JP2011206101A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a user to change a selection range for changing contents of operation according to the actual use state by the user.SOLUTION: In the washing machine, steps of washing, rinsing, dewatering, etc. are controlled by a control device, and a plurality of operation courses programmed in advance according to the state of the laundry can be selectively executed. Contents of operation including the washing time in the respective steps, the number of times of rinsing, the dewatering time, etc. in a selected operation course can be individually changed in a preset selection range. Contents of operation after the change are stored in the control device, and the selection range is expanded or shifted according to the contents of operation to be set as a selection range after the change.

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing machine that can variably set a selection range that can be selectively set in accordance with a setting content of a user for changing driving details.

  In general, a general washing machine automatically performs steps such as washing, rinsing, and dewatering, and also selects a driving course desired by the user from a plurality of washing driving courses set according to the degree of dirt on the laundry. It can be selected and executed as appropriate. For example, the washing operation course is based on the “standard” course that deals with standard soiling, taking into consideration the various conditions of the laundry, such as the “replacement” course and the “speedy” course that can save detergent. Thus, a plurality of driving courses can be selectively set based on a program stored in advance. Furthermore, for each process such as washing, rinsing and dehydration in the course setting, for example, the time can be changed in the washing and dehydration process, and the number of times of rinsing can be changed in the rinsing process (for example, see Patent Document 1). Operation control according to user's preference is possible.

  Furthermore, the latest “Frequently used driving course” is memorized among the driving courses changed as described above, so that the driving course can be displayed when the power is turned on next time, and the trouble of resetting the driving course is saved. Convenience can be further improved, such as being able to save and improving usability (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-126075 JP 2008-79951 A

  By the way, in order for as many users as possible to be satisfied and enjoy convenience, it is only necessary to set as many washing driving courses as possible so that they can be selected. There may be a problem that the setting operation becomes troublesome. In addition, the selection range in which the washing and dehydration time, the number of times of rinsing, etc. that can be changed for each process can be changed is set to a relatively leveled constant range based on practical data. In addition, it is effective when the previous operation content is stored and used as it is next time. However, when the operation range is desired to be changed a little, the desired change cannot be made when the selection range is fixed. For this reason, it is not always possible for some users to change according to their preferences, and sufficient convenience cannot be enjoyed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine capable of variably setting a selection range in which operation details can be changed in accordance with a user's usage situation.

In order to achieve the above object, the washing machine of the present invention controls each process such as washing, rinsing, and dehydration by a control device, and selectively selects a plurality of pre-programmed driving courses according to the state of the laundry. In addition to being executable, the operation details such as the washing time, the number of times of rinsing, the dehydration time of each stroke in the selected driving course can be individually changed within a preset selection range,
The said control apparatus memorize | stores the driving | running content after a change, and sets the said selection range as a selection range after a change by expanding or shifting according to this driving | running content.

  According to the above means, it is possible to provide a washing machine in which a selection range in accordance with a user's usage situation is widened, a washing operation in which a desired operation content is set can be executed, and a user-friendly and sufficient convenience can be enjoyed.

The flowchart which shows the main control content in one Example which applied this invention to the washing machine with a drying function. Action explanatory diagram for explaining the initial setting and the selection range that can be selectively set in the standard course Action explanatory view (a, b) for explaining operation contents after change in case A Action explanation diagram showing display example of selection range Fig. 3 equivalent figure in case B (a, b) Side view showing the schematic configuration of the entire washing machine in a broken state Enlarged front view of the operation panel Block diagram showing electrical configuration FIG. 3 equivalent view (a, b) based on case C showing a modification

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8 showing an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a washing machine with a drying function. FIG. 6 is a side view of the overall structure of the washing machine, partially broken away. The casing 1 forming the outer shell is a rectangular outer box 2 and a top cover that is attached so as to cover the top. 3. The top cover 3 has a loading port 3a for putting laundry in and out at the center, and a lid 4 for opening and closing the loading port 3a. In addition, an operation panel 5 having various switch keys, which will be described later in detail, is disposed in the upper front portion, and a control device including a microcomputer 6a and the like for controlling the entire operation from washing to drying. 6 (details will be described later).

