JP3389434B2 - Drum type 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 front-operated drum type washing machine provided with a lid for loading and unloading cloth at the center of the front side, and more particularly to a drum type washing machine equipped with a safety device.

[0002]

As a drum type washing machine having a Conventional safety devices include those described in JP-A-5-1617 7 9 JP.

The drum type washing machine has a structure in which a drum rotates about a horizontal axis in a water tank. The structure of the drum type washing machine will be specifically described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a front view of a conventional drum type washing machine.

As shown in FIG. 9, the control section controls the controlled parts such as the motor and the water absorption valve by the input of the operation switch 39 to control a series of strokes. Two operation switches 39 are simultaneously operated. When the above operation is performed, the subsequent input of the operation switch 39 is not accepted.

The operation switch 39 is used for the washing machine main body 31.
A standard course switch 35, which is provided above the lid 32 provided in the center of the front face of the vehicle and sets the driving course selected by the user.
And saving course switch 36 and wool course switch 37
It has and.

Further, the drum type washing machine is provided with a lid lock means controlled by the control section, and the lid lock means prohibits the opening of the lid 32 when two or more operation switches 39 are simultaneously operated. I have to.

Further, the drum type washing machine is started when the user selects a driving course with the operation switch 39 and presses the start switch 34, the lid 2 is locked by the lid locking means and the handshake portion is operated. I try not to open it. The lock is held until the operation is completed, and when the operation is completed, the lid 2 can be opened, and the user takes out the laundry in the drum and finishes the laundry.

In FIG. 9, 40 is a power lamp.
33 is a power switch, 34 is a start switch, and 38 is an indicator lamp for displaying tampering prevention. The indicator lamp 38 lights up when re-entry prevention and lid opening prevention are set.

To explain the operation of the above structure, a desired driving course is set by the operation switch 39 before the operation is started. After that, if the start switch 34 is pressed, the process proceeds according to the set driving course according to the series of steps shown in FIG. 10, and the change is accepted until the middle of the washing step.

Here, in order to prevent erroneous operation due to mischief of an infant, for example, in the case of standard course setting, if the start switch 34 is pressed while pressing the standard course switch 35, the control unit recognizes that the switch input is not normal. However, the subsequent switch re-input is not accepted, and it is possible to prevent a malfunction caused by a child's mischief.

This setting can be released by either setting the same input again or pressing the start switch 34 several times in succession. When the operation is stopped until the switch re-input is accepted, the lid lock means is released and the user can open and close the lid 32.

Also, after the end of a series of steps, in the standby state, if the input setting other than the above-mentioned input setting, for example, the standard course switch 35 and the saving course switch 36 are simultaneously inputted, the lid lock means is activated in the standby state. It always operates, and prevents the lid 32 from being opened by mischief without opening and closing the lid 32 even if the handshake portion is operated.

To cancel this state, either the same input setting can be performed again or the start switch 34 can be continuously pressed several times.

[0014]

Such a conventional front-operated drum type washing machine has a general outer size, and the operation switch 39 has a height such that an infant can easily touch it, and the lid is closed when the operation is stopped. The lid 32 can be easily opened by operating the handle portion 32. The height of the lid 32 is lower than that of the operation switch 39, and this height is also the optimum height for pranks for infants. Open the lid 32 to put foreign matter other than laundry in the drum, or the infant himself / herself. There was a case in which the driver entered a very dangerous state when he or she performed a driving operation without knowing it.

In the conventional drum type washing machine, the lid 32 can be easily opened from the outside but cannot be opened from the inside when the lid locking means is released. There was a problem of being trapped.

In the conventional drum type washing machine described above, after the washing is completed, the user takes out the laundry from the drum, sets the child lock, and locks the lid 32 to prevent mischief and danger of the infant. It has been prevented.

However, in this method, the setting is judged by the intention of the user, and the lid 3 is set when the user forgets the setting.
It is conceivable that an infant may play in the drum without being locked, and this could lead to an accident such as trapping the infant in the washing machine and rotating the drum.

