JP2004350710A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To inhibit wash operation, etc. from stopping in a halfway condition when a lid cannot be unlocked in the middle of the operation in a washing machine in which the lid is locked in order to prevent the top lid from being opened when the drum is rotated and the lid is automatically unlocked when the rotation of the drum is stopped. <P>SOLUTION: When the lid is not unlocked although a lid unlocking operation is automatically executed in the middle of the operation, a flag F1 is set to continue the operation (S32-S34). In subsequent operation, the lid unlocking operation is not performed when the flag F1 is set (YES in S31), when the operation is finished or a user presses a lid opening key, the lid unlocking operation is again tried, an error alarm is given when the lid cannot be unlocked (S37-S39), and operation is finished. On the other hand, when a lid locking operation cannot be performed under operation, safety is taken into consideration and the operation is stopped to give an error alarm (S24-S26). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more particularly, to a washing machine having a lid lock mechanism for preventing a lid provided at a laundry inlet from being opened.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In the washing machine, during the spin-drying operation, the spin-drying tub (drum in the case of a drum-type washing machine) is rotating at a high speed, so if the user accidentally opens the lid and puts his hand in the spin-drying tub, it is caught. Accidents may occur. For this reason, for example, a washing machine is known which stops the rotation of the washing / dewatering tub as soon as the lid is opened during such operation. However, when it is difficult to stop the rotation of the washing / dehydrating tub quickly or when it is desired to ensure higher safety, the lid is kept in a closed state so that the lid is not easily opened during operation. 2. Description of the Related Art A washing machine provided with a lid lock mechanism that operates is known (for example, see Patent Documents 1 and 2).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
Utility Model 25551021
[Patent Document 2]
JP 2001-162888 A
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Generally, the above-mentioned lid lock mechanism uses a drive device such as a solenoid, but it cannot be unlocked in a locked state due to a cause such as a temporary heating as well as a root cause such as a failure. Or, conversely, the lock operation may not be performed in the unlocked state. In the washing machine described in Patent Document 1, if the lock is not released during the operation, for example, when the operation is temporarily stopped and the lid is unlocked, the operation cannot be resumed and the operation is interrupted on the way. In that case, the laundry being washed is left in the washing / dehydrating tub. Therefore, even if the malfunction of the lock mechanism is temporary and returns to the unlockable state after a short period of time, the washing must be restarted from the middle or from the beginning.
[0005]
Further, in the washing machine described in Patent Document 2, a lid opening key for instructing opening of the lid is provided as an operation key, and when the lid opening key is pressed during the spin-drying operation, the rotation of the washing dehydration tub is first stopped. After that, the lid lock is released so that the user can open the lid. When releasing the lid lock in response to the operation of the lid opening key, a buzzer is sounded to draw the user's attention.
[0006]
Unless the user operates the lid opening key, for example, when the rotation of the washing / dehydrating tub is stopped and there is no problem with opening the lid, the lid is unlocked and used. If the user can open the lid, it is convenient for adding or removing laundry. However, if the buzzer sounds every time the lid lock is released, it is very troublesome for the user.
[0007]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and a first object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine having a lid lock mechanism for preventing the lid from being opened. It is to improve the usability in the case where a problem occurs.
[0008]
A second object of the present invention is to reduce the generation of unnecessary buzzer sounds for a user in a washing machine provided with a lid lock mechanism for preventing the lid from being opened.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems and Effects]
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lid for closing a laundry slot, and locking means for preventing a user from opening the lid. Washing machine
a) lock control means for releasing the lock during a period during which the operation is being performed and the user can allow the lid to be opened, and controlling the lock means to perform the lock again when the period ends;
b) determining means for determining whether or not the lock has been released during the unlocking operation by the locking means;
c) When the determination means determines that the lock cannot be released, the operation for controlling the lock means to release the lock after the operation is continued until the final operation end point of the predetermined driving course. Control means;
It is characterized by having.
[0010]
In the washing machine according to the first aspect of the invention, the operation control unit is configured to perform the predetermined operation without stopping the operation even when the lock (lid lock) cannot be unlocked by the locking unit when the lock cannot be unlocked. Continue until the end of the course. Here, the `` final operation end point of the predetermined operation course '' is, for example, the end point of the dehydration process if the operation course only performing washing, rinsing, and dehydration washing is initially set, In addition, an operation course in which a washing machine having a drying function and drying is performed after washing is set at the beginning, and if a soft finishing step or the like is not set after the drying step, it is the end point of the drying step. If a soft finishing process is set after the process, this is the end of the soft finishing process.
