JP7113314B2 - drum washing machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a washing machine having a reserved operation function.

Conventionally, in the reserved operation standby state, the lid is not locked, so that the lid can be freely opened and closed . Patent Literature 1 discloses a washing machine configured so that the lid cannot be opened and closed in a reserved standby state.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-180960

However, in a washing machine configured so that the lid cannot be opened and closed when the reserved operation is set, the lid cannot be opened when the user wants to add laundry in the reserved standby state. Therefore, it is troublesome to turn off the power and set the reservation again. In addition, when the lid can be opened, there is a problem that it is necessary to comply with the safety requirement that "after the lid is closed, the operation must not be started without some kind of operation ."

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine that can meet the safety requirement that the operation should not be started without some kind of operation after the lid is closed .

In order to solve the above conventional problems, the drum-type washing machine of the present invention includes a main body, a water tank disposed in the main body and having a clothes inlet and outlet, and a water tank provided on the front surface of the main body so as to communicate with the clothes inlet and outlet. a provided opening, a lid that can open and close the opening, a lid lock that locks the lid, an operation unit that sets washing operation, reserved operation, temporary stop, etc., and setting by the operation unit an operation control unit for controlling operation based on the contents of the operation, wherein the operation control unit locks the lid and waits until the start time of the washing operation when the reserved operation is set by the operation unit. When a temporary stop is set by the operation unit in the reserved operation standby state, the lid is unlocked to temporarily stop the reserved operation, and the reserved operation is temporarily stopped. Then, when the resuming of the reserved operation is set by the operation unit, the lid is locked and the reserved operation is resumed.

According to the present invention, in a washing machine whose lid can be opened and closed for the purpose of adding laundry while waiting for a reserved operation, it is safe to not start operation after closing the lid without performing some operation.
All requests can be met.

Side cross-sectional view of a washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention 1 is an overall perspective view of a washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention; A plan view of the operation display panel of the washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention Control block diagram of washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention FIG. 11 is a plan view showing an example of the display state of the 7-segment LEDs of the operation display panel of the washing machine according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention;

A first invention comprises a main body, a water tank disposed in the main body and having a clothing entrance, an opening provided in the front surface of the main body so as to communicate with the clothing entrance, and the opening being openable and closable. A lid that covers the lid, a lid lock that locks the lid, an operation unit that sets washing operation, reserved operation, pause, etc., and an operation control unit that controls operation based on the contents set by the operation unit and, when the reserved operation is set by the operation unit, the operation control unit locks the lid and shifts to a reserved operation standby state in which it waits until the start time of the washing operation, and the reserved operation standby. state, the lid is unlocked to temporarily stop the reserved operation, and in the state in which the reserved operation is temporarily stopped, the operation unit sets the restart of the reserved operation. If so, the lid is locked and the reserved operation is resumed.

A second aspect of the present invention is provided with a lid open/close detection unit for detecting opening and closing of the lid, and when the lid is closed and the operation unit sets the restart of the reserved operation, the lid is locked. to resume reserved operation.

By doing so, it is possible to meet the safety requirement that the lid of a washing machine that can be opened and closed for the purpose of adding laundry while waiting for a reserved operation must not be started without some kind of operation after the lid is closed. can be done.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited by this embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 1 and 2, a water tub 13 is elastically supported in a main body 12 of the washing machine via an elastic member (not shown). A bottomed cylindrical rotating drum 14 is rotatably disposed in the water tank 13 with its axial direction inclined downward from the front side to the back side.

A clothes inlet/outlet 15 leading to the open end of the rotating drum 14 is formed on the front side of the water tank 13 . An opening 17 communicating with the clothing entrance 15 is provided in an upwardly inclined surface formed in the front portion of a front frame 16 forming the front surface of the main body 12 . A lid 18 is provided to open and close the opening 17 , and the user can put laundry in and out of the rotary drum 14 through the laundry entrance 15 by opening the lid 18 . Although not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a lid open/closed state detector 60 for detecting the opening/closing of the lid 18 in conjunction with the opening/closing operation of the lid 18, and a lid for locking and unlocking the opening/closing of the lid 18 are provided. A lock 58 is provided.

