JP4799894B2 - Fully automatic washing machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing machine having a water tank and a rotating drum capable of storing laundry in the water tank.

  A conventional drum type washing machine performs operation control of water supply, drainage, and rotating drums based on input washing conditions, and automatically and continuously executes a washing process, a rinsing process, a dehydrating process, and a drying process. . In the rinsing step, an intermediate dehydration step as one form of the dehydration step is performed before rinsing.

  In the above-described drum type washing machine, when performing dehydration including intermediate dehydration, such as when shifting from the washing process to the rinsing process and when shifting from the rinsing process to the dehydration process, the waste water is discharged before the end of each process. Done. And if drainage is completed completely, a dehydration process will be performed. That is, the completion of drainage is set as a condition for shifting to the next process. Specifically, after draining, the water level detecting means detects that the water level in the aquarium has dropped to a predetermined water level, and after a sufficiently long predetermined time has elapsed from this point, the water level is again detected by the water level detecting means. Detect. The stopped state of the rotating drum is continued until it is determined that the water level in the water tank is constant at the predetermined water level. Thereafter, the rotating drum is rotated and the dehydrating operation is started.

  Conventionally, in order to confirm the installation tilt, which is one of the problems in installing a washing machine, there has been a level that has sealed air bubbles in a transparent container filled with liquid such as paraffin oil at the top of the outer frame of the washing machine. It is attached. On the upper surface of this level, a mark made of a circle that is one size larger and a cross that serves as a guide for its center is displayed. When the user or sales clerk installs the washing machine, the bubble is located in the mark. As described above, the height of the rubber feet or the like under the washing machine outer frame (housing) is adjusted to correct the inclination (installed while keeping the level). There is also a horizontal position determination device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-96529. This movably supports the sphere on a tapered surface that is inclined upward from the center in the radial direction, and the tapered surface is backlit by a light source from below. The sphere on the tapered surface rolls when the inclination exceeds a certain inclination, and the inclination can be known.

  All of these conventional levels are for the serviceman and the user to adjust the inclination of the installation of the washing machine visually. For this reason, if the user installs a serviceman without moving, such as when moving, or if the installation position has shifted due to vibrations, etc., due to long-term use, it will tilt from approximately horizontal without checking the level. In many cases, a washing machine is used. If it is used while it is tilted, the washing tub may be greatly swung around due to the cloth piece when dehydration is started, and the debris may be interrupted midway. There is also a problem that the vibration of the washing tub itself increases, and the noise increases accordingly. In order to prevent such a situation from occurring, it is required not only to visually check the inclination of installation but also to issue a warning or the like by electrical detection. In addition to the inclination of the installation of the washing machine, the vibration and noise of the washing tub due to the displacement of the cloth during dehydration are also a problem, and it is required to detect the vibration of the washing tub at a low cost.

  In a washing machine that operates with the washing machine installed on the floor, the water tank containing the washing and dewatering tub is rotatably suspended from the washing machine with the upper part covered by a frame, and controlled by a suspension for vibration isolation. Whether the washing machine is properly installed by controlling the washing, rinsing and dehydration processes by means and providing a tilt detection means having a level on the frame of the washing machine body to detect the inclination of the washing machine body. In addition, it is possible to determine whether the inclination of the floor of the place where the washing machine is installed is normal or abnormal, and it has been proposed to prevent abnormal noise, abnormal vibration, product breakage, or failure (Patent Document) 1).

A level attached to the outer frame of the washing machine, which has a bottom plate that can transmit infrared light, sealed with air bubbles contained in a liquid that can transmit infrared light. It has been proposed to electrically detect the inclination of installation of a washing machine and the magnitude of vibration by providing a level with a photo interrupter attached to the upper surface (Patent Document 2).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-314493 (paragraphs [0014] to [0019], FIG. 1) JP 2002-355493 A (paragraphs [0019] to [0022], FIG. 4)

  An object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine that is easy to use and has little noise due to vibrations by using an inclination detecting means that can detect the inclination of installation of the washing machine at low cost.

In order to solve the above problems, a washing machine according to the present invention operates a water tub disposed in an outer box, a rotating drum that is rotatably supported in the water tub and into which laundry is placed, and a washing machine. comprising a control means for controlling, further comprising a tilt detection means for detecting the inclination of the tank Niso, provided display means for displaying the inclination state of the water tub based on the inclination of the water tub in which the inclination detecting unit detects The display means is a liquid crystal display panel that is provided in the operation unit of the outer box and displays the form of the level in a pseudo manner by liquid crystal display.

