JPH07112093A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To constitute the washing machine so that the operation can be finished without fail within the time of a discount system to be night power rates of a separate time zone power rates system, and also, switching of a hot water operation becomes unnecessary by providing a function for setting a city water supply mode and a hot water supply mode in a preset state, when a night reserved operation is set. CONSTITUTION:When a power source switch 20 in an operating panel 13 is inputted and an operation is started, a target washing process is set by a course switch 22, etc., and thereafter, in accordance with whether an input of a time reservation switch 23 is appropriate or not, one of a regular operation, a reserved operation and a night reserved operation is set. As a result, when the night reserved operation is set, city water is supplied into a water tank by opening a first feed water valve automatically at the time of feed water in a washing process, and also, a hot water operation mode for operating a hot water heater is set in a preset state. In such a way, a discount system to be night power rates of a separate time zone power rates system can be utilized effectively.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a washing machine whose operation is controlled by the output of a microcomputer, and more particularly to a washing machine having a control content capable of effectively utilizing an hourly electricity rate system. is there.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art First, the structure and operation of a general automatic washing machine shown in FIG. 11 as a conventional example of this type of washing machine will be described. In FIG. 11, reference numeral 1 denotes an outer tub that constitutes the outer shell of the main body of the washing machine. Inside the outer tub 1, a water tub 2 is suspended and supported by four vibration-proof support mechanisms 3. A washing / dehydrating tub 4 having a large number of through holes 4a formed in its peripheral wall is disposed in the water tub 2, and a pulsator 5 is disposed so as to face the inner bottom of the washing / dehydrating tub 4.

A drive unit 6 and a motor 7 are arranged below the outer bottom of the water tank 2, and the rotation of the motor 7 is transmitted to the drive unit 6 via a belt-pulley power transmission mechanism 8. Is configured to. A washing / dehydrating tub 4 and a pulsator 5 are interlockingly connected to the drive unit 6 via a built-in clutch mechanism (not shown), and the clutch mechanism controls the control unit 9 during washing and dehydration. By switching the operation, the pulsator 5 is connected to the driving unit 6 to be rotationally driven during washing, and the washing / dehydrating tub 4 is connected to the driving unit 6 to be rotationally driven during dewatering.

A drainage port 10 is provided at the bottom of the water tank 2, and the drainage water after the washing process and the rinsing process and the drainage water during the dehydration process are discharged from the drainage port 10 through an unillustrated drain hose or the like to the outer tank 1. Guided to the outside. Further, a drain valve 11 is provided in the middle of the drain path. The drain valve 11 is an electromagnetic valve, and the control unit 9 controls the opening and closing of the drain valve 11.

Reference numeral 12 denotes an upper surface plate portion that forms the outer appearance of the upper portion of the main body of the washing machine. The operation panel 13 faces the outside of the upper surface.
And the control unit 9 is mounted on the back side of the operation panel 13. A laundry input port 14 is formed in a central area of the upper plate 12 facing the water tank 2, and is opened and closed by an upper lid 15.

Further, a first water supply valve 16 for supplying tap water and a second water supply valve 17 for supplying hot water are juxtaposed on the upper surface plate portion 12. Both of these water supply valves 16 and 17 are electromagnetic valves. The first water supply valve 16 is connected to the water supply through a hose (not shown), and the second water supply valve 17 is connected to the electric water heater 18.
And are connected to each other. Further, a hot water heater 19 for overheating the water in the water tank 2 is provided at the inner bottom of the water tank 2.
Is decorated.

In the washing machine having such a structure, the control unit 9 has a built-in microcomputer. When the washing operation is started, the washing process, the rinsing process and the dehydrating process are performed by the control operation of the microcomputer. As each process is completed in sequence, the process proceeds to the next process.

That is, in the washing process, the first water supply valve 16 is opened by the output of the microcomputer, and tap water is supplied into the water tank 2. After the water supply is completed, the motor 7 is driven by the output of the microcomputer, and the pulsator 5 rotates in conjunction with this, whereby the washing / dehydrating tub 4
Stir the laundry such as clothes put inside to remove dirt. In the case of the warm water mode, the water in the water tank 2 is heated by the warm water heater 19 before the washing step is performed.

In the fully automatic washing machine having the above-mentioned general structure, there is a conventional automatic washing machine in which the washing completion time can be arbitrarily set, for example, JP-B-63-35273.
It is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No.