A large number of through holes 19 communicating with the inside of the water tank 13 are formed in the peripheral surface of the rotating drum 14 . A motor 20 is attached to the rear side of the water tank 13, and the rotating drum 14 is rotationally driven by the motor 20 in forward and reverse directions. A water inlet pipe 21 and a drain pipe 22 are connected to the water tank 13, and have a water inlet valve 23 and a drain valve 24, respectively. A control unit 31 (operation control unit), which will be described later, controls the water supply valve 23 and the water discharge valve 24 to supply and drain water into the water tank 13 .

An operation display panel 25 is arranged above the front frame 16 , and a control section 31 is provided inside the operation display panel 25 . At the lower left side of the operation display panel 25, a detergent supply case 26 is arranged on the front frame 16 so that it can be drawn forward. By operating the operation display panel 25 prior to operation, the user can set the desired operation details, start or suspend the operation, and check the progress of the operation. The control unit 31 (operation control unit) executes a series of steps of washing, rinsing, dehydration, and drying based on operation settings made by the user. At this time, if the reserved operation is set, the operation is started and executed with a delay according to the setting.

The user sets the operation, puts detergent into the detergent charging case 26, opens the lid 18, loads the laundry into the rotating drum 14, and starts the operation. The control unit 31 opens the water injection valve 23 to inject tap water into the detergent injection case 26, and flows the detergent that has been injected into the detergent injection case 26 into the water tank 13 through the water injection pipe line 21. A predetermined amount of washing liquid is supplied to the When the washing liquid in the water tank 13 reaches a predetermined water level, water supply is terminated, and the rotary drum 14 is driven to rotate by the motor 20 to start the washing step. The laundry is lifted in the rotational direction by the rotation of the rotary drum 14 and dropped, and the stirring operation is repeated to remove stains. When the required time has elapsed, the rotation of the rotating drum 14 is stopped, the drain valve 24 is opened, the dirty washing liquid is discharged from the drain pipe 22, and the dehydrating operation that rotates the rotating drum 14 at high speed removes it from the laundry. The washed washing liquid is dewatered.

After dehydration, the drain valve 24 is closed, tap water is injected into the water tank 13 from the water injection conduit 21, and a rinsing step is performed. Also in the rinsing step, the laundry is rinsed by repeated agitation by the rotation of the rotary drum 14, and the operation of the subsequent steps is executed.

3 is a plan view of the operation display panel of the washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 4 is a control block diagram of the washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

3 and 4, the operation unit 56 provided on the operation display panel 25 includes a wash button 56a for setting the washing process, a rinse button 56b for setting the rinsing process, and a dehydration button for setting the dehydration process. 56c, a reservation button 56d for setting reserved operation, a start/pause button 56f for instructing process start and pause, reserved operation start, reserved operation pause, and reserved operation restart, and the power supply of the washing machine. A power on button 56g and a power off button 56h are provided for turning on and off the power.

The display unit 55 provided on the operation display panel 25 includes LEDs 55a, 55b, 55c for displaying the "washing" time, LEDs 55d, 55e, 55f for displaying the number of "rinsing" times, and the "dehydration" time. LEDs 55g, 55h, 55i for displaying, a 7-segment LED 55j for displaying the remaining time of the process, etc., an LED 55k for displaying the reserved operation state, an LED 55l for displaying the lid lock state, and a start An LED 55m is provided for displaying whether the /pause button 56f is operable or not.

As the notification unit 57, a buzzer 59 is provided for notifying the operating details of the washing machine, such as the user's operation details and operating conditions.

