JP2006197738A - Electric washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To materialize a DC power source for electric washing machine which can supply a control circuit with quick-rise and stable DC power. <P>SOLUTION: When the voltage of a smoothing capacitor in a DC power generating circuit for a control circuit 20 which is constituted to shorten the starting time, using a smoothing capacitor 20d of relatively small capacitance, power is supplied from a smoothing capacitor in a DC power generating circuit 18 for a main circuit using a smoothing capacitor 18b of relatively large capacitance, so as to keep the output voltage of the DC power generating circuit for the control circuit stable. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an electric washing machine, and more particularly to a DC power generation circuit for a control circuit.

  An electric washing machine (washing / drying machine) is basically a laundry (washing and rinsing) in a washing tub (washing and dehydrating tub), which is stirred (washed and rinsed) by stirring blades, and the washing tub is rotated. Thus, the laundry is centrifugally dehydrated (and dried).

  Such an electric washing machine is equipped with a main drive unit with a built-in motor and clutch mechanism for rotating a stirring blade and a washing tub, a water supply / drain electromagnetic valve, a washing water circulation pump, a bath water supply pump, a dry air circulation fan, an operation panel, etc. The control device sets the execution contents of the washing / dehydration / drying process based on the instruction input from the operation panel, and the main drive device, the water supply / drainage electromagnetic valve, the wash water circulation pump, the bath water supply pump, the dry air circulation fan Is controlled to execute the washing, dehydrating and drying processes, and the display elements of the operation panel are controlled to display the process settings and progress.

  In the drum type electric washing machine (washing and drying machine), the washing tub also functions as an agitating blade. In the washing and drying process, the washing tub is rotated at a low speed by a motor to stir the laundry, and in the dehydration process, The structure in which the laundry tub is rotated at high speed by a motor to centrifugally dehydrate the laundry is different from the electric washing machine, and the other structure is the same as the electric washing machine.

  The control device in such an electric washing machine includes a main drive device, a water supply / drainage electromagnetic valve, a washing water circulation pump, a bath water supply pump, a dry air circulation fan, a control circuit for controlling the operation panel, and a power supply circuit (power supply device). This power supply device includes a main circuit direct current generating circuit as a power source of an inverter circuit that supplies power to a direct current brushless motor that is a motor of a main drive circuit, a microcomputer in a control circuit, a washing water circulation pump, a bath water supply pump, a dry air circulation A control circuit DC power generation circuit is provided as a power source for supplying power to a load such as a fan or an operation panel.

  Both of these DC power supply generation circuits are configured to generate a DC voltage by rectifying and smoothing a commercial AC voltage, and the main circuit DC generation circuit has a full-wave rectification circuit and a relatively large capacitance. A smoothing capacitor is provided, and the DC power generation circuit for the control circuit converts the half-wave rectifier circuit, the smoothing capacitor having a relatively small capacitance, and the DC voltage generated in the smoothing capacitor into a voltage suitable for power supply to each load. A voltage conversion circuit is provided.

  The smoothing capacitor in the DC power generation circuit for the control circuit is a capacitance that can smooth the voltage ripple on the input side of the voltage conversion circuit to be within the allowable value even under the maximum load condition. In order to ensure the safety of the electric washing machine even when the power outlet is unplugged or the commercial power supply is momentarily stopped, the predetermined voltage on the output side of the voltage conversion circuit is set to the predetermined value even after the supply of the commercial power supply is stopped. It is desirable for the capacitance to be able to store a charge that can be maintained over time.

  However, in consideration of the maximum load and the commercial AC power supply stop state, the smoothing capacitor in the DC power generation circuit for the control circuit needs a large capacitance, and the smoothing capacitor becomes large and expensive.

  In addition, if the capacitance of the smoothing capacitor in the DC voltage generating circuit for the control circuit is increased, the time required to charge the smoothing capacitor to a predetermined stable voltage becomes longer, and the control device becomes an operating state after the power switch is turned on. Since the time required for voltage rise (startup) becomes longer, the delay time from when the power switch is turned on until the operation panel becomes operational and the display element lights up becomes longer, and the usability of the electric washing machine becomes worse There's a problem. Such a problem becomes conspicuous because the capacitance of the smoothing capacitor must be increased when the load of the control circuit DC power generation circuit increases.

