JP2005168995A - Washer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a washer equipped with a control dial without requiring a drip-proof structure. <P>SOLUTION: The control dial 18a for setting the operation time for washing, rinsing, spin-drying, etc. is rotatably mounted via a boss 21 formed on a control panel 15, and magnets 22a-22d with different density of magnetic flux are disposed in the shape of an arc in the control dial 18a. A Hall element 25 is mounted on a base board 16 mounted inside a top cover 2 and at a position where the Hall element is superimposed on every magnet 22a-22d in the vertical direction by the turning of the control dial 18a. When a magnetic field is applied to the Hall element 25, a fixed current is fed so that the content of the operation control previously set based on the value of the current is carried out by a control device 26. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a cleaning device for setting cleaning control contents and the like with an operation dial.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been proposed a washing machine that sets washing control contents according to a rotational position (amount) of a dial by rotating the operation dial. These operation dials are composed of an operation unit and a rotation shaft, and the rotation shaft is mechanically or electrically connected to an input device disposed on the substrate through a hole formed on the operation panel. The rotation amount is encoded by the input device, and the control unit performs washing control based on the rotation amount information. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-215889 (Page 4, FIG. 4)

However, in order to connect the operation panel and the input device via the rotation shaft, a hole is formed in the operation panel. However, in cleaning equipment, there is a possibility that the operation panel may be splashed due to the nature of the product. Therefore, it is necessary to perform some drip-proof treatment with an O-ring or the like so as not to enter the inside of the operation panel in the hole portion near the rotation shaft. In addition, because the input device itself is connected to the rotating shaft, it cannot perform the drip-proof treatment to protect the input device and the substrate from the infiltrated water droplets, and also has a rubbing contact, so that moisture and dust like a washing machine. In a driving environment with a lot of
There was a problem with the reliability of the contacts.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a highly reliable cleaning device having an operation dial while performing drip-proof processing on a substrate.

In order to achieve the above object, the cleaning device of the present invention is provided with an outer box, an operation panel provided on the surface of the outer box for setting and input of washing operation contents, and a rotatable on the operation panel. An operation dial, a control unit that is provided inside the outer box and controls a washing operation, and an input device that is connected to the control unit and that receives an input signal by turning the operation dial. The operation dial and the input device have a mechanical and electrical non-contact structure.

According to the cleaning device of the present invention, since the operation dial and the input device are mechanically and electrically non-contact structures, the substrate can be subjected to a drip-proofing process, so that water can be applied to the substrate. It is possible to provide a cleaning device that has a significant effect of preventing intrusion.

(Example 1)
A first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a washing machine will be described below with reference to FIGS.

First, FIG. 1 is a longitudinal side view of a washing machine showing a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in this figure, a washing machine main body includes a rectangular tubular metal outer box 1 and the outer box. An outer shell of the washing machine main body is constituted by a top cover 2 attached to the upper end opening of 1, and a water tank 3 is arranged inside the outer box 1. The aquarium 3 has four suspension rods 4 (only one is shown) suspended from the upper end of the outer box 1 and a spring 5.
A washing tub 6 is rotatably provided inside the water tub 3.

Further, a water tank cover 7 is disposed at the upper end of the water tank 3 and covers other than the central opening 6a.

The washing tub 6 includes a cylindrical body portion 8 having a hole 8a and an uneven portion formed in the peripheral wall, and a bowl-shaped bottom portion 9 coupled to the lower portion thereof. A ring 10 is provided, and a stirring body 11 is provided at the inner bottom of the washing tub 6. However, the washing tub 6 is connected to the washing tub 6 via the rotary shaft 13 by a driving device 12 including a motor attached to the outer bottom surface of the water tub 3.
The stirrer 11 is selectively driven to rotate.

Further, the top cover 2 has an opening 2 through which laundry can be taken in and out of the washing tub 6.
For example, a laundry lid 14 that can be folded in two by a hinge 14a provided on the back surface thereof is attached to the top cover 2 so as to be openable and closable. In addition, an operation panel 15 for operating the washing machine is provided on the upper surface of the front portion of the top cover 2, and a unit in which a substrate 16 is disposed below the operation panel 15 and in the top cover 2. A case 17 is provided.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the operation panel 15 provided in front of the top cover 2, and a unit case 17 indicated by a broken line is disposed in the top cover 2. Three operation dials 18a, 18b, and 18c for operating time and the like are provided side by side. In addition, on the operation panel 15, “ON” for operating the power ON / OFF is also provided.
An “ON” key 19 a and a “OFF” key 19 b and a “START” key 20 for starting various washing operations are provided.

