JP2015073754A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve shortening of operation time and energy saving in an operation after power recovery, when power shutdown occurs during a washing step operation of a washing machine.SOLUTION: A washing machine includes: a power input detection unit 23 and a power shutdown detection unit 24 for monitoring a connection state of a power supply 21; a power shutdown time detection unit 30; a nonvolatile memory 25 for storing information of setting content of an operation and an operation progress stage of the operation in execution; and a control device 20 for executing an operation of a series of steps of washing, rinsing and dewatering of the washing machine. When an operation is stopped by the power shutdown in a state which is not a normal completion of an operation or a state which is not an off-operation of a power source switch during a washing step operation, the control device 20 stores the information of the operation progress stage in the nonvolatile memory 25, and after that, when the power is recovered, the operation is resumed from the operation progress stage stored in the nonvolatile memory 25, and when the power shutdown time from the power shutdown to the power recovery elapses for equal to or more than predetermined time, the remaining operation time of the washing step is shortened.

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing machine that performs automatic control of washing, rinsing, and dewatering processes.

  Conventionally, in a washing machine, the operation is interrupted when the power is shut off or a power failure occurs during operation, and the user has to restart operation setting again after the power is restored. Therefore, in order to eliminate the trouble of such resetting, a non-volatile memory is provided, and when the power is cut off or a power failure occurs during operation, the setting contents and the progress stage of operation are detected. A technique is disclosed in which the operation is restarted from the progress stage of the operation when the operation is interrupted with the contents stored in the nonvolatile memory with the subsequent power recovery (for example, Patent Document 1). reference).

  FIG. 5 is a control block diagram of an embodiment of a conventional washing machine described in Patent Document 1. In FIG. In FIG. 5, the operation control circuit 131 is connected to a non-volatile memory as a storage unit, for example, an EEPROM 136. The operation control circuit 131 detects the EEPROM 136 when the “power off” key switch 125 of the operation unit in the various key switches is turned on during the washing operation and when the voltage detection circuit 134 detects a predetermined voltage or less. To store the operation state at that time. Therefore, the operation control circuit 131 functions as a detection means for detecting power-off by using the operation of the “power off” key switch 125 for turning off the relay 130 as a power switch and the voltage detection circuit 134 as a voltage detection means.

  Further, the commercial power supply may be interrupted during the washing operation, or the power plug 129 may be accidentally pulled out from the outlet. In this case, since the detection voltage of the voltage detection circuit 134 detects a predetermined voltage or less, the operation control circuit 131 stores the operation state at that time in the EEPROM 136 by feeding a capacitor (not shown) as a backup power source.

  When the commercial power supply is restored or the power plug 129 is plugged into the outlet, a specific key operation is performed on the operation unit to turn on the relay 130 and start the washing operation from a state where the power supply is cut off. Let it resume. This eliminates the need for the user to redo the setting operation from the beginning.

JP 07-275561 A

  When the washing machine is operated, and particularly when a power failure occurs during the washing step, if the clothes are left in the washing liquid while the power is cut off, a so-called laundering condition is brought about. However, in the above-described conventional configuration, even when a certain cleaning effect is obtained in the state of being washed for a certain period of time, after the power is restored, the operation is continued from the point where the washing step is stopped halfway. I do. Therefore, although the required cleaning performance has been achieved, there has been a problem that extra operation is performed and wasteful washing time and energy are consumed.

The present invention solves the above-described conventional problem, and power interruption occurs due to a power failure or the like during the washing step operation, and when resuming the operation after the power is restored, a predetermined time elapses from the power interruption to the power restoration. In this case, an object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine capable of shortening the washing time and saving energy while ensuring the washing performance by shortening and restarting the operation time of the washing step.

  To achieve the above object, the washing machine of the present invention includes a power input detection unit and a power cutoff detection unit that monitor the connection state of the power source, a power cutoff time detection unit that detects a time when the power source is shut off, A non-volatile memory that stores information on operation settings and operation progress stages during operation, and a control device that executes a series of steps of washing, rinsing, and dewatering of the washing machine. During operation of the washing step, when the operation is stopped because the power is shut off in a state where the normal operation is not completed or the power switch is not turned off, the operation progress stage information is stored in the nonvolatile memory. After that, when the power is restored, the operation is resumed from the operation progress stage stored in the nonvolatile memory, and the power shutdown time from the power shutdown to the power restoration has passed for a predetermined time or more. If, to reduce the remaining operating time of the washing step.

