JP2005224476A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a washing machine capable of outputting reporting sound even when communication abnormality is generated between a main controller and a sub controller. <P>SOLUTION: To the sub controller 20, a buzzer 11 is connected. The buzzer 11 is connected to the main controller 19 as well, and the main controller 19 indirectly drives the buzzer 11 on the basis of the transmission of a buzzer command to the sub controller 20 when the communication abnormality is not generated and directly drives the buzzer 11 without transmitting the buzzer command to the sub controller 20 when the communication abnormality is generated. Thus, buzzer sound is generated even at the time of the communication abnormality such as disconnection and noise and the ON/OFF of a power source is reported to a user. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing machine provided with a notification device that outputs a notification sound to a user.

Some of the washing machines are configured to command the driving of the alarm device based on the transmission of a command from the main control device to the sub-control device.
JP-A-10-005480 JP-A-10-263255

  In the case of the above conventional configuration, when a communication abnormality occurs between the main control device and the sub control device, the sub control device cannot recognize the command from the main control device, so that the notification sound cannot be output.

The inventions according to claims 1 to 6 have a common problem of enabling notification sound to be output even when a communication abnormality occurs between the main control device and the sub control device. The means for doing this is as described in claim 1. Hereinafter, each invention according to claims 1 to 6 will be described together with the meanings of terms.
<Description of the Invention of Claim 1>
The invention according to claim 1 alternatively drives a common alarm by the main control device and the sub control device.
1) Main control device: Refers to a host control device that controls a washing operation by driving and controlling washing parts such as a water supply valve, a drain valve, and a washing motor. This main control device has a notification control function. This notification control function refers to an indirect control function that commands execution of a notification operation by transmitting a command to the sub-control device, and a direct control function that executes the notification operation by itself without transmitting a command to the sub-control device. Yes, the direct control function is enabled in a specific state, and the indirect control function is enabled when not in a specific state.
2) Sub-control device: Outputs a notification sound based on driving control of the alarm. This sub-control device drives the alarm based on receiving a command from the main control device, and corresponds to a lower-order control device. An alarm is a term that collectively refers to sound devices that generate audible sound waves.
<Explanation of Invention According to Claim 2>
The invention according to claim 2 limits the time of power-on as a specific state in which the main control device performs a direct notification operation. When the power is turned on, the presence or absence of communication abnormality is checked between the main control device and the sub control device, so that the sub control device cannot perform the notification operation according to the command unless after the check is completed. That is, when the sub control device performs the notification operation, the notification operation is performed with a time delay after the power is turned on, but when the main control device performs the notification operation, the notification operation may be performed in conjunction with the power activation. it can.
<Description of the Invention of Claim 3>
The invention according to claim 3 limits the time of occurrence of communication abnormality as a specific state in which the main control device performs a direct notification operation. That is, when a command cannot be accurately transmitted from the main control device to the sub-control device, the main control device directly performs a notification operation to eliminate the influence of communication abnormality.
<Explanation of Inventions According to Claims 4 to 5>
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the main control device uniquely determines whether the indirect notification operation is stopped based on the elapse of a set time. In the invention according to claim 5, the main control device recognizes the stop of the indirect notification operation based on the stop signal from the sub-control device. That is, when performing an indirect notification operation, it is necessary for the main control device to accurately grasp the stop of the notification operation and shift to the next process. In each of the inventions according to claims 4 to 5, the main control device is indirect. It is mentioned how to detect the stop of the notification operation.
<Explanation of Invention According to Claim 6>
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the sub-control device drives both the ringer and the sounder based on a command from the main control device. The ringer is equivalent to a notification device, and has a notification function for notifying the user of power-on / off. It is preferable that the ringer outputs a timbre of a certain level such as a buzzer / chime / horn. The sound device has a notification function that informs the user of the operation details, such as the start / stop of the washing operation, the setting result of the operation course, the start / release of the temporary stop, the occurrence state of the operation abnormality, etc. Refers to driving information related to washing operation. It is preferable to use an audio device that can control the tone color such as a speaker. These operation details and power on / off notifications are given priorities. Specifically, when it is instructed to notify power on / off in the operation details notification state, the operation details are notified. Stops prematurely and the power on / off is preferentially notified.

