JP2005230423A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a washing machine equipped with a lock member which locks a lid for opening and closing a washing-loading opening in a closed condition. <P>SOLUTION: By moving a lock pin 32 forward in the state that a front lid 4 and a rear lid are closed, the lock pin 32 is engaged with the inside of a lock ring 24 of the rear lid 5, and by moving the lock pin 32 backward, the lock pin 32 is made to escape from the inside of the lock ring 24 of the rear lid 5. This rear lid 5 is mechanically coupled to the front lid 4, both the front lid 4 and the rear lid 5 are locked unopenably when the lock pin 32 is engaged with the inside of the lock ring 24, and both the front lid 4 and the back lid 5 are unlocked openably when the lock pin 32 is out of the inside of the lock ring 24. In this constitution, a locking motor is employed as a driving source of the lock pin 32. Hence, since the drive force of the lock pin 32 is increased, the lock pin 32 can be engaged with/disengaged from the lock ring 24 without being affected by a shift of the slide stop position of the rear lid 5. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing machine including a lock member that locks a lid that opens and closes a laundry slot in a closed state.

Some of the washing machines are configured to open and close the laundry inlet based on the rotation of the lid. In this configuration, the lock member is engaged with the cover based on the movement operation from the unlock position to the lock position in the closed state of the cover, and is escaped from the cover based on the movement operation from the lock position to the lock release position. I am letting. This locking member moves using an electromagnetic solenoid as a drive source, locks the lid so that it cannot be opened based on engagement with the lid, and unlocks so that the lid can be opened based on exiting from the lid To do.
JP2003-275495

  In the washing machine, it is considered to open and close the inlet by sliding the lid along the rail. In the case of this configuration, since the slide stop position of the lid is not stable, the positional relationship between the lid and the lock member is likely to be shifted in the closed state of the lid, and the lock member may not be engaged with or disengaged from the lid.

In order to solve the common problem, the inventions according to claims 1 to 6 have a common problem of engaging and disengaging the lock member with respect to the lid without being affected by the displacement of the slide stop position of the lid. The means 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 utilizes a motor as a drive source for moving the lock member.
1) Lid: A slide member that opens and closes a laundry inlet. This slide is not limited to moving along a straight path, but is a term including moving along a curved path, and the point is that it slides.
2) Engagement part: A term that collectively refers to a part that can be engaged with a lock member, and has a shape such as a through-hole-like opening, a bottomed-hole-like opening, a notch-like opening, or a claw-like protrusion. It is not limited to. The engaging portion is provided on the lid and moves in conjunction with the slide of the lid.
3) Lock member: This restrains and allows the lid to slide from the closed state to the open state. Specifically, the lid is locked so as not to be opened based on engagement with the engaging portion of the lid in the closed state, and the lid is unlocked so as to be openable based on coming out of the engaging portion.
4) Operation mechanism: The lock member is operated to move between the locked state and the unlocked state. The unlocked state refers to the state in which the lock member has escaped from the engaging portion of the lid, and the locked state refers to the state in which the lock member is The state engaged with the engaging part of the lid is referred to. This operation mechanism is not limited to the operation mode such as a cam mechanism, a link mechanism, a gear mechanism, a belt mechanism, and a chain mechanism, but is a general term for mechanical mechanisms that move and operate the lock member between the locked state and the unlocked state. It is a term. This operation mechanism uses a motor as a drive source, and the magnetic force of the motor is involved in the movement of the lock member.
<Explanation of Inventions According to Claims 2 to 3>
The inventions according to claims 2 and 3 utilize the change in the state of the switch for confirming that the lock member is moving as a reference signal for positioning. In this case, the non-control mode in which the motor is simply driven and the position is not controlled, and the control mode in which the motor is stopped in the locked state / unlocked state by controlling the position are switched to the reference signal.
<Explanation of Invention According to Claim 4>
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when a change in the switch state is not detected even after a set time has elapsed since the start of driving the motor, an abnormality process is performed. The upper limit value of the driving time is set to a value that allows the lock member to reciprocate a plurality of times between the locked state and the unlocked state. That is, when the movement of the lock member is not confirmed, the movement operation of the lock member is automatically retried, and when the malfunction of the lock member is not eliminated, the abnormality process is performed.
<Explanation of Invention According to Claim 5>
The invention according to claim 5 refers to the recovery process of the lock member when an instantaneous power failure occurs during the movement of the lock member. In other words, if an instantaneous power failure occurs between the time when the switch changes state and the time when the lock member reaches the target position, the motor is re-driven until the switch returns to the state before the change, and the change in state of the switch is used as a reference. The lock member is moved to the target position as a signal.
<Explanation of Invention According to Claim 6>
The invention according to claim 6 backs up the moving state of the lock member immediately before power-off in the power-off state, and recognizes the current state of the lock member based on the backup data when the power is turned on. The lock member is started to be driven with the recognition result as an initial position, and does not have a fixed initial position.

  A motor is used as a drive source for moving the lock member. For this reason, since the operating force of the lock member is increased, the lock member can be engaged with and disengaged from the engagement portion of the lid without being affected by the deviation of the slide stop position of the lid.

<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 insertion port 3 (see FIG. 2), and a rail is fixed to the top cover 2. A front lid 4 and a rear lid 5 are mounted on the rail so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 2, the front lid 4 and the rear lid 5 have a bellows shape in which a plurality of rod pieces 6 are connected to each other so as to be rotatable. The lid 4 and the rear lid 5 are opened and closed based on the sliding operation. That is, the front lid 4 and the rear lid 5 correspond to the lid 25 that opens and closes the insertion port 3.

  The front lid 4 and the rear lid 5 are mechanically connected via a transmission mechanism. This transmission mechanism transmits the sliding force of one of the front lid 4 and the rear lid 5 in the opposite direction to the other, and the front lid 4 slides in the forward opening direction when the front lid 4 and the rear lid 5 are closed. Sometimes the rear lid 5 slides in the rearward opening direction in conjunction with the front lid 4, and both the front lid 4 and the rear lid 5 are opened. When the front lid 4 and the rear lid 5 are opened, when the rear lid 5 slides in the front closing direction, the front lid 4 slides in the rear closing direction in conjunction with the rear lid 5, and the front lid 4 and the rear lid 5. Both are closed.