  As a result, while the power is cut off, the laundry clothes are immersed in the washing liquid, and it is considered that the washing effect of the deferred washing is obtained, and the suspended washing step remains. By shortening and restarting the operation time, it is possible to reduce the washing time and save energy while ensuring the cleaning performance.

  The washing machine of the present invention realizes shortening of washing time and energy saving while ensuring washing performance in washing operation after power restoration when power interruption due to power failure for a predetermined time or more occurs during washing step operation. be able to.

Side surface sectional drawing of the washing machine in Embodiment 1 of this invention Control block diagram of washing machine in the present embodiment Control flowchart at the time of power-off detection of the washing machine in the present embodiment Control flowchart at the time of power input detection of the washing machine in the present embodiment Control block diagram of a conventional washing machine

  The washing machine according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a power input detection unit and a power cutoff detection unit that monitor the connection state of a power source, a power cutoff time detection unit that detects a time during which the power source is cut off, and setting details and driving A non-volatile memory for storing information on the operation progress stage being executed, and a control device for executing a series of steps of washing, rinsing and dewatering of the washing machine, and the control device is operating during the washing step In addition, when the power is shut off in a state where the normal operation is not completed or the power switch is not turned off, the operation progress stage information is stored in the nonvolatile memory, and then the power is turned off. When the operation is resumed, the operation is resumed from the operation progress stage stored in the nonvolatile memory, and when the power interruption time from the power interruption to the power restoration has exceeded a predetermined time, the washing step is performed. Of it is to reduce the remaining operating time.

  With this configuration, it is assumed that the laundry clothes are immersed in the washing liquid while the power is cut off, and that the washing effect of the standing washing is obtained, and the suspended washing step remains. By shortening and restarting the running time, it is possible to reduce washing time and save energy while ensuring washing performance.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the outer tub for storing the washing liquid and a water level detection unit for detecting the water level of the washing liquid in the outer tub are provided, If the water level of the washing step is not higher than a predetermined water level, the remaining operation time of the washing step is not shortened, and if the water level of the washing liquid is higher than a predetermined water level, the remaining operation time of the washing step is shortened. is there. With this configuration, if the laundry clothes are sufficiently immersed in the washing liquid while the power is shut off, it can be considered that the washing effect of the deferred washing is obtained more reliably. By shortening and restarting the operation time in which the washing step remains, washing time can be shortened and energy can be saved while ensuring washing performance.

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

(Embodiment 1)
1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a casing 1 elastically suspends an outer tub 3 by a plurality of suspensions 2 inside. The outer tub 3 has a laundry dewatering tub 5 for storing laundry therein, and stores the washing liquid. The laundry dewatering tub 5 has a large number of dewatering holes (not shown) on the side wall, and a fluid balancer 6 for vibration reduction at the upper part of the inner periphery. Further, a stirring pulsator 7 formed in a pan-shaped shape having an outer periphery as an inclined surface is disposed at the center bottom of the washing and dewatering tank 5. The motor 9 is attached to the bottom of the outer tub 3 and rotates the pulsator 7 and the washing / dehydrating tub 5 via the transmission mechanism 8 and the washing / dehydrating shaft 4. The transmission mechanism unit 8 has a reduction gear (not shown) for washing inside. The laundry dewatering shaft 4 is hollow and has a biaxial structure. Further, a water supply valve 10 for supplying tap water and a drain valve 11 for draining the washing liquid at the bottom of the outer tub 3 are provided inside the housing 1. On the upper surface of the housing 1, an operation display unit 27 composed of an operation setting unit 28 operated by a user and a display unit 29 is disposed, and a control device 20 is provided inside the housing 1.

  FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The control device 20 is configured on a printed circuit board, and includes a load driving unit 22 configured with a bidirectional thyristor, a relay, and the like, a power input detection unit 23 and a power cutoff detection unit 24 configured with a zero cross detection circuit, and the like, a nonvolatile memory 25, a microcomputer 26, and a power cut-off time detection unit 30 using the discharge time of the capacitor. A power source 21 is connected to the control device 20, and loads such as a motor 9, a transmission mechanism unit 8, a water supply valve 10, and a drain valve 11 are connected. In addition, an operation display unit 27 configured by an operation setting unit 28 and a display unit 29 and a water level detection unit 31 that detects the water level of the washing liquid in the outer tub 3 are connected.