The operation dials 18a, 18b, and 18c are different in the setting display contents of various operation times.
Since it basically has the same mechanism, the operation dial 18a related to the washing operation will be described as a representative, and the description of the operation dials 18b and 18c will be omitted. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a front view of the operation dial 18a for setting the washing operation time, FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a part of the inner side of the top cover 2, and FIG. FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the operation dial 18 a is rotatably provided on a boss portion 21 formed on the operation panel 15, and the washing time “15 minutes”, “10 minutes”, “5”
The washing control content can be set by selecting one of “minute” and “3 minutes”. In the operation dial 18a, for example, four magnets 22a having different magnetic flux densities are provided.
, 22b, 22c, and 22d are arranged corresponding to the positions corresponding to the washing times “15 minutes”, “10 minutes”, “5 minutes”, and “3 minutes” displayed on the upper surface of the operation dial 18a, respectively. Has been. The magnitude relationship of the magnetic flux density of the magnets 22a, 22b, 22c, and 22d is, for example, in the order of 22a, 22b, 22c, and 22d. Further, an arrow-shaped convex portion 23 is provided on the left side of the operation dial 18a, and a character 24 "washing time" is arranged on the left side thereof.

As shown in FIG. 4, on the substrate 16 below the operation dial 18a, a hall element 25 that generates a voltage having a different voltage value depending on the magnitude of the magnetic density is disposed. The hall element 25 is smaller than the area of the magnets 22a to 22d, and a control device 26 is disposed on the board 16 to perform washing control in response to a washing control content setting input from the hall element 25 or the like. 16
Is placed in a resin unit case 17 and fixed to a boss portion 27 formed at four locations on the bottom of the unit case 17 with screws 28.

The unit case 17 is filled with urethane 29 after mounting these components in order to prevent the components such as the substrate 16 and the control device 26 from drip-proofing.

As shown in FIG. 5, the operation dial 18 a has a bottomed cylindrical shape. A screw hole 30 is formed at the center of the operation dial 18 a, and the operation dial 18 a is attached to the boss portion 21 with the iron plate 31 by a screw 32. ing. The screw 32 includes a grooved portion 32 a and a cylindrical body 3.
2b and a head portion 32c, and is pivotally supported around a trunk portion 32b with a screw 32 attached thereto. There are no holes or gaps in the operation panel 15 that allow water droplets to pass through. Above the operation dial 18a, the magnetic flux density from the outside is the Hall element 2.
5 is suppressed.

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

First, after operating the operation panel 15 to set a driving course and the like, when the “start” key 20 is pressed, steps “washing”, “rinsing”, and “dehydration” described later are sequentially executed. In each of these processes, the operation time and the like are set on the operation dials 18a, 18b,
It can be changed by an operation such as 18c.

By rotating the operation dial 18a, magnets 22a, 22b,
The operation time for washing or the like can be set by the voltage value corresponding to the magnetic flux density generated in the Hall element 25 when any of 22c and 22d coincides with the position of the Hall element 25. For example,
In the state where the “ON” key 19a is pressed and the power is turned on, the operation time of the “wash” process is set to “
When setting to “5 minutes”, the operation dial 18a is rotated so that the magnet 22b is aligned with the convex portion 23, and the operation is started by pressing the “start” key 20; When a voltage corresponding to the magnetic flux density of 22b is generated and the control device 26 detects this voltage, the driving device 12 is driven for a preset time of 5 minutes, and the “washing” process is executed.

And after throwing the laundry into the washing tub 6, the stirrer 11 is driven to rotate, and the weight (capacity) of the laundry is detected by the load applied to the stirrer 11, and then A washing process is performed in which a predetermined amount of water corresponding to the volume of the laundry is stored, the agitator 11 is rotationally driven by the driving device 12 to agitate the laundry, and thus the laundry is cleaned. . Further, the “rinse” process and the “dehydration” process are sequentially executed based on the setting contents of the operation dials 18b and 18c.

