JP4157460B2 - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing machine that performs laundry washing, rinsing, and dewatering in a rotating drum having a rotation center axis in a horizontal direction or an inclination direction.

Conventionally, in a rotating drum type washing machine that performs washing, rinsing, and dewatering of laundry in a rotating drum having a rotation center axis in the horizontal direction, the dewatering process is performed in a state where the laundry in the rotating drum is intertwined in the washing process. When entering, when the laundry in the rotating drum is not evenly distributed, unbalance occurs, and when dehydration is started in an unbalanced state, the resonance rotational speed corresponding to the vibration resonance point of a water receiving tank or the like containing the rotating drum In order to avoid the occurrence of large vibrations, the occurrence of imbalance is detected on the basis of the decrease in the rotational speed increase due to the large vibration of the water receiving tank, and the process proceeds to the cloth unwinding process. A method for eliminating the balance has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP-A-10-263257

  The above-described conventional example aims to detect an imbalance in the region of the resonance rotational speed corresponding to the vibration resonance point of a water receiving tank or the like and eliminate this. However, when the washing process is completed, a large amount of laundry in the rotating drum is biased to one place, that is, when the degree of imbalance is large, the resonance rotation in which the rotating drum has a high speed in the dehydrating process. Since the occurrence of a large imbalance cannot be detected until the number of regions is entered, a large vibration suddenly occurs at the moment of entering the region of the resonance rotational speed, and the water receiving tank hits the washing machine body to generate a large impact sound. There's a problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and its object is to provide a rotational speed range of the rotating drum in a high speed range when the degree of imbalance is large in the dehydration process. Detects a large imbalance in the low-speed area before entering, and if the degree of unbalance is small, detects a small imbalance in the resonance rotation speed region to optimize the imbalance according to the magnitude of the degree. The object is to provide an excellent washing machine that can be modified.

In order to achieve the above-described object, a washing machine according to the present invention stores a laundry and has a rotating drum having a rotation center axis in a horizontal direction or an inclination direction, and includes the rotating drum and elastically supports the washing machine body. A water receiving tank, a water supply means for supplying water into the water receiving tank, a motor for driving the rotating drum, a torque detecting means for detecting torque when driving the motor, and the number of revolutions of the motor or the rotating drum are detected. The washing machine includes a rotation number detection means and a control means for controlling a washing operation and a motor, wherein the control means causes the rotating drum to rotate for a first predetermined time (in a rotation start-up sequence during dehydration). The second rotational speed (N2) in which the rotational speed detected by the rotational speed detection means is higher than the first rotational speed while controlling to rotate at the first rotational speed (N1) during t1). If this happens, wash It is determined that an unbalance of the item has occurred, the process proceeds to a correction sequence to correct the unbalance of the laundry, and the vibration resonance frequency of the mechanical system that is higher than the second rotational speed and to which the rotating drum is connected The torque (motor current) detected by the torque detection means when starting up from the third rotational speed (N3) lower than the resonant rotational speed corresponding to to the fourth rotational speed (N4) higher than the resonant rotational speed. If the equivalent) became the first threshold value or more during the second predetermined time (t2) (I1 by the current equivalent value), it is determined that the imbalance of the laundry occurs, so as to shift to modify the sequence Further, the second predetermined time in the rotation start-up sequence at the time of dehydration before water supply after the washing process using the detergent and the rotation start-up sequence at the time of dehydration after the rinse process without using the detergent And it has a configuration for controlling so as to vary at least one of the first threshold value.

According to this configuration, during the dehydration process, the rotation speed of the rotary drum is controlled to the first rotation speed N1 (for example, 90 r / min) which is a low speed (the first predetermined time t1, for example, 15 seconds). In the meantime, if the rotation speed of the rotating drum becomes even higher than a second rotation speed N2 (for example, 100 r / min) higher than the first rotation speed, it is determined that a large unbalance of the laundry has occurred. Then, the process proceeds to the correction sequence, and the fourth rotation speed N4 (for example, 300 r) passes through the region of the resonance rotation speed from the third rotation speed N3 (for example, 160 r / min) higher than the second rotation speed. / Min), the driving torque of the motor is not less than a first threshold value (for example, 1.5 A for torque current equivalent value I1) for a second predetermined time t2 (for example, 0.2 seconds). Then, a small amber of laundry It is determined that the Nsu has occurred, the process proceeds to also modify the sequence. As a result, it is possible to optimally correct the imbalance depending on the magnitude of the degree , and furthermore, at the time of dehydration start-up before water supply in the rinsing process (first rinsing) after the washing process using the detergent, When the dehydration is started in the final dehydration process after the rinsing process without using the detergent, the second predetermined time t2 is shortened and the first threshold value I1 is set to be long. by setting small, even when the state of the laundry by the presence or absence of detergent is changed, Ru can perform optimum unbalance detection.