  When a specific state such as a communication error occurs, the main controller drives the alarm device itself without sending a command from the main controller to the sub-control device, so that a notification sound can be output even when a communication error occurs .

<First embodiment>
As shown in FIG. 1, the outer box 1 has a box shape with an upper surface opened, and a top cover 2 is fixed to an upper end portion of the outer box 1. The top cover 2 refers to a frame member having a laundry doorway, and a front cover 3 and a rear cover 4 are attached to the top cover 2 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction. The front lid 3 and the rear lid 4 have a bellows shape in which a plurality of rod pieces 5 are connected to each other so as to be rotatable, and the entrance / exit of the top cover 2 is used for sliding the front lid 3 and the rear lid 4. Open and close based on.

  An operation panel 6 is attached to the right end portion of the top cover 2, and a power switch 7 and a course switch 8 including self-returning push switches are attached to the operation panel 6. The power switch 7 turns on and off the main power. When the power switch 7 is turned on when the main power is cut off, the main power is turned on, and when the power switch 7 is turned on when the main power is turned on. The main power is shut off. The course switch 8 designates a driving course. When the course switch 8 is operated with the main power turned on, the driving course is set according to the operation content of the course switch 8.

  The operation panel 6 is provided with a start switch 9 and a temporary stop switch 10 that are self-returning push switches. The start switch 9 is for instructing the start of operation. When the start switch 9 is operated in the designated state of the driving course, the washing operation is started with the content corresponding to the designated result of the driving course. The temporary stop switch 10 temporarily stops and resumes the washing operation. When the temporary stop switch 10 is turned on in the execution state of the washing operation, the washing operation is temporarily stopped, and in the temporary stop state of the washing operation, the temporary stop switch 10 When 10 is turned on, the washing operation is resumed from the state immediately before the temporary stop.

  A buzzer 11 and a speaker 12 are housed in the top cover 2 so as to be located behind the operation panel 6. The buzzer 11 corresponds to a ringer that sounds in conjunction with turning on / off of the main power supply, and when the power switch 7 is operated effectively, the user is notified of turning on / off of the main power supply with a buzzer sound. The speaker 12 corresponds to an audio device that outputs sound in conjunction with the effective operation of the course switch 8, the start switch 9, and the pause switch 10. When the effective operation of the course switch 8, the "standard course is set." The setting result of the driving course is notified based on the output of a sound such as “A meticulous course has been set”. In addition, when the start switch 9 is operated effectively, the start of the washing operation is notified based on the output of a sound such as “Start driving”, and when the pause switch 10 is operated effectively, the operation is paused. ”And“ Resuming operation ”are output, and the suspension and resumption of the washing operation are notified.

  A water supply valve 13 (see FIG. 2) is accommodated in the top cover 2. This water supply valve 13 opens and closes the water supply channel of the water tank, and when the water supply valve 13 is opened, tap water is injected into the water tank through the water supply channel. This water tank is housed in the outer box 1 and functions as a water storage container that receives tap water as washing water. A drain valve 14 (see FIG. 2) is interposed in the drainage channel of this water tank. This drain valve 14 opens and closes the drainage channel, and when the drainage valve 14 is opened, the stored water in the water tank is drained through the drainage channel.