[0011]
In this case, there is a possibility that the locking means has some problem, but if the locking cannot be released, there is no possibility that the user will open the lid during rotation of the washing and dewatering tub, and safety is secured. it can. Then, after the operation is completed, the locking means is controlled again to release the locking. If the malfunction of the locking means is temporary, it may be possible to release the lock when trying to release the lock after the operation is completed. In such a case, the operation has been completed to the end, so that, for example, washed or dried laundry can be taken out in the same manner as when no trouble has occurred.
[0012]
As described above, according to the washing machine according to the first aspect of the present invention, even when a failure in unlocking the lid occurs during the operation, the operation is completed to the end. If so, the operation can be ended normally. Further, even if the failure to release the lid lock has not been resolved at the end of the operation, it is possible to prevent the laundry from remaining in the washing / dewatering tub in an incomplete state. Thereby, for example, in a washing machine that performs drying, it is possible to prevent the laundry from being left in the laundry dehydration tub in a wet state, and to prevent or reduce damage to the cloth of the laundry and generation of mold.
[0013]
Further, the washing machine according to the first aspect of the present invention may further include a notifying unit for notifying an error when the unlocking is not determined by the determining unit when the unlocking is performed after the operation is completed. Is preferred.
[0014]
According to this configuration, if the lid lock cannot be released after the operation is completed, an error is notified, so that the user can recognize the problem of the unlocking and promptly take measures such as requesting repair.
[0015]
When the locking means has a drive mechanism using a solenoid or the like, frequent repetition of locking and unlocking may cause an operation failure due to heating. In such a case, if left unpowered, there is a high possibility that the temperature will drop and the malfunction will be eliminated.
[0016]
For this reason, in the washing machine according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the determination unit determines that the lock cannot be released in response to the lock release operation performed during the operation, the operation control unit determines It is preferable that the control of the lock control means is prohibited so as not to attempt to release the lock even if there is a period in which the opening of the lid can be permitted until the final operation end point of the given operation course.
[0017]
According to this configuration, once a lock release failure occurs, the lock release operation is not performed until the operation is completed (that is, the drive mechanism such as the solenoid is not energized), so that a temporary failure of the lock means due to heating or the like occurs. , The possibility of returning to the normal state at the end of the operation increases. In addition, since the lock means is not wastefully energized during operation, power is saved.
[0018]
Further, as one aspect of the washing machine according to the first invention, the washing machine further includes an operation unit operated by a user to release the lock by the locking unit, and the lock control unit is configured to operate when the operation unit is operated. The locking means may be controlled so as to release the lock unconditionally, and when the lock cannot be released in response to the unlocking operation, the notifying means may perform error notification.
[0019]
In this configuration, when the user wants to open the lid, the operating means is operated. Even if the lock release is prohibited as described above, the lock control unit attempts to release the lock in response to the operation of the operation unit. If the lock cannot be released, an error is notified to the user.
[0020]
As described above, if the lock cannot be released even if the locking means is defective, there is no possibility that the lid is easily opened by the user. There is no. However, in the case where the lock cannot be locked, the lid may be easily opened by the user, so that it is not preferable in terms of safety to continue driving.
[0021]
Therefore, in the washing machine according to the first aspect of the present invention, the determining means also determines whether or not the locking was performed during the locking operation by the locking means, and the operation control means determined that the locking was not possible by the determining means. In such a case, the operation may be stopped, and an error may be notified by the notification unit.
[0022]
According to this configuration, even if the same locking means is defective, if there is a problem in terms of safety as described above, the operation is immediately stopped, so that high safety can be ensured. In addition, since an error is notified when the operation is stopped, the user can recognize the malfunction of the locking operation and promptly take measures such as requesting repair.
[0023]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lid for closing a laundry slot, a locking means for preventing a user from opening the lid, and a locking device. Operating means operated by a user to unlock the lock by the means,
a) controlling the locking means so as to release the locking during a period in which the operation is being performed and the user is allowed to open the lid, and the locking is also performed when the operating means is operated. Locking control means for controlling the locking means to release,
b) sound generating means for outputting a notification sound to the user when unlocking is performed in response to the operation of the operation means, and stopping output of the notification sound for other unlocking states;
It is characterized by having.
