JP2018126336A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a drain valve to be normally opened/closed by stopping, at a targeted position, a geared motor for opening/closing the drain valve even when the geared motor is replaced with a geared motor of different type.SOLUTION: A washing machine 1 comprises: a drain valve 10 provided in a drain path for draining water in a water tub; a geared motor 12 for opening/closing the drain valve 10; a rotary part 12a rotating by a rotation action of the geared motor 12; a connection member 12b connected to the rotary part 12a, and converting the rotation of the rotary part 12a into movement in an opening/closing direction of the drain valve 10; a rotation angle switch 50 for detecting a range in which the drain valve 10 is in an open state or in a closed state based on the rotation angle of the rotary part 12a; and a control device 32 for controlling the operation of the geared motor 12. The control device 32 stops the geared motor 12 after elapse of predetermined time from a time at which the rotation angle switch 50 detects that the drain valve 10 has been switched to an open state from a closed state, and the control device 32 keeps the drain valve 10 open. The control device 32 changes the predetermined time according to the type of the geared motor 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a washing machine.

  In the washing machine, a geared motor is used to open and close the drain valve. This geared motor switches the opening and closing of the drain valve by controlling the rotation angle (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below).

However, since geared motors have different angular velocities (rotational speeds) depending on the type, it is difficult to stop the geared motor at the intended position if the geared motor is replaced with a different type, and the drain valve opens and closes normally. There is a possibility that it cannot be operated. Therefore, it is difficult to use different types of geared motors in common, and it is necessary to use a dedicated geared motor for each washing machine model, or it is necessary to hold a wide variety of geared motors as repair parts. Becomes complicated.

  Accordingly, a washing machine is provided that can normally open and close the drain valve by stopping the geared motor at a target position even if the geared motor for opening and closing the drain valve is replaced with a different type.

  The washing machine according to the embodiment rotates by a rotating operation of the water tank for storing water, a drain valve provided in a drain path for draining water in the tank, a geared motor for opening and closing the drain valve, and the geared motor. A rotating member, a connecting member connected to the rotating unit and converting the rotation of the rotating unit into a movement in the opening / closing direction of the drain valve, and the drain valve is in an open state or a closed state from a rotation angle of the rotating unit A rotation angle switch for detecting a range; and a control device for controlling the operation of the geared motor. The control device detects that the drain valve is switched from a closed state to an open state by the rotation angle switch. In a washing machine that stops the geared motor and keeps the drain valve open after a predetermined time has elapsed, the control device changes the predetermined time according to the type of the geared motor. .

1 is a longitudinal side view schematically showing the overall configuration of a washing machine according to an embodiment. Diagram showing electrical configuration schematically (A) is the figure which showed typically the structure of the drain valve and the geared motor for drain valves which opens and closes this, (b) the figure which shows the relationship between the rotation angle of the drain valve geared motor, and ON / OFF of a rotation angle switch Timing chart schematically showing the relationship between the rotation angle of the drained valve geared motor, on / off of the rotation angle switch, and the open / closed state of the drain valve

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the washing machine 1 has an outer box 2 having a substantially rectangular box shape. In the outer box 2, a water tank 3 for receiving water during dehydration is provided via an elastic suspension mechanism 4. A rotating tub 5 is rotatably provided in the water tub 3. The rotating tub 5 functions as a washing tub / dehydration tub in which laundry is accommodated. A stirring body 6 for generating a water flow is provided at the bottom of the rotary tank 5.

  The outer bottom of the water tank 3 is provided with an inverter-driven outer rotor type motor 7 and a rotation transmission mechanism 8 for transmitting the rotational driving force of the motor 7 to the rotary tank 5 and the stirring body 6. The agitator 6 is rotated forward and backward by the motor 7 and the rotation transmission mechanism 8 during the washing process and the like, and a water flow is generated in the rotating tank 5 while the rotating tank 5 is agitated during the dehydration process. It is configured to rotate at a high speed integrally with the body 6.