According to the first embodiment described above, the operation dial 18a and the hall element 25 have a non-contact structure both mechanically and electrically, so that water drops can be dropped on the operation dial 18a and the substrate 16. A drip-proof effect can be easily applied so as not to be present. In addition, the Hall element 25 and the magnet 22
Since there is no contact between the operation dial 18a and the control device 26 using the magnetic action with a,
Even if water droplets or dust adheres, there is no problem in operation, and the reliability of the operation dial 18a is improved. Furthermore, it is attached to the boss portion 21 formed on the operation panel 15, and the top cover 2 can be easily assembled. Since the input device on the substrate 16 is constituted only by the Hall element 25, the component arrangement area on the substrate 16 can be reduced. Since it is not necessary to dispose the boss 21 at the center of the operation dial 18a so as to be positioned on the substrate 16, the layout degree of the operation dial 18a is increased, and the area of the substrate 16 can be reduced.

(Example 2)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

6 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 4, FIG. 7 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 3, and the configurations of the operation dials 18a to 18c and the input device are different from the configuration of the first embodiment described above. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and a part of them will be omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a magnet 33 is disposed in the operation dial 18a, and a reed switch 34a serving as an input device for detecting the setting of the washing control content by the rotation of the operation dial 18a on the substrate 16. ˜34d correspond to the input of the washing operation of “15 minutes”, “10 minutes”, “5 minutes”, and “3 minutes”, and are arranged in an arc shape immediately below the operation dial 18a. When the operation dial 18a is rotated, the magnet 33 and the reed switches 34a to 34d are arranged so as to overlap each other in the vertical direction. On the operation panel 15, each reed switch “15 minutes”, “10 minutes”, “5 minutes”, and “3 minutes” characters 35 and an arrow display 3 are displayed.
6 is arranged, and a mark 37 is drawn on the operation dial 18a just above the magnet 33.

When the operation dial 18a is rotated so that the mark 37 is aligned with each arrow display 36, for example, the magnet 33 rotates, and when the reed switch 34a detects the magnetic field of the magnet 33, the reed switch 34a is turned on. The washing time is set to “15 minutes” and the operation is controlled by the control device. Similarly, when the other reed switches 34b to 34d detect, the corresponding washing time is set and the operation is controlled.

According to the second embodiment described above, since the operation dial 18a and the reed switches 34a to 34d have a non-contact structure both mechanically and electrically, water drops are dropped on the operation dial 18a and the substrate 16. A drip-proof effect can be applied so as not to occur. Reed switch 3
Since 4a to 34d do not have a contact point with the operation dial 18a, they are not easily broken even if water droplets or dust adheres, and the reliability of the operation dial 18a is improved. Furthermore, since the operation dial 18a is attached to the boss portion 21 formed on the operation panel 15 and does not penetrate the operation panel 15, the assembly of the operation panel 15 is easy. Further, since there is no need to dispose the boss portion 21 as the center of the operation dial 18a so as to be positioned on the substrate 16, the operation dials 18a to 18 are provided.
The degree of freedom of layout of c is increased, and the area of the substrate 16 can be reduced.

(Example 3)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

8 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 4, FIG. 9 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 3, and the configuration of the operation dials 18a to 18c and the input device is different from the configuration of the first embodiment. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and a part of them will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 8, a photo-type distance detection device 38 including a light emitting element and a light receiving element is arranged on the substrate 16 as an input device for detecting the setting of the washing control content by the rotation of the operation dial 18a. The photo-type distance detection device 38 is a device that can emit light, can detect the reflected light from the object, and can determine the distance from the object by measuring the time from light emission to reflected light reception. is there. In addition, on the back surface of the operation dial 18a, reflection portions 39a to 39d are formed in a spiral step shape vertically above the photo distance detection device 38, and the reflection portions 39a to 39d and the photo distance detection device 38 are formed. The distance to is getting longer. The reflecting portions 39a to 39d are made of a material that reflects light emitted from the photo-type distance detecting device 38. Further, a transparent portion 40 is formed on the operation panel 15 immediately above the photo distance detection device 38 so that light emitted from the photo distance detection device 38 and light reflected by the reflection portion can pass therethrough. There are no holes or gaps in the operation panel 15 around the transparent portion 40 that allow water droplets to pass therethrough.