[0024]
In the washing machine according to the second aspect of the present invention, when the user operates the operation means to release the lock by his / her own will, the lock means releases the lock and the lid is closed under the control of the lock control means. In addition to being openable, the sound generating means outputs a notification sound to the user. Therefore, it is possible to notify a user who is in the vicinity of the washing machine by sound that unlocking has been executed and the lid can be opened.
[0025]
On the other hand, irrespective of the intention of the user, even during a period in which the lid can be opened by the user, the locking means can unlock and open the lid under the control of the locking control means. State. However, even in the same unlocked state, the sound generating means does not output the notification sound in this case. Therefore, unnecessary or insignificant calls are not made to the user who is unlikely to be in the vicinity of the washing machine.
[0026]
As described above, according to the washing machine of the second aspect of the present invention, the generation of the notification sound at the time of executing the unlocking is limited to a particularly important case. ) Can be prevented. Further, it is possible to eliminate annoyance caused by frequent notification sounds and to ensure quietness.
[0027]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a drum-type washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0028]
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a drum type washing machine of the present embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a side view showing an upper lid opening / closing structure of an upper part of an outer box of the drum type washing machine.
[0029]
In this drum type washing machine, the outer box 1 is formed on an inclined portion having a slightly rounded corner between the upper surface and the front surface and a downward slope, and a large laundry inlet from the inclined portion to the rear. 3 are formed. The laundry inlet 3 is supported by two horizontal shafts 2a and 2b, and can be opened and closed by an upper lid 2 that can stand up in a folded state as shown in FIG. At the front of the outer box 1, a lid lock mechanism 23 for preventing the upper lid 2 from being opened in a closed state is provided. A detergent container 4 which can be pulled out forward is provided on the left side of the upper lid 2, and an operation panel 5 is provided on the right side extending in the front-rear direction. The operation panel 5 has various operation keys for setting a driving course, a reservation time, and the like, and lights up according to these settings, notifies the progress of the washing process, or reserves the remaining time for the reservation or operation. Various indicators for displaying such information are distributed and arranged as appropriate.
[0030]
2 and 3, the internal configuration of the drum type washing machine of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a front vertical cross-sectional view of an internal main part, and FIG. 3 is a left side view of the internal main part. In FIGS. 2 and 3, the outer box 1 forming the outer shape is omitted.
[0031]
On the pedestal portion 6, an outer tub 10 whose peripheral surface is substantially cylindrical and whose both end surfaces are substantially closed is suspended and supported from above the left and right sides with the end surfaces facing the left and right side surfaces of the outer box 1, respectively. The two springs 11 and a damper 12 that supports the lower part of the outer tub 10 in the front-rear direction are held so as to be able to swing appropriately. Inside the outer tub 10, a horizontal drum 13 in which a large number of water holes are bored, and whose both end surfaces are substantially closed at a substantially cylindrical peripheral surface, rotates about a horizontal axis C extending in the left-right direction. It is provided freely.
[0032]
The main shaft 14 fixed to the center of the left end surface of the drum 13 is supported by a bearing 17 held by a first bearing case 16 made of aluminum die casting and fixed to the left end surface of the outer tub 10. On the other hand, the auxiliary shaft 15 fixed to the center of the right end face of the drum 13 is supported by a bearing 19 held in a second bearing case 18 fixed to the right end face of the outer tub 10. The main shaft 14 and the auxiliary shaft 15 form a horizontal axis C.
[0033]
A rotor 202 of a drum motor 20, which is a DC motor of an outer rotor type, is fixed to a tip of a main shaft 14 protruding laterally from a left end surface of the outer tub 10. On the other hand, a first bearing case 16 also serving as a motor base is fixed to a first bearing case 16. The stator 201 of the drum motor 20 is fixed. When a drive current is supplied from the control unit to the stator 201, the rotor 202 rotates in accordance with the drive current, and the drum 13 is driven to rotate via the main shaft 14 at the same rotation speed as the rotor 202.