  Further, inside the outer box 2, a bottomed cylindrical water tank 7 having an open upper surface is elastically supported through elastic support mechanisms 8 (only one is shown in the figure) at four corners. Yes. A drain port 7 a is formed at the lowest part of the bottom of the water tank 7, and a drain pipe 10 is connected to the bottom of the tank via a drain valve 9 so that the drain can be drained outside the machine. A disc-shaped tank cover 11 is fitted and fixed to the upper surface opening of the water tank 7 so as to close the water tank 7, and an inner lid 11a is provided on the upper surface of the water tank 7 so as to be opened and closed slightly so as to face the inlet 3a. The laundry can be taken in and out. Therefore, when the inner lid 11a is in the closed state, the upper end opening of the water tank 7 is concealed by the tank cover 11, and the inside forms a substantially airtight closed space.

  Inside the water tub 7, a rotating tub 12 for storing laundry is provided so as to be rotatable around the vertical axis. Specifically, it has a so-called vertical bottomed cylindrical shape that opens the same top surface as the water tank 7 and rotates around a vertical vertical axis, and has a large number of through holes 12a on the entire peripheral wall including the bottom, The balance ring 12b is provided.

In addition, a dish-like stirring body 13 having a large diameter and a large area along the bottom surface is provided on the inner bottom portion so as to be able to rotate forward and backward.
A hollow shaft 14 is connected to the center of the bottom of the rotating tub 12, and a rotating shaft 15 having the upper end connected to the agitator 13 is inserted and supported inside the hollow shaft 14. Reference numeral 15 denotes a configuration in which the drive motor 16 mounted on the outer bottom of the water tank 7 is selectively rotated via the clutch mechanism 22, and the drive and rotation control thereof is controlled by the control device 6.

  In this embodiment, the drying function is configured to include a circulation passage 17 that communicates with the water tank 7 at its upper and lower portions and enables circulation of hot air to the water tank 7. Reference numeral 17 denotes attachment means (not shown) that is fixedly attached to an appropriate stationary part on the outer box 2 side that is the inner wall of the housing 1. Specifically, the lower end of the circulation passage 17 is directly communicated with the vicinity of the drain outlet 7a at the bottom of the water tank 7, and the upper end of the other end is communicated with the upper part of the water tank 7 through the top cover 3. 7, the lower end portion functions as an exhaust duct 17a for hot air (exhaust air), and the upper end portion functions as a new hot air supply duct 17b. Specifically, the supply duct 17b is fitted and held at a rear portion of the tank cover 11.

  The exhaust duct 17a and the supply duct 17b are both connected to the water tank 7 via a bellows portion that can be bent, and are thus elastically coupled and supported to the water tank 7. In both the ducts 17a and 17b, vibration transmission from the water tank 7 side is suppressed in a buffering manner, and vibration transmission to the outer box 2 side through the circulation passage 17 is reduced.

  Such a circulation passage 17 is equipped with a heating means, a blowing means, and a dehumidifying means so that air (warm air) circulates in the direction of the arrow P in the figure with respect to the water tank 7. That is, along the air flow in the direction indicated by the arrow P in the circulation passage 17, first, a heat exchanging section 18 as a dehumidifying means is provided, and then a blowing means 19 comprising a sirocco fan, a PTC heater (not shown), and the like. The heating means 20 is provided sequentially. The heat exchanging unit 18 is provided with a water injection pipe 18a for pouring cooling water through the exhaust duct 17a in the direction of the arrow P in the direction of arrow P, and the water in the exhaust is cooled and condensed by this water injection, and is condensed from the drain pipe 10 A so-called water-cooled heat exchanging portion 18 is configured to be discharged outside the apparatus.

