JP3286571B2 - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a washing machine mainly installed in various social welfare facilities, hospitals, employee dormitories, etc., and more particularly to an improvement in a method of operating a washing machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in a washing machine installed in a social welfare facility such as a hospital or a nursing home, an employee dormitory, or the like, a series of washing steps are automatically executed by a very simple operation. Extremely speaking, the most preferable is to perform the optimum washing according to the type of the laundry, the degree of dirt, the capacity, etc., by pressing only one switch, but in practice, the laundry Since it is difficult to automatically determine the type and the like, if the user selects an appropriate washing course according to the type of laundry and the degree of dirt, according to a driving program predetermined according to the washing course. The washing process is performed.

[0003]

However, in order to sufficiently exert the cleaning ability (that is, to clean more cleanly) or to minimize the damage to the cloth, it is necessary to wash the laundry according to the laundry and the degree of dirt. It is preferable to set the time and the like in detail, and if such detailed measures are taken, the types of washing courses become enormous. Then, after all, it takes much time to select a desired washing course, and the operation is troublesome.

Further, in this type of washing machine, a special operation different from a normal washing operation such as performing an appropriate test operation after installing the washing machine may be performed. Conventionally, when such a special operation is performed, a troublesome operation such as removing a front plate to expose a control board and operating a switch provided on the control board has been required. .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and a first object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine capable of instructing washing suitable for laundry by a simple operation. Is to do. It is a second object of the present invention to provide a washing machine that does not require any trouble when performing a special operation or treatment other than a normal washing operation.

[0006]

[0007]

[0008]

[0009]

[0010]

Has been made to solve the above Symbol challenges [SUMMARY OF] invention, washing, in the rinse, and a series of washing process sequentially continuously performing washing machine dehydration, a) washing start plurality of prior Input means operated to cyclically select any one of the washing courses; and b) operating the input means continuously for a predetermined time or more when the washing operation is interrupted due to a trouble. Input control means for giving a preliminary notice for resetting the trouble when detecting that the input means has been operated, and for further instructing a trouble clearing operation when detecting that the input means has been operated continuously thereafter. It is characterized by.

[0011]

[0012]

[0013]

[0014]

[0015]

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In a washing machine according to the present invention, when a malfunction occurs and a washing operation is interrupted halfway, the input means is operated continuously for a long time so as not to be performed in a normal operation. Then, the input control means determines that the operation is an operation for resetting the trouble. Then, first, an advance notice is issued for resetting a trouble such as changing the blinking speed of the display or generating a warning sound. If the input means is continuously operated after the notice, the trouble is reset. Is determined to have been confirmed by the user, and an instruction is given for a trouble clearing operation.

[0017]

[0018]

According to the washing machine of the present invention, it is not necessary to provide a special switch for resetting troubles, and a troublesome work such as removing a front panel for resetting troubles as in the prior art. Becomes unnecessary. In addition, since the notice is given before the trouble clearing operation is actually performed, the operator can cancel the resetting operation on the way.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view showing the appearance of the washing machine of the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of an operation panel of the washing machine,
FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view showing the internal structure of the washing machine, and FIG. 4 is an electric system configuration diagram of the washing machine.

As shown in FIG. 1, a door 3 for closing a clothes input port is provided on a front end face of an outer tub 2 exposed at a substantially central circular opening of a front plate 1a which is a part of the outer box 1. On the left side of the door 3, a handle 4 used to open and close the door 3 is provided. An operation panel 5 is provided above the front plate 1a. As shown in FIG. 2, the operation panel 5 includes a start switch 51, a program switch 52, a numeric display 53, and other displays.

The internal structure of the washing machine will be described with reference to FIG. A substantially cylindrical outer tank 2 is arranged inside the outer box 1,
Inside the outer tub 2, a drum 10 for storing laundry is supported by a main shaft 12. A number of water holes 11 are formed in the peripheral wall of the drum 10, and water supplied to the outer tub 2 flows into the drum 10 through the water holes 11.
A water level sensor 24 is attached to the outer tub 2, and the level of the water accumulated in the outer tub 2 is detected by the water level sensor 24.

The main shaft 12 is held by a bearing 13 mounted on the outer tub 2, and a main pulley 14 is attached to a tip of the main shaft 12. A motor 17 for rotating and driving the drum 10 is provided below the outer tub 2, and the driving force of the motor 17 is transmitted to the main pulley 14 via a motor pulley 16 and a V-belt 15. A water supply passage 18 opened and closed by a water supply valve 19 and a hot water supply passage 20 opened and closed by a hot water supply valve 21 are connected to the outer tub 2, and are connected to external water supply piping and a hot water supply piping, respectively. A drain 23 which is opened and closed by a drain valve 22 is connected to the bottom of the outer tub 2 so as to discharge the rinsed and rinsed water to the outside.

