JP2002355493A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To electrically detect the inclination of the installation of a washing machine and the size of vibration. SOLUTION: For a level attached to the outer frame of the washing machine, for which an air bubble is enclosed and tightly sealed in liquid capable of transmitting infrared rays in a container provided with a bottom plate capable of transmitting the infrared rays, a reflection type photo interrupter is turned to an upper surface and attached at the almost center of the bottom surface.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more particularly, to a level that can electrically detect an installation inclination, which is a malfunction of the washing machine, and a vibration control using the level.
It relates to failure diagnosis.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, air bubbles are trapped in a transparent container filled with a liquid such as paraffin oil at an upper portion of an outer frame of a washing machine in order to confirm an installation inclination which is one of the problems in installation of the washing machine. A sealed level is attached. On the upper surface of the level, a circle which is slightly larger and a mark made of a cross which is a guide of the center are displayed, so that when the user or the sales clerk installs the washing machine, the air bubble is positioned in the mark. In addition, the height of rubber feet and the like under the outer frame (housing) of the washing machine is adjusted to correct the inclination (installation while maintaining the horizontal level).

Further, there is a horizontal position discriminating device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-96529. In this method, a sphere is movably supported on a tapered surface that rises in a radially outward direction from the center, and the tapered surface is backlit by a light source from below.
The sphere on the tapered surface rolls when the inclination exceeds a certain inclination, and the inclination can be known.

[0004]

In each of these conventional levels, a serviceman and a user visually adjust the inclination of the washing machine by adjusting the inclination. Therefore, if a user installs the unit without moving it by a service person due to moving, or if the installation position has shifted due to vibration or the like due to long-term use, leave it level from almost horizontal without checking the level. Many use a washing machine. If the washing tub is used while being tilted, the washing tub swings largely due to the cloth pieces approaching at the start of dehydration, so that the washing tub tends to collide with the outer frame, and the dehydration may be interrupted on the way. In addition, there is a problem that the vibration of the washing tub itself increases and the noise increases accordingly. In order to prevent such a situation from occurring, it is required not only to visually check the installation inclination but also to issue a warning or the like by electrical detection.

Further, apart from the inclination of the installation of the washing machine, vibration and noise of the washing tub due to the deviation of the cloth at the time of spin-drying become a problem, and it is required to detect the vibration of the washing tub at low cost. I have.

[0006] The present invention provides a level which can detect the inclination and vibration of the installation of the washing machine electrically at a low cost, and is easy to use by using this level.
An object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine with less noise due to vibration.

[0007]

Means for Solving the Problems To achieve the above object, at least a visible light is transmitted and a cover having a horizontal mark on a surface thereof and a bottom plate capable of transmitting infrared light are provided in a container. A liquid capable of transmitting infrared rays is sealed, and air bubbles are trapped and sealed in the liquid.
Then, a reflective photointerrupter composed of an infrared light emitting diode and an infrared phototransistor is attached to the upper surface (in the direction where bubbles are present) substantially at the back of the center of the bottom plate to form a level. The level is fixedly installed substantially horizontally on the top cover on the upper surface of the outer frame of the washing machine so that the user can see the display.

The infrared light output from the infrared light emitting diode passes through the bottom plate, liquid, and bubbles, is partially reflected by the cover, passes through the bubbles, liquid, and bottom plate and enters the infrared phototransistor. Then, a signal proportional to the amount of absorption of the infrared light in the reflection path is output to the output terminal of the infrared phototransistor.

When the washing machine is installed at an angle, the air bubbles are displaced from the above-mentioned reflection path and become a reflection path of the bottom plate, the liquid, and the bottom plate, and the amount of absorption in this path changes from that when the washing machine is installed horizontally. I do. From this change, the inclination can be electrically detected.

The inclination of the installed washing machine is detected by the infrared phototransistor output of the reflection type photo interrupter, and an error is displayed on the display of the operation panel of the washing machine when the washing machine is installed at a large inclination. Alternatively, an electronic sound is output by a buzzer or the like to notify the user.

When the washing tub vibrates, the outer tub, which is a water receiving tub containing the washing tub, also vibrates, and the outer frame suspending the same and the top cover on the outer frame also vibrate. Due to this vibration, the bubbles in the level vibrate (move) relatively to the liquid. Due to this vibration, the bubble path length in the reflection path changes. That is, the vibration amplitude of the washing tub can be detected from this change. Similarly, when the outer tank collides with the outer frame,
The bubble in the level vibrates (moves) relative to the liquid due to the impact of the collision, and the bubble path length in the reflection path changes. This change can detect a collision between the outer tank and the outer frame.