The washing machine of this prior art is provided with a so-called reserved operation function capable of arbitrarily setting the washing completion time. The operation completion time setting key, the washing content setting key, and a display for displaying these setting contents. Means is provided, and based on the time required for the washing course and the washing completion time set by key operation, the built-in microcomputer performs a calculation to determine the washing start time, and automatically when the determined time is reached. The microcomputer is configured to start the operation, and to instruct the microcomputer to display the progress of the laundry course on the display means during the operation.

In the above prior art washing machine, for example, assuming that the current time is 22:00, the key operation is performed at 9: 00 the next morning.
If the washing completion time is set to 00 and the time required for the selected washing course is 45 minutes, the washing will be automatically started from 8:15 the next morning.

By the way, due to the introduction of the hourly electricity rate system, mainly at night from 23:00 to 7:00 the next day,
The system where the electricity bill is cheap is becoming popular, and by joining this system, not only will electricity consumption be saved by using electricity at night, but it will also be used during the daytime when looking at the total electricity consumption. Will be reduced, which will also help smooth power usage.

[0013]

However, in the case of the above prior art example, even if the reserved operation is set in order to use the cheap nighttime electricity charge, the washing completion time is mistakenly deviated from the nighttime electricity charge time zone. If you set the time,
There has been a problem that the operating time exceeds the nighttime electricity rate.

Further, the washing process using the electric water heater 18 and the hot water heater 19 has a high washing efficiency and is convenient, but on the other hand, these heating means have a disadvantage that the power consumption is large. For this reason, operating at a cheap electricity rate at night is advantageous from the economical point of view, but conventionally, when setting a night reservation for hot water operation, you have to switch from tap water mode to hot water mode each time. However, at that time, it was very inconvenient to use, because it was necessary to reset the energization time and the water temperature of the electric water heater 18 or the hot water heater 19.

The present invention has been made in order to solve such a problem, and enables the operation to be completed without fail within the time of the nighttime electricity charge discount system of the hourly electricity charge system. It is an object of the present invention to provide a convenient and economical washing machine that does not require switching of hot water operation during night hours.

[0016]

In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, first, an operation control means for continuously and automatically executing a water supply step, a washing step, a rinsing step and a dehydration step, and this operation control. An operation unit for inputting data of laundry content and end time to the means, a first water supply valve for opening and closing controlled by the operation control means to supply tap water to the water tank, and an opening and closing control for the operation control means. A second water supply valve for supplying hot water from the electric water heater to the water tank, and a normal operation by the input operation of the operation unit, a reserved operation in which the operation ends at a time set by the user, and a time zone It is possible to set night reservation operation, which ends the operation at a specific time when the electricity rate system can be effectively used.

Further, the operation control means automatically supplies the tap water to the water tank by opening the first water supply valve at the time of water supply in the washing step when the night reservation operation is set by the operation of the operation section. It has a function of setting the tap water supply mode and the hot water supply mode in which the second water supply valve is opened to supply hot water to the water tank in a preset state.

[0018]

[Advantageous Effects] According to the above configuration, an end time of night reserved driving is set within the time zone in preparation for the case where the user sets the reserved driving in order to effectively use the charge discount time zone of the hourly electricity rate system. Since the fixed unique operating state can be set, it is possible to finish the operation execution during the night time. In this case, it is possible to set the night reservation driving by, for example, operating one-touch keys on the operation unit.

Further, in order to effectively use the above system, the operating state by hot water can be preset at night reserved operation, and the state is maintained unless there is a change, so that the user does not need to perform an extra key operation. , Leads to simplification of operability.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present embodiment is intended for a general fully automatic washing machine as shown in FIG. 11 which has already been described. Therefore, regarding its basic mechanical structure and operation, FIG.
In order to avoid duplication, it is common with the one shown in 1.
The description will be omitted, and common parts will be described using common reference numerals.

FIG. 1 shows an operation panel 13 of the fully automatic washing machine according to this embodiment. The operation panel 13 includes a power switch 20, a start / pause switch 21, a course switch 22 for selecting a laundry course, a time reservation switch 23 for setting normal operation, reserved operation and night reserved operation, a wash, A manual switch 24 for manually setting rinsing and dehydration is provided.

Further, on the operation panel 13, required manual switches 25 to 28 for performing manual setting of each process of washing, rinsing and dehydration in a state where the time reservation switch 23 is set, and the above-mentioned switches. A display device 29 is provided for displaying the numbers set by, the remaining time during driving, selection item time in each course, water temperature, and the like.