In view of the above problems, the present invention has as its object the provision of a drum-type washing machine which can prevent the danger of mischief by an infant and improve safety.

[0019]

In order to achieve the above object, a drum type washing machine according to claim 1 of the present invention includes a washing machine main body having an opening through which laundry is put in and taken out , and the washing machine main body. The lid that opens and closes the opening of the
An elastically supported water tank, a drum supported in the water tank in a horizontal direction and rotatably mounted around a horizontal axis, a driving means for rotationally driving the drum, and a drum housed in the drum.
A vibration sensor for detecting a vibration based on a thing, and the vibration
Amplitude or vibration detected by monitoring the detection signal of the sensor
If any of the durations is greater than or equal to a given value, the person
I can't drive the washing machine because it's in the drum
And a control unit including a control function .

[0020]

Furthermore, the drum type washing machine according to claim 2 of the present invention, in claim 1 Symbol mounting of the drum type washing machine, provided with a lid locking means capable of maintaining the lid in a closed state, wherein the control unit , When it is determined that a person is present in the drum,
The lid lock means is controlled so as to be opened.

[0022]

[0023]

[0024]

[0025]

In addition, the drum type washing machine according to claim 4 of the present invention is provided with a person detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of a person in the drum, and when the person detecting means detects a person, the lid is closed. Since the configuration is such that the lid does not close, the lid can be opened from the inside of the drum even if the lid is closed when an infant enters the drum and plays a trick.

[0027]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A drum type washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment> A drum type washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a drum type washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front sectional view of the drum type washing machine, and FIG. 3 is an operation panel of the drum type washing machine. 4 is a block diagram of the drum type washing machine. FIG. 5A and 5B are vibration waveforms similarly detected by the vibration sensor of the drum type washing machine, FIG. 5A shows a vibration waveform when an infant enters the drum, and FIG. 5B shows a case where laundry is put into the drum. The vibration waveform of is shown.

The drum type washing machine according to the present embodiment is
The washing machine main body 21 and a lid 10 provided on the front surface of the washing machine main body 21 for loading and unloading laundry are provided, and the lid 10 is sealed with a packing 11 between a water tub 3 described later. Has become.

The washing machine main body 21 is composed of a water tub 3 suspended from a support lot 2 inside the outer box 1, and a washing tub arranged inside the water tub 3 so as to rotate about a horizontal axis. It has a double structure with a certain drum 4.

The water tank 3 is suspended by the support lot 2 in order to absorb vibration during operation, and has a function of storing and draining a washing liquid or a dehydrating liquid.

The drum 4 is provided with a large number of sub-holes 7 on its entire peripheral wall for passing water during washing, drainage during dehydration and hot air during drying.

A drying unit 8 is attached to the upper portion of the water tank 3 inside the outer box 1, and a blower and a heater for circulating warm air are arranged inside the drying unit 8 and a circulation duct. 9 is connected.

An operation panel 5 is provided on the front surface of the washing machine body above the lid 2, and a control section 6 is attached to the back surface thereof.

The operation panel 5 is, as shown in FIG.
The display lamp 22 and the operation switch 18 are provided. The operation switch 18 includes a power switch 18a, a start / stop switch 18b, a course switch 18c, a drying switch 18d, a washing switch 18e, and a reservation switch 18f.
And a hot water switch 18g.

The course switch 18c is for setting a standard, careful, speed, dry and blanket operation course for the user to wash.
d is for setting a drying process and a blowing process, the washing switch 18e is for setting a washing process, a rinsing process and a dehydrating process, and the reservation switch 18f is set.
Is for presetting the washing end time, and the hot water switch 18g is for setting hot water as washing water.

The control section 6 controls controlled parts such as the drive motor 12 and the drainage pump 13 according to the contents set by the operation switch 18, and controls a series of washing to drying steps.