As described above, the magnitude of the vibration and the collision between the washing tub and the outer frame are detected based on the output of the infrared phototransistor of the reflection type photo interrupter, and the operation of the washing machine is controlled.

[0013] Further, information on the installation inclination, which is the output of the infrared phototransistor of the reflection type photointerrupter, is transmitted to a store or a manufacturer's service center or the like via a communication network such as the Internet, so that the user goes to each home. Failure diagnosis service can be performed without any trouble.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an external view of a fully automatic washing machine provided with a level for detecting the inclination and vibration of the installation of the washing machine according to the present invention. The exterior of the fully automatic washing machine includes an outer frame 1 made of a steel plate and a top cover 2 attached to an upper portion thereof.
The top cover 2 includes a lid 2a, a rear storage box 2b for storing mainly components related to water supply, a front operation box 2c for storing the operation panel 3 and electric components, and an inlet 2d. The level 4 of the present invention is similar to the level of the prior art.
Place it on the plastic part next to d.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a fully automatic washing machine having the level 4 of the present embodiment. The main components of the fully automatic washing machine are a top cover 2, an outer frame 1, an outer tub 12 which is a water receiving tank elastically supported from four corners of the outer frame 1 via hanging rods 16, and an inner tub 12. Stirring blade 1 arranged on the bottom
Washing and dewatering tub (hereinafter referred to as washing tub) 1 containing 3
4 and a DC brushless motor 15 (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as a motor) fixed to the outer tub 12 and rotating the stirring blade 13 or the washing tub 14.

The level 4 to which the reflection type photo-interrupter 9 of this embodiment is attached is attached to the top cover 2.

The motor 15 rotates the washing tub 14 in one direction at a high speed (for example, 900 rpm) during spin-drying. At the time of washing, the washing tub 14 is fixed, and the stirring blade 13 is rotated at a low speed (for example, 1
20 rpm).

FIG. 3 is a top view of the level 4 of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view. The level 4 is made of acrylic or the like, which is filled with a liquid 7 such as norman paraffin oil which can transmit infrared rays, leaving bubbles 6 in a transparent or translucent acrylic cover 5 which transmits visible light, that is, transparent. The bottom plate 10 is sealed. On the upper surface of the acrylic cover 5, a circle slightly larger than the bubble 6 and a mark 8 made of a cross serving as a guide of the center are drawn. When the level 4 is horizontal, the bubble 6 is positioned at the center of the mark 8. To come to. Further, a reflection type photo interrupter 9 is provided near the center of the bottom surface of the level 4. The reflection type photo interrupter 9 includes an infrared light emitting diode (hereinafter referred to as infrared LED) 9a and an infrared phototransistor 9b.

The infrared LED 9a emits infrared light toward the vicinity of the center of the upper surface of the level 4. The infrared phototransistor 9b receives the infrared light reflected on the upper surface of the level 4. As a result, a current corresponding to the amount of received infrared light flows through the infrared phototransistor 9b.

When the washing machine is substantially horizontal as shown in FIG. 4, the bubble 6 is located at the center of the acrylic cover 5, and the infrared light output from the infrared LED 9a passes through the bottom plate 10, the liquid 7, and the bubble 6. Part of the light is reflected by the cover 5, passes through the bubble 6, the liquid 7, and the bottom plate 10 and enters the infrared phototransistor 9b. In this case, most of the reflection paths are bubbles 6. However, when the washing machine is tilted as shown in FIG. 5, the level 4 also tilts, the bubble 6 moves to the tilted upper side, and the portion of the liquid 7 increases in the infrared reflection path. When the inclination is further increased, there are no bubbles in the reflection path, and the reflection path includes the bottom plate 10, the liquid 7, and the bottom plate 10.

The movement of the bubble 6 changes the amount of infrared absorption in the infrared reflection path, and changes the output current of the infrared phototransistor 9b, which is a light receiving unit.

FIG. 6 is a main electric block diagram of the washing process control section 20 mainly composed of the microcomputer 35. The output from the microcomputer 35 is connected to a drive circuit 36, supplies commercial power to the water supply valve 25, the drain valve 26, and the like, and controls the opening and closing of these. Power supply circuit 37
Produces a DC power supply necessary for the microcomputer 35 and other circuits by rectifying and smoothing a commercial power supply.