[0034]
An outer tub opening 101 for taking in and out the laundry is provided at a position coinciding with the laundry input opening of the outer box from an upper part of the outer peripheral surface of the outer tub 10 obliquely forward, and the outer tub opening 101 is an outer tub door 102. Can be opened and closed freely. A drum opening 131 for taking in and out the laundry is also provided on the peripheral surface of the drum 13, and the drum opening 131 can be opened and closed by a drum door 132 composed of two doors having a double door structure in front and back. Since the drum 13 is rotatable, a drum lock mechanism 21 is provided below the stator 201 so that the drum 13 holds the stopped state at a position where the drum opening 131 radially coincides with the outer tank opening 101. The engagement pin protruding from the drum lock mechanism 21 is fitted into an engagement groove 22 formed on the outer edge of the rotor 202, so that the drum 13 is fixed at a predetermined position.
[0035]
Although not shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a heating / blowing device including a fan motor and a drying heater is provided outside the right side surface of the drum 13 to send the drying air into the drum 13. ing.
[0036]
FIG. 5 is an electrical configuration diagram of a main part of the drum type washing machine of the present embodiment. The control unit 30 is mainly configured by a microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a timer, and the like. Based on a control program stored in the ROM, each process of washing, rinsing, dehydrating, and drying as described below is performed. Various controls for performing the driving operation of are performed.
[0037]
The control unit 30 is provided with a key input signal from an operation unit 5a provided on the operation panel 5 for the user to give various settings and instructions, and detects the level of water stored in the outer tub 10. A water level sensor 32, a temperature sensor 33 for detecting the temperature of the water stored in the outer tub 10 and for detecting the temperature of the drying air at the time of the drying operation, and a drum lock state built in the drum lock mechanism 21; Detection signals are input from a drum lock detector 21b for detecting whether the lid is locked or unlocked, and from a lid lock detector 23b for detecting whether the lid is locked or released. You. The operation section 5a is provided with a lid opening key 5b operated to open the upper lid 2 in the closed state.
[0038]
Further, a load drive unit 31 is connected to the control unit 30, and the drum motor 20, the fan motor 35 and the drying heater 37 included in the heating / blowing device, Water heater 36 for heating the water stored in the tank, a water supply valve 38 for controlling the supply of water into the outer tub 10, a drain valve 39 for controlling the drainage from the outer tub 10, and built in the drum lock mechanism 21 The operation of a torque motor 21a, which is a drive source for locking and releasing the drum, and a solenoid 23a, which is built in the lid lock mechanism 23 and is a drive source for locking and releasing the lid, are controlled. Further, the control unit 30 sends a display signal to the display unit 5c to perform a display according to the operation of the operation unit 5a or a display for notifying the driving progress status, and sounds the buzzer 5d to give some notification to the user. Let it.
[0039]
Next, an outline of the washing / drying operation in the drum type washing machine will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a standard process flow of the drum type washing machine.
[0040]
When the user stores the laundry in the drum 13 and performs the operation of starting operation with the operation unit 5a, the control unit 30 opens the water supply valve 38 to store a predetermined amount of detergent water in the outer tub 10, By driving the drum motor 20 to rotate the drum 13 at a predetermined rotation speed, a washing process using detergent water is executed (step S1). Thereafter, the water in the outer tub 10 is drained by the drain valve 39, and the drum 13 is rotated at a high speed to execute the intermediate dehydration step (Step S2).
[0041]
Next, two rinsing steps are performed with the intermediate dehydrating step in between (steps S3 to S5), and after the second rinsing step, a dehydrating step is performed to squeeze out water contained in the laundry (step S6). Thereafter, the drying heater 37 is energized and the fan motor 35 is driven to rotate the drum 13 at a predetermined rotation speed while supplying heated air into the outer tub 10 to stir the laundry, thereby completing the drying process. Execute (step S7).
[0042]
When the predetermined drying operation time ends, the basic stroke ends. However, if the laundry is left in the drum 13 as it is after the drying process, it causes wrinkles and the laundry is stiff. Therefore, in order to prevent wrinkles and to finish the laundry with good touch, a soft finishing process is performed by alternately rotating and stopping the drum 13 until the laundry is taken out by the user ( Step S8). However, if the soft finishing process continues for an excessively long time, waste of electric power becomes large. Therefore, even if the laundry is not taken out of the drum 13, when the predetermined soft finishing operation time (in this case, 120 minutes) ends, all the operations are completed. Completely shut off the power.
[0043]
Next, a method of controlling the drum motor 20 during the soft finishing process in the present drum type washing machine will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a timing waveform diagram showing a sequence of one cycle of the drum stationary / rotating during the soft finishing process, and FIG. 8 is a diagram showing control parameters at this time.