The control unit 31 displays necessary information such as the current state of the washing machine and options that can be set on the display unit 55 provided on the operation display panel 25 , and receives setting operations from the operation unit 56 by the user. Also, based on the set operation details, the motor 20, the water injection valve 23, the drain valve 24, etc. are controlled to execute a series of steps of operation. Further, by controlling the timer 33, the control unit 31 can measure the elapsed time from an arbitrary time point and execute the reserved operation. By controlling the buzzer 59, the control unit 31 can notify the content of the user's operation and the state of the washing machine. As an example, it is assumed that the buzzer 59 sounds once for a normal operation of the operation unit 56 by the user, and five times for an abnormality of the washing machine. As a result, the user can be notified of the abnormality, leading to improved operability.

The display unit 55 and the operation unit 56 are connected to the control unit 31 and function as follows. Every time the wash button 56a is pressed, the setting of the "wash" time is updated, and the set time is displayed by lighting the LEDs 55a, 55b, 55c corresponding to the set time. Similarly, each time the rinsing button 56b and the spin-drying button 56c are pressed, the "rinsing" count and the "drying" time settings are updated, and the LEDs 55d, 55e, 55f, 55g, 55h, 55d, 55e, 55f, 55g, 55h, The set number of times and time are displayed by turning on 55i.

When the reservation button 56d is pressed after setting the "washing" time, the number of "rinsing" times, and the "dehydration" time, the reserved operation mode is entered, and the set time until the end of the reserved operation is displayed on the 7-segment LED 55j. After that, by pressing the start/pause button 56f for starting the execution of the process, the control unit 31 starts the reserved operation, locks the lid lock 58, operates the timer 33, and waits for the reserved operation. state.

When the controller 31 detects that the timer 33 has reached the reserved operation start time, it starts a series of reserved operation operations.

On the other hand, when the user wants to add laundry or the like during the reserved operation standby, the control unit 31 causes the lid lock 58 to be unlocked by pressing the start/pause button 56f for pausing the execution of the process. When released, the lid 18 can be opened and closed.

When the user opens the lid 18 to add laundry, etc., closes the lid 18, and presses the start/pause button 56f for resuming the execution of the process, the control unit 31 locks the lid. 58 is locked, and the lid open/closed state detection unit 60 detects that the lid 18 is closed, and shifts to the reserved operation standby state again.

At this time, if the user forgets to press the start/pause button 56f, the reserved operation will not start even at the reserved operation start time.

In this embodiment, when the reserved operation is temporarily stopped, the controller 31 displays whether the start/pause button 56f can be operated or not when the lid open/closed state detector 60 detects opening/closing of the lid 18. By blinking the LED 55m for , the user is urged not to forget to press the start/pause button 56f.

In this embodiment, the LED 55m for indicating whether the start/pause button 56f is operable or not is blinking, but other indications such as blinking the 7-segment LED 55j may be used. good.

As described above, according to the washing machine of the present invention, the user can temporarily stop the washing machine to take in and out the laundry even during the reserved operation standby, and the lid 18 can be opened and closed freely after the lid 18 is closed. By calling the user's attention to pressing the start/pause button 56f, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of the problem that the reserved operation is not executed.

In the above-described embodiment, the lid 18 is opened when the reserved operation is temporarily stopped.

(Embodiment 2)
In the washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention, when the reserved operation is temporarily stopped, the control unit 31 controls the notification unit 57 to is intermittently sounded for a certain period of time to remind the user not to forget to press the start/pause button 56f.

In this embodiment, the buzzer 59 is configured to sound intermittently for a certain period of time, but a melody may be played.

In the above embodiment, the lid 18 is opened when the reserved operation is temporarily stopped. good too.

Further, this embodiment may be used in combination with the first embodiment. This can further enhance the effect of calling attention to the user.

