CN116829781A

CN116829781A - Laundry treatment apparatus, control program, control method, and laundry treatment system

Info

Publication number: CN116829781A
Application number: CN202280013430.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 中尾浩; 寺冈广基
Original assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Priority date: 2021-02-22
Filing date: 2022-02-02
Publication date: 2023-09-29
Also published as: WO2022176616A1; JPWO2022176616A1; TW202233934A

Abstract

A washing machine (100) as an example of a laundry treatment apparatus of the present disclosure is provided with a tub for accommodating laundry, a box, an automatic dispensing unit, and a control device. The cartridge is used to store the treatment agent that is dosed into the tank during operation. The automatic feeding unit is used for feeding the treating agent stored in the box into the tank. The control device has a processing agent change detection unit that detects that the processing agent stored in the cartridge has been changed based on a change in the remaining amount of the processing agent stored in the cartridge.

Description

Laundry treatment apparatus, control program, control method, and laundry treatment system

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a laundry treatment apparatus, a control program for controlling the laundry treatment apparatus, a control method, and a laundry treatment system.

Background

Conventionally, a washing machine having a function of automatically feeding a treating agent such as a detergent or a softener into a tub during operation is known (for example, refer to patent document 1). Such a conventional washing machine automatically feeds a proper amount of the treating agent into the tub at a proper timing according to the type of the treating agent stored in the detergent box. In the washing machine described in patent document 1, when detecting that a detergent box is mounted in the automatic dispensing device, the type information indicating the type of the preset detergent is displayed on the display unit.

Prior art literature

Patent literature

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open No. 2020-74823

Disclosure of Invention

However, in the washing machine disclosed in patent document 1, when other treatment agents are placed in the detergent box at the time of power off, or when other treatment agents are placed without removing the detergent box, the treatment agents cannot be automatically placed in an appropriate amount at an appropriate timing.

Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a technique of appropriately controlling an operation of a laundry treatment apparatus such as a washing machine.

The laundry treatment apparatus of the present disclosure includes a tub, a case, a loading unit, and a control device for accommodating laundry. The cartridge is used to store the treatment agent that is dosed into the tank during operation. The delivery unit delivers the treatment agent stored in the cartridge into the tank. The control device has a detection unit for detecting that the processing agent stored in the cartridge has been changed based on a change in the remaining amount of the processing agent stored in the cartridge.

The control program of the present disclosure is used to cause a computer to function as a detection section. The detection unit detects that the processing agent stored in the box is changed based on the remaining amount of the processing agent stored in the box for storing the processing agent put into the tank for storing the laundry during the operation of the laundry processing device.

The control method of the present disclosure is used to cause a computer to execute the steps of: the change of the treatment agent stored in the box is detected based on the remaining amount of the treatment agent stored in the box for storing the treatment agent put into the tank for accommodating clothes during the operation of the clothes treatment device.

The laundry treatment system of the present disclosure is provided with a laundry treatment apparatus and a control apparatus that controls the laundry treatment apparatus. The control device includes an information output unit, an information acquisition unit, and a supply unit. When a change of the processing agent stored in the box is detected based on the remaining amount of the processing agent stored in the box, the information output unit outputs the processing agent which is put into the tank for storing the laundry during the operation of the laundry processing device. That is, the information output unit outputs information for prompting the user to input the information on the treatment agent stored in the cartridge. The information acquisition unit acquires information on the modified treatment agent. The providing unit provides the information acquired by the information acquiring unit so as to be usable by a delivery control unit that controls a delivery unit for delivering the processing agent stored in the cartridge into the tank.

Any combination of the above components, and a mode in which the present disclosure is converted between methods, apparatuses, systems, recording media, computer programs, and the like are also effective as modes of the present disclosure.

According to the technology of the present disclosure, the operation of the laundry treating apparatus can be properly controlled.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a washing system according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the structure of a washing machine of embodiment 1 of the present disclosure.

Fig. 3 is a view showing an external appearance of an automatic detergent dispenser of a washing machine according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a structure of a casing of the washing machine according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of a control device of a washing machine according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displayed on the operation display unit of the washing machine according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a notification screen displayed on the operation display unit.

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing another example of the notification screen displayed on the operation display unit.

Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a menu screen displayed on the operation display unit.

Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an automatic delivery setting screen displayed on the operation display unit.

Fig. 11 is a view showing an example of the treatment agent setting screen displayed on the operation display unit.

Fig. 12 is a view showing an example of the treatment agent setting screen displayed on the operation display unit.

Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the operation course setting screen displayed on the operation display unit.

Fig. 14 is a diagram showing an example of an automatic delivery setting screen displayed on the operation display unit.

Fig. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a notification screen displayed on the operation display unit.

Fig. 16 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of a terminal device according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displayed on a display device of a terminal device.

Fig. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a notification screen displayed on a display device of a terminal device.

Fig. 19 is a diagram showing an example of an automatic delivery setting screen displayed on the display device of the terminal device.

Fig. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a treatment agent setting screen displayed on the display device of the terminal device.

Fig. 21 is a diagram showing an example of a treatment agent setting screen displayed on a display device of a terminal device.

Fig. 22 is a view showing another example of the operation display portion of the washing machine.

Fig. 23 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a control process of the washing machine according to embodiment 1.

Detailed Description

The embodiments are described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, too detailed explanation may be omitted. For example, a detailed description of known matters or a repeated description of substantially the same structure may be omitted.

Furthermore, the drawings and the following description are provided for a full understanding of the present disclosure by those skilled in the art, and are not intended to limit the subject matter recited in the claims.

As embodiments of the present disclosure, the following techniques are explained: automatically feeding a detergent, a neutral detergent, a softener, a bleaching agent and other treatment agents into a tank of a clothes treatment device such as a washing machine. The washing machine of the present embodiment is provided with three boxes, so that it is possible to automatically dispense not only a detergent and a softener which are generally used in a washing operation, but also a different kind of detergent or softener, a neutral detergent, a bleaching agent, and other treatments. At least one of the three cartridges is configured to be capable of arbitrarily changing the type of the stored treatment agent by a user. When the washing machine detects that the type of the treatment agent in at least one box capable of changing the type of the stored treatment agent is changed, the washing machine prompts a user to input information required for automatically throwing the changed treatment agent. Thus, the washing machine can automatically put a proper amount of the treating agent into the water tank at a proper timing, so that the washing effect can be improved and the convenience of the user can be improved. In addition, in the embodiments, a washing machine as an example of the laundry treatment apparatus of the present disclosure will be mainly described. The clothing is not limited to clothing, but also includes carpets, shoes, towels, cloth doll toys, and the like. The treatment of the laundry is not limited to washing, and includes a drying treatment, a treatment of immersing the laundry in a treating agent, and the like.

(embodiment 1)

Next, embodiment 1 will be described with reference to fig. 1 to 23.

[1-1. Structure ]

Fig. 1 shows a structure of a washing system 1 according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. The washing system 1 is an example of the laundry treatment system of the present disclosure, and includes a washing machine 100, a terminal device 200, a washing support server 300, and the internet 2, wherein the internet 2 is an example of a communication network connecting these devices. The terminal device 200 can execute an application program for setting an operation process of the washing machine 100 and the like. The washing assistance server 300 serves to assist washing by the washing machine 100.

The washing machine 100 can set a plurality of operation processes for automatically controlling the operations of the washing process, the rinsing process, the dehydrating process, the drying process, and the like. In each operation, the operation mode of each step is defined by parameters such as time, cloth amount, water amount, detergent reference amount, temperature, rotation speed of drum, rotation torque, rotation mode, and the like. The washing machine 100 receives a designation of an operation process from a user via a user interface such as a touch panel. The washing machine 100 sets an operation course designated by a user, and controls each process according to parameters defined by the set operation course. The washing machine 100 turns off the power after a series of operations are completed.

The terminal device 200 executes an application program functioning as a user interface for specifying an operation process of the washing machine 100 or the like instead of the user interface of the washing machine 100, or executes an application program functioning as a user interface for specifying an operation process of the washing machine 100 or the like in addition to the user interface of the washing machine 100. The terminal device 200 notifies the washing machine 100 of the operation process designated by the user. The washing machine 100 sets the operation process notified from the terminal device 200. In this way, the terminal device 200 sets the operation process designated by the user to the washing machine 100. That is, the terminal device 200 can be said to execute an application program functioning as a user interface for setting the operation process of the washing machine 100 and the like. The terminal device 200 may also communicate with the washing machine 100 via the washing assistance server 300. In this case, the terminal device 200 notifies the washing support server 300 of the operation process designated by the user, and the washing support server 300 notifies the washing machine 100 of the notified operation process. The terminal device 200 may directly communicate with the washing machine 100.

The control device of the present disclosure may be a control device 81 described later incorporated in the washing machine 100, or may be implemented by an application program executed in the terminal device 200. Alternatively, the control device of the present disclosure may be realized by both the control device 81 and an application program executed in the terminal device 200.

The washing assistance server 300 provides information about the operation course to the washing machine 100 or the terminal device 200. In addition, the washing assistance server 300 provides the data of the operation process that can be performed in the washing machine 100 to the washing machine 100. The washing assistance server 300 may search for an operation course matching with the type of the laundry such as the laundry washed by the washing machine 100, the washing method or the contamination method of the laundry, or the like from among a plurality of operation courses, and may provide the search result to the washing machine 100. The washing assistance server 300 may also acquire a set history of the operation process in the plurality of washing machines 100. The washing support server 300 may learn an algorithm for determining an operation course matching the type of the washing target, the cleaning method or the contamination method of the washing target, or the like, which is washed by the washing machine 100, using the acquired setting history as learning data.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the structure of the washing machine 100 of embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. In the present embodiment, the vertical direction in the state where the washing machine 100 is installed as shown in fig. 2 may be referred to as the vertical direction. The side of the washing machine 100 where the cover 52 is located (left side in fig. 2) may be referred to as a front side of the washing machine 100, and the opposite side (right side in fig. 2) may be referred to as a rear side of the washing machine 100.

In fig. 2, an operation display unit 79 is provided on the upper front surface of the washing machine 100, and a washing machine communication unit 230 is provided in the vicinity of the operation display unit 79. The operation display unit 79 is configured as a touch panel provided with both an input device capable of designating (selecting) a mode of an operation process or the like or various functions, and a display device for displaying information or the like inputted in the input device. An input unit 104 such as a power button is also provided on the upper front surface of the washing machine case 41. The user can designate modes such as operation and various functions via the operation display 79 and the input unit 104.

A control device 81 is provided at an upper portion in the washing machine housing 41. The control device 81 is constituted by a microcomputer or the like.

A water tank unit 49 is provided inside the washing machine housing 41 of the washing machine 100. The water tank unit 49 includes a water tank 42, a rotary drum 43, and a first motor 101.

The water tank 42 is swingably disposed inside the washing machine housing 41 by a suspension structure. The suspension structure is composed of a plurality of vibration-proof dampers 51 attached to the lower portion of the washing machine housing 41 and a plurality of spring bodies 50 provided between the upper portion of the washing machine housing 41 and the water tank 42, and vibration-proof supports the water tank 42 so that the water tank 42 can swing freely.

A rotary drum 43 formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape is rotatably disposed inside the water tank 42. A rotation shaft (rotation center shaft) 44 extending in the horizontal direction is provided at the rotation center portion of the rotation drum 43. The first motor 101 disposed near the rear surface side of the water tank 42 is coupled to the rotation shaft 44 via a belt 46. The rotary drum 43 is driven to rotate in the forward or reverse direction by the first motor 101.

A plurality of protruding plates 47 for stirring laundry such as laundry are provided on the inner wall surface of the rotary drum 43, and a large number of water through holes 48 are provided on the outer peripheral wall of the rotary drum 43.

In the washing machine casing 41, a casing opening 45 is provided at a position facing the laundry inlet/outlet 53 of the rotary drum 43. A cover 52 is provided to cover the case opening 45 so as to be openable and closable. By opening the cover 52, laundry, such as laundry, can be put into the rotary drum 43 or taken out of the rotary drum 43 through the laundry inlet/outlet 53.

A water supply path 54 for supplying washing water (for example, tap water) into the water tank 42 and a drain path 55 for draining the washing water in the water tank 42 to the outside of the washing machine housing 41 are provided in the washing machine housing 41.

The water supply path 54 is constituted by a first water supply hose 59, a second water supply hose 60, an automatic detergent dispenser 61, a water injection hose 62, and the like.

The first water supply hose 59 is provided with a first water supply valve 57. The second water supply hose 60 is provided with a second water supply valve 58. The automatic detergent dispenser 61 can store a predetermined amount of detergent.

When the first water supply valve 57 is opened, water is supplied from the first water supply hose 59 into the water tank 42 through a water filling port, not shown.

Further, by opening the second water supply valve 58, water is supplied from the second water supply hose 60 into the automatic detergent dispenser 61, and supplied into the water tank 42 from the water injection hose 62 together with a predetermined amount of detergent discharged from a detergent valve (not shown) of the automatic detergent dispenser 61.

The drain path 55 is composed of a drain pipe 64, a filter 65, a drain pump 63, and a drain hose 66.

The drain pipe 64 is connected to a drain port 95 and a strainer 65 provided in the recess 71 at the bottom of the water tank 42. The filter 65 is configured to trap broken thread ends in the washing water and is detachable from the outside.

A heater 72 for heating the washing water is provided at the recess 71, and a temperature detecting portion 73 for detecting the temperature of the washing water is provided in the vicinity of the heater 72.

The drain pump 63 is connected to the filter 65 and the drain hose 66. The drain hose 66 is provided so as to extend from the inside of the washing machine housing 41 to above the outside of the washing machine housing 41. At a predetermined timing such as when the washing process is finished or when the rinsing process is finished, the drain pump 63 is driven to drain the washing water in the water tank 42 to the outside through the drain pipe 64, the filter 65, the drain pump 63, and the drain hose 66 in this order.

An air trap 74 is formed on a side wall of the bottom rear of the water tank 42 so as to communicate with the drain pipe 64. The air catcher 74 is connected to an air duct 75, and the air duct 75 is connected to a water level detecting portion 85 provided at an upper portion in the washing machine housing 41. The water level detection unit 85 is constituted by, for example, a pressure sensor or the like, and detects the water level of the washing water in the water tank 42 based on the water pressure of the washing water in the water tank 42, that is, the pressure in the corresponding air catcher 74.

A vibration detecting unit 78 for detecting vibration of the water tank unit 49 is disposed at the upper rear portion of the water tank 42. In the present embodiment, an acceleration sensor that detects not only vibration in one direction but also vibration components in three dimensions of the front-rear direction (X-axis direction), the left-right direction (Y-axis direction), and the up-down direction (Z-axis direction) is used as the vibration detecting portion 78.

Each axis in the three-dimensional direction to be detected by the vibration detection unit 78 is referred to herein as a "detection axis". Since the vibration of the actual water tank unit 49 is not necessarily generated in only one direction, the vibration of the water tank unit 49 can be detected with high accuracy by using the acceleration sensor that detects the vibrations in a plurality of directions as the vibration detecting portion 78. The control device 81 controls the operation based on the detection result of the vibration detection unit 78.

Fig. 3 shows an external appearance of an automatic detergent dispenser 61 of the washing machine 100 according to embodiment 1. The automatic detergent dispenser 61 includes three cartridges 86a, 86b, 86c capable of storing the treatment agent therein, an automatic dispenser unit 87 for automatically dispensing the treatment agent stored in each of the cartridges 86a, 86b, 86c into the water tank 42, and a hall IC 90. The automatic dispensing unit 87 is constituted by a piston, a cylinder, a pump, a motor, a valve, and the like. At least one of the three cartridges 86a, 86b, 86c is configured to be capable of changing the type of the stored treatment agent. For example, a treatment agent such as a detergent, a neutral detergent, a softener, or a bleaching agent may be stored in one of the three cartridges 86a, 86b, and 86c so as to be changeable. The remaining two cartridges 86a, 86b, 86c may be defined as the type of the stored treatment agent, or may be set to be capable of storing any type of treatment agent. In the former case, for example, a detergent-dedicated case and a softener-dedicated case may be provided. In the present embodiment, the cartridges 86a, 86b, 86c are sometimes referred to as cartridges 86 without being particularly distinguished.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the structure of the casing 86 of the washing machine 100 according to embodiment 1. The cartridge 86 is provided with a float (float) 88 and a magnet (magnet) 89 to detect the remaining amount of the treatment agent stored inside. The head of the float 88 is configured to float on the liquid surface of the treating agent, and thus the float 88 is rotated in conformity with the liquid surface of the treating agent. The position of the magnet 89 is moved by the rotation of the float 88, and the magnetic force corresponding to the position of the magnet 89 is detected by the hall IC 90. This allows the remaining amount of the treatment agent stored in the cartridge 86 to be detected. The method of detecting the remaining amount of the treatment agent is not limited to this, and the remaining amount of the treatment agent may be detected by any method. In the present embodiment, the hall IC 90 is provided on the bottom surface of the case 86, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the hall IC 90 may be provided in a case (not shown) covering the case 86.

Fig. 5 shows a functional configuration of a control device 81 of a washing machine 100 according to embodiment 1. The present figure mainly shows a functional configuration for setting information necessary for automatically dispensing the treatment agent stored in the cassette 86 into the water tank 42. The control device 81 includes a processing device 120 and a storage device 160.

The storage 160 is used to store data, programs, parameters, and the like used by the processing device 120. The storage device 160 includes a treatment agent remaining amount holding portion 161, a foam amount holding portion 162, and a treatment agent information holding portion 163. The storage 160 may be a semiconductor memory, a hard disk, a cloud memory, or the like.

The remaining amount of the processing agent holding unit 161 is for holding the remaining amount of the processing agent stored in the cartridge 86. The remaining amount of treating agent holding unit 161 may hold a history of the remaining amount of treating agent detected in the past, or may hold the remaining amount of treating agent only a predetermined number of times. When the washing machine 100 leaves the factory, the remaining amount of the treating agent 161 is kept zero as the remaining amount of the treating agent detected last time.

The foam amount holding part 162 is for holding the amount of foam detected when the washing machine 100 is operated. The foam amount holding unit 162 may hold a history of the amount of foam detected in the past, or may hold the amount of foam only a predetermined number of times. When the washing machine 100 leaves the factory, zero is stored in the foam amount holding part 162 as the amount of foam detected last time.

The treating agent information holding unit 163 holds information on the treating agent stored in the cartridge 86. The treatment agent information holding unit 163 is configured to hold information necessary for automatically dispensing the treatment agent stored in the cassette 86 into the water tank 42. The treatment agent information holding unit 163 holds information such as the type of treatment agent, a reference amount of treatment agent to be added to a predetermined amount of water, and an addition timing. The treatment agent information holding unit 163 may hold information such as a brand of a commercially available treatment agent, a type of the treatment agent, a standard administration amount, and an administration timing in association with each other. This information may be stored in advance in the treating agent information holding unit 163 at the time of manufacturing the washing machine 100, or may be downloaded from the washing support server 300 or the like and stored.

The processing device 120 includes a user interface control unit 121, a remaining amount of processing agent acquisition unit 122, a foam amount acquisition unit 123, a processing agent change detection unit 124, an information output unit 125, a processing agent information acquisition unit 126, and an automatic dispensing control unit 127. These structures can be realized in hardware by a CPU (Central Processing Unit: central processing unit), a memory, and other LSI (Large Scale Integration: large scale integrated circuit) of an arbitrary computer. In addition, these structures can be realized in software by a program or the like loaded into a memory. Fig. 5 shows, as an example, a configuration of the processing device 120 realized by cooperation of hardware and software by using functional blocks. Thus, those skilled in the art will appreciate that these functional blocks can be implemented in various forms, either by hardware alone, or by a combination of hardware and software. The program executed by the CPU is not limited to the program recorded in the memory in advance, and may be provided by being recorded in a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card, or may be provided by a telecommunication line such as the internet 2.

The user interface control unit 121 generates a display screen displayed on the operation display unit 79, and displays the display screen on the operation display unit 79. The user interface control unit 121 acquires the operation input received by the operation display unit 79.

The remaining amount of the treatment agent stored in the cartridge 86 is acquired from the hall IC 90 by the remaining amount acquisition unit 122 at the end of the washing operation or at the time of power off, and stored in the remaining amount of the treatment agent holding unit 161. The remaining amount of the treating agent acquiring unit 122 may acquire and record only the remaining amount of the treating agent used in the washing operation, or may acquire and record the remaining amount of all the treating agent stored in the cartridge 86. The remaining amount of the treatment agent stored in the cartridge 86 is acquired from the hall IC 90 by the remaining amount acquisition unit 122 when the power of the washing machine 100 is turned on or before the washing operation is started. The processing agent remaining amount acquiring unit 122 may acquire and record only the remaining amount of the processing agent set to be automatically dispensed, or may acquire and record the remaining amount of all the processing agents stored in the cartridge 86.

When the operation of the cleaning step, the rinsing step, the dewatering step, and the like is completed, the foam amount obtaining unit 123 obtains the amount of foam generated in the water tank 42 from the foam amount sensor 67, and stores the amount of foam in the foam amount holding unit 162. Further, a foam amount sensor 67 is provided in the water tank 42 to detect the amount of foam generated in the water tank 42. The foam amount sensor 67 is constituted by, for example, a pair of electrodes, and detects the amount of foam by detecting the resistance value between the electrodes. The foam sensor 67 may be a transmittance sensor including a light emitting element such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode: light emitting diode) and a light receiving element such as a phototransistor. The foam amount sensor 67 may be any sensor as long as it can detect the amount of foam generated in the water tank 42.

The processing agent change detecting unit 124 detects that the type of the processing agent stored in the cartridge 86 has changed based on a change in the remaining amount of the processing agent stored in the cartridge 86. For example, the processing agent change detecting unit 124 may detect that the type of the processing agent stored in the cartridge 86 is changed when the remaining amount of the processing agent stored in the cartridge 86 acquired by the processing agent remaining amount acquiring unit 122 is increased by a predetermined amount or more from the remaining amount at the end of the previous operation at the time of power-on or before the start of the operation. The processing agent change detecting unit 124 may detect that the type of the processing agent stored in the cartridge 86 has been changed by comparing the remaining amount of the processing agent at the time of the last power-on, the time of the operation start, the time of the operation end, and the time of the power-off with the remaining amount at the time of the current power-on or the time of the operation start. When the user changes the type of the processing agent stored in the cartridge 86, it is generally considered that another processing agent is stored in the cartridge 86 after the processing agent stored in the cartridge 86 is used up. Therefore, the processing agent change detecting unit 124 may detect that the type of the processing agent stored in the cartridge 86 has been changed when the remaining amount at the end of the previous operation is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value.

The remaining amount of the treating agent 161 may be zero when the washing machine 100 leaves the factory, and the remaining amount of the treating agent may be zero when the previous operation is completed. In this case, even when the processing agent is stored in the cartridge 86 for the first time, the processing agent change detecting unit 124 detects that the type of the processing agent stored in the cartridge 86 has been changed. Therefore, even when the treatment agent is stored in the cartridge 86 for the first time, the washing machine 100 can acquire information on the treatment agent stored in the cartridge 86 and automatically dispense the treatment agent appropriately.

The washing machine 100 may be configured to perform an operation of flushing water or hot water into the cartridge 86 to wash a path for pouring the treatment agent from the cartridge 86 into the water tank 42. When the operation of flushing water or hot water into the cartridge 86 to clean the path for supplying the treatment agent from the cartridge 86 into the water tank 42 is completed, water or hot water remains in the cartridge 86, and no treatment agent remains. Therefore, the washing machine 100 may not store the remaining amount of the treatment agent stored in the cartridge 86 in the treatment agent remaining amount holding unit 161. Alternatively, the washing machine 100 may store zero as the remaining amount of the treating agent in the remaining treating agent amount holding unit 161.

The processing agent change detecting unit 124 may detect that the type of the processing agent stored in the cartridge 86 has been changed based on a change in the amount of foam when washing is performed using the processing agent stored in the cartridge 86. For example, the processing agent change detection unit 124 may detect that the type of the processing agent stored in the cartridge 86 has changed when the amount of foam has changed by a predetermined amount or more during washing using the processing agent stored in the cartridge 86. The treatment agent change detecting unit 124 may estimate the change content of the treatment agent stored in the cartridge 86 based on the amount of foam. For example, when a large amount of foam is generated when a detergent is automatically fed from the cartridge 86 set to store a normal detergent and a washing operation is performed, the treatment agent change detection unit 124 may estimate that a neutral detergent is fed into the cartridge 86.

The processing agent change detecting unit 124 may detect that the type of the processing agent stored in the cartridge 86 has been changed, by targeting only the cartridge 86 configured to be capable of changing the type of the stored processing agent. Even when the type of the processing agent stored in the cartridge 86 is specified, when the processing agent is changed to a processing agent of a different manufacturing subject or brand, there is a possibility that the reference amount of the automatic dispensing, the dispensing timing, or the like may be different. Therefore, the processing agent change detecting unit 124 may detect that the type of the processing agent stored in the cartridge 86 has been changed, regardless of whether the type of the stored processing agent can be changed.

When the processing agent change detecting unit 124 detects that the type of the processing agent stored in the cartridge 86 is changed, the information output unit 125 outputs a display content for prompting the setting of information on the changed processing agent. The information output unit 125 may output the display content before starting the operation of pouring the treatment agent stored in the cartridge 86 into the water tank 42 or when the user performs an operation for instructing the start of the operation. The information output unit 125 may display the display content on the operation display unit 79. The display content may include a display screen for receiving input of information on whether or not to set the treatment agent stored in the cartridge 86. When the user inputs information related to the treatment agent, the information output unit 125 displays a setting screen for receiving the input of the information related to the treatment agent on the operation display unit 79, and when the user inputs information related to the treatment agent without setting, the information output unit 125 does not display the setting screen on the operation display unit 79. The display by the information output unit 125 may be performed by the user interface control unit 121.

When the processing agent change detecting unit 124 detects that the type of the processing agent stored in the cartridge 86 is changed, the processing agent information acquiring unit 126 acquires information on the changed processing agent and stores the information in the processing agent information holding unit 163. The information on the modified treatment agent includes information necessary for controlling the automatic delivery of the modified treatment agent, for example, the type of treatment agent, the reference delivery amount, and the like.

The treatment agent information acquiring unit 126 may acquire information on the changed treatment agent by receiving an input of information on the treatment agent from the user. The treating agent information acquiring unit 126 may determine the type of the treating agent based on information received from an RFID attached to a container or the like of the treating agent, an image obtained by capturing an external appearance of the container or a graphic code of the treating agent, or the like. In this case, the treating agent information acquiring unit 126 may acquire the information on the specified treating agent from the treating agent information holding unit 163, or may acquire the information on the specified treating agent from the washing support server 300.

When the operation of automatically dispensing the treatment agent stored in the cartridge 86 is performed, the automatic dispensing control unit 127 controls the automatic dispensing of the treatment agent by the automatic dispensing unit 87 based on the information stored in the treatment agent information holding unit 163. The automatic dispensing control unit 127 causes the automatic dispensing means 87 to automatically dispense the set amount of the treatment agent at a timing corresponding to the type of the treatment agent.

Fig. 6 shows an example of a display screen displayed on the operation display unit 79 of the washing machine 100 according to embodiment 1. The display screen shown in fig. 6 is a top screen 400 displayed after the power button of the washing machine 100 is turned on. The header area 405 is always displayed in the top screen 400. The header area 405 includes a menu button 401, a top screen button 402, a search button 403, and a notification button 404. The menu button 401 is a button for shifting to the menu screen 430. The top screen button 402 is a button for shifting to the top screen 400 in the case where a screen other than the top screen 400 is displayed. The search button 403 is a button for shifting to a search screen of the operation process. The notification button 404 is a button for displaying a notification to a user. When each button of the head area 405 is input, content corresponding to the input button is displayed. The header area 405 is not limited to be displayed on the top screen 400, and may be displayed on a screen other than the top screen 400.

When the processing agent change detecting unit 124 detects that the processing agent in the cartridge 86 has been changed, a graphic indicating that there is a notification indicating that the processing agent in the cartridge 86 has been changed is displayed in the vicinity of the notification button 404.

Fig. 7 shows an example of the notification screen 410 displayed on the operation display portion 79. The notification screen 410 displays the fact that the replenishment of the processing agent into the cartridge 86 is detected and the fact that the setting of the cartridge 86 to which the processing agent is replenished is confirmed. The notification screen 410 may be displayed with the meaning that the agent different from the previous agent is possibly supplemented. A setting button 411 and a cancel button 412 are displayed in the notification screen 410. When the setting button 411 is input, the information output unit 125 moves to a setting screen for receiving information about the processing agent stored in the cartridge 86. When the cancel button 412 is input, the information output unit 125 returns the display to the top screen 400 without shifting to the setting screen.

When the processing agent change detecting unit 124 detects that the processing agent stored in the cartridge 86 is changed when the power of the washing machine 100 is turned on, the information output unit 125 may display a notification screen 410 shown in fig. 7 on the operation display unit 79 instead of the top screen 400 shown in fig. 6. When the processing agent change detecting unit 124 detects that the processing agent stored in the cartridge 86 has been changed, the information output unit 125 may display a notification screen 410 shown in fig. 7 on the operation display unit 79 before the operation of automatically dispensing the processing agent is started. The information output unit 125 may display the notification screen 410 when the user instructs the start of the operation. The user may indicate the start of the operation, for example, when the user presses a start button. Thus, the washing machine 100 can more reliably acquire information required for automatically dispensing the treating agent.

Fig. 8 shows another example of the notification screen displayed on the operation display unit 79. The notification screen 420 is displayed in a predetermined area of the display screen as a subtitle, separately from the display content for setting the operation condition of the washing machine 100. The subtitles may also be displayed superimposed with the display content for setting the operation conditions. In addition, the subtitles may also be semi-transparent. Thus, the washing machine 100 can avoid visually obstructing the display contents for setting the operation conditions. The notification screen 420 displays the fact that the replenishment of the processing agent into the cartridge 86 is detected and the fact that the setting of the cartridge 86 to which the processing agent is replenished is confirmed. The notification screen 420 is displayed every time the power of the washing machine 100 is turned on until information about the treating agent is input via the operation display 79 or until the operation starts. Thus, the washing machine 100 can more reliably acquire information required for automatically dispensing the treating agent.

Fig. 9 shows an example of the menu screen 430 displayed in the operation display section 79. An automatic dispensing setting button 431 for performing settings related to automatic dispensing of the treatment agent is displayed on the menu screen 430. When the automatic dispensing setting button 431 is input, the treating agent information acquiring unit 126 shifts to an automatic dispensing setting screen 440 for setting concerning automatic dispensing of the treating agent. The display by the treating agent information acquiring unit 126 may be performed by the user interface control unit 121.

Fig. 10 shows an example of the automatic delivery setting screen 440 displayed on the operation display unit 79. The automatic dispensing setting screen 440 displays the type and brand of the stored treatment agent for each of the plurality of cartridges 86a, 86b, 86 c. When there is a cartridge 86 in which the type of the treatment agent is changed by the treatment agent change detecting unit 124, the cartridge 86 may be highlighted. When any one of the buttons 441a, 441b, 441c of the plurality of cartridges 86a, 86b, 86c is input, the treatment agent information acquiring unit 126 transitions to a treatment agent setting screen 450, and the treatment agent setting screen 450 is used to set information on the treatment agent stored in the cartridge 86 corresponding to the input button.

Fig. 11 shows an example of the treatment agent setting screen 450 displayed on the operation display unit 79. The brand and reference amount of the treatment agent stored in the magazine 86 corresponding to the button inputted in the automatic administration setting screen 440 are set in the treatment agent setting screen 450. The processing agent information acquisition unit 126 displays the brand of the processing agent for which information is held in the processing agent information holding unit 163, and receives a selection from the user. When the cartridge 86 stores the treatment agent for which the treatment agent information holding unit 163 does not hold information, the treatment agent information acquiring unit 126 receives a setting of the reference dose amount from the user.

Fig. 12 shows an example of the treatment agent setting screen 450 displayed on the operation display unit 79. In the treatment agent setting screen 450, the treatment agent information acquisition unit 126 receives a setting of the reference amount of administration from the user, and stores the received reference amount of administration in the treatment agent information holding unit 163.

Fig. 13 shows an example of the operation course setting screen 460 displayed on the operation display unit 79. The operation course setting screen 460 displays the content of the operation course selected by the user. The operation course setting screen 460 can set the presence or absence of automatic dosing of the treatment agent. When the automatic delivery setting button 461 is input, the operation shifts to the automatic delivery setting screen 470.

Fig. 14 shows an example of the automatic delivery setting screen 470 displayed on the operation display unit 79. Information set as the types of the processing agents stored in the three cartridges 86a, 86b, 86c is displayed on the automatic dispensing setting screen 470. In addition, the presence or absence of automatic delivery and adjustment of the delivery amount are displayed. The user inputs the setting buttons 471a, 471b, 471c, and can set the presence or absence of automatic dispensing and adjustment of the amount of the various treatment agents stored in the cartridges 86a, 86b, 86 c.

Fig. 15 shows an example of a notification screen 480 displayed on the operation display portion 79. When the processing agent change detecting unit 124 detects that the type of the processing agent stored in the cartridge 86 has changed based on a change in the amount of foam when washing is performed using the processing agent stored in the cartridge 86, a notification screen 480 is displayed. The notification screen 480 displays the meaning that the amount of foam is detected and the meaning that the setting of the cartridge 86 to which the treatment agent is replenished should be confirmed. As described above, when the change content of the treating agent is estimated from the amount of foam, the estimated change content may be displayed. On the notification screen 480, a setting button and a cancel button may be displayed in the same manner as in the example shown in fig. 7. In this case, when the setting button is input, the information output unit 125 shifts to a setting screen for receiving information on the processing agent stored in the cartridge 86. When the cancel button is input, the information output unit 125 does not transition to the setting screen.

Fig. 16 shows a functional configuration of a terminal device 200 according to embodiment 1. The present figure mainly shows a functional configuration for setting automatic delivery of information required for automatically delivering the treatment agent stored in the box 86 of the washing machine 100 to the water tank 42 in an application program executed in the terminal device 200. The terminal device 200 includes a communication device 201, an input device 202, a display device 203, a processing device 220, and a storage device 260. The terminal device 200 may be a terminal device such as a personal computer, a portable terminal device such as a mobile phone terminal, a smart phone, a tablet terminal, a home terminal, a television receiver, a vehicle-mounted device, or the like.

The communication device 201 controls communication with other devices. The communication device 201 may perform communication by any communication method of wired or wireless. The input device 202 communicates instruction input by the user of the terminal device 200 to the processing device 220. The input device 202 may also be a mouse, keyboard, touchpad, etc. The display device 203 displays the screen generated by the processing device 220. The display device 203 may be a liquid crystal display device, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence: electroluminescence) display device, or the like. The input device 202 and the display device 203 may also be implemented as touch panels.

The storage 260 stores programs, data, and the like used by the processing device 220. The storage 260 may be a semiconductor memory, a hard disk, a cloud storage, or the like.

The processing device 220 includes a detection result acquisition unit 221, an information output unit 222, a treatment agent information acquisition unit 223, and a treatment agent information providing unit 224. These structures can also be implemented in various forms by hardware alone, or by a combination of hardware and software, or the like. Fig. 16 shows, as an example, a configuration of a processing device 220 realized by cooperation of hardware and software by using functional blocks. The software is not limited to a program recorded in advance in a memory constituting the processing device 220, and may be provided by being recorded in a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card, or may be provided by a telecommunication line such as the internet 2.

When the washing machine 100 detects that the type of the processing agent stored in the cartridge 86 has been changed, the detection result acquisition unit 221 acquires a detection result from the washing machine 100, that is, receives the detection result via the communication device 201. When the detection result acquisition unit 221 acquires a detection result indicating that the type of the processing agent stored in the cartridge 86 has been changed from the washing machine 100, the information output unit 222 outputs a display content for prompting setting of information on the processing agent after the change. The treating agent information acquiring unit 223 acquires information on the changed treating agent from the user. The treating agent information providing section 224 provides, that is, transmits, to the washing machine 100 via the communication device 201, the information acquired by the treating agent information acquiring section 223 so that the automatic dispensing control section 127 of the washing machine 100 can use the information.

Fig. 17 shows an example of a display screen displayed on the display device 203 of the terminal device 200. The display screen shown in fig. 17 is a top screen 500 displayed after an application is started in the terminal apparatus 200. When the detection result acquisition unit 221 acquires the detection result indicating that the treatment agent in the cartridge 86 has been changed from the washing machine 100, a graphic indicating that there is a notification indicating that the treatment agent in the cartridge 86 has been changed is displayed in the vicinity of the notification button 501.

Fig. 18 shows an example of a notification screen 510 displayed on the display device 203 of the terminal device 200. The notification screen 510 displays a message that the replenishment of the treatment agent into the cartridge 86 of the washing machine 100 is detected and a message that the setting of the cartridge 86 to which the treatment agent is replenished is confirmed. The setting button and the cancel button may be displayed on the notification screen 510 in the same manner as the example shown in fig. 7.

Fig. 19 shows an example of an automatic delivery setting screen 520 displayed on the display device 203 of the terminal device 200. The automatic dispensing setting screen 520 displays the type and brand of the stored treatment agent for each of the plurality of cartridges 86a, 86b, 86 c. When any one of the buttons 521a, 521b, 521c of the plurality of cartridges 86a, 86b, 86c is input, the information output unit 222 transitions to a treatment agent setting screen 530 for setting information on the treatment agent stored in the cartridge 86 corresponding to the input button.

Fig. 20 shows an example of a treatment agent setting screen 530 displayed on the display device 203 of the terminal device 200. The brand of the treatment agent stored in the box 86 is set on the treatment agent setting screen 530. The processing agent information acquisition unit 223 displays the brand of the processing agent for which information is held in the storage 260, and receives a selection from the user. When the cartridge 86 stores the processing agent for which no information is stored in the storage device 260, the processing agent information acquisition unit 223 receives a setting of the reference dose from the user.

Fig. 21 shows an example of a treatment agent setting screen 540 displayed on the display device 203 of the terminal device 200. In the treatment agent setting screen 540, the treatment agent information acquisition unit 223 receives a setting of the reference dose amount from the user.

Fig. 22 shows another example of the operation display 79 of the washing machine 100. In the example of the present figure, as the operation display portion 79, a switch, an LED (including a mechanical type, a capacitance type), or the like is provided instead of the touch panel. When the processing agent change detecting unit 124 detects that the type of the processing agent stored in the cartridge 86 is changed, the information output unit 125 may notify the user of the change by turning on or blinking the LED in a manner different from the normal case when the power is turned on or before the operation is started. For example, the information output unit 125 may notify the user that the setting of the treatment agent should be confirmed by simultaneously turning on the automatic dispensing setting buttons 600a, 600b, and 600c for setting the presence or absence of automatic dispensing of the treatment agent and the amount of the treatment agent.

[1-2. Action ]

Next, the operation and operation of the washing machine 100 configured as described above will be described.

Fig. 23 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a control process of the washing machine 100 according to embodiment 1. When the power of the washing machine 100 is turned on (step S10), the processing agent remaining amount acquiring unit 122 acquires the remaining amount of the processing agent stored in the cartridge 86 (step S12). The processing agent change detecting unit 124 determines whether or not the type of the processing agent stored in the cartridge 86 has been changed based on the remaining amount of the processing agent acquired by the processing agent remaining amount acquiring unit 122 (step S14).

When the processing agent change detecting unit 124 detects that the type of the processing agent stored in the cartridge 86 has been changed (yes in step S14), the information output unit 125 displays the processing agent as shown in fig. 7 and 8. That is, the information output unit 125 outputs the meaning of the change of the type of the processing agent stored in the cassette 86, and displays the display content for prompting the user to input the information on the changed processing agent (step S15). As shown in fig. 7, the information output unit 125 displays a display for inputting information about whether or not to set the treatment agent, and determines whether or not the user has input the setting button 411 for setting the information about the treatment agent (step S16). When the user inputs the setting button 411 for setting the information on the treatment agent (yes in step S16), the treatment agent information acquiring unit 126 acquires the information on the treatment agent after the change as shown in fig. 11 and 12 (step S17). When the user inputs the cancel button 412 shown in fig. 7 in step S16 (no in step S16), the processing device 120 skips the processing in step S17. When the change in the type of the treating agent is not detected in step S14 (step S14: no), the processing device 120 skips the processing in steps S15 to S17.

An operation process is set (step S18), and an operation based on the set operation process is started (step S20). The automatic dispensing control unit 127 determines whether or not automatic dispensing of the treating agent is set (step S22). When automatic supply of the treatment agent is set (yes in step S22), the automatic supply control unit 127 automatically supplies the treatment agent from the cassette 86 into the water tank 42 based on the reference supply amount of the treatment agent held in the treatment agent information holding unit 163 (step S24). When the automatic supply of the treating agent is not set (no in step S22), the processing device 120 skips the process in step S24. Then, the operation is performed in accordance with the operation procedure (step S26). When the operation is completed, the remaining amount of the processing agent stored in the cartridge 86 is acquired by the processing agent remaining amount acquisition unit 122 and recorded in the processing agent remaining amount holding unit 161 (step S28). Thereafter, the power of the washing machine 100 is automatically turned off (step S30).

The above description has been given of the case where the information on the treating agent is acquired in the washing machine 100, but the same applies to the case where the information on the treating agent is acquired in the terminal device 200. In step S15, the information output unit 222 displays a display content for inputting whether or not to set information on the treatment agent, as shown in fig. 18. When the user inputs information for setting the treatment agent in step S16, the treatment agent information acquisition unit 223 acquires information on the changed treatment agent in step S17 as shown in fig. 20 and 21. The treating agent information providing section 224 provides the information acquired by the treating agent information acquiring section 223 to the washing machine 100.

[1-3. Effect etc. ]

As described above, in the present embodiment, the washing machine 100 includes the water tub 42 for accommodating laundry, the box 86, the automatic dispensing unit 87, and the control device 81. The cassette 86 is used to store the treatment agent that is dispensed into the tank 42 during operation. The automatic dispensing unit 87 dispenses the treatment agent stored in the cassette 86 into the water tank 42. The control device 81 includes a processing agent change detecting unit 124, and the processing agent change detecting unit 124 detects that the processing agent stored in the cartridge 86 has been changed based on a change in the remaining amount of the processing agent stored in the cartridge 86. Here, the washing machine 100 is an example of the laundry treatment apparatus of the present disclosure, the water tank 42 is an example of the tank of the present disclosure, the automatic dispensing unit 87 is an example of the dispensing portion of the present disclosure, and the treatment agent change detecting portion 124 is an example of the detecting portion of the present disclosure. The laundry treatment apparatus according to the present embodiment includes the terminal device 200, and the water tub 42, the box 86, the automatic dispensing unit 87, and the treating agent change detecting unit 124 for storing laundry, which are included in the washing machine 100. The cassette 86 is used to store the treatment agent that is dispensed into the tank 42 during operation. The automatic dispensing unit 87 dispenses the treatment agent stored in the cassette 86 into the water tank 42. The processing agent change detecting unit 124 detects that the processing agent stored in the cartridge 86 has been changed based on a change in the remaining amount of the processing agent stored in the cartridge 86. Here, the terminal device 200 is an example of the control device of the present disclosure. Accordingly, even if the treatment agent stored in the cartridge 86 is changed, the washing machine 100 can be controlled to operate appropriately. In more detail, the washing machine 100 can appropriately and automatically deliver the treating agent, and thus can improve user convenience.

In the present embodiment, the processing agent change detecting unit 124 acquires the remaining amount of the processing agent stored in the cartridge 86 at the time of turning on the power supply or before starting the operation. The processing agent change detecting unit 124 detects that the type of the processing agent stored in the cassette 86 is changed when the acquired remaining amount is increased by a predetermined amount or more from the remaining amount at the end of the previous operation. Thereby, the washing machine 100 can improve detection accuracy.

In the present embodiment, the processing agent change detecting unit 124 detects that the processing agent stored in the cartridge 86 has been changed when the remaining amount at the end of the previous operation is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value. Thereby, the washing machine 100 can further improve the detection accuracy.

In the present embodiment, when the washing machine 100 leaves the factory, zero is stored as the remaining amount of the treating agent at the end of the previous operation. Accordingly, even when the treating agent is stored in the cartridge 86 for the first time, the washing machine 100 can acquire information on the treating agent, and thus can automatically and appropriately deliver the treating agent.

In the present embodiment, when the washing machine 100 is finished to wash the path for supplying the treatment agent from the cartridge 86 into the water tank 42 by flushing water or hot water into the cartridge 86, the remaining amount of the treatment agent stored in the cartridge 86 is not stored or is stored as zero. Thereby, the washing machine 100 can further improve the detection accuracy.

In the present embodiment, the processing agent change detecting unit 124 detects that the processing agent stored in the cartridge 86 has been changed based on a change in the amount of foam when washing is performed using the processing agent stored in the cartridge 86. Thereby, the washing machine 100 can further improve the detection accuracy.

In the present embodiment, the washing machine 100 includes a plurality of cartridges 86. At least one of the plurality of cartridges 86 is configured to be capable of changing the type of the stored treatment agent. The processing agent change detecting unit 124 detects that the type of the processing agent stored in the cartridge 86 configured to be capable of changing the type of the stored processing agent has been changed. Accordingly, the washing machine 100 can automatically deliver a desired type of treatment agent by a user, and thus can improve user convenience.

In the present embodiment, the control device 81 includes an information output unit 125. When the processing agent change detecting unit 124 detects that the processing agent stored in the cartridge 86 is changed, the information output unit 125 outputs information for prompting the user to input the processing agent stored in the cartridge 86. In the present embodiment, the terminal device 200 includes an information output unit 222. When it is detected that the processing agent stored in the cartridge 86 has been changed, the information output unit 222 outputs information for prompting the user to input the processing agent stored in the cartridge 86. Accordingly, even if the treatment agent stored in the cartridge 86 is changed, the washing machine 100 can automatically and appropriately deliver the treatment agent, and thus the convenience of the user can be improved.

In the present embodiment, the information output unit 125 outputs the processing agent stored in the cassette 86 to the water tank 42 before the operation starts. In the present embodiment, the information output unit 222 outputs the processing agent stored in the cassette 86 to the water tank 42 before the operation starts. Accordingly, the washing machine 100 can prevent missing setting of the information on the treatment agent, and thus can appropriately and automatically dispense the treatment agent.