  When the user turns on a power switch (not shown) provided in the operation display unit 27, the control device 20 is supplied with power from the power source 21 and starts operating. Then, the outputs of the water level detection unit 31 and the power input detection unit 23 are input, and the setting content is displayed on the display unit 29 based on the content set by the user in the operation setting unit 28, and via the load driving unit 22. Then, the operations of the motor 9, the transmission mechanism 8, the water supply valve 10, the drain valve 11 and the like are controlled, and a series of steps of washing, rinsing and dewatering are executed. The power input detection unit 23 and the power cutoff detection unit 24 monitor the connection state of the power source 21 to the control device 20, and detect the cutoff of the power source 21 and the power switch off. The power cut-off time detection unit 30 is configured to detect the power cut-off time from the power cut-off to the power return by holding the voltage for some time when the power supply 21 is cut off. The non-volatile memory 25 stores the operation setting information set by the user and the operation progress information when the power source 21 is shut off according to the situation.

The washing machine configured as described above will be described in detail with respect to operations and effects when the power is shut off during operation in a state where normal operation is not finished or power switch is not turned off. For example, when the power is cut off and the operation is stopped in a state where the normal operation is not completed or the power switch is not turned off, for example, the power supply 21 is cut off or a power plug (not shown) is accidentally connected. This includes the case where the power supply is cut off due to an abnormal condition such as being pulled out of the outlet.

  FIG. 3 is a control flowchart at the time of detection of power-off of the washing machine in the present embodiment. In FIG. 3, when the washing operation is performed, when the operation is stopped because the power is shut off in a state where the normal operation is not finished or the power switch is not turned off, the micro device mounted on the control device 20 is stopped. The computer 26 detects that the power has been cut off by the output signal from the power cut-off detection unit 24 (step S1).

  When it is detected that the power supply 21 is shut off, it is determined whether the power switch is turned off and the power supply is shut off or not (step S2). If the power switch is turned off and cut off (Yes in step S2), the microcomputer 26 stops energization of the motor 9 in the same way as at the end of normal operation because it is not cut off in an abnormal state. (Step S3), the brake is applied (Step S4), the rotation stop is detected (Yes in Step S5), the end of driving is displayed on the display unit 29, and the process is terminated.

  When the power switch is not turned off by being turned off (No in step S2), the microcomputer 26 stores the operation setting set at that time and information on the operation progress stage at the time of the interruption, in a nonvolatile memory. (Step S6). At this time, the control device 20 is supplied with power by a capacitor for backup power (not shown). Thereafter, the power supply to the motor 9 is stopped (step S3), the brake is applied (step S4), the rotation stop is detected (Yes in step S5), the end of the operation is displayed on the display unit 29, and the process is ended. To do.

  Next, details of operations and actions when the power supply 21 is restored after the power supply 21 is shut off and the above processing is performed will be described. FIG. 4 is a control flowchart at the time of power input detection of the washing machine in the present embodiment. In FIG. 4, when the power supply 21 returns after being shut off, the microcomputer 26 detects that the power supply 21 is connected based on an output signal from the power supply input detection unit 23 (step S7). When the connection of the power source 21 is detected, information is read from the nonvolatile memory 25 (step S8), and the situation when the previous power source 21 is cut off is determined (step S9).

  When it is determined that the previous stop state is the end of normal operation or the power switch OFF operation (No in step S9), the process proceeds to the initial standby state. If it is determined that the power supply 21 has been cut off because the previous stop state is an abnormal state other than the end of normal operation or the power switch off operation (Yes in step S9), the power cut-off time detection unit 30 causes the power cut-off time. Is confirmed (step S10). At this time, the method is not limited, such as using a capacitor whose discharge time is known in advance and detecting the voltage drop to determine the power-off time.

  If the power-off time has not elapsed for a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes) or longer, the operation is resumed from the operation progress stage at the time of power-off stored in the nonvolatile memory 25 and the rest is executed (No in step S10). . If the power shut-off time has elapsed for a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes) or longer (Yes in step S10), it is confirmed whether the step at the time of power shut-off is a washing step (step S11).