  A washing tub is stored in the water tub. This washing tub is used to put laundry into and out of the entrance / exit of the top cover 2 and has a drum shape with a horizontal rotating shaft. This washing tub is mechanically connected to a rotating shaft of a washing motor 15 (see FIG. 2). The washing motor 15 is a three-phase DC brushless motor. When the washing motor 15 rotates, the laundry in the washing tub is lifted together with the washing tub and falls into the washing water. That is, the washing tub is washed by repeating the operation of dropping the laundry into the water.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a front lid 16 is detachably attached to the lower end portion of the outer box 1, and the front surface of the electronic chamber is opened and closed based on the attachment and detachment of the front lid 16. The electronic chamber refers to a partition space formed in the outer box 1, and an electronic unit 17 is accommodated in the electronic chamber. The electronic unit 17 includes a power supply circuit 18 (see FIG. 3), a main control device 19, a sub control device 20, a power supply relay 21, a valve drive circuit 22, a motor drive circuit 23, a speaker drive circuit 24, a main buzzer drive circuit 25, and a sub buzzer. The drive circuit 26 (both see FIG. 2) is mounted on a circuit board, and details of the electronic unit 17 are as follows.

  The power supply circuit 18 generates drive power for the buzzer 11, the speaker 12, the water supply valve 13, the drain valve 14, the washing motor 15, the main control device 19, and the sub control device 20, and as shown in FIG. It is electrically connected to the commercial AC power supply 27 via the road and the main power supply path. A power switch 7 is interposed in the sub power supply path. When the power switch 7 is turned on, the main power is supplied from the commercial AC power supply 27 to the power circuit 18 based on the fact that the sub power supply path is closed. A circuit 18 generates a drive power supply based on the main power supply.

  The main control device 19 and the sub-control device 20 are mainly composed of separate mechanically and electrically independent microcomputers, and each has a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and an I / O. As shown in FIG. 2, the main control device 19 and the sub control device 20 are connected so as to be capable of bidirectional communication. When the power switch 7 is turned on, the main control device 19 and the sub control device 20 are connected from the power supply circuit 18. The main control device 19 and the sub-control device 20 are activated based on the drive power being supplied to 20.

  A power supply relay 21 is electrically connected to the main control device 19. As shown in FIG. 3, the power supply relay 21 is interposed in the main power supply path of the power supply circuit 18, and the main control device 19 is activated when the power supply switch 7 is turned on. Turn on 21. When the power supply relay 21 is in an on state, main power is supplied from the commercial AC power supply 27 to the power supply circuit 18 based on the closing of the main power supply path, and the power supply circuit 18 drives the main control device 19 and the sub control device 20. Power is supplied. That is, in the operation release state of the power switch 7, the main control device 19 validates the power supply circuit 18 based on holding the power supply relay 21, and the power supply circuit 18 drives the main control device 19 and the sub-control device. 20 drive power supplies are obtained.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a water supply valve 13 and a drain valve 14 are electrically connected to the main control device 19 via a valve drive circuit 22, and the main control device 19 connects the water supply valve 13 and the drain valve 14. The washing water injection operation and the washing water discharge operation are controlled based on the opening / closing control through the valve drive circuit 22. A washing motor 15 is electrically connected to the main control device 19 via a motor drive circuit 23. This motor drive circuit 23 is mainly composed of an inverter drive circuit in which switching elements are bridge-connected, and the main controller 19 controls the rotation of the washing motor 15 based on switching control of the motor drive circuit 23. To do.

  The main control device 19 is electrically connected to the course switch 8, the start switch 9, and the temporary stop switch 10, and the main control device 19 sets an operation course based on detecting an effective operation of the course switch 8. The washing operation is started based on detecting the effective operation of the start switch 9, and the washing operation is temporarily stopped and resumed based on detecting the effective operation of the temporary stop switch 10. This washing operation is executed based on the fact that the main control device 19 drives and controls the water supply valve 13, the drain valve 14 and the washing motor 15 according to the setting result of the operation course. This corresponds to operation control means for controlling the contents.

  The sub-control device 20 is electrically connected to the speaker 12 via the speaker driving circuit 24, and the sub-control device 20 controls the driving of the speaker 12 through the speaker driving circuit 24. The driving content of the speaker 12 is instructed by the main control device 19 transmitting a speaker command to the sub-control device 20, and the sub-control device 20 detects the speaker command from the main control device 19. Based on this, the speaker 12 is driven, and the sound corresponding to the speaker command is output from the speaker 12.