  The rear lid 5 is formed with a space-like hook housing portion 7 whose front surface is open. A rear hook 8 is housed in the hook housing portion 7. When the front lid 4 and the rear lid 5 are closed, the rear hook 8 engages with the front hook 9 in the hook housing portion 7. The front hook 9 is attached to the front lid 4, and the front lid 4 and the rear lid 5 are held in a closed state by the engagement force between the front hook 9 and the rear hook 8.

  An operation button 10 is attached to the rear lid 5. This operation button 10 is used to move the rear hook 8 from the engaged state to the disengaged state. When the front button 4 and the rear cover 5 are closed, the rear hook 8 is engaged. The engagement between the rear hook 8 and the front hook 9 is released based on the release state, and the front lid 4 slides in the forward opening direction by its own weight. In conjunction with the sliding of the front lid 4, the rear lid 5 slides in the rearward opening direction, and both the front lid 4 and the rear lid 5 are in an open state in which the insertion port 3 is opened. The front hook 9 and the rear hook 8 are mechanically interlocked with the operation of the operation button 10 to open the front lid 4 and the rear lid 5, and do not lock the front lid 4 and the rear lid 5 in a closed state. .

  A handle 11 is fixed to the rear lid 5. The handle 11 is for operating the rear lid 5 from the open state to the closed state. When the handle 11 is gripped and the rear lid 5 is operated in the front closing direction, the front lid 4 is interlocked with the rear lid 5 and rearward. Slide in the closing direction. At this time, the front lid 9 and the rear lid 5 are kept closed based on the fact that the front hook 9 enters the hook housing portion 7 and the front hook 9 and the rear hook 8 are engaged in the hook housing portion 7. Is done.

  An operation panel 12 is attached to the right end of the top cover 2 as shown in FIG. An LED display 13 is mounted on the operation panel 12, and operation information such as remaining operation time and error content is displayed on the display 13. A power switch 14 is attached to the operation panel 12. The power switch 14 is a self-returning push switch for turning on / off the main power. When the power switch 14 is turned on in the main power cut-off state, the main power is turned on, and the main power is turned on. When the power switch 14 is turned on, the main power supply is shut off.

  A course switch 15 and a start switch 16 are mounted on the operation panel 12. The course switch 15 designates a driving course. When the course switch 15 is operated with the main power turned on, the driving course is set according to the operation content of the course switch 15. The start switch 16 is for instructing the start of operation. When the start switch 16 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.

  A water supply valve 17 (see FIG. 3) is accommodated in the top cover 2. The water supply valve 17 opens and closes the water supply channel of the water tank. When the water supply valve 17 is opened, tap water is injected into the water tank through the water supply path. 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 18 (see FIG. 3) is interposed in the drainage channel of this water tank. This drain valve 18 opens and closes the drainage channel, and when the drainage valve 18 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 the top cover 2 through the slot 3 and has a drum shape with a horizontal rotation axis. This washing tub is mechanically connected to a rotating shaft of a washing motor 19 (see FIG. 3). The washing motor 19 is composed of a three-phase DC brushless motor. When the washing motor 19 is rotated, the laundry in the washing tub is lifted by the baffle in the washing tub and then falls into the washing water. That is, the laundry tub is a drum type that taps and washes by repeating the operation of dropping the laundry into the water.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a control device 20 corresponding to control means is accommodated in the outer box 1. The control device 20 is mainly composed of a microcomputer, and has a CPU, a ROM, an EEPROM, a RAM, and an I / O. As shown in FIG. 3, a course switch 15 and a start switch 16 are electrically connected to the control device 20, and the control device 20 determines an operation course based on detecting an effective operation of the course switch 15. The washing operation is started based on the setting and detecting the effective operation of the start switch 16. Note that the EEPROM of the control device 20 corresponds to a backup memory and a nonvolatile memory.

  A water supply valve 17 and a drain valve 18 are electrically connected to the control device 20 via a valve drive circuit 21, and a washing motor 19 is electrically connected via a motor drive circuit 22. Based on the detection of the effective operation of the start switch 16, the water supply valve 17, the drain valve 18 and the washing motor 19 are driven and controlled, and the washing operation is executed according to the setting result of the operation course. Further, the display device 13 is electrically connected to the control device 20 via the LED drive circuit 23, and the control device 20 displays the operation information based on controlling the display content of the display device 13.

  A lock switch mechanism 30 is accommodated in the top cover 2 as shown in FIG. The lock switch mechanism 30 uses a lock motor 31 (see FIG. 3) as a drive source to advance and retract a lock pin 32 between a locked state and an unlocked state. The lock pin 32 is in a closed state of the front lid 4 and the rear lid 5. To engage in the lock ring 24 based on advancement to the locked state. As shown in FIG. 2, the lock ring 24 is fixed to the rear lid 5, and is based on the fact that the rear lid 5 is locked in the closed state in the engaged state between the lock pin 32 and the lock ring 24. Thus, both the front lid 4 and the rear lid 5 are restrained so as not to slide. Hereinafter, a detailed configuration of the lock switch mechanism 30 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a switch case 33 is fixed in the top cover 2, and a partition plate 34 is formed in the switch case 33. The partition plate 34 divides the switch case 33 into a left motor chamber 35 and a right plunger chamber 36, and a lock motor 31 is accommodated in the motor chamber 35. The lock motor 31 is composed of an AC synchronous motor with a built-in reduction gear mechanism, and a circular rotary plate 38 is fixed to a rotary shaft 37 of the lock motor 31. A pin-shaped cam 39 is fixed to the outer peripheral portion of the rotating plate 38, and the cam 39 moves in the circumferential direction around the rotating shaft 37 based on the drive of the lock motor 31.

