JP2020078478A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To improve operability and safety of an operation display part including a power switch, at low cost.SOLUTION: Control means 12 is constituted to be normally in a conductive state. A power switch 30 includes two areas of a start part 30a for starting an operation of the content set by being touched and a temporary stop part 30b for temporarily stopping the operation by being touched. By touching both the start part 30a and the temporary stop part 30b simultaneously, the power of the washing machine is turned ON/OFF. With this constitution, a responsive capacitance type touch switch can be constructed at low price without increasing cost. Also, since a strong pressing force is not required, switch operability is good even for elderly people having difficulty in pressing the switch strongly, and excellent usability can be displayed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing machine for washing laundry.

  Conventionally, in this type of washing machine, a configuration has been proposed in which the power-on/off button and the start button are mechanical, and the other buttons are capacitive touch switches. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 7 shows a state in which a part of the sheet 102 made of a flexible resin having a surface thickness of about 0.5 mm is peeled off. A button group for instructing an operation according to the function of the electric appliance is printed and displayed on the sheet 102, and a timer button 103 for inputting a time, a dry button 104 for instructing drying, a washing button 105 for instructing washing, and a device A start button 106 for instructing to start using the device and an on/off button 107 for instructing to stop using the device are displayed. The sheet 102 is attached to the surface of the transparent resin plate 108 having a thickness of about 1 to 3 mm.

  Under the transparent resin plate 108, a printed circuit board 109 on which electric parts are placed is installed. On the printed circuit board 109, conductive electrodes 111 and mechanical switches 112 and 113 are installed corresponding to the printing positions of the respective buttons (the electrodes corresponding to the timer button 103 and the dry button 104 are shown in FIG. (Not shown).

  Here, in order to operate the mechanical switches 112 and 113, holes are made in the transparent resin plate 108 at positions corresponding to the mechanical switches 112 and 113, and the start button 106 and the ON/OFF button 107 are used to switch the mechanical switches. 112 and 113 can be operated.

  With this configuration, when the finger 114 approaches the wash button 105, the capacitance 115 between the wash button 105 and the electrode 111 changes. The change in capacitance is detected by the touch sensing IC 116 that is a button specifying unit, and a signal that the wash button 105 has been pressed is sent to the microcomputer 117 that is a button discrimination display unit.

  The microcomputer C117 sends a serial signal corresponding to the wash button 105 to the infrared LEDs 118 and 119, and also sends a turn-on signal to the wash display LED 120-1 to turn on the wash display LED 120-1. The lighting of the washing display LED 120-1 can be confirmed through the hole 121 of the sheet 102.

  With the above configuration, when the finger 114 approaches the washing button 105, which is a capacitance touch switch, the capacitance 115 between the washing button 105 and the electrode 111 changes, and the change in the capacitance 115 is detected by the button specifying means. The touch sense IC 116 detects that the wash button 105 has been pressed, and a signal indicating that the wash button 105 has been pressed is sent to the microcomputer 117 that is the button discrimination display means so that it can be determined that the wash button 105 has been pressed.

  Further, the mechanical switches 112 and 113 can be operated by the start button 106 and the on/off button 107.

JP, 2010-183940, A

  However, in the above-described conventional configuration, the size of the electrode is small, or the area of the button portion touched by the finger is small, so that the change in capacitance is small. In addition, even if a person such as an elderly person who has a small amount of water on the skin touches the button portion, the change in the capacitance is similarly reduced. When the change in the capacitance is small, it becomes difficult to detect the change in the capacitance, and as a result, there is a possibility that a phenomenon such as not accepting the button or not reacting may occur.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide a washing machine capable of improving operability.

  In order to solve the conventional problems, a washing machine of the present invention includes a washing machine main body, a water receiving tub supported by the washing machine main body, and a washing tub rotatably supported in the water receiving tub. An input setting means including a power switch for receiving a touch operation instruction with a finger to select and set modes such as a driving course and various functions; and the power switch has a plurality of areas, and the plurality of areas. The power of the washing machine is turned on/off by operating.