  The main controller 19 is electrically connected to the buzzer 11 via a main buzzer drive circuit 25, and the main controller 19 directly controls the buzzer 11 through the main buzzer drive circuit 25. The buzzer 11 is electrically connected to the sub-control device 20 via the sub-buzzer driving circuit 26, and the sub-control device 20 receives the buzzer command from the main control device 19 and receives the main through the sub-buzzer driving circuit 26. The buzzer 11 common to the control device 19 is driven and controlled. That is, the buzzer 11 is alternatively driven by the main control device 19 and the sub control device 20, and the sub control device 20 controls sound to notify the driving state based on driving control of the buzzer 11 and the speaker 12. Functions as a means.

The control program is recorded in the ROM of the main control device 19 and the ROM of the sub control device 20, and the CPU of the main control device 19 controls the washing contents by controlling the shared devices based on the control program. The CPU of the device 20 controls the notification contents by controlling the sharing device based on the control program. Hereinafter, the control program of the main control device 19 and the control program of the sub-control device 20 will be described.
1. Control contents of main control device 19 When the power supply relay 21 is turned on, the main control device 19 checks whether or not there is a communication abnormality with respect to the sub-control device 20 in the power-on process in step S1 of FIG. The power relay 21 is turned on in conjunction with the turning-on operation of the power switch 7, and the main control device 19 repeats the operation process in step S2 and the pause process in step S3 when step S1 is completed. When the end of the washing operation is detected in step S4 or when the re-operation of the power switch 7 is detected in step S5, the process proceeds to the power shut-off process in step S6, and the main power is shut off by turning off the power relay 21. .
1-1. Power-on processing When the main control device 19 proceeds to step S11 in FIG. 5, the buzzer 11 sounds. That is, when the power switch 7 is turned on, the buzzer 11 sounds immediately in conjunction with the turning operation, and the user is notified that the main power is turned on.

  When the main controller 19 sounds the buzzer 11 in step S11, the main controller 19 transmits parity check data to the sub controller 20 in step S12. This check data refers to one-character data represented by 7 bits, and the sub-control device 20 adds a parity bit to the data for one character from the main control device 19 and returns it to the main control device 19. To do. This addition processing is performed so that the number of bits of “1” is an odd number, and the main control device 19 measures the number of bits of “1” of the reply data in step S13. Then, when the number of bits of “1” is an odd number, it is determined that there is no communication abnormality, and when it is an even number, it is determined that there is a communication abnormality.

For example, the character string “GHI” is transmitted as check data from the main control device 19 to the sub-control device 20.
G H I
Binary code 1000111 1001000 1001001
The number of “1” 4 2 3 The sub control unit 20 adds a parity bit of “1” or “0” to the end of the check data so that the number of bits of “1” is an odd number, and the main control It returns to the device 19.
Binary code 100001111 10010001 10010010
The number of “1” 5 3 3 The main control device 19 determines whether the number of “1” bits of the check data from the sub-control device 20 is odd or even and is odd. Sometimes it is determined that there is no communication abnormality, and when it is an even number, it is determined that there is communication abnormality.
Binary code 10001101 10010001 10010000
Number of “1” 4 (error) 3 2 (error)
When determining that there is no communication abnormality in step S13, the main control device 19 detects the operating state of the course switch 8 in step S14. When the operation of the course switch 8 is detected, the process proceeds to step S15, and the driving course is set according to the operation content of the course switch 8. And it transfers to step S16 and transmits a course command to the sub-control apparatus 20. FIG. This course command corresponds to a speaker command that instructs the sub-control device 20 to notify the setting result of the driving course by voice, and the sub-control device 20 detects the course command from the ROM based on the detection of the course command. Sound data corresponding to is detected. Then, the speaker 12 is driven based on the detection result of the sound data, and the sound “standard course has been set”, “the meticulous course has been set”, etc. according to the detection result of the sound data is output from the speaker 12. To do.