  The third embodiment described above has the following effects.

Since there is no hole penetrating the operation panel 15, the top cover 2 of the unit case 17
The operation dial 18a and the photo distance detector 38 are mechanically and electrically non-contact between the operation dial 18a and the substrate 16 because they are easily attached to the operation dial 18a.
Can be drip-proofed. Since the input device on the substrate 16 is composed only of the photo-type distance detection device 38, the component arrangement area on the substrate 16 can be reduced. Furthermore, by changing the number of steps of the reflecting portions 39a to 39d formed on the back surface of the operation dial 18a, the number of washing time settings can be easily increased or decreased.

In addition, instead of the photo distance detection device 38, an ultrasonic distance detection device capable of generating and detecting ultrasonic waves and other devices capable of generating and detecting electromagnetic waves are used, and the reflection portions 39a to 39d are ultrasonic waves or others. It is also possible to use a material that can reflect the electromagnetic wave, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Example 4
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

10 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 4, FIG. 11 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 3, and the configuration of the operation dial 18a and the input device is different from the configuration of the first embodiment described above. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and a part of them will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 10, a capacitance detection device 41 is disposed on the substrate 16, and the two electrodes 4.
2 and 42. On the back of the operation dial 18a,
Dielectric portions 43 a to 43 d having different radial thicknesses are formed, and are disposed so as to be sandwiched between the two electrodes 42, 42 of the capacitance detection device 41 via the operation panel 15. A circumferential groove 44 is formed in the operation panel 15 at a position corresponding to the dielectric portions 43a to 43d.

In FIG. 11, dielectric portions 43a to 43d having different thicknesses are formed in an arc shape on the back surface of the operation dial 18a. The inner walls 45a to 45d of the dielectric portions 43a to 43d form a continuous arc. On the contrary, the outer walls 46a to 46d are arranged stepwise in descending order of the arc radius. The capacitance detection device 41 is electrically connected to the control device 26, and has a capacitance detected by the capacitance detection device 41 when the dielectric portions 42a to 42d are interposed between the electrodes 42 and 42. A corresponding signal is preset and stored in the control device 26.

In addition, characters “15 minutes”, “10 minutes”, “5 minutes”, and “3 minutes” are displayed on the upper surface of the operation dial 18a, and these displays correspond to the dielectric portions 43a to 43d, respectively. In position.

By rotating the operation dial 18a, any one of the dielectric portions 43a to 43d is sandwiched between the two electrodes 42 and 42 of the capacitance detection device 41, and the capacitance detected by the capacitance detection device 41. Is input to the control device, and is selectively controlled based on the washing time corresponding to the electric capacity. Since the electric capacity is stored in the control device 26 with a certain range, even if a slight detection error occurs in the capacitance detected by the capacitance detection device 41, the control circuit 2
If it is determined that 6 is within the range, the washing control is executed for the washing time corresponding to the capacitance.

  The fourth embodiment described above has the following effects.

Since there is no hole penetrating the operation panel 15, the top cover 2 of the unit case 17
Is easy to attach to the operation dial 18a, and the capacitance detection device 41 is mechanically and electrically non-contact structure. Can be applied. Since the input device on the substrate 16 is composed only of the capacitance detection device 41, the component arrangement area on the substrate 16 can be reduced. Further, the operation dial 18a
By changing the thicknesses of the dielectric portions 43a to 43d formed on the back surface of the substrate in various ways, the number of washing time settings can be easily increased or decreased.

In addition, in order to change the electric capacity, the dielectric portions 43a to 43d having different thicknesses were used.
Dielectrics having different dielectric constants may be used, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

(Example 5)
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

12 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 10, FIG. 13 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 11, and the configuration of the operation dial 18a and the input device is different from the configuration of the fourth embodiment described above. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and a part of them will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 12, a light transmission detecting device 48 including a light emitting portion 47 a and a light receiving portion 47 b is disposed on the substrate 16. A circular circumferential groove 44 is formed around the boss portion 21 of the operation panel 15, and the light emitting portion 47 a and the light receiving portion 47 b are provided to face each other with the circumferential groove 44 therebetween. A transparent member 49 is used in a portion of the circumferential groove 44 interposed between the light emitting portion 47a and the light receiving portion 47b.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, a large number of strip-shaped members 50 are provided on the back surface of the operation dial 18 a so as to protrude downward. The light transmission detection device 46 is connected to the control device 27. In addition, on the operation panel 15 and in the vicinity of the operation dial 18a, “15 minutes”, “10 minutes”, “
"5 minutes" and "3 minutes" characters 51a to 51d are arranged vertically, and an LED is placed next to each character.
52a to 52d are provided corresponding to the characters 51a to 51d, respectively.

When the strip-shaped member 50 is interposed, the light transmission detecting device 48 is in an OFF state without being able to transmit light, and is in an ON state in other cases. When the operation dial 18a is turned, a signal indicating the change from the ON state to the OFF state or the change from the OFF state to the ON state is input to the control device 26. The same is true regardless of whether the operation dial 18a rotates clockwise or counterclockwise. Each time a signal is input, the LEDs 52a-52d are connected to the control device 26.
"3 minutes" (LED 52d), "5 minutes" (LED 52c), "10"
Only one light is controlled in the order of “minute” (LED 52b) and “15 minutes” (LED 52a).

When the “start” key 20 is pressed to start the washing process, the washing control is performed based on the set time and information stored in the control device 26.

  The fifth embodiment described above has the following effects.

When the operation dial 18a is rotated, the input device can detect the rotation amount of the operation dial 18a and finely set various washing control contents in proportion to the rotation amount. Further, since there is no hole penetrating the operation panel 15, the operation panel 15 can be easily attached to the top cover 2, and the operation dial 18a and the light transmission detecting device 48 are mechanically and electrically connected. Since this is also a non-contact structure, a drip-proof effect can be applied to the operation dial 18a and the substrate 16. Since the input device on the substrate 16 comprises only the light transmission detection device 48, the substrate 1
The component placement area on 6 can be reduced. Furthermore, by changing the width and installation interval of the strip-shaped member 50 provided on the back surface of the operation dial 18a, the washing time can be changed by a slight operation of the rotation angle by changing the width and interval to the fine, and conversely It is possible to design with a high degree of freedom in consideration of the sensitivity of the operation dial 18a, such as a change by an operation with a large rotation angle.

Although the light transmission detection device 48 is used, any transmission detection device using electromagnetic waves having a certain degree of directivity may be used, and not a slit structure using a large number of strip-shaped members 50, but a transparent member and a colored member. An annular flange formed alternately by a member or an electromagnetic wave transmitting member and an electromagnetic wave opaque member may be used, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a washing machine showing a first embodiment of the present invention. Front view of the operation panel Front view of the operation dial Vertical section of the operation dial Enlarged vertical section of the operation dial FIG. 4 equivalent view showing the second embodiment 3 equivalent diagram FIG. 4 equivalent view showing the third embodiment 3 equivalent diagram FIG. 4 equivalent view showing the fourth embodiment 3 equivalent diagram FIG. 10 equivalent diagram showing the fifth embodiment. 11 equivalent figure

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Outer box 2 Top cover 15 Operation panel 16 Board | substrate 17 Unit case 18a, 18b, 18c Operation dial 21 Boss part 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 33 Magnet 25 Hall element 26 Control apparatus 29 Urethane 31 Iron plates 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d Reed switch 38 Photo-type distance detecting device 39a, 39b, 39c, 39d Reflecting portion 40 Transparent portion 41 Capacitance detecting device 42 Electrode 43a, 43b, 43c, 43d Dielectric portion 44 Circumferential groove 48 Light transmission detecting device 50 Strip shape Member 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d LED

Claims (3)

An outer box, an operation panel provided on the surface of the outer box for setting and inputting contents of washing operation, an operation dial rotatably provided on the operation panel, and a washing operation provided inside the outer box. Control means for controlling, and an input device that is connected to the control means and receives an input signal by a turning operation of the operation dial,
A cleaning device having a mechanically and electrically non-contact structure between the operation dial and the input device. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the operation dial is attached to the operation panel in a non-porous state. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input device inputs an input signal based on a rotation amount of the operation dial.

Images