In the present embodiment, the information output unit 125 outputs information when the user performs an operation for instructing the start of operation. In the present embodiment, the information output unit 222 outputs information when the user performs an operation for instructing the start of operation. Accordingly, the washing machine 100 can prevent missing setting of the information on the treatment agent, and thus can appropriately and automatically dispense the treatment agent.

In the present embodiment, the information output unit 125 displays, as an output, a display content for prompting the user to input information about the treatment agent stored in the cartridge on the operation display unit 79. Here, the operation display 79 is an example of the display of the present disclosure. In the present embodiment, the information output unit 222 displays, as an output, a display content for prompting the user to input information about the treatment agent stored in the cartridge on the display device 203. Here, the display device 203 is an example of the display unit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the washing machine 100 can prevent missing setting of the information on the treatment agent, and thus can appropriately and automatically dispense the treatment agent.

In the present embodiment, the display content is displayed on the operation display unit 79 separately from the display content for setting the operation condition of the washing machine 100, and is displayed every time the power of the washing machine 100 is turned on until the information about the treating agent is input by the operation display unit 79 or until the operation is started. Here, the operation display 79 is an example of the input unit of the present disclosure. In the present embodiment, the display content is displayed on the display device 203 separately from the display content for setting the operation condition of the washing machine 100, and is displayed every time the power of the washing machine 100 is turned on until the information about the treating agent is input through the input device 202 or until the operation is started. Here, the input device 202 is an example of the input unit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the washing machine 100 can prevent missing setting of the information on the treatment agent, and thus can appropriately and automatically dispense the treatment agent.

In the present embodiment, the information output unit 125 displays, as an output, a display content for prompting the user to input information about the treatment agent stored in the cartridge on the operation display unit 79. The display contents include a display screen for prompting the user to input information about the treatment agent stored in the cartridge 86. The display screen includes a setting button and a cancel button. When the setting button is input, the information output unit 125 displays a setting screen for receiving input of information about the treatment agent on the operation display unit 79, and when the cancel button is input, the information output unit 125 does not display the setting screen on the operation display unit 79. In the present embodiment, the information output unit 222 displays, as an output, a display content for prompting the user to input information about the treatment agent stored in the cartridge on the display device 203. The display contents include a display screen for prompting the user to input information about the treatment agent stored in the cartridge 86. The display screen includes a setting button and a cancel button. When the setting button is input, the information output unit 222 displays a setting screen for receiving input of information on the treatment agent on the display device 203, and when the cancel button is input, the information output unit 222 does not display the setting screen on the display device 203. Thus, the washing machine 100 can prevent missing setting of the information on the treating agent. In addition, since the setting screen is not displayed when setting is not required, the washing machine 100 or the terminal device 200 can improve user convenience.

In the present embodiment, the control device 81 includes a treatment agent information acquisition unit 126, and when the treatment agent change detection unit 124 detects that the type of the treatment agent stored in the cartridge 86 has been changed, the treatment agent information acquisition unit 126 acquires information on the changed treatment agent. Here, the treating agent information acquiring unit 126 is an example of the information acquiring unit of the present disclosure. The terminal device 200 further includes a treatment agent information acquisition unit 223, and when it is detected that the type of treatment agent stored in the cassette 86 has been changed, the treatment agent information acquisition unit 223 acquires information on the changed treatment agent. Here, the treating agent information acquiring unit 223 is an example of the information acquiring unit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, even if the treatment agent stored in the cartridge 86 is changed, the washing machine 100 can automatically and appropriately deliver the treatment agent, and thus the convenience of the user can be improved.

In the present embodiment, the treatment agent information acquiring unit 126 receives information about the treatment agent from the user before the operation of charging the treatment agent stored in the cartridge 86 into the water tank 42 is started. In the present embodiment, the treatment agent information acquisition unit 223 receives information on the treatment agent from the user before the operation of the treatment agent stored in the delivery cassette 86 into the water tank 42 is started. Accordingly, even if the treatment agent stored in the cartridge 86 is changed, the washing machine 100 can automatically and appropriately deliver the treatment agent, and thus the convenience of the user can be improved.

In the present embodiment, the control program is used to cause a computer to function as the treating agent change detecting unit 124. The treating agent change detecting unit 124 detects that the treating agent stored in the cartridge 86 is changed based on the remaining amount of the treating agent stored in the cartridge 86, and the cartridge 86 stores the treating agent that is put into the water tub 42 for storing laundry during the operation of the washing machine 100. Accordingly, even if the type of the treatment agent stored in the cartridge 86 is changed, the washing machine 100 can appropriately and automatically deliver the treatment agent, and thus the convenience of the user can be improved.

In the present embodiment, the control method is used to cause a computer to execute the following steps. The method comprises the following steps: the change of the treatment agent stored in the cartridge 86 is detected based on the remaining amount of the treatment agent stored in the cartridge 86, and the cartridge 86 is used for storing the treatment agent put into the water tub 42 for storing laundry during the operation of the washing machine 100. Accordingly, even if the type of the treatment agent stored in the cartridge 86 is changed, the washing machine 100 can appropriately and automatically dispense the treatment agent, and thus the convenience of the user can be improved.

In the present embodiment, the washing system 1 includes the washing machine 100 and the terminal device 200 that controls the washing machine 100. The terminal device 200 includes an information output unit 222, a treatment agent information acquisition unit 223, and a treatment agent information providing unit 224. When a change in the treatment agent stored in the box 86 is detected based on the remaining amount of the treatment agent stored in the box 86, the information output unit 222 outputs the treatment agent stored in the box 86 to be put into the water tub 42 for storing laundry during the operation of the washing machine 100. That is, the information output unit 222 outputs information for prompting the user to input the information on the treatment agent stored in the cartridge 86. The treating agent information acquiring unit 223 acquires information on the changed treating agent. The treating agent information providing unit 224 provides the information acquired by the treating agent information acquiring unit 223 in a usable manner by the automatic dispensing control unit 127, and the automatic dispensing control unit 127 controls the automatic dispensing means 87 for dispensing the treating agent stored in the cartridge 86 into the water tank 42. Here, the treating agent information providing unit 224 is an example of the providing unit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, even if the type of the treatment agent stored in the cartridge 86 is changed, the washing machine 100 can appropriately and automatically deliver the treatment agent, and thus the convenience of the user can be improved.

As described above, the embodiments are illustrated as examples of the technology of the present disclosure. However, the technique of the present disclosure is not limited to this, and can be applied to embodiments in which modification, substitution, addition, omission, and the like are performed. The components described in the above embodiments may be combined to form a new embodiment.

In the present embodiment, a description is given of a configuration in which the type of the detection processing agent is changed, as an example of the detection unit in which the detection processing agent is changed. The detection unit may detect that the treatment agent has been changed, and is not limited to the change in the type of the treatment agent. The detecting unit may detect a change in the brand of the treating agent. In this case, information for automatically dispensing the changed brand of treatment agent can also be acquired, and therefore the treatment agent can be appropriately and automatically dispensed.

In the present embodiment, the treatment agent change detection unit 124, which is an example of the detection unit of the present disclosure, is described as a configuration of the control device 81, but may be a configuration of the washing machine 100 without being included in the control device 81. That is, the laundry treatment apparatus of the present disclosure may or may not have the configuration of the control apparatus of the present disclosure, that is, the laundry treatment apparatus of the present disclosure may include the detection unit of the present disclosure and the control apparatus of the present disclosure.

As the output by the information output unit of the present disclosure, in the embodiment, an example of the display by the information output unit 125 to the operation display unit 79 and the display by the information output unit 222 to the display device 203 is described. As an example, the output by the information output unit of the present disclosure is not limited to the screen display, and may be, for example, audio output from a speaker or the like. Further, the user may select which of the screen display and the audio output is to be used as the output method.

In addition, regarding the input or operation performed by the user of the present disclosure, in the embodiment, an example of the input or operation performed from the operation display 79 or the input device 202 is described. This is an example, and the input or operation by the user of the present disclosure may be performed by voice input via a microphone or the like.

