JP4867631B2 - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing machine having a motor for generating a rotational driving force for rotating a washing tub in order to perform washing, rinsing, dehydration and drying.

  In general, washing machines are roughly classified into a pulsator type that cleans laundry using a circulating water stream and a drum type that cleans laundry using the falling of laundry (tapping).

  In the pulsator type, laundry clothes are put in and out from above, and the direction of the washing tub is vertical and is called the vertical type. On the other hand, the drum type is called a horizontal type in which the direction of the washing tub is horizontal. In general, the dryer is also of a horizontal type.

  On the other hand, in recent drum type washing machines, from the viewpoint of universal design, the washing tub, which is a drum, is arranged so as to incline forward, and the washing performance is improved by tapping washing along with the ease of taking out laundry clothes. And the drying time is shortened compared with the vertical type.

  In addition, there are drum-type drums that tend to generate vibration noise due to unbalanced laundry in the dehydration process, and are designed to reduce vibration with a damper or the like (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a drum-type washing machine in which the washing tub is inclined upward. The washing tub 101 is supported by a spring damper 102 and its posture is defined by a spring 103 and a spring 104. Moreover, the vibration of the washing tub 101 is reduced by the spring damper 102.

FIG. 9 shows a configuration diagram of another washing machine. The vibration of the washing tub 105 is detected by a vibration sensor 106 attached to the upper portion of the washing tub 105, and the motor 107 is detected based on the detection signal. There is one in which the rotational speed control is performed by a dehydration process control unit (for example, see Patent Document 2).
JP 2006-136602 A JP-A-5-154275

  However, the conventional vertical pulsator-type washing machine requires the inