JP2001293285A - Domestic electrical appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a domestic electrical appliance easy to handle and mounted with a low cost voice informing function and enabling a user to freely listen to a voice of what the user wants to know by a simple operation. SOLUTION: A process control means consisting of a microcomputer 50 comprises a ROM for storing multiple voice encoded data, and a program for decoding the voice encoded data is stored in the microcomputer. A vocalizing switch 61 for directing to vocalize a voice is provided to a control panel. Previously determined voice encoded data are read out of the ROM only when the vocalizing switch 61 is pushed, and the data is decoded by the program and vocalized by informing means 18, 87-89.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a home appliance equipped with means for informing voice information, and more particularly to a technique for providing voice information suitable for mounting in a washing machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 5-237285 describes a commercial washing machine control device provided with a display having an operation panel section and a transparent touch panel on a display surface, and a voice synthesis alarm. The operation panel section is constituted by a programmable operation display, and an operator loads a program into the operation panel to perform a washing operation. A comment or a switch name is displayed on the display, and the switch name is touched with a finger to control the washing machine. The switch names are operation switches, data settings, switching of display screens, and the like, and when touched, the washing machine operates according to a predetermined program. Then, the voice synthesizing annunciator notifies the displayed comment by voice as it is.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-124368 discloses that a washing machine related device is controlled by infrared rays transmitted from a washing machine body, and the washing machine related device is an audio alert device.
There is described a technology in which the voice notification device holds a plurality of voice information and notifies an operation method, an error message, and the like by voice in response to an operation based on information from a washing machine. The audio notification device, which is a washing machine-related device, is provided outside the washing machine body. In this publication, a memory storing an audio signal corresponding to the decoded data, in which the reflected infrared light is received by an infrared light receiving unit of the audio information device, decoded by a decoder provided in the audio information device, is called. And that the signal is amplified by an audio amplifier.
Further, each time the push button switch provided on the operation display section of the washing machine main body is pressed once, each mode of “bath water supply”, “dryer”, and “voice guide” can be sequentially selected. It is described that the corresponding light emitting diode is configured to light.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-146991 discloses a communication device for transmitting and receiving data, a display unit for displaying the data, and other home appliances provided with the communication device via the communication device. Constructs a network that exchanges information with devices, notifies the progress of washing and the occurrence of errors to other home appliances connected to the network by communication means, and monitors the progress of washing and occurrence of errors in the home appliances. A washing machine capable of displaying on a display or outputting sound is described.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-3991 discloses a control circuit for controlling each step of washing, rinsing and dehydration, an operation display means for setting and displaying an operation state, a washing motor, a water supply valve and a drain valve. A switching means for controlling, a notifying means for notifying an operation state, and a water level detecting means for detecting a water level of the washing tub, and when the set water level is reached, a bath water operation course for performing a washing operation by notifying by the notifying means is displayed. A washing machine which can be set by means is described. In this washing machine, the operation stop time of the bath water feed pump can be known from the water supply completion notification, so that there is no need for the user to keep close to the washing machine, water can be prevented from being wasted, and the notification means sounds or sounds. It is described that the notification unit is configured by the notification unit, and the notification at the end of the operation and the notification at the completion of the water supply are different notifications.

[0006]

In any of the apparatuses described in the above publications, the voice notification of the washing status, error message, and the like is unilaterally and automatically performed from the apparatus side.
No consideration is given to selecting and listening to information that the user wants to hear. In the apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-124368, which can sequentially select each mode of "bath water supply", "dryer", and "voice guide" with a push button switch, a mode in which an operation method and an error message are notified by voice is selected. No consideration is given to making it possible for a user to select and hear only the information that the user wants to hear from among a plurality of pieces of information. Also, no consideration is given to interrupting the audio information so that the next audio information can be heard or the next operation can be performed.

[0007] In a washing machine mainly used in ordinary households, the user usually leaves the washing machine after setting the operation of the washing machine. In particular, in a fully automatic washing machine that automatically performs each step of washing, rinsing and dehydration, from the start to the end of washing, no operation by the user is required,
Usually, it is automatically driven. In such a use state of the washing machine, it is preferable that the audio information is provided only when the user needs to provide the information, in order to create a quiet environment.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a washing machine capable of selecting desired information by a simple operation and listening to the voice.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, there is provided utterance instructing means (for example, an utterance switch) for instructing a user to obtain desired information as sound. An operation means (for example, an operation switch) for setting (designating) the operation of the voice instructing means and the operation of the washing machine.
It is preferable that the user can listen to the voice while selecting various information and contents by combining the above operation. Specifically, a combination of the operation of the utterance switch and the operation of the setting switch gives a content to be output to the microprocessor and a command to output the content by voice. It is preferable that voice data is read from the ROM into the microprocessor, decoded by a decoding program, output to the notifying means, and the user listens to the content voice.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external view of a fully automatic washing machine according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. The exterior includes an outer frame 1 made of a steel plate, a top cover 2 attached to an upper portion thereof, and an operation panel 3.

The top cover 2 has a lid 2a, a slot 2b for charging laundry, a rear storage box 2c for storing mainly components related to water supply, and a front operation box 2d for storing mainly electric components. It consists of. The operation panel 3 is fixed so as to cover the upper surface of the front operation box 2d.

The outer tub 4 serving as a water receiving tub is suspended from the upper four corners of the outer frame 1 in the outer frame 1 by a suspension rod 5a and a vibration isolator 5b composed of a coil spring and a sliding ring. And rinsing water in the rinsing step (hereinafter referred to as washing water). Inside the outer tub 4, a stainless steel washing and dewatering tub 6 (hereinafter referred to as a washing tub) is rotatably provided. A number of dehydration holes 6a are provided on the side of the washing tub 6, and a balancer 6b is provided on the upper edge. A rotating wing 7 is rotatably provided at the center bottom of the washing tub 6. Outer tank 4
A support plate 8 is attached to the outside of the bottom surface of the device, and a driving device 9 is fixed to the support plate 8.

The driving device 9 comprises an inner rotor type DC brushless motor 9a and a transmission 9b in which a gear reduction mechanism and a clutch mechanism are incorporated. A DC brushless motor 9a is arranged below the transmission 9b, and an input shaft of the transmission 9b is fastened to a rotating shaft (rotor) of the DC brushless motor 9a. The transmission 9b has two coaxial output shafts, and the rotation of the DC brushless motor 9a is transmitted to only one of the output shafts by a clutch mechanism (not shown) in the transmission. The two output shafts of the transmission 9b penetrate through the bottom wall of the outer tub 4 in a water-tight manner and protrude into the outer tub 4, and each of the rotating wings 7
And the washing tub 6. The driving device 9 stops the washing tub 6 during the washing step and the rinsing step, reduces the rotation of the DC brushless motor 9a by the gear reduction mechanism of the transmission 9b, and moves the rotary wing 7 clockwise (positively) and counterclockwise ( (Reverse). In the dehydrating step, the rotation of the DC brushless motor 9a is transmitted to the washing tub 6 without being reduced by the gear reduction mechanism, and is rotated in one direction.

A tension gauge is attached to one of the hanging bars 5a, and the weight of the laundry in the washing tub is detected from a change in tension applied to the hanging bar. That is, the weight sensor 10 is disposed on the hanging bar 5a. Further, on the bottom surface of the outer tub 4, a conductivity sensor 11 for detecting the conductivity of water in the outer tub 4 and a drain valve 12 for draining washing water are provided. Drain the water out of the washing machine.

FIG. 3 shows details of the conductivity sensor. The conductivity sensor 11 includes a set of electrodes 11a protruding below the outer tank 4, an insulation transformer 11b for electrically insulating the electrodes 11a from other circuits, and a conductivity sensor circuit 11c including a rectangular wave oscillation circuit. It consists of. Then, the conductivity between the electrodes 11a is detected in the washing water in the outer tub 4.

FIG. 4 shows the relationship between the output frequency of the conductivity sensor circuit 11c and the conductivity. Since the electrical conductivity of the washing water is proportional to the amount of dissolved ions, the concentration of the detergent or the concentration of the salt described below can be detected. However, the type of ion cannot be detected and is affected by the solubility of the solute. The figure also shows tap water used in the present application, a standard concentration detergent solution in which detergent is dissolved in the tap water, the conductivity of salt water, and the oscillation frequency at that time.

FIG. 5 shows the arrangement of each electric component in the front operation box 2d. FIG. 5 is a plan view (a cross section indicated by line BB in FIG. 1) of the front portion when the operation panel 3 on the front storage box 2d is removed. In the front operation box 2d, a water level sensor 14, a lid open / close sensor 15, a lid lock mechanism 16, a tank runout sensor 17, which determines whether water has accumulated to a specified water level by detecting a water pressure in the outer tank 4. A speaker 18 is provided. The broken line in the figure indicates a washing process control unit 2 described later.
The substrate 0 is indicated by a dashed line in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the water level sensor 14, and FIG. 7 shows details of a water level sensor circuit 14a to which the water level sensor 14 is connected. In the water level sensor 14, a movable cylindrical ferrite core 14c is disposed on a rubber film 14b, which is pressed by a spring 14d from a housing. A coil 14e is wound around the ferrite core 14c, and the water level sensor circuit 14 shown in FIG.
Connect to a. The water level sensor circuit 14a forms a rectangular wave oscillation circuit with the inductance of the coil 14e. Pressure is applied to the rubber film 14b from the water level sensor tube 14f by the water stored in the outer tank 4 to push up the ferrite core 14c. For this reason, the inductance of the coil 14e changes and the oscillation frequency of the water level sensor circuit 14a changes.
From this frequency change, the water pressure (proportional to the water level) of the water stored in the outer tank 4 is detected.

As shown in FIG. 2, an air chamber 14g communicating with the outer tub is provided below the side surface of the outer tub 4 to transmit the water pressure in the outer tub 4 to the water level sensor 14, and a water level sensor tube connected thereto is provided. At 14f, pressure is applied to the rubber film 14b.

Outer tub cover 4 arranged at the top of outer tub 4
A magnet 19a is fixed to the upper part of the position a under the water level sensor 14. The magnetic flux of the magnet 19a crosses the coil 14d of the water level sensor. Therefore, the magnet 19a also vibrates with the vibration of the outer tub 4, and an induced voltage according to Faraday's law is generated in the coil 14e by a change in magnetic flux due to the vibration. The vibration sensor 19 detects the vibration of the outer tub 4 from this voltage. That is, the vibration sensor 19 includes the water level sensor coil 14e and the magnet 19a, and the vibration sensor circuit 1 shown in FIG.
9b.

The induced voltage is input to the vibration sensor circuit 19b, and is amplified, integrated, half-wave rectified and smoothed, and converted into a DC voltage. The induced voltage due to the change in magnetic flux is proportional to the change in position of the outer tub, that is, the vibration speed,
The vibration amplitude is a value obtained by integrating this. For this purpose, the vibration sensor circuit 19b has an integrating circuit. Thus, the vibration amplitude of the outer tub 4 can be detected. Although the coil 14e of the water level sensor 14 is also connected to the water level sensor circuit 14a at the same time, the oscillation frequency in this circuit is as high as several tens of kHz,
Since the frequency of the voltage induced by the vibration is 30 Hz or less, they do not affect each other. (Vibration sensor circuit 19
The several tens of kHz component is attenuated by the integration circuit in b and does not affect the subsequent circuits. Further, the intersecting magnetic flux does not affect the coil inductance value). Therefore, it is possible to simultaneously detect the water level and the vibration.

The cover opening / closing sensor 15 includes a Hall element 15a and a magnet 15b. The magnet 15b is a Hall element 15
The cover 2a is inserted into the position E of the cover 2a, and the opening and closing of the cover 2a is detected based on the presence or absence of the Hall voltage.

The lid lock mechanism 16 is provided with a solenoid (not shown) in a fitting hole 16a opened at the position D of the opposite lid 2a.
The hook 16b driven by the above is hooked to lock the opening of the lid 2a.

The tank runout sensor 17 is a lever switch that operates according to the whirling of the outer tank. It consists of a micro switch (not shown) and a lever 17a for pushing it,
As shown in FIG. 2, one end of the lever 17a is
d, and extends near the upper portion of the outer tank 4.

FIG. 8 shows an upper cover on the upper surface of the front operation box 2d.
The operation panel 3 shown in FIG. 1 is attached, and a washing process control unit 20 composed of a microcomputer or the like is provided below the operation panel 3.
Substrate is provided.

The operation panel 3 is provided with a power switch 60, various display devices, and various operation switches. The user operates the washing machine with the operation switches, and the operating state of the washing machine is displayed from the display device and the speaker 18. It can be confirmed by electronic sound or voice. Also, an utterance switch 61 for instructing utterance, an utterance light-emitting diode 62 for indicating whether or not speech can be uttered, a salt replenishment light-emitting diode 63 for displaying replenishment of the regenerating agent (salt), and a salt for indicating that salt replenishment has been performed. A refill switch 64 is provided.

As a display, a light-emitting diode is arranged below the panel surface printing, and is illuminated to illuminate characters (indicated by a broken ellipse at the same time as the characters in FIG. 8). There are 7-segment light-emitting diodes that display different types of light-emitting diodes and alphanumeric characters.

Characters are printed on the button switches. The washing course is selected by selecting a "standard" washing switch 65 for instructing normal washing, a "dry" washing switch 66 for instructing dry washing, a "dirty" washing switch 67 for washing dirty laundry, and a dirt. "Less dirt" washing switch 68 to wash less laundry
Is provided. When one of these is selected, the light emitting diodes 65a, 66
a, 67a, and 68a light up. For example, "Standard"
If washing is selected, the light emitting diode 65a is turned on. One of the other "futon" washing, short "isogi" washing, "strong fir" washing with a small amount of Dronko stains, "handmade" washing with washing time and number of times of rinsing and dehydration time can be set freely An "only" switch 69 is provided for selecting. Each time you press the “Okonomi” switch, the upper hand “handmade”, “isoiso”, “futon”,
"Strong fir" Display light-emitting diodes 69a, 6 under washing printing
One of 9b, 69c, and 69d lights up to indicate that the print is raised, indicating that one of them has been selected.

A "hot water removal" switch 70 is provided for instructing which of the remaining hot water in the bath is to be used in the washing process. Each time the switch is pressed, the display light emitting diodes 70a, 70b, 70c are turned on, and the upper "wash", "rinse 1", and "rinse 2" prints are raised, and one of them can be selected. When the "wash" 70a is turned on, the remaining hot water is used only for washing. When the "rinse 1" 70b is turned on, the remaining hot water is used for the washing and the first rinsing process, and the "rinse 2" 70c is turned on. If so, it means that the remaining hot water has been selected for the washing and the first and second rinsing steps.

Further, a "reserve" switch 71, a "water amount" switch 72, a "wash" switch 73, a "rinse" switch 74, and a "dehydration" switch 75 are provided. The "reservation" switch 71 is used to make a reservation for starting the washing operation after a predetermined time. When the switch 71 is pressed, the light emitting diode 71a under the "reservation" printing is turned on. A number is displayed on the diode 76 to set the time. The "water amount" switch 72 is for setting the amount of water to be used for washing. When the switch 72 is pressed, the light emitting diode 72a under the "water amount" print is turned on. Display and set the amount of water used. The "wash" switch 73 is for setting the washing time. Each time the switch is pressed, a numerical value is displayed on the two-digit seven-segment diode 77 to set the washing time. A "rinse" switch 74 is used to set the number of times of rinsing. Each time the switch is pressed, a numerical value is displayed on a one-digit seven-segment diode 78 to set the number of times of rinsing. The "dehydration" switch 75 is used to set the dehydration time. Each time the switch is pressed, a numerical value is displayed on the single digit seven-segment diode 79 to set the dehydration time. The light-emitting diode 71b printed with “after” indicates the remaining time until the end of the washing.
Indicates the remaining time. The light-emitting diode 71c under the "detergent" printing informs a guide of the detergent amount required for washing, and the number displayed on the two-digit seven-segment diode 76 at the time of lighting indicates the guide of the required detergent amount.

Finally, a "start / pause" switch 8
0 indicates an operation start. When the switch is pressed, the operation starts. When this switch is pressed during operation, the operation is temporarily stopped, and when restarted, the operation is restarted by pressing the switch again.

FIG. 9 is a plan view (a cross section shown by a CC line in FIG. 1) of a rear portion of the rear storage box 2c in connection with the supply of washing water when the upper lid is removed (a front side is omitted). .
A water tap 26 connected to a hose from a water tap or the like is connected to the rear storage box 2c, followed by a water supply solenoid valve 27, a salt water injection solenoid valve 28, an ion removing device 29 composed of a cylindrical container 30, a bath water A bath water suction pump 45 for absorbing water, an inclined flow path 46 for flowing down the washing water in the washing tub 6 and the like are housed. On the upstream side of the inclined flow path 46, a room A47 and a room B48 opening to the flow path 46 are provided. The outlet of the water supply solenoid valve 27 is connected to the water inlet 30a of the ion removing device 29,
The outlet of the water supply pipe 31 a from the salt water supply electromagnetic valve 28 is connected to one side surface of the salt water container 31. The outlet 30b of the ion exchange means 29 is connected to the room A47.

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of the ion removing device 29. The ion removing device 29, which is a means (ion removing means) for removing ions from the feed water, includes a cylindrical container 30, a salt water container 31 provided thereon, and a salt container 3 provided in the salt water container.
And 2. In the cylindrical container 30, a resin case 33 is provided.
Are upper space 39a and lower space 39b with respect to the cylindrical container 30.
And the resin case 33 is fixed to the fixing member 3.
4 is fixed to the cylindrical container 30. A sealing member A34a is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the fixing member 34, and the cylindrical container 3
Water is prevented from flowing through a gap between the fixing member 34 and the fixing member 34. A sealing member B is provided on the upper end face of the resin case 33.
33b is provided to prevent water from flowing through the gap between the resin case 33 and the fixing member 34. The resin case 33 is filled with a sodium-type strongly acidic cation exchange resin 43 (hereinafter, referred to as an ion exchange resin). The ion-exchange resin 43 may be in the form of fibers, in addition to the bead-like forms generally used. Mesh filters 33 a are provided on the upper and lower surfaces of the resin case 33, and the ion exchange resin 43 prevents the resin case 33 from flowing out and the foreign matter from entering the resin case 33. The lower space 39b of the cylindrical container 30 is provided with a water inlet 30a communicating with the water supply electromagnetic valve 27, and the lower space is provided with a salt water outlet 30c at the bottom. A drain tube 41 is provided in the salt water outlet 30c.
The other end of the drain tube 41 is connected to the outer tub 4. The upper space 39a and the circumferential groove 34b provided on the outer peripheral surface of the fixing member 34
4 communicate with each other through a plurality of holes 34 c provided in the circumferential groove 3.
Discharge port 30b is provided in cylindrical container 30 so as to communicate with 4b. The discharge port 30b is connected to the room A47. The provision of the upper space 39a and the lower space 39b prevents water from passing through only a part of the ion exchange resin 43 layer, allows water to flow uniformly throughout the ion exchange resin layer, and efficiently adsorbs metal ions. That's why. A check valve 35 is provided above the upper space 39a. The check valve 35 includes a ball 35a and a valve seat 35b. Ball 3
5a is a material having a density of 1 or less, for example, polypropylene. This is very low flow (low water flow)
Even in this case, when water is present in the upper space 39a, the ball 35a rises and comes into close contact with the valve seat 35b, so that it is possible to reliably prevent water from entering the upper part during water supply.
The valve seat 35b is mounted in a concave recess 34d provided on the upper part of the fixing member 34. The valve seat 35b is made of rubber,
The hole provided in the center is a hole 37a of a siphon 37 described later.
It communicates with. The recess 34d also has a function of preventing the ball 35a from falling off the check valve. Water enters the lower space 39b from the water inlet 30a, and enters the lower space 39b.
After filling, the inside of the ion exchange resin 43 layer is uniformly raised,
Exit to the upper chamber 39a and fill the upper chamber 39a with holes 34
c, flows out of the discharge port 30b through the circumferential groove 34b.
At this time, the check valve 35 has the ball 35a floating and closes the hole 37a.

A rectangular salt water container 31 is provided above the cylindrical container 30, and a lid 4 is provided above the salt water container 31.
There is 0. The salt water container 31 has an open top surface, and a siphon 37 is provided at the center of the bottom surface. There is a hole 37a in the center of the siphon, and the upper space 3 of the cylindrical container 30
9a. Further, the bottom surface of the salt water container 31 has a mortar shape in which the siphon 37 is the lowest. This is because the water in the salt water container is collected in the siphon 37. Actually, the outer edge of the bottom of the salt water container 31 and the siphon 34
A difference in height of about 2 mm is sufficient. In the present embodiment, the description will be made with 2 mm. On one side surface of the salt water container 31, a water supply pipe 31a from the salt water supply electromagnetic valve 28 is provided. An overflow channel 31b is provided on one side surface of the salt water container 31, and the overflow channel 31b is open to the channel 46. The overflow channel 31b is provided to prevent water from overflowing from the salt water container 31 into the rear storage box 17b due to water in a predetermined amount or more entering the salt water container 31 or clogging the hole 37a of the siphon 37. It is in. When water enters the rear storage box 17b, electric components such as the water supply solenoid valve 27, the salt water supply solenoid valve 28, and the motor of the bath water supply pump 45 are immersed in water, causing electric leakage or electric shock, or causing water leakage outside the washing machine. There is a risk of water spill. Inside the salt water container 31, there is a detachable rectangular salt container 32.

The salt 4 is stored in the salt container 32 in advance by the user.
2 has been thrown. The salt container 32 is located behind the upper surface of the washing machine, but can be removed from the salt water container 31.
Since the salt can be put in a place and posture where the user can easily work, there is no need to worry about spilling and scattering the salt during the work. Although not shown, it is a matter of course that the salt container 32 is provided with a handle or has a shape that is easy to hold so that the user can easily handle it. As a salt to be used, an inexpensive purified salt is most suitable because it has few impurities (generally, minerals such as calcium and magnesium). The mesh filter 32c of the salt container 32 prevents the outflow of the salt particles and also prevents the dried salt from spilling outside during the salt charging operation. Therefore, the size of the mesh of the mesh filter 32c may be set to 0.1 mm to 0.15 mm because the particle size of the purified salt is about 0.2 mm to 0.8 mm. The amount of salt input is the amount required for multiple regenerations,
In this embodiment, the weight is about 500 g. This is equivalent to the amount of salt required for one time of the regeneration treatment of the ion exchange resin 43 described later.
If the washing is performed once a day, which corresponds to 5 g of 33 times, the user only needs to put the salt 42 once a month. The capacity of the salt container 32 is 500 mL to 550 mL so as to accommodate 500 g of dried salt. In this embodiment, the size of the salt container 32 is 125 mm in width and 80 m in depth.
m, height 55 mm (volume 550 mL), the salt water container 31 is described as 135 mm wide, 90 mm deep and 60 mm high.

The hose from the tap is connected to the tap 26. Tap water is supplied to the cylindrical container 3 by opening and closing the water supply solenoid valve 27.
It is guided to the water inlet 30a of 0, fills the lower space 39b, and passes through the resin case 33 filled with the ion exchange resin 43 while ascending. Tap water is softened here, that is, calcium and magnesium ions are removed and the upper space 39 is removed.
a and flows out of the discharge port 30b. And room A4
The water is supplied to the outer tub 4 (washing tub 6) by flowing down from 7 to the inclined flow path 46.

Water from the bath is pumped out by a hose connected to the bath water inlet 45a. The bath water is supplied with tap water from the water tap 26 first by opening the water supply solenoid valve 27, passing through the ion removing device 29 and the room A 47, and calling a part of the bath water.
Prime the bath water suction pump 45 from b. Thereafter, the pump motor is rotated to take in the bath water from the bath water supply port 45a, guide the bath water from the discharge port 45c to the inclined flow path 46 through the room B48, and supply water to the washing tub 6 from here.

The installation of the ion removing device 29 composed of the cylindrical container 30 in the rear storage box 2c in which the water tap 26 is installed can shorten the length of the water supply pipe, reduce the flow path loss, and reduce the flow rate, This is because the water supply time can be reduced. Resin case 33 filled with ion exchange resin 43 for water supply
Since tap water passes through the resin, the pressure loss of this resin filling is large. In order to cover even a small amount of this loss, the pipe length from the water tap to the cylindrical container 30 is desirably 100 mm or less.
The washing water supply flow rate of the conventional washing machine depends on the tap water pressure.
The flow rate is from 0 to 15 liters / minute, and the above-mentioned consideration is necessary to obtain a flow rate close to this.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a washing process control section mainly composed of the microcomputer 50. The microcomputer 50 is also connected to an operation switch input circuit 51 to which each switch is connected and each sensor, and receives various information signals in a button operation of a user and a washing process. The output from the microcomputer 50 is connected to a drive circuit 52 to supply commercial power to the bath water pump 45, the water supply solenoid valve 27, the salt water injection solenoid valve 28, the drain valve 13, the lid lock mechanism 16, and the like. Control opening and closing or rotation. Also, in order to inform the user of the operation of the washing machine, it is also connected to a display such as each light emitting diode, a 7-segment light emitting diode, and a notification means such as a speaker 18. Power supply circuit 53
Produces a DC power supply necessary for the microcomputer 50 and other circuits by rectifying and smoothing a commercial power supply.

Bridge rectifier circuit 8 connected to commercial power supply
Reference numeral 1 denotes a DC-DC converter that bridge-rectifies a commercial power supply, creates a full-wave rectified waveform having a peak value of 141 V, and performs both power factor improvement and boosting.
Input to the DC conversion circuit 82. DC-DC conversion circuit 82
, Chopping the full-wave rectified voltage with a semiconductor element such as an IGBT to improve the power factor of the commercial power supply and supply the boosted DC voltage to the PWM inverter circuit 83. The output DC voltage is varied by the microcomputer 50 by controlling the duty of the driving rectangular wave of the semiconductor element. The PWM inverter circuit 83 includes an IGBT module and a drive circuit. The PWM inverter circuit 83 applies a PWM signal to a gate terminal of the IGBT, chops a DC voltage output from the DC-DC conversion circuit 82, and sets each UVW phase field of the DC brushless motor 9a. A three-phase alternating current is supplied to the magnetic winding. The IGBT module is a three-arm three-phase bridge inverter circuit. Each arm includes a pair of IGBTs and a flywheel diode connected in anti-parallel to each of the IGBTs. Each gate terminal of the IGBT is driven by a PWM signal of a drive circuit.

The DC brassless motor 9a incorporates three sets of Hall elements 9c as rotor position detecting means, and each Hall element 9c is arranged at an electrical angle of 120 degrees. The position of the rotor is detected by the Hall element 9c and transmitted to the microcomputer 50. From the information on the rotor position and the rotational speed, the microcomputer
The PWM signal flowing through the BT is processed and output, and the drive circuit is controlled to apply a PWM rectangular wave voltage having a peak value of approximately an input DC voltage to the field windings of each phase of the UVW of the stator. At this time, the current flowing through each winding becomes a sine wave due to the inductance and capacity of the motor winding. That is, a three-phase sinusoidal current is supplied to each winding. If the current of the UVW phase has a phase relationship of 120 degrees in this order, the DC brushless motor 9a rotates clockwise. For example, in the phase relationship of reversing the UV phase described above, the DC brushless motor 9a reverses counterclockwise. The rotation speed of the DC brushless motor 9a is controlled by the DC voltage to the PWM inverter circuit 83, that is, the output setting DC voltage of the DC-DC conversion circuit 82, and the duty of the PWM signal, that is, the duty ratio. When the rotation speed is less than about 800 rpm, the DC voltage is fixed to 160 V and the duty (conduction rate) of the PWM signal is changed so that the DC brushless motor 9
The rotation speed of a is varied. At a rotational speed of about 800 rpm or more, the duty (conduction rate) of the PWM signal is fixed to the highest (the most efficient operating point), and the DC-DC conversion circuit 82
, The rotational speed of the DC brushless motor 9a is varied. In this way, the variable speed range is widened while maintaining high circuit efficiency, thereby enabling power saving.

EE which is an electrically rewritable ROM
The PROM 84 mainly stores the operation state in the previously performed washing. The microcomputer 50 can know the operating state of the washing machine or the set value of the user from the output values of various sensors during the execution of the washing process sequence. For example, information such as the number of washings performed so far, failure of mounted electric components such as disconnection of bath water pump, set values (washing time, number of rinses, dehydration time, etc.) for "handmade" washing performed by the user Is stored in the EEPROM 84 each time, the convenience in the next washing step can be improved.

The external ROM 85 stores a plurality of pre-encoded audio data. In order to read the audio data into the microcomputer 50, there is a serial / parallel conversion circuit 86. FIG. 12 shows the periphery of the serial / parallel conversion circuit 86 in detail. Serial / parallel conversion circuit 8
Reference numeral 6 includes an 8-bit parallel-serial conversion IC 86a and a ripple counter IC 86b. The microprocessor 50 has one data line 86d and one address line 8
6g, the three parallel control lines 86c, 86e, and 86f control the serial / parallel conversion circuit 86.
8-bit audio data is continuously read from M85 at regular intervals.

Generally, a ROM has an 8-bit data output and a 1-bit data output.
In the case of M-bit capacity, there is a 16-bit address input,
In order to access this as it is, the microcomputer 50 needs a total of 24 input / output terminals. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, since many other circuits are connected to the microcomputer 50, 24 input / output terminals cannot be allocated only for accessing the ROM. Therefore, in this embodiment, the ROM is accessed via the serial / parallel conversion circuit 86. To set the address of the external ROM 85, first, a pulse is output from the address control line 86f connected to the clear terminal of the ripple counter IC 86b to clear the count value. Subsequently, a predetermined number of clocks are input to the clock input from the address line 86g. For example, to set address 100, 100 clocks are input. Thus, address 100 is set in the address bus 86i. Then, a pulse is output to the data latch control line 86e, and an 8-bit parallel / serial conversion IC 86a is output.
The audio data at address 100 is taken in from the data output terminal of the external ROM 85 via the data bus 86h. Subsequently, the data is read serially one bit at a time from the data line 86d according to the clock of the data clock control line 86c. The data at the next address 101 is the address line 86
After outputting one pulse from f and incrementing the counter by 1, the data at address 101 is read in the same manner as described above. If the built-in ROM capacity of the microcomputer 50 is large and audio data can be stored here, the serial-parallel conversion circuit 8
6 and the external ROM 85 can be deleted.

Further, as audio output means, a DA conversion circuit 87, an LPF circuit 88, an amplifier 89, and a speaker 18 are connected. This output means is also used to output a conventional electronic sound. FIG. 13 shows details around the audio output means. The DA conversion circuit 87 is composed of only a weighted ladder resistor, and is converted into an analog value by eight digital port outputs of the microcomputer. This analog value is used as a third order Chebyshev LPF circuit 88 composed of an operational amplifier.
To suppress sampling noise. Then, the signal is amplified by an amplifier 89 composed of an operational amplifier and a SEPP circuit, and output from the speaker 18. If the microcomputer 50 has a DA output terminal, it may be used. In this case, the DA conversion circuit 87 is unnecessary.

The internal ROM of the microcomputer 50 includes a sequence program for controlling the washing process, a program for driving the brushless motor 9a, input / output programs for fetching various switches, and controlling a display. A program for decoding stored audio data is stored. Figure 14 shows the external ROM
An example of the contents of the voice message stored in 85 is shown together with the storage address. The number of the voice message stored in the external ROM 85 and the start and end addresses where the voice data are stored are stored in the internal ROM of the microcomputer 50 as table data as shown in FIG. This decryption processing program is ADPCM
Encoding (encoded data is 4 bits, sampling frequency is 8k
Hz). FIG. 16 shows a processing flow of the audio decoding program. The voice processing program receives the voice message number (S1), and obtains the external ROM address where the message is stored from the table data in FIG. 14 (S2). An address indicating the head of the predetermined audio data is output (S3), and the encoded audio data is read by one byte (encoded data of two samples) (S4) and decoded by two samples (S5) to be 125 microseconds. (Corresponding to a sampling frequency of 8 kHz) and output to the DA conversion circuit 87 (S
6). Subsequently, the address is incremented by 1 (S7), and the next data is read and similarly decoded. By repeating this, a predetermined voice message is output from the speaker 18.

The voice data stored in the external ROM 85 is read in advance by an announcer and a tape on which the voice has been recorded is taken into a computer or the like via an AD converter.
Encoding is performed by the CM encoding program under the above conditions, and this is recorded in the external ROM 85.

Hereinafter, the operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. Basically, a description will be given based on the operation in the standard washing process that is started by pressing the start switch 80 after the user turns on the power while the “standard” washing switch 65 is pressed (factory shipment). .

When the user puts the laundry into the washing tub and presses the power switch 60, the microcomputer 50 performs various initial settings, and first reads out the switch settings and the operation status in the previous washing from the EEPROM 84. FIG.
2 shows a processing flow in which the operation status is read out and guidance is provided to the user by voice.

First, the counter value of the number of washings, which is one of the operating conditions, is compared with a predetermined threshold value (T1). If the counter value is large, the light emitting diode 62 is blinked (T2).
Record the voice message number in the voice flag (T3),
Processing (decoding) processing program (T4) (FIG. 1)
Move to 6). In the utterance processing shown in the flow of FIG.
Read from OM85, decode this, and speaker 18
Pronounced with For example, "I recommend washing the washing tub."
Make an utterance. When the utterance ends, the utterance light emitting diode 62 is controlled to be turned on (T5), the input of the utterance switch 61 or another switch is waited for a predetermined time, and if there is no input, the utterance light emitting diode 62 is turned off (T8).
The utterance flag is cleared (T9), the value of the washing number counter is cleared (T10), and the process proceeds to the next process. If the utterance switch 61 is pressed while the utterance light emitting diode 62 is turned on, utterance (T4) is performed again from the head. At the edges or gaps of the components of the washing tub 6 or the outer tub 4, soap scum accumulates little by little with each washing, where mold is formed and turns into dark gray, which peels off at one time and is applied to the clothes being washed. Adhere to. For this reason, it is preferable that the soap scum is washed with a commercial chemical once every several months. By reporting this to the user, the above problem can be solved. In the above description, if the utterance switch 61 is pressed after the utterance ends, that is, while the utterance light emitting diode 62 is turned on, the utterance (T4) is performed again from the head, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, in the interrupt processing, the utterance switch 6
1 is monitored, and if it is pressed during utterance, the utterance is stopped immediately, and the utterance light emitting diode 62 is controlled to light (T
5) The process may wait for an input from the utterance switch 61 or another switch for a predetermined time. This is more convenient. Similarly, another switch input is monitored in the interrupt processing. If the switch is pressed during the utterance, the utterance is stopped immediately, the utterance light emitting diode 62 is turned off (T8), the utterance flag is cleared (T9), and the washing number counter value is set. Clear (T1
0), the process may shift to the next process. In this case, when the "dry" washing switch 66 is pressed as another switch, since the guidance voice of the "dry" washing course is stored in the external ROM 85, the operation is continued as shown in FIG.
"Dry" as outlined in the error handling flow of No. 9.
Provide voice guidance for the laundry course. The details will be described later.

Subsequently, in the same manner as described above, according to the processing flow of FIG. 17, the counter value of the number of times of bath water supply / washing, which is one of the operating conditions, is compared with a predetermined threshold value (T1). 62 is blinked (T2), the utterance message number is recorded in the utterance flag (T3), and the process is shifted to the utterance processing program (T4). Speech processing (Fig. 1
In step 6), the voice data is read from the external ROM 85 based on the content (number) of the utterance flag, decoded, and sounded by the speaker 18. For example, say "Please clean the filter at the end of the hot water hose."
When the utterance ends, the utterance light emitting diode 62 is controlled to be turned on (T5), and the input of the utterance switch 61 or another switch is waited for a predetermined time. If there is no input, the utterance light emitting diode 62 is turned off (S8). The flag is cleared (T9), the counter value of the number of times of bath water supply / washing is cleared (T9), and the process proceeds to the next processing. Voice emitting light emitting diode 6
If the utterance switch 61 is pressed while 2 is lit, utterance (T4) is performed again from the head. Use the bath water pump 45 to supply the remaining hot water from the bath tub to the washing tub.
The remaining hot water is self-primed with a hose with a filter, and then supplied to the washing tub. Since dirt and hair are mixed in the remaining hot water, a filter is installed to remove the dirt and hair. If this filter becomes clogged, the remaining hot water cannot be supplied. For this reason, it is preferable to clean the filter once after performing bath water supply washing about 60 times. By reporting this to the user, the above problem can be solved. Although the above operation has been described as being performed based on the number of times of bath water supply / washing, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the energization time to the bath water pump 45 may be measured and accumulated, and the determination may be made based on whether or not this exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

Subsequently, according to the processing flow of FIG. 18, the salt replenishment flag, which is one of the operating conditions, is checked (U1). The salt replenishment flag is determined by the conductivity sensor 11 and the salt chamber 32.
The amount of salt remaining in the water is detected at the time of rinsing drainage, and when this falls below a threshold value, it is set at the end of the previous rinsing. The processing is different depending on the content of the salt replenishment flag. Here, the case where salt replenishment was not performed at the end of the previous washing (salt replenishment flag = 2) will be described. Since the salt replenishment flag is set to 2 and the salt replenishment diode 63 is turned on, the voice light emitting diode 63 is turned on and off (U3), and the voice message number 1 is recorded in the voice flag (U3).
4) The process is shifted to utterance (U5). In the utterance processing, the audio data is read out from the external ROM from the content of the utterance flag, decoded, and sounded by the speaker 18. For example, say "Please replenish salt." When the utterance ends, the utterance light emitting diode 62 is controlled to be turned on (U6), and the input of the utterance switch 61 or the salt replenishment switch 64 is waited for a predetermined time (U7, U8). It sets (U14), turns off the utterance light emitting diode 62 (U11), clears the utterance flag (U12), and shifts to the next processing. The operation when the user listens to the utterance to replenish the salt and presses the salt replenishment switch 64 will be described later in detail.

Subsequently, the microprocessor 50 reads the output value of the weight sensor 10 in order to detect the amount of laundry put in. The detergent amount corresponding to the laundry amount as the measurement result is displayed on the 7-segment light emitting diode 76 to inform the user. If this value is the rated capacity of the washing machine 8kg
Is exceeded, it is determined that a laundry excess error has occurred (V1), and a voice is uttered in the voice guidance processing flow at the time of error shown in FIG. First, an error code “C5” for excess laundry is displayed on the 7-segment light emitting diode 76 (V2), and a warning is given to the user by a short-time electronic sound (V3). The voice message corresponding to this error code is stored in the external ROM
85, the utterance message number 2 is recorded in the utterance flag (V4), and the utterance light emitting diode 62
Blinks (V5). When the user presses the utterance switch 61 (V6), the process shifts to utterance (V7). In the utterance process (V7) (FIG. 16), the audio data is read from the external ROM 85 from the content of the utterance flag (No. 2), decoded, and sounded by the speaker 18. For example, say, "You have exceeded the weight of your clothes. Please reduce your laundry." When the utterance ends, the utterance light emitting diode 62 is controlled to be turned on (V8), and the input of the utterance switch 61 or the start switch 80 is waited for a predetermined time. If the user notices that the weight is excessive, the laundry is reduced, and if the start switch 80 is pressed, the utterance light emitting diode 62 is turned off (V10), the utterance flag is cleared (V11), and the process proceeds to the next processing. If the utterance switch 61 is pressed while the utterance light emitting diode 62 is lit, the utterance is again made from the head (V7).
I do. As a method of detecting the amount of the laundry, in addition to the above-described direct detection method, as a cloth amount sensor, the rotary wing 7 is rotated for a fixed time, and the time until the rotation is stopped, or the reverse of the DC brushless motor 9a. Some are detected by using electromotive voltage or the like. In this way the weight is detected indirectly,
The above operation may be performed.

As a result, if there is a necessary process before starting the washing when the power is turned on, the process is automatically notified by voice, so that the convenience for the user can be improved.

Subsequently, after confirming that the start switch 80 has been pressed, the water supply valve 27 is opened to start supplying water to the washing tub 6. By this time, the user has poured detergent into the washing tub.

Tap water is supplied from a water tap 26 through a water supply solenoid valve 27.
Through the water inlet 30a and the lower space 3 of the cylindrical container 30
9b. The inflowing tap water fills the lower space 39b, and then rises in the resin case 33 by the pressure, passes through the space between the sodium-type strongly acidic cation exchange resins 43 filled and sandwiched by the mesh filter 33a, and Space 3
Outflow to 9a. Then, it fills the upper space 39a, flows out from the discharge port 30b, passes through the room A47 and the slope 46, and accumulates in the outer tub 4 (the washing tub 5). Also, the lower space 39b
Part of the tap water that has flowed into the outer tub 4 does not pass through the ion-exchange resin 43, but passes through the drain tube 41 connected to the salt water outlet 30c. The inner diameter of the salt water outlet 30c is 2
mm, the drainage tube 41 at a feedwater flow rate of 15 / min.
Will be about 0.5 L / min. This amount is about 3% of the water supply amount and has little effect. If the inner diameter of the salt water discharge port 30c is further reduced, the influence can be reduced,
The above-mentioned about 2 mm is optimal because the capillary water makes it difficult to discharge the salt water for regeneration. If there is no problem in cost and space, it is of course better to provide a valve in the middle of the drain tube 41 and close this valve during water supply.

While passing through the ion exchange resin 43, the tap water removes calcium and magnesium ions contained therein by ion exchange. During the water supply, the upper space 39a is filled with water, and the pressure causes the ball 35a of the check valve 35 to rise and closely contact the valve seat 35b to close the hole 37a. For this reason, tap water does not flow into the salt water container 31 during supply water. Also, since the density of the ball 35a is 1 or less,
Even if the tap water pressure is very low and the pressure in the upper space 39a is almost atmospheric pressure, the ball 35a and the valve seat 3
5b is in close contact, and the hole 37a is closed. Since there is no water in the upper space 39a except when water is supplied, the ball 35a falls by its own weight,
The hole 37a is in an open state.

On the other hand, the microcomputer 50 opens the salt water supply electromagnetic valve 28 for a short time at almost the same time that the water supply electromagnetic valve 27 is opened to start water supply, and a specified amount (40 mL to 50 m
L) Water is poured into the salt water container 32. Control of water injection amount
This is performed during the opening time of the salt supply electromagnetic valve 28 in consideration of the tap water pressure. The relationship between the tap water pressure and the water supply flow rate (actually, the time T during which water is collected from the water level 1 to the water level 2 at the time of water supply) is stored in the memory of the microcomputer 50 in advance. And opening the salt water supply electromagnetic valve 28 for an opening time corresponding to the tap water pressure enables water injection control. The injected water 44a accumulates at the bottom of the salt water container 32, and its water surface becomes h1 from the bottom of the salt water container. This is the drain pipe 3 of the siphon 37 at the bottom of the salt water container 31.
This is because the height of 7b is set higher than h1. In the dimensions of the salt water container 31 and the salt container 32 of the present embodiment, h1 is 3 mm to 8 mm in the above-mentioned water injection amount. The distance between the bottom surface of the salt water container 31 and the mesh filter 32c on the bottom surface of the salt container 32 is set to 3 mm to 4 mm as described above.
Since 1 is the same as or higher than the mesh filter 32c, the salt dissolves through the mesh filter 32c, and the salt concentration of the injected water increases. Although the salt concentration increases as the elapsed time increases, when the remaining amount of salt is large, the salt concentration is almost saturated in about 6 minutes. Since the amount of salt dissolved in 100 mL of water (0 ° C.) is about 35 g (saturated salt concentration is about 26%), the saturated concentration is reached in about 6 minutes. On the other hand, when the remaining amount of salt is reduced and there is no salt on the entire surface of the mesh filter 32c, the increasing rate of the salt concentration decreases, but after 20 minutes, it becomes approximately 23% and approaches the saturated concentration. As the salt dissolves in the water, the water surface h1 gradually rises, and when the concentration approaches the saturation concentration, h1.
Is 5 mm to 10 mm. Therefore, the height of the drain pipe of the siphon needs to be higher than the water surface h1 at the time of the saturated concentration.

The description so far is for the case where the salt contains water, and when the salt is dry immediately after replenishing the salt, all the water is absorbed and the water is stored in the salt water container 31 at the above-mentioned water injection amount. Does not accumulate. Therefore, immediately after replenishing the salt, another operation for making the salt contain water is required. This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the power switch 60 is turned on, the salt replenishing light emitting diode 63 is lit, the hourly sounding light emitting diode 62 flashes (U3), and the user who has heard the salt replenishment guidance voice described above puts the salt in the salt container. 32. After the end of the guidance, the utterance light emitting diode 62 is controlled to be turned on (U6). After replenishing the salt, the user presses the salt replenishment switch 64 to notify the washing machine of the replenishment. The microcomputer 50 that has detected that the switch 64 has been pressed (U8) resets the salt supplement flag (sets it to 0) (U9), and the salt supplement light emitting diode 63
Is turned off (U10). Subsequently, the vocal light emitting diode 6
2 is turned off (U11), and the utterance flag is cleared (U1).
2) Move to the next process. When the utterance switch 61 is pressed while the utterance light emitting diode 62 is turned on, a voice is uttered again (U5). Thereafter, when the user operates the start switch 80, the microcomputer 50 opens the water supply electromagnetic valve 27 and starts water supply. Tap water inlet 30
a enters the lower space 39b of the cylindrical container 30 and fills the lower space 39b, rises in the resin case 33 filled with the ion exchange resin 43, and flows out into the upper space 39a. Then, it passes through the hole 34c of the fixing member 34 and the circumferential groove 34b, exits from the discharge port 30b to the flow path 46, and accumulates in the washing tub 5. In the case immediately after the replenishment of the salt, a water-containing step of adding water to the salt is performed here. When the water supply solenoid valve 27 is opened to start water supply, the upper space 3
9b is filled with water, and the ball 35a of the check valve 35 floats up and comes into close contact with the valve seat 35b to close the hole 37a. The time until the check valve 35 closes is about one second after the water supply electromagnetic valve 27 opens. When the check valve 35 is closed, that is, one second after the water supply electromagnetic valve 27 is opened, the microcomputer 50 opens the salt water supply electromagnetic valve 28, and
Pour mL water into brine container 31. Control of water injection amount
The operation performed during the opening time of the salt water supply electromagnetic valve 28 is the same as that described above. The injected water accumulates in the salt water box 31 and its level is higher than the drain pipe 37a of the siphon 37. However, since the check valve 35 is closed, the cylindrical container 30 is closed.
Does not leak into the upper space 39a. The injected water is simultaneously absorbed by the dried salt 42 through the mesh filter 32c. The amount of water to be injected is set to the maximum amount that can absorb 500 g of salt. Therefore, when water is injected in an amount larger than this, the salt cannot completely absorb water, and water remains at the bottom of the salt water container. The bottom mesh filter 32c of the salt container 32
And the bottom of the salt water container 31 are spaced apart, but the water in this portion is also absorbed by the salt due to surface tension. Since the time for all the water to be absorbed into the salt is within one minute after the completion of the water injection into the salt water container 31, the salt water supply electromagnetic valve 28 is opened, and 120 mL to 130 m
After injecting the water of L into the salt water container 31, a standing time of 1 minute is provided. This completes the water-containing operation of the salt. When the water-containing operation ends, the flow returns to the normal operation flow described above. That is, the microcomputer 50 opens the salt water supply electromagnetic valve 28 for a short time, pours 40 mL to 50 mL of water into the salt water container 32, and stores the water in the salt water container 32.

If the output of the water level sensor 14 does not increase even after the lapse of a predetermined time at the time of tap water supply, the tap is not opened, the main tap is closed, or the filter of the water inlet 26 is clogged. And alert the user. The operation at this time will be described with reference to the processing flow of FIG.

If water does not accumulate in the washing tub even after the lapse of a predetermined time, the microcomputer 50 determines that a tap water supply error has occurred (V1) and closes the water supply electromagnetic valve 27 to stop water supply. Then, an error code of an alphanumeric character “C1” is displayed on the 7-segment light emitting diode 76 (V2),
A warning is given to the user by a short electronic sound (V3).
This electronic sound notification is performed by outputting a rectangular wave signal of, for example, 2 kHz to a port terminal connected to the most significant bit of the DA converter 87 at short time intervals. The volume can be adjusted by changing the bit position of the rectangular wave output. Further, this electronic sound is also ADPCM-encoded in advance in the
5 and store this data in the DA converter 8
7 may be output. In this case, not a single frequency electronic sound, but a complex electronic sound utterance subjected to amplitude or frequency modulation, multiple sounding, or the like can be performed.

Since the voice message corresponding to this error code is stored in the external ROM 85, the voice message number 6 is recorded in the voice flag (V4), and the voice light emitting diode 62 flashes (V5). When the user makes an abnormal sensation and returns to the washing machine and presses the utterance switch 61 (V6), the microcomputer 50 shifts the processing to utterance (V7). In the utterance processing (V7) (FIG. 16), the voice data is read from the contents of the utterance flag into the external ROM 8.
5 is read out and decoded, and the speaker 18 emits sound. For example, say, "There is an abnormality in water supply. Check the faucet and water inlet and then press the start button again." After the utterance ends, the utterance diode 62 is controlled from blinking to lighting (V8). If the user takes measures to prevent water supply and presses the start switch 80 (V9), the microcomputer 50 turns off the utterance diode 62 (V1).
0), the utterance flag is cleared (V11), and the water supply electromagnetic valve 27 is opened again to restart water supply. When the utterance switch 61 is pressed again while the utterance diode 62 is lit, the same sound is uttered.

A specified amount of washing water is detected by the water level sensor 14 in the outer tub 4.
Microcomputer 50 that knew that water was supplied inside
Closes the water supply electromagnetic valve 27 to stop water supply. Then, information is output to the drive circuit 52 in order to rotate the rotor 6 forward and backward. As a result, the rotor 6 starts to rotate forward and backward, and the washing starts.

Since the washing water supplied into the washing tub 5 does not contain cations such as calcium and magnesium, it reacts with the surfactant in the detergent supplied to form insoluble metal soap or for washing. It does not reduce the amount of surfactant that contributes and does not reduce the detergency. After the water supply is completed, the water remaining in the ion exchange means 29 is slowly discharged to the outer tub 4 from the drain tube 41 connected to the salt water discharge port 30c.

As a result, during washing, the chemical power of the surfactant is increased in the washing water in the washing tub. The washing is performed by stirring the laundry in the washing water in which the detergent is dissolved. A high detergency can be obtained by the synergistic effect of the chemical power increase and the mechanical power by the blade stirring.

Sodium type strongly acidic cation exchange resin 43
Is a synthetic resin in which an ion exchange group such as a sulfonic acid group is bonded to a crosslinked three-dimensional polymer substrate by a chemical bond, as is well known. When tap water containing divalent cations such as calcium and magnesium flows between the cation exchange resins, the sulfonic acid groups, which are the ion exchange groups of the cation exchange resin, and the cations in the tap water undergo ion exchange. Cations in tap water are removed. Chemical formulas 1 and 2 show the ion exchange reaction formula of the sodium-type strongly acidic ion exchange resin.

[0068]

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[0069]

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Here, R is a polymer substrate of an ion exchange resin. Sodium-type ion-exchange resin uses -SO3 anion as fixed ion and Na cation as counter ion, and removes multivalent cations such as calcium and magnesium contained in water by utilizing ion selectivity. I do. In the case of a strongly acidic cation exchange resin at a low concentration and at room temperature, the ion selectivity is higher for ions having a higher valence, and is higher for ions having a higher valence at the same valence. For ions contained in natural water, the order is Chemical Formula 3.

[0071]

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Calcium and magnesium ions in water passing through the ion exchange resin are adsorbed on the resin and removed by the reaction from the left side to the right side of Chemical Formulas 1 and 2. Conversely, calcium,
When high-concentration salt water is passed through the resin to which magnesium ions are adsorbed, calcium and magnesium ions are desorbed by the reaction from the right side to the left side in Chemical Formulas 1 and 2, and the resin returns to its original state and is regenerated. Details of this reproducing operation will be described later.

A commercially available compact water softener used in a laboratory or the like has an ion exchange resin amount of 1 to 2 L and a processing flow rate of 10 L / h.
A capacity of about L (0.16 L per minute) is generally used.
As described above, in a home washing machine, water is supplied directly to the washing tub from the faucet at a flow rate of 10 L or more per minute in order to shorten the water supply time. For this reason, the water supply time becomes too long with the processing flow rate of the above-mentioned commercially available small water softener, so that it is inevitable to use the batch-processed water using a time other than the washing once stored in a water storage tank. In addition, the volume of ionic resin of 1 to 2 L is too large to be mounted (built-in) in a home washing machine. That is, it is necessary to solve the above-mentioned problems of the processing flow rate of the ion exchange resin and the amount of the resin in the home washing machine.

According to the water supply statistics carried out in the past, among the number of cases investigated, the number of cases having a total hardness of 40 ppm or less was half, and the number of cases exceeding 100 ppm was as high as 15%. The arithmetic mean is 54.5 ppm.

FIG. 20 shows the hardness distribution of purified water throughout the country (based on statistics of water supply in 1994 issued by the Japan Water Works Association) and the relationship between the cleaning rate and hardness when using a compact type synthetic detergent containing zeolite. Shown as parameters. The hardness distribution takes into account the amount of purified water per day at each water purification plant. For example, about 20% of the total purified water amount is 40 to 40%.
It can be seen that it is between 50 ppm. Assuming that the amount of water purification at each water treatment plant is proportional to the number of households, about 20% of all households are 4
This means that 0 to 50 ppm tap water is used. The national average hardness is 52.9 ppm, 98% of the total
Is 100 ppm or less. As for the cleaning rate, it is possible to increase the cleaning rate by about 50% by halving the average hardness of 52.9 ppm at a detergent concentration of 0.067 wt% (% by weight), which is the detergent amount specified by the detergent maker. At a hardness of 100 ppm, the amount of detergent is reduced by half to reduce the amount of detergent to 2%.
The same cleaning rate as that obtained by doubling (concentration: 0.133 wt%) can be obtained. In other words, the cleaning rate when the detergent amount (concentration) is twice the standard can be obtained with the standard detergent amount by decreasing the hardness.
By removing calcium ions and magnesium ions, which are hardness components, the washing power of the washing machine can be greatly improved. If it is sufficient to use the same cleaning rate as when tap water is used as it is, the amount of detergent used can be reduced by water softening. Furthermore, hardness is 40p
In areas above pm, it is not necessary to use more detergent than necessary, and the impact on the environment is reduced.

The case where tap water is used has been described above. The bath water supply will be described below. A case will be described in which the user presses the "hot water removal" switch 70 and the light emitting diode 70a of the washing display is turned on, that is, the setting is such that the remaining hot water in the bath is used only for washing.

Water from the bath is pumped out by a hose connected to the bath water inlet 45a. Microcomputer 5
0, the water supply solenoid valve 27 is opened for a short time (about 15 seconds), and the tap water passes through the ion removing device 29 as described above,
Water is supplied to the washing tub through the room A47. At that time, a part of the supply water flows into the bath water suction pump 45 from the priming port 45b through the tube provided in the upper part of the room 47 with the momentum. This is the priming for the bath water suction pump 45. Thereafter, the pump motor is rotated to take in the bath water from the bath water supply port 45a, guide the bath water from the discharge port 45c to the inclined flow path 46 through the room B48, and supply water to the washing tub 6 from here. At the time of self-priming and water supply, the microcomputer 5
0 indicates the current value flowing from the current sensor 45d to the pump motor and the water level sensor 14 detects the amount of hot water remaining in the washing tub. At the time of self-priming (when the air in the hose is being discharged), the load is light, so the current value is small. The microcomputer 50 determines that the self-priming time is a predetermined time (for example, 2
If the current value does not increase even after exceeding (minutes), it is determined that the water supply hose is not attached or there is no remaining hot water in the bath to supply water, and the user is warned. Also in this case, the voice is output in the voice guidance processing flow at the time of error in FIG.

The microcomputer 50 determines that a bath water supply error has occurred (V1), stops supplying power to the bath water pump 45, and causes the 7-segment light emitting diode 76 to display the alphanumeric character “C”.
"6" is displayed as an error code (V2), and a short-time electronic sound warns the user (V3). Since the voice message corresponding to this error code is stored in the external ROM, the voice message number is recorded in the voice flag (V4), and the voice generating light emitting diode 62 blinks (V5). When the user makes an abnormal sensation and returns to the washing machine and presses the utterance switch 61 (V6), the microcomputer 50 shifts the processing to utterance (V7). In the utterance processing (V7), the audio data is read from the external ROM 85 from the content of the utterance flag, decoded, and sounded by the speaker 18. For example, say, "I cannot supply bath water. Please check the hot water supply hose and water supply joint." If the user responds to the inability to take out and supply hot water and presses the start switch 80 (V9), the microcomputer 50 turns off the utterance diode 62 (V10),
Clear the utterance flag (V11), and again bath water pump 4
5 is restarted. When the utterance switch 61 is pressed again while the utterance diode 62 is lit, the same sound is uttered.

When the self-priming is completed and the water supply is started, the remaining hot water gradually accumulates in the washing tub 6. At this time, if the water level value of the water level sensor 14 has not reached the predetermined water level, the increase has stopped, and if a predetermined time (for example, 2 minutes) has elapsed while the current value of the current sensor is small, the remaining hot water in the bathtub is discharged. Alert the user to judge that it is gone.

The microcomputer 50 determines that there is a pump idle operation error (V1), stops supplying power to the bath water pump 45, and displays the alphanumeric character “CP” on the 7-segment light emitting diode 76 as an error code (V2). The user is notified with a short electronic sound (V3). Since the voice message corresponding to this error code is stored in the external ROM 85, the voice message number 8 is stored in the voice flag.
Is recorded (V4), and the sound generation light emitting diode 62 is turned on and off (V5). When the user returns abnormally to the washing machine and presses the utterance switch 61, the microcomputer 50 shifts the processing to utterance (V7). In the utterance process (FIG. 16), the voice data is read from the external ROM 85 from the content of the utterance flag, decoded, and sounded by the speaker 18. For example, say, "The bath water pump is running idle. Check the remaining hot water in the bathtub." If the user confirms and presses the start switch 80 (V9), the microcomputer 50 turns off the utterance diode 62 (V10), clears the utterance flag (V11), and switches the water supply to tap water. Open and start tap water supply. Water level sensor 14
After reaching the predetermined water level with tap water added to the remaining hot water,
The rotor 7 is rotated to proceed to the washing process. When the utterance switch 61 is pressed again while the utterance diode 62 is lit, the same sound is uttered.

At the time of priming water supply, the microcomputer 50 opens the salt water supply electromagnetic valve 28 for a short period of time almost simultaneously with the opening of the water supply electromagnetic valve 27 and the start of water supply.
(50 mL to 50 mL) is injected into the salt water container 32 in the same manner as the tap water supply.

When the washing process is completed, the microcomputer 50 opens the drain valve 12 to drain the washing water in the outer tub 4. After the drainage, the process proceeds to the first dehydration step. At this time, it is known from the lid opening / closing sensor 15 whether or not the lid is open.
Also in this case, a voice message is uttered according to the error processing flow shown in FIG. When the lid is open (V1), an alphanumeric character "C3" is displayed on the 7-segment light emitting diode 76 as an error code for safe operation (V2), and a short-time electronic sound warns the user. Yes (V
3). Since the voice message corresponding to this error code is stored in the external ROM 85, the voice message number is recorded in the voice flag (V4), and the voice generating light emitting diode 62 blinks (V5). When the user presses the utterance switch 61 (V6), the process shifts to utterance (V7). In the utterance process, the voice data is read from the external ROM 85 from the content of the utterance flag, decoded, and uttered by the speaker 18. For example, "Please close the lid."
Make an utterance. The microcomputer 50 controls the light emitting diode 62 to be turned on (V
8). Unlike other error processing, when the lid is closed instead of pressing the start switch (V9), this is confirmed by the lid open / close sensor 15, and then the microcomputer 50
Turns off the light emitting diode 62 (V10),
The utterance flag is cleared (V11), and the lid lock mechanism 16 is energized to lock the lid so that the lid cannot be opened. The solenoid of the transmission 9b is controlled to rotate the washing tub 6 at high speed by the DC brushless motor 9a. During this time, the drain valve 12 is open. When the utterance switch 61 is pressed again, a voice is uttered again. Even when the lid is closed without pressing the utterance switch 61, the fact that the lid is closed by the lid opening / closing sensor 16 is detected, and the process proceeds to the first dehydration step as described above.

Further, at the start of the spin-drying operation, the microcomputer 50 detects the whirling of the outer tub 4 by the tub wobble sensor 17. When the cloth is entangled by the washing and stirring, and the cloth is not uniformly settled at the bottom of the washing tub at the end of the drainage and is in a state of being offset, the outer tub 4 swings greatly and collides with the outer frame 1, and in the worst case, the washing machine falls down. There is a risk. In order to prevent this, the whirling of the outer tub 4 is detected by the lever switch 17a of the tub vibration sensor 17, and if it is large, a warning is issued to the user. In this case also, the process flow is schematically shown in FIG. The microcomputer 50 monitors the opening and closing of the lever switch 17a at the time of dehydration start, and closes the lever switch 17a for a certain period of time, for example, 10 msec.
If the user has pressed the lever switch 17a), it is determined that an error has occurred near the cloth (V1), and the power supply to the electric motor 9a is immediately stopped. After confirming that the washing tub has stopped rotating, the lid lock mechanism 16 is released. Then, an alphanumeric character "C4" is displayed as an error code on the 7-segment light emitting diode 76 (V2), and a short-time electronic sound warns the user (V3). Since the voice message corresponding to this error code is stored in the external ROM 85, the voice message number 7 is recorded in the voice flag (V4), and the voice generating light emitting diode 62 blinks (V5). When the user is abnormally returned to the washing machine and presses the utterance switch 61, the process shifts to utterance (V7). In the utterance processing, the voice data is converted to an external R from the content of the utterance flag.
The data is read from the OM 85, decoded, and uttered by the speaker 18. For example, say, "I can't spin off. Eliminate the leaning of the cloth and press the start button." After the end of the utterance, the microcomputer 50 controls the light emitting diode 62 to be turned on (V8). The user hears this, opens the lid, loosens the cloth, corrects the leaning of the cloth, and presses the start button 80 (V9). Then, the microcomputer 50 turns off the utterance diode 62 (V10), clears the utterance flag (V11), and starts dehydration again. When the utterance switch 61 is pressed again while the utterance diode 62 is lit, the same sound is uttered. Also, without pushing the vocal switch 61, the cloth piece is corrected,
When the start switch 80 is pressed, dehydration start is performed again as described above.

FIG. 21 shows the relationship between the vibration amplitude of the outer tub and the spinning speed during spinning. (A) in the figure, when the cloth piece leaning is small,
(B) shows a time when it is big. The support system including the hanging rod 5a, the support device 5b, and the outer tub 4 has a washing tub rotation speed-vibration characteristic shown in FIG. 21 by the washing tub rotating drive of the DC brushless motor 9a. The primary resonance oscillates due to the translational motion near the rotation speed of 50 rpm at the start of the dehydration, followed by the swaying of the secondary resonance due to the conical motion near 150 rpm, and the vibration during the steady state of the dehydration (about 900 rpm). The main purpose of the tank shake sensor 17 is to detect vibration at the time of primary or secondary resonance. However, since the vibration detection position is one place where the lever switch 17a is located, it is not always possible to reliably detect the shake of the outer tub 4. The vibration sensor 19 directly detects the vibration amplitude as described above. The voltage value output from the vibration sensor circuit 19b is proportional to the vibration amplitude value of the outer tub 4. That is, if the microcomputer 50 samples and monitors the output of the vibration sensor circuit 19b, the relationship between the vibration amplitude of the outer tub and the spinning speed shown in FIG. 21 can be obtained.
An outer tank whirling detection operation by the vibration sensor 19 instead of the outer tank whirling detection by the above-described tank wobble sensor 17 will be described.

At the same time as the start of dehydration, the microcomputer 5
0 indicates that the output of the vibration sensor circuit 19b is set to, for example, 5
Monitor every 00 ms. When the output of the vibration sensor circuit 19b exceeds the threshold value shown in FIG. 21, the power supply to the electric motor 9a is immediately stopped. After confirming that the washing tub has stopped rotating, the lid lock mechanism 16 is released. Then, the 7-segment light emitting diode 76 has the alphanumeric character "C4"
Is displayed as an error code (V2), and a short-time electronic sound warns the user (V3). The following is the same as the detection by the tank runout sensor 17 described above, and the description is omitted.
In this embodiment, since there is no blind spot unlike the detection by the tank runout sensor 17, it is possible to reliably detect the tank runout. Also, if the tank runout sensor 17 and the vibration sensor 19 are used together, the safety can be more reliably improved.

Further, the vibration sensor 19 can also detect the vibration amplitude value during the steady state of dehydration, and when this value is large, that is, when the cloth is leaning more, the operation control is performed so as to reduce the rotation speed during the steady state to suppress noise. You can also. As shown in FIG. 21, the noise (the vibration amplitude is proportional to the noise) can be reduced by 3 dB by lowering the steady spinning speed from A to B by 100 rpm.

After the completion of the first dehydrating step, the drain valve 12 is closed, and then the process proceeds to the rinsing step. The rinsing step is usually performed once or twice, depending on the method. In the so-called rinsing, in which water is temporarily stored in the outer tub 4 and then the rotating blades 6 are rotated to dilute the detergent remaining in the clothes, that is, the so-called rinsing requires approximately the same amount of water as the previous washing water supply. Therefore, the ion removing device 29
The amount of water passing through is 88 L in the previous washing water supply, and 88 L in this rinsing × 2 times, a total of 264 L. Water flow 15
Since the ion exchange capacity is lost at 0 L, the hardness becomes the same as that of the raw water during the first rinse water supply. However, since the rinsing step has no effect on the hardness, water having high hardness may be supplied. Since the water supply during the rinsing step is exactly the same as during the washing step except for the final rinsing step, here, the final rinsing step in which water is accumulated in the outer tub 4 and the regeneration of the ion exchange resin 43 during the final rinsing step The processing will be described.

First, the water supply electromagnetic valve 27 is opened, and tap water is passed through the ion removing device 29 in the same manner as in the above-mentioned washing water supply, and the outer tank 4 is opened.
Supply rinse water inside. Tap water fills the upper space 39b of the ion removal device, and the ball 35a of the check valve 35 closes the hole 37a (this is determined by elapse of a predetermined time after opening the water supply electromagnetic valve 27). Then, the microcomputer 50 opens the salt injection electromagnetic valve 28.

The microcomputer 50 opens the salt water supply electromagnetic valve 28 and puts a specified amount (70 mL to 80 mL) into the salt water container 31.
(mL) of water. The water injection amount is controlled by the opening time of the salt water supply electromagnetic valve 28. At this time, the water injected at the time of supplying water in the washing step has already accumulated in the salt water container 31. The time from the water supply in the washing step to the end of the final water supply in the rinsing step is not constant depending on the washing course, but is 15 to 30 minutes. If left for this time, the water in the salt water container 31 becomes salt water that has almost reached a saturated concentration. In this saturated salt water,
When 70 mL to 80 mL of water is injected, the saturated brine is diluted with the water to form about 10% brine. The water level in the salt water container 31 rises to h2, but the siphon 37
Of the siphon 37
Flows out from the through hole 37a. If the gap 36a between the salt water container 31 and the side surface of the salt container 32 is too small, the water surface h2 rises too much and flows out from the overflow channel 31b. For this reason, the gap 36a is preferably set to about 2 mm to 5 mm. Since the check valve 35 is opened, the salt water from the hole 37a flows down into the upper space 39a of the cylindrical container 30, and the regeneration process of the ion exchange resin 43 starts. Almost all the salt water in the salt water container 31 flows down to the upper space 39a by the action of the siphon 37. At this time, if the gap 36b between the bottom surface of the salt water container 31 and the salt container 32 is too narrow, the force due to the surface tension of the salt water exceeds the force by the hydraulic head of the siphon 37, and air does not enter the gap 36b and the gap 36b Brine remains and not all of the brine can flow down. Gap 3
When the size of 6b is increased, all the water in the salt water container 31 can be discharged by the siphon 37. However, if the gap 36b is too large, the water surface h1 of the 40 mL to 50 mL water that is injected at the time of supplying water in the washing step will cause the mesh filter 32 on the bottom surface of the salt container 32.
c, so that saturated brine cannot be produced. Therefore, the gap 36b is optimally 3 mm to 4 mm, which is lower than the water surface h1 and can reliably discharge the salt water. Upper room 3
The salt water flowing down to 9a flows in the ion exchange resin 43 layer, passes through the lower chamber 39b, passes through the drain tube 41 from the salt water outlet 30c, is discharged into the outer tank 4 containing the rinse water, and is diluted with the rinse water. Is done. Brine is ion exchange resin 4
By flowing through the inside of 3, the reaction from the right side to the left side of Chemical Formulas 1 and 2 occurs, and calcium ions and magnesium ions ion-exchanged by passage of tap water at the time of water supply are replaced with sodium ions in the salt water. As a result, the ion-exchange resin is regenerated, the ion-exchange capacity is restored, and the ion-exchange resin can be used for water supply in the next washing step. Calcium ions and magnesium ions are discharged into rinse water together with salt water. For this reason, the hardness of the rinse water increases,
There is no hardness effect on rinsing. In the above regeneration step, the salt 42 in the salt container 32 is consumed by about 15 g, and gradually decreases. In this example, since there is about 500 g of salt,
For 33 washes, the ion exchange resin can be regenerated without replenishing salt. After the regeneration step, the rinsing water in the outer tub 4 is drained, and a final dehydration step is performed.

The salt water containing calcium ions and magnesium ions is discharged into the rinse water through a drain tube 41 from a drain tube port 41a provided at the lowermost part of the outer tank 4. This salt water concentration is usually about 10% as described above. As shown in FIG. 3, this drain tube port 41a
The electrode 11a of the electric conductivity sensor 11 is provided beside. FIG. 4 shows the relationship between the oscillation frequency output from the conductivity sensor 11 and the conductivity of the washing water. The conductivity of the salt water is three orders of magnitude higher than that of the washing water having the standard detergent concentration, and therefore, the oscillation frequency which is the sensor output is very high. FIG. 22 shows experimental values obtained by detecting the salt water discharged into the rinse water with the electric conductivity sensor. When the salt water supply electromagnetic valve 28 is opened and a predetermined amount (70 mL to 80 mL) of water is injected into the salt water container 31, approximately 10% of salt water is discharged from the drain tube port 41 a to the vicinity of the conductivity sensor 11 in about one minute. Because of the discharge, the sensor output oscillation frequency increases rapidly. The discharged salt water is supplied to the conductivity sensor 11.
By the time it reaches the electrode, the thickness is reduced to about 1/10. The figure also shows the case where the discharged salt water concentration is 1%. A salt water concentration of 1% indicates a case where the amount of salt remaining in the salt container 32 decreases and salt replenishment is required.

After opening the salt water supply electromagnetic valve 28, the microcomputer 50 reads the output of the conductivity sensor 11 after a predetermined time (one minute). This reading is performed several times at regular intervals, for example, every 500 ms, and the average value is calculated. If the value is lower than the predetermined value, the EEPROM 84
Set the salt replenishment flag to. The setting of the salt replenishment flag will be described. If the salt replenishment flag is set to 0, it is reset to 1. If the value is other than 0, the salt replenishment flag is set in the processing flow of FIG. 18, and the salt replenishment flag is not set here.

As a result, a voice prompting for salt replenishment is produced when the power is turned on in the above-described next washing and after the final dehydration is completed.

Of course, it is clear that the microcomputer 50 may be programmed to produce a voice prompting for salt replenishment when it is determined that salt replenishment is necessary.
Further, instead of the salt replenishment detection based on the electric conductivity described above, the salt replenishment flag may be set when the washing number counter value or the number of times of operation of the salt injection electromagnetic valve 28 exceeds a predetermined threshold value. For example, if the amount of salt in the salt container 32 is 500 g, 15 g is consumed per ion exchange resin regeneration process, so that the salt replenishment flag is set approximately 30 times with a margin.

The electric conductivity sensor 11 has the characteristics shown in FIG. 4 and can detect the detergent concentration of the washing water.
If you use this, depending on the amount of detergent input by the user,
By changing the stirring time for washing and rinsing, the amount of water used for washing and rinsing, and the like from the value of the “standard” washing by the microcomputer 50, it is possible to maintain the detergency and reduce the amount of water used. For example, when the amount of detergent is small and the concentration of water is too low, the concentration of the detergent is insufficient and the cleaning power is lowered, so that the additional power of the detergent can be announced by voice or the cleaning time can be increased to maintain the cleaning power. When the amount of the detergent is large, the rinsing performance (the degree of dilution of the detergent) can be maintained by increasing the amount of rinsing water. Thus, the electrode 11a of the electric power sensor 11
Is disposed near the bottom of the outer tub 4 and in the vicinity of the salt water drain tube opening 41a, so that it can be used not only for detecting salt replenishment but also for detecting the concentration of detergent, thereby improving the usability of the washing machine and improving the performance.

In the description of this embodiment, the audio data is stored in the external RO.
Although stored in advance in the M85, if there is room in the internal ROM of the microprocessor 50, audio data may be stored in this internal ROM.

When the final dehydration is completed, the value of the washing number counter is incremented. If the washing is bath water / water washing, the bath water / water washing number counter is also incremented.

Further, according to the processing flow of FIG. 18, voice guidance for salt replenishment is performed. If the salt replenishment flag remains at 0, the process proceeds to the next process without performing anything. here,
Description will be made assuming that the salt replenishment flag has been set to 1 in the previous detection. Since the salt replenishment flag is 1, the salt replenishment light emitting diode 63 is turned on (U2), the utterance light emitting diode 62 is blinked (U3), and the utterance message number 1 is recorded in the utterance flag (U4), and the process is uttered. (U
Move to 5). In the utterance processing, the audio data is read out from the external ROM from the content of the utterance flag, decoded, and sounded by the speaker 18. For example, say "Please replenish salt." When the utterance ends, the utterance light emitting diode 62 is turned on (U6), and the input of the utterance switch 61 or the salt replenishment switch 64 is waited for a predetermined time (U7, U8). If the user listens to the voice message and replenishes the salt and presses the replenishment switch 64 (U
8) The salt replenishment flag is set to 0 (U9), the salt replenishment light emitting diode 63 is turned off (U10), the utterance light emitting diode 62 is also turned off (U11), and the voice flag is cleared (U12). Proceed to. If the user does not catch the voice message and the salt is not replenished, the salt replenishment flag is set to 2 if the current salt replenishment flag is not 2, and is set to 3 if it is 2. (U1
4). Then, the light emitting diode 62 is turned off (U1
1) The voice flag is cleared (U12), and the process proceeds to the next step. While the utterance light emitting diode 62 is lit, the utterance switch 6
If 1 is pressed, utterance (U5) is performed again from the head. As a result, the salt replenishment light emitting diode 63 is not turned off, and when the power is turned on for washing the next day, the voice guidance for salt replenishment is performed again as described first. If the salt replenishment is still not performed, the voice guidance for the salt replenishment is not performed any more, and the salt replenishment is performed. The salt replenishment light emitting diode 63 is not turned off until the salt replenishment switch is pressed (the salt replenishment flag is set to 3) Case).

Further, after a predetermined time from the end of washing, the microprocessor 50 reads the output of the weight sensor 10.
The microprocessor 50 stores the value of the weight sensor at the time of manufacture, that is, the weight value of the outer tub 4, the washing tub 6, and the driving device 9 in a state where there is neither laundry nor water. By comparing the initial weight value with the weight value after the end, it is possible to detect that the laundry has been forgotten to be taken out or left behind. In this case, according to the processing flow of FIG.
“0” indicates that the 7-segment light emitting diode 76 has the alphanumeric character “F1”.
Is displayed as an error code (V2), and a short-time electronic sound warns the user (V3). Since the voice message corresponding to this error code is stored in the external ROM, the voice message number 3 is recorded in the voice flag (V4), and the voice generating light emitting diode 62 blinks (V5). When the user forgets to return to the washing machine and presses the utterance switch 61 (V6), the microcomputer 50 shifts the processing to utterance (V7).
In the utterance processing, the audio data is read from the external ROM 85 based on the content of the utterance flag and decoded, and
Pronounced as 8. For example, say, "There is laundry left. Check inside the washing tub." When the user takes out the laundry, the microcomputer 50 knows this by the weight sensor (V9) (same as pressing the start switch), turns off the utterance diode 62 (V1).
0), the utterance flag is cleared (V11). Note that the utterance switch 61 is again turned on while the utterance diode 62 is on.
Pressing will produce the same voice.