  The washing machine according to the present invention further includes cloth amount detection means for detecting the amount of laundry, and the control means changes the second rotational speed in accordance with the cloth amount detected by the cloth amount detection means. It is preferable.

  According to this configuration, when the amount of laundry is large (heavy), the second rotation speed N2 is set high. On the other hand, when the amount of laundry is small (light), the second rotation speed N2 is set. By setting the rotation speed N2 low, it is possible to perform optimal imbalance detection according to the amount of laundry.

  In the washing machine according to the present invention, the control means controls the motor so as to maintain the third rotational speed for the third predetermined time (t3) before starting up from the third rotational speed to the fourth rotational speed. It is preferable to do.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of abnormal vibration by removing water in the laundry as much as possible before passing through the resonance rotational speed.

  Further, in the washing machine according to the present invention, the control means sets the gradient of the rotation speed increase in the rotation speed increase period that rises from the third rotation speed to the fourth rotation speed, and increases the rotation speed in the other rotation speed increase period. It is preferable to set larger than the gradient.

  According to this configuration, by setting a high gradient of the rotation speed, torque is applied. When the vibration is large, imbalance can be easily detected, and the detection accuracy can be improved. When the vibration is small, the vibration can be further reduced because the vibration passes through the region of the resonance rotational speed quickly.

  In the washing machine according to the present invention, the control means controls the degree of increase in the rotational speed of the motor so that the torque is equal to or less than a second threshold value that is larger than the first threshold value in the rotation start-up sequence during dehydration. It is preferable to do.

  According to this configuration, the driving torque of the motor is greater than the first threshold value that is the torque for detecting imbalance (for example, the current equivalent value I1 of the torque is 1.5 A) and is the second output upper limit torque. Since the burden on the motor can be reduced by controlling the degree of increase in the rotation speed of the motor so that it is equal to or less than a threshold value (for example, 3.0 A in torque current equivalent value I2), the durability of the motor, circuit, etc. , Can improve safety.

  In the washing machine according to the present invention, it is preferable that the control means lowers the target rotational speed of final dehydration when the control sequence proceeds to the correction sequence.

  According to this configuration, by reducing the target rotational speed (Nc) for final dewatering, when the rotation start-up sequence at the time of dewatering is restored, the unbalance of the laundry in the rotating drum is again performed in the high-speed rotation region. Occurrence can be suppressed.

  Further, in the washing machine according to the present invention, when the control means shifts to the correction sequence, the control means performs the first correction operation of driving the rotary drum a plurality of times in the normal rotation direction and the reverse rotation direction, and then performs the rotation at the time of dehydration. It is preferable to return to the startup sequence.

  According to this configuration, the laundry is easily loosened when the rotation direction of the rotary drum is switched, and the unbalance of the laundry is easily eliminated.

  Further, in the washing machine according to the present invention, the control means supplies water into the water receiving tub when the first correction operation is repeated for the first predetermined number of times and then proceeds to the correction sequence, so that the rotating drum rotates normally. It is preferable to return to the rotation start-up sequence at the time of dehydration after performing the second correction operation of driving in the direction and the reverse direction a plurality of times and draining from the water receiving tank.

  According to this configuration, if the unbalance is not resolved even after the first correction operation is performed for the first predetermined number of times (for example, 6 times), the water is supplied to make the cloth state uniform and balanced. By draining from the water, vibration during dehydration can be reduced.

  Further, in the washing machine according to the present invention, the washing machine further includes a notification unit that performs a notification operation, and the control unit repeats the second correction operation for the second predetermined number of times, and shifts to the correction sequence. It is preferable to notify the abnormality by the notification means.

  According to this configuration, it can be determined that there is some cause in the laundry and it is difficult to correct the imbalance, and the user can be notified by abnormality notification (display or sound).