  When the main control device 19 transmits a course command in step S16, it detects the operating state of the start switch 9 in step S17. Here, when the operation of the start switch 9 is detected, a start command is transmitted to the sub-control device 20 in step S18, and the operation process proceeds to step S2 in FIG. This start command corresponds to a speaker command for instructing the sub-control device 20 to notify the start of the washing operation by voice, and the sub-control device 20 changes from the ROM to the start command based on detecting the start command. The corresponding sound data is detected. Then, the speaker 12 is driven based on the detection result of the sound data, and the voice “Start driving” is output from the speaker 12.

  When determining that there is a communication abnormality in step S13, the main control device 19 transmits a reset signal to the sub-control device 20 in step S19, and adds “1” to the counter in step S20. This counter measures the number of consecutive occurrences of communication abnormality. When the main controller 19 adds the counter in step S20, the counter addition result is recorded in advance in the ROM in step S21. When “counter <upper limit value” is detected, the check data is retransmitted to the sub-control device 20 in step S12.

  When the main control device 19 detects “counter ≧ upper limit value” in step S21, it records a communication abnormality based on turning on the abnormality flag in step S22. That is, the transmission of the check data and the transmission of the reset signal are repeated until the number of consecutive occurrences of communication abnormality reaches the upper limit value. When the number of consecutive occurrences of communication abnormality reaches the upper limit value, the main controller 19 communicates. Judge that the abnormality cannot be resolved.

When the main controller 19 records the communication abnormality in step S22, the main controller 19 detects the operation state of the course switch 8 in step S23. Here, when the operation of the course switch 8 is detected, an operation course is set according to the operation content of the course switch 8 in step S24, and when the operation of the start switch 9 is detected in step S25, the operation processing of step S2 in FIG. Transition. That is, the course switch 8 and the start switch 9 are enabled after the buzzer 11 sounds even in a communication abnormality occurrence state.
1-2. Operation Process When the main control device 19 shifts to the operation process of Step S2 in FIG. 4, the water supply valve 13, the drain valve 14 and the washing motor 15 are driven and controlled according to the setting result of the operation course, and the washing operation is executed. . That is, the washing operation is executed in conjunction with the effective operation of the start switch 9 regardless of whether there is a communication abnormality, and in the state where the communication abnormality has occurred, only the driving course and the voice notification of the operation start are not executed.
1-3. Pause Processing When the main control device 19 proceeds to step S31 in FIG. 6, it detects the operation state of the pause switch 10. When the operation of the temporary stop switch 10 is detected here, the process proceeds to step S32, and the execution state of the washing operation is determined.

  When the main controller 19 detects that the washing operation is being executed in step S32, the water supply valve 13 and the drain valve 14 are closed in step S33, and the washing motor 15 is stopped to temporarily stop the washing operation. And it transfers to step S34 and the setting state of an abnormality flag is judged. This abnormality flag indicates the presence or absence of a communication abnormality between the main control device 19 and the sub control device 20, and is a check result checked by the main control device 19 in the immediately preceding power-on process.

  When the main control device 19 detects that the abnormality flag is turned off in step S34, the main control device 19 transmits a pause command to the sub-control device 20 in step S35. This temporary stop command corresponds to a speaker command for instructing the sub-control device 20 to notify the suspension of the washing operation by voice. The sub-control device 20 reads from the ROM based on detecting the temporary stop command. Sound data corresponding to the pause command is detected. Then, the speaker 12 is driven based on the detection result of the sound data, and the sound “Pause driving” is output from the speaker 12.

When the main controller 19 detects that the washing operation is temporarily stopped in step S32, the operation is resumed by returning the water supply valve 13, the drain valve 14 and the washing motor 15 to the state immediately before the suspension in step S36. And it transfers to step S37 and the setting state of an abnormality flag is judged. If it is detected that the abnormality flag is turned off, an operation resumption command is transmitted to the sub-control device 20 in step S38. This operation restart command corresponds to a speaker command that instructs the sub-control device 20 to notify the sub-control device 20 of the restart of the washing operation by voice. The sub-control device 20 operates from the ROM based on detecting the operation restart command. Sound data corresponding to the resume command is detected. Then, the speaker 12 is driven based on the detection result of the sound data, and the voice “Restart driving” is output from the speaker 12. In other words, the temporary stop switch 10 is activated regardless of whether there is a communication abnormality, and in the state where a communication abnormality has occurred, only temporary stop and restart voice notifications are not executed.
1-4. Power-off processing When the main control device 19 proceeds to step S4 in FIG. 4, it determines whether or not the driving course has ended. Here, when it is detected that all the driving courses have been completed, the process proceeds to the power-off process in step S6. If it is detected in step S4 that the driving course has not ended, the operation state of the power switch 7 is detected in step S5. If the operation of the power switch 7 is detected here, the process proceeds to the power shut-off process in step S6.

  When the main control device 19 proceeds to the power shut-off process in step S6, the main control device 19 determines the setting state of the abnormality flag in step S41 in FIG. When it is detected that the abnormality flag is turned off, the process proceeds to step S42, and a buzzer command is transmitted to the sub-control device 20. This buzzer command instructs the sub-control device 20 to sound the buzzer 11, and the sub-control device 20 continuously activates the buzzer 11 for a certain time (specifically 6 seconds) based on detecting the buzzer command. Sounds and informs the user of power-off.

When the main control device 19 transmits a buzzer command in step S42, the main control device 19 determines whether or not the standby time has elapsed in step S43. This standby time is started based on the transmission of the buzzer command in step S42, and is set to the same value (specifically 6 sec) as the ringing time of the buzzer 11 of the sub-control device 20.
When the main control device 19 detects the elapse of the standby time in step S43, the main control device 19 shuts off the main power supply based on turning off the power supply relay 21 in step S44. That is, in a state where no communication abnormality has occurred, the main control device 19 uniquely measures the drive time of the buzzer 11, and uniquely recognizes the stoppage of the buzzer 11 based on the measurement time reaching the contract value.

When the main controller 19 detects that the abnormality flag is turned on in step S41, the main controller 19 starts sounding the buzzer 11 in step S45. When it is detected in step S46 that the ringing time of the buzzer 11 has reached the upper limit value (specifically 6 seconds) recorded in the ROM, the process proceeds to step S47, and the buzzer 11 is stopped. That is, in a state where a communication abnormality has occurred, the main control device 19 directly drives the buzzer 11 in the same manner as when no communication abnormality has occurred, and notifies the user of the power interruption.
2. Control Content of Sub-Control Device 20 When the sub-control device 20 finishes the parity check, it determines the setting state of the speaker flag in step S51 of FIG. This speaker flag indicates the current driving state of the speaker 12. When the sub-control device 20 detects that the speaker flag is turned off in step S51, the sub-control device 20 determines that the driving of the speaker 12 is stopped. The process proceeds to S52.

  When the sub-control device 20 proceeds to step S52, it determines whether or not there is a speaker command. This speaker command refers to a course command, a start command, a temporary stop command, and an operation restart command. When the sub-control device 20 detects a speaker command in step S52, sound data corresponding to the speaker command is read from the ROM in step S53. To detect. In step S54, the speaker flag is set to an on state. In step S55, the presence / absence of a buzzer command is determined, and the process returns to step S51.

  When returning to step S51, the sub-control device 20 determines that the speaker flag is turned on and proceeds to step S56. Here, the speaker 12 is driven based on the detection result of the sound data, and it is determined whether or not the sound data is finished in step S57. For example, when the end of the sound data is detected, the driving of the speaker 12 is stopped in step S58, and the speaker flag is reset to an off state in step S59. That is, each time a speaker command is output from the main control device 19 to the sub-control device 20, sound data corresponding to the speaker command is detected, and the speaker command is driven and controlled based on the detection result of the sound data. The sound corresponding to is output.