Voltage doubler rectifier 38 connected to commercial power supply
Double rectifies the commercial power, generates a DC voltage of about 280 V, and supplies the DC voltage to the PWM inverter circuit 39. The PWM inverter circuit 39 is provided for each UV of the DC brushless motor 15.
A three-phase alternating current is supplied to the W-phase field winding.

The DC brushless motor 15 incorporates three sets of Hall sensors 40 as rotor position detecting means.
Each Hall sensor 40 is arranged for every 120 electrical degrees.
The position of the rotor is detected by the Hall sensor 40 and transmitted to the microcomputer 35. From the information on the rotor position and rotation speed, the microcomputer calculates P
The WM signal is arithmetically processed and output to the PWM inverter circuit 39, and a PWM rectangular wave voltage is applied to the field winding 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. UVW
If the phase currents are in a 120 degree phase relationship in this order, DC
The brassless motor 15 rotates clockwise, and reverses counterclockwise, for example, in the above-described phase relationship that reverses the UV phase. The rotation speed of the DC brushless motor 15 is controlled by the duty of the PWM signal, that is, the duty ratio.

The infrared LED 9a is driven by a transistor 41 connected to a port of the microcomputer 35. The microcomputer 35 generates a rectangular wave signal having a duty of 50% and a frequency of about 40 kHz by a program and outputs the signal from a port to drive the transistor 41. As a result, the infrared LED 9a outputs an intermittent infrared light at 40 kHz. This intermittent operation at high frequency is because the average current of the infrared LED 9a is reduced to suppress heat generation, and the infrared phototransistor 9b is hardly affected by infrared rays (almost a direct current component) contained in sunlight. Of course, the infrared LED 9a may be lit by direct current.

The intermittent high-frequency infrared light is reflected by the cover 5 as described above, enters the infrared phototransistor 9b, and causes a photocurrent to flow. This current is converted into a voltage by a resistor 42 connected to the emitter and output. And resistance,
The aforementioned 40 kHz component is removed by the smoothing circuit 43 composed of a capacitor, and the signal is input to the AD converter input terminal of the microcomputer 35.

The microcomputer 35 has an operation button 60 and a 7-segment L as a user interface.
The ED display 61, the light emitting diode 62, the buzzer 63, and the like are connected, and perform an instruction operation input of a washing process, a state display, and a notification of an error or the like.

EE which is an electrically rewritable ROM
The PROM 45 mainly stores the operation state in the previously performed washing. The microcomputer 35 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. For example, the number of washings performed so far, the occurrence of defective electrical components, and the set values for washing performed by the user (washing course name, washing time,
Information such as the number of rinses, dehydration time, etc.
By storing the information in the ROM 45, the convenience in the next washing process can be improved. These settings are available on the operation panel 3.
It can be reflected in the initial display in. Further, an installation inclination angle of the washing machine described later is also stored.

The internal ROM of the microcomputer 35 stores a sequence program for controlling the washing process, a program for driving the brushless motor 9a, sequence data, and the like.

FIG. 7 shows an output voltage (smoothing circuit 4) based on the inclination angle of the level 4 and the output current of the infrared phototransistor 9b.
3 output voltage). Thus, the washing machine is provided with the level 4 to which the reflection type photointerrupter 9 of the present embodiment is attached, and the inclination of the washing machine is electrically detected by measuring the magnitude of the output current of the infrared phototransistor 9b. It is possible to do.

Next, the infrared phototransistor 9
detecting the inclination of the washing machine according to the magnitude of the output current of b,
Notify the user. As a condition of the announcement,
During the period from when the user turns on the power of the washing machine to when the washing is started, the reflection type photointerrupter 9 is energized, and a notification is made when the output current has exceeded a certain value for a certain period of time. As a notification method, an error code indicating that the washing machine is tilted is displayed on the display 61 on the operation panel 3 in FIG. Alternatively, the light emitting diode 62 is turned on or blinked. Or
The buzzer 63 sounds. Alternatively, an error message for notifying that the washing machine is tilted may be prepared in advance, and the notification may be made by voice output means or liquid crystal display means. By doing so, the user can easily recognize that the washing machine is tilted without being conscious of the position of the bubble 6 of the level 4, and dehydration is interrupted halfway. Can be reduced.