  A cylindrical bearing 40 is formed on the switch case 33, and an annular stopper 41 is formed at the tip of the bearing 40. A plunger 42 is slidably fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the bearing 40, and a circular seat plate 43 is fixed to the tip of the plunger 42. A cylindrical lock pin 32 and a cylindrical spring receiver 44 are fixed to the seat plate 43, and one end of a lock spring 45 is fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the spring receiver 44. The lock spring 45 is a compression coil spring, and the other end of the lock spring 45 is fitted to the inner peripheral surface of a cylindrical spring receiver 46. The spring receiver 46 is formed on the partition plate 34, and the plunger 42 is urged toward the right rear lid 5 by the spring force of the lock spring 45.

  A driven plate 47 is fixed to the plunger 42. The follower plate 47 has a square through hole, and a cam 39 is inserted into the through hole. The inner surface of the through hole functions as a cam surface 48. When the mechanical rotation phase angle of the lock motor 31 is “0 °”, the seat plate 43 of the plunger 42 is locked as shown in FIG. The spring 45 is held in contact with the stopper 41 of the switch case 33 by the spring force of the spring 45. In this state, the lock pin 32 is held in a locked state in which it protrudes from the inside of the switch case 33 to the maximum, and a gap-like play is formed between them due to the cam 39 being separated from the cam surface 48. The lock pin 32 corresponds to a lock member, and engages in a lock ring 24 corresponding to an engagement portion in a locked state.

  The lock motor 31 is driven in a constant arrow direction at a constant rotational speed. When the lock motor 31 is driven in a locked state of the lock pin 32, the cam 39 presses the cam surface 48, and the lock pin 32 is locked to the lock spring. The switch is moved linearly in the switch case 33 against the spring force of 45. As shown in FIG. 6, the movement amount of the lock pin 32 becomes maximum when the mechanical rotation phase angle of the lock motor 31 reaches “180 °”, and the maximum movement state of the lock pin 32. Then, the lock pin 32 is restrained so as not to protrude based on the cam surface 48 coming into contact with the cam 39 by the spring force of the lock spring 45, and is held in the unlocked state where the lock pin 32 is drawn into the switch case 33 to the maximum extent. That is, the forward movement of the lock pin 32 from the locked state to the unlocked state is performed by the lock pin 32 moving in synchronization with the cam 39, and the moving amount and moving speed of the lock pin 32 are determined by the lock motor 31. It is controlled based on the amount of rotation and the rotation speed.

  When the lock motor 31 is driven with the lock pin 32 unlocked, the lock pin 32 moves to the right rear lid 5 side by the spring force of the lock spring 45. The movement of the lock pin 32 is performed in a contact state between the cam surface 48 and the cam 39 until the seat plate 43 of the plunger 42 contacts the stopper 41 of the switch case 33. The lock pin 32 is shown in FIG. As described above, when the mechanical rotation phase angle of the lock motor 31 reaches “360 ° (0 °)”, the lock state is restored. That is, the backward movement of the lock pin 32 from the unlocked state to the locked state is performed by the lock pin 32 moving in synchronization with the cam 39, and the movement amount and movement speed of the lock pin 32 are determined by the lock motor 31. It is controlled based on the amount of rotation and the rotation speed.

The operation mechanism 67 is an assembly of mechanical elements that move the lock pin 32 between the locked state and the unlocked state. The operation mechanism 67 is composed of a cam mechanism having a cam 39, a plunger 42, a lock spring 45, and a driven plate 47, and operates with the lock motor 31 as a drive source.
FIG. 7A shows the temporal position change of the distal end surface of the lock pin 32 when the lock motor 31 is driven in a constant direction at a constant speed, and the vertical axis and the horizontal axis are the distal ends of the lock pin 32. The position and elapsed time are shown. The horizontal axis corresponds to the mechanical rotational phase angle of the lock motor 31. The lock pin 32 is pulled into the switch case 33 in the unlocked state, and stays at a fixed rotational phase angle in the locked state. . That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the lock pin 32 is positioned in the locked state based on the plunger 42 coming into contact with the switch case 33, and the cam 39 and the cam surface 48 are in the locked state of the lock pin 32. A gap is formed between the two. The stop period of the lock pin 32 indicates a period required for the cam 39 to engage with the cam surface 48.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a holder 49 to a holder 51 are formed in the switch case 33. One end of a movable contact 52 is fitted between the holder 49 and the holder 50, and a contact 53 is fixed to the other end of the movable contact 52. The movable contact 52 is made of a leaf spring, and the movable contact 52 is formed with a triangle-shaped operated portion 54 that is bent.

  One end of a fixed contact 55 made of a leaf spring is fitted between the holder 50 and the holder 51, and a contact 56 is fixed to the other end of the fixed contact 55. The fixed contact 55 and the movable contact 52 constitute a lock switch 57 (see FIG. 3), which is electrically connected based on contact between the contact 53 and the contact 56, and between the contact 53 and the contact 56. Electrical isolation is based on the separation. As shown in FIG. 4, a lead wire 58 is electrically connected to the fixed contact 55 and the movable contact 52, and electrical conduction between the fixed contact 55 and the movable contact 52 is electrically passed through both lead wires 58. Detected.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the other end of the fixed contact 55 engages with the stopper 59 in a separated state between the fixed contact 55 and the movable contact 52. The stopper 59 is fixed in the switch case 33, and is positioned based on the other end of the fixed contact 55 engaging with the stopper 59 in a separated state between the fixed contact 55 and the movable contact 52.

  The driven plate 47 is formed with a projecting switch operation portion 60, and the switch operation portion 60 is formed with an inclined surface 61. The switch operation unit 60 elastically deforms the movable contact 52 based on pressing the operated portion 54 of the movable contact 52. When the lock pin 32 is locked, as shown in FIG. The movable contact 52 is elastically deformed based on the fact that 54 rides on the switch operation unit 60. In the riding state of the operated portion 54, the lock switch 57 is turned on based on the contact 53 of the movable contact 52 contacting the contact 56 of the fixed contact 55.