According to this washing machine, although the display means for displaying the inclination state of the tank based on the inclination of the aquarium inclination detecting means provided in the water tank is detected, the display means is provided in the operation portion of the outer box, the liquid crystal Since it is a liquid crystal display panel that pseudo-displays the form of the level in the display, it can be displayed more easily than the level based on electrical processing, the user of the washing machine at first glance, In the form of a spirit level, it is possible to visually recognize the tilted state of the water tank that causes the vibration of the washing machine to be affected . In this way, it is possible to easily and surely determine whether or not the arrangement state of the water tank of the washing machine is normal, and while being prompted to take an appropriate action, it is easy to use and highly safe. Machine can be provided.

  In this washing machine, it is preferable to stop the operation of the rotating drum in response to the inclination of the water tank detected by the inclination detecting means exceeding a predetermined reference range. That is, when the inclination of the water tank of the washing machine detected by the inclination detection means is in an abnormal arrangement state exceeding the reference range, a washing machine with higher safety is provided by interrupting the operation of the washing machine. be able to.

  In this washing machine, it is preferable that the control means decreases the set rotational speed of the rotating drum in the dehydration process in response to the inclination of the water tank detected by the inclination detecting means exceeding a predetermined reference range. That is, even when the inclination of the washing machine water tank detected by the inclination detection means is larger than the reference range, the effect of suppressing vibration by reducing the rotation speed without interrupting the dehydration process. High washing machine can be provided.

  In this washing machine, the display means displays in response to the fact that the inclination of the water tank detected by the inclination detection means exceeds the predetermined reference range, and the control means stops the operation of the rotating drum. It is preferable to do so. That is, the inclination detecting means can detect and judge whether the arrangement state of the water tank of the washing machine is normal or abnormal, and the inclination of the water tank detected by the inclination detecting means during operation of the washing machine is a predetermined reference. In response to exceeding the range, a message to that effect is displayed to the user, and the control means stops the operation of the rotating drum, so that a safer and more safe washing machine with higher usability is provided. Can do.

  In this washing machine, it is preferable to provide notifying means for notifying that in response to the inclination of the water tank detected by the inclination detecting means exceeding a predetermined reference range. That is, the inclination detecting means can detect and determine whether the arrangement state of the water tank of the washing machine is normal or abnormal, and when the inclination of the water tank exceeds a predetermined reference range, the notification means By notifying that effect, the user can know the arrangement state by hearing.

  Preferably, the washing machine includes a nonvolatile storage unit that stores a value of a predetermined reference range so that the value of the predetermined reference range can be changed. Even if the arrangement of the washing tub is different from that before replacement due to parts replacement or the like, the value of the predetermined reference range can be changed, so that a washing machine with high maintainability and high safety can be obtained.

According to the washing machine of the present invention, the inclination of the water tank that supports the rotating drum into which the laundry is put is detected by the inclination detection means provided in the water tank, and the outside is detected based on the detected inclination of the water tank. Since the inclination of the aquarium is displayed in the form of a level on the liquid crystal display panel provided in the operation part of the box, it is recognized that it is the inclination of the aquarium itself that affects the vibration of the washing machine. It is easy to check whether the arrangement state of the water tank of the machine is normal or abnormal, and the abnormal state can be eliminated by taking measures such as reinserting the laundry, thereby preventing the occurrence of abnormal sounds and abnormal vibrations.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a washing machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. A washing machine according to the present invention is shown in FIGS. The washing machine has not only a washing function but also a drying function. As shown in FIG. 1, on the front surface of the outer box 1, there is a door 15 for taking in and out the laundry, and the user uses the washing machine. An operation unit 17 capable of performing various settings and the like is provided. A control device 18 composed of a microcomputer (not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) is attached to the back side of the operation unit 17. The control device 18 is an example of a control unit.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a water tank 2 is arranged in the outer box 1, and a rotating drum 3 is supported in the water tank 2 so as to be rotatable around a horizontal axis 3 a. The water tank 2 is suspended from the outer box 1 by a spring (not shown) to absorb vibration during operation, and can store and discharge washing water and rinsing water. The rotating drum 3 has a large number of small holes 4 (only a part of which is indicated) for allowing water supply during washing, drainage during dehydration, and warm air during drying to pass through the entire peripheral wall. Outside the water tank 2, a circulation duct 7 having a drying heater 5 and a blower 6 for circulating warm air during drying is disposed.