FIG. 3 shows the microcomputer 30 built in the control unit 9 and its control system.
The microcomputer 30 includes a calculation unit 31a and a control unit 3
1b, CPU 31, read-only memory (RO
M) 32, data write memory (RAM) 33, timer 34, first and second input control units 35 and 36, and first to third
The control output units 37 to 39 are provided as constituent elements.

The ROM 32 stores all the operating programs for each of the steps of washing, rinsing and dehydration. The washing time and the dehydration time are set by operating the lift switch 24, and the manual switch 28 or It can be changed by operating 26. Further, the RAM 33 stores the signals of the respective switches through the respective input control units 35 and 36.

The arithmetic unit 31a of the CPU 31 compares the data stored in the RAM 33 and performs arithmetic operations such as addition and subtraction. The control unit 31b controls the operation of each unit in the microcomputer 30. Each control output unit 37-39
Activates each device constituting the washing machine according to the signal taken out from the RAM 33.

As external circuits of the microcomputer 30, an input key circuit 40 including each of the key switches, a state detection circuit 41, the display device 29, a buzzer 42, a load drive circuit 43, a power supply circuit 44, and a reset circuit 45 are respectively provided. It is connected.

The input key circuit 40 inputs the input data from each key switch to the microcomputer 30 via the first input control section 35. The state detection circuit 41 is composed of various sensors that detect the water temperature, the water level, the amount of laundry, the quality of the laundry, and the like.
Input to the microcomputer 30 via 6.

The display device 29 has a first control output section 37.
It is connected to the microcomputer 30 via the, and as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. The buzzer 42 is connected to the microcomputer 30 via the second control output unit 38, and notifies the end of washing and the occurrence of an error with an alarm sound based on the command. The load drive circuit 43 is connected to the microcomputer 30 via the third control output unit 39, and based on the command, the drain valve 11, the first water supply valve 16 for supplying tap water, the drive motor 7, and the hot water supply. The second water supply valve 17, the hot water heater 18 and the like are controlled.

FIG. 4 shows the control operation of the microcomputer 30 in this embodiment. In this figure, when the power switch 20 in the operation panel 13 is input to start the operation, the target washing process is set by the course switch 22 and the like in step # 105, and then the time reservation switch 23 is set in steps # 110 and # 120. Either normal operation, reserved operation, or night reserved operation is set depending on whether or not is input.

At this time, in the case of executing the normal operation, the time reservation switch 23 is not input in step # 110, the start / temporary stop switch 21 is input, and the operation is started in step # 115. That is, the normal operation is executed by operating only the start / pause switch 21 once without operating the time reservation switch 23.

The reserved operation ends the operation at the time set by the user. In the case of executing the reserved operation,
Although the time reservation switch 23 is input in step # 110, the switch 23 is not input in step # 120,
In step # 125, the end time is set by operating the manual switches 27 and 28, and in step # 13
At 0, input the start / pause switch 21.

As described above, the reserved operation mode can be set by inputting the time reservation switch 23 once. At this time, when the time reservation switch 23 is input, a reservation symbol 29a representing the word "reserved" is displayed on the display device 29 as shown in FIG. 3 in order to inform the user of the reservation operation mode. Turn on the light.

The night reserved driving is to end the driving at a specific time at which the electricity charge system according to the time zone can be effectively utilized. In the case of the night reserved driving execution, step # 11 is executed.
The time reservation switch 23 is input at both 0 and step # 120, and the start / pause switch 21 is input at step # 135.

At this time, in order to inform the user that the night reservation operation mode is entered when the time reservation switch 23 is input twice, the display device 29 displays the characters "night" as shown in FIG. The night symbol 29b and the reservation symbol 29a are turned on, and the time symbol 29c that displays the time as a segment displays a preset fixed operation end time, for example, 7:00 am. The setting of the fixed operation end time in the night reserved operation mode is recorded in the ROM 32 at the time of shipping after the completion of the product.

Further, in the above configuration, as shown in FIG. 5, a night reservation switch 46 may be added to the operation panel 13 'as a structure for performing night reservation operation. In this case, as shown in the flowchart of FIG.
After selecting the course in step # 205, step # 2
If neither the time reservation switch 23 nor the night reservation switch 46 is input in step 10 and step # 215, normal operation is set in step # 220, the time reservation switch 23 is input in step # 210, and step # 210
By setting the end time in step 225, step # 230
Although the reserved operation is executed in step # 215, the night reserved operation is set in step # 235 by inputting the night reservation switch 46 in step # 215.