In the embodiment, three cartridges 86a, 86b, 86c are described as examples of the plurality of cartridges provided in the laundry machine according to the present disclosure, but the number of the plurality of cartridges according to the present disclosure may be not three, may be two, or may be four or more. It is not a necessary technical feature that the laundry treatment apparatus of the present disclosure includes a plurality of cartridges, and the laundry treatment apparatus of the present disclosure may include one or more cartridges.

The control device 81 of the present disclosure is provided only in the upper portion of the washing machine housing 41, but is not limited thereto. A plurality of control devices may be provided for the treatment agent change detecting unit 124 and the operation display unit 79.

Industrial applicability

The present disclosure can be applied to laundry treatment apparatuses such as various washing machines (for example, a vertical washing machine, a drum washing machine, a twin tub washing machine, and the like).

Description of the reference numerals

1: a washing system; 2: the Internet; 41: a washing machine housing; 42: a water tank; 43: rotating the drum; 44: a rotation shaft; 45: a housing opening; 46: a belt; 47: a protruding plate; 48: a water through hole; 49: a water tank unit; 50: a spring body; 51: vibration-proof dampers; 52: a cover body; 53: a laundry inlet and outlet; 54: a water supply path; 55: a drainage path; 57: a first water supply valve; 58: a second water supply valve; 59: a first water supply hose; 60: a second water supply hose; 61: an automatic detergent feeding device; 62: a water injection hose; 63: a draining pump; 64: a drain pipe; 65: a filter; 66: a drain hose; 67: a foam amount sensor; 71: a concave portion; 72: a heater; 73: a temperature detection unit; 74: an air catcher; 75: an air tube; 78: a vibration detecting section; 79: an operation display unit; 81: a control device; 85: a water level detecting section; 86: a case; 86a: a case; 86b: a case; 86c: a case; 87: an automatic delivery unit; 88: a float; 89: a magnet; 90: a Hall IC;95: a water outlet; 100: a washing machine; 101: a first motor; 104: an input unit; 120: a processing device; 121: a user interface control unit; 122: a treatment agent remaining amount acquisition unit; 123: a foam amount acquisition unit; 124: a treating agent change detecting unit; 125: an information output unit; 126: a treating agent information acquisition unit; 127: an automatic delivery control unit; 160: a storage device; 161: a treatment agent remaining amount holding unit; 162: a foam amount holding section; 163: a treating agent information holding unit; 200: a terminal device; 201: a communication device; 202: an input device; 203: a display device; 220: a processing device; 221: a detection result acquisition unit; 222: an information output unit; 223: a treating agent information acquisition unit; 224: a treating agent information providing unit; 230: a washing machine communication part; 260: a storage device; 300: a washing auxiliary server; 400: a top frame; 401: a menu button; 402: a top screen button; 403: a search button; 404: a notification button; 405: a head region; 410: a notification screen; 411: a setting button; 412: cancel button; 420: a notification screen; 430: a menu screen; 431: automatically putting a setting button; 440: automatically putting a setting picture; 441a: a button; 441b: a button; 441c: a button; 450: a treating agent setting screen; 460: an operation process setting screen; 461: automatically putting a setting button; 470: automatically putting a setting picture; 471a: a setting button; 471b: a setting button; 471c: a setting button; 480: a notification screen; 500: a top frame; 501: a notification button; 510: a notification screen; 520: automatically putting a setting picture; 521a: a button; 521b: a button; 521c: a button; 530: a treating agent setting screen; 540: a treating agent setting screen; 600a: automatically putting a setting button; 600b: automatically putting a setting button; 600c: and automatically putting a setting button.

Claims

1. A clothes treatment device is provided with:

a tub for accommodating laundry;

one or more cartridges for storing the treatment agent to be put into the tank during operation;

a delivery unit for delivering the treatment agent stored in the cartridge into the tank; and

the control device is used for controlling the control device,

the control device includes a detection unit configured to detect that the processing agent stored in the cartridge has been changed based on a change in the remaining amount of the processing agent stored in the cartridge.

2. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein,

the detecting unit acquires the remaining amount of the processing agent stored in the cartridge at the time of turning on the power supply or before starting the operation, and detects that the type of the processing agent stored in the cartridge has been changed when the acquired remaining amount is increased by a predetermined amount or more from the remaining amount at the end of the previous operation.

3. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein,

the detecting unit detects that the processing agent stored in the cartridge has been changed when the remaining amount at the end of the previous operation is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value.

4. A laundry treating apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein,

when the laundry treatment apparatus leaves the factory, zero is stored as the remaining amount of the treating agent at the end of the last operation.

5. The laundry treating apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein,

at the end of the operation of flushing water or hot water into the cartridge to clean the path for feeding the treating agent from the cartridge into the tank, the remaining amount of the treating agent stored in the cartridge is not stored or is stored as zero.

6. The laundry treating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein,

the detecting unit detects that the processing agent stored in the cartridge has been changed based on a change in the amount of foam when washing is performed using the processing agent stored in the cartridge.

7. The laundry treating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein,

a plurality of said cartridges are provided and,

at least one of the cartridges is provided to be capable of changing the type of the stored treatment agent,

the detection unit detects that the type of the treatment agent stored in the cartridge configured to be capable of changing the type of the treatment agent stored therein has been changed.

8. The laundry treating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein,

the control device includes an information output unit that outputs information for prompting a user to input information on the processing agent stored in the cartridge when the detection unit detects that the processing agent stored in the cartridge has been changed.

9. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 8, wherein,

the information output unit outputs the information before the operation of pouring the treatment agent stored in the cartridge into the tank is started.

10. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 9, wherein,

the information output unit outputs the information when the user performs an operation for instructing the start of the operation.

11. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, wherein,

the information output unit displays, as the output, a display content for prompting a user to input information about the treatment agent stored in the cartridge.

12. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 11, wherein,

the display content is displayed on the display unit separately from the display content for setting the operation condition of the laundry treatment apparatus, and is displayed every time the power of the laundry treatment apparatus is turned on until information about the treating agent is input through the input unit or until the operation is started.

13. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 10, wherein,

the information output unit displays, as the output, a display content for prompting a user to input information about the treatment agent stored in the cartridge,

the display content includes a display screen for prompting a user to input information about the treatment agent stored in the cartridge,

the display screen includes a set button and a cancel button,

the information output unit displays a setting screen for receiving an input of information about the treatment agent on the display unit when the setting button is input, and does not display the setting screen on the display unit when the cancel button is input.

14. The laundry treating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein,

the control device includes an information acquisition unit that acquires information on the changed treatment agent when the detection unit detects that the type of the treatment agent stored in the cartridge has been changed.

15. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 14, wherein,

The information acquisition unit receives the information on the treatment agent from the user before the operation of pouring the treatment agent stored in the cartridge into the tank is started.

16. A control program for causing a computer to function as a detecting section,

the detection unit detects that the treatment agent stored in the box is changed based on the remaining amount of the treatment agent stored in the box for storing the treatment agent which is put into the tank for storing the clothes during the operation of the clothes treatment device.

17. A control method for causing a computer to execute the steps of:

detecting that the treating agent stored in the box is changed based on the remaining amount of the treating agent stored in the box for storing the treating agent put into the tank for accommodating the laundry during the operation of the laundry treating apparatus.

18. A clothing processing system is provided with:

a laundry treatment apparatus; and

a control device which controls the laundry treating device,

wherein the control device comprises:

an information output unit that, when a change in the processing agent stored in the box is detected based on the remaining amount of the processing agent stored in the box for storing the processing agent put into a tank for storing laundry during operation of the laundry processing apparatus, outputs information for prompting a user to input the processing agent stored in the box;

An information acquisition unit that acquires information on the modified treatment agent; and

and a supply unit that supplies the information acquired by the information acquisition unit to be usable by a delivery control unit that controls a delivery unit for delivering the treatment agent stored in the cartridge into the tank.