  A drainage channel 9 that is a drainage channel for draining water from the rotating tank 5 is provided at the bottom of the water tank 3. A drainage hose 11 is connected to the drainage channel 9 via a drainage valve 10. The drain valve 10 is opened and closed by a drain valve geared motor 12 (see FIG. 3). Furthermore, a drain port 13 (drainage path) for draining water from the water tank 3 is provided at the bottom of the water tank 3. The drain port 13 is connected to the drain hose 11. An air trap 14 is provided in the drainage channel 9.

  An annular balance ring 15 is provided at the upper end of the rotating tub 5. A plurality of dewatering holes 16 are formed on the wall surface of the upper end portion of the rotating tub 5. Thereby, at the time of dehydration, the water in the rotary tank 5 moves to the outside of the rotary tank 5 between the rotary tank 5 and the balance ring 15 and through the dehydration hole 16. In addition, a bowl cover 17 having a substantially annular shape is provided at the upper end of the water tank 3. The opening of the eaves cover 17 communicates with the upper surface opening of the rotating tub 5.

  A plastic top cover 18 is provided at the upper end of the outer box 2. The top cover 18 has a rectangular frame shape having a substantially circular laundry entrance at the center, and has a thin hollow box shape. A bi-fold type lid 19 for opening and closing the laundry entrance is provided on the top surface of the top cover 18.

  A water supply mechanism 20 for supplying tap water into the rotary tub 5 is provided at the rear side of the top cover 18. The water supply mechanism 20 includes a first water supply pipe 21 having a water supply valve 22 in the middle, a water injection case 23, and a second water supply pipe 24. The first water supply pipe 21 is connected to a hose (not shown) connected at one end to a water tap and connected to the water injection case 23 at the other end. The water injection case 23 has a box shape, and a detergent and a softening agent are appropriately accommodated therein. The second water supply pipe 24 has a bellows shape, one end is connected to the water injection case 23, and the other end extends to the upper end of the rotating tub 5. Thus, when the water supply valve 22 is opened, tap water is supplied into the rotary tank 5 through a hose (not shown), the first water supply pipe 21, the water supply valve 22, the water injection case 23, and the second water supply pipe 24. Further, when the tap water passes through the water injection case 23, the detergent or the like accommodated in the water injection case 23 is also supplied into the rotary tank 5 together with the tap water.

  The water supply valve 22 includes a water supply valve drive device (not shown) such as an electromagnetic solenoid, and is opened and closed by turning on and off the electromagnetic solenoid.

  A control device 32 constituting a control means is provided inside the front portion of the top cover 18, and an operation panel 31 is provided at the front portion of the top cover 18. Although not shown, the operation panel 31 includes a power switch, a start / pause switch, a course selection switch for selecting a course for washing, a manual setting switch for setting the process time and the number of executions of each process of washing, and water level setting. A switch or the like is provided. The pressure in the air trap 14 is detected by a water level sensor 40 (see FIG. 2) provided via an air tube (not shown). Further, the lid 19 is provided with a lid switch (not shown) for detecting opening and closing of the lid 19.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 32 is configured mainly with a microcomputer and functions as a control unit that controls the overall operation of the washing machine 1. The control device 32 is configured such that various signals are input from each switch provided on the operation panel 31, and the water level detection signal from the water level sensor 40 that detects the water level in the water tank 3 is the rotational speed of the motor 7. A rotation speed detection signal is input from the rotation sensor 46 for detecting the rotation.

  The control device 32 is connected to a nonvolatile memory 44 as storage means. The control device 32 is configured to receive an on / off signal from a rotation angle switch 50 provided in the drain valve geared motor 12.

  Based on each input signal and a pre-stored control program, the control device 32 includes the display unit 48 of the operation panel 31, the motor 7, the water supply valve 22 for supplying water into the water tank 3, and the drained valve geared motor 12, respectively. Control is performed via the drive circuit 34.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, one end of a connecting member 12 b is connected to the drain valve 10. The drain valve geared motor 12 has a rotating portion 12a. The drain valve geared motor 12 has a cyclonas motor and a gear (not shown) inside, and the rotation of the motor is transmitted to the rotating portion 12a via the gear.