Next, the electrical configuration of the washing machine will be described with reference to FIG. The control unit 30 includes a CPU 31 and a timer 3
2. The microcomputer is mainly configured by a ROM 33, a RAM 34, and the like. Operation programs for various controls are stored in the ROM 33 in advance.
U31 controls each part according to the command of this operation program. The control unit 30 includes the start switch 51 described above,
Program switch 52, display 53, water level sensor 24
In addition, a door switch 40 for detecting the closing of the door 3,
The rotation control unit 41, the valve driving unit 42, and the like are connected. The rotation control unit 41 controls the rotation speed and rotation direction of the motor 17 that drives the drum 10 to rotate.
Reference numeral 2 denotes opening and closing of a finishing agent supply valve 43 in addition to the above-described water supply valve 19, hot water supply valve 21, and drain valve 22.

Next, a washing course in the washing machine of the present embodiment and a method of selecting the washing course will be schematically described. In this embodiment, for example, seven types of washing courses are prepared in accordance with the type of laundry and the degree of dirt. Specifically, blankets (the identification name on the display is "bL"), sheets (see above, " Sh "), towels (" To ", same as above), underwear (" Un ", same as above), work clothes (" Fc ", same as above), small amount of filth (" d1 ", same as above) and many filth (" d2 ", same as above). In each of the washing courses, a plurality of operating programs having different water levels at the time of easy rinsing and the like depending on the difference in the capacity of the laundry and the like are prepared in the ROM 33 so as to be selectable. Each of the operation programs is assigned a different operation program number, and can be identified by the number.

As described above, there are a plurality of operating programs corresponding to one washing course. In order to simplify the operation, a frequently used operating program is set in advance for each washing course. ing. At the time of washing, the user operates the program switch 52 to select a desired washing course, so that the washing operation can be executed in accordance with an operation program preset for the washing course. When it is desired to change the setting of the driving program for one or a plurality of washing courses, a predetermined operation as described below is performed to shift to the program selection mode, and the setting can be changed easily in that mode. It has become.

Hereinafter, the processing relating to the operation of the washing machine including the selection of the washing course will be described in detail with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 8 to 10 are schematic diagrams showing the display on the display 53 in the process of this processing.

First, when the power is turned on (the power outlet is inserted or the main power switch is turned on), the control unit 30 starts its operation and enters a standby mode in which the operations of the switches 51 and 52 are accepted. During such a standby mode (step S10), the program switch 52
When it is detected that the button (denoted as "P switch" in FIGS. 5 to 7) has been pressed (step S11), as shown in FIG. 8A, the washing course (here, "bL (= blanket)"). And the operating program number (here, "04") set for the washing course at that time is displayed on the display 53 (step S12).

When the control unit 30 detects that the program switch 52 has been continuously pressed for 5 seconds or more (step S13), the control unit 30 shifts to the program selection mode and sounds an alarm once for a short time (step S17). Thereafter, when it is detected that the program switch 52 has been pressed for further 5 seconds (that is, for a total of 10 seconds or more) (step S18), the mode is shifted to the test operation mode (step S32). Therefore, if the user stops pressing the program switch 52 immediately after the alarm sounds, the program selection mode is determined.

When the program selection mode is determined, the control unit 30 changes the operation program number to a blinking display while keeping the display of the washing course on the display 53 as shown in FIG. S19). By changing the display, the user can confirm that the mode has shifted to the program selection mode. When the operation program number is blinking in this manner, the setting of the operation program number for the washing course can be changed, and the control unit 30 controls the start switch 51 (referred to as “S switch” in FIGS. 5 to 7) 51. Is detected (step S20), the displayed operating program number is changed as shown in FIG. 8D (step S21). For example, “01” to “07” for the washing course “bL”
Assuming that the operation program numbered can be selected, the operation program number is cyclically updated in the range of "01" to "07" each time the start switch 51 is pressed.

When the control unit 30 detects that the program switch 52 has been pressed while the operation program number is blinking as described above (step S2).
2), as shown in FIG. 8 (e), the operation program number (here, “05”) that was blinking at that time is changed to a lighting display, and the operation program number is changed to the washing course (here, “bL”). ) (Step S2)
3). Then, the setting information is stored in the RAM 34.