[0044]
As shown in FIG. 7, during a period in which the drum 13 is kept stationary for the stationary time ta, the lid lock is released so that the upper lid 2 can be opened (that is, the lid lock detection signal is in the off state). . At this time, the drum 13 is locked so that the drum 13 does not rotate (that is, the drum lock detection signal is on). When the predetermined rest time ta ends, the control unit 30 energizes the lid locking solenoid 23a via the load driving unit 31, and locks the lid to prevent the upper lid 2 from being opened. As a result, the lid lock detection signal changes from off to on. After the lid is locked, the torque motor 21a is driven to release the drum lock. When the drum lock is released by the operation, the drum lock detection signal changes from on to off.
[0045]
Thereafter, the control unit 30 drives the drum motor 20 via the load driving unit 31 to control the drum 13 to rotate at a rotation speed of about 50 rpm for a predetermined rotation time tb. When the rotation time tb ends, the position of the drum 13 (strictly, the position of the rotor 202) is adjusted by driving the drum motor 20 in order to lock the drum, and when the drum 13 reaches a predetermined lock position, the torque is reduced. Drum lock is performed by driving the motor 21a. As a result, the drum lock detection signal changes from off to on. Then, by energizing the lid locking solenoid 23a again, the lid lock is released and the upper lid 2 can be opened.
[0046]
During the soft finishing process, the above sequence is repeated until the lid opening key 5b is turned on. As shown in FIG. 8, the rotation time tb (10 seconds) in the sequence and the drum 13 at this time are used. Although the rotation speed (50 rpm) does not change, the stationary time ta is set so as to be gradually increased in accordance with the elapsed time t from the end of the drying process (that is, the start of the soft finishing process).
[0047]
During the rotation time tb of the drum 13, the laundry is agitated, the folds are extended, and air is contained between the laundry and the cloth. Thereby, wrinkling can be prevented and the feeling of stiffness of the laundry can be eliminated. The degree of wrinkling of the laundry when the laundry after drying is left in the drum 13 becomes more severe as the temperature becomes higher, but the temperature in the drum 13 decreases as the elapsed time t becomes longer (normal temperature). ), And the effect of preventing the laundry from wrinkling is not impaired even if the stationary time ta is gradually increased as described above.
[0048]
On the other hand, the ratio of the rotation time tb to the stationary time ta gradually decreases as the stationary time ta increases stepwise with the elapsed time t. Therefore, power consumption is reduced, which is effective for power saving. Further, as described above, the solenoid 23a and the torque motor 21a are driven before and after the stationary time ta, respectively. However, the stationary time ta gradually increases with the elapsed time t, so that the solenoid 23a and the torque The number of times the motor 21a is driven per unit time (driving time) also decreases stepwise. Generally, the life of such mechanical components is often defined by the number of operations. Therefore, if the operation frequency is high, a failure easily occurs quickly. However, in the drum type washing machine of this embodiment, the solenoid 23a and the torque during the soft finishing stroke are used. By reducing the number of times of driving (driving time) of the motor 21a, it is effective to extend the life.
[0049]
In the above description, the stationary time ta is extended according to the elapsed time from the end of the drying process. However, in order to achieve the same purpose, for example, a temperature change in the drum 13 is monitored by the temperature sensor 33. Alternatively, the rest time ta may be gradually or gradually increased as the temperature decreases. Further, the same effect can be obtained even if the rest time ta is gradually or gradually increased according to the number of repetitions of the above-described drum rest / rotation sequence, not the elapsed time from the end of the drying process. Is obvious.
[0050]
One of the features of the present drum-type washing machine is a control operation when an operation failure of the lid lock mechanism 23 occurs during the washing / drying operation as described above. This point will be described by taking the control during the soft finishing process as an example. 9 is a flowchart of a main routine of the upper lid lock control operation repeatedly executed during the soft finishing process, FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of lid open key detection processing in FIG. 9, and FIG. 10 is a motor operation instruction in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of a process.
[0051]
First, the lid opening key detection processing will be described with reference to FIG. In the cover opening key detection process, the control unit 30 determines whether or not the cover opening key 5b is pressed and turned on in the operation unit 5a (step S60). When the lid opening key 5b is turned on, the soft finishing end instruction flag F2 is set (step S61). On the other hand, when the lid opening key 5b is not turned on, the main routine is executed without performing any processing (FIG. 9). Return to).
