JP7157857B2 - washing machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a washing machine having a mechanical power switch and a plurality of touch keys.

A washing machine disclosed in Patent Document 1 has an operation panel in a housing that accommodates a washing tub. The operation panel of this washing machine is provided with a plurality of mechanical switches and a plurality of touch keys. It is designed to shift to a special mode that allows pushing. This prevents the operation of the special mode from being unintentionally executed in the normal mode.

JP 2015-231449 A

However, in the above washing machine, when the power switch and another specific mechanical switch are pressed at the same time to turn on the power, the special mode can be activated at any time simply by pressing multiple touch keys at the same time until the power is turned off. move to the operation of Therefore, in the washing machine described above, it may be difficult to prevent the operation of the special mode from being unintentionally executed in the normal mode.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine capable of preventing unintentional execution of a special mode operation.

A washing machine according to one aspect of the present invention includes
washing machine body,
a mechanical power switch provided in the washing machine main body and operated to turn on the power of the washing machine main body;
a plurality of touch keys provided on the main body of the washing machine, which are operated to execute respective corresponding normal mode operations;
a power operation continuation determination unit that determines whether or not the power switch has been continuously operated for a first time since the power switch was operated;
operating at least one of the plurality of touch keys while the power switch is being continuously operated after the power operation continuation determining unit determines that the power switch is continuously being operated for the first time period; or when it is determined by the power operation continuation determination unit that the power switch has been continuously operated for the first time, the power switch is further operated for a second time. and a special mode control section that executes an operation in a special mode different from the operation in the normal mode when a second special operation of continuing operation is performed.

According to the washing machine of the aspect described above, after it is determined that the power switch has been continuously operated for the first time, at least one of the plurality of touch keys is operated while the power switch is continuously operated. 1 When a special operation is performed, or when a second special operation is performed in which the power switch is continued to be operated for a second time after it is determined that the power switch has been continuously operated for the first time. Then, a special mode of operation that differs from the normal mode of operation is performed. That is, the operation of the special mode is executed by continuing to operate the power switch for a predetermined time and performing a predetermined operation while continuing to operate the power switch. You can prevent it from running.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The perspective view of the washing machine of 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of the washing machine in FIG. 1; The top view of the operation panel of the washing machine of FIG. FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the washing machine in FIG. 1; 4 is a flowchart for explaining processing for executing a special mode operation of the washing machine of FIG. 1;

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the illustrated embodiments. In the following description, terms indicating directions such as "top", "right", "side", "end", and other terms including these are used to describe the configurations shown in the drawings. However, the purpose of using those terms is to facilitate understanding of the embodiments through the drawings. Therefore, these terms do not necessarily indicate the direction in which the embodiments of the present invention are actually used, and the technical scope of the invention described in the scope of claims is not interpreted by those terms in a restrictive manner. should not be done.

(First embodiment)
A washing machine 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is a vertical washing machine provided with a washing machine main body 2 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the washing machine main body 2 includes an outer casing 10, an outer tub 20, an inner tub 30 rotatably arranged inside the outer tub 20, and a driving device 40 for rotating the inner tub 30. , a water supply device 50 capable of supplying water to the inside of the outer tub 20 , and a drainage device 60 capable of draining the water inside the outer tub 20 . The outer tank 20 , the inner tank 30 , the drive device 40 , the water supply device 50 and the drainage device 60 are arranged inside the outer box 10 . In addition, the outer tank 20 and the inner tank 30 each have a bottomed cylindrical shape with an open upper surface, and are arranged so that their centers match when viewed from above.

Note that the Z direction in FIG. 1 is the vertical direction of the washing machine 1 . Further, the X direction in FIG. 1 is the horizontal direction of the washing machine 1, and the Y direction in FIG.

The outer box 10 is made of metal or synthetic resin and has a rectangular parallelepiped shape as shown in FIG. The outer box 10 has openings on the top and bottom, and as shown in FIG. 2, the opening on the top is provided with a top plate 11 made of synthetic resin, and the opening on the bottom is provided with a base 12 made of synthetic resin. is provided. The base 12 is provided with a connection pipe 66 exposed to the outside of the outer casing 10 . A drain hose (not shown) can be connected to the connection pipe 66 .

The top plate 11 has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view along the vertical direction. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper plate 11 includes a power switch 4 which is a mechanical push button switch, an operation panel 5 having a plurality of touch keys 6, and a laundry in the washing machine 1. A laundry inlet 14 (shown only in FIG. 2) for loading and an upper lid 15 for opening and closing the laundry inlet 14 are provided. The power switch 4 is arranged at the rear end of the pair of opposite ends of the top plate 11 in the front-rear direction, and the operation panel 5 is arranged at the front end of the top plate 11 .

The power switch 4 is operated to switch the power of the washing machine main body 2 from off to on, and is operated to switch the power of the washing machine main body 2 from on to off. That is, the power switch 4 has a function of switching the power of the washing machine main body 2 from off to on and a function of switching the power of the washing machine main body 2 from on to off.

As shown in FIG. 3, the operation panel 5 is composed of an operation unit 111 on which a plurality of touch keys 6 are arranged, and a display unit 112 for displaying operation modes and the like. Each touch key 6 executes a corresponding normal mode operation by operation. Normal mode operations include, for example, selection and input of operation modes such as "wash", "wash-dry", and "dry". Each touch key 6 can be switched between display and non-display on the operation panel 5 by turning on/off the power of the washing machine main body 2, and the touch operation is enabled only when it is displayed on the operation panel 5. It is designed to be

As shown in FIG. 2 , a water supply device 50 is arranged inside the top plate 11 . The water supply device 50 includes a water supply valve 51 that opens and closes electromagnetically, a connection pipe 52 arranged upstream of the water supply valve 51 and protruding upward through the top plate 11, and downstream of the water supply valve 51 and facing the inner tank 30. It is composed of a detergent case 53 arranged at a position. A water supply hose (not shown) for supplying clean water such as tap water can be connected to the connection pipe 52 . Further, the detergent case 53 is provided with a water supply path portion 54 whose tip opens toward the inside of the inner tub 30 .

The outer tub 20 is suspended from the outer case 10 by a suspension member (not shown). The suspension members are arranged at a total of four locations in a form of connecting the lower portion of the outer tub 20 and the upper portion of the outer casing 10, and support the outer tub 20 in a swingable manner.

The inner tub 30 is designed to store washing water such as water in which detergent is dissolved or water for rinsing. An annular balancer 32 is provided at the opening of the inner tank 30 . Further, at the center of the bottom of the inner tank 30, a stirring blade 3 is arranged so as to be rotatable in forward and reverse directions. A stirring blade shaft 45 of a driving device 40 to be described later is connected to the stirring blade 3 .

The stirring blade 3 rotates according to the operation course or the like instructed by the user via the operation panel 5 . For example, when washing or rinsing is performed, the stirring blade 3 is alternately and repeatedly rotated in the forward and reverse directions at a rotational speed of 50 to 150 rpm. Further, when the dehydration operation is performed, the stirring blade 3 rotates together with the inner tank 30 in the reverse rotation direction at a rotation speed of 0 to 1000 rpm.

The drive device 40 includes a drive motor 41, a clutch/brake mechanism 42 connected to the drive motor 41 via a belt mechanism (not shown), and a dewatering shaft coaxially arranged in the center of the clutch/brake mechanism 42. 44 and a stirring blade shaft 45.