A vibration sensor 17 for detecting abnormal vibration is provided on the outer periphery of the water tank 3, and the vibration of the unbalance of the weight of the laundry is detected by the control unit 6 in the normal operation state to detect the weight of the laundry. Is detected and an appropriate laundry course is set. Further, the control unit 6 controls to detect the imbalance during dehydration and correct the bias of the laundry.

In the drum type washing machine, after the washing is completed (standby), the vibration sensor 17 provided on the water tub 3 arranged in the main body 21 of the washing machine constantly detects the vibration of the water tub 3. The signal is constantly compared in the control unit 6 with a preset value.

In the normal use state, that is, when the user is to wash, the door handle is operated to open the lid 10 and put the laundry into the drum 4. At this time, when the laundry is put into the drum 4, the water tub 3 vibrates due to the weight of the laundry, the vibration sensor 17 detects the signal, and the control unit 6 determines whether or not the laundry is other than the laundry. to decide. For example, when the user loads laundry, the vibration waveform shown in FIG. 5B is generated. The user repeats the vibration waveform several times in order to divide the laundry into several times.

Vibration sensor 17 provided in the water tank 3
Is shaken up and down due to contraction of the support lot 2 elastically supported when the laundry is loaded, and is detected as a signal. The laundry loading vibration of the user is determined within a substantially constant range because the laundry loading amount is the same. The vibration signal of the laundry put in by the user is processed by the control unit 6 and the amplitude is compared with a preset level for the duration time. If it is within the set level, it is determined that the user puts the laundry in and does the laundry. Then, in the normal operation, the washing course set by the user is executed, and when the washing is completed, the vibration is monitored again.

Next, a case where the infant is mischievous will be described.

When an infant accidentally tries to enter the drum 4 by opening the lid 10 by operating the lid handle, when the infant enters the drum 4, a large weight more than the load of laundry is added to the aquarium 3, which causes the aquarium to be large vertically and horizontally. Changes to. A 5-year-old infant weighs about 8 kg, which is a much larger weight difference than the laundry.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 5 (a), the waveform detected by the vibration sensor 17 has a larger value than that of the laundry input waveform, and the vibration duration becomes longer. This signal is processed by the control unit 6 and compared with a preset level. If it is determined that the level is higher than the preset level, the control unit 6 determines that an item other than laundry has been put in the drum 4, and the operation switch 18 The input of is prohibited to control the controlled parts so that they cannot be driven. At the same time, the control unit 6 covers the lid 1 to prevent the infant from being carelessly trapped in the washing machine.
The lid lock means is released regardless of the open / closed state of 0, and the lid 1
0 is controlled so that it does not close, and immediately to notify the user of the abnormal state, the indicator light 2 on the operation panel 18
At the same time as the rapid blinking of 2 is displayed, an alarm sound is issued by the buzzer. The display / warning sound at this time is of a high degree of danger by issuing a warning / warning sound in a completely different manner from the confirmation display / sound and error display / sound normally used to distinguish the user from an emergency. To recognize. For example, when the washing operation progresses blinking, the washing display of the indicator light 22 repeats blinking every one second. However, in an abnormal situation, the entire indicator light 22 is urgently blinked, for example, with a 0.3 second cycle.

The alarm sound is usually a notification sound different from the switch confirmation sound for 0.5 seconds and error sound / end sound,
For example, the user is informed of an emergency by performing an alarm notification with a continuous alarm sound at a cycle of 0.1 seconds. The user knows that the infant is playing in the washing machine through the danger notification or the abnormality display and takes action. A specific operation switch on the operation panel 5, for example, the power switch 18a and the hot water switch 1 is used.
The control unit 6 does not release the abnormality notification state until it is released by pressing 8g or the power plug of the washing machine body 1 is pulled out. FIG. 6 shows a flowchart for detecting infant mischief in the drum type washing machine.