The operation in the standard washing has been described above. This is an utterance operation mainly using sensor information at the time of a process error. Next, a description will be given of an operation of giving a voice guidance on this washing method when a special course such as washing of dry mark clothing or washing of bedding is selected. In this case, FIG.
Error code display and warning electronic sound generation are deleted from the flow.

When the user presses the power switch 60 and then presses the "dry" switch 66 to select the washing course for dry mark clothing, the microcomputer 50
Since the voice guidance message corresponding to this washing method is stored in the external ROM 85, the voice message number 10 is recorded in the voice flag, and the voice light emitting diode 62 flashes. When the user presses the utterance switch 61 in response to the blinking, the microcomputer 50 shifts the processing to utterance. In the utterance processing, the audio data is read from the external ROM 85 based on the content of the utterance flag, decoded, and sounded by the speaker 18. For example, say, "Use a liquid neutral detergent or a drymark detergent. Laundry is applied to the entire tub." After the utterance ends, the utterance diode 62 is controlled from blinking to lighting. When the user finishes listening to this and presses the start switch 80, the microcomputer 50 turns off the utterance diode 62, clears the utterance flag, and starts the washing process of the dry clothes.
When the utterance switch 61 is pressed again while the utterance diode 62 is lit, the same sound is uttered. The same applies when the "Futon" course is selected.

As the content of the above voice guidance, for example, "Use a liquid neutral detergent or a dry mark detergent. Fold the laundry so that it spreads over the entire tub, set the laundry cap, and soak the laundry. Please set the amount of water. Do not use hot water or the remaining hot water from the bath. Shape the sweater and lay it flat in the shade, and shape your blouse and dress and dry it on the hanger in the shade. " In the case of (long), break it into short sentences,
By making each voice message an individual one, skip listening described below can be enabled. Now the message is 1: "Use a liquid neutral detergent or a special detergent for Drymark." 2: "Fold the laundry so that it spreads over the entire tub." 3: "Set the laundry cap." ,
4: "Please set the amount of water soaked in the laundry." 5: "Do not use hot water or the remaining hot water from the bath." 6: "Sweaters should be shaped and laid flat in the shade." 7: " Please shape your blouse and dress and hang it on the hanger in the shade. "
A division code indicating that these are obtained by dividing a series of messages is added, and the address table in FIG. 15 is created. First, when the user presses the utterance switch 61, the microcomputer 50 knows from the divided code that the utterance processing to be performed is a divided utterance, first records the utterance message number of the message indicated by 1 in the utterance flag, and executes the processing. To utterance. During utterance, the microcomputer 50 monitors the input of the utterance switch 61,
When this button is pressed, the immediate speech processing is stopped, the speech message number of the message indicated by the following 2 is recorded in the speech flag, and the processing is shifted to the speech again. When the utterance switch 61 is not pressed and the utterance of the message indicated by 1 ends, the microcomputer 50 records the utterance message number of the next message indicated by 2 in the utterance flag, and shifts the process to utterance again. By doing so, the user can quickly hear the utterance while skipping the utterance one by one while pressing the utterance switch 61, so that the user can understand the contents without a long time. As described above, since audio data is stored in the semiconductor ROM, user-friendly audio guidance different from tape recording can be provided.

The microcomputer 50 also monitors switches other than the utterance switch 61. When this switch is pressed, the current utterance is stopped and the utterance diode 6 is turned off.
2 may be turned off. For example, when the start switch 80 is pressed, the utterance is stopped, the utterance diode 62 is turned off, and the washing process is started. "Okonomi"
If the switch 69 is pressed, the utterance is stopped, and if the “futon” course is selected by the toggle operation of the “only” switch 69, the microcomputer 50 sends a voice guidance message corresponding to this washing method to the external ROM 8.
5, the voice emitting light emitting diode 62 flashes as described above to notify the user that the voice guidance is available. Furthermore, the power switch 6
When 0 is pressed again and the power-off is instructed, the prompting process is stopped.

As a method of stopping the utterance, in addition to the method described above, there is a method of detecting the case where the utterance switch 61 is pressed for a long time. The microcomputer 50 monitors the utterance switch 61 and stores a program (switch pressing time measuring means) for measuring the time during which the utterance switch 61 is pressed. During the utterance, the time during which the utterance switch 61 is pressed is measured, and when this value exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the immediate utterance process is stopped, the utterance light emitting diode 62 is turned off, and the next step is performed. Transfer to control.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to a washing machine, the present invention is not limited to this. In home electric appliances (air conditioners, refrigerators, clothes dryers, dishwashers, etc.) in which the user is often away from the appliances, there are many which warn only with an electronic sound when an error occurs. You can tell that an error has occurred by using the electronic sound alone, but you cannot understand its contents. Speaking automatically will be bothersome when you get used to it, and you may hear it when you are away. Therefore, it is effective to make the voice function and the contents of the present invention understandable by voice by pressing a voice switch. This is particularly effective for visually impaired people.

According to the above-described embodiment, the microprocessor itself for controlling the washing process is provided with a voice decoding function as a program, and an external ROM storing voice data is added in order to produce voice using the conventional notification means. By simply doing so, a convenient washing machine can be provided at low cost.

Further, since a voice switch is provided and a voice is generated when the voice switch is pressed, the user can freely grasp the contents of the error by voice by himself / herself. Furthermore, the user can listen to the voice while selecting various information and contents by operating a combination of a plurality of other switches and a voice switch. Thus, there is no need to listen to unnecessary sounds, and the user does not feel troublesome. In addition, the noise to the surroundings can be reduced, which is convenient for use at midnight.

Further, a light emitting element was provided near the voice switch, and these were connected to a microprocessor. The microprocessor controls lighting and blinking of the light emitting element as guidance to the user when the content to be uttered is stored in the external ROM and the content is audible. For this reason, the user can know whether the voice can be heard or not, and the usability of the utterance function is improved.

Further, an ion removing apparatus having a regenerating means in the middle of the water supply path and a regenerant remaining amount detecting means for detecting a remaining amount of the regenerant in the regenerating means are provided. If the detected remaining amount output by the regenerating agent remaining amount detecting means is lower than a predetermined value, the microprocessor makes a voice recommendation to supply the regenerating agent to the regenerating means at the start or end of the washing process. For this reason, the user can easily know the timing of the introduction of the regenerant, and it is possible to prevent a decrease in the detergency due to the lack of the regenerant.

[0109] Since the sound can be interrupted halfway and the next sound can be heard or the next operation can be performed, no time is spent unnecessarily on the setting relating to the washing process, and the washing time can be reduced. The effect can be expected.

[0110]

According to the present invention, since the user can select and listen to the audio information, the user does not need to listen to the unnecessary audio information, and does not feel annoying.
Therefore, a user-friendly washing machine can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a fully automatic washing machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a fully automatic washing machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a detailed view of a conductivity sensor.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a relationship between an output frequency of a conductivity sensor and conductivity.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the inside of the front storage box.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of a water level sensor.

FIG. 7 is a detailed diagram of a water level sensor circuit and a vibration sensor circuit.

FIG. 8 is an operation panel diagram of the fully automatic washing machine.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the inside of the rear storage box.

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of the ion removing device.

FIG. 11 is an electric connection block diagram of the fully automatic washing machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a detailed view around a serial / parallel conversion circuit.

FIG. 13 is a detailed view around the audio output means.

FIG. 14 shows addresses and message contents stored in an external ROM.

FIG. 15 shows message contents stored in an external ROM and storage start and end addresses thereof.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of an utterance process.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of an operation status utterance process.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of a salt supplement utterance process.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart of an error utterance process.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a hardness distribution and a cleaning rate.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a relationship between outer tub vibration amplitude and washing tub rotation speed.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a temporal change of an output of a conductivity sensor.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Outer frame, 2 ... Top cover, 2c ... Rear storage box, 2d
... front storage box, 3 ... operation panel, 4 ... outer tub, 5 ... washing and dewatering tub, 9a ... DCBLM, 10 ... weight sensor, 11
... conductivity sensor, 11a conductivity sensor electrode, 14 ... water level sensor, 15 ... lid open / close sensor, 16 ... lid lock mechanism,
17: tank shake sensor, 18: speaker, 19: vibration sensor, 19b: vibration sensor circuit, 19a: permanent magnet, 26
... water tap, 27 ... water supply solenoid valve, 28 ... salt injection solenoid valve,
29: ion removal device, 30b: discharge port, 30c: salt water discharge port, 31: salt chamber, 32: salt container, 33a: salt water discharge port, 43: ion exchange resin, 41: drain tube, 45
... bath water pump, 45a ... current sensor, 50 ... microcomputer, 60 ... power switch, 61 ... voice switch, 62 ... voice light emitting diode, 63 ... salt replenishment light emitting diode, 64 ... salt replenishment switch, 76 ... 7 segment light emitting diode 85, external ROM, 86, serial-parallel conversion circuit, 87, DA converter, 88, LPF, 89
…amplifier.

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Masao Watanabe 1-1-1, Higashitaga-cho, Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture Inside the Electrification Equipment Division of Hitachi, Ltd. (72) Inventor Kayo Hisamura 292 Yoshida-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan Hitachi, Ltd. Digital Media Development Division (72) Inventor Yasushi Shinko 1-1-1, Higashitaga-cho, Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture Hitachi, Ltd.Electrical Equipment Division (72) Inventor Atsushi Hosokawa, Higashitaga, Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture 1-1-1, Machi, Hitachi, Ltd.Electrical Equipment Division (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Koibuchi 1-1-1, Higashitagacho, Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture Hitachi, Ltd.Electrical Equipment Division (72) Inventor High Yuichiro Mune 1-1-1 Higashitaga-cho, Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture F-term (Electrical Equipment Division, Hitachi, Ltd.) F-term (reference) CA07 CA15 CA29

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A process control means comprising a microcomputer for controlling the operation of equipment, a plurality of switches A for instructing the process control means to perform a setting operation of each process, and a plurality of switches A for displaying the status of each process and setting. A home appliance provided with an operation panel having a display means, a notification means for notifying the status of each step and setting, and an operation acceptance of a switch by an electronic sound, and an operation panel having a power switch arranged therein. A ROM for storing data is provided, a program for decoding the coded voice data is stored in the microcomputer, and a vocal switch for instructing vocalization is provided on the operation panel, and only when the vocal switch is pressed. Read out the predetermined voice coded data from the ROM, decode the data by the program, and utter the voice by the notification means. And home appliances.