The motor 41 rotates the stirring blades 3 and the inner tank 30 via the dewatering shaft 44 and the stirring blade shaft 45 . The dewatering shaft 44 and the stirring blade shaft 45 have a double shaft structure in which the dewatering shaft 44 is arranged radially outside and the stirring blade shaft 45 is arranged radially inside with respect to the axis. . The dewatering shaft 44 penetrates the bottom surface of the outer tub 20 from bottom to top and supports the inner tub 30 . The stirring blade shaft 45 penetrates the outer tank 20 from the bottom to the top, further penetrates the bottom of the inner tank 30 , and supports the stirring blade 3 .

The washing machine 1 also has a drain device 60 for draining the water inside the inner tub 30 to the outside of the washing machine 1, as shown in FIG. The drainage device 60 includes an inner drainage hole 61 provided at the bottom of the inner tank 30, a seal holder 62 disposed between the outer tank 20 and the inner tank 30, and an outer drain provided at the bottom of the outer tank 20. It is composed of a hole 63 , a drainage passage portion 64 connected to the outer drainage hole 63 and a connecting pipe 66 , and a drainage valve 65 capable of opening and closing the drainage passage portion 64 . The seal holder 62 is connected to the inner drainage hole 61 and the outer drainage hole 63, and an oil seal (not shown) is press-fitted inside. As a result, the inner tank 30 is sealed, and an independent drainage space is formed between the outer tank 20 and the inner tank 30 .

When the washing machine 1 performs washing or rinsing, the drain valve 65 is closed and water is stored only in the inner tub 30 . When dehydrating, the drain valve 65 is opened, and the water in the inner tank 30 flows through the inner drain hole 61, the seal holder 62, the outer drain hole 63, the drain path portion 64, and the connecting pipe 66. and is discharged to the outside of the washing machine 1. During each operation, the dehydration shaft 44, the stirring blade shaft 45, and the inner tank 30 are rotated by the drive of the motor 41, and the inner tank 30 is held by the seal holder 62 due to the oil seal press-fitted inside the seal holder 62. It is possible to continue to take a watertight structure in a relatively rotatable state.

As shown in FIG. 4, the washing machine 1 includes a control device 100 including a CPU for performing calculations, an input/output circuit, and the like. The control device 100 controls the display unit 112 of the operation panel 5, the blower fan motor 102 of the blower fan 101, the heater 103, and the drive unit 103 based on signals input from the operation unit 111 of the operation panel 5 and the water level sensor 121. It controls the motor 41 , the clutch/brake mechanism 42 , the water supply valve 51 and the water discharge valve 65 .

The control device 100 also has a power operation continuation determination unit 131 , a special mode control unit 132 , and a measurement unit 133 .

It should be noted that each unit constituting the control device 100 described below is a function realized by the CPU executing a predetermined program.

The power operation continuation determination unit 131 determines whether or not the power switch 4 has been operated. Specifically, the power operation continuation determination unit 131 determines whether or not the power switch 4 has been pressed to switch the power of the washing machine main body 2 from on to off.

Further, the power operation continuation determination unit 131 determines whether or not the power switch 4 has been continuously operated for a first period of time (for example, 1 second) since it was determined that the power switch 4 was operated. More specifically, the power operation continuation determination unit 131 determines whether or not the first time has elapsed since the power switch 4 was pressed while the power switch 4 was pressed for a long time.

In addition, when the power switch 4 is being pressed for a long time and the first time has passed since the power switch 4 was pressed, the first time has passed since the power switch 4 was pressed. may be notified via the operation panel 5 or the like.

After the power operation continuation determination unit 131 determines that the power switch 4 has been continuously operated for the first period of time, the special mode control unit 132 operates the plurality of touch keys while the power switch 4 is continuously being operated. 6 is performed, or when the power operation continuation determination unit 131 determines that the power switch 4 is continuously operated for the first time, the power switch 4 4 is further operated for a second time (for example, 2 seconds), a special mode operation different from the normal mode operation is performed.