According to the present invention, when the degree of unbalance is large in the dehydration process, a large unbalance is detected in the low speed region before the rotational speed of the rotating drum enters the region of the resonance rotational speed that is the high speed region, and the unbalance is detected. If the degree of balance is small, by detecting a small imbalance in the region of the resonance rotational speed, can be optimally modified according imbalance to the extent of size, further, the state of the laundry by the presence or absence of detergent It achieved but even when changed, Ru can perform optimum unbalance detection, a special effect that.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration example of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a rotating drum 1 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, and a large number of water passage holes 2 are provided on the entire surface of the outer periphery, and are rotatably disposed in a water receiving tank 3. A rotation axis (rotation center axis) 4 is provided in the inclination direction at the rotation center of the rotary drum 1, and the axial center direction of the rotation drum 1 is inclined downward from the front side toward the back side. A motor 5 attached to the rear surface of the water receiving tank 3 is connected to the rotating shaft 4, and the rotating drum 1 is rotationally driven by the motor 5 in the forward and reverse directions. Several protruding plates 6 are provided on the inner wall surface of the rotating drum 1.

  The opening provided in the upward inclined surface on the front side of the water receiving tub 3 is covered with a lid 7 so that it can be opened and closed. By opening the lid 7, the laundry is put into the rotary drum 1 through the clothing entrance 8 and rotated. The laundry can be taken out from the drum 1. Since the lid body 7 is provided on the upward inclined surface, the user can reduce the degree of bending the waist when putting in and out the laundry.

  The water receiving tub 3 is suspended from the washing machine body 9 by a spring body 10 and a damper 11 so as to be swingable. One end of the drainage path 12 is connected to the lower part of the water receiving tub 3, and the other end of the drainage path 12 is connected. Is connected to the drain valve 13 to drain the washing water in the water receiving tank 3. The water supply valve (water supply means) 14 is provided for supplying water into the water receiving tank 3 through the water supply path 15, and the water level detecting means 16 is provided for detecting the water level in the water receiving tank 3. .

  In this embodiment, the rotary shaft 4 is provided in the tilt direction at the rotation center of the rotary drum 1 and the axial center direction of the rotary drum 1 is tilted downward from the front side to the back side. The rotation shaft 4 may be provided in the horizontal direction at the center of rotation 1 and the axial center direction of the rotary drum 1 may be set in the horizontal direction.

  Although not illustrated in FIG. 1, a blower fan 17 that blows hot air and a heater 18 (see FIG. 2) that heats the hot air are provided in the rotary drum 1, and the laundry in the rotary drum 1 is provided. It has a drying function for drying.

  The control device 19 is configured as shown in FIG. 2 and controls operations of the motor 5, the drain valve (DV) 13, the water supply valve (FV) 14, the blower fan (F) 17, the heater (H) 18, and the like. And a control means 20 comprising a microcomputer for sequentially controlling a series of steps of washing, rinsing, dewatering and drying.

  The control means 20 inputs information from the input setting means 21 for setting a driving course and the like, displays the information on the display means 22 based on the information, notifies the user, and starts the operation by the input setting means 21. Is set, the data from the water level detection means 16 for detecting the water level in the water receiving tank 3 is input and the drain valve 13, the water supply valve 14, the blower fan 17, and the heater 18 are input via the load driving means 23. Control the operation of the washing, drying operation.

  At this time, the rotation control means 35 included in the control means 20 is connected to the inverter 26 via the drive circuit 25 based on information from the position detection means 24 (24a, 24b, 24c) that detects the position of the rotor of the motor 5. By controlling this, the rotation of the motor 5 is controlled. The motor 5 is a direct current brushless motor, which is not shown, and is composed of a stator having a three-phase winding and a rotor having a two-pole permanent magnet disposed on the ring. The stator has a three-phase winding. The first winding 5a, the second winding 5b, and the third winding 5c to be configured are wound around an iron core provided with a slot.

  The inverter 26 is composed of a switching element including a parallel circuit of a power transistor (for example, an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT)) and a reverse conducting diode. The switching elements include a series circuit of a first switching element 26a and a second switching element 26b, a series circuit of a third switching element 26c and a fourth switching element 26d, a fifth switching element 26e and a sixth switching element. The switching element 26f is composed of a series circuit, and the series circuit of each switching element is connected in parallel.

  Here, both ends of the series circuit of switching elements are input terminals, a DC power supply is connected, and output terminals are respectively connected to connection points of two switching elements constituting the series circuit of switching elements. The output terminal is connected to the U terminal, V terminal, and W terminal of the three-phase winding, and the U terminal, V terminal, and W terminal are connected by the on / off combination of two switching elements that constitute the series circuit of the switching element. The three states are positive voltage, zero voltage, and release, respectively.

  The on / off of the switching element is controlled by the control means 20 based on information from the three position detection means 24a, 24b, 24c made of Hall ICs. The position detection means 24a, 24b, and 24c are disposed on the stator so as to face the permanent magnets of the rotor at an electrical angle of 120 degrees.

  During one rotation of the rotor, the three position detecting means 24a, 24b, and 24c each output a pulse at an electrical angle of 120 degrees. The rotation control unit 35 detects when the signal state of any of the three position detection units 24a, 24b, and 24c changes, and based on the signals of the position detection units 24a, 24b, and 24c, the switching elements 26a to 26f. By changing the on / off state, the U terminal, the V terminal, and the W terminal are brought into three states of positive voltage, zero voltage, and release, and the first winding 5a, the second winding 5b, The third winding 5c is energized to create a magnetic field and rotate the rotor.

  The switching elements 26a, 26c, and 26e are each controlled by pulse width modulation (PWM). For example, the rotational speed of the rotor is controlled by controlling the energization ratio of high and low at a repetition frequency of 10 kHz. The rotation control unit 35 detects the cycle each time the signal state of any of the three position detection units 24a, 24b, and 24c changes, calculates the rotation speed of the rotor from the cycle, and sets it to the set rotation speed. The switching elements 26a, 26c and 26e are PWM-controlled.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the rotation control means 35. In FIG. 3, the rotation control means 35 receives a signal from the position detection means 24, detects a rotation speed of the motor 5, a rotation speed detection means 35 a, a rotation speed setting means 35 b that sets the rotation speed of the motor 5, A rotation speed comparison means 35c for comparing the rotation speed set by the rotation speed setting means 35b with the rotation speed detected by the rotation speed detection means; a rotation speed change amount detection means 35d for detecting a change amount of the rotation speed; Based on the comparison result from the rotation speed comparison means 35c and the change amount of the rotation speed from the rotation speed change amount detection means 35d, the switching elements 26a, 26c, 26e An operation amount determination unit 35e that determines the operation amount of the PWM duty, and a PWM duty of the switching elements 26a, 26c, and 26e after being operated by the operation amount determination unit 35e. The duty ratio setting means 35f for setting the tee and outputting it to the drive circuit 25, and the PWM duty of the switching elements 26a, 26c, 26e gradually increased according to the elapsed time from the start of the motor 5 are stored and output to the drive circuit 25 And an energization ratio storage means 35g.

  The rotation control means 35 is energized until the number of times the signal state of any of the three position detection means 24a, 24b, 24c changes when the motor 5 is started up to 3, that is, until the motor 5 makes 1/2 rotation. The PWM duty of the switching elements 26a, 26c and 26e is controlled by driving the drive circuit 25 with the output signal of the ratio storage means 35g and thereafter with the output signal of the energization ratio setting means 35f.

  In the present embodiment, the rotational speed detection means 35a is configured to detect the rotational speed of the motor 5 based on the signal from the position detection means 24. However, the rotational speed detection means 35a is configured to detect the rotational speed of the rotary drum 1. Also good.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the current detection means 27 includes a resistor 28 connected to one input terminal of the inverter 26 and a current detection circuit 29 connected to the resistor 28, and the input current value of the inverter 26 is calculated. The output voltage is detected and supplied to the control means 20. When the motor 5 is a direct current brushless motor, the torque is substantially proportional to the input current. Therefore, the torque of the motor 5 is detected by detecting the input current value of the inverter 26 by the current detection circuit 29 connected to the resistor 28. can do. Therefore, the current detection means 27 performs an operation equivalent to the torque detection means.

  The cloth amount detecting means 30 detects the amount of laundry in the rotating drum 1, and the rotating drum 1 is detected by a signal from the current detecting means 27 when the rotating drum 1 is raised to a predetermined rotational speed (for example, 200 rpm). It is comprised so that the quantity of the laundry in 1 may be detected.

  The commercial power supply 31 is connected to the inverter 26 via a direct current power converter comprising a diode bridge 32, a choke coil 33, and a smoothing capacitor 34. However, this is an example, and the configuration of the DC brushless motor 5, the configuration of the inverter 26, and the like are not limited thereto.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the input setting means 21 includes a washing time setting switch 21a for setting a washing time, a rinsing frequency setting switch 21b for setting the number of times of rinsing, a dehydration time setting switch 21c for setting the dehydration time, and a drying time. A drying time setting switch 21d, a start / pause switch 21e, a power-on switch 21f, and a power-off switch 21g. The input setting means 21 is provided with a first course setting switch 21h and a second course setting switch 21i.

  The first course setting switch 21h sets a course to be driven, a course for performing a series of steps of washing, rinsing, dehydration, and drying, a course for performing steps of washing, rinsing, and dehydration, and a drying step only. The course to be performed can be switched and set in the above order each time it is turned on.

  The second course setting switch 21i switches and sets an automatic course, a rush course, a private course, a blanket course, a tank washing course, and the like, and is switched in the above order each time it is turned on.

  The display means 22 includes a washing time display section 22a, a rinse count display section 22b, a dehydration time display section 22c, a drying time display section 22d, and a course setting display section 22e that displays the course set by the second course setting switch 21i. Etc. Moreover, the display means 22 has a number display part 22h, and the display of the number display part 22h is a detergent amount display part 22f indicating that it is a detergent amount, and a remaining time display part indicating that it is the remaining time. 22g. Furthermore, the display means 22 has a soft keep display portion 22i indicating that soft keeping is performed after the drying operation.

  Next, in the washing machine configured as described above, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5, a rotation startup sequence at the time of dehydration in which an imbalance is detected while increasing the rotation speed of the rotary drum 1 in the dehydration process. explain.

  In FIG. 5, when the dehydration process is started, as shown in FIG. 6, the rotation control unit 35 increases the inclination until the rotation speed of the rotary drum 1 reaches the first rotation speed N1 (for example, 90 r / min). The rotational speed is increased at A (step S501). After starting up to the first rotation speed N1, the rotation speed is controlled to be constant at the first rotation speed N1 (step S502). The reason why the rotational speed of the rotary drum 1 is controlled to be constant at the first rotational speed N1 is to detect the first stage of imbalance in the low speed region.

  Next, the rotation control means 35 measures the current rotation speed n by the rotation speed detection means 35a (step S503), and refers to the characteristic table shown in FIG. 8 from the cloth amount detected by the cloth amount detection means 30. Then, the second rotation speed N2 corresponding to the amount of cloth is obtained (step S504). Here, as shown in FIG. 8, when the amount of laundry is large (heavy), the second rotational speed N2 is set high, while when the amount of laundry is small (light). By setting the second rotation speed N2 low, it is possible to perform optimal imbalance detection according to the amount of laundry.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the current rotation speed n is equal to or higher than the second rotation speed N2 (step S505). If it is less than the second rotation speed N2 (No), a large unbalance has occurred. Until the first predetermined time t1 (for example, 15 seconds) elapses (Yes in the determination in Step S506), the rotation control unit 35 determines the first rotation speed N1 indicated by reference numeral 61 in FIG. Rotation control is performed to maintain

  On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S505, as indicated by reference numeral 62 in FIG. 6, when the first rotation speed N1 is reached, the rotation speed fluctuates, and the current rotation speed n is changed to the second rotation speed N2. If even a moment occurs, it is determined that a large imbalance has occurred, and the routine proceeds to a correction routine for correcting this imbalance. Immediately after shifting to the correction routine, the rotation stop brake is activated and the rotation of the rotary drum 1 is stopped. The correction routine will be described in detail later.

  As a result of the determination in step S505, when the imbalance is not detected and the first predetermined time t1 has elapsed, the rotation control means 35, as shown by the characteristic of the motor rotation speed n with respect to the dehydration time in FIG. The rotational speed of 1 is increased with a rising slope B to a third rotational speed N3 (for example, 160 r / min) lower than the resonant rotational speed corresponding to the vibrational resonant frequency of the mechanical system to which the rotary drum 1 is connected ( Step S507). After starting up to the third rotation speed N3, the rotation speed is controlled to be constant at the third rotation speed N3 for a third predetermined period t3 (for example, 23 seconds) (step S508). The reason why the rotational speed of the rotating drum 1 is controlled to be constant at the third rotational speed N3 is to remove the water in the laundry as much as possible before passing through the resonance rotational speed region. This is to reduce the generation.

  When the third predetermined period t3 has elapsed, the rotation control means 35 rotates the current rotation speed n while increasing the rotation speed of the rotary drum 1 from the third rotation speed N3 with a rising gradient C (step S509). It is measured by the number detection means 35a (step S510), and it is determined whether or not the current rotation speed n is equal to or higher than the final dehydration target rotation speed Nc (step S511). As a result of the determination in step S511, when the current rotation speed n is equal to or higher than the final dewatering target rotation speed Nc (Yes), the process proceeds to the next step, and the current rotation speed n is the final dewatering target rotation speed Nc. The rotation control is performed so as to be constant.

  However, as a result of the determination in step S511, when the current rotational speed n is less than the target rotational speed Nc for final dehydration (No), a fourth rotational speed N4 (the current rotational speed n is higher than the resonance rotational speed) For example, it is determined whether or not the engine speed has risen to 300 r / min) or more (step S512). If the current rotation speed n is still less than the fourth rotation speed N4 (No), the process proceeds to step S513, and current detection means 27, the motor current value i is measured.

  Next, the control means 20 determines whether or not the motor current value i corresponding to the driving torque of the motor 5 is greater than or equal to the first threshold value I1 (step S514). When the motor current i is less than the first threshold value I1 (No in the determination in step S514), as indicated by reference numeral 71 in the characteristic of the motor current i with respect to the dewatering time in FIG. The determination is repeated, and steps S509 to S514 are repeated, and the rotational speed of the rotary drum 1 rises to exceed the fourth rotational speed N4 and reaches the target rotational speed Nc for final dehydration.

  On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S514 is that the motor current i is greater than or equal to the first threshold value I1 (Yes), it is determined whether or not this state continues for a second predetermined time t2 (step S515). If it is not continued (No), steps S509 to S515 are repeated, and if it is continued (Yes) as indicated by reference numeral 72 in the characteristic of the motor current i with respect to the dewatering time in FIG. 7, an imbalance occurs. It judges that it is, and shifts to a correction sequence. This is the second stage of imbalance detection in the high speed region.

  Here, as shown in the characteristic table of FIG. 9, the second predetermined time t2 and the first threshold value I1 are dewatered before water supply in the rinsing process (the first rinsing in FIG. 10) after the washing process using the detergent. At the time of start-up, the second predetermined time t2 is set to be as long as 0.5 seconds, for example, and the first threshold value I1 is set to a large value of 2.0 A, and after the rinsing process (second rinse in FIG. 10) without using a detergent. At the start of dehydration in the final dehydration process, the second predetermined time t2 is set to be as short as 0.2 seconds, for example, and the first threshold I1 is set to be as small as 1.5 seconds, so that the state of the laundry is determined depending on the presence or absence of detergent. Even when the value changes, optimal imbalance detection can be performed.

  Further, the rotation control means 35 sets the gradient of the rotation speed increase (inclination C) during the rotation speed increase period rising from the third rotation speed N3 to the fourth rotation speed N4 to another rotation speed increase period (from 0 to 0). It is set larger than the rotation speed increase gradient (inclination gradients A and B) in the rotation speed increase period up to the first rotation speed N1 and the rotation speed increase period from the first rotation speed N1 to the third rotation speed). . As described above, by setting a high gradient of the rotation speed increase during the rotation speed increase period that rises from the third rotation speed N3 to the fourth rotation speed N4, torque is applied and the vibration is large. It is easy to detect imbalance, and the detection accuracy can be improved. When the vibration is small, the vibration can be further reduced because the vibration passes through the region of the resonance rotational speed quickly.

  Further, the rotation control means 35 has a second threshold value I2 (for example, 3.0 A) in which the torque is greater than the first threshold value I1 (for example, 1.5 A) in the rotation start-up sequence during dehydration as described above. The degree of increase in the rotational speed of the motor 5 is controlled so as to be as follows. As described above, the rotational speed of the motor 5 is set so that the driving torque of the motor 5 is equal to or less than the second threshold value I2 that is the output upper limit torque, which is larger than the first threshold value I1 that is the torque for detecting imbalance. By controlling the degree of increase, the burden on the motor 5 can be reduced, so that the durability and safety of the motor 5 and the circuit can be improved.

  As described above, the rotation start-up sequence at the time of dehydration in which unbalance detection is performed while increasing the rotation speed of the rotary drum 1 is executed.

  Hereinafter, the correction sequence after the imbalance is detected will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In the rotation start-up sequence at the time of dehydration shown in FIG. 5, when an imbalance is detected in the first stage in the low speed region or the second stage in the high speed region, the process proceeds to the correction sequence shown in FIG. Is rotated (step S1101), and the rotation of the rotary drum 1 is stopped.

  Next, the number of corrections indicating how many correction sequences have been entered so far is determined (step S1102), and since it is still 0, the rotation control means 35 performs the first correction operation. In this first correction operation, as shown in FIG. 12, the rotation control means 35 performs a right rotation (forward rotation), for example, for 1 second when viewed from the front at a rotation speed of 60 r / min, for example (step S1103). Rotation is paused for 1 second (step S1104), left rotation (reversal) when viewed from the front at, for example, 60 r / min is performed for 1 second, for example (step S1105), and rotation is paused for 1 second, for example (step S1106). The above operation is repeated twice. Thereby, when the rotation direction of the rotating drum 1 is switched, the laundry is easily loosened, and the unbalance of the laundry is easily eliminated.

  When the first correction operation is completed (Yes in step S1107), it is determined whether or not the correction is the first time (step S1108). Since this is the first correction (Yes), the rotation control means 35 is Then, the target rotational speed Nc for final dehydration is reduced by, for example, 900 r / min by 100 r / min and set to Nc = 800 r / min (step S1109), and the rotation start-up sequence at the time of dehydration shown in FIG. In the case of the second and subsequent corrections, the process of step S1109 is skipped. In this way, when the process proceeds to the correction sequence for the first time, the target rotational speed Nc for final dehydration is reduced only once, so that when the rotational start-up sequence at the time of dehydration is restored, the rotating drum 1 It is possible to suppress the occurrence of unbalance of the laundry inside again.

  In this way, even when the correction sequence by the first correction operation is completed and the rotation start sequence at the time of dehydration is restored, the first correction operation is performed when the correction sequence is entered up to five times. When the process proceeds to the correction sequence, the process branches based on the determination in step S1102, and the rotation control unit 35 performs the second correction operation. In this second correction operation, the control means 20 controls the water supply valve 14 so that the water level detected by the water level detection means 16 becomes a predetermined set water level (for example, the set water level during washing) at which the laundry is immersed. Until then, water is supplied into the water receiving tank 3 through the water supply valve 14 and the water supply path 15 (step S1110).

  Next, as in the first correction operation, as shown in FIG. 12, the rotation control means 35 performs a right rotation (forward rotation), for example, for 1 second when viewed from the front at a rotation speed of 60 r / min, for example (step) S1111), for example, pauses rotation for 1 second (step S1112), for example, performs left rotation (reversal) when viewed from the front at a rotation speed of 60 r / min for 1 second, for example (step S1113), and pauses rotation for 1 second, for example (step S1113). The operation of step S1114) is repeated twice. When the same operation as the first correction operation is repeated twice (Yes in step S1115), the control unit 20 controls the drain valve 13 to pass from the water receiving tank 3 via the drain path 12 and the drain valve 13. Drainage is performed (step S1116), and the rotation start-up sequence during dehydration shown in FIG. 5 is restored.

  As described above, when the imbalance is not eliminated even after the first correction operation is performed for the first predetermined number of times (for example, 6 times), the cloth state is made uniform by supplying water in the second correction operation. By draining after balancing, vibration during dehydration can be reduced.

  However, even if the second correction operation is repeated a second predetermined number of times (for example, six times), the imbalance is not corrected, and the process proceeds to the correction sequence from the rotation startup sequence at the time of dehydration. The control means 20 causes the notification means provided in the input setting means 21 to display the details of the abnormality on the display means 22 (step S1117) and blows a buzzer (step S1118). The user is informed that it is difficult to correct the balance, and the operation is stopped.

  As described above, the correction sequence for correcting the unbalance of the laundry is executed.

  In the present embodiment, the case where a DC brushless motor is used as the motor 5 has been illustrated and described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a DC brush motor or an induction motor is used, and its driving means and method. Even if it changes, this invention can be applied and the same effect as this invention is acquired.

  In addition, other processes described in the present embodiment, rotation startup sequence during dehydration, and each step of the correction sequence (set rotation speed, set time, set current value corresponding to set torque, set number of correction operations, etc. (Including) are merely examples, and modifications and variations thereof are also included in the present invention based on the technical idea of the scope of claims.

In the washing machine according to the present invention, when the degree of unbalance is large in the dehydration process, the rotational speed of the rotating drum detects a large unbalance in the low speed region before entering the region of the resonance rotational speed that is the high speed region, When the degree of unbalance is small, the imbalance can be optimally corrected according to the magnitude of the degree by detecting a small unbalance in the resonance rotational speed region . even if the state has changed, it has the advantage that Ru can perform optimum unbalance detection, useful in a rotating drum-type washing machine or the like.