  In the unlocked state of the lock pin 32, as shown in FIG. 6, the movable contact 52 is elastically restored when the operated portion 54 is detached from the switch operation portion 60. In the deviated state of the operated portion 54, the lock switch 57 is turned off based on the contact 53 of the movable contact 52 being separated from the contact 56 of the fixed contact 55. That is, the lock switch 57 is switched from the on state to the off state while the lock pin 32 moves from the locked state to the unlocked state, and from the off state to the on state while the lock pin 32 moves from the unlocked state to the locked state. It switches to.

  FIG. 5 shows a state in which the operated portion 54 of the movable contact 52 rides on the inclined surface 61 of the switch operating portion 60. That is, when the lock pin 32 moves from the locked state to the unlocked state, the movable contact 52 starts to return elastically when the inclined surface 61 reaches the operated portion 54, and the movable contact 52 elastically returns along the inclined surface 61. As a result, the fixed contact 55 is separated. When the lock pin 32 moves from the unlocked state to the locked state, the movable contact 52 begins to be elastically deformed when the inclined surface 61 reaches the operated portion 54, and the movable contact 52 is elastically deformed along the inclined surface 61. As a result, the fixed contact 55 is contacted. That is, the inclined surface 61 functions as a pressing surface for elastically deforming and restoring the movable contact 52.

  The lock switch 57 changes its state in conjunction with the reciprocation of the lock pin 32 and functions as a confirmation switch for confirming the normal operation of the lock pin 32. As shown in FIG. 7B, the lock switch 57 is turned off while the lock pin 32 moves from the locked state to the unlocked state, and the lock pin 32 is turned off after the lock switch 57 is turned off. The unlocking time required for reaching the unlocked state is uniquely determined according to the commercial AC power frequency. The lock switch 57 is turned on while the lock pin 32 moves from the unlocked state to the locked state, and the lock time required for the lock pin 32 to reach the locked state after the lock switch 57 is turned on. Is uniquely determined according to the commercial AC power frequency. The lock switch mechanism 30 is configured as described above.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the lock switch 57 opens and closes a power supply path that supplies commercial AC power to the signal circuit 62, and the signal circuit 62 is electrically connected to the control device 20. This signal circuit 62 is mainly composed of a photocoupler that generates a rectangular wave-shaped synchronization signal based on a commercial AC power supply, and the control device 20 includes a signal circuit 62 as shown in FIGS. In addition, when the lock switch 57 is in an off state, a high level switch signal is input, and when the lock switch 57 is in an on state, a rectangular wave switch signal is input.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a frequency determination circuit 66 is electrically connected to the control device 20. The frequency determination circuit 66 outputs a rectangular wave clock signal synchronized with the commercial AC power supply frequency, and the control device 20 determines the commercial AC power supply frequency based on the clock signal from the frequency determination circuit 66. That is, the control device 20 functions as a frequency determination unit.

  The control device 20 determines the input level of the switch signal every set time. This input level determination processing is performed by using the output from the frequency determination circuit 66 as a clock signal, and the control device 20 determines that the standby time has elapsed since the falling edge of the clock signal, as shown in FIG. At this point, the input level of the switch signal is determined. When the input level determination result is continuously high for a plurality of times, it is recognized that the lock switch 57 is off. When the input level determination result is continuously low for a plurality of times, it is recognized that the lock switch 57 is on. .

  As shown in FIG. 3, the lock motor 31 is electrically connected to a motor drive circuit 63. This motor drive circuit 63 is of a zero cross type mainly composed of a phototriac coupler, and the control device 20 applies a commercial AC power source to the lock motor 31 based on turning on the light emitting diode of the photocoupler, and locks the lock. The motor 31 is driven in synchronization with the commercial AC power supply. That is, the control device 20 controls the lock motor 31 in an open loop based on controlling the on / off timing of the motor drive circuit 63.

  As shown in FIG. 9, a power supply circuit 64 is electrically connected to the commercial AC power supply. The power switch 14 is interposed in the power supply path of the power supply circuit 64, and commercial AC power is supplied to the power supply circuit 64 based on the fact that the power supply path is mechanically closed when the power switch 14 is turned on. . The power supply circuit 64 generates power for all the electrical components such as the display 13, the water supply valve 17, the drain valve 18, the washing motor 19, the control device 20, the lock motor 31, and the like. The control device 20 is activated based on the supply of drive power from the circuit 64 to the control device source 20.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a power relay 65 is electrically connected to the control device 20. As shown in FIG. 9, the power supply relay 65 is interposed in the power supply path of the power supply circuit 64, and the control device 20 is activated based on the ON operation of the power switch 14 and turns on the power supply relay 65. In the ON state of the power supply relay 65, commercial AC power is supplied to the power supply circuit 64 based on the closing of the power supply path, and drive power is supplied from the power supply circuit 64 to the control device 20. That is, in the operation release state of the power switch 14, the control device 20 validates the power circuit 64 based on holding the power relay 65 in the ON state, and secures the power.

A control program is recorded in the ROM of the control device 20, and the control device 20 drives and controls the display 13, the water supply valve 17, the drain valve 18, the washing motor 19, the lock motor 31, and the power relay 65 based on the control program. The washing operation is executed based on this. Hereinafter, a control program of the control device 20 will be described.
When the control device 20 detects that the power switch 14 is turned on, the control device 20 starts an interrupt program. When the interruption program detects that the power supply relay 65 is turned off, the power supply relay 65 is turned on and the power is turned on.