Next, a description will be given of a washing machine in which the magnitude of vibration of the washing machine is detected by the washing machine having the level 4 of this embodiment to reduce noise.

At the time of spin-drying, the washing tub 14 rotates at a high speed, and the centrifugal force of the biased laundry in the washing tub 14 causes the washing tub 14 to rotate.
In addition, the outer tub 12 vibrates. Further, the vibration of the outer tub 12 causes the outer frame 1 to vibrate via the hanging rod 16. The greater the deviation of the laundry in the washing tub 14, the greater the vibration of the outer tub 12 and the outer frame 1, and the greater the noise.

When the outer frame 1 vibrates greatly, the bubbles 6 of the level 4 also vibrate, and the output current of the reflective photointerrupter 9 attached to the level 4 also fluctuates greatly. Therefore, by detecting the fluctuating output current, the magnitude of the vibration of the washing machine can be grasped.

FIG. 8 shows the relationship between the vibration amplitude of the outer tub 4 and the spinning speed during spinning. (A) in the figure, when the cloth piece leaning is small,
(B) shows a big time. The system including the hanging rod 16, the outer tub 4, and the like has a washing tub rotation speed-vibration characteristic shown in FIG. At the start of dehydration, the primary resonance oscillates due to the translational motion at around 50 rpm, the secondary resonance swings due to the conical motion at around 150 rpm, and when the dehydration is steady (about 900 rpm).
pm). This vibration is transmitted to the outer frame 1 and the top cover 2 via the suspension rod 16, and the level 4 also vibrates.

FIG. 9 shows the amplitude of the vibration of the outer tub 12 and the output voltage of the level 4 fixed on the outer frame (current is converted to voltage by resistance) when the washing tub is subjected to spin-drying while adding an upper unbalance. Show the relationship. FIG. 9 shows the results of experiments at the time of steady dehydration (washing tub rotation speed 900 rpm). The upper unbalance amount is obtained by replacing the cloth leaning amount with an equivalent mass imbalance (gram) installed at the upper part of the washing tub. It is understood that the vibration amplitude and the output voltage are in a proportional relationship, and the vibration amplitude of the outer tank can be detected from the output voltage.

Next, an operation of detecting, using the level 4, that the outer tub 12 oscillates greatly due to the shift of the cloth at the start of dehydration and collides with the outer frame 1 will be described. If there is too much deviation of the laundry, the washing tub 12 may vibrate greatly with the passage of the resonance frequency at the start of spin-drying, and may collide with the outer frame 1. If dehydration is continued in such a state, it becomes extremely dangerous during high-speed dehydration. Therefore, dehydration is stopped.

Conventionally, a tank runout sensor comprising a microswitch and a long lever for pushing the switch has been used to detect an outer tank collision with the outer frame 1. The tank runout sensor is installed in the top cover 2 at a position such that the tip of the lever closes the upper outer periphery of the outer tank and closes the microswitch when the outer tank contacts the outer frame.

As shown in FIG. 8, it is at the time of the primary and secondary resonances that a large vibration amplitude is exhibited for several tens of seconds before the dehydration is started, that is, the steady state is reached.

The main purpose of the tank runout sensor is to detect a large vibration amplitude at the time of primary or secondary resonance or a collision with the outer frame. However, since the detection position is a position where the lever is located, it is not always possible to reliably detect the shake of the outer tub 12. There is no guarantee that the outer tub will push the lever when it collides with the outer frame except at the lever position. The level 4 directly detects the vibration amplitude as described above. The voltage value output from the infrared phototransistor 9b is proportional to the vibration amplitude value of the outer tub 12. That is, if the microcomputer 35 samples and monitors the output of the infrared phototransistor 9b,
The relationship between the vibration amplitude of the outer tub and the spinning speed shown in FIG. 8 can be obtained. The spinning speed can be read from the Hall sensor 40. Instead of the outer tank whirling detection by the above-described tank wobble sensor, an outer tank whirling detection operation by the level 4 will be described. FIG. 10 shows the schematic flow.

