to 101c. Furthermore, control section 121 calculates the rotation speed of first motor 101 based on the detected rotation period. Control section 121 controls the output of first inverter circuit 102 through first inverter drive circuit 103 so that the rotation speed of first motor 101 becomes the calculated rotation speed. Similarly, control section 121 controls the rotation of second motor 111 through second inverter drive circuit 113 and second inverter circuit 112 based on the input information of the current value of second inverter circuit 112 and the information of the refrigerant temperature in compression machine 16.
As shown in FIG. 3, control section 121 further includes memory 51, and rewriting unit 52 for rewriting the set content stored in memory 51. Control section 121 controls the series of washing performances of the washing machine such as washing, rinsing, and spin-drying based on the set content of the operation courses stored in memory 51.
In this case, according to the communication system for the washing machine of the present exemplary embodiment, rewriting unit 52 of control section 121 rewrites the set content of the operation course, and the like stored in memory 51 based on the signal transmitted from transmission/reception unit 220a of portable information terminal 220 received by transmission/reception unit 230 disposed on washing machine body 210.
When the set content stored in memory 51 is rewritten by rewriting unit 52, control circuit 100 executes the washing performance for the washing operation based on the newly rewritten set content.
Specifically describing, if the signal received from transmission/reception unit 220a of portable information terminal 220 through transmission/reception unit 230 of washing machine body 210 includes information related to the data of "favorite operation course" of washing machine body 210, for example, rewriting unit 52 of control section 121 rewrites the set content of memory 51 of control section 121 to the data of the "favorite operation course" based on the received signal.
The signal to be transmitted/received merely needs to include, for example, at least one of washing time, water amount, spin-drying time, or drying time for the washing operation. Rewriting unit 52 of control section 121 rewrites the set content stored in memory 51 of at least one of the washing time, the water amount, the spin-drying time, and the drying time for the washing operation based on the received signal.
As shown with reference to FIG. 4, transmission/reception unit 230 of washing machine body 210 is preferably disposed in operation section 8A, and is preferably disposed in an embedded manner so as not to be exposed to the outer appearance of washing machine body 210 near display unit 105. The set content of the operation course, and the like set in the washing machine thus can be rewritten through the data communication of near field communication using portable information terminal 220. The user can rapidly and certainly check the rewritten set content with display unit 105 disposed on washing machine body 210. The operability of the user in rewriting the set content thus can be enhanced. The communication system for the washing machine excelling in convenience and operability thus can be realized.
In this case, display unit 221 is preferably disposed on portable information terminal 220. The user then can easily check the input information and the output information such as the set content transmitted/received through data communication with display unit 221. That is, the user can easily recognize the status and the set content of the washing operation by displaying the data provided from transmission/reception unit 230 of washing machine body 210 through data communication on display unit 221 of portable information terminal 220.
The operation section disposed on the washing machine according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIG. 4.
FIG. 4 is a view showing the operation section disposed on the washing machine according to the exemplary embodiment. Operation section 8A is disposed at the upper part of washing machine body 210, as shown in FIG. 1.
As shown in FIG. 4, operation section 8A of the present exemplary embodiment includes at least operation course selection button 4J, operation course selection lamp 4D, input unit 104, and display unit 105.
Operation course selection button 4J is configured by a button for selecting a plurality of "basic operation courses" or "favorite operation course".
The "basic operation course" of operation course selection button 4J includes, for example, "arbitrary course", "urgent course", "home cleaning course", and the like. The "home cleaning course" refers to the course capable of washing the clothing (e.g., clothing that can be easily damaged, clothing that requires dry cleaning, etc.), which is to be sent to the professional cleaner for washing.
The "arbitrary course" is the most standard operation course that assumes the laundry in a general household, and for example, the washing time is set to "nine minutes", the number of rinsing times is set to "water pouring for two times", and the spin-drying time is set to "seven minutes".
The "urgent course" is the basic operation course for urgently performing the washing, and for example, the washing time is set to "three minutes", the number of rinsing times is set to "water pouring for one time", and the spin-drying time is set to "three minutes".
Furthermore, the "home cleaning course" is the operation course corresponding to the washing such as dry cleaning in the washing machine in the household, and for example, the washing time is set to "12 minutes", the number of rinsing times is set to "water-saving rinsing for two times", and the spin-drying time is set to "40 seconds".
The "favorite operation course" of operation course selection button 4J is the operation course in which the user can arbitrarily set the washing time in the washing operation, the number of rinsing times in the rinsing operation, the spin-drying time in the spin-drying operation, and the like according to the preference of the user.
Operation course selection lamp 4D displays the selected operation course in accordance with a plurality of "basic operation courses" and the "favorite operation course" selected with operation course selection button 4J. Operation course selection lamp 4D is configured, for example, by an LED (Light Emitting Diode), and the like.
That is, operation course selection lamp 4D displays the respective operation course in accordance with "arbitrary course", "urgent course", "home cleaning course", and "favorite operation course".
Specifically, each time the user pushes operation course selection button 4J, operation course selection lamp 4D is switched and lighted in the order of "arbitrary course", "urgent course", "home cleaning course", and "favorite operation course", for example. The user then selects the necessary operation course.
As shown in FIG. 4, input unit 104 of operation section 8A is configured by a button for setting the washing time, a button for setting the number of rinsing times, a button for setting the spin-drying time, and the like. The washing time in the washing operation thus can be more specifically set with the button for setting the washing time. The number of rinsing times in the rinsing operation can be more specifically set with the button for setting the number of rinsing times. The spin-drying time in the spin-drying operation can be more specifically set with the button for setting the spin-drying time.
In this case, the set content of the operation course set by input unit 104 of operation section 8A is written and stored in memory 51.
Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, display unit 105 of operation section 8A displays the operation content such as the set content of the operation course, that is, the washing time, the number of rinsing times, the spin-drying time, and the like, set with input unit 104.