When the sub-control device 20 detects the buzzer command while the speaker 12 is not driven, the sub-control device 20 proceeds from step S55 to S62 and starts sounding the buzzer 11. When it is detected in step S63 that the ringing time of the buzzer 11 has reached the upper limit value (specifically 6 sec) recorded in advance in the ROM, the process proceeds to step S64, and the buzzer 11 is stopped.
When the sub-control device 20 detects a buzzer command in the driving state of the speaker 12, the sub-control device 20 proceeds from step S60 to S61 and stops the speaker 12 halfway. Then, the buzzer 11 starts sounding in step S62, and when it is detected that the sounding time of the buzzer 11 has reached the upper limit value in step S63, the buzzer 11 is stopped in step S64.

  That is, when the user turns off the power switch 7 following the operation of the course switch 8, start switch 9, and pause switch 10, speaker commands and buzzer commands are transmitted from the main control device 19 to the sub control device 20 in that order. Is done. In this state, the sub-control device 20 drives the speaker 12 based on the previous speaker command, and detects the buzzer command in the driving state of the speaker 12. In this case, the sub-control device 20 stops the speaker 12 halfway and rings the buzzer 11 to give priority to the later buzzer command and notify the user of power-off.

  According to the first embodiment, the common buzzer 11 is alternatively driven and controlled by the main control device 19 and the sub control device 20. For this reason, when a communication abnormality occurs, the main control device 19 can drive the buzzer 11 by itself without transmitting a buzzer command from the main control device 19 to the sub-control device 20, so that a communication abnormality such as disconnection or noise occurs. A buzzer can be generated even when

The main control device 19 is configured to instruct the sub control device 20 to drive the speaker 12 by transmitting a speaker command to the sub control device 20. This eliminates the need to record the sound data for the speaker 12 in the ROM of the main control device 20, thereby reducing the recording amount of the ROM.
The sub-control device 20 is configured to control sounding both the buzzer 11 and the speaker 12. For this reason, since the buzzer sound and the sound are not output at the same time, the buzzer sound and the sound do not become difficult to be heard or distorted.

When the sub control device 20 detects a buzzer command from the main control device 19 while the speaker 12 is driven, the speaker 12 is stopped halfway and the buzzer 11 is sounded. For this reason, the simultaneous output of the buzzer sound and the sound is surely prevented, and the user can be preferentially notified that the shut-off operation of the power switch 7 has been accepted.
The main controller 19 is configured to drive the buzzer 11 when the power switch 7 is turned on. For this reason, it is not necessary for the sub-control device 20 to ring the buzzer 11 after the parity check is completed, so that the buzzer sound is not delayed due to the operation of turning on the power switch 7 due to the parity check.

Since the main control device 19 uniquely determines whether the buzzer 11 stops ringing based on the passage of the standby time when the power switch 7 is turned off, a buzzer stop signal is transmitted from the sub control device 20 to the main control device 19. Therefore, it is not necessary to notify the buzzer 11 that the ringing is stopped. This eliminates the need for the main control device 19 to process the buzzer stop signal, thereby simplifying the control program of the main control device 19.
<Second embodiment>
When the main control device 19 detects that the abnormality flag is turned off in step S41 of FIG. 9, the main control device 19 instructs the buzzer 11 to start ringing based on transmitting the buzzer command to the sub-control device 20 in step S42. Then, the sub control device 20 starts sounding the buzzer 11 based on detecting the buzzer command, and transmits a buzzer stop signal to the main control device 19 when it detects that the sounding time of the buzzer 11 has reached the upper limit value. .

When the main controller 19 transmits a buzzer command in step S42, the main controller 19 determines whether or not a buzzer stop signal is present in step S48. When the buzzer stop signal is detected, the process proceeds to step S44, and the main power supply is shut off by turning off the power supply relay 21.
According to the second embodiment, the main control device 19 recognizes the ringing stop of the buzzer 11 based on the buzzer stop signal from the sub-control device 20 when the power switch 7 is turned off. For this reason, the main control device 19 can reliably determine the stoppage of the buzzer 11 at an accurate timing, so that the main power supply can be reliably shut off after the stop of the buzzer 11. In addition, even when the sub-control device 20 is self-reset based on the abnormal state, the buzzer command can be transmitted from the main control device 19 to the sub-control device 20 to drive the buzzer 11.
<Third embodiment>
When determining that there is no communication abnormality in step S13 in FIG. 10, the main control device 19 transmits a buzzer command to the sub-control device 20 in step S26. Then, the sub-control device 20 sounds the buzzer 11 based on detecting the buzzer command, and notifies the user that the main power is turned on.

  When the main controller 19 records the communication abnormality in step S22, the main controller 19 notifies the user that the main power is turned on based on sounding the buzzer 11 in step S27. That is, the buzzer 11 is driven based on the detection of the buzzer command from the main control device 19 by the sub-control device 20 in principle, and the main control device 19 sends a buzzer to the sub-control device 20 when a communication abnormality occurs. Drive directly without sending commands.

According to the third embodiment, the buzzer 11 is driven without transmitting a buzzer command to the sub-control device 20 when the main control device 19 detects a communication abnormality at power-on and power-off. Even when an abnormality occurs, power-on and power-off can be notified.
In the first to third embodiments, the operation content of the start switch 8, the operation content of the course switch 9, and the operation content of the temporary stop switch 10 are output from the speaker 12. It is good also as a structure to alert | report. In the case of this configuration, the main control device 19 determines whether or not there is an operation abnormality, and when it is detected that there is an operation abnormality, the operation abnormality may be notified by transmitting a speaker command to the sub-control device 20. When the sub control device 20 detects a buzzer command from the main control device 19 during the notification of the abnormal operation, it is preferable to stop the speaker 12 halfway and drive the buzzer 11. The abnormal operation refers to an abnormality that impedes the washing operation itself, such as a rotation abnormality of the washing tub, an abnormality in water supply, or an abnormality in drainage.

  In the first to third embodiments, the buzzer 11 is used as a notification device for notifying the turning on / off of the main power supply. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a chime horn speaker may be used. . In particular, it is preferable that the speaker 12 be abolished when the main power on / off is notified by the speaker, and the main power on / off and the operation content are notified by the common speaker.

  In the first to third embodiments, the present invention is applied to a washing machine that beats and washes laundry by dropping it into washing water. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a water flow generated by a stirring body It may be applied to a washing machine that is washed in.

The figure which shows 1st Example of this invention (the perspective view which shows the external appearance of a washing machine) Block diagram showing electrical configuration Block diagram showing power supply paths of main control unit and sub-control unit Flow chart showing control contents of main controller Flow chart showing power-on processing of main control device Flowchart showing main control device pause processing Flow chart showing the power shutdown process of the main controller Flow chart showing sound control processing of sub-control device FIG. 7 equivalent diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 equivalent diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

11 is a buzzer (notification device, sounding device), 12 is a speaker (sound device), 19 is a main control device, and 20 is a sub-control device.

Claims (6)

A main control device for controlling the washing operation;
An alarm device for outputting an alarm sound;
A sub-control device that drives the alarm device based on receiving a command from the main control device;
The main control device drives the alarm by itself without transmitting a command to the sub-control device in a specific state. The main controller is
The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein when the power is turned on, the alarm device is driven by itself, and when the power is turned off, the sub controller is instructed to drive the alarm device. The main controller is
3. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the sub controller is instructed to drive the alarm device in a non-occurrence state of communication abnormality, and the alarm device is driven by itself in a communication abnormality state. Washing machine. The main controller is
The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the sub controller is instructed to drive the alarm device, the stop of the alarm device is uniquely determined based on a set time. . The main controller is
4. The stop of driving of the alarm device is recognized based on detecting a stop signal from the sub control device when the sub controller is instructed to drive the alarm device. The washing machine according to crab. A ringer as a notification device for notifying power on / off,
With a sound device that informs the driving details,
The sub-control device
The sounder and the sounder are driven based on a command from the main control device,
The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein when the driving of the ringer is commanded in a driving state of the sounder, the sounder is stopped halfway to drive the ringer.

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