JP3787859B2 - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention relates to a washing machine that performs washing, rinsing, and dewatering of a dirty cloth.
[0002]
[Prior art]
When the washing machine is dewatered, the outer tub may vibrate and collide with the outer frame due to uneven weight in the tub. Conventionally, a collision switch is provided between the outer tub and the outer frame, and the collision is stopped by colliding with the collision switch before the outer tub collides with the outer frame.
[0003]
When washing is performed, the amount of cloth is usually detected, and washing is performed using the amount of water corresponding to the amount of cloth. However, when the amount of water is manually set by the user, or when a cloth is inserted or removed after detection of the amount of cloth, washing must be performed with an amount of water that is not appropriate for the amount of cloth. For example, when the amount of water is very large relative to the amount of cloth, the cloth is easy to move along with the flow of water, so when the water flow is reversed by the stirring blade, it receives a stronger force than when the cloth is difficult to move. The cloth is severely damaged due to strong force such as rubbing of the cloth. Conversely, when the amount of water is small compared to the amount of cloth, there will be no generation of water flow due to agitation, the movement of the cloth will be reduced, and the agitation blade will rub against the cloth in the vicinity of the agitation blade, resulting in severe fabric damage and contamination. Drops are extremely reduced. Therefore, it is necessary to adjust the water flow according to the cloth size and the amount of water.
[0004]
For this reason, when washing is performed, the process of rotating the stirring blade to the right for a certain time, pausing for a certain time, rotating to the left for a certain time, and pausing for a certain time is repeated. The current was detected by the electromotive force generated by the rotating means, and the water flow was controlled by estimating the amount of cloth by detecting the appropriate water flow by integrating for a certain period of time.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since the washing machine always requires a collision detection switch as described above, two sensing means, that is, a collision detection switch and a current detection means, are required when appropriate water flow detection is desired with the conventional configuration. It was.
[0006]
In addition, since the outer frame tilt cannot be detected in the conventional configuration, even if the outer frame is tilted, if it is installed and driven as it is, the distance between the outer tank and the outer frame is short, and the outer tank collides with the surface of the outer frame. The risk of the washing machine moving increases. This is because even if the rotation means is stopped by the collision detection switch, the tank continues to move due to the inertial force of the rotary motion, so that the collision occurs when the distance between the outer tank and the outer frame is close.
[0007]
Furthermore, if the outer frame moves and the outer frame tilts due to the outer tank colliding with the outer frame even if it is installed in the horizontal direction without proper inclination, the outer tank will be removed unless the user corrects it. It was impossible to correct the inclined state of the outer frame, which is highly likely to collide with the outer frame of the tank.
[0008]
This invention provides the washing machine for solving the said subject, and sets it as the 1st objective to provide the washing machine which has a function which performs a collision detection and an appropriate water flow detection function with one detection means. .
[0009]
It is a second object of the present invention to provide a washing machine having a finer appropriate water flow detection function.
[0010]
A third object is to provide a washing machine having a function of electrically detecting the inclination of the outer frame and notifying the installer and the user.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The first means for achieving the first object is a tank having a stirring blade for washing and dewatering, an outer tank for containing the tank and storing water, and supplying water to the tank and the outer tank. Water supply means, rotating means for rotating the tank and the stirring blade, drainage means for discharging water in the outer tank, an outer frame for supporting the outer tank via the suspension, and detection means for measuring the inclination of the suspension And a process control unit that controls the washing machine in each of the washing, rinsing, and dehydration processes. When a predetermined amount of water is supplied to the outer tub by the water supply means in the washing process and the rinsing process, the process control unit rotates. At the same time as the stirring blade is rotated by the means, the output of the detecting means is detected, and the sum S of the amount of change from the initial value of the output and the sum L of the amount of change of the output are calculated, By comparing with β, these predetermined The present invention provides a washing machine that selects a water flow that has been divided in advance based on a value and generates the water flow.
[0012]
The second means for achieving the second object is a fuzzy method for determining an appropriate water flow by using the sum S of the amount of change from the initial value of the output of the detecting means and the sum L of the amount of change of the detecting means output as inputs. An inference device is provided, and the process control unit determines an appropriate water flow using the fuzzy inference device.
[0013]
The third means for achieving the third object includes, in addition to the first means, a foot rubber whose height can be adjusted, and an outer frame inclination detecting unit for detecting an installation inclination of the outer frame, The outer frame inclination detection unit includes a sum S1 of output changes between the output of the detection means and the initial value when the initial value is larger than the initial value for a predetermined time of the washing process or the rinsing process, and an initial value when the initial value is smaller than the initial value. When the difference between S1 / (S1 + S2) and S2 / (S1 + S2) is greater than a predetermined value, the sum S2 of the output change amounts from is calculated.
[0014]
[Action]
According to the first aspect of the invention, the collision detection and the appropriate water flow detection can be performed by one detection means, and therefore the appropriate water flow detection can be performed at a low cost by the current detection means.
[0015]
According to said 2nd invention, finer appropriate water flow detection can be performed by performing fuzzy reasoning.
[0016]
According to the third aspect of the invention, the outer frame inclination state notification that the outer tank is likely to collide with the outer frame is made by judging the outer frame inclination from the observation value obtained by the detection means. It can be performed.
[0017]
【Example】
Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0018]
First, the overall operation will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 1, 1 is a tank for storing laundry and water for washing, 2 is an outer tank for enclosing the tank 1 and storing water, 3 is a water supply means for supplying water to the tank 1 and the outer tank 2, and 4 is a laundry 5 is a rotating means for rotating the tank 1 and the stirring blade 4, 6 is a draining means for discharging water in the tank 1 and the outer tank 2, 7 is a suspension for hanging the outer tank 2, 8 is an outer frame that supports the outer tub 2 via the suspension 7, 9 is a detection means for measuring the inclination of the suspension 7, 10 is a control unit for the water supply means 3, the rotation means 5, the drainage means 6, and the detection means 9. It is a process control unit that performs each process of washing, rinsing, and dewatering.
[0019]
The water supply means 3 and the drainage means 6 are configured by using electromagnetic valves, the rotation means 5 is provided with a motor having a power transmission mechanism to the tank 1 and the stirring blade 4, and the process control unit 10 is configured with a microcomputer. It can be easily realized.
[0020]
When the laundry is put in and the washing process is started by the user's instruction, the process control unit 10 opens the water supply means 3 and supplies water to the tank 1 and the outer tank 2 until a predetermined amount of water is reached. When the water supply is completed, the process control unit 10 rotates the stirring blade 4 by the rotating means 5 and performs washing for a predetermined time. When the washing process is completed, the process control unit 10 drains the water by the draining means 6 and then rotates the tub 1 by the rotating means 5 to perform the dewatering process. When the dehydration process is completed, the process control unit 10 performs the rinsing process with the same operation as the washing process, performs the dehydration process again, and terminates the washing.
[0021]
Next, the structure of the detection means 9 is demonstrated using FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the detection means 9. In FIG. 2, 7 is a suspension for supporting the outer tub 2, 21 is a suspension receiver supported by the support portion of the outer frame, 22 is a fastener for fixing the suspension receiver 21 to the suspension 7, and 23 is an outer A light-emitting element 24 that is fixed to the frame support and emits infrared light, and 24 is a light-receiving element that is fixed to the suspension receiver 21 and receives light from the light-emitting element 23.
[0022]
The light emitting element 23 and the light receiving element 24 constitute a circuit as shown in FIG. 3A and change the output voltage V according to the inclination of the suspension 7. The relationship between the inclination of the suspension 7 and the output voltage V is shown in FIG. This is because the distance between the light emitting element 23 and the light receiving element 24 changes as the suspension 7 tilts as shown in FIG.
[0023]
Therefore, since the amount of change of the detection means 9 is proportional to the inclination of the suspension 7, that is, the amount of displacement of the outer tub 2, this amount of change indicates a magnitude corresponding to the collision of the outer tub 2 with the outer frame 9. If the detection is performed in this case, it can be understood that the collision can be detected.