When the power is turned on, the control device 20 shifts to the lock release processing in step S1 of FIG. In this unlocking process, the lock pin 32 is moved to the unlocked state and the opening operation of the front lid 4 and the rear lid 5 is permitted. Details of the unlocking process are as follows.
When the control device 20 proceeds to step S11 in FIG. 11, it detects the backup data of the pin flag Fp from the EEPROM. The pin flag Fp indicates the current state of the lock pin 32. When the lock pin 32 is in the locked state or the unlocked state, the pin flag Fp is set to “locked” or “unlocked”. The pin flag Fp is changed from “locked” to “unlocked” based on the completion of the movement of the lock pin 32 from the locked state to the unlocked state, and the lock pin 32 is completed to move from the unlocked state to the locked state. The lock pin 32 is changed from “unlocked” to “locked”, and is set to “locked” when the lock pin 32 is moving from the locked state to the unlocked state, and the lock pin 32 is in the unlocked state. In the middle of moving from to the locked state, “unlocked” is set.
1. Movement process for operating the lock pin 32 from the locked state to the unlocked state 1-1. Normal Processing The control device 20 detects that the pin flag Fp is set to “lock” in step S11 of FIG. 11, and detects backup data of the switch flag Fs from the EEPROM in step S12. The switch flag Fs indicates the current state of the lock switch 57, and is set to “on” and “off” when the lock switch 57 is on and off.

  The control device 20 detects that the switch flag Fs is set to “ON” in step S12, and turns on the lock motor 31 in step S14. Then, the process proceeds to step S15, and the state of the lock switch 57 is determined. The lock switch 57 is switched from the on state to the off state when the lock pin 32 moves from the locked state to the unlocked state. When the lock pin 32 moves from the locked state to the unlocked state, the lock switch 57 is turned on at the initial stage of movement. Has been. Therefore, the control device 20 determines that the lock switch 57 is turned on in step S15, and proceeds to step S16.

When the control device 20 proceeds to step S16, the measured value of the timer T1 is compared with the limit time. The timer T1 starts measurement based on the start of driving the lock motor 31 in step S14. The control device 20 confirms that the drive time T1 of the lock motor 31 has not reached the limit time in step S16. If detected, the process proceeds to step S17.
When the control device 20 proceeds to step S17, it determines whether or not an instantaneous power failure has occurred. This instantaneous power failure is determined based on the generation state of the clock signal from the frequency determination circuit 66, and the control device 20 returns to step S15 when it is detected in step S17 that no instantaneous power failure has occurred. That is, the control device 20 simply turns on the lock motor 31 before the lock switch 57 is turned off, and does not control the position of the lock pin 32. The control state before the state change of the lock switch 57 is referred to as a non-control mode.

  When detecting that the lock switch 57 is turned off in step S15, the control device 20 sets the switch flag Fs to “off” in step S22, and stores the setting result of the switch flag Fs in the EEPROM. And it transfers to step S23 and determines a commercial alternating current power supply frequency. The power supply frequency is determined based on the clock signal from the frequency determination circuit 66. When the control device 20 determines the power supply frequency in step S23, the process proceeds to step S24.

  The ROM of the control device 20 stores required time data as shown in FIG. This required time data includes the lock release time from when the lock switch 57 is turned off until the lock pin 32 moves to the unlocked state, and the lock time from when the lock switch 57 is turned on to when the lock pin 32 moves to the locked state. When the control device 20 proceeds to step S24 in FIG. 11, the control device 20 detects the unlocking time corresponding to the determination result of the power supply frequency from the ROM.

  When detecting the unlock time in step S24, the control device 20 compares the measured value of the timer T2 with the detection result of the unlock time in step S25. The timer T2 starts measurement based on detecting the lock switch 57 being turned off in step S15, and the control device 20 determines that the measured value of the timer T2 has reached the detection result of the lock release time in step S25. When it is determined that there is not, the process proceeds to step S26. Here, it is determined whether or not an instantaneous power failure has occurred based on the clock signal from the frequency determination circuit 66. When it is detected that no instantaneous power failure has occurred, the process returns to step S25.

When determining that the measured value of the timer T2 has reached the detection result of the unlock time in step S25, the control device 20 recognizes that the lock pin 32 has moved to the unlock state. In step S33, the lock motor 31 is turned off, and the lock pin 32 is stopped in the unlocked state. In step S34, the pin flag Fp is set to “unlock”, and the setting result of the pin flag Fp is stored in the EEPROM. That is, the control device 20 controls the position of the lock pin 32 in an open loop based on controlling the on-time of the lock motor 31 after the lock switch 57 is turned off. This is referred to as a control mode.
1-2. Abnormality processing when the lock pin 32 malfunctions When the controller 20 detects that the measured value of the timer T1 has reached the limit time in step S16 of FIG. 11, it turns off the lock motor 31 in step S20. This limit time is set to a value that allows the lock pin 32 to reciprocate between the locked state and the unlocked state a plurality of times, and when the control device 20 turns off the lock motor 31 in step S20, the limit time is set. Based on the display of the error number on the display 13 in S21, the user is notified of the malfunction of the lock pin 32. And it transfers to step S9 of FIG. 10, and complete | finishes a process by turning off the power supply relay 65. FIG. That is, even if the on-time T1 of the lock motor 31 reaches the limit value, when the lock switch 57 is not detected to be off, it is determined that the malfunction of the lock pin 32 cannot be resolved, and an abnormality process is performed.
1-3. Recovery processing of the lock pin 32 when an instantaneous power failure occurs When the controller 20 detects the occurrence of an instantaneous power failure at step S17 in FIG. 11, the control device 20 waits at step S18. When it is detected in step S18 that the instantaneous power failure has been restored, the lock motor 31 is turned on in step S19, and the process returns to step S15. That is, when an instantaneous power failure occurs before the lock switch 57 is turned off, an operation command is output when the instantaneous power failure is restored, and the movement of the lock pin 32 is resumed from the stop position immediately before the power failure.

  When the controller 20 detects the occurrence of an instantaneous power failure at step S26, the controller 20 waits at step S27. When it is detected in step S27 that the instantaneous power failure has been restored, the lock motor 31 is turned on in step S28, and the movement of the lock pin 32 is resumed from the stop position immediately before the power failure. Then, the process proceeds to step S29, and it is determined that the lock switch 57 is on. This instantaneous power failure occurs when the lock switch 57 is in the OFF state. The lock switch 57 is switched from the OFF state to the ON state while the lock pin 32 moves from the unlocked state to the locked state via the unlocked state. Change.