[0052]
Next, the motor operation instruction processing will be described with reference to FIG. In the motor operation instruction process, the control unit 30 advances the timer of the operation time from the start of the soft finishing process by the timer (step S40), and the operation time reaches a predetermined soft finishing operation time (120 minutes in this case). By determining whether or not the operation time to be executed has ended (step S41). If the soft finishing operation time has not ended, it is determined whether or not the soft finishing end instruction flag F2 has been set (step S42). As described above, the flag F2 is set when the user operates the lid opening key 5b. At this time, the process proceeds to step S43 as in the case where it is determined in step S41 that the soft finishing operation time has ended.
[0053]
The process proceeds to step S43 when it is necessary to stop the rotation of the drum 13 so that the upper lid 2 can be opened. Therefore, first, the soft finishing end execution flag F3 is set, and then it is determined whether or not the drum motor 20 is stopped (step S44). If the drum motor 20 is stopped, the motor operation command is changed to OFF, while if the drum motor 20 is not stopped, or the motor operation command is changed to OFF if the drum motor 20 is already stopped (step S45), returning to the main routine.
[0054]
If the flag F2 has not been set in step S42 (that is, the lid opening key 5b has not been operated), it is determined whether or not the motor operation command is on (step S46). If the motor operation command is ON, the timer of the ON operation time timer of the drum motor 20 is updated (step S47), and it is determined whether a predetermined motor ON time has been reached. It is determined whether or not it is (step S48). If the motor-on period has not ended, the process returns to the main routine. On the other hand, if the motor-on period has ended, the motor-on operation time timer is reset (step S49), the motor operation command is changed from on to off (step S50), and the process returns to the main routine.
[0055]
If the motor operation command is not on in step S46, that is, if the motor operation command is off, the timer of the off operation time timer of the drum motor 20 is updated (step S51), and it is determined whether or not a predetermined motor off time has been reached. Then, it is determined whether or not the motor-off period has ended (step S52). If the motor-off period has not ended, the process returns to the main routine. On the other hand, if the motor-off period has ended, the motor-off operation time timer is reset (step S53), the motor operation command is changed from off to on (step S54), and the process returns to the main routine.
[0056]
Next, in FIG. 9, a main routine including the lid opening key detection processing and the motor operation instruction processing will be described. First, the control unit 30 sequentially executes the lid opening key detection process and the motor operation instruction process (steps S20 and S21), and thereafter determines whether or not the motor operation command is on (step S22). When the motor operation command is ON, the drum 13 is rotating, or if the drum 13 is not rotating, it is necessary to drive the drum motor 20 to rotate the drum 13. At this time, it is determined by the lid lock detecting unit 23b whether or not the lid is unlocked (step S23). If the lid is locked, the drum motor 20 should have already been activated, so step S20 is continued. Return to.
[0057]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S23 that the lid is unlocked, it is necessary to lock the lid during the rotation of the drum 13, so that the lid lock operation is performed by energizing the solenoid 23a (step S23). S24). Thereafter, the lid lock detecting unit 23b determines whether or not the lid is locked (step S25). If the lid is locked, the drum motor 20 is turned on to rotate the drum 13 (step S35). Then, the process returns to step S20. On the other hand, if the lid is not locked despite the execution of the lid lock operation, there is a possibility that the operation of the lid lock mechanism unit 23 may be defective, so that the warning indicator on the display unit 5c is turned on or the buzzer 5d A lid lock closing error is notified by sounding (step S26), and the operation is stopped. The lid lock closing error is an error meaning that locking cannot be performed without locking the upper lid 2.
[0058]
If it is determined in step S22 that the motor operation command is not on, that is, it is in the off state, it is next determined whether or not the drum motor 20 is stopped (step S27). The drum motor 20 is turned off (step S28), and the process returns to step S20.
[0059]
If it is determined in step S27 that the drum motor 20 is in the stopped state, it is next determined whether or not the soft finishing end execution flag F3 is set (step S29). If the flag F3 is not set, the lid lock detector 23b determines whether or not the lid is locked (step S30). If the lid is locked, the lid lock release prohibition flag is next set. It is determined whether or not F1 is set (step S31). This flag F1 will be described later. If the lid is unlocked in step S30, or if the flag F1 is set even if the lid is locked, the process returns to step S20.