By providing a course in which the nighttime reservation time is set to a fixed time, the operation can be completed without fail within the time of the nighttime electricity charge discount system of the hourly electricity charge system. Since it is possible to effectively use the above, there is no need to set an extra time, and the operation is simplified.

In this embodiment, when the reserved night operation is set by operating a required key switch on the operation panel 13, the first water supply valve 16 is automatically opened to supply tap water to the water tank 2 when water is supplied in the washing process. Supply and warm water heater 18
It has a function to set the hot water operation mode for operating in a preset state.

That is, as shown in FIG. 7, step # 30
When night reserved driving is set in step 5, step # 310
The hot water operation is preset by and the set water temperature is displayed by the water temperature display symbol 29d of the display device 29. At this time, the water temperature control is performed by operating the load drive circuit 43 by the microcomputer 30 and controlling ON / OFF of the hot water heater 19.

In step # 305, when normal operation without night reservation operation is set and tap water is used in step # 315, tap water operation is executed in step # 320. Similarly, when hot water operation is performed without setting night reserved operation, hot water operation is set in step # 325,
In step # 330, hot water operation is executed.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the reserved operation is set, the first water supply valve 16 for tap water supply is automatically opened at the time of water supply in the washing process, and the electric water heater 18 is exclusively used for hot water supply. The second water supply valve 17 for supplying water is opened, and the hot water supply mode in which hot water is injected into the water tank 2 is set in a preset state.

That is, as shown in FIG. 8, step # 40
When night reserved driving is set in step 5, step # 410
The preset of the setting of the second water supply valve 17 is carried out with, and the load drive circuit 43 is operated by the microcomputer 30 only when the water is supplied in the washing process, and the second water supply valve 17 for supplying hot water is turned on.
N, that is, open. Also in this case, regarding the water temperature display, the set water temperature is displayed by the water temperature display symbol 29d of the display device 29.

When tap water is used during normal operation without setting night reserved operation in step # 405, the first water supply valve 16 is opened in step # 415, and tap water operation is executed in step # 420. It Similarly, when hot water operation is performed without setting night reserved operation, step # 4
25, the second water supply valve 17 is turned on, and step # 430
At this time, hot water is supplied from the electric water heater 18 to the water tank 2, and hot water operation is executed. FIG. 9 is the flowchart of claim 5 as well. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of claim 6 as well.

Further, in the present embodiment, the presence or absence of the end buzzer can be arbitrarily set in each of the three operating states of normal driving, reserved driving and night reserved driving. That is, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9, after the power switch 20 in the operation panel 13 is input, the target washing process is set by the course switch 22 or the like in step # 505, and then step # 510 and step # 51.
After step 5, it is assumed that the end time is set in step # 520 and the reserved operation mode is set in step # 525.

At this time, the presence / absence of the end buzzer sound is set by the manual switch 25 in step # 530, and if the end buzzer sound is present, the reserved operation with end buzzer in step # 535 is executed. If there is no end buzzer sound, no end buzzer sound is set in step # 540, and the operation without end buzzer sound is executed in step # 545.

Similarly, when the night reserved operation mode is set in step # 555 through step # 550, the same operations as those in step # 530 to step # 545 are performed in step # 560 to step # 575. , Night reservation operation with end buzzer and night reservation operation without end buzzer are executed. Further, when the normal operation mode is set in step # 590 through step # 580, in step # 590 to step # 605,
The same operations as in step # 530 to step # 545 are performed, and the normal operation with the end buzzer and the normal operation without the end buzzer are executed.

For example, when setting no end buzzer sound during reserved operation, the time reservation switch 23 is pressed once and the manual switch 25 is pressed once. In addition, when setting no end buzzer sound during night reservation operation, time reservation switch 2
Press 3 twice and press the manual switch 25 once. In this way, the presence or absence of the end buzzer sound and the water temperature can be set in each operating state of normal operation, reserved operation, and night reserved operation, so it is possible to individually set the optimum settings for each operating state. The extra setting work that occurs each time the state is switched is unnecessary, and the usability for the user is improved.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the water temperature can be arbitrarily set in each of the three operating states of normal operation, reserved operation and night reserved operation. That is, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10, after inputting the power switch 20 in the operation panel 13, step #
It is assumed that after the target washing process is set by the course switch 22 or the like in 705, the end time is set in step # 720 through steps # 710 and # 715, and the reserved operation mode is set in step # 725.

At this time, regarding the water temperature, step # 73
When the manual switch 26 is set at 0, and tap water operation is performed, it is executed at step # 735. Further, when performing the hot water operation, the hot water operation is set in step # 740 and is executed in step # 745.