<Second Embodiment> FIG. 7 is a front sectional view of a drum type washing machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
Regarding the drum type washing machine according to the present embodiment, only the points different from the drum type washing machine according to the above-described embodiment will be described.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the drum type washing machine according to the present embodiment, instead of providing the vibration sensor 17 on the outer circumference of the water tub 3, the weight of the laundry between the outer box 1 and the water tub 3 is changed. A weight sensor 19 for detecting the weight of the laundry is provided, and the control unit 6 detects the unbalance between the weight of the laundry and the dehydration of the laundry in the normal operation state.

In the drum type washing machine, after the washing is completed (standby), the weight sensor 19 provided between the outer box 1 and the water tank 3 arranged in the main body 21 of the washing machine is put in the water tank 3. The amount of laundry to be detected is detected, and the signal is constantly monitored by the control unit 6. In a normal use state, when the user is to wash, the door handle is operated to open the lid 10 and load the laundry into the drum. At this time, when the laundry is loaded into the drum 4, the water tub 3 suspended from the main body of the washing machine moves downward due to the weight of the laundry and the weight sensor mounted between the outer box 1 and the water tub 3 It is detected by 19 and is output to the control unit 6 as information. The control unit 6 determines whether or not the weight of the laundry put into the drum 4 is a preset value.

For example, taking a drum type washing machine having a standard capacity of 6 kg as an example, when the user inputs 3 kg of laundry, the weight sensor 19 moves the water tank 3 when the laundry is put in the main body 1 of the washing machine. The amount of movement is converted into an electric signal and sent to the control unit 6 as a 3 KHz signal. The detected signal is processed by the controller 6 and a preset weight, for example, 6.5 Kg (6.6 K)
Hz) and if it is within the set weight, it is determined that the laundry is a laundry, and the abnormality course is not processed, and the washing course set by the user is executed, and the weight is monitored again.

Next, a method of making a judgment as to the mischief of the infant will be described.

When an infant tries to enter the drum 4, when the child enters the drum 4 from the lid 10, a large weight more than the load of laundry is added to the water tub 3 and the washing machine main body 1 to the water tub 3
Moves greatly downward.

The weight detected by the weight sensor 19 (about 8 kg when a child is 5 years old) is larger than the standard amount of 6 kg.

This signal is processed by the control unit 6 and compared with a preset weight of 6.5 Kg (6.5 KHz). If it is determined that the weight is more than the set weight, the control unit 6 determines that items other than laundry are stored in the drum 4. It is determined that the power supply has been turned on, and the control of the abnormal state is performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment described above.

<Third Embodiment> FIG. 8 is a front sectional view of a drum type washing machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
Regarding the drum type washing machine according to the present embodiment, only the points different from the drum type washing machine according to the first embodiment described above will be described.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the drum type washing machine according to the present embodiment, instead of providing the vibration sensor 17 on the outer circumference of the water tank 3, the water tank 3 is provided between the outer case 1 and the water tank 3. A safety switch 20 is installed to detect abnormal vibration.
In the normal operation state, the unbalanced state at the time of dehydration is detected, and the control unit 6 is used to detect the unbalanced state.

In the drum type washing machine, after the washing is completed (standby), the safety switch 20 provided between the outer case 1 of the washing machine body 21 and the water tank 3 detects abnormal vibration of the water tank 3. The signal is constantly monitored by the control unit 6. In a normal use state, when the user is to wash, the door handle is operated to open the lid 10 and throw the laundry into the drum 4. At this time, when the laundry is put into the drum 4, the water tub 3 suspended from the outer box 1 slightly moves due to the weight of the laundry, but it does not reach the vibration of turning off the safety switch 20. The control unit 6 determines that the laundry is to be washed when the laundry is loaded into the drum 4 and the operation switch is pressed without the operation of the safety switch 20, and the abnormality is not set by the user. The laundry course is executed and terminated, and the operation of the safety switch 20 is monitored again.

Next, a method of judging a case where the infant is mischievous will be described.