[0060]
If the flag F1 has not been set, the solenoid 23a is energized to perform a lid unlocking operation so that the user can open the upper lid 2 (step S32), and then the lid lock detector 23b. It is determined whether or not the lid lock has been released (step S33). If the lid lock has been released, the process returns to step S20. If the lid lock has not been released despite the execution of the lid lock release operation, the lid lock release prohibition flag F1 is set. (Step S34), and returns to Step S20. The flags F1, F2, and F3 are all reset at the start of the soft finishing process.
[0061]
As described above, according to steps S32 to S34, the lid lock release prohibition flag F1 is set when the lid lock is not released despite the execution of the lid lock release operation. However, even in that case, the operation is continued without being stopped. When the flag F1 is set once and the process subsequently proceeds to step S31, the process returns from S31 to S20. Therefore, once the flag F1 is set, the lid unlocking operation in step S32 is not executed.
[0062]
As described above, if the lid opening key 5b is operated even before the soft finishing operation time ends, or if the soft finishing operation time ends without operating the lid opening key 5b, the soft finishing end execution flag F3 becomes Set. Therefore, when step S29 is reached for the first time thereafter, the process proceeds from S29 to S36, and it is determined whether or not the lid is locked at that time based on the detection signal from the lid lock detector 23b. At this time, if the lid lock is released, the soft finishing process is ended as it is. In this state, since the rotation of the drum 13 has already been stopped and the lid is not locked by the lid lock mechanism 23, the user can immediately open the upper lid 2 and take out the laundry from the drum 13. it can.
[0063]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S36 that the lid is in the locked state, the solenoid 23a is energized to perform the lid lock releasing operation (step S37), and then the lid lock is released by the lid lock detecting unit 23b. It is determined whether the state has been reached (step S38). If the lid lock is released, the soft finishing process is terminated as it is, but if the lid lock is not released, it is determined that there is a possibility that there is a problem in the lid lock release operation. In this case, a lid unlock error is notified by turning on a warning indicator on the display unit 5c or sounding a buzzer 5d (step S39), and the operation is stopped. The lid unlock error is an error meaning that the lock cannot be released while the upper lid 2 is locked.
[0064]
Therefore, even if the lid lock cannot be released during the operation of the soft finishing process, the operation of the soft finishing process is continued until the end of the process, and the lid is unlocked again at the end of the process. When the lid lock cannot be released, the operation is stopped while notifying an error. Therefore, even if the upper lid 2 cannot be opened during the operation, the desired operation itself is completed to the end, and the operation does not stop during the operation.
[0065]
On the other hand, when the lid lock operation cannot be performed from the lid unlocked state during the operation, if the drum 13 is rotated without performing the lid lock, there is a problem in terms of safety. Therefore, in this case, as shown in steps S24 to S26, even during the operation (that is, even when the soft finishing operation time has elapsed or the lid opening key 5b is not operated as described above). ), Stop operation immediately and report an error. Thereby, high security can be ensured.
[0066]
Although the above description is an example of the soft finishing process, the same method can be adopted in all the processes described with reference to FIG. That is, when the lid lock is to be automatically released (that is, not in response to the operation of the lid release key 5b) during the execution of each of these steps, the solenoid 23a is energized to release the lid lock. In spite of the fact that the operation cannot be canceled, the operation is not stopped there. What is necessary is just to perform the process of S36-S39.
[0067]
For example, it is rare that the solenoid 23a temporarily stops operating due to a factor such as an abnormal rise in the ambient temperature. In such a case, even if the lid lock cannot be released during the operation, the function of the lid lock mechanism 23 may be restored at the end of the operation and the lid lock may be released. At that time, since the operation has already been completed, the washed and dried laundry can be taken out of the drum 13 as it is. Of course, when the error notification is finally given, there is a high possibility that the lid lock mechanism 23 is out of order, so the user may contact a service person or the like to request repair.
[0068]
Another feature of the present drum-type washing machine is a buzzer sound output control at the time of lid unlocking operation by energizing the solenoid 23a of the lid lock mechanism 23 as described above. As described above, the lid unlocking operation is roughly performed when the user operates the lid opening key 5b and when the vehicle is driving or at the end of driving, regardless of the intention of the user. And the second case.