  Inside the outer box 1 and outside the water tub 2, various devices related to laundry washing in the rotary drum 3 are arranged. At a position facing the opening of the water tank 2, a supply port 8 for injecting washing water and rinsing water into the rotating drum 3 is arranged. Also, below the aquarium 2, the drainage pump 9 for discharging the washing water and the rinsing water in the aquarium 2 to the outside of the machine, the washing water and the rinsing water in the aquarium 2 are collected, and through a pipe (not shown) A circulation pump 10 as a circulation means for returning to the supply port 8 and a lint filter 11 provided in a piping path between the water tank 2 and the drainage pump 9 are provided so as to be detachable from the lower front portion of the outer box 1. It has been. In addition, on the back side of the water tank 2, a water supply valve 12 for supplying water into the water tank 2, a drum drive motor 13 for rotating the rotating drum 3, and a water level sensor for detecting the water level in the water tank 2. 14 is provided. A sealing packing 16 is interposed between the door 15 and the water tank 2, and the washing water and the rinsing water in the water tank 2 are externally formed through a gap formed between the door 15 and the water tank 2 in each washing process. To prevent leakage.

  In the upper part of the water tank 2, an inclination detection circuit 38 is disposed as an inclination detection means for detecting the inclination of the water tank 2. The tilt detection circuit 38 is at least a two-dimensional acceleration sensor, and is configured to be able to read a change in acceleration component in each dimension due to tilt.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the control device 18 mounted on the washing machine 100 and various functions driven and controlled thereby in the embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 3, the control device 18 includes a microcomputer 19, a power supply circuit 46 for supplying power to the microcomputer 19, and an input key circuit 21 for converting an input to the operation unit 17 into a digital signal. The state detection circuit 22 including various sensors provided in the washing machine 100 and a circuit for converting a signal from the sensor into a digital signal, a display device 23, and a buzzer 24 that emits a sound when washing is completed or abnormal. And a load drive circuit 25 for controlling voltages supplied to various devices, and a reset circuit 26 for initializing the microcomputer 19.

  The microcomputer 19 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 20 for storing a predetermined program, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 28 for temporarily storing information such as operating conditions selected by an external instruction. A CPU 40 having a calculation unit 41 for performing calculation processing based on information stored in the RAM 28 and a control unit 42 for controlling an external electric circuit and device, an external electric circuit and device, and an electric signal An input / output device 43 for transferring data, a CPU 40, a memory (RAM 28 and ROM 20), a DBS (data bus system) 44 for transferring data between the input / output device 43, and a time detector A timer 45 is included inside. The microcomputer 19 performs various controls according to programs stored in the ROM 28.

  The microcomputer 19 includes an input key circuit 21, a state detection circuit 22 for detecting a water level, drum rotation, a dry state of laundry, an unbalance, etc., a display device 23, a laundry, via an input / output device 43. It is connected to a buzzer 24 that rings at the end or when there is an abnormality, and a load drive circuit 25. The microcomputer 19 performs various controls according to programs stored in the ROM 20 included therein. The state detection circuit 22 includes sensors such as a temperature sensor and a water level sensor 14, and a circuit that converts output signals from these sensors into digital signals for input to the microcomputer 19. The load drive circuit 25 is connected to the drying heater 5, the blower 6, the drainage pump 9, the circulation pump 10, the water supply valve 12, and the drum drive motor 13 outside the control device 18, and drives these devices. Therefore, the supplied voltage is controlled based on the output of the microcomputer 19.

  The control device 18 executes the washing process, the rinsing process, the dehydrating process, and the drying process independently or continuously based on the input from the operation unit 17. In the washing process, the laundry is put in the rotating drum 3, the water supply valve 12 is opened, the washing water in which the detergent is dissolved is poured from the supply port 8 to be included in the laundry, the water supply valve 12 is closed, and the rotating drum 3 is moved at a low speed. Rotate. The laundry in the rotating drum 3 is lifted to the vicinity of the top in the rotating drum 3 by centrifugal force and baffles (not shown) due to the rotation of the rotating drum 3, and then falls due to its own weight. This is called tumbling. By repeating this tumbling, the laundry is beaten with the impact force when dropped. And after this tumbling is performed for a predetermined time, the drainage pump 9 is operated to drain the water from the water tank 2.

  In the rinsing process, first, the drainage pump 9 is operated, and then the rotating drum 3 is rotated at a high speed, and the laundry containing water is applied to the inner peripheral wall surface of the rotating drum 3 by centrifugal force through the washing process. By pressing, dehydration called an intermediate dehydration step is performed. At this time, the water contained in the laundry is blown from the small hole 4 in the peripheral wall of the rotating drum 3 toward the water tank 2, guided to the lower part along the inner surface of the water tank 2, and discharged by the drainage pump 9. To be discharged. After the intermediate dehydration step, the drainage pump 9 is stopped, water is supplied to the water tank 2 from the water supply valve 12, tumbling is performed for a predetermined time in the same manner as the washing process, and then the drainage pump 9 is operated to drain from the water tank 2. .