When an infant tries to enter the drum 4, when the lid 10 enters the drum 4, a large force is applied to the water tub 3 to load the laundry into the washing machine main body 21.
Swings greatly. Safety switch 20 is about 10m wide
The safety switch 20 is operated by a vibration of m or more, and the aquarium body constantly shakes when the infant enters the drum 2.
Works. When the control unit confirms that the safety switch 20 has operated, it is determined that the infant is trying to enter the drum 2 by mischief, and the abnormal state control is performed by the above-described first control.
The same operation as in the embodiment is performed.

In the above-described embodiment, when the control unit 6 determines that something other than laundry is put in the drum 4,
At the same time as controlling the input of the operation switch 18 to prevent the controlled parts from being driven, the lid locking means is released regardless of the opened / closed state of the lid 10 to prevent an infant from being carelessly trapped in the washing machine. Although the lid 10 is controlled so as not to be closed, only one side may be controlled.

[0060]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention.
According to the description of the drum type washing machine, a washing machine main body having an opening for loading and unloading the laundry, and a lid for opening and closing the opening of the washing machine main body, which is elastically supported on the box of the washing machine main body
A water tank, a drum horizontally supported in the water tank and rotatably mounted around a horizontal axis, drive means for rotationally driving the drum, and vibration based on the one housed in the drum.
Vibration sensor for detecting movement and detection of said vibration sensor
Monitor the signal and detect any detected amplitude or vibration duration
If it is above a certain value, a person is present in the drum
The function that determines that the washing machine cannot be driven
By having a control unit comprising, infant can be said drum moving means is driven drive when that mischief enters into the drum reliably prevented from rotating, toddlers wherein It is possible to surely prevent the infant from being exposed to a dangerous state because the operation is started even though the child is inside the drum.

[0061]

[0062] Furthermore, the drum type washing machine according to claim 2 of the present invention, in claim 1 Symbol mounting of the drum type washing machine, provided with a lid locking means capable of maintaining the lid in a closed state, wherein the control unit , When it is determined that a person is present in the drum,
By controlling the lid locking means to be in the open state, the lid can be opened from the inside of the drum even if the infant closes the lid when the child enters the drum and plays a trick, and the infant enters the drum. It is possible to reliably prevent the trapping of

[0063]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a drum type washing machine according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front sectional view of the drum type washing machine.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of an operation panel of the drum type washing machine.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the drum type washing machine.

FIG. 5 is an output waveform of the vibration sensor of the drum type washing machine.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for detecting infant mischief of the drum type washing machine.

FIG. 7 is a front sectional view of a drum type washing machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a front sectional view of a drum type washing machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a front view of a conventional drum type washing machine.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a series of processes.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 outer box 3 aquarium 4 drums 6 control unit 10 lid 12 Drive motor 17 Vibration sensor 19 Weight sensor 20 safety switch 21 washing machine body 22 Indicator light

Continuation of front page (56) Reference JP-A-61-206489 (JP, A) JP-A-10-127981 (JP, A) JP-A-9-217532 (JP, A) JP-A-8-138173 (JP , A) JP-A-7-197715 (JP, A) JP-A-5-161799 (JP, A) JP-B-8-4550 (JP, B2) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB) Name) D06F 37/42 D06F 23/02 D06F 37/10 D06F 39/00

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A washing machine main body having an opening for loading and unloading laundry, a lid for opening and closing the opening of the washing machine main body, a water tank elastically supported by an outer box of the washing machine main body, and the water tank. A drum that is horizontally supported inside and rotatably installed around a horizontal axis; drive means that rotationally drives the drum; a vibration sensor that detects vibration based on what is accommodated in the drum; Includes a function that monitors the detection signal of the sensor and, if either the detected amplitude or vibration duration is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, determines that a person is inside the drum and controls the washing machine so that it cannot be driven. A drum-type washing machine including a control unit. 2. A lid lock hand capable of maintaining the lid in a closed state.
A step, and the control unit determines that a person is present in the drum.
Control the lid locking means to open.
The drum type washing machine according to claim 1, wherein: