KR20020039959A - Method and apparatus for examination trouble of washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A device and a method for diagnosing trouble of a washing machine are provided to completely solve trouble of the washing machine by previously recognizing causes of the trouble by grasping the used amount and used operations. CONSTITUTION: A device for diagnosing error of a washing machine includes a motor(20), load parts(21), a drive micom(22), a key input part(23), a display(24), a memory(26), an interface(25) and a system micom(27). The drive micom controls operation of the motor and the load parts and reads the operation condition. The key input part allows a user to input various operation orders or set washer functions. The display displays the washer functions and the washer operation condition. The memory stores washer related information and data transmitted from an external device. The interface exchanges data with the external device. The system micom receives a test mode transmitted from the external device when the user selects the test mode through the external device, converts washer program stored in the memory into the test mode condition, determines whether or not A/S is needed according to the operation condition of the motor and the load part and the washer operating condition, and uploads information of the present washer condition to the external device.

Description

Method and apparatus for examination trouble of washing machine

The present invention relates to a washing machine, and in particular, to identify the causes of abnormalities of the product itself, installation problems, regional characteristics, changes in the user's life patterns, and to respond appropriately to the improvement of convenience in use, improvement in washing performance, and improvement in operation efficiency. The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for diagnosing a failure of a washing machine.

In general, a washing machine is a device that removes contaminants from contaminated laundry through washing, rinsing, and dehydration according to a predetermined algorithm, and is fully automatic using horizontal rotation of a rotary blade, outer tank, or inner tank (washing tank / dehydrating tank). A washing machine or a drum washing machine using vertical rotation of the drum can be broadly classified.

Such a washing machine has been developed for a variety of washing courses, functions, etc. in order to respond to a variety of needs of the user and applied to the actual product.

As shown in FIG. 1, the washing machine according to the related art includes a motor 10 for directly or indirectly rotating a washing wing, an inner tank, or an outer tank, other loads 11 such as a water supply valve and a drain valve, and a user. Key input unit 12 for inputting various washing-related operation commands, a display unit 13 for displaying the operation state or function of the washing machine, and a user's operation command input through the key input unit 12. And a system microcomputer 14 for controlling the driving of the motor 10 and the load 11 so as to perform a corresponding washing operation, and for controlling the display unit 13 to display a corresponding operation state or function. do.

The operation of the washing machine according to the prior art configured as described above will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 1.

First, the user 'turns on' the washing machine, inputs laundry into the washing tank, and then inputs a washing instruction through the key input unit 12.

Subsequently, the system microcomputer 14 recognizes the washing instruction, reads the washing program from an internal ROM (not shown), and drives the motor 10 and the load 11 based on the washing program.

The system microcomputer 14 controls the current laundry progress state to be displayed on the display unit 13.

Unlike conventional home appliances, such a conventional washing machine may not function properly due to incompatibility of a built-in program and various usage environments, even if a product itself is not broken, or a user may mistake a product and request a repair. In many cases, the serviceman repairing the product could not identify the cause of the product's failure.

First, looking at the incongruity of the built-in program and the use environment, there is no problem in the product itself, but the user is not satisfied with the washing performance, which is often the cause of the problem of water hardness. In other words, washing performance is greatly affected by water hardness (hard water / sweet water) difference.In order to improve washing performance, it is necessary to change the control program such as rotation angle and washing time of the washing blade to match the program and environment. The conventional washing machine cannot change a preset program.

In addition, the performance of the laundry is changed according to the change of the family member of the user, for example, the newly married couple's laundry may be performed standard washing, but when you have children, laundry such as diapers occurs, the laundry is very important hygiene Therefore, a program with enhanced rinsing performance should be applied, but the conventional washing machine cannot change the program.

As such, the conventional washing machine cannot change the program, and thus, the problem caused by the change of the living pattern cannot be solved.

Next, if the problem of the use environment, which is not a defect of the product itself, was mistaken as a failure, but the serviceman does not find the cause or performs an improper repair due to this, in the dehydration administration, the washing tank does not rotate or low speed. In this case, the dehydration may not proceed. This may be caused by an abnormality of the motor itself, but the rotation of the washing tank is constrained by the tension of the foam caused by excessive input of detergent, and the motor is damaged by the overload. In some cases. In this case, however, the serviceman cannot grasp the cause of the failure, and it is difficult to prepare the countermeasures, and thus the serviceman cannot provide a suitable service for the washing machine.

In addition, if the water supply time for washing is prolonged due to problems such as water pressure, installation location (high / low land), water supply method, etc., the user recognizes that there is a problem with the water supply and reports the malfunction to the manufacturer. You will be notified. In this case, the serviceman checks the water supply valve. If the water supply valve does not have any problem, the serviceman cannot determine the cause of the failure.

In the above case, if the serviceman can know the usage history, failure history, etc. of the washing machine in detail, the service person can infer and interpret the use environment that is recognized as a failure or failure of the product and parts, and can take optimal measures. Since it is impossible to grasp the product's operation status, usage history, failure history, etc., it is unable to identify the above-mentioned causes and therefore cannot cope properly.

The washing machine according to the related art described above has the following problems.

First, since the product can not store the operation state, history, failure history, etc., when the product is repaired without identifying the above-mentioned causes and only replacing parts, that is, the hardware does not prevent the same problem from occurring.

Second, since the washing program that is not changeable is applied to the low-capacity memory, problems such as installation, regional characteristics, and changes in living patterns, which are not abnormalities of the product itself, cannot be solved.

Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above problems, the object of the present invention is to grasp the history of the use of the washing machine, the use history of each accessory device of the washing machine, etc. to determine the root cause of the failure and to solve the complete failure An apparatus and method for diagnosing a failure of a washing machine is provided.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine failure diagnosis apparatus and method for obtaining washing information for improved washing machine development by grasping a washing pattern, washing contents, and a cause of failure of a user.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a washing machine according to the prior art

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a failure diagnosis apparatus for a washing machine according to the present invention

3 is a flow chart showing a failure diagnosis method of the washing machine according to the present invention.

* Explanation of symbols for main parts of the drawings

20: motor 21: load

22: drive micom 23: key input unit

24: display unit 25: interface unit

26: flash ROM 27: system microcomputer

30: PC

The fault diagnosis apparatus of the washing machine according to the present invention for achieving the above object is a motor for driving the washing machine inner tank, outer tank or washing wings, and control various loads such as a water supply valve and a drain valve, and the driving of the motor and load Drive micom for reading the operation state, a key input unit for the user to input various operation commands or setting the washing machine function, a display unit for displaying the washing machine function and the washing machine operation state, the washing machine operation algorithm, and the use of the washing machine. Memory for storing washing machine related information including the history and data transmitted from the external device, Interface unit for exchanging data with the external device, When the washing machine abnormal operation occurs, when the user selects the test mode through the external device The test mode transmitted from the It includes a system micom for converting the program into the test mode and determining whether the current washing machine needs the service according to the operation status of the motor and the load and the diagnosis of the washing process, and uploading the current washing machine status information to an external device. There is a characteristic.

In order to achieve the above object, a failure diagnosis method for a washing machine according to the present invention includes a flash ROM, a motor, and a load in a washing machine capable of transmitting / receiving data with a PC through an interface unit. Selecting the program test mode of the washing machine through the program, and receiving the test mode transmitted from the PC through the interface unit, the program of the washing machine stored in the flash ROM is converted into the test mode, and the motor, load operation state, and the washing progress are diagnosed. Detecting the washing machine state, and if the washing machine requires service through the detected current washing machine state, uploading the current washing machine state information to the PC through the interface unit, and the PC inputs the corresponding washing machine state information. Is sent to the business, and the product company Makin comprises the step of providing the appropriate service for the user of the washing machine has its features.

Hereinafter, a failure diagnosis apparatus and method of a washing machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the failure diagnosis apparatus of the washing machine according to the present invention, Figure 3 is a flow chart showing a failure diagnosis method of the washing machine according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, a failure diagnosis apparatus for a washing machine according to the present invention includes a motor 20 for driving a washing machine inner tub, an outer tub, or a washing vane, various loads 21 such as a water supply valve and a drain valve, and A drive micom 22 for controlling the driving of the motor 20 and the load 21 and reading the operation state thereof, a key input unit 23 for the user to input various operation commands or setting the washing machine function, and a washing machine Display unit 24 for displaying the function and the operating state of the washing machine, a washing machine operation algorithm, a memory 26 for storing the washing machine related information including the history of the washing machine and the data transmitted from the external device, and the external device 30 Interface unit 25 for exchanging data with the washing machine, when the abnormal operation of the washing machine, when the user selects the test mode through the external device 30 is a test transmitted from the external device 30 Is inputted to the program of the washing machine stored in the memory (26) to the test mode state, the operation state of the motor 20 and the load 21, according to the diagnostic result of the laundry progress status whether the service is required to the washing machine It is configured to include a system microcomputer 27 for judging and uploading the current washing machine state information to the external device (30).

In this case, the memory 26 uses a flash ROM, and the external device 30 is a PC.

Referring to the operation of the failure diagnosis apparatus of the washing machine according to the present invention configured as described above in detail.

First, the user 'turns on' the washing machine, inputs laundry into the washing tank, and then inputs a washing instruction through the key input unit 23.

Subsequently, the system microcomputer 27 recognizes the washing instruction, reads the washing program from the flash ROM 26, and drives the motor 20 and various loads 21 with the drive microcomputer 22 according to the read washing program. Transmits a driving signal for

At this time, the drive micom 22 drives the motor 20 and the load 21 according to a drive signal transmitted from the system micom 27 to perform washing.

In addition, the system microcomputer 27 controls the display unit 24 to display a current washing progress state and the like.