  When detecting that the lock switch 57 is turned on in step S29 in FIG. 11, the control device 20 sets the switch flag Fs to “on” in step S32 and stores the setting result of the switch flag Fs in the EEPROM. When it is detected in step S15 that the lock switch 57 is turned off again, whether or not the unlocking time has elapsed is determined in step S25, and when the unlocking time has elapsed, the lock motor 31 is turned off in step S33. That is, when an instantaneous power failure occurs when the lock switch 57 is in the off state, the lock pin 32 is returned until the lock switch 57 is turned on, and the lock pin 32 moves to the unlock state with the lock switch 57 being turned off again as a reference signal. Be controlled.

  When the control device 20 detects that the lock switch 57 is turned off in step S29, the control device 20 proceeds to step S30. If the occurrence of an instantaneous power failure is detected here, the process waits until the instantaneous power failure is restored in step S31 and returns to step S28. That is, when an instantaneous power failure occurs while the lock pin 32 is being returned, an operation command is output based on the recovery from the instantaneous power failure, and the movement of the lock pin 32 is resumed from the stop position immediately before the power failure.

  When the unlocking process is completed, the control device 20 determines the operation state of the course switch 15 in step S2 of FIG. In the end state of the unlocking process, the lock pin 32 is held at the unlock position, and the opening operation of the front lid 4 and the rear lid 5 is allowed based on the disengagement between the lock pin 32 and the lock ring 24. ing. The user opens the insertion port 3 based on the opening operation of the front lid 4 and the rear lid 5 in the unlocked state of the lock pin 32, and puts the laundry into the washing tub through the insertion port 3. Then, the front lid 4 and the rear lid 5 are closed, and the course switch 15 and the start switch 16 are operated in this order.

When the control device 20 detects the operation of the course switch 15 in step S2, it sets a driving course based on the operation content of the course switch 15 in step S3. Then, in step S4, the operation state of the start switch 16 is determined. When the operation of the start switch 16 is detected, the process proceeds to the lock process in step S5. In this lock process, the lock pin 32 is moved to the locked state, and the front lid 4 and the rear lid 5 are locked so as not to be opened. Details of the lock process are as follows.
2. 2. Moving process for operating the lock pin 32 from the unlocked state to the locked state 2-1. Normal Processing When the control device 20 proceeds to step S41 in FIG. 12, the lock motor 31 is turned on. This lock process is always started when the lock pin 32 is unlocked. When the control device 20 starts driving the lock motor 31 at step S41, the control device 20 determines the state of the lock switch 57 at step S42. The lock switch 57 is switched from the off state to the on state when the lock pin 32 moves from the unlocked state to the locked state, and is turned off at the beginning of the movement of the lock pin 32. Therefore, the control device 20 determines that the lock switch 57 is turned off in step S42, and proceeds to step S43.

  When the control device 20 proceeds to step S43, the measured value of the timer T1 is compared with the limit time. The timer T1 starts measurement based on the start of driving the lock motor 31 in step S41. The control device 20 confirms that the drive time T1 of the lock motor 31 has not reached the limit time in step S43. If detected, the process proceeds to step S44. Here, when it is detected that no instantaneous power failure has occurred, the process returns to step S42, and the lock motor 31 is driven in the non-control mode.

When determining that the lock switch 57 is turned on in step S42, the control device 20 sets the switch flag Fs to “on” in step S49, and stores the setting result of the switch flag Fs in the EEPROM. In step S50, the power supply frequency is determined. In step S51, the lock time corresponding to the determination result of the power supply frequency is detected from the ROM.
When detecting the lock time in step S51, the control device 20 compares the measured value of the timer T3 with the detection result of the lock time in step S52. The timer T3 starts measurement based on determining that the lock switch 57 is turned on in step S42, and the control device 20 does not reach the detection result of the lock time in step S52. When this is detected, the process proceeds to step S53. Here, the presence or absence of an instantaneous power failure is determined, and when it is detected that no instantaneous power failure has occurred, the process returns to step S52.

When detecting that the measured value of the timer T3 has reached the lock time detection result in step S52, the control device 20 recognizes that the lock pin 32 has moved to the locked state. In step S60, the lock motor 31 is turned off, and the lock pin 32 is stopped in the locked state. In step S61, the pin flag Fp is set to “lock”, and the setting result of the pin flag Fp is stored in the EEPROM.
2-2. Abnormality processing at the time of malfunction of the lock pin 32 When the control device 20 detects that the measured value of the timer T1 has reached the limit time in step S43 of FIG. 12, the lock motor 31 is turned off in step S47 and displayed in step S48. The error number is displayed on the device 13. And it transfers to step S9 of FIG. 10, and complete | finishes a process by turning off the power supply relay 65. FIG. That is, even if the on-time T1 of the lock motor 31 reaches the limit value, when the on-state of the lock switch 57 is not detected, it is determined that the malfunction of the lock pin 32 cannot be resolved, and the abnormality process is performed.
2-3. When the instantaneous power failure occurs, the control device 20 waits until the instantaneous power failure is restored in step S45 when detecting the occurrence of the instantaneous power failure in step S44 of FIG. 12, and proceeds to step S46. That is, when an instantaneous power failure occurs before the lock switch 57 is turned on, an operation command is output when the instantaneous power failure is restored, and the movement of the lock pin 32 is resumed from the stop position immediately before the power failure.

  When the controller 20 detects the occurrence of an instantaneous power failure at step S53, the controller 20 waits at step S54. When it is detected in step S54 that the instantaneous power failure has been restored, the lock motor 31 is turned on in step S55, and the movement of the lock pin 32 is resumed from the stop position immediately before the power failure. Then, the process proceeds to step S56, and it is determined that the lock switch 57 is off. This instantaneous power failure occurs when the lock switch 57 is turned on. The lock switch 57 is switched from the on state to the off state while the lock pin 32 moves from the locked state to the unlocked state via the on state. .