Simultaneously with the dehydration start (setting the number of rotations of the motor 15 and starting the power supply), the microcomputer 3
Numeral 5 monitors the output of the infrared phototransistor 9b of the level 4 within a predetermined time T at regular time intervals, for example, at every 500 ms. The predetermined time T is a time until the rotation speed passes through the primary and secondary resonance points, and the microcomputer 35 reads the washing tub rotation speed from the hall sensor 40,
This time T is determined by monitoring in the same manner. Then, when the dehydration elapsed time t is within the predetermined time T, the vibration amplitude of the outer tub 12 exceeds the detection threshold indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 8, and the output Vu of the infrared phototransistor 9b is proportional to the detection threshold. If the voltage exceeds the predetermined voltage V, the power supply to the DC brushless motor 15 is immediately stopped. Then, the alphanumeric character “C4” or the like is blinked and displayed on the 7-segment LED display 61 as an error code, and the user is warned with a short-time electronic sound of the buzzer 63 to suspend the dehydration. If it does not exceed the detection threshold, the power supply to the motor 15 is continued even if the predetermined time T is exceeded.

In this embodiment, since there is no blind spot unlike the detection by the tank runout sensor, it is possible to reliably detect the tank runout. Note that the detection threshold value indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 8 is set to a value immediately before the outer tank actually collides with the outer frame. This is to prevent generation of noise due to collision. That is, it is desirable to suppress noise without causing collision.

FIG. 11 shows the time variation of the vibration amplitude of the outer tank and the voltage output of the infrared phototransistor 9b when the outer tank 12 collides with the outer frame 1. When the vibration amplitude value of the outer tank is saturated due to collision, the infrared phototransistor 9
The voltage output of b jumps. This voltage output is input to the microcomputer 35 and compared with a predetermined collision threshold value (shown by a dashed line in FIG.
And the outer frame 1 can be detected.

Specifically, in the same flow as described above, the threshold value is changed to the value indicated by the dashed line in FIG.
In this embodiment, even if the outer tank 4 collides with the outer frame 1 at any position, the collision can be detected. That is, since there is no blind spot unlike the detection by the tank shake sensor, it is possible to reliably detect the collision. Further, since the large vibration of the outer frame 1 directly generated by the collision is detected, the output of the infrared phototransistor 9b is larger than the above-described vibration amplitude (control by the threshold value in FIG. 8), and the collision can be reliably detected. (In the above-described method, the output voltage of the infrared phototransistor 9b is small because the vibration of the outer tank detects indirect vibration transmitted to the outer frame via the suspension rod.) Further, the level 4 is shown in FIG. As described above, the vibration amplitude value during the steady state of dehydration can also be detected, and when this value is large, that is, when the cloth pieces are close to each other, the operation control can be performed such that the steady-state rotation speed is reduced to suppress noise. Hereinafter, a method of controlling the rotation of the washing tub 6 to suppress the noise level to a certain level or less during dehydration will be described.

FIG. 12 shows a washing machine with a rated capacity of 7 kg and a capacity of 5 k.
7 is an example of the relationship between the average value of the noise level and the output voltage of the vibration sensor circuit at the time of steady dehydration when the g JIS test cloth is washed many times. The cross-correlation coefficient between the noise level and the output voltage is as high as 0.91. FIG. 13 shows the washing tub 6.
Is an example of the relationship between the number of rotations and the noise level, in the case of a 5 kg JIS test cloth. The rotation speed of the washing tub 6 at the time of steady dehydration is 700 rpm or more, and in this rotation speed range,
Every time the speed is reduced by 100rpm, the noise level is about 3dB
descend. FIG. 14 shows an example of the relationship between the spin rate and the dehydration rate which is an index of the dehydration performance.

FIG. 12 shows that the output of the vibration sensor circuit 17 is approximately proportional to the noise level. FIG. 13 shows that the noise can be reduced by reducing the spinning speed. However, if the number of rotations for dehydration is reduced from FIG. 14, the dehydration performance is reduced. Therefore, when the cloth pieces are close to each other and the noise is loud due to this vibration, the dehydration performance can be maintained and the noise can be reduced by lowering the spinning speed and extending the spinning time.

The relationship between the noise level and the output voltage (see FIG. 1)
2) is approximated by an approximate straight line, and the slope, intercept, and the like of the straight line are stored in the microprocessor 35. Also, a value at which the noise level at the time of dehydration is desired to be suppressed below this is set as the upper limit threshold value of the noise level. For example, the threshold value L1 is set to 47 dB. Then, output voltages corresponding to L1 are obtained on the approximate straight line, and these are set as threshold values V1 of the output voltage.