  In the drain valve 10, an elastic body such as a spring (not shown) connected to the connecting member 12 b is provided so as to pull the connecting member 12 b in the direction of the drain valve 10. Thereby, the connecting member 12b is biased in the direction of the drain valve 10, that is, in the closing direction of the drain valve 10. In the drained valve geared motor 12, the rotating portion 12a rotates only in one direction, for example, counterclockwise as shown in FIG.

  A connecting hole 12d is provided at the other end of the connecting member 12b. A bearing portion 12c provided at a position eccentric from the central axis of the rotating portion 12a is inserted into the connecting hole 12d. The bearing portion 12c is in a movable state within the connecting hole 12d. With the above configuration, the drain valve geared motor 12, the rotating portion 12a, the connecting member 12b, and the bearing portion 12c constitute a crank mechanism that converts the rotational motion of the drain valve geared motor 12 into the linear reciprocating motion of the connecting member 12b. The opening / closing of the drain valve 10 is controlled by the reciprocating motion of the connecting member 12b.

  The drain valve 10 is closed when the connecting member 12b is moved to the drain valve 10 side (hereinafter, this direction is sometimes referred to as an opening direction), that is, when the connecting member 12b is positioned on the right side in FIG. The drainage stops. On the contrary, the drain valve 10 is opened when the connecting member 12b is moved in the closing direction opposite to the drain valve 10, in other words, when the connecting member 12b is located on the left side in the drawing, Water is drained.

  FIG. 3B is a diagram schematically showing positions where the rotation angle switch 50 that operates in accordance with the rotation angle of the drain valve geared motor 12 is turned on and off. The reference line S shown in FIG. 3B shows a line connecting the drain valve 10 and the drain valve geared motor 12, and is a straight line extending along the direction in which the drain valve 10 moves during opening and closing (opening and closing direction). is there. The rotation angle is determined by the position of the bearing portion 12c provided in the rotating portion 12a.

  FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing the relationship between the rotation angle of the drain valve geared motor 12, the amount of movement of the connecting member 12c in the opening direction, and the rotation angle switch 50 on / off.

  As shown in FIG. 4, assuming that the position of the bearing portion 12c coincides with the reference line S as a reference, that is, 0 degrees, and the counterclockwise direction is a plus direction, the bearing section 12c is rotated counterclockwise from the position of 0 degrees. , The connecting member 12b moves in the opening direction while the drain valve 10 is kept closed, and the drain valve 10 is opened when the bearing portion 12c reaches + θ (for example, +35 degrees). When the bearing portion 12c further rotates counterclockwise from + θ, the connecting member 12c further moves in the opening direction until reaching 180 degrees, and the opening degree of the drain valve 10 gradually increases. When the rotation angle reaches 180 degrees, the connecting member 12b moves most in the opening direction, and the drain valve 10 is fully opened.

  When the bearing portion 12c is further rotated counterclockwise beyond 180 degrees, the moving direction of the connecting member 12c is reversed from the opening direction to the closing direction, and the opening degree of the drain valve 10 is gradually reduced. When 360-θ (for example, +325 degrees) is reached, the drain valve 10 is closed. Thereafter, when the bearing portion 12c further rotates counterclockwise from 360-θ, the connecting member 12c further moves in the closing direction until it reaches 0 degrees, and the drain valve 10 maintains the closed state.

  The rotation angle switch 50 is set to be turned off when the bearing portion 12c is in the angle range from -θ to + θ, and to be turned on when the bearing portion 12c is in the angle range from + θ to 360-θ. Thereby, the rotation angle switch 50 is turned on in the open state of the drain valve 10 that communicates the drain port 13 and the drain hose 11, and in the open state of the drain valve 10 that blocks between the drain port 13 and the drain hose 11. It is in an off state, and the range in which the drain valve 10 is in the open state and the range in the closed state can be detected from the rotation angle of the bearing portion 12c provided in the rotary portion 12a.

  Next, the operation of the drain valve 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the opening operation of opening the drain valve 10 in the closed state, the control device 32 starts the opening operation of the drain valve 10 by operating the drain valve geared motor 12 from the closed state in which the bearing portion 12c is at 0 degrees (360 degrees). To do.

  When the rotation angle of the bearing portion 12c reaches + θ, the control device 32 detects that the rotation angle switch 50 has been switched from the off state to the on state, and sets a predetermined time (hereinafter, also referred to as an open delay time) T1. Set.

  The control device 32 further operates the drain valve geared motor 12 for the open delay time T1 from the time when the rotation angle switch 50 detects the switching from the OFF state to the ON state, and then stops the drain valve geared motor 12. Opening operation ends.

  The opening delay time T1 set by the control device 32 in such an opening operation of the drain valve 10 is a position near the rotation angle of 180 degrees at which the drain valve 10 is fully opened, for example, between 165 degrees and 180 degrees. 12 is set to stop.

  In the case of a closing operation for closing the drain valve 10 in the open state, the control device 32 starts the closing operation of the drain valve 10 by operating the drain valve geared motor 12 from the open state in which the bearing portion 12c is in the vicinity of 180 degrees.

  When the rotation angle of the bearing portion 12c reaches 360-θ, the control device 32 detects that the rotation angle switch 50 has been switched from the on state to the off state, and a predetermined time (hereinafter also referred to as a closed delay time). Set T2.

  The control device 32 further operates the drain valve geared motor 12 for the closing delay time T2 from the time when the rotation angle switch 50 detects the switching from the on state to the off state, and then stops the drain valve geared motor 12. The closing operation ends.

  The open delay time T1 set by the control device 32 in such a closing operation of the drain valve 10 is set so that the drain valve geared motor 12 stops at a position in the vicinity of a rotation angle of 0 degrees (360) degrees.

  By the way, since the geared motors have different angular velocities depending on the type, if the drain valve geared motor 12 is replaced with a different type of geared motor during maintenance or the like, the drain valve geared motor 12 stops at a position near the rotation angle of 180 degrees during the opening operation. Or may not stop at a position near the rotation angle of 0 degrees during the closing operation. If the drained valve geared motor 12 cannot be stopped at the target position as described above, the opening degree of the drain valve 10 is reduced during the opening operation, the draining time is increased, and the drain valve 10 is not closed during the closing operation. It becomes sufficient and water leakage occurs.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the control device 32 changes the open delay time T1 and the close delay time T2 according to the type of the geared motor constituting the drain valve geared motor 12.

  For example, the control device 32 detects the angular velocity of the drain valve geared motor 12 by executing the speed detection step, and sets the open delay time T1 and the close delay time T2 based on the detected angular velocity, thereby causing the drain valve geared motor. The open delay time T1 and the close delay time T2 are changed according to the type of the geared motor constituting the motor 12.

  Specifically, the control device 32 rotates the drain valve geared motor 12 while the rotation angle switch 50 switches from the off state to the on state until the time when the rotation angle switch 50 returns to the off state, that is, the rotation angle switch. A time ton (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as an on-time) 50 is detected while 50 is in the on-state and continues to detect the open state of the drain valve 10. The control device 32 calculates the angular velocity (290 / ton in this embodiment) from the angle (290 degrees in this embodiment) at which the rotation angle switch 50 detects the on state and the on time ton, and based on the obtained angular velocity. The open delay time T1 and the close delay time T2 are changed.

  In the present embodiment, the angular velocity of the drain valve geared motor 12 is calculated based on the time ton during which the rotation angle switch 50 continues to detect the ON state. However, the rotation angle switch 50 while rotating the drain valve geared motor 12 is calculated. Between the time when the switch is switched from the on state to the off state and the time when the switch returns to the on state (that is, the time during which the rotation angle switch 50 is in the off state and continues to detect the closed state of the drain valve 10) The angular velocity of the drain valve geared motor 12 may be calculated based on the total time (for example, the time required for one rotation) when the state and the off state are detected.