  When the controller 20 detects that the lock switch 57 is turned off in step S56 of FIG. 12, the controller 20 sets the switch flag Fs to “off” in step S59, and stores the setting result of the switch flag Fs in the EEPROM. If it is detected in step S42 that the lock switch 57 has been turned on again, it is determined in step S52 whether or not the lock time has elapsed. If the lock time has elapsed, the lock motor 31 is turned off in step S60. That is, when an instantaneous power failure occurs when the lock switch 57 is on, the lock pin 32 is returned until the lock switch 57 is turned off, and the lock pin 32 is controlled to move to the lock state with the switch 57 being turned on again as a reference signal. The

  When the control device 20 detects that the lock switch 57 is turned on in step S56, the control device 20 proceeds to step S57. If the occurrence of an instantaneous power failure is detected, the process waits until the instantaneous power failure is restored in step S58 and returns to step S55. That is, when an instantaneous power failure occurs while the lock pin 32 is being returned, an operation command is output based on the recovery from the instantaneous power failure, and the movement of the lock pin 32 is resumed from the stop position immediately before the power failure.

When the control device 20 finishes the lock processing, the control device 20 proceeds to the operation processing in step S6 of FIG. Here, the water supply valve 17, the drain valve 18, and the washing motor 19 are driven and controlled according to the setting result of the operation course, and the washing operation is executed.
When the control device 20 proceeds to step S7, it determines the end of the operation. Here, when it is detected that the driving course has been completed, the driving end is detected, and the process proceeds to the unlocking process in step S8. This unlocking process has the same contents as the unlocking process in step S1, and the control device 20 moves the lock pin 32 from the locked state to the unlocked state in the unlocking process in step S8, and moves the front lid 4 and the rear cover. The lid 5 is unlocked so that it can be opened. And it transfers to the power-supply-cutoff process of step S9, and a drive is stopped based on turning off the power supply relay 65. FIG. That is, the lock pin 32 stops in the unlocked state when the power supply is normally shut off based on the end of operation. In the power cut-off state, the pin flag Fp and the switch flag Fs are “unlocked” in the EEPOM of the control device 20. ”And“ off ”.

When the control device 20 detects that the power switch 14 is turned on in the power-on state, the control device 20 stops the main program in FIG. 10 halfway and starts the interrupt program. Then, the power supply relay 65 is turned off by the interruption program, and the driving is stopped. That is, when the power switch 14 is cut off during the movement of the lock pin 32, the power is cut off and the lock pin 32 stops during the movement. When the power switch 14 is turned on while the lock pin 32 is stopped halfway, the control device 20 proceeds to the unlocking process in step S1 of FIG. Then, the halfway stop state of the lock pin 32 is determined based on the EEPOM backup data, and the lock pin 32 is moved from the halfway stop state to the unlocked state. Hereinafter, the control contents from the midway stop state of the lock pin 32 will be described.
3. 3. Moving process for operating the lock pin 32 from the halfway stopped state to the unlocked state 3-1. When the lock pin 32 stops while moving from the unlocked state to the locked state When the lock pin 32 moves from the unlocked state to the locked state, the pin flag Fp is set to “unlocked” and the switch flag Fs is set to “ON”. "Or" Off ".

  The control device 20 detects the backup data of the pin flag Fp from the EEPROM in step S11 of FIG. 11, and determines that the detection result of the backup data is “unlocked”. Then, the process proceeds to step S13, and the backup data of the switch flag Fs is detected from the EEPROM. For example, when it is detected that the switch flag Fs is set to “ON”, the process proceeds to step S14. Here, based on turning on the lock motor 31, the lock pin 32 starts to move from the midway stop position, and is moved to the unlocked state in the non-control mode and the control mode.

When detecting that the switch flag Fs is set to “OFF” in step S13, the control device 20 starts moving the lock pin 32 from the midway stop position based on turning on the lock motor 31 in step S28. Then, the lock pin 32 is returned until the lock switch 57 is turned on, and moved to the unlocked state in the non-control mode and the control mode.
3-2. When the lock pin 32 stops in the middle of moving from the locked state to the unlocked state In the middle of the movement of the lock pin 32 from the locked state to the unlocked state, the pin flag Fp is set to “lock” and the switch flag Fs is set to “off”. Or it is set to “On”. In step S11 of FIG. 11, the control device 20 detects the backup data of the pin flag Fp from the EEPROM, and determines that the detection result of the backup data is “lock”. Then, the process proceeds to step S12, and the backup data of the switch flag Fs is detected from the EEPROM.

  When detecting that the switch flag Fs is set to “ON” in step S12, the control device 20 starts moving the lock pin 32 from the midway stop position based on turning on the lock motor 31 in step S14. Move to unlock state in control mode and control mode. When it is detected in step S12 that the switch flag Fs is set to “OFF”, the process proceeds to step S28, and the lock pin 32 starts to move from the midway stop position based on turning on the lock motor 31. Then, the lock pin 32 is returned until the lock switch 57 is turned on, and moved to the unlocked state in the non-control mode and the control mode. That is, when the power switch 14 is turned off while the lock pin 32 is moving, the lock switch 32 is automatically moved to the unlocked state based on the turning-on operation of the power switch 14. This moving operation is started from the stop position immediately before the power is turned off, and the movement control of the lock pin 32 is performed in the same manner as when an instantaneous power failure occurs.

According to the first embodiment, the following effects are obtained.
A lock motor 32 is used as a drive source for moving the lock pin 32. For this reason, since the operation sound when the lock pin 32 is advanced and retracted is reduced, the quietness is improved. Moreover, since the operating force when the lock pin 32 advances and retreats increases, the lock pin 32 can be engaged with and disengaged from the lock ring 24 of the rear lid 5 without being affected by the displacement of the slide stop position of the rear lid 5. it can.

  A change in the state of the lock switch 57 for confirming the movement of the lock pin 32 was used as a reference signal for positioning. For this reason, a lock switch for detecting that the lock pin 32 has moved to the lock state and a lock release switch for detecting that the lock pin 32 has moved to the lock release state are provided. Since it is not necessary to perform control to turn off the lock motor 31 on the basis of the change in the state of the switch for use, the configuration is simplified.