The basic configuration and operation of the washing machine are the same as those of the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

(Embodiment 3)
The washing machine according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention is configured so that the timer 33 can measure the reserved operation start time and simultaneously measure other times. After temporarily stopping the reserved operation, the user opens the lid 18 , adds laundry, and then closes the lid 18 , the controller 31 starts the timer 33 . The control unit 31 monitors pressing of the start/pause button 56f for resuming execution of the process for a predetermined time counted by the timer 33 .

If the start/pause button 56f is pressed before the predetermined time elapses, the controller 31 locks the lid lock 58 and shifts to the reserved operation standby state again. If the start/pause button 56f is not pressed even after the predetermined time has elapsed, it is determined that the user has forgotten to restart, and the control unit 31 displays the 7-segment LED 55j as shown in FIG. U7” is displayed to notify the user that the reserved operation remains suspended. This prompts the user to press the start/pause button 56f. During this time, the timer 33 continues to measure the reserved operation start time.

In this embodiment, the timer 33 monitors the time after the lid 18 is opened and closed, but the same effect can be obtained by monitoring the time after the reserved operation is temporarily stopped.

Further, this embodiment may be used together with the first and second embodiments. This can further enhance the effect of calling attention to the user.

Also, the basic configuration and operation of the washing machine according to the present embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

(Embodiment 4)
In the washing machine according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention, if the user does not press the start/pause button 56f for a predetermined time after the user temporarily stops the reserved operation and opens and closes the lid 18, the user forgets to restart the operation. Upon determination, the control unit 31 controls the notification unit 57 to sound the buzzer 59 intermittently for a certain period of time, thereby notifying the user that the reserved operation has been suspended. to prompt the user to press the start/pause button 56f.

In this embodiment, the buzzer 59 is configured to sound intermittently for a certain period of time, but a melody may be played.

Also, in the present embodiment, the time after the lid 18 is opened and closed is monitored, but the same effect can be obtained by monitoring the time after the reserved operation is temporarily stopped.

Further, this embodiment may be used in combination with the first to third embodiments. This can further enhance the effect of calling attention to the user.

The basic configuration and operation of the washing machine according to the present embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, the washing machine according to the present invention can be temporarily stopped and the lid can be freely opened and closed by the user in order to put in and take out the laundry even during the reserved operation standby, and the lid can be started/temporarily stopped after the lid is closed. By alerting the user to pressing the stop button with a display or notification, it is possible to prevent the problem of the reserved operation not being executed. It can also be applied to machines, dishwashers, and the like.

12 Body 13 Water Tank 14 Rotating Drum 15 Garment Doorway 16 Front Frame 17 Opening 18 Lid 19 Through Hole 20 Motor 21 Water Injection Pipeline 22 Drainage Pipeline 23 Water Injection Valve 24 Drainage Valve 25 Operation Display Panel 26 Detergent Input Case 31 Control Unit (operation control part)
33 Timer 55 Display 55a to 55m LED
56 operation unit 56a to 56h operation button 57 notification unit 58 lid lock 59 buzzer 60 lid open/close state detection unit

Claims (2)

a main body, a water tank disposed in the main body and having a clothing entrance, an opening provided in the front surface of the main body so as to communicate with the clothing entrance, a lid that can open and close the opening, and the A lid lock that locks the lid, an operation unit that sets washing operation, reserved operation, pause, etc., and an operation control unit that controls operation based on the contents set by the operation unit.
When the reserved operation is set by the operation unit, the operation control unit locks the lid and shifts to a reserved operation standby state in which the washing operation is started and waits,
when a temporary stop is set by the operation unit in the reserved operation standby state, unlocking the lid to temporarily stop the reserved operation;
In the state where the reserved operation is temporarily stopped, when the operation unit sets the restart of the reserved operation, the lid is locked and the reserved operation is restarted.
Drum type washing machine. A lid open/close detection unit that detects opening and closing of the lid,
2. The front-loading washing machine according to claim 1 , wherein when the lid is closed and the operating unit sets the resumption of the reserved operation, the lid is locked and the reserved operation is resumed.

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