JP2014188151A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a washing machine which reduces wrinkles in clothes even when an operation is interrupted by power failure during a rinse step.SOLUTION: A washing machine includes: a washing and dewatering tub 45 in which a pulsator 47 is disposed; an outer tub 43 for including the washing and dewatering tub 45; a motor 49 for rotationally driving the pulsator 47; power shutdown detection means for detecting power failure of a commercial power supply; power recovery detection means for detecting recovery from the power failure; storage means for storing setting content of an operation and a progress during an operation execution; and control means 51 for controlling the motor 49 and controlling a series of steps of washing, rinsing and dewatering sequentially. In the rinse step, after the power shutdown detection means detects the power shutdown and stops the operation, when the power recovery detection means detects the power recovery, the control means 51 resumes the operation by adding a cloth detangling step, wrinkles remaining in the clothes after completion of washing can be reduced, washing quality is improved and also vibration can be reduced.

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing machine.

  Conventionally, when this type of washing machine is turned off during operation, especially when a power failure occurs, the operation state at that time is stored in the nonvolatile memory, and the operation state stored in the nonvolatile memory when the power is restored thereafter Therefore, a configuration for resuming the operation with the stored content has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 6 is a control block diagram of a conventional washing machine. In FIG. 6, the operation control circuit 31 is connected with a non-volatile memory as storage means, for example, an EEPROM 36, and the operation control circuit 31 has a “power off” key of an operation unit (not shown) during the washing operation. When the switch 25 is turned on, and the voltage detection circuit 34 detects a predetermined voltage or less, the operation state at that time is stored in the EEPROM 36. Therefore, the operation control circuit 31 functions as a detection means for detecting power-off by using the operation of the “power-off” key switch 25 for turning off the relay 30 as a power switch and the voltage detection circuit 34 as a voltage detection means.

  In addition, the commercial power supply may fail during the washing operation, or the power plug 29 may be accidentally pulled out from the outlet. In this case, since the detection voltage of the voltage detection circuit 34 detects a predetermined voltage or less, the operation control circuit 31 stores the operation state at that time in the EEPROM 36 by feeding a capacitor (not shown) as a backup power source.

  When the commercial power supply is restored or the power plug 29 is plugged into an outlet, a special key operation is performed on the operation unit, so that the relay 30 is turned on and the washing operation is started from a state where the power is cut off. Let it resume.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-275561

  However, in the conventional configuration, in the operation process, in particular, when the power is cut off due to a power failure or the like during the so-called water-saving type rinsing process in which the rinsing is performed without accumulating water enough to use the garment, Even if left in the washing / dehydration tank for a long time with little water, the operation is stopped from the middle of the process after the power is restored. Deep wrinkles due to being left inside remain, especially in cotton clothing, and the wrinkles are remarkable, and there is a problem of impairing the washing quality.

  In addition, after the power is restored, if the laundry / dehydration tub starts to rotate while the clothing is stuck to the laundry / dehydration tub, the laundry / dehydration tub shakes greatly due to imbalance caused by the clothing, resulting in increased vibration. there were.

The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems. When the operation is interrupted due to a power failure or the like during the rinsing process operation, the cloth unraveling process is added before the continuing rinsing process, and the rinsing process operation is resumed. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine that reduces wrinkles remaining on clothes after washing, improves washing quality, and reduces vibration.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, a washing machine of the present invention includes a washing / dehydrating tub provided with a pulsator, an outer tub containing the washing / dehydrating tub, a motor for rotating the pulsator, and a commercial power source. A power cutoff detection means for detecting a power failure, a power recovery detection means for detecting a recovery from the power failure, a storage means for storing operation setting contents and a progress status during operation, and controlling the motor to wash Control means for sequentially controlling a series of steps of rinsing and dehydration, the control means in the rinsing step after the power shutoff detecting means detects power shutoff and stops operation, When the power supply is detected, the cloth unwinding process is added and the operation is resumed.

  As a result, even when a power failure occurs during the rinsing process and the operation is interrupted, wrinkles remaining on the clothes after washing are reduced, washing quality can be improved, and vibration can be reduced.

  The washing machine of the present invention can reduce wrinkles remaining on clothes after washing even when the operation is interrupted due to a power failure or the like during a water-saving rinsing process.

The longitudinal cross-sectional view of the washing machine in embodiment of this invention Control block diagram of the washing machine Flow chart of washing operation of the washing machine Flowchart when detecting power shutdown of the washing machine Flowchart when power is returned to the washing machine Control block diagram of a conventional washing machine

  The first invention includes a washing / dehydrating tub provided with a pulsator, an outer tub containing the washing / dehydrating tub, a motor for rotationally driving the pulsator, a power cut-off detecting means for detecting a power failure of a commercial power source, Power recovery detection means for detecting recovery from the power failure, storage means for storing operation setting contents and progress during operation, and control of the motor, and sequential control of a series of steps of washing, rinsing and dehydration Control means, and the control means, in the rinsing step, after the power interruption detection means detects the power interruption and stops operation, and when the power restoration detection means detects the power restoration, the cloth loosening step is performed. By resuming operation by adding, even if a power failure occurs during the rinsing process and operation is interrupted, wrinkles remaining on the clothes after washing are reduced, washing quality is improved, and vibration is also generated. It is possible to Gensa.