  Such a speed detection process can be executed every time the power of the washing machine 1 is turned on. For example, the weight of the laundry put into the rotating tub 5 of the washing machine 1 is measured immediately after the power is turned on. This can be done during the process.

  In the washing machine 1 of the present embodiment, the control device 32 changes the open delay time T1 and the close delay time T2 according to the type of the geared motor constituting the drain valve geared motor 12, and therefore the drain valve geared motor 12 is of a different type. Even if the geared motor is replaced, the drain valve geared motor 12 can be stopped at a target position, and the drain valve 10 can be opened and closed accurately.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the control device 32 detects the on time ton during which the rotation angle switch 50 is in the on state and continues to detect the open state of the drain valve 10 while rotating the drain valve geared motor 12, and detects it. Since the open delay time T1 and the close delay time T2 are set based on the ON time ton, the user or the maintenance worker does not set the open delay time T1 and the close delay time T2, so that the target position can be obtained. The drain valve geared motor 12 can be stopped, and the drain valve 10 can be opened and closed accurately.

  In this embodiment, since the speed detection process is performed during the process of measuring the weight of the laundry put into the rotating tub 5 of the washing machine 1 immediately after the power is turned on, the washing machine 1 is executed by executing the speed detection process. The driving time will not be prolonged.

  In this embodiment, the angular velocity of the drain valve geared motor 12 is detected each time the washing machine 1 is turned on, and the open delay time T1 and the close delay time T2 are changed. When a serviceman or a user inputs a predetermined signal from a switch provided on the operation panel 31, the speed detection process is executed, the open delay time T1 and the close delay time T2 are changed, and the predetermined signal is not input. For example, the speed detection step may not be performed, and the open delay time T1 and the close delay time T2 set in the previous operation may be maintained.

  Further, the control device 32 may change the open delay time T1 and the close delay time T2 based on the frequency of the power source input to the washing machine 1. Thereby, even if the power frequency changes, the drain valve geared motor 12 can be stopped at a target position, and the drain valve 10 can be opened and closed accurately.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the open delay time T1 and the close delay time T2 are changed based on the angular velocity obtained by executing the speed detection step has been described. For example, for a plurality of types of drained valve geared motors, respectively. The open delay time T1 and the close delay time T2 are stored in the nonvolatile memory 44 in advance, and a maintenance serviceman or a user operates a switch provided on the operation panel 31 to open the open delay time T1. The closing delay time T2 may be called and changed.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Washing machine, 9 ... Drainage channel, 10 ... Drainage valve, 11 ... Drainage hose, 12 ... Drained valve geared motor, 12a ... Rotation part, 12b ... Connection member, 12c ... Bearing part, 12d ... Connection hole, 13 ... Drainage Mouth, 31 ... operation panel, 32 ... control device, 48 ... display unit, 50 ... rotation angle switch, S ... reference line

Claims (5)

A water tank for storing water;
A drain valve provided in a drainage path for draining the water in the tank,
A geared motor for opening and closing the drain valve;
A rotating part that rotates by a rotating operation of the geared motor;
A connecting member that is connected to the rotating part and converts the rotation of the rotating part into a movement in the opening and closing direction of the drain valve;
A rotation angle switch for detecting a range in which the drain valve is in an open state or a closed state from a rotation angle of the rotating unit;
A control device for controlling the operation of the geared motor,
The control device is configured to stop the geared motor after a predetermined time from detecting that the drain valve has been switched from the closed state to the open state by the rotation angle switch, and to retain the drain valve in the open state In
The said control apparatus is a washing machine which changes the said predetermined time according to the kind of said geared motor.   The control device detects a time during which the rotation angle switch detects at least one of an open state and a closed state of the drain valve while rotating the geared motor, and changes the predetermined time based on the detected time. The washing machine according to claim 1.   The control device detects the time during which the rotation angle switch detects the open state or the closed state of the drain valve while rotating the geared motor every time the power is turned on, and based on the detected time The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined time is changed. An operation unit for setting the type of the geared motor;
The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the control device changes the predetermined time based on a type of the geared motor input from the operation unit.   The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control device changes the predetermined time based on a power supply frequency.

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