  With the above configuration, the warm air heated through the air blowing means 19 and the heating means 20 is supplied into the water tank 7 through the supply duct 17b and comes into contact with laundry (not shown) accommodated in the rotary tank 12. After drying and contributing to the drying, it is taken into the exhaust duct 17a as so-called exhaust air, dehumidified in the heat exchanging section 18, and circulated again through the circulation passage 17 via the air blowing means 19 and the heating means 20, New warm air is repeatedly supplied into the water tank 7, that is, hot air is circulated and supplied.

  In addition, although detailed explanation is omitted, as a means for supplying water to the water tank 7, water is supplied from the upper part of the water tank 7 through a water supply valve and a water supply pipe line (both not shown), one end of which is connected to the tap 21. It is possible. For example, the water supply pipeline is concentrated and arranged alongside the rear portion of the tank cover 11 together with the supply duct 17b, and has a function of storing softer and detergent in advance together with water supply.

Here, with reference to an enlarged front view of FIG. 7 showing a specific example of the operation panel 5, main operation specifications of the washing machine will be described.
First, a power button 23 is provided on the upper right side of the figure, and a power on / off operation is performed. A start / pause button 24 is provided below the power button 23 in the figure. Note that the various operation buttons described here function as various switch keys.

  A course selection button 25 having three horizontal arrangements is arranged, specifically, a “washing” operation button 25a for washing, rinsing, and dehydration processes, and from this “washing” operation to a drying process. The course display unit 26 displays a plurality of course names selected on the upper part of the course selection button 25. The course display unit 26 includes a “wash and dry” operation button 25b and a “dry” operation button 25c for a single drying process. Is provided. In addition, in order to show that each button described so far is operated by operating the button, for example, an LED lighting part is provided or the corresponding part is lit and displayed by backlight illumination.

  Therefore, for example, in the course display unit 26, every time the “washing” driving button 25a is pressed, the standard driving course, the memory course, the extraordinary course, and the like, which are target driving courses, are sequentially lit and displayed. It can be easily confirmed.

Further, a stroke button 27 in which three push buttons are arranged on the left side of the course selection button 25 is provided. Specifically, a washing process button 27a, a rinsing process button 27b, and a dehydration process button 27c are provided, and the washing and dehydration process buttons 27a and 27c are display windows that constitute the upper process display unit 28 by operating the buttons. Desired times are set and displayed in the sections 28a and 28c, respectively, and when the rinse button 27b is operated, the number of times of rinsing is set and displayed in the display window section 28b. For the display of these numbers, for example, a 7-segment number display element may be employed.
Although the display window 28c can selectively display the timer drying time in addition to the dehydration time in this embodiment, it goes without saying that a dedicated display window may be formed for each.

  The stroke button 27 is set so that the user can set (change) the washing time and the number of times of rinsing programmed in the control device 6 as necessary. A numerical value indicating the time and the number of times each time the button is pressed. Are sequentially displayed while changing in the direction of increasing, and after reaching the “maximum setting” value, the display shifts to the “minimum setting” value side and is repeatedly displayed sequentially.

  A function button including two push buttons is provided at the left end of the operation panel 5. Of these, the water flow setting button 29 allows the user to set (change) the user's preference. In this case, the button operation of the water flow setting button 29 is performed from the “weak” water flow side in the water flow display unit 31 which is a function display unit. It can be set (changed) stepwise on the “strong” water flow side, and the control device 6 controls the rotation of the stirrer 13 based on this setting input.

  On the other hand, the water level setting button 30 is provided with a water level display part 32 at the upper part thereof, but basically prevents user setting. For example, when water is further increased with respect to a predetermined high water level, the water tank 7 overflows, or when water is further decreased with respect to a low water level, the water level can be detected by the water level sensor 33 (shown only in FIG. 8). There is a risk of problems such as missing or damaging the laundry. For this reason, the water level setting is automatically set by a washing capacity detecting means such as a weight sensor (not shown).