If the pressing of the program switch 52 is released in less than 5 seconds in step S13, step S1 is executed.
Proceed to 4. When it is detected that the start switch 51 has been pressed, the operation program with the number displayed at that time is read from the ROM 33, and the washing program is started by executing the operation program (step S24). . If the program switch 52 is pressed again before the start switch 51 is pressed (step S15), as shown in FIG.
3 is changed (step S1).
6). Each time the program switch 52 is pressed once, the washing course on the display changes from “bL” to “Sh” to “To” →.
The user can select a desired washing course and press the start switch 51 to start the washing operation.

When the mode shifts to the test operation mode in step S32, the display 53 displays "P5" as shown in FIG.
The display "1" is turned on (step S33). This is a test operation mode for checking a door lock. When the program switch 52 is pressed while this display is displayed (step S34), a predetermined door lock check operation is started (step S35). . Further, when the program switch 52 is pressed (step S
36), the operation of checking the door lock is stopped, and FIG.
As shown in (c), a display "P52" corresponding to the check of the finishing agent charging valve 43, which is the next test item, is performed (step S40). Also, when the program switch 52 is pressed after the door switch check is completed (step S37) (step S38), “P52” corresponding to the check of the finishing agent supply valve 43 is similarly performed.
Is displayed (step S40). On the other hand, after the door switch check is completed, the program switch 5
If 5 minutes have elapsed without pressing 2 (step S39), the display on the display 53 is turned off and the process returns to the standby mode.

After shifting to the check of the finishing agent supply valve 43, the same processing as described above is performed until the final stroke inspection accompanied by the display of "P56" as shown in FIG. 10D (step S41). Proceeds and eventually returns to the standby mode. Note that such a test operation mode is usually executed at the time of installation and repair of a washing machine by a specialized service person, or at the time of product inspection before shipment from a factory.

If it is not in the standby mode in step S10, it is determined whether or not it is in the trouble mode (step S25). The trouble mode is a state where the operation is interrupted due to some trouble before or during the washing operation. Specifically, for example, water cannot be supplied because water is not supplied to the water supply channel 18 due to water cutoff or closing of a water tap, or drainage is not performed even if the drainage groove is clogged and the drainage valve 22 is opened. Troubles such as the water level in 2 not dropping are assumed. When such a trouble is detected, the control unit 30 causes the display 53 to blink the number indicating the type of the trouble (“E05” in this example) as shown in FIG. 9A.

When it is detected that the program switch 52 is continuously pressed for 10 seconds or more in the trouble mode (step S26), the control unit 3
0 determines whether the trouble is resettable (step S27). In other words, for example, a trouble due to a cause such as forgetting to open a water tap or water cutoff can be solved by an administrator, and thus is determined to be a resettable trouble. In this case, for example, the washing operation can be performed after the water supply is resumed after the water tap is opened or the water cutoff ends. However, a trouble caused by an internal mechanical or electrical failure or the like cannot be solved by an administrator, and thus is determined to be a trouble that cannot be reset. In this case, repair must be requested to a specialized service person.

If the control unit 30 determines that the trouble cannot be reset, the control unit 30 causes the display 53 to display a reset impossible display as shown in FIG. 9B (step S3).
1). On the other hand, if it is determined that the trouble can be reset, first, a change is made to increase the blinking speed of the display as shown in FIG. 9C (step S28). Thus, the user recognizes that the trouble is resettable. Then, when the control unit 30 further detects that the program switch 52 is pressed for 3 seconds or more (step S29), the control unit 30 resets the error and restarts the washing operation (step S30).

As described above, in the washing machine of the present embodiment, not only the operation that the user normally performs, but also the operation performed by a person other than the user, such as an administrator or a service person, in a special case, is performed. Switch 51 and program switch 52
It is possible to cope with these two switches.

The above embodiment is merely an example, and it is apparent that modifications and modifications can be made as appropriate within the scope of the present invention.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing the appearance of a washing machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of an operation panel of the washing machine.

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view showing the internal structure of the washing machine.

FIG. 4 is an electrical configuration diagram of the washing machine.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing of an input operation in the washing machine.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing of an input operation in the washing machine.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing processing of an input operation in the washing machine.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a display on a display of the washing machine.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing a display on a display of the washing machine.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing a display on a display of the washing machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 5 Operation Panel 51 Start Switch 52 Program Switch 53 Numerical Display 30 Control Unit 31 CPU 33 ROM 34 RAM

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A washing machine in which a series of washing, rinsing and dehydrating washing steps are sequentially and continuously performed. A) In order to cyclically select any one of a plurality of washing courses before starting washing. Input means to be operated; andb) when it is detected that the input means has been continuously operated for a predetermined time or more while the washing operation is interrupted due to a trouble, a notice for resetting the trouble is issued. A washing machine, further comprising: input control means for instructing a trouble clearing operation when the operation of the input means is detected further continuously thereafter.