  According to a second aspect of the invention, in particular, the control means of the first aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the rinsing step that does not reach a predetermined water level, the power-off detection means after the power-off detection means detects power-off and stops operation. When a power return is detected, a cloth unwinding process is added to resume operation, so that even if a power failure occurs during a water-saving rinsing process and the operation is interrupted, wrinkles that remain in the clothes after washing are completed. Can be improved, washing quality can be improved, and vibration can be reduced.

According to a third aspect of the invention, in particular, the control means of the second aspect of the invention is characterized in that the control means detects the power supply return after the power supply interruption detection means detects the power interruption and stops the operation. Even if the operation is interrupted due to a power outage during the water-saving rinsing process, the rinsing process is started so that water can be stored above the predetermined water level so that the clothes can be used sufficiently. Wrinkles remaining on the clothing after finishing can be reduced, washing quality can be improved, and vibration can be reduced.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Further, the present invention is not limited by this embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, a casing 41 elastically suspends an outer tub 43 by a plurality of suspensions 42 inside. The washing / dehydrating shaft 44 is hollow and has a biaxial structure. The washing and dewatering tank 45 has a number of dewatering holes (not shown) on the side wall, a fluid balancer 46 for vibration reduction at the upper part of the inner periphery, and a pan-shaped pot having an outer periphery as an inclined surface at the center bottom. A clothes stirring pulsator 47 formed in a shape is disposed.

  The transmission mechanism 48 incorporates a reduction gear (not shown) during washing. The motor 49 is attached to the bottom of the outer tub 43 and rotates the pulsator 47 and the washing / dehydrating tub 45 via the transmission mechanism 48. Further, the motor 49 is provided with a rotation speed detecting means (not shown) for detecting the rotation speed.

  An upper frame 40 is mounted on the upper portion of the housing 41, and an operation display section 67 for performing various input settings and displaying the setting contents is disposed on the front portion of the upper frame 40. A control device 60 is provided inside the operation display unit 67.

  FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the washing machine in the embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 2, a motor 49 is driven by a motor drive circuit 52 in response to a command from a control means 51 mounted on the control device 60, and a current flowing through the motor 49 at that time is a current detection circuit 53 (current detection circuit). Means) and transmitted to the control means 51. The motor drive circuit 52 is configured using a triac. The current detection circuit 53 is configured as a circuit that amplifies the voltage across a shunt resistor (not shown) connected in series with the motor 49.

  Further, the control means 51 is constituted by a microcomputer or the like, and from the commercial power source 56, an on / off switch of the operation display unit 67 constituted by an input setting means 58 such as a power switch (not shown) and a display means 59 is turned on. Power is supplied by operation and operation starts.

  Also, when the commercial power supply 56 fails during process operation or the power plug is accidentally pulled out of the outlet and the power supply is cut off, the zero cross detection circuit 54 detects it and inputs it to the control means 51. Then, the operation state at the time of power-off is stored in the nonvolatile memory 57 which is a storage means. The zero cross detection circuit 54 is a power interruption detection means, and also serves as a power recovery detection means and a normal power-on detection means.

  About the washing machine comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a washing operation of washing, rinsing, and dewatering in the washing machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 3, when the user puts clothes into the washing and dehydrating tub 45, turns on the power switch of the input setting means 58 in the operation display section 67, and presses the start switch in the initial standby state, The amount of cloth is detected and determined (step W1). Then, the amount of detergent corresponding to the determined amount is displayed on the display means 59, and the user inputs the detergent automatically or automatically (step W2). Thereafter, the washing machine supplies a certain amount of water (step W3), and performs an operation for dissolving and foaming the detergent (step W4). Further, while stirring in the middle of the operation (step W5), water is supplied to a standard water level corresponding to the amount of cloth (step W6).

  After stirring for a certain time (step W7), in order to balance the clothes in the washing and dewatering tank 45, the cloth unraveling operation is performed (step W8) and drained (step W9). Then, intermediate dehydration (step W10) is performed. Next, in order to save water, the washing and dewatering tub 45 is slowly rotated at a low speed, and water is poured into the clothes in a shower-like manner from a water filling port (not shown) provided in the upper frame 40 to “rinse shower”. Then, the intermediate dehydration that rotates at high speed is repeated to perform rinsing (steps W11 to W14).

  Thereafter, the softening agent is automatically added while supplying water (step W15), and the agitation (step W16) for infiltrating the clothes is performed. The tank is rinsed by circulating water while rotating at a low speed (step W17). Thereafter, drainage (step W18) is performed, intermittent high speed dewatering (step W20) is performed after intermittent dewatering (step W19), and the process is terminated.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart at the time of detecting the power interruption of the washing machine in the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart at the time of detecting the power return of the washing machine.

  In FIG. 4, during operation, the control means 51 mounted on the control device 60 stops energization of the motor 49 when the signal from the zero cross detection circuit 54 is interrupted and the power shutoff is detected (step S <b> 1). Information on the current process status is written in the nonvolatile memory 57 (step S2). Then, for the sake of safety, the brake is applied (step S3), the rotation number detecting means detects the rotation stop of the motor 49 (Y in step S4), and the process is terminated. The non-volatile memory 57 is exemplified as a storage unit that stores the setting contents of driving and the progress status during driving execution.

  In FIG. 5, when the signal from the zero cross detection circuit 54 is received and the power supply is detected, the control means 51 waits for the circuit to stabilize (step S11), and then reads the information at the time of power shutdown from the nonvolatile memory 57. (Step S12) is performed. The read power-off information is determined, and if it is recorded that there has been a sudden power-off (Y in step S13), the washing operation is restarted based on the read-in process information at the time of power-off.

  At this time, when the information on the process at the time of power-off is a process in which the clothing does not supply water enough to absorb water despite the subsequent dehydration and intermediate dehydration, for example, in FIG. If it is the shower rinsing process described above, etc., this is determined, and if it is determined that the process has stopped (Y in step S14), additional water supply is performed by the specified amount determined during the washing process by the cloth amount determination. Then, the cloth unraveling process is performed (step S15), and the operation is performed to reduce wrinkles of the clothes. Thereafter, the process returns to the process at the time of power-off written in the non-volatile memory 57 and restarts (step S16). In this way, when the operation is resumed in the rinsing process that does not reach the predetermined water level, the additional water supply and the cloth loosening process are performed.

  In step S13, when the power cut-off is not a power failure but normal power-off (N in step S13), the process shifts to an initial standby state waiting for an input operation from the input setting means 58 (step S17). In step S14, when the process at the time of turning off the power supply is a process of supplying water in an amount sufficient for the clothing to absorb sufficient water (N in step S14), the process proceeds to step S16, and the nonvolatile memory 57 is stored. It returns to the process at the time of power-off written and resumes.

  In addition, about the way of cloth unraveling process (cloth unraveling operation), as described above, a rinsing method may be used because the pulsator is moved by supplying a specified amount of water suitable for the amount of clothing so that the clothes can be used sufficiently. You can just immerse it in water.

  Furthermore, after performing the cloth unraveling process in step S15, when returning to the memory stored process at the time of power shut-off in step S16, a predetermined water level is set according to the amount of cloth so that all subsequent rinsing can be sufficiently applied to the clothing. If the operation is changed to the rinsing process in order to store water in the outer tub as described above, wrinkles generated in the clothing due to the interruption of the operation can be further reduced.

  In addition, the process at the time of power-off that adds a cloth unraveling process is not limited to a water-saving rinsing process such as shower rinsing. The present invention is also applied to a process in which water is not supplied enough to wet the entire cloth until the process. For example, it is a process such as steps W11, W13, W15 to W17 in FIG.

  Further, the power shutoff detection means and the power supply return detection means are not limited to the zero cross detection circuit 54, but may be a method for detecting a power supply voltage.

  As described above, the washing machine according to the present invention can reduce wrinkles remaining on the clothes after washing even when the operation is interrupted due to a power failure or the like. Applicable to usage.

43 outer tub 45 washing / dehydration tub 47 pulsator 49 motor 51 control means 54 zero cross detection circuit 57 non-volatile memory (storage means)
58 Input setting means

Claims (3)

A washing / dehydrating tub with a pulsator, an outer tub containing the washing / dehydrating tub, a motor for rotating the pulsator, a power-off detection means for detecting a power failure of a commercial power supply, and a recovery from the power failure. A power recovery detection means for detecting, a storage means for storing the setting contents of the operation and the progress status during the operation, and a control means for controlling the motor and sequentially controlling a series of steps of washing, rinsing and dehydration. In the rinsing step, the control means adds a cloth unwinding process and resumes operation when the power supply return detection means detects power supply recovery after the power supply interruption detection means detects power supply interruption and stops operation. A washing machine characterized by In the rinsing process where the control means does not reach a predetermined water level, a cloth loosening process is added when the power recovery detection means detects power recovery after the power shutdown detection means detects power shutdown and stops operation. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the operation is resumed. The control means, when the power interruption detection means detects the power interruption and stops operation, and when the power restoration detection means detects the power restoration, rinses by storing water above a predetermined water level so that clothing can be sufficiently used. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein a rinsing process is started to perform the cleaning.