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration. Operation signals from various push buttons (switch keys) provided on the operation panel 5 are read from the ROM, RAM, etc. mainly by the microcomputer 6a via the operation circuit. Input to the control device 6 that is provided and detection signals from various sensors such as a water level sensor 33 and a weight sensor are input, and based on a program stored in advance, the drive motor 16 and the air blowing means via the drive circuit 19, heating means 20, clutch mechanism 22, water supply valve, drain valve 9, driving display LEDs (various display units) such as course display unit 26 and stroke display unit 28, and the last operation content of the previous time, etc. Is stored in the non-volatile memory 34, and the control device 6 controls the overall operation of the washing machine including the drying function based on a control program stored in advance. That.

Next, the operation of the washing machine with a drying function having the above-described configuration will be described along the flowchart showing the main control contents of FIG. 1 and with reference to the operation explanatory diagrams based on various examples shown in FIGS. explain.
Among them, FIG. 2 shows the contents of the initial setting in the standard course of the “washing and drying” operation course. Based on a program in which the operation content is stored in advance, the control device 6 sets the operation content of “standard setting” in FIG. 2 as the initial setting in accordance with the ON operation of the power button 23 at the start of the first operation. I have to. Further, after the next time, the last operation content of the previous time is stored, and the operation content can be set and started by turning on the power. The setting contents when the power is turned on are displayed on the various display units 26, 28, 31 and the like of the operation panel 5, respectively, and can be easily confirmed by the user.

  Incidentally, in the standard course of “washing and drying”, both “standard” portions of the “standard” course on the washing operation side and the “standard” course on the drying operation side are displayed on the course display portion 26 of the operation panel 5 shown in FIG. Lights up. The stroke display unit 28 displays the washing time “6”, the number of times of rinsing “3”, and the like, and the water flow display unit 31 displays the standard water flow part in a lit state.

  Accordingly, when the start / pause button 24 is operated in the initial setting state or the previous operation content, the control device 6 starts the operation according to the operation content. Needless to say, if the user changes the setting contents by operating the stroke button 27 or the like before the start, the user can start with the changed setting contents.

  Thus, in the flowchart of FIG. 1, when the start / pause button 24 (functioning as a start key) is pressed and started based on the operation content in which the standard course of the “washing and drying” operation course is set, the control device 6 Determines whether there has been an operation input for changing the operation content (step S1). Here, since the operation content starts with the initial setting, it is determined as “No”, and as a result, the process proceeds to step S4, and the operation content is stored using the nonvolatile memory 34. Of course, in this case, the same operation content as the initial setting is stored. And the driving | operation according to the driving | running content of a standard course is started (step S5).

  On the other hand, when it is desired to change and execute the initial setting (or the previous operation), it is necessary to change the current setting before starting as described above. Here, specific examples of the change will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 in advance. As shown in FIG. 2, the current setting is “standard setting” of “washing time 6 minutes, number of times of rinsing 3 times, dehydration time 5 minutes, water flow is standard water flow, timer drying time 60 minutes” 5 are lit up on the display sections corresponding to the numbers 5, respectively.

  In FIG. 2, in addition to the above “standard setting” in the process and function category columns, the setting contents “minimum setting” and “maximum setting” are described in the standard course. It indicates that the setting range is between “minimum to maximum setting”, that is, indicates a selectable range (selection range) in the course. The individual setting contents of the above “standard setting” are here “minimum to maximum setting”. The setting content corresponds to a substantially intermediate position of “maximum setting”.

  Therefore, for example, when changing the setting contents in the selection range of 1 minute to 12 minutes in the washing time, the washing process button 27a (see FIG. 7) of the operation panel 5 is pressed and operated every predetermined unit time, for example, While observing the time display of the display window section 28a that changes every minute, the button operation is repeated to determine. This is determined by the same operation in setting of other strokes and setting of functions such as water flow.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the action associated with the change of the operation content in the case A, and a detailed explanation of the action will be described later. First, the case A in FIG. The setting contents are shown, and an example of operation contents for changing specific process contents and function contents is shown. As is clear from the comparison with FIG. 2, “the washing time is 6 minutes to 8 minutes, the rinsing frequency is 3 times to 4 times, the dewatering time is 5 minutes, and the water flow is“ standard ”. Shows the setting contents for changing the “Slightly weak” water flow to “Timer drying time 60 minutes to 70 minutes”.