  One object of the present invention is to propose a power supply apparatus capable of stably supplying a DC power to a relatively large load even when a smoothing capacitor having a relatively small capacitance is used in order to shorten the time required for starting. There is.

  Another object of the present invention is to quickly bring up the operation panel when the power switch is turned on so that the display element can be turned on, and to stably supply DC power to a relatively large load. It is to propose a power supply device.

  According to the present invention, when the voltage of the smoothing capacitor in the DC power generation circuit for a control circuit configured to shorten the start-up time by using a smoothing capacitor having a relatively small capacitance, a large static voltage is applied. By supplying power from the smoothing capacitor in the main circuit direct-current power generation circuit using a smoothing capacitor having a capacitance, the output voltage of the control circuit direct-current power generation circuit is stably maintained.

Specifically, a main circuit by rectifying an AC voltage input from a commercial power source and smoothing it with a capacitor by a main tub provided with a motor for rotating the laundry tub, a washing tub for storing laundry, and a motor A DC power supply generation circuit for a main circuit that generates a DC power supply voltage for a power supply, an inverter circuit that controls power feeding to the motor using an output voltage of the DC power supply generation circuit for the main circuit as a power supply, A control circuit for controlling the inverter circuit, the water supply solenoid valve and the drain solenoid valve to execute a washing process and a rinsing process, and a DC voltage obtained by rectifying an AC voltage input from a commercial power supply and then smoothing it with a capacitor. In an electric washing machine equipped with a DC power generation circuit for a control circuit,
The control circuit DC power generation circuit is configured to acquire a DC voltage from a smoothing capacitor of the main circuit DC power generation circuit in addition to the DC voltage input,
Alternatively, a washing tub for storing laundry, a main drive device having a motor for rotationally driving the washing tub, and a DC power supply for a main circuit by rectifying an AC voltage input from a commercial power supply and smoothing it with a capacitor DC power generation circuit for main circuit for generating voltage, inverter circuit for controlling power supply to motor using output voltage of DC power generation circuit for main circuit as power source, water supply solenoid valve and drain solenoid valve, instruction input An operation panel having a switch group and a display element group, a control circuit for controlling the inverter circuit, the clutch mechanism, the water supply electromagnetic valve and the drain electromagnetic valve to execute a washing process and a rinsing process, and controlling the lighting of the display element group; DC power supply for control circuit that uses DC voltage obtained by rectifying AC voltage input from commercial power supply via power switch and smoothed by capacitor as input In the electric washing machine equipped with a circuit,
The DC power generation circuit for the control circuit includes a smoothing capacitor of the DC power generation circuit for the main circuit in addition to the DC voltage obtained by rectifying the AC voltage input through the power switch and then smoothing it with a capacitor. It is configured to acquire a DC voltage, and when the power switch is turned on, the display element group is controlled using a DC voltage based on the input from the power switch as a power source, and based on the input from the power switch during the process control. The control is executed using the DC voltage and the DC voltage of the smoothing capacitor of the DC power generation circuit for the main circuit as power sources.

  According to the present invention, since the capacitance of the smoothing capacitor used on the input side of the DC power generation circuit for the control circuit can be reduced, the rise at the time of turning on the power switch can be accelerated, and the control circuit When the load of the DC power generation circuit for the circuit increases and the voltage of the smoothing capacitor decreases, it is possible to receive supplementary power from the smoothing capacitor in the DC power generation device for the main circuit that uses a smoothing capacitor with a large capacitance. Therefore, stable power supply can be continued with respect to the increased load. Further, the power supply for the control circuit to perform a predetermined control process can be continued even when the power outlet is removed or the commercial power supply is momentarily stopped.

The present invention relates to a main circuit by rectifying an AC voltage input from a commercial power source and smoothing it with a capacitor by a washing tub for putting laundry, a main drive device having a motor for rotationally driving the washing tub, and a capacitor. A DC power generation circuit for a main circuit that generates a DC power supply voltage, an inverter circuit that controls power supply to the motor using an output voltage of the DC power generation circuit for the main circuit as a power source, a water supply electromagnetic valve and a drain electromagnetic valve, An operation panel having an instruction input switch group and a display element group, a control circuit for controlling the inverter circuit, the water supply electromagnetic valve and the drain electromagnetic valve to execute a washing process and a rinsing process, and controlling the lighting of the display element group; Equipped with a DC power generation circuit for a control circuit that uses as input the DC voltage obtained by rectifying the AC voltage input from a commercial power supply via a power switch and smoothing it with a capacitor In the electric washing machine,
The DC power generation circuit for the control circuit includes a smoothing capacitor of the DC power generation circuit for the main circuit in addition to the DC voltage obtained by rectifying the AC voltage input through the power switch and then smoothing it with a capacitor. It is configured to acquire a DC voltage, and when the power switch is turned on, the display element group is controlled using a DC voltage based on the input from the power switch as a power source, and based on the input from the power switch during the process control. The control can be executed using the DC voltage and the DC voltage of the smoothing capacitor of the main circuit DC power generation circuit as a power source.

  The electric washing machine of Example 1 of this invention is demonstrated with reference to drawings. FIG. 1 is a longitudinal side view of the electric washing machine according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is an electric circuit diagram of the control device.

  An outer tub 3 is installed inside the outer frame 1 by being supported by a plurality of suspensions 2, and a washing tub 4, which is a washing and dewatering tub, is rotatably installed in the outer tub 3. The stirring blade 5 is rotatably installed. The washing tub 4 and the agitation blade 5 are connected to the inner end of a concentric double shaft passing through the outer tub 3 and are configured to be rotated by the motor of the main drive device 6 attached to the outside of the outer tub 3. To do.

  Although not shown in the figure, the main drive device 6 includes a DC brushless motor, a clutch mechanism, and a reduction gear mechanism, and in the washing (and drying) process, the stirring blade 5 is rotated slowly while the washing tub 4 is stationary. In the dehydration process, a drive system that drives the washing tub 4 and the stirring blade 5 to rotate at high speed integrally is formed.

  A top cover 7 having a garment input port 7 a is fixed to the upper end of the outer frame 1, and the garment input port 7 a is covered with an outer lid 8 so as to be opened and closed. An operation panel (substrate) 9 having a command input switch group and a display element group, a main control substrate 10 and a water level sensor 11 are housed in the front portion of the top cover 7, and a water supply electromagnetic valve 12 and bath water are disposed in the rear portion. A water supply pump (not shown) is accommodated.

  An air trap 3 a provided at the lower portion of the outer tub 3 is connected to the water level sensor 11 via an air tube 13, and the drain port 3 b is connected to a drain hose 15 via a drain electromagnetic valve 14. Further, the drain port 3b is connected to a washing water circulation pump to constitute a washing water circulation system (not shown) that circulates the washing water so as to sprinkle into the washing tub 4 from above the washing tub 4. Further, when an electric washing machine with a drying function is formed, an exhaust port is formed in the bottom side wall of the outer tub 3, the air in the outer tub is sucked out by an air circulation fan, cooled and dehumidified, and then heated to be above the washing tub 4. A dry air circulation system (not shown) that blows into the washing tub 4 is configured.

  The control apparatus will be specifically described with reference to FIG. This control device is mainly configured by being mounted on the main control board 10.

  The control device includes a main circuit DC power source generation circuit 18 serving as a DC power source of an inverter circuit 17 that supplies power to a DC brushless motor 6 a that is a motor of the main drive device 6, and a control circuit DC source generation circuit 20 that supplies power to the control circuit 19. Is provided.

  The main circuit DC power generation circuit 18 is connected to form a full-wave rectification circuit, and a full-wave rectification diode bridge circuit 18a and a full-wave rectification pulsation voltage output from the DC terminal of the full-wave rectification diode bridge circuit 18a. A smoothing capacitor 18b having a relatively large capacitance (450 μF to 1000 μF) that is smoothed to a DC voltage is provided. The AC terminal of the full-wave rectifier diode bridge circuit 18a is connected to the commercial AC power supply 21 via normally open power relay contacts RY1 and RY2.

  The control circuit DC power generation circuit 20 compares the half-wave rectification pulsating voltage output from the upstream side of the power relay contact RY1 through the half-wave rectifier diode 20a, the current limiting resistor 20b, and the power switch 20c into a DC voltage. A smoothing capacitor 20d having a small electrostatic capacity (30 μF to 35 μF), a half-wave rectifier diode 20e for charging the smoothing capacitor 20d from the downstream side of the power supply relay contact RY1, and a voltage conversion circuit (switching power supply circuit). A switching power supply control IC 20f, a switching transistor 20g, a primary winding 20h, a transformer 20m including three secondary windings 20i, 20j, and 20k, and three half rectifiers for the generated voltage in the secondary windings 20i to 20k. Wave rectifier diodes 20n, 20o, 20p and three smoothing capacitors 20q 20r, provided with the 20s.

  The diode 22 is connected to the smoothing capacitor 18b when the DC voltage of the smoothing capacitor 20d of the control circuit DC power generation circuit 20 becomes lower than the DC output pressure of the smoothing capacitor 18b of the main circuit DC power generation circuit 18. The accumulated charge is connected between the smoothing capacitor 20d of the control circuit DC power supply generation circuit 20 and the smoothing capacitor 18b of the main circuit DC power supply generation circuit 18 in such a direction as to move to the smoothing capacitor 20d.

  The control circuit 19 includes a microcomputer 19a which is a main control circuit and a load drive circuit 19b, and operates using a DC voltage output from the DC power generation circuit 20 for the control circuit as a power source. The microcomputer 19a has a built-in control processing program for realizing the function of the electric washing machine. When the microcomputer 19a is in an operating state, the power relay contacts RY1 and RY2 are closed and controlled, and the AC terminal of the DC power generating circuit 18 for main circuit is used. Is connected to the commercial AC power source 20, the control element is set according to the instruction input from the instruction input switch 9 a provided on the operation panel 9, and the display element group 9 b is controlled so as to display the setting state. The clutch mechanism is operated so as to drive by washing by controlling the clutch mechanism operation solenoid 6b and the inverter circuit 17 is controlled to operate the DC brushless motor 6a to rotationally drive the agitating blade 5 to thereby apply the rotational drive load. Based on the detected cloth amount, the display element group 9b of the operation panel 9 displays the detergent amount corresponding to the detected cloth amount. A water level detection signal that is controlled and output from the water level sensor 11 and a power supply voltage detection signal that indicates whether or not the commercial AC voltage is lost to the AC terminal of the full-wave rectifier diode bridge circuit 18a that is input via the diode 23 and the protective resistor 24. Referring to FIG. 2, the water supply electromagnetic valve 12 is opened to supply the washing water to a predetermined water level, the clutch mechanism is operated so as to drive the washing by controlling the clutch mechanism operation solenoid 6b of the main drive device 6, and the inverter circuit 17 The DC brushless motor 6a is driven to control the rotation of the agitating blade 5 and the washing water circulation pump 25 is driven to execute the washing process control for circulating the washing water, and the drain electromagnetic valve 14 is opened to perform washing. The clutch mechanism operation solenoid 6b is controlled so that the water is drained, and the clutch mechanism of the main drive device 6 is driven to dewater. The DC brushless motor 6a is operated by controlling the counter circuit 17 to execute a washing process control in which the washing tub 4 and the agitating blade 5 are integrally rotated. In an electric washing machine with a drying function, The operation panel is configured to display the progress of each process by performing a drying process in which the air in the tub 3 is sucked out by an air circulation fan, cooled and dehumidified and then heated and blown into the washing tub 4 from above the washing tub 4 9 display element groups 9b are controlled.

  The control circuit 19 including the microcomputer 19a has DC + 5V as a driving power source for some of the relays and electrical components DC + 12V and DC + 24V. These DC power sources are generated by the DC power source generating circuit 20 for the control circuit. The output (load) of the control circuit direct-current power generation circuit 20 varies greatly depending on the process because the operating load varies depending on the operation process of the electric washing machine, and is about 50 W at the maximum output.

  On the other hand, at the start-up such as when the power switch of the electric washing machine is turned on, the control circuit 19 is only operated by the microcomputer 19a and a very small number of circuits, and the load on the control circuit DC power generation circuit 20 is minimized. The power consumption is about 0.5W. Therefore, the input of the control circuit DC power supply generation circuit 20 changes in the range of 0.62 W to 62.5 W according to the fluctuation of the output, with the efficiency being about 80%.

  When the power switch 20c is turned on, the control circuit DC power generation circuit 20 according to the first embodiment has a minimum load due to the half-wave rectification pulsation voltage input via the half-wave rectifier diode 20a, the current limiting resistor 20b, and the power switch 20c. It starts by charging a smoothing capacitor 20d having a small electrostatic capacity (30 μF to 35 μF) capable of storing a charge capable of supplying electric power corresponding to 1 and generating a stable DC voltage in a short time.

  When the charging voltage of the smoothing capacitor 20d rises to the switching power supply control IC 20f of the switching power supply circuit and the starting voltage of the switching transistor 20g, the switching power supply circuit operates to generate an AC voltage in the secondary windings 20i to 20k of the transformer 20m. When the AC voltage is rectified by the three half-wave rectifier diodes 20n to 20p, a DC voltage is generated in the three smoothing capacitors 20q to 20s. When this voltage rises to the operating voltage of the microcomputer 19a, the microcomputer 19a Reset is performed to start the control processing operation. The delay time from when the power switch 20c is turned on until the microcomputer 19a starts the control processing operation is mainly the charging delay time of the smoothing capacitor 20d. However, the smoothing capacitor 20d in the first embodiment has a small capacitance. Therefore, the charging of the smoothing capacitor 20d is completed in a very short time (about 0.2 seconds), and the microcomputer 19a starts the control processing operation in a very short time after the power switch 20c is turned on. When 20c is turned on, the power display elements in the display element group 9b of the operation panel 9 are immediately turned on.

  Next, the microcomputer 19a closes the power relay contact RY1, and thereafter, even if the power switch 20c is opened, the charging of the smoothing capacitor 20d of the control circuit DC power generation circuit 20 is performed via the half-wave rectifier diode 20e. Thereafter, the supply of DC power to the control circuit 19 by the control circuit DC power generation circuit 20 is continued.

  Next, the microcomputer 19a closes the power supply relay contact RY2 to supply a commercial AC voltage to the full-wave rectifier diode bridge 18a in the main circuit DC power supply generator 18. As a result, the full-wave rectifier diode bridge 18a performs full-wave rectification of the AC voltage, charges the smoothing capacitor 18b, and supplies a stable predetermined DC voltage to the inverter circuit 17, thereby controlling the washing, dehydrating, and drying process. It becomes possible.

  When the microcomputer 19a starts the control process of the washing, dehydrating and drying processes, the load on the control circuit DC source generation circuit 20 increases, and therefore the small capacitance of the control circuit DC source generation circuit 20 is smoothed. The capacitor 20d cannot cope with an increase in the load, and the terminal voltage decreases, and the power supply from the control circuit DC source generation circuit 20 to the load of the control circuit DC source generation circuit 20 becomes unstable as it is. turn into. However, when the terminal voltage of the smoothing capacitor 20d becomes lower than the terminal voltage of the smoothing capacitor 18b of the DC power generation circuit 18 for the main circuit, the diode 22 becomes conductive and power is supplied from the smoothing capacitor 18b to the smoothing capacitor 20d and the switching power supply circuit ( Therefore, even if the microcomputer 19a starts the control process of the washing, dehydration, and drying process, the control circuit DC source generation circuit 20 loads the control circuit DC source generation circuit 20 to the load. Stable power supply can be continued.

  Similarly, when the power outlet is accidentally pulled out or a momentary power failure occurs in the commercial AC power source 21, the smoothing capacitor 18b of the main circuit DC power source generating circuit 18 is similarly used to smooth the control circuit DC power source generating circuit 20. Since power is supplied to the capacitor 20d, the control circuit DC power generation circuit 20 continues to generate a stable control voltage. During this time, the microcomputer 19a inputs from the diode 23 via the protective resistor 24. Based on the power supply voltage detection signal, it is possible to recognize the disappearance of the commercial AC voltage and to realize a control process for ensuring the safety of the electric washing machine.