  This makes it possible to construct a capacitive touch switch that is easy to react at low cost without increasing cost, and can provide a washing machine that can improve operability.

    INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The washing machine of the present invention can provide a washing machine that can construct a responsive capacitive touch switch at low cost without increasing cost and can improve operability.

The longitudinal cross-sectional view of the washing machine in the embodiment of the present invention Block diagram of the washing machine Partial plan view of the operation display of the washing machine Operation example of operation display section of the washing machine Operation example of operation display section of the washing machine The partial top view of the operation display part of the washing machine in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. Configuration diagram of input display device of conventional washing machine

  A first invention is a washing machine main body, a water receiving tub supported by the washing machine main body, a washing tub rotatably supported in the water receiving tub, and a touch operation instruction with a finger for operation. Input setting means including a power switch for selecting and setting modes such as course and various functions, and the power switch has a plurality of areas, and by operating the plurality of areas, the power of the washing machine can be turned on. It is configured to turn on/off.

  This makes it possible to build a capacitive touch switch that is easy to respond at low cost without increasing costs, and does not require a strong pressing force, so it is easy to operate even for elderly people who have difficulty pressing the switch hard. It is good and can exhibit excellent usability.

  In a second aspect of the invention, in particular, the power switch of the first aspect of the invention is composed of two areas: a start part for starting the operation and a temporary stop part for temporarily stopping the operation.

  As a result, operability is good and excellent usability can be exhibited.

  A third aspect of the present invention can exhibit excellent safety, particularly when the operation display section of the first or the second aspect of the invention is configured to cover the entire power switch section with a power switch cover that can be opened and closed. it can.

  A fourth invention is, in any one of the first to third inventions, a lid for opening and closing an opening for putting laundry into the washing tub, and a lid for preventing opening of the lid. Lock means, the lid lock means unlocks the lid body when the power switch is turned on, and the lid lock means locks the lid body in a closed state when the power switch is turned off. As a result, a switch for locking the lid is not required, which is inexpensive, convenient to use, and exhibits excellent safety.

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

(Embodiment 1)
1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block circuit diagram of the washing machine, and FIG. 3 is a partial plan view of an operation display section of the washing machine. 4 is an operation case diagram of the operation display unit of the washing machine, and FIG. 5 is an operation case diagram of the operation display unit of the washing machine.

  In FIG. 1, a rotating drum 1 which is a washing tub is rotatably arranged in a water receiving tub 2, and a rotating shaft (rotating center shaft) 3 is provided in an inclined direction at a rotation center of the rotating drum 1 to rotate the rotating drum 1. The drum 1 is arranged so that the axial direction of the drum 1 is inclined downward from the front side toward the back side. A motor 4 attached to the back surface of the water receiving tank 2 is connected to the rotary shaft 3 to drive the rotary drum 1 to rotate in the forward and reverse directions.

  The opening provided on the upward inclined surface on the front side of the water receiving tank 2 is openably and closably covered by the lid 5, and the opening and the water receiving tank 2 are elastically connected by the packing 5a. By opening the lid 5, laundry can be put in and taken out from the rotary drum 1. Since the lid 5 is provided on the upwardly inclined surface, the laundry can be taken in and out without bending over.

  Further, during operation of the washing machine, the lid lock means 20 (see FIG. 2) is operated for safety so that the lid body 5 is prevented from being opened. 26 (see FIG. 2).

  The water receiving tank 2 is swingably and vibrationally supported by a spring body 7 and a damper 8 from a main body 6 of a washing machine. Drain the washing water from the outside.

  Circulation paths 14a and 14b are provided from the bottom of the water receiving tank 2 via the outside, and a circulation pump (circulation means) 14 is disposed in the middle of the circulation path. The circulation pump (circulation means) 14 sucks the wash water from the circulation path 14a and sends the washing water, and the circulation water discharge port 22 that faces the inside of the rotation drum 1 in the front of the water receiving tank 2 through the circulation path 14b. Repeat returning washing water to the inside. In this way, a circulating shower is performed in which the water in the water receiving tank 2 is used to pour water on the laundry.

  The water supply means 10 supplies tap water into the water receiving tank 2, and the water level detection means 11 detects the water level of the water supplied into the water receiving tank 2.

In the present embodiment, the rotary shaft 3 is provided in the rotation center of the rotary drum 1 in a substantially inclined direction, and the axial center direction of the rotary drum 1 is inclined downward from the front side toward the rear side. But
The rotary shaft 3 may be provided in a substantially horizontal direction at the rotation center of the rotary drum 1, and the axial center direction of the rotary drum 1 may be arranged in a substantially horizontal direction.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the motor 4 is connected to the back surface of the water receiving tank 2 via the rotating shaft 3, but the motor 4 is arranged below the water receiving tank 2 and the rotating shaft 3 is used. A belt drive system may be adopted in which the attached pulley or the like and the motor 4 are connected by a belt.

  A control device 15 incorporating a control means 12 is disposed below the washing machine body 6, and a user selects and sets modes such as a driving course and various functions on the upper front part, and the setting contents are set. An operation display unit 23 for displaying such items as above is provided, and an input setting unit 23a (see FIG. 2) having various switches and a display unit 23b (see FIG. 2) including an LED are provided inside thereof. An operation display circuit 13 is provided.

  The input setting means 23a of the operation display circuit 13 employs a method of detecting a switch input by a change in capacitance when the input setting means 23a of the operation display unit 23 is touched with a finger.

  A steam discharge port 24 is provided at a position facing the inside of the rotary drum 1 in the front part of the water receiving tank 2. From the steam discharge port 24, steam generated by the steam generating means 21 (see FIG. 2) is applied to laundry. By spraying, it is possible to reduce wrinkles and deodorize laundry.

  When the operation is started, the control unit 12 starts the operation based on the information from the operation display circuit 13 obtained by operating the operation display unit 23, the motor 4, the drainage unit 9, the water supply unit 10, and the circulation unit 14. , The steam generating means 21 (see FIG. 2) and the like are controlled to control a series of steps such as washing, rinsing and dehydrating.

  Examples of the drainage means 9 include a drainage valve, but a drainage pump may be used. Also, both may be used. The combination may be set according to the environment in which the washing machine is used.

  In FIG. 2, the control device 15 comprises a control means 12 composed of a microcomputer, an input circuit 16, a motor drive circuit 17, and a switching means drive circuit 18, and the control means 12 comprises an operation display circuit 13. Various display signals are output to and the rotation control of the motor 4 is performed via the motor drive circuit 17. Further, the switching means 19 is controlled via the switching means drive circuit 18 to control the operations of the drainage means 9, the water supply means 10, the circulation means 14, the lid lock means 20, the steam generation means 21, and the like.

  The lid lock means 20 locks the lid 5 so as not to open for safety during operation, and is composed of a solenoid (not shown) and a lever (not shown).

  The steam generating means 21, when the steam course is selected and set on the operation display unit 23, sprays the generated steam from the steam discharge port 24 onto the laundry through a steam path (not shown), The purpose is to reduce wrinkles and deodorize laundry.

  Various operation signals are input to the control means 12 from the operation display section 23 via the operation display circuit 13, and the detection signals from the water level detection means 11 and the lid opening/closing detection means 26 are input via the input circuit 16. A detection signal and a signal from the electrostatic capacitance detection unit 25 that detects the electrostatic capacitance of the switch obtained by touching the operation display unit 23 are input.

The control means 12 is always energized so that it can always detect the input of various operation signals from the operation display circuit 13.

  In FIG. 3, the operation display device 27 includes an operation display unit 23 and an operation display circuit 13 provided inside the operation display unit 23. The power switch 30 provided on the operation display unit 23 has a sensor unit which is formed in a shape larger than that of the other input setting means 23a and serves as a switch for turning the power on and off. In the operation display circuit 13 arranged inside the operation display unit 23, an electrode having substantially the same size as the sensor unit serving as a switch for turning the power on and off is formed.

  The power switch 30 includes a start unit 30a that starts the operation of the set content by touching (touching) after the power of the washing machine is turned on, and a temporary stop unit 30b that temporarily stops the operation by touching. It has two areas.

  The operation and action of the drum type washing machine configured as described above will be described below.

  When driving, as shown in FIG. 4, it covers the entire power switch 30 configured on the operation display unit 23 of the operation display device 27, that is, covers both the start unit 30a and the temporary stop unit 30b. By touching (touching), the power of the washing machine is turned on.

  When the power switch 30 is touched (touched) so as to cover the entire power switch 30, the power is turned on and at the same time, the lid 5 is unlocked. When the power switch 30 is touched again so as to cover the entire power switch 30 again, the power is turned off. Then, when the power is turned off, the lid opening/closing detecting means 26 detects whether or not the lid body 5 is closed and locked, and the control means 12 locks the lid body 5 by the lid locking means 20 so as not to open. To do. That is, when the power is turned off, the lid 5 is locked at the same time.

  When the power is turned on/off, the power is not turned on/off by touching only one of the start part 30a and the temporary stop part 30b, and touching is performed so as to cover both the start part 30a and the temporary stop part 30b. ..

  When the start part 30a is touched after the power of the washing machine is turned on, the operation is started, and when it is desired to temporarily stop the operation during the operation, the temporary stop part 30b is touched to temporarily stop the operation.

  During operation, the power switch 30 does not react even if a touch is made to cover both the start portion 30a and the temporary stop portion 30b. During the operation, touching only the temporary stop section 30b temporarily stops the operation, and then touching only the start section 30a restarts the operation.

It should be noted that how to divide the two areas in the power switch 30 and how to divide the two areas may be optimized according to the product specifications. Also, the switch operation specifications and the like may be optimized according to the product specifications. (For example, what timing should be made to react only the start part 30a, what timing should be set to turn on/off the power by touching so as to cover both the start part 30a and the temporary stop part 30b, etc.) .)
The operation and action of the drum type washing machine configured as described above will be described below.

  When driving, by touching (touching) so as to cover the entire power switch 30 configured on the operation display unit 23, that is, so as to cover both the start unit 30a and the temporary stop unit 30b, The power turns on. At this time, the lid opening/closing detection means 26 detects whether or not the lid body 5 is closed and locked, and when the lid body 5 is closed and locked, the control means 12 causes the lid lock means 20 to intervene. Release the lid lock.

  When the power switch 30 is touched (touched), the capacitance changes, and the capacitance detection unit 25 detects the change in the capacitance, and the detection signal is input to the control unit 12 via the input circuit 16. Then, the control means 12 recognizes that the power switch 30 is pushed, and the power is turned on.

  After releasing the lid lock, the lid 5 is opened, the laundry is put into the rotary drum 1, the lid 5 is closed, and the content of the stroke is set by the operation display unit 23, and the start portion 30a of the power switch 30 is touched. Then, the lid lock means 20 operates, the lid body 5 is locked, and the operation is started.

  The control means 12 sets an optimum water level according to the amount of laundry and controls the water supply means 10 to supply water to the rotary drum 1 and the water receiving tank 2. Then, the water level is detected by the water level detecting means 11, and when the set water level is reached, the water supply is ended, the motor 4 is controlled, the rotary drum 1 is rotated, and the washing process is performed. Further, during the washing process, the circulation means 14 is controlled to circulate the wash water to perform the circulation shower operation.

  After the washing process is completed, the drainage means 9 is controlled to drain the wash water, the water is dehydrated, and then the water supply means 10 is controlled again to supply water into the rotary drum 1 and the water receiving tank 2. Then, the water level is detected by the water level detecting means 11, and when the set water level is reached, the water supply is ended, the motor 4 is controlled, the rotary drum 1 is rotated, and the rinsing stroke is performed. After the rinsing step is completed, the drainage means 9 is controlled to drain the rinsed water, and the final dehydration step is performed to end the operation.

  Further, depending on the set operation content, after the final dehydration step, the steam generating means 21 is controlled to perform a steam step of injecting steam toward the laundry in the rotary drum 1 to complete the operation. The steam process may be performed at an optimum timing according to the specifications of the washing machine.

  When the operation is completed, the lid 5 is unlocked while the power is still on, so the lid 5 is opened and the laundry is taken out. When the power switch 30 is touched (touched) so as to cover the entire power switch 30, the power is turned off and the lid 5 is locked so as not to be opened. This is to prevent a small child from opening the lid 5 to enter the rotary drum 1 and closing the lid 5 to be in an unsafe state.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the control unit 12 controls the power switch 30 to start the operation of the set content by touching the start section 30a and to temporarily stop the operation by touching. It has two areas of the stop part 30b, and touches both the start part 30a and the temporary stop part 30b at the same time. As a result, by configuring the power of the washing machine to be turned ON/OFF, it is possible to construct a capacitive touch switch that is easy to react at low cost without increasing costs, and does not require a strong pushing force. The switch operability is good even for elderly people who have difficulty pressing the switch strongly, and it is possible to exhibit excellent usability.

  Further, when both the start portion 30a and the temporary stop portion 30b of the power switch 30 are touched at the same time to turn on the power of the washing machine, if the lid body 5 is locked in the closed state, the lid lock means 20 closes the lid. Unlock the body 5. When the power of the washing machine is turned off by simultaneously touching both the start portion 30a and the temporary stop portion 30b of the power switch 30 in the power-on state, the lid lock means 20 locks the lid body 5 in the closed state. .. As a result, a switch for locking the lid 5 is not required, and it is inexpensive and easy to use, and can exhibit excellent safety.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 6 is a partial plan view of the operation display unit of the washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment except that the operation display unit is provided with the power switch cover, and the same parts are given the same numbers and their description is omitted.

  In FIG. 6, a removable power switch cover 31 is provided so as to cover the entire power switch 30 of the operation display unit 23.

  The power switch 30 can be operated by opening the power switch cover 31.

  The power switch cover 31 may be of a movable type with a hinge attached thereto, or may be of a sheet-type insert type. The shape should be optimized according to the product specifications and design.

  By covering the entire power switch 30 with the power switch cover 31 that can be freely opened and closed, the user unintentionally touches the power switch 30 with a body part other than the finger, or the electrostatic capacity of water, liquid detergent, etc. It is possible to prevent the switch from reacting to the power switch 30 due to the fact that the substance it possesses is applied to the power switch 30, and the power is inadvertently turned on/off or temporarily stopped during operation.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, the operation display section 23 is configured to cover the entire power supply switch 30 section with the openable/closable power supply switch cover 31, thereby exhibiting excellent safety. be able to.

  In the present embodiment, the drum type washing machine has been described as an example, but it may be used in a vertical washing machine.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY As described above, the washing machine according to the present invention is inexpensive and exhibits excellent safety and usability by enlarging the power switch and linking ON/OFF of the power switch with the operation of the lid locking means. Therefore, it can be applied to other washing machine applications such as vertical type.

1 Rotating Drum 2 Water Tank 4 Motor 5 Lid 6 Washing Machine Main Body 9 Draining Means 10 Water Supply Means 11 Water Level Detecting Means 12 Control Means 13 Operation Display Circuit 23a Input Setting Means 23b Display Means 20 Lid Locking Means 23 Operation Display Units 26 Lids Open/close detection means 30 Power switch 30a Start part 30b Temporary stop part 31 Power switch cover

Claims (4)

Washing machine main body, water receiving tub supported by the washing machine main body, washing tub rotatably supported in the water receiving tub, modes such as a driving course by receiving touch operation instructions with a finger and various types An input setting means including a power switch for selecting and setting a function, and the power switch has a plurality of areas, and by operating the plurality of areas, the washing machine is turned on/off. . The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the power switch includes two areas, that is, a start section for starting operation and a temporary stop section for temporarily stopping operation. The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the operation display section covers the entire power switch section with a power switch cover that can be opened and closed. The lid includes a lid that opens and closes an opening for putting laundry into the washing tub, and a lid lock unit that prevents the lid from opening. The lid lock unit holds the lid open when the power switch is turned on. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the lock of the body is released, and the lid lock unit locks the lid in a closed state when the power switch is turned off.

Images