  In this case, in the operation panel 5 shown in FIG. 7, the standard course is selected for both on the operation panel 5 shown in FIG. 7 based on the “washing” operation button 25a and the “washing” operation button 25b. Therefore, the stroke button 27 and the water flow setting button 29 are individually operated as necessary, and set while confirming the display contents of the corresponding stroke display unit 28 and the water flow display unit 31, respectively. The contents are displayed on the operation panel 5.

  FIG. 3B is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 2 after the user setting is changed. In other words, when the setting contents shown in FIG. 3A are changed, the washing time was within the selection range of the time zone from “minimum setting” 1 minute to “maximum setting” 12 minutes before the change (see FIG. 2). On the other hand, after the change shown in FIG. 3B, it is shown that the selection range of the time zone from “minimum setting” 3 minutes to “maximum setting” 14 minutes is switched. This means that the selected ranges are all in the same time zone of 12 minutes, which means that the entire selected range has shifted, and that the selected range has shifted to the “maximum setting” side. The In addition, the number of times of rinsing, the timer drying time, and the like also show similar misaligned settings. Also, as a matter of course, the setting content of the “standard setting” corresponding to the almost intermediate position is also changed by the user shown in FIG. 3A so that the washing time is changed from 6 minutes to 8 minutes, for example. It matches.

  By the way, if the selection range can be known at all times, the setting operation by each push button becomes easy. Therefore, FIG. 4 shows an example, for example, FIG. 4A shows the washing time of the display window 28a of the washing process before the change (initial setting state) and FIG. 4B shows the washing process after the change. That is, the set time changed from “6” minutes to “8” minutes is displayed. And the selection range is displayed on the upper part of the above time display in the display window portion 28a, and the time zone display (lower case) for “1-12” before the change, but after the change In this case, the time zone shifted by “3 to 14” is displayed, so that the user can know the current selection range in advance, and the usability by operability can be improved.

  Similarly, as is clear from FIG. 3 (b), the selection range is shifted in the direction in which the number of times of rinsing or drying time increases (lengthens). The tendency of this shift is that when the value set after the change is larger than the value indicated by the “standard setting” before the change (see FIG. 2), the selection range of the “minimum to maximum setting” is also the whole. Are shifted in the direction of increasing the numerical value. On the other hand, since the water flow function has been changed to a “slightly weak” water flow, this is because the selected range is shifted to a direction in which the water flow becomes weak (in this case, “weakest” to “ The selection range is shifted to the weakening side, which is a “slightly strong” water flow.

  As described above, when the setting content after the change is larger than the “standard setting” shown in FIG. 2 and the setting content is changed to the “maximum setting” side, the user side changes the direction of the selection range. The selection range is shifted to the “maximum setting” side in accordance with the desired change trend. On the other hand, the setting range is shifted to the “minimum setting” side to reduce the selection range. This is due to consideration for improving usability by assuming the pattern to be used.

  Based on this, returning to the flowchart of FIG. 1, the case where the setting contents are changed from the initial initial setting state shown in FIG. 2 before the start as shown in FIG. After the start, the control device 6 proceeds to step S2 in response to the determination signal “Yes” due to the change in “Is there an operation input to change the operation content?” In step S1. Here, since it is the same standard course as in the case of the initial setting corresponding to the previous time, “Yes” determination is made that the course is the same as the previous time, and the process proceeds to step S3. However, if the change is changed to a speedy course (see FIG. 7) for quickly washing and drying light dirt, for example, “No” is determined in step S2, and the process proceeds to steps S4 and S5 as described above. Will do.

  When the process proceeds to step S3 based on the “Yes” determination in step S2, it is determined here whether “there is the same process or function setting content as in the previous time?”. If “Yes” is present, the process proceeds to the next step S 4, where an index (accumulation) indicating the number of times (frequency) of use of the same setting content is stored and the operation content is stored in the nonvolatile memory 34. Is done. And it transfers to step S5 and the control apparatus 6 starts a driving | operation based on the changed driving | operation content.

  Note that when the frequency of use is stored a predetermined number of times or more, the setting contents are replaced with the corresponding individual setting contents of the “standard setting” (see FIG. 2), and the driving course frequently used by the user and Since the process contents are displayed on the operation panel 5, the usability is further improved. In particular, if the same setting is made “standard setting” on condition that the same setting has been made continuously, it can be stored as “standard setting” with higher reliability, and the usability is improved accordingly.

  The flowchart described above discloses the flow including the case where the operation content is initially set or the operation content is changed before the start, whereas the flowchart after the next step S6 is the operation flow. A flow is shown in which the operation details can be executed while confirming whether or not the operation details have changed after the start (step S5).

  Therefore, first, a case where the operation content is changed immediately after the start of operation will be described. There are many cases where the operation is changed here, such as when the operation is started without changing the operation content, as in the case of “No” determination in step S1. For example, there may be a case where the user starts driving with the initial setting state, but immediately notices that it is better to change the driving content.

Accordingly, the process reaches step S6, and a determination is made of "Has the temporary operation stopped?"
In other words, the operation details after the start of operation are changed by first performing a setting operation for changing the operation details after temporarily stopping the current operation state by the start / pause button 24 (functioning as a pause key). It is necessary to restart the operation later. Accordingly, the control device 6 can accept an operation stop input by the temporary stop key. Therefore, based on the “Yes” or “No” determination in step S6, it is possible to first determine whether or not the operation content has been changed. Here, if “Yes” determination is made that there is a change, the process proceeds to the next step S7. Note that the change of the operation content is described as the same setting content as the content shown in FIGS.

  Accordingly, in response to “Is there an operation input for changing the operation content?” In step S7, the process proceeds to step S8 based on a “Yes” determination. In this step S8, since it is the standard course of the same “washing” operation course as in the case of the initial setting corresponding to the previous time, “Yes” determination is made that the course is the same as the previous time, and the process proceeds to step S9.

  In this step S9, it is determined whether “there is the same process or function setting contents as in the previous time?”, And in the “Yes” determination that there is the same thing, the process proceeds to the next step S10, where the same setting contents are used. An index (accumulation) indicating the number of times (frequency) is stored, and the operation content is stored in the nonvolatile memory 34. Then, in step S11, the operation according to the same operation content is continuously executed, and the operation is terminated through a predetermined operation process.

  On the other hand, even if “Yes” is determined in Step S6 and the operation content is changed, if “No” is determined in the next step, for example, Step S8, the operation is different from the previous operation. The operation details of the course are stored, and the process is executed with the changed operation details through steps S10 and S11, and the process ends. It should be noted that the timing for changing the operation content after the start of operation may be immediately after the start of operation. For example, if the operation has already proceeded to the washing process and is in operation, the setting content after the rinse process, which is the next process, is changed. Various control means are conceivable, such as making it possible, or making it impossible to change the operation content during further operation.

  On the other hand, there are cases where the operation details are not changed even after the operation is started in step S5. For example, in the initial setting state at the start, that is, when the operation is executed without change from the beginning to the end, or “Yes” is already determined in step S1 or the like, and the operation content has been changed. The case where a driving | running is performed without changing driving | running content anew can be considered. In this case, “No” determination is made in step S6 without stopping the temporary operation, and the operation is executed without changing the operation contents through the above-described steps S10 and S11, and the operation is terminated. When there is no change in the operation content, the operation content at the start of the initial operation is stored as the last operation content. As described above, the last stored operation content is displayed on each display unit of the operation panel 5 as an initial setting after the next power-on.

  In addition, in the change of the operation content, the case A in which the changeable selection range is shifted with the change of the setting content as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B with respect to the initial setting shown in FIG. 2 has been described. Depending on the contents of the change, the selection range may shift as shown in FIG. That is, in the case B shown in FIG. 5 (a), as compared with FIG. 2, the change in the operation content set by the user is the “maximum setting” side set value content as “washing” operation. This shows the case of the course operation.

  FIG. 5B shows the selection range together with the setting contents of “minimum setting”, “standard setting”, and “maximum setting” associated with the change of the operation contents. In the example shown in FIG. 5B, the setting content (corresponding to the setting content on the “maximum setting” side in FIG. 2) set by the user in FIG. The content on the “maximum setting” side is enlarged so that at least one level can be selected from “setting”. Therefore, the “standard setting” in this case is not the middle position of the selection range, but the setting content that is close to the “maximum setting” side and far from the “minimum setting” side. At least the “standard setting” is sandwiched between the “minimum setting”. "And" maximum setting "should be set.

  This is because the expansion content on the “maximum setting” side is restricted in the direction of expansion considering that the washing and drying operation can be appropriately performed. For example, if the washing time is longer than this, or if it is possible to set a stronger water flow, there is a risk of damaging the clothes that are the laundry, so it is necessary to define the “maximum setting” content as a limit. .

  On the other hand, on the “minimum setting” side, for example, if the washing time is too short, the washing performance may be deteriorated, but it can be dealt with by the strength of the water flow and does not cause great damage that damages clothing. Therefore, the content to be expanded to the “minimum setting” side can be set relatively freely. In the case B shown in FIG. 5B, the difference from the “standard setting” side, such as the washing time of 3 minutes and the number of times of rinsing twice. Is larger than the difference from the “maximum setting” side. Thereby, the “standard setting” is shifted from the intermediate position of the selection range, and the entire selection range is “maximum setting” in the case B shown in FIG. 5B with respect to the selection range in the initial setting of FIG. The range setting is shifted to the side.

  Note that the two cases A and B shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 have been described with respect to the process and function, that is, the operation content, such as being larger or stronger on the “maximum setting” side than the “standard setting”. On the contrary, even when the setting is changed to the “minimum setting” side, the setting can be made in substantially the same manner. However, in the initial setting shown in FIG. 2, the washing time (1 minute), the number of times of rinsing (one time), the dehydration time (1 minute), etc. are the smallest set value units that can be selected. “Setting” is not possible. Therefore, in this case, the setting content on the “maximum setting” side, which is not often used, is set to a small content, and as a result, the setting range is shifted to the “minimum setting” side. For example, the selection range is gathered into a frequently used small range, and there is an advantage that the selection operation is easy.

(Modification)
FIG. 9 is a view corresponding to FIG. 3 showing a modification of the present invention with respect to the above embodiment. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 3 (and FIG. 4) in the above embodiment, the selection range between “minimum setting” and “maximum setting” is changed to the “maximum setting” side in accordance with the change of the operation content by the user. Alternatively, the setting is shifted to the “minimum setting” side, but in this modified example, the selection range can be set in a wider direction.

  That is, FIG. 9A shows the setting contents by the user corresponding to FIG. 3A as case C, and the operation contents are changed with respect to the initial setting state shown in FIG. With this change, as shown in FIG. 9B, the selection range is set wider than the selection range shown in FIG. For example, the selection range regarding the washing time shown in the figure is in a time zone expanded from 1 minute to 14 minutes (time zone of 1 minute to 12 minutes in FIG. 2 before the change). This is because the user setting exceeds the “standard setting” in FIG. 2 and is oriented toward the “maximum setting” side as described above, so the time on the “maximum setting” side is expanded from 12 minutes to 14 minutes. Is an extension of At this time, the “minimum setting” side is not particularly affected by the above-mentioned user setting, so that the setting state (1 minute) is maintained as it is, that is, the selection range on the “minimum setting” side is not expanded. It is said.

  Similarly, the “maximum setting” side is expanded up to 6 times for rinsing (up to 5 times in FIG. 2), and the “maximum setting” side is expanded to 100 minutes for timer drying time (up to 90 minutes in FIG. 2). According to the trend of user settings, such as expanding the “maximum setting” side to the “strongest” water flow (to “strong” water flow in FIG. 2) In all cases C, the “maximum setting” side is expanded to set the selection range. On the other hand, when the “minimum setting” side is enlarged, “1 minute” or “once” corresponds to the minimum value as described above. Take measures such as setting the limit on the “minimum setting” side.

The above embodiment has the following effects.
The operation details such as washing time, number of times of rinsing, dehydration time, drying time, strength of water flow, etc. of the operation course to be performed from the selected washing to drying can be selectively set and changed from a preset selection range individually. In addition, the control device 6 stores the changed operation content and can set the changed selection range by expanding or shifting the selection range according to the operation content. As a result, the selection range can be expanded in accordance with the user's actual use, and a washing machine that can enjoy sufficient convenience such as easy selection of desired driving contents and expecting a good washing and drying action is provided. it can.

  Then, the changed operation content is displayed on the operation panel 5 as “standard setting”, and the range between “minimum setting” and “maximum setting” set to include this “standard setting” is changed. As a result, an appropriate selection range can be obtained and usability such as operability can be improved. In addition, since “standard setting” can be stored and set and displayed as an initial state when the power is turned on, further improvement in usability can be expected.

  In addition, it is possible to determine whether or not the changed operation content is the same as the previous setting content for each stroke and function, and the setting content determined to be the same setting multiple times is stored as “standard setting”. As a result, re-setting by the user can be omitted, and improvement in usability according to the user's preference can be expected. In this case, if the case where the same setting contents are continuously executed is set as “standard setting”, it is possible to expect usability with further increased reliability.

  On the other hand, the change of the operation content after the start of operation is accepted by the control device 6 when the temporary operation is stopped, that is, on the condition of the operation stop input by the start / pause button 24 (function to be a pause key). Made possible. Therefore, even if a push button is inadvertently operated, it is not possible to change the operation content by itself, so the operation content can be changed only when the user intends without causing erroneous operation or misunderstanding. Increase.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above and shown in the drawings. For example, the present invention is not limited to a washing machine with a drying function, and is a washing machine capable of automatically driving at least steps such as washing, rinsing, and dehydration. The rotating tub may be variously developed such as a washing machine having a configuration around the horizontal axis instead of a configuration rotating around the vertical axis. In addition, various push buttons as switch keys are not limited to this, and may be a rotary type, a touch type, or the like, and can be implemented with various modifications without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  In the drawings, 1 is a housing, 5 is an operation panel, 6 is a control device, 7 is a water tank, 12 is a rotating tank, 17 is a circulation passage, 23 is a power button, 24 is a start / pause button, and 25 is a course selection button. , 26 is a course display section, 27 is a stroke button, 28 is a stroke display section, 29 is a water flow setting button, and 31 is a water flow display section.

Claims (4)

The control device controls each process such as washing, rinsing, and dehydration, and can selectively execute a plurality of pre-programmed driving courses according to the state of the laundry. The operation details such as washing time, number of rinses, dehydration time, etc. can be changed individually within a preset selection range.
The said control apparatus memorize | stores the driving | running content after a change, and sets the said selection range as a selection range after a change by extending or shifting according to this driving | running content, The washing machine characterized by the above-mentioned.   The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the changed operation content is set as a standard setting, and the changed selection range is set including the standard setting.   Whether or not the operation content after the change is the same as the previous setting content is determined for each process in the same operation course, and the same setting content is stored as a standard setting. Item 1. A washing machine according to Item 1.   2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the change of the operation content after the start of operation can be accepted on condition that the operation stop is input by the temporary stop key.

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