[0024]
Next, the appropriate water flow detection will be described using the flow chart of the appropriate water flow detection shown in FIG. When a predetermined amount of water is supplied in the washing process and the rinsing process, the process control unit 10 issues a command to the rotating means 5 and a pattern (1.0 right rotation, 0.6 second pause, 1) as shown in FIG. The stirring blade 4 is rotated so as to generate a predetermined number of times (for example, 10 times) of a water flow of 0.0 second counterclockwise rotation and 0.6 second pause). At this time, since the laundry in the tub 1 is moved by flowing into the water stream, the outer tub 2 is shaken and the suspension 7 is tilted, so that the output of the detection means 9 is changed for the above reasons [STEP 1 to STEP 3]. Next, the sum S of change amounts from the initial value of the output of the detection means 9 = ΣABS {Sens (i) −Sens (0)} is calculated [STEP 4], and the total change amount of the output of the detection means 9 L = ΣABS. {Sens (i) -Sens (i-1)} is calculated [STEP 5]. By comparing S and L obtained here with predetermined values α and β, respectively, [STEP 6 to STEP 7], the water flow is divided, and the water flow with less fabric damage is determined [STEP 9 to STEP 11].
[0025]
Here, in order to explain the meanings of the predetermined values α, β, the amount of laundry is usually clothing (a) 4.5 [Kg], (b) 3.5 [Kg], (c) 1.5 [Kg] and (D) The output of the detection means 9 when the water flow is generated using the amount of water suitable for washing the cloth 4.5 [Kg] under the respective conditions of the towel sheet 2.6 [Kg]. 7 (a), 7 (b), 7 (c) and 7 (d). The sum S (ΣABS {Sens (i) of the amount of change from the initial value of the output of the detection means 9 when the washing is performed several times under the conditions (a), (b), (c), (d). ) -Sens (0)}) on the horizontal axis, and the total amount L (ΣABS {Sens (i) -Sens (i-1)}) of the output variation of the detection means 9 on the vertical axis. As shown in FIG. Here, the sum from the initial value of the output is proportional to the magnitude of the vibration, and thus indicates the ease of occurrence of uneven weight in the tank, which is likely to cause a large vibration. Moreover, since the sum total of the amount of change in output is proportional to the ease of change in the output value, it indicates the ease of movement of the laundry in the tub 1. In (a) where S <α and L <β, the laundry is filled in the entire tank 1, so that the weight in the tank is not uneven and the cloth does not move. Therefore, washing is performed with a strong water flow (FIG. 9A). In (b) where S> α and L <β, a large amount of laundry enters the tub 1, but the fabric is relatively easy to move because there is room for the fabric to move relatively, but the fabric is difficult to move.
[0026]
Therefore, basically, the cloth is difficult to move, so washing is performed with a medium water flow (FIG. 9B). In (c) where S> α and L> β, since one cloth is a large towel sheet (two sheets), the cloth tends to clump, and the cloth moves well on the flow of water. Therefore, since the cloth is slightly movable, washing is performed with a slightly weak water flow (FIG. 9C). In (d) where S <α, L> β, the cloth is hard to clump and the cloth moves well. Therefore, since fabric damage is likely to occur, washing is performed with a weak water flow (FIG. 9D).
[0027]
In this way, by comparing the sum of the amount of change from the initial value of the output of the detection means 9 and the sum of the amount of output change with α and β, respectively, while the water flow for detecting the appropriate water flow is generated. The proper water flow can be determined.
[0028]
By the operation as described above, a washing machine having a function of performing a collision detection function and an appropriate water flow detection function by one detection means can be provided.
[0029]
In this embodiment, the light emitting / receiving element is used to measure the inclination of the suspension 7. However, it goes without saying that an inductance change by inserting a magnetic material into the coil may be used.
[0030]
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to the attached drawings. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.
[0031]
In FIG. 10, 1 is a tub for storing laundry and water for washing, 2 is an outer tub for enclosing the tub 1 and storing water, 3 is a water supply means for supplying water to the tub 1 and the outer tub 2, and 4 is for washing 5 is a rotating means for rotating the tank 1 and the stirring blade 4, 6 is a draining means for discharging water in the tank 1 and the outer tank 2, 7 is a suspension for hanging the outer tank 2, 8 is an outer frame that supports the outer tub 2 via the suspension 7, 9 is a detection means for measuring the inclination of the suspension 7, 101 is a fuzzy inference device that infers an appropriate water flow based on the observation value of the detection means 9, A process control unit 102 controls the water supply means 3, the rotation means 5, the drainage means 6, the detection means 9, and the fuzzy inference device 101 to perform washing, rinsing, and dewatering processes.
[0032]
Note that this configuration can be easily realized by using a microcomputer for the fuzzy inference unit 101 and the process control unit 102. In addition, the process control unit 102 operates in the same manner as the process control unit 10 except for parts specifically described.
[0033]
FIG. 11 shows a flowchart for explaining proper water flow detection when fuzzy reasoning is used. Here, the same parts as those in the flowchart shown in FIG. When S and L are calculated by the process control unit 102, the process control unit 102 sends the calculation result to the fuzzy inference unit 101, and calculates the rotation time of the rotating means 5 with the fuzzy inference unit 101 having the configuration shown in FIG. [STEP 13]. Membership functions and rule tables used in the fuzzy inference unit 101 are shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, respectively. Next, the process control unit 102 calculates a rest time from the rotation time obtained in STEP 13 (rest time = rotation time * 0.6), and an appropriate water flow is determined [STEP 14].
[0034]
By performing the fuzzy inference by the operation as described above, a washing machine having a finer appropriate water flow detection function can be provided.
[0035]
In this embodiment, the fuzzy number is used as a consequent part of fuzzy inference, but a real value may be used for the convenience of inference tuning.
[0036]
Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.
[0037]
In FIG. 15, 1 is a tank for storing laundry and water for washing, 2 is an outer tank for enclosing the tank 1 and storing water, 3 is a water supply means for supplying water to the tank 1 and the outer tank 2, and 4 is a laundry 5 is a rotating means for rotating the tank 1 and the stirring blade 4, 6 is a draining means for discharging water in the tank 1 and the outer tank 2, 7 is a suspension for hanging the outer tank 2, 8 is an outer frame that supports the outer tub 2 via the suspension 7, 9 is a detection means for measuring the inclination of the suspension 7, 151 is a foot rubber whose height is adjustable, and 152 is an outer frame that detects the inclination of the outer frame. A frame inclination detection unit 153 is a process control unit that controls the water supply unit 3, the rotation unit 5, the drainage unit 6, the detection unit 9, and the outer frame inclination detection unit 152 to perform washing, rinsing, and dehydration processes.
[0038]
Note that this configuration can be easily realized by using a microcomputer for the outer frame inclination detection unit 152 and the process control unit 153.
[0039]
FIG. 16 (a) shows the output of the detection means 9 when washing is performed too easily when the outer frame is horizontally installed and the laundry is not displaced, and the outer frame is inclined. FIG. 16 (b) shows the output of the detection means 9 when it is in the state. This is because, as shown in FIG. 17, when the outer frame is tilted, the suspension 7 is tilted at θ1 and θ2 at the initial position. The amount of change is different.
[0040]
This tendency appears if observation is performed for a long time even during normal washing and rinsing. Therefore, the outer frame inclination detection unit detects the detection means for a predetermined time when the process control unit 153 is performing the washing process or the rinsing process. The sum S1 of the output change amount from the initial value when the output of 9 is larger than the initial value and the sum S2 of the output change amount from the initial value when it is smaller than the initial value are calculated (FIG. 16). After a predetermined time has passed, S1 and S2 are compared. If the difference between S1 / (S1 + S2) and S2 / (S1 + S2) is greater than a predetermined value, the outer frame is tilted. To inform the correction. For the predetermined value, for example, a value at the time of 2 ° inclination, which is an inclination where dangerous vibration is likely to occur, is used.
[0041]
By the operation as described above, it is possible to provide a washing machine having a function of electrically detecting the inclination of the outer frame and notifying the installer and the user.
[0042]
In the present embodiment, the method of detecting the outer frame inclination in the washing process and the rinsing process is shown. However, in order to obtain more accuracy, a method of detecting the inclination with only a small amount of water at the initial installation may be used. Needless to say.
[0043]
【The invention's effect】
The effects of the invention described above will be described below. According to the first means, the collision detection and the appropriate water flow detection can be performed by one detection means, and therefore the appropriate water flow detection can be performed at a low cost by the current detection means.
[0044]
According to the second means of the present invention, by performing fuzzy inference, it is possible to carry out finer appropriate water flow detection.
[0045]
According to the third means of the present invention, the outer frame inclination is likely to collide with the outer frame of the outer tub by judging the outer frame inclination from the observation value obtained by the detecting means by the outer frame inclination detecting unit. Status notification can be performed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a washing machine showing a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a detecting means showing an embodiment of the washing machine. FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an output change of the detection means of the washing machine. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an appropriate water flow detection of the washing machine. FIG. 6 is a flow diagram for detecting an appropriate water flow of the washing machine. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the output of the detection means under each condition of the washing machine. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the output characteristics of the detection means under the conditions of the washing machine. FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a washing machine showing a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining proper water flow detection of the washing machine. Configuration diagram of fuzzy inference [Fig. 13] Diagram showing membership functions used in the fuzzy inference unit of the washing machine [ FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a rule table used in the fuzzy inference unit of the washing machine. FIG. 15 is a configuration diagram of a washing machine showing a third embodiment of the invention. FIG. Fig. 17 shows the output of the detection means of the washing machine. Fig. 17 shows the inclination of the outer frame of the washing machine.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tank 2 Outer tank 3 Water supply means 4 Stirring blade 5 Rotating means 6 Drainage means 7 Suspension 8 Outer frame 9 Detection means 10 Process control part 21 Suspension receiver 22 Fastener 23 Light emitting element 24 Light receiving element 101 Fuzzy reasoning machine 102 Process control part 151 Leg rubber 152 Outer frame inclination detection unit 153 Process control unit

Claims (3)

  A tank having stirring blades for washing and dewatering; an outer tank for enclosing the tank and storing water; a water supply means for supplying water to the tank and the outer tank; a rotating means for rotating the tank and the stirring blade; Drainage means for draining water in the tub, outer frame that supports the outer tub via a suspension, detection means for measuring the inclination of the suspension, and control of the washing machine in each process of washing, rinsing, and dewatering And when the predetermined amount of water is supplied to the outer tub by the water supply means in the washing process and the rinsing process, the process control section rotates the stirring blade for a predetermined time by the rotating means and simultaneously outputs the detection means. Is detected, and the sum S of the amount of change from the initial value of the output and the sum L of the amount of change of the output are calculated and compared with the predetermined values α and β, respectively, so that they are preliminarily classified based on these predetermined values. Select a water flow Generating washing machine. A fuzzy inference unit is provided for determining an appropriate water flow by using the sum S of the amount of change from the initial value of the detection means output and the sum L of the amount of change of the detection means output, and a process control unit uses the fuzzy inference device. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein an appropriate water flow is determined .   A height adjustable foot rubber and an outer frame inclination detecting unit for detecting an installation inclination of the outer frame, wherein the outer frame inclination detecting unit is larger than an initial value during a predetermined time of a washing process or a rinsing process. The sum S1 of the output change amount between the output of the detecting means and the initial value and the sum S2 of the output change amount from the initial value when smaller than the initial value are calculated, and S1 / (S1 + S2) and S2 / (S1 + S2) The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein when the difference between the two is larger than a predetermined value, the outer frame inclination is notified.

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