  The second embodiment of the present invention is a drum type electric washing machine having a configuration in which the washing tub 4 in the first embodiment is deformed into a drum type installed on a horizontal axis or an oblique axis and the stirring blade 5 is omitted. The main drive device 6 is configured by a variable speed motor by omitting the clutch mechanism so that the washing tub can be rotated at a low speed or at a high speed. The laundry is stirred at a low speed, and the main driving device (motor) 6 is controlled to rotate the laundry tub at a high speed to centrifugally dehydrate the laundry in the dehydration process. Other configurations are the same as those of the electric washing machine of the first embodiment.

It is a vertical side view of the electric washing machine of Example 1 of this invention. It is an electric circuit diagram of the control apparatus in the electric washing machine of Example 1 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Case, 2 ... Suspension, 3 ... Outer layer, 4 ... Washing tub, 5 ... Stirring blade, 6 ... Main drive part, 6a ... DC brushless motor, 6b ... Clutch mechanism operation solenoid, 9 ... Operation panel, 9a ... Instruction Input switch group, 9b ... Display element group, 10 ... Main control board, 12 ... Water supply solenoid valve, 14 ... Drainage solenoid valve, 17 ... Inverter circuit, 18 ... DC power generation circuit for main circuit, 18a ... Full-wave rectifier diode bridge Circuit, 18b ... Smoothing capacitor, 19 ... Control circuit, 19a ... Microcomputer, 19b ... Load drive circuit, 20 ... DC power generation circuit for control circuit, 20a ... Half-wave rectifier diode, 20c ... Power switch, 20d ... Smoothing capacitor, 20g ... switching transistor, 20m ... transformer, 22 ... diode, RY1, RY2 ... power relay contact.

Claims (2)

The main circuit DC power supply voltage is obtained by rectifying the AC voltage input from the commercial power supply and smoothing it with a capacitor. A main circuit direct current power generation circuit to be generated; an inverter circuit that controls power supply to the motor using an output voltage of the main circuit direct current power generation circuit as a power supply; a water supply electromagnetic valve and a drain electromagnetic valve; and the inverter circuit; For control circuits that control the water supply solenoid valve and drainage solenoid valve to execute the washing process and rinsing process, and the control circuit that uses the DC voltage obtained by rectifying the AC voltage input from the commercial power supply and then smoothing it with a capacitor as input In an electric washing machine equipped with a DC power generation circuit,
2. The electric washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit DC power generation circuit is configured to acquire a DC voltage from a smoothing capacitor of the main circuit DC power generation circuit in addition to the DC voltage input. The main circuit DC power supply voltage is obtained by rectifying the AC voltage input from the commercial power supply and smoothing it with a capacitor. DC power generation circuit for main circuit to be generated, inverter circuit for controlling power supply to motor using output voltage of DC power generation circuit for main circuit as power source, water supply solenoid valve and drainage solenoid valve, and instruction input switch group An operation panel having a display element group, a control circuit for controlling the inverter circuit, the water supply electromagnetic valve and the drain electromagnetic valve to execute a washing process and a rinsing process, and controlling the lighting of the display element group, and a power supply from a commercial power source Electric laundry provided with a DC power generation circuit for a control circuit that receives a DC voltage obtained by rectifying an AC voltage input through a switch and then smoothed by a capacitor In,
The DC power generation circuit for the control circuit includes a smoothing capacitor of the DC power generation circuit for the main circuit in addition to the DC voltage obtained by rectifying the AC voltage input through the power switch and then smoothing it with a capacitor. It is configured to acquire a DC voltage, and when the power switch is turned on, the display element group is controlled using a DC voltage based on the input from the power switch as a power source, and based on the input from the power switch during the process control. An electric washing machine characterized in that control is executed using a DC voltage and a DC voltage of a smoothing capacitor of the main circuit DC power generation circuit as a power source.

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