Similarly, when the night reserved operation mode is set in step # 755 through step # 750, warm water operation is set in step # 760 and step # 765 is set.
If hot water operation at 35 ° C is set in step # 770,
Run it with. Further, when the hot water operation of 60 ° C. is set in step # 775, it is executed in step # 780. Further, when tap water operation is set in step # 785, it is executed in step # 790.

Further, when the normal operation mode is set in step # 800 through step # 795, the same operations as in steps # 730 to # 745 are executed in steps # 805 to # 820. Further, when the hot water operation of 60 ° C. is set during the normal operation, the time reservation switch 23 is pressed three times and the manual switch 26 is pressed twice. Each time the manual switch 26 accepts, tap water from each preset state → 35 ° C
It is designed to switch from hot water to 60 ° C hot water to tap water.

9 and 10, when setting the presence or absence of the end buzzer sound during normal operation and setting the water temperature, it is necessary to press the time reservation switch 23 three times, but in the other settings. It is not necessary to push the time reservation switch 23.

In this embodiment, the microcomputer 3 determines whether or not the end buzzer sound is set and the water temperature is set in each of the normal operation, reserved operation and night reserved operation states.
0 is stored in the RAM 33, and the condition set in the operation state is preset at the next operation.

As described above, the presence / absence of the end buzzer sound and the water temperature setting which have been set once are stored in the respective operating states. Therefore, when repeatedly carrying out the same setting operation in the same operating state, setting work is required. This leads to simplification of the operation, improving the usability for the user.

[0054]

As described above, according to the present invention, the normal operation by the input operation of the operation unit, the reserved operation in which the operation is finished at the time set by the user, and the effective utilization of the hourly electricity rate system Since it is possible to set with night reservation driving that the driving ends at a specific time when it is possible,
By providing a course with a fixed night reservation time, the operation can be completed without fail during the time of the nighttime electricity rate discount system of the hourly electricity rate system, enabling effective use of the system, and setting extra time. Eliminates the need for

When the night reservation operation is set by the operation of the operation section, the first water supply valve is automatically opened to supply tap water to the water tank and the second water supply valve is opened when water is supplied in the washing process. It has a function to set the hot water supply mode to supply hot water to the aquarium in the preset state, so the cleaning effect is high in the preset state, but since the hot water operation that requires electricity costs is set, Switching from hot water operation (outside the cheap system time) to hot water operation that would be used during nighttime reserved operation with low electricity bill is not necessary, which simplifies the operation and promotes the use of hot water operation with high cleaning effect.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an operation panel according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a microcomputer and its control system.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a display device.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control operation of the microcomputer.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing an operation panel equipped with a night reservation switch.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control operation using a night reservation switch.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a control operation relating to a hot water operation mode.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a control operation relating to first and second water supply valve operations.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a control operation relating to the presence / absence of an end buzzer sound.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a control operation relating to water temperature setting.

FIG. 11 is a vertical sectional view schematically showing the configuration of a general automatic washing machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Outer Tank 2 Water Tank 4 Washing and Dehydrating Tank 5 Pulsator 6 Drive 7 Motor 9 Operation Panel 12 Top Plate 13 Operation Panel 16 First Water Supply Valve 17 Second Water Supply Valve 18 Electric Water Heater 19 Hot Water Heater 20 Power Switch 21 Start Pause switch 22 Course switch 23 Time reservation switch 24 Okonomi switch 25 Manual switch 26 Manual switch 27 Manual switch 28 Manual switch 29 Display device 30 Microcomputer 40 Input key circuit 41 State detection circuit 42 Buzzer 43 Load drive circuit 46 Night reservation switch

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An operation control unit for continuously and automatically executing a water supply process, a washing process, a rinsing process and a dehydration process, and an operation unit for inputting data of washing content and end time to the operation control unit. A first water supply valve controlled to open and close by the operation control means to supply tap water to the water tank, and a second water supply valve controlled to open and close to the operation control means to supply hot water from the electric water heater to the water tank. By the input operation of the operation unit, the normal operation, the reserved operation in which the operation ends at the time set by the user, and the operation in the specific time at which the time-based electricity rate system can be effectively utilized A washing machine capable of setting a night reserved operation, wherein the operation control means sets the night reserved operation by the operation of the operation unit,
Preset a tap water supply mode that automatically opens the first water supply valve to supply tap water to the water tank and a hot water supply mode that opens the second water supply valve to supply hot water to the water tank during water supply in the washing step. A washing machine having a function of setting in a state.