[0069]
In the former case, naturally, a situation is assumed in which the user is in close proximity to the washing machine and wants to open the upper lid 2 immediately after the lid lock is released. Therefore, it is convenient to sound the buzzer 5d at the time of executing the lid unlocking operation and to inform the user that the operation has been performed. On the other hand, in the latter case in which the lid lock is automatically released, the user is not always in the vicinity of the washing machine, and when the buzzer 5d sounds in response to the lid lock release, the user has some trouble. It may be misunderstood that the buzzer 5d sounds at a high frequency in the first place. Therefore, control as shown in FIG. 12 is performed.
[0070]
That is, the control unit 30 determines whether or not to perform the lid unlocking operation (step S10), and when performing the lid unlocking operation, determines whether or not the lid opening key 5b has been operated (step S11). ). Then, when the lid opening key 5b is operated, a process of sounding the buzzer 5d is performed (step S12). On the other hand, even if the lid unlocking operation is performed, if the lid release key 5b is not operated, that is, if the lid unlocking operation is automatic, the process ends without step S12. Therefore, in this case, the buzzer 5d does not sound, and the user is not bothered.
[0071]
It should be noted that the above embodiment is an example of the present invention, and it is apparent that changes, modifications, or additions can be appropriately made within the scope of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to a drum-type washing machine. However, the present invention has a function of locking a lid (not necessarily located above) for opening and closing a laundry inlet. Is naturally applicable to a spiral-wound washing machine.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a drum type washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front vertical cross-sectional view of an internal main part of the drum type washing machine according to the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a left side view of an internal main part of the drum type washing machine according to the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of an upper portion of the drum type washing machine according to the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is an electric configuration diagram of a main part of the drum type washing machine according to the embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a standard process flow of the drum type washing machine according to the embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a timing waveform chart showing a sequence for one cycle of drum stationary / rotation during a soft finishing process.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing control parameters in FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a main routine of a lid lock control operation during a soft finishing process in the drum type washing machine according to the embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a motor operation instruction process in FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a lid open key detection process in FIG. 9;
FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a lid lock release sound output control process.
[Explanation of symbols]
1: Outer box
2. Top lid
3. Laundry slot
10 ... Outer tank
13 ... drum
14 ... Spindle
15 ... Auxiliary shaft
16, 18… Bearing case
17, 19 ... Bearing
20 ... Drum motor
21 ... Drum lock mechanism
22 ... engagement groove
23 ... Lid lock mechanism
23a ... Solenoid
23b: lid lock detection unit
30 ... Control unit
31 ... Load drive unit
5a ... operation unit
5b ... lid opening key
5c ... Display section
5d… Buzzer

Claims (6)

A washing machine comprising: a lid for closing a laundry input port; and locking means for preventing a user from opening the lid.
a) lock control means for releasing the lock during a period during which the operation is being performed and the user can allow the lid to be opened, and controlling the lock means to perform the lock again when the period ends;
b) determining means for determining whether or not the lock has been released during the unlocking operation by the locking means;
c) When the determination means determines that the lock cannot be released, the operation for controlling the lock means to release the lock after the operation is continued until the final operation end point of the predetermined driving course. Control means;
A washing machine comprising: The washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising: a notifying unit that notifies an error when the locking unit cannot be unlocked when the locking unit is unlocked after the operation is completed. When it is determined that the lock cannot be unlocked by the determination unit with respect to the unlocking operation performed during the execution of the driving, the operation control unit determines whether or not the final operation of the predetermined driving course is completed. 3. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein control of the lock control means is prohibited so as not to attempt to release the lock even when there is a period in which the opening of the lid can be permitted. Operating means operated by a user to release the lock by the locking means, wherein the locking control means controls the locking means to release the lock unconditionally when the operating means is operated. 4. The washing machine according to claim 3, wherein when the lock cannot be unlocked in response to the unlocking operation, the notification unit notifies an error. The determining means also determines whether or not the locking has been performed during the locking operation by the locking means, and the operation control means stops the operation when the determining means determines that the locking is not possible, and the notification means The washing machine according to claim 4, wherein error notification is performed. A lid for closing the laundry inlet, locking means for preventing the user from opening the lid, and operating means operated by the user to unlock the locking means; In a washing machine comprising:
a) controlling the locking means so as to release the locking during a period in which the operation is being performed and the user is allowed to open the lid, and the locking is also performed when the operating means is operated. Locking control means for controlling the locking means to release,
b) sound generating means for outputting a notification sound to the user when unlocking is performed in response to the operation of the operation means, and stopping output of the notification sound for other unlocking states;
A washing machine comprising:

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