Sectional drawing which shows one structural example of the washing machine which concerns on one embodiment of this invention 1 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration example of the control device 19 of FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of rotation control means 35 included in the control means 20 of FIG. Top view of the operation panel including the input setting means 21 of FIG. The flowchart which shows each process in the rotation starting sequence at the time of spin-drying | dehydration of the washing machine which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. Characteristic diagram of motor rotation speed n with respect to dehydration time for explaining first stage imbalance detection in low speed region Characteristic diagram of motor rotation speed n and motor current i with respect to dehydration time for explaining second stage imbalance detection in high speed region Characteristic table of second rotation speed N2 according to the amount of cloth Characteristic table of second predetermined time t2 and first threshold value I1 according to the dehydration startup process Sequence diagram showing the contents of the washing, first rinsing, second rinsing, and dehydration (final dehydration) processes The flowchart which shows each process in the correction sequence of the washing machine which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. FIG. 11 is a timing chart showing the right rotation, pause, left rotation, and pause sequence of the motor in the first correction operation of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 Rotating drum 2 Water passage hole 3 Water receiving tank 4 Rotating shaft (Rotating center shaft)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 5 Motor 6 Protruding plate 7 Cover body 8 Clothes entrance / exit 9 Washing machine main body 10 Spring body 11 Damper 12 Drainage path 13 Drainage valve 14 Water supply valve (water supply means)
15 Water supply route (water supply means)
16 Water level detection means 17 Blower fan 18 Heater 19 Control device 20 Control means 21 Input setting means 22 Display means (notification means)
23 Load drive means 24 Position detection means 25 Drive circuit 26 Inverter 27 Current detection means (torque detection means)
30 cloth amount detection means 31 commercial power supply 32 diode bridge 33 choke coil 34 smoothing capacitor 35 rotation control means 35a rotation speed detection means 35b rotation speed setting means 35c rotation speed comparison means 35d rotation speed change amount detection means 35e operation amount determination means 35f Energization ratio setting means 35g Energization ratio storage means S1103 to S1107 First correction operation process S1110 to S1116 Second correction operation process

Claims (9)

A rotating drum for storing laundry and having a rotation center axis in a horizontal direction or an inclination direction, a water receiving tank that encloses the rotating drum and elastically supports the washing machine body, and water supply for supplying water into the water receiving tank Means, a motor for driving the rotating drum, a torque detecting means for detecting torque when driving the motor, a rotational speed detecting means for detecting the rotational speed of the motor or the rotating drum, and control of the washing operation And a washing machine comprising control means for controlling the motor,
The control means is detected by the rotation speed detection means while controlling the rotation drum to rotate at a first rotation speed for a first predetermined time in a rotation start-up sequence during dehydration. When the rotational speed is equal to or higher than the second rotational speed higher than the first rotational speed, it is determined that laundry unbalance has occurred, and the process proceeds to a correction sequence to correct the laundry unbalance. In addition, a third rotation speed higher than the second rotation speed and lower than the resonance rotation speed corresponding to the vibration resonance frequency of the mechanical system to which the rotating drum is connected is higher than the resonance rotation speed. When the torque detected by the torque detection means is equal to or greater than a first threshold value for a second predetermined time, the laundry is determined to have been unbalanced. Correction sequence So as to transition, further, at a rotation start-up sequence during dewatering in the water supply before after the washing operation using cleaners, the rotating starting sequence of dehydration after stroke rinsing without using detergent, the second predetermined A washing machine that controls to change at least one of time and the first threshold value .   The washing machine further includes a cloth amount detection unit that detects a cloth amount of the laundry, and the control unit changes the second rotation speed in accordance with the cloth amount detected by the cloth amount detection unit. The washing machine according to claim 1.   The control means controls the motor so as to maintain the third rotational speed for a third predetermined time before starting up from the third rotational speed to the fourth rotational speed. The washing machine described.   The control means sets the gradient of the rotation speed increase in the rotation speed increase period that rises from the third rotation speed to the fourth rotation speed larger than the rotation speed increase gradient in the other rotation speed increase period. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   5. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein, in the rotation start-up sequence during dehydration, the degree of increase in the rotation speed of the motor is controlled so that the torque is equal to or less than a second threshold value that is greater than the first threshold value. A washing machine according to claim 1.   The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the control means reduces the target rotational speed of final dehydration when the correction sequence is entered. When the control means shifts to the correction sequence, after performing the first correction operation of driving the rotating drum a plurality of times in the normal rotation direction and the reverse rotation direction, the control means returns to the rotation startup sequence during the dehydration. The washing machine according to claim 1 . Even if the control unit repeats the first correction operation for the first predetermined number of times, when the control unit shifts to the correction sequence, the control unit supplies water into the water receiving tank and moves the rotating drum in the normal rotation direction and the reverse rotation direction. The washing machine according to claim 7 , wherein the washing machine is returned to the rotation start-up sequence at the time of dehydration after performing a second correction operation of driving a plurality of times and draining water from the water receiving tank. The washing machine further includes a notification unit that performs a notification operation, and the control unit detects an abnormality by the notification unit when the second correction operation is repeated a second predetermined number of times and the correction sequence is entered. The washing machine according to claim 8, which is informed.

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