  In the dewatering step, the laundry is pressed against the inner peripheral wall surface of the rotating drum 3 by centrifugal force by rotating the rotating drum 3 at a high speed as in the above-described intermediate dewatering step. At this time, the water contained in the laundry is blown from the small hole 4 in the peripheral wall of the rotating drum 3 toward the water tank 2, guided to the lower part along the inner surface of the water tank 2, and discharged by the drainage pump 9. To be discharged.

  In the drying process, the rotating drum 3 is rotated at a low speed while the air heated by the drying heater 5 and having a high temperature is blown into the rotating drum 3 by the blower 6. The warm air blown into the water tank 2 is agitated by the rotation of the rotating drum 3 to raise the temperature of the entire water tank 2 including the laundry and evaporate the moisture contained in the laundry. This hot and humid air is sucked into the circulation duct 7 and is cooled in direct contact with the cooling water while passing through the path from the portion connected to the outlet of the water tank 2 to the drying heater 5. Thereby, moisture in the air is condensed, and dehumidification is performed by discharging this moisture to the outside of the apparatus. The dehumidified air is heated again by the drying heater 5 and blown into the rotary drum 3. By repeating this cycle, the laundry is dried.

  An operation unit 17 is provided as input means for inputting various settings such as start or stop of the washing machine operation and operation details. FIG. 4 shows an input key layout of the operation unit 17. . Referring to FIG. 4, the operation unit 17 includes a display device 23 made of liquid crystal or the like, a reservation key 30 for setting a washing time, a washing manual key 31 for setting operating conditions for a washing process, and a rinsing process. The rinsing manual key 32 for setting the operating conditions of the water, the dehydrating manual key 33 for setting the operating conditions of the dewatering process in the washing operation mode, and the operating conditions of the drying process in the fully automatic operation mode and the drying operation mode A dry manual key 34 for selecting the operation course, a course selection key 35 for selecting an operation course, a power switch 36, and a start key 37 for starting and pausing the operation of the washing machine 100. The display device 23 displays a reservation display area for displaying that a reservation has been set, a washing display area for displaying that a washing process has been set, and that a rinsing process has been set. A rinsing display area, a dehydration display area for displaying that the dehydration process has been set, a dry display area for displaying that the drying process has been set, and a set operation course (in this example, A standard course for normal washing, a blanket course for washing blankets, and a dry course (although a careful course or speed course may be provided) and a course display area to display automatic operation from washing to drying Each display area is provided with a display. The display device 23 is an example of a display unit.

FIG. 5 shows an operation unit in which a pseudo level 39 is additionally provided in the operation unit 17 shown in FIG. Level 39 is a display device 23 comprising a liquid crystal, a form of the level pseudo bubbles or pseudo sphere in Table Succoth as black circles in the circular area reference line is drawn in a position stationary crosshairs such This is a pseudo display . The time when the pseudo bubble or the pseudo sphere is located at the intersection of the reference lines corresponds to the state where the water tank 2 is not tilted. Based on the detection signal of the tilt detection circuit 38 which can detect inclination in two dimensions, the position of the pseudo bubbles are recovered in the display device 23 two-dimensionally, in a circular area participating Terusen is drawn The inclination of the water tank 2 is displayed by drawing the pseudo bubbles as a liquid crystal display.

  FIG. 6 is one of flowcharts showing the contents of control by the washing machine control device according to the present invention. In the example shown in FIG. 6, when the detected value of the inclination of the water tank 2 exceeds a predetermined range, control is performed to notify the user to that effect by a notification sound. That is, it is determined whether or not the detected value of the inclination of the water tank 2 detected by the inclination detection circuit 38 is within a predetermined range (step 1, abbreviated as “S1”, and so on). If the detected value of the inclination of the water tank 2 is within a predetermined range, the process ends without doing anything. If the detected value of the inclination of the water tank 2 exceeds a predetermined range, the buzzer 24 emits a notification sound (S2). The buzzer 24 is an example of an informing unit.

  FIG. 7 shows a flowchart showing another example of the control contents of the washing machine control apparatus according to the present invention. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 7, the inclination detection means detects whether or not the arrangement state of the water tank of the washing machine is normal or abnormal, and notifies the user only when the operation is about to start. It is a flowchart corresponding to the control content. According to this flowchart, the error flag is initialized by substituting 0 for the error flag (S10). It is determined whether or not the detected value of the inclination of the water tank 2 electrically detected by the inclination detection circuit 38 is within a predetermined range (S11). If the detected value of the inclination of the water tank 2 is within a predetermined range, 0 is substituted for the error flag (S12), and if the detected value of the inclination of the water tank 2 exceeds the predetermined range, 1 is set in the error flag. Substituted (S13). Next, it is determined whether or not there is an input of the start key 37 as a determination as to whether or not the operation is about to start (S14). If there is no input of the start key 37, the process returns to S11. If there is an input of the start key 37, it is determined whether or not 1 is assigned to the error flag (S15). If 1 is not assigned to the error flag, the operation of the washing machine is started (S16). If 1 is assigned to the error flag, the buzzer 24 generates a notification sound (S17) and returns to the set state (S18). ). By this control, it is possible to provide a highly safe washing machine with good usability.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing another example of the control contents of the washing machine control apparatus according to the present invention. The flowchart shown in FIG. 8 shows an example of performing control to change the operation content of the washing machine according to the degree of inclination detected by the inclination detection means. When the arrangement state is normal but there is no margin before the abnormal state, the operation details are changed. According to this flowchart, the control flag is initialized by substituting 1 for the detection signal (S20). Depending on the value of the detection signal, cases are classified according to the inclination level of the water tank 2 (S21). That is, if the inclination level is 1, which is a normal magnitude, the dewatering speed is set to the normal dewatering maximum rotation speed N (rpm) (S22). If the inclination level is level 2 indicating presence of inclination, the dewatering speed is limited to the maximum dewatering speed M (rpm) (S23). The maximum dewatering speed M is smaller than the normal dewatering maximum speed N (M <N). Furthermore, if the inclination level is level 3 indicating that the inclination is large, the dewatering speed is limited to the maximum dewatering speed P (rpm) (S24). The maximum dewatering speed P is smaller than the maximum dewatering speed M (P <M). Next, it is determined whether or not there is an input of the start key 37 (S25). If there is no input of the start key 37, the process returns to S21, and if there is an input of the start key 37, the operation is resumed. It is determined whether 1 is assigned to the error flag (S25). Thereby, it is possible to provide a washing machine with higher quality and higher safety.

  As a configuration of the present invention, the water tank is provided with an inclination detecting means for detecting the inclination, and when the inclination detecting means detects an inclination of a predetermined value or more, the operation accompanied by the rotation of the rotating drum of the washing machine is stopped. Alternatively, the rotating drum is not limited to a horizontal (or tilted) rotating shaft drum type washing machine, but is a vertical rotating shaft washing machine. Obviously, it may be a washing / drying machine that performs a drying operation as well as a clothes washing operation.

1 is a schematic perspective view of a washing machine according to the present invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the drum type washing and drying machine of Fig. 1. The control system and the various functional block diagrams driven by it. The figure which shows the layout of an operation part. The figure which shows the layout of the operation part which performed the level display. The flowchart showing an example of the control content of the control apparatus of the washing machine by this invention. The flowchart showing another example of the control content of the control apparatus of the washing machine by this invention. The flowchart showing the other example of the control content of the control apparatus of the washing machine by this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Outer box 2 Water tank 3 Rotating drum 4 Small hole 5 Drying heater 6 Blower 7 Circulation duct 8 Supply port 9 Drain pump 10 Circulation pump 11 Lint filter 12 Water supply valve 13 Drum drive motor 14 Water level sensor 15 Door 16 Sealing Packing 17 operation unit 18 control unit 19 microcomputer 20 ROM
21 Input Key Circuit 22 State Detection Circuit 23 Display Device 24 Buzzer 25 Load Drive Circuit 26 Reset Circuit 27 Count Unit 28 RAM
29 Non-volatile memory 30 Reserved key 31 Washing manual key 32 Rinse manual key 33 Dehydration manual key 34 Drying manual key 35 Kosky 36 Power key 37 Start key 38 Tilt detection circuit 39 Level display

Claims (1)

A water tank disposed in an outer box, a rotating drum supported rotatably in the water tank and loaded with laundry, and a control means for controlling the operation of the washing machine;
Further comprising a tilt detection means for detecting the inclination of the tub Niso,
Providing a display means for displaying the state of inclination of the water tank based on the inclination of the water tank detected by the inclination detection means;
The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the display means is a liquid crystal display panel that is provided in an operation unit of the outer box and displays the form of a level in a pseudo manner on a liquid crystal display.

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