Moreover, as shown in FIG. 4, transmission/reception unit 230 is disposed at the upper part of washing machine body 210 near operation section 8A. Thus, the communication system for the washing machine to rewrite the set content of the operation course in memory 51 is configured by the data communication between transmission/reception unit 230 of operation section 8A and transmission/reception unit 220a of portable information terminal 220.
That is, according to the present exemplary embodiment, the set content of the operation course can be rewritten and stored in memory 51 by the input operation from input unit 104 other than the communication system for the washing machine described above according to the situation. The washing machine excelling in operability and convenience thus can be realized.
The washing performance through the washing machine and the communication system for the washing machine according to the present exemplary embodiment will now be described with reference to FIG. 5.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart describing the washing performance of the washing machine and the communication system for the washing machine according to the present exemplary embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 5, the power supplies of washing machine body 210 and portable information terminal 220 are first turned ON to an initial standby state (step S1).
Next, for example, whether or not to change to the step of the set content of the washing operation such as the "favorite operation course", and the like is determined by the user (step S2). When not changing the set content of the washing operation to the step of the "favorite operation course" (NO in step S2), a sequence for executing the washing operation is started according to the set content set in advance to execute the washing performance, where the washing performance is completed when the sequence is finished.
When changing the set content of the washing operation to the step of the "favorite operation course" (YES in step S2), whether or not to change the set content to the step of the "favorite operation course" using portable information terminal 220 is determined by the user (step S3). When changing the set content to the step of the "favorite operation course" using portable information terminal 220 (YES in step S3), portable information terminal 220 is operated to set and store the set content of the "favorite operation course" with portable information terminal 220, for example (step S4).
The set content set with portable information terminal 220 is transmitted from transmission/reception unit 220a of portable information terminal 220 to transmission/reception unit 230 of washing machine body 210 through the data communication using near field communication (NFC) (step S7).
Rewriting unit 52 of control section 121 rewrites the set content of the washing operation of the original course stored in memory 51 to the data of the set content of the "favorite operation course" based on the signal of the set content of the washing operation of the "favorite operation course" received with transmission/reception unit 230 (step S8) and the process returns to step S2.
When portable information terminal 220 is not used (NO in step S3), the user changes to the set content of the "favorite operation course" with the set button of operation section 8A of washing machine body 210 (step S5).
Rewriting unit 52 of control section 121 rewrites the set content of the original operation course stored in memory 51 in advance to the data of the set content of the "favorite operation course" based on the set content of the washing operation of the "favorite operation course" changed through operation section 8A (step S6), and the process returns to step S2.
When portable information terminal 220 is not used (NO in step S3), the user changes to the set content of the "favorite course" with the set button of operation section 8A of washing machine body 210 (step S5).
Rewriting unit 52 of control section 121 rewrites the set content of the original operation course stored in memory 51 in advance to the data of the set content of the "favorite course" based on the set content of the washing operation of the "favorite course" changed through operation section 8A (step S6), and the process returns to step S2.
The sequence for executing the washing operation is started to execute the washing performance based on the operation course set by the data communication through portable information terminal 220 or the input of operation section 8A. Thereafter, the washing performance is completed when the sequence of the washing performance is terminated.
According to the present exemplary embodiment, the set content of the operation course written in memory 51 can be rewritten based on a rewrite signal transmitted from transmission/reception unit 220a of portable information terminal 220. That is, the set content of the operation course of washing machine body 210 can be easily changed through the data communication by the near field communication (NFC) using portable information terminal 220.
As described above, according to a washing machine of the present invention, a transmission/reception unit for performing data communication with a portable information terminal, the transmission/reception unit being disposed on the washing machine body; an input unit for setting an operation course; a memory for storing a set content of the operation course set by the data communication and the input unit; and a control section for controlling a series of operations of the washing machine based on the set content stored in the memory are disposed. The control section includes a rewriting unit of the memory, and rewrites the set content of the memory based on a signal received by the transmission/reception unit through the data communication with the portable information terminal brought close to the transmission/reception unit.
The set content of the operation course written in the memory thus can be rewritten based on the rewrite signal transmitted from the portable information terminal. As a result, the user can easily set the operation course of the washing machine, and the like.
Furthermore, according to the washing machine of the present invention, a display unit for displaying the set content of the operation course is further disposed, and the transmission/reception unit is disposed near the display unit.
The set content set in the washing machine using the portable information terminal thus can be rapidly and certainly checked with the display unit disposed on the washing machine body.
Furthermore, according to the washing machine of the present invention, the signal transmitted from the portable information terminal includes at least one of data related to a washing time, the number of rinsing times, and a spin-drying time.
Thus, the user can easily set at least one of the washing time, the number of rinsing times, and the spin-drying time by the portable information terminal.
A communication system for a washing machine of the present invention has a configuration of performing a set content of an operation course set in the washing machine through data communication between a transmission/reception unit of the washing machine and a transmission/reception unit of a portable information terminal.
The set content of the operation course of the washing machine thus can be easily changed through the portable information terminal.
Furthermore, according to the communication system for the washing machine of the present invention, the portable information terminal includes a display unit for displaying at least the set content of the operation course.
The user thus can rapidly and easily check the set content of the operation course of the washing machine with the portable information terminal.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is useful in applications such as the washing machine in which convenience and simple operability are desired since the operation content (washing time, number of rinsing times, spin-drying time, and drying time) can be easily and rapidly changed through data communication between the portable information terminal and the washing machine.

REFERENCE MARKS IN THE DRAWINGS

1: rotary drum
1a: through-hole
1b: clothing putting-in/taking out port
2: water tub
3: motor
4: air blow fan
4D: operation course selection lamp
4J: operation course selection button
5: circulating air introducing pipe line
8A: operation section
9: circulating air blow path
16: compression machine
17: condenser
18: heat exchanging unit
19: evaporator
27: drain valve
35: door
40: drain pipe line
51: memory
52: rewriting unit
100: control circuit
101: first motor
101a, 101b, 101c: sensor
102: first inverter circuit
103: first inverter drive circuit
104: input unit
105: display unit
111: second motor
112: second inverter circuit
113: second inverter drive circuit
114: current detector
121: control section
122: temperature detector
131: commercial power supply
132: load drive unit
133: drying fan
134: water supply valve
135: drain valve
136: diode bridge
137: choke coil
138: smoothing capacitor
140: DC power supply conversion unit
200: washing machine
210: washing machine body
220: portable information terminal
220a, 230: transmission/reception unit
221: display unit

Claims

A washing machine (200), comprising:
a transmission/reception unit (230) for performing near field data communication with a portable information terminal (220), the transmission/reception unit (230) being disposed on a washing machine body (210);

an operation course selection button (4J) for selecting an operation course;

an input unit (104) configured to set at least one of a washing time, a number of rinsing times, and a spin-drying time;

an operation section (8A) including the operation course selection button (4J), the input unit (104) and a display unit (105) for displaying a set content of the operation course set with the input unit (104);

a memory for storing a set content of the operation course set by the data communication and the input unit (104); and

a control section (121) for controlling a series of operations of the washing machine based on the set content stored in the memory, wherein

the control section (121) includes a rewriting unit (52) of the memory (51), and rewrites the set content of the memory (51) based on a signal received by the transmission/reception unit (230) through the near field data communication with the portable information terminal (220) brought close to the transmission/reception unit (230); wherein the transmission/reception unit (230) is disposed in an embedded manner so as to not be exposed to the outer appearance of a washing machine body (210) near the display unit (105).
The washing machine (200) according to claim 1, wherein the signal transmitted from the portable information terminal (220) includes at least one of data related to the washing time, the number of rinsing times, and the spin-drying time.
A communication system for communication between a transmission/reception unit (230) of a washing machine (200) and a transmission/reception unit of a portable information terminal (220) for performing data communication of a content of an operation course set for the washing machine (200), the communication system comprising:
the washing machine (200) according to any one of the preceding claims; and

wherein the portable information terminal (220) includes a display unit (105) for displaying at least the set content of the operation course.