Since the lock pin 32 is stopped in the lock state and the unlock state based on turning off the lock motor 31 at the timing when the lock time and the lock release time have elapsed from the change in the state of the lock switch 57, an expensive stepping motor or the like is required. The position of the lock pin 32 can be accurately controlled without using a drive source.
If the change in the state of the lock switch 57 is not detected even after the upper limit time has elapsed since the lock motor 31 was turned on, an abnormal process is performed, so that the user can be informed of the malfunction of the lock pin 32. Moreover, the upper limit time is set to a value that allows the lock pin 32 to reciprocate a plurality of times between the unlocked state and the locked state. Therefore, when the movement of the lock pin 32 is not confirmed, the movement operation of the lock pin 32 is automatically retried, and the abnormality process can be performed only when the malfunction of the lock pin 32 is not eliminated.

  When a momentary power failure occurs between the time when the lock switch 57 changes state and the time when the lock pin 32 reaches the target position, the lock motor 31 is driven until the lock switch 57 returns to the state before the change. The lock pin 32 was moved to the target position using the state change again as a reference signal. For this reason, even when an instantaneous power failure occurs after the state of the lock switch 57 changes, the lock pin 32 can be accurately moved to the target position.

  The movement state of the lock pin 32 immediately before the power is shut off is backed up as a pin flag Fp and a switch flag Fs, and when the power is turned on, the current state of the lock pin 32 is recognized based on the backup data of the pin flag Fp and the switch flag Fs. Can be moved from the current position to the target position. For this reason, it is not necessary to return the lock pin 32 to the initial position and move it from the initial position to the target position, so that the time required to move the lock pin 32 is shortened.

Since the power supply frequency is determined based on the clock signal from the frequency determination circuit 66 and the lock time and the lock release time are adjusted based on the determination result of the power supply frequency, the lock pin 32 is not affected by the difference in the power supply frequency. It is possible to accurately move to the target position.
In the first embodiment, an AC synchronous motor is used as the lock motor 31. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any type of motor may be used.

In the first embodiment, the position of the lock motor 31 is controlled in an open loop. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, feedback control may be performed based on a position signal from a position sensor.
In the first embodiment, the outer lid 25 is divided into the slidable front lid 4 and the rear lid 5. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the outer lid 25 may be composed of a single slide lid.

In the first embodiment, the outer lid 25 is provided so as to be slidable. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the outer lid 25 may be provided so as to be rotatable or detachable. Anything to do.
In the first embodiment, the protruding lock ring 24 is exemplified as the engaging portion with which the lock pin 32 engages. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the engaging portion is a through-hole-shaped opening. -You may comprise from a bottomed hole-shaped opening part, a notch-shaped opening part, a nail | claw part, etc.

In the said 1st Example, although the pin 32 was illustrated as a locking member, it is not limited to this, For example, you may comprise a locking member from a plate.
In the first embodiment, the cam mechanism 67 is illustrated as an operation mechanism for moving and operating the lock pin 32. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the operation mechanism may be a link mechanism, a gear mechanism, a belt mechanism, or a chain mechanism. Or the like.

In the first embodiment, the contact type mechanical switch is exemplified as the lock switch 57. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a non-contact type proximity switch may be used.
In the first embodiment, the present invention is applied to a drum-type washing machine that beats and washes laundry. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the washing machine is configured to wash laundry with a water flow generated by a pulsator. It may be applied.

The figure which shows 1st Example of this invention (the perspective view which shows the external appearance of a washing machine) The perspective view which shows the external appearance of a front lid and a back lid in a half open state Block diagram showing electrical configuration Diagram showing the internal configuration of the lock switch mechanism with the lock pin locked Diagram showing the internal structure of the lock switch mechanism in the middle of the movement of the lock pin Diagram showing the internal configuration of the lock switch mechanism with the lock pin unlocked (A) is a figure which shows the time position change of a lock pin, (b) is a figure which shows the state change of a lock switch. The figure which shows the relationship between ON / OFF of a lock switch, and the recognition result of a control apparatus (a is a figure which shows ON / OFF of a lock switch, b is a figure which shows the input signal of a control apparatus, c is a figure which shows the recognition result of a control apparatus) Diagram showing power supply path of control device Flow chart showing control contents of control device Flowchart showing details of unlocking process of control device Flowchart showing lock processing contents of control device The figure which shows the record data of the control device

Explanation of symbols

3 is a slot, 20 is a control device (control means), 24 is a lock ring (engagement part), 25 is a lid (outer lid, washing lid), 31 is a lock motor (motor, drive source), 32 is a lock pin (Lock member), 57 denotes a lock switch (switch), and 67 denotes an operation mechanism.

Claims (6)

A slidable lid that opens and closes the laundry inlet;
An engaging portion provided on the lid;
A locking member that locks the lid in a non-slidable manner based on engaging with the engaging portion in a closed state of the lid, and that unlocks the lid in a slidable manner based on coming out of the engaging portion; ,
A washing machine comprising: an operation mechanism that moves the lock member between a locked state and an unlocked state using a motor as a drive source. A switch whose state changes during the movement of the locking member;
2. The washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising: a control unit that moves and controls the lock member to a locked state and an unlocked state by driving and controlling the motor using a change in the state of the switch as a reference signal.   The said control means stops the said locking member in a locked state and a lock release state based on stopping driving | operation of the said motor at the timing which set time passed since the state change of the said switch. Washing machine.   When the control means does not detect a change in the state of the switch even after a set time has elapsed in which the lock member can reciprocate a plurality of times between the unlocked state and the locked state after starting to drive the motor. The washing machine according to any one of claims 2 to 3, wherein abnormality processing is performed.   The control means drives the motor until an instantaneous power failure occurs between the time when the switch changes state and the time when the lock member reaches the locked state or the unlocked state until the switch returns to the state before the change. The washing machine according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the lock member is moved to a locked state or an unlocked state using a change in state of the switch again as a reference signal. A backup memory for storing the moving state of the lock member immediately before power-off in a power-off state,
The washing machine according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the control means recognizes a current state of the lock member based on backup data of the backup memory when power is turned on.

Images