Next, a method for controlling the rotation of the washing tub 14 during dehydration will be specifically described. FIG. 15 shows a schematic flow. The microprocessor 35 has a dehydration duration T
1, upper limit rotational speed r1 = maximum rotational speed rmax (for example, 100
The power supply to the DC brushless motor 15 is started by controlling the PWM inverter circuit 39 so that the washing tub rotates at 0 rpm. Then, the output voltage Vu of the infrared phototransistor is acquired, for example, every 500 ms, and the threshold voltage V1 is obtained.
Compare with The upper limit rotation speed r1 of the washing tub 14 is reset based on the result. However, at the time of low-speed rotation immediately after the start of dehydration, Vu takes a large value because the outer tub 12 touches a large amplitude due to the resonance phenomenon as described with reference to FIG. Therefore, after the rotation speed of the washing tub 14 exceeds a certain value, the microprocessor 35 performs the above-described comparison. This is the same as the method described in the collision detection described above, after a predetermined time T exceeding the rotational speed of the primary and secondary resonances, that is, after a time when the vibration amplitude is substantially constant in FIG. After this time, the microcomputer 3
5 compares Vu with V1, and if Vu> V1, ΔVu = Vu−
R1 is set according to V1. If Vu ≦ V1, r1 = maximum rotational speed rmax (for example, 1000 rpm). That is, driving is continued as it is. And finally the maximum number of revolutions r
The dehydration step is performed for a predetermined dehydration duration T1 at max. Vu> V
If 1, r1 is reduced according to ΔVu = Vu−V1.
The upper limit rotational speed r1 and ΔVu are linearly related, and r1 = rmax
−c1 ・ ΔVu. The coefficient c1 is an approximate expression of the relation between the noise level and the output voltage of the infrared phototransistor (FIG. 1).
2) and the relational expression between the noise level and the rotation speed (FIG. 13). After determining r1, the microcomputer 35
Controls the PWM inverter circuit 39 to re-control the DC brushless motor 15 to rotate at r1. As a result, it is controlled to rotate at r1 (for example, 800 rpm). In this case, the dehydration time is extended beyond the T1 time. The extension time is obtained by storing the relationship between the dehydration rate and time shown in FIG. 14 in advance as table data using the dehydration rotation speed as a parameter.

As described above, by sensing the output current of the reflective photointerrupter 9 in the dehydrating step and controlling the number of revolutions of the motor 15, noise can be reduced, and a dehydration start error can be detected. Becomes
The tank touch sensor that has detected the conventional dewatering start error can be eliminated, and the cost can be reduced.

FIG. 16 shows another embodiment in which the level 4 of this embodiment is used as a vibration detecting device. In the embodiment shown in FIG.
Is fixed to the outer frame, but in this embodiment, the level 4 is directly mounted on the upper portion of the outer tank 12.

As described above, the outer tub 14 in which the washing tub 12 is mounted also vibrates in accordance with the vibration of the washing tub 12, and the air bubbles in the level 4 directly fixed to the outer tub 14 also vibrate. The amount of infrared absorption changes, and the output current changes.
If the washing tub 12 vibrates greatly, bubbles also vibrate greatly,
The amplitude of the output current increases. By detecting the output current, the magnitude of the vibration of the washing tub 12 can be grasped. For this reason, the motor 15 is similar to that of the previous embodiment.
By controlling the number of rotations, noise can be reduced, and a dewatering start error can also be detected, and the tank touch sensor that detected a conventional start error can be removed, reducing costs. can do.

In this embodiment, the vibration of the outer tank is directly
Is vibrated, the vibration detection sensitivity can be increased as compared with the previous embodiment (FIG. 2).

17 and 18 show another embodiment of the level according to the present invention. 3 and 4 indicate the same components. At the center of the cover 5, an infrared reflection film 11 for reflecting infrared light is added. For this reason, the infrared rays from the infrared LED 9a are almost reflected here and enter the infrared phototransistor 9b. Therefore, compared with the previous embodiment, the output voltage of the infrared phototransistor 9b can be increased, and the influence of sunlight or the like can be further reduced.
The other operations are the same as those in the previous embodiment, and the description is omitted.

Although the above description has been made in the dehydration step, the outer tub 12 also vibrates in the washing step. However, the rotation speed of the rotary wing 13 is smaller than the rotation speed of the washing tub at the time of spin-drying, which is about 1/10, and vibration is unlikely to occur due to a large amount of water (about 60 L). But not nothing. In particular, as shown in FIG. 8, the inversion repetition cycle around the primary resonance frequency, for example, a normal rotation at 0.2 seconds 150 rpm, a rotation stop at 0.2 seconds, a reverse rotation at 0.2 seconds 150 rpm, a rotation stop at 0.2 seconds When the washing operation is performed and the laundry is entangled in a dumpling shape, the excitation force is increased, and the periodic operation near the primary resonance frequency is performed, the outer tub may collide with the outer frame. Operation control for preventing this will be described.

In the washing step, the vibration of the outer tub 12 is detected by the output voltage of the infrared
3 is controlled. The microcomputer 35 detects the vibration of the outer tub 12 based on the output voltage of the infrared phototransistor 9b, and when it exceeds a predetermined threshold value, shifts the primary resonance frequency of the system from the excitation source frequency. While monitoring the vibration with the output voltage of the transistor 9b, the water supply valve 25 is controlled to supply water, or the drain valve 26 is controlled to drain water to adjust the amount (mass) of water in the outer tank. Alternatively, while monitoring the vibration with the output voltage of the infrared phototransistor 9b, the rotation speed or the rotation reversal period of the rotor 13 is changed in order to shift the excitation source frequency from the primary resonance frequency of the system.

Next, a failure diagnosis using the washing machine provided with the level 4 of this embodiment and a portable telephone or a personal computer will be described. There are many complaints from users about the washing machine that "dehydration does not start", and most of the causes are due to the inclined installation of the washing machine. Therefore, the flow of the failure diagnosis system for such a complaint will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 19 is an electric block diagram of the washing control unit of the present embodiment, and FIG.
0 is a diagram showing a failure diagnosis system.

In FIG. 19, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 6 denote the same parts. As shown in FIG. 19, the washing machine of the present embodiment has a level 4 and a wireless transmission / reception circuit 5 that conforms to standards such as Bluetooth in order to wirelessly exchange information with the outside of the washing machine.
EEPROM4 for recording information of 0 and various sensors
5 is provided.

The microcomputer 35 reads the output voltage of the infrared phototransistor 9b of the level 4 when the user turns on the power switch and starts washing.
This is converted into an inclination angle and written into the EEPROM 45.
This writing is performed in a certain area, for example, 30
This is done by securing a storage area for the day and overwriting new tilt angle data on the oldest data for each wash. As a result, the inclination angle data for the past 30 times is always accumulated. Naturally, information of various other sensors used before is also recorded as a history.

If the user feels a problem with the activation of dehydration while using the washing machine, the user performs a predetermined key operation on the washing machine to transmit it to the service center 54 so as to inform the user of the failure state. . At this time, the microcomputer 35 of the washing machine uses the wireless transmission / reception circuit 50 for transmitting / receiving data written in the EEPROM 45 according to a standard such as Bluetooth, and uses the mobile phone 51 or the personal computer 52 having the transmission / reception circuit of the same standard.
Etc. to send. Internet 5 by those devices
3, the received data is transmitted to the server of the service center 54.

The service center 54 performs arithmetic processing based on the received data to search for the cause of the failure. If it is found that the installation of the washing machine is at an inclination, the user is instructed to re-install by telephone or e-mail. A failure diagnosis service can be provided without going to each home based on the information sent by this system.

As described above, with the washing machine provided with the level 4 to which the reflection type photo interrupter is attached, the inclination / vibration detection of the installation of the washing machine and the failure diagnosis can be performed.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to a so-called vertical type fully automatic washing machine in which the rotation axis of a normal washing and dewatering tub is vertical, the present invention is not limited to this. It is apparent that the present invention can be applied to a so-called drum type washing machine in which the rotation axis of the washing and dewatering tub is horizontal.

[0064]

According to the present invention, it is possible to electrically detect the inclination of the installed washing machine, and automatically alert the user when the installed washing machine is installed at a large inclination. Then, the user can easily recognize that the washing machine is tilted and can re-install the washing machine, and it is possible to reduce the possibility that the dehydration is interrupted in the middle.

Further, a low-noise washing machine can be provided by controlling the operation of the washing machine by detecting the magnitude of the vibration and the collision between the washing tub and the outer frame.