  If the power-off step is not a wash step, the operation is resumed from the operation progress stage at the time of power-off stored in the nonvolatile memory 25 and the rest is executed (No in step S11). And if it is a washing | cleaning step (it is Yes at step S11), the present water level will be confirmed (step S12). In this case, it is confirmed whether or not the water level of the washing liquid has decreased due to water leakage due to dust biting of the drain valve 10 or piping trouble.

  If the current water level is not higher than the specified water level, the clothes of the laundry are not sufficiently immersed in the washing liquid during the power shutdown, so it is considered that the so-called deferred washing effect is not obtained and the power shutdown time Regardless of the length, the operation is resumed from the operation progress stage at the time of power-off stored in the nonvolatile memory 25, and the remaining time of the washing step and the remaining steps are executed (No in step S12). At this time, tap water is replenished to a predetermined water level. If the water level is equal to or higher than the predetermined water level (Yes in step S12), the clothes of the laundry are sufficiently immersed in the washing liquid while the power is shut off, and the effect of deferment washing is obtained. Assuming that the operation time remaining in the interrupted washing step is shortened (for example, 1/2), the operation is resumed.

  At this time, depending on where the power-off occurred at the washing step and the capacity and performance of the washing machine, the predetermined time of power-off illustrated in 5 minutes is divided into multiple stages, and depending on each stage The operation time to be shortened may be set. In addition, the water level is confirmed (step S12) by taking into account the lowering of the water level in the event that water leaks due to dust biting of the drain valve 10 or a piping failure, etc. However, it is not always necessary to check the water level at this point if there is no problem in maintaining the water level by managing the water level detection in normal operation.

  As described above, when the power supply is shut off and the operation is stopped in an abnormal state other than the end of the normal operation or the power switch OFF operation during the washing step, the nonvolatile memory 25 is restored when the power is restored. The operation is resumed from the operation progress stage at the time of the power shutdown stored in. In particular, when the time from power shut-off to power recovery has exceeded a predetermined time, washing is performed while ensuring washing performance by shortening the remaining operation time of the suspended washing step and restarting operation. Time saving and energy saving can be realized.

  Note that the power cut-off by turning off the power switch may be caused not only by the user's intention as shown in FIG. 3, but also by an erroneous operation intended to be temporarily stopped. Therefore, the process is not only finished as shown in FIG. 3 but also not shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4, but when the power switch is turned on again, the return of the power is detected and whether or not the operation needs to be resumed. When the operation is resumed, it is preferable to perform a process of confirming with the user whether to resume from the operation progress stage at the time of power-off or to restart the operation setting. Further, the nonvolatile memory 25, the power input detection unit 23, the power cutoff detection unit 24, and the power cutoff time detection unit 30 may be built in the microcomputer 26.

  As described above, even if the washing machine according to the present invention is stopped due to power interruption due to an abnormal state such as a power failure, if the time from power interruption to power restoration has exceeded a predetermined time, the suspended washing machine By shortening the remaining operation time of the steps and restarting the operation, it is possible to reduce the washing time and save energy while ensuring the washing performance. It can be applied to the use of a washer-dryer having

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Housing | casing 3 Outer tub 5 Washing / dehydration tub 20 Control device 21 Power supply 23 Power supply input detection part 24 Power supply interruption detection part 25 Non-volatile memory 26 Microcomputer 30 Power supply interruption time detection part 31 Water level detection part

Claims (2)

A power input detection unit and a power shutoff detection unit that monitor the connection state of the power supply, a power shutoff time detection unit that detects the time when the power is shut off, and the setting details of the operation and information on the operation progress stage during the operation A non-volatile memory for storing and a control device for executing a series of steps of washing, rinsing and dewatering of the washing machine, and the control device does not end normal operation during the operation of the washing step When the power is shut off and the operation is stopped in a state where the power switch is not turned off, the operation progress stage information is stored in the nonvolatile memory, and then when the power is restored, the nonvolatile memory stores the information. The operation is restarted from the stored operation progress stage, and when the power-off time from the power-off to the power-return has exceeded a predetermined time, the remaining operation time of the washing step is shortened. Washing machine and wherein the Rukoto. An outer tub for storing the washing liquid; and a water level detection unit for detecting a water level of the washing liquid in the outer tub, and when the water level of the washing liquid is not equal to or higher than a predetermined water level in restarting the washing step, the washing The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the remaining operation time of the washing step is shortened when the water level of the washing liquid is equal to or higher than a predetermined water level without reducing the remaining operation time of the step.

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