Subsequently, the drive micom 22 transmits the usage history of the motor 20 and the load 21 to the system micom 27.

In this case, the system microcomputer 27 receives data such as temperature rise and speed, water supply time, and drainage time of the motor 20 transmitted through the drive microcomputer 22 and stores the data in the flash ROM 26. .

In addition, the system microcomputer 27 stores the washing administration information selected by the user in the flash ROM 26, and the data about the administrations performed by the user not satisfied with the current washing administration result is also stored in the flash ROM 26. To save on.

Subsequently, the system microcomputer 27 reads data stored in the flash ROM 25 at regular intervals or reads when a failure occurs, and uploads the data to the PC 30 connected through the interface unit 25.

Here, when an abnormal operation of the washing machine occurs, the user needs to accurately know the failure history of the washing machine before requesting a serviceman of the product company in order to provide an appropriate service to the washing machine.

That is, in order to determine an abnormal operation of the washing machine, the user selects the program test mode of the washing machine through the PC 30.

At this time, the system microcomputer 27 switches the program stored in the flash ROM 26 to the test mode as the test mode transmitted from the PC 30 is input through the interface unit 25.

The system microcomputer 27 diagnoses the operation state of the motor 20 and the load 21, the washing progress state, and the like through the test mode, and identifies the current washing machine state from the diagnosis result.

Subsequently, if the current washing machine state requires a service, the system microcomputer 27 uploads the current washing machine state information to the PC 30 through the interface unit 25, and the PC 30 The current washing machine state information transmitted through the interface unit 25 is transmitted to the server of the product company.

As a result, the product company provides the appropriate washing machine service to the user through the input state information of the washing machine.

Here, the failure diagnosis method of the washing machine according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 3.

First, when a washing machine abnormal operation occurs, the user selects the program test mode of the washing machine through the PC 30 (S100).

Subsequently, the system microcomputer 27 receives a test mode transmitted from the PC 30 through the interface unit 25 (S110).

As the test mode transmitted from the PC 30 is input, the system microcomputer 27 switches the program of the washing machine stored in the flash ROM 26 to the test mode state, so that the motor 20 and the load 21 Diagnose the operating state of the washing state, such as (S120).

Subsequently, the system microcomputer 27 determines the current washing machine state through the diagnosis result of the washing machine (S130), and determines whether the service is required for the current washing machine (S140).

As a result of the determination (S140), if a service is currently required for the washing machine, the current washing machine state information is transmitted to the PC 30 through the interface unit 25 (S150).

The PC 30 transmits the input washing machine state information to the server of the corresponding product company, and the product company provides a service necessary for the washing machine of the user through the input state of the washing machine of the current user (S160).

As described above, the apparatus and method for diagnosing a failure of a washing machine according to the present invention accurately determines a failure state of a washing machine by switching a washing program of the washing machine to a test mode when an abnormal operation of the washing machine occurs, and receives a proper service according to the cause of the washing machine failure. As a result, the washing performance and operation efficiency can be maximized.

Claims (5)

A motor for driving washing machine inner tub, outer tub or washing vane; Various loads such as a water supply valve and a drain valve; A drive microcomputer for controlling the driving of the motor and the load and reading an operating state thereof; A key input unit for a user to input various operation commands or set a washing machine function; A display unit for displaying a washing machine function and a washing machine operating state; A memory for storing washing machine related information including washing machine operation algorithm, washing machine usage history, and data transmitted from an external device; An interface unit for exchanging data with the external device; And, When a washing machine abnormal operation occurs, when the user selects the test mode through the external device, the test mode transmitted from the external device is received, and the program of the washing machine stored in the memory is converted into the test mode state, and the operating state of the motor and the load, And a system micom for uploading the current washing machine status information to the external device by determining whether the current washing machine needs the service according to the diagnosis result of the washing progress. The method of claim 1, The system microcomputer controls the drive microcomputer to perform a washing operation corresponding to a user's operation command through the key input unit, and controls the operation microcomputer to display a corresponding operation state or function on the display unit, and relates to a washing machine transmitted through the drive microcomputer. And information or data transmitted from the external device through the interface unit in the memory. The method of claim 1, The memory device is a failure diagnosis device, characterized in that using a flash ROM. The method of claim 1, The external device is a failure diagnosis device for a washing machine, characterized in that the PC. In a washing machine equipped with a flash ROM, a motor and a load, which can transmit / receive data with a PC through an interface unit. Selecting a program test mode of the washing machine through the PC when the washing machine malfunctions; Receiving a test mode transmitted from the PC through the interface unit, converting a program of a washing machine stored in the flash ROM into a test mode, and diagnosing the motor and load operating state and washing progress state to detect a current washing machine state; Uploading the current washing machine state information to the PC through the interface unit if the washing machine requires a service state through the detected current washing machine state; And, The PC transmits the corresponding washing machine state information to the corresponding product company, and the product company comprises the step of providing an appropriate service for the user's washing machine through the input washing machine state information. Way.