Also, the installation inclination from the level is stored as one piece of history information of the use state of the washing machine for each washing, and this is transmitted to the service center through the Internet or the like as necessary, so that each home can be used. It is possible to perform the failure diagnosis without going to.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

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

FIG. 3 is a top view of a level according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a level according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view when a level according to an embodiment of the present invention is tilted.

FIG. 6 is a main electric block diagram of a washing process control unit.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a relationship between an inclination angle of a level and an output voltage of a reflective photointerrupter.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the relationship between the vibration amplitude of the outer tub and the spinning speed.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the relationship between the vibration amplitude of the outer tank and the output voltage of the reflection type photo interrupter.

FIG. 10 is a motor control flowchart during a dehydration operation.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a time change of the voltage output of the reflective photointerrupter when the outer tank collides with the outer frame.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between an average value of a noise level and an output voltage of a vibration sensor circuit.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the relationship between the number of revolutions of the washing tub and the noise level.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a relationship between a spinning speed and a spinning rate which is an index of spinning performance.

FIG. 15 is a motor control flowchart during a spin-drying operation.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a washing machine according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a top view of a level according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a level according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is an electric block diagram of a washing control unit when performing a failure diagnosis using the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a failure diagnosis system using an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Outer frame, 2 ... Top cover, 3 ... Operation panel, 4 ... Level, 5 ... Acrylic cover, 6 ... Bubbles, 7 ... Liquid, 8 ...
Mark, 9: reflective photointerrupter, 10: bottom plate.

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Toshifumi Koike 502 Kandachicho, Tsuchiura-shi, Ibaraki Pref. Machinery Research Laboratory, Hitachi, Ltd. No. Hitachi Taga Electronics Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shiro Obayashi 502, Kandachi-cho, Tsuchiura-shi, Ibaraki F-term (reference) in Machine Research Laboratory, Hitachi, Ltd. 3B155 AA06 BA03 BA04 BA16 BB02 CB06 CB32 CB36 DA01 JB06 KA35 KA36 KA40 KB14 LC48 MA02 MA05 MA06 MA08

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A container comprising a cover having a mark indicating horizontal on the surface through which visible light is transmitted and a bottom plate which transmits infrared light,
Enclose a liquid and air bubbles capable of transmitting infrared light, and apply a reflective photointerrupter composed of an infrared light emitting diode and an infrared phototransistor to the outside center of the bottom plate. A washing machine characterized in that a level set so as to be incident is attached to an outer frame of the washing machine. 2. The washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising: a notifying means, wherein an output of said infrared phototransistor is provided.
A washing machine characterized by detecting the inclination of the installed washing machine and notifying the user when the washing machine is installed at a large inclination. 3. The washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising: a driving means for rotating a washing and dewatering tub included in an outer tub which is a water receiving tub; and a washing process control means for controlling the rotation.
The washing machine detects the magnitude of vibration of the outer tub and the collision between the outer tub and the outer frame based on the output of the infrared phototransistor and controls the driving means. 4. The washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising: electrically rewritable storage means; and transmission means for transmitting data stored in the storage means to outside of the washing machine. A washing machine characterized in that an inclination angle, which is an output, is stored in the storage means, and this is output to the outside by the transmission means. 5. The washing machine according to claim 4, wherein a failure diagnosis of the washing machine is performed based on the inclination angle stored in said storage means. 6. The washing machine according to claim 5, wherein the tilt angle stored in said storage means is transmitted to a service center through the Internet or the like as one of information of each washing machine, and said tilt angle is transmitted to said service center. A failure diagnosis service that performs failure diagnosis based on data. 7. A container comprising a cover which is horizontal and has a mark for reflecting infrared rays, and a bottom plate which transmits infrared rays, is filled with a liquid and air bubbles which can transmit infrared rays, and has a substantially center outside the bottom plate. And a reflective type photo interrupter comprising an infrared light emitting diode and an infrared phototransistor is mounted on an outer frame of the washing machine in such a manner that the infrared light is reflected by the mark on the cover and is incident on the infrared phototransistor. A washing machine characterized by the following. 8. A container comprising a cover having a mark indicating horizontal on the surface through which visible light is transmitted and a bottom plate transmitting infrared light,
Enclose a liquid and air bubbles that can transmit infrared light, and apply a reflection type photo interrupter composed of an infrared light emitting diode and an infrared phototransistor to the outside center of the bottom plate. A washing machine characterized in that a level set so as to be incident is attached to an outer tub which is a water receiving tub of the washing machine.