Specifically, the special mode control unit 132 determines whether the power switch 4 has been pressed long after the first time has elapsed since the power switch 4 was pressed while the power switch 4 was pressed long. When a predetermined touch key 6 is operated while the player is on, a special mode operation different from the normal mode operation is executed. In this case, a non-user special mode operation that is not intended for use by the user is executed as the special mode operation. Non-user special modes of operation include, for example, inspection mode, production mode, demonstration mode, and service mode.

Further, the special mode control unit 132 determines that the second time has elapsed since the power switch 4 was pressed and the first time has elapsed since the power switch 4 was pressed for a long time. And, when the long-pressing of the power switch 4 is released, the operation in the special mode different from the operation in the normal mode is executed. In this case, as the operation of the special mode, the operation of the user special mode intended for use by the user is executed. The operation of the user special mode includes, for example, a customization mode that can change the rotation speed of the inner tank 30 during the dehydration operation and change the notification sound so that it does not sound when the operation ends. be

Furthermore, the special mode control unit 132 determines that the maximum operation time (for example, 5 seconds) longer than the total of the first time and the second time has elapsed since it was determined that the power switch 4 was operated. , the washing machine main body 2 is turned off.

It should be noted that when it is determined that the first period of time has elapsed since the power switch 4 was pressed while the power switch 4 was pressed long, and the second period of time has elapsed, the power switch 4 is turned off. The elapse of the second period of time after it is determined that the first period of time has elapsed since the button was pressed may be notified via the operation panel 5 or the like.

The measurement unit 133 measures the time that the power switch 4 has been continuously operated since it was determined that the power switch 4 was operated (that is, the time that has elapsed since the power switch 4 was pressed for a long time). ) is measured. In addition, the measurement unit 133 measures the time during which the power switch 4 has been continuously operated since the power operation continuation determination unit 131 determined that the power switch 4 has been continuously operated for the first period of time (that is, the power switch 4 The time that has elapsed since was pressed and the time that has been pressed for a long time reaches the first time) is measured.

Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the execution processing of the special mode operation of the washing machine 1 will be described. It should be noted that the processing described below is performed by the control device 100 executing a predetermined program.

When the power switch 4 is pressed and the power of the washing machine main body 2 is switched from off to on (step S1), the power operation continuation determination unit 131 determines that the power switch 4 is Determining whether or not the power switch 4 has been pressed for a long time for a first time (that is, whether or not the first time has elapsed since the power switch 4 was pressed while the power switch 4 was being pressed for a long time) (Step S2).

When it is determined that the first time has passed since the power switch 4 was pressed while the power switch 4 was pressed for a long time, the special mode control unit 132 sets the first time After it is determined that has elapsed, it is determined whether or not the predetermined touch key 6 has been operated while the power switch 4 is being pressed for a long time (that is, whether or not the first special operation has been performed). (step S3).

On the other hand, if it is determined that the first time period has not elapsed since the power switch 4 was pressed while the power switch 4 was pressed long, the first time period has elapsed since the power switch 4 was pressed. Step S2 is repeated until the time elapses.

If it is determined in step S3 that the first special operation has not been performed, the special mode control unit 132 performs a first After it is determined that the time has passed, it is determined whether or not a second time has passed (that is, whether or not the second special operation has been performed) (step S4).

When it is determined that the second special operation has been performed, the special mode control section 132 determines whether or not the long press of the power switch 4 has been released (step S5).

On the other hand, if it is determined that the second special operation has not been performed, returning to step S3, it is determined again whether or not the first special operation has been performed.

If it is determined in step S3 that the first special operation has been performed, or if it is determined in step S5 that the second special operation has been performed and the long press of the power switch 4 has been released, special mode control is performed. The unit 132 executes the special mode operation corresponding to each special operation (step S6), and ends the special mode operation execution processing.

If it is determined in step S5 that the long press of the power switch 4 has not been released, the special mode control unit 132 determines whether the maximum operation time has elapsed since it was determined that the power switch 4 was operated. is determined (step S7).

If it is determined that the maximum operation time has elapsed since it was determined that the power switch 4 was operated, the special mode control unit 132 switches the power of the washing machine body 2 from on to off (step S8), Terminate the execution processing of the operation in the special mode.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the maximum operation time has not elapsed since it was determined that the power switch 4 was operated, the process returns to step S5, and it is determined again whether or not the long press of the power switch 4 has been released. be.

In the washing machine 1 of the first embodiment, after it is determined that the power switch 4 has been continuously operated for the first time, at least one of the plurality of touch keys 6 is touched while the power switch 4 is continuously operated. is performed, or when it is determined that the power switch 4 has been operated for the first time, the power switch 4 is further operated for the second time. When an operation is performed, a special mode operation different from the normal mode operation is executed. That is, by continuing to operate the power switch 4 for a predetermined time and performing a predetermined operation while continuing to operate the power switch 4, the operation in the special mode is executed. You can prevent it from running without

Further, the power switch 4 has a function of switching the power of the washing machine main body 2 from off to on and a function of switching the power of the washing machine main body 2 from on to off. Accordingly, the first special operation and the second special operation can be performed only when the power switch 4 is operated to switch the power of the washing machine body 2 from off to on. As a result, it is possible to more reliably prevent the operation of the special mode from being unintentionally executed.

Further, the special mode operation executed by the first special operation is a non-user special mode operation not intended for use by the user, and the special mode operation executed by the second special operation is a user use This is a special user mode operation for the purpose of Accordingly, by performing the second special operation, which is relatively easier to operate than the first special operation, the operation of the user special mode intended for use by the user is executed, so that the washing machine is highly convenient. can get.

Note that the power switch 4 is not limited to the case where it has the function of switching the power of the washing machine main body 2 from off to on and the function of switching the power of the washing machine main body 2 from on to off. It may be composed of a first power switch for switching the power supply from off to on and a second power switch for switching the power supply of the washing machine main body 2 from on to off.

(Second embodiment)
In the first special operation, after the power operation continuation determining unit 131 determines that the power switch 4 has been continuously operated for the first time, the plurality of touch keys 6 are pressed while the power switch 4 is continuously operated. May contain special operations to manipulate. As a result, for example, a plurality of user special modes and non-user special modes that the washing machine 1 of the first embodiment has can be provided, so that a washing machine with a high degree of freedom in design can be obtained.

(Third Embodiment)
In the first special operation, after the power operation continuation determining unit 131 determines that the power switch 4 has been continuously operated for the first time, the plurality of touch keys 6 are pressed while the power switch 4 is continuously operated. A special operation of operating at least one and continuing to operate for a predetermined period of time may be included. As a result, for example, it is possible to have special modes other than the special mode for users and the special mode for non-users that the washing machine 1 of the first embodiment has, so that a washing machine with a high degree of freedom in design can be obtained.

(Fourth embodiment)
The present invention is not limited to the vertical washing machines 1 of the first to third embodiments, and can be applied to, for example, drum-type washing machines having any configuration.

Various embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings. Finally, various embodiments of the present invention will be described.

The washing machine 1 of one embodiment of the present invention is
a washing machine body 2;
a mechanical power switch 4 provided in the washing machine main body 2 and operated to turn on the power of the washing machine main body 2;
a plurality of touch keys 6 provided on the washing machine main body 2, which are operated to execute respective corresponding normal mode operations;
a power operation continuation determination unit 131 that determines whether or not the power switch 4 has been continuously operated for a first period of time since the power switch 4 was operated;
After the power operation continuation determining unit 131 determines that the power switch 4 has been continuously operated for the first time period, at least the touch keys 6 are operated while the power switch 4 is continuously operated. When the first special operation of operating one is performed, or when the power operation continuation determination unit 131 determines that the power switch 4 is continuously operated for the first time, the power switch 4 4 is further operated for a second time, a special mode control unit 132 for executing a special mode operation different from the normal mode operation.

According to the washing machine 1 of the above embodiment, the operation in the special mode is executed by continuing to operate the power switch 4 for a predetermined time and performing a predetermined operation while continuing to operate the power switch 4. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the operation of the special mode from being executed unintentionally.

Further, the washing machine 1 of one embodiment of the present invention is
The power switch 4 has a function of switching the power of the washing machine main body 2 from off to on and a function of switching the power of the washing machine main body 2 from on to off.

According to the washing machine 1 of the above embodiment, the first special operation and the second special operation can be performed only when the power switch 4 is operated to switch the power of the washing machine body 2 from off to on. As a result, it is possible to more reliably prevent the operation of the special mode from being unintentionally executed.

Further, the washing machine 1 of one embodiment of the present invention is
After the power operation continuation determining unit 131 has determined that the power switch 4 has been continuously operated for a first period of time, the first special operation is performed while the power switch 4 is being continuously operated. and a special operation of operating at least one of the plurality of touch keys 6 while the power switch 4 is being operated and continuing to operate it for a predetermined time.

According to the washing machine 1 of the above embodiment, for example, it is possible to have a plurality of user special modes and non-user special modes that the washing machine 1 of the first embodiment has. can get.

Further, the washing machine 1 of one embodiment of the present invention is
the special mode operation executed by the first special operation is a non-user special mode operation not intended for use by the user;
The operation in the special mode executed by the second special operation is the operation in the user special mode intended for use by the user.

According to the washing machine 1 of the above embodiment, by performing the second special operation, which is relatively easier to operate than the first special operation, the operation of the user special mode intended for use by the user is executed. , a highly convenient washing machine is obtained.

By appropriately combining any of the various embodiments or modifications described above, the respective effects can be obtained. In addition, combinations of embodiments, combinations of examples, or combinations of embodiments and examples are possible, as well as combinations of features in different embodiments or examples.

1 Washing machine 2 Washing machine body 3 Stirring blade 4 Power switch 5 Operation panel 6 Touch key 111 Operation unit 112 Display unit 10 Outer box 11 Upper surface plate 12 Base 13 Leg 14 Laundry inlet 15 Upper lid 20 Outer tub 30 Inner tub 32 Balancer 40 Drive device 41 Drive motor 42 Clutch/brake mechanism 44 Dewatering shaft 45 Stirring blade shaft 50 Water supply device 51 Water supply valve 52 Connection pipe 53 Detergent case 54 Water supply path 60 Drainage device 61 Inner drainage hole 62 Seal holder 63 Outer drainage hole 64 Drainage path unit 65 Drainage valve 66 Connection pipe 100 Control device 101 Blower fan 102 Blower fan motor 103 Heater 121 Water level sensor 131 Power supply operation continuation determination unit 132 Special mode control unit 133 Measurement unit

Claims (5)

washing machine body,
At least one mechanical push button switch including a power switch and at least one touch key provided in the washing machine body,
When an operation to further operate the touch key is performed in a state where the mechanical push button switch is kept pressed for the first time, a special operation different from the operation when the touch key is operated alone is performed. A washing machine that runs a mode of operation. In the washing machine of claim 1,
A washing machine that notifies that the mechanical push button switch has been pushed for a first period of time. In the washing machine according to claim 1 or 2,
Equipped with multiple touch keys,
If an operation to further operate the plurality of touch keys is performed in a state where the mechanical push button switch is kept pressed for a first time, an operation different from the operation in the special mode is performed. machine. In the washing machine according to claim 1 or 2,
When the mechanical push button switch is kept pressed for a first period of time and the touch key is operated for a predetermined period of time, an operation different from the operation of the special mode is performed. washing machine. In the washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The washing machine, wherein the mechanical push button switch and the touch key are spaced apart from each other on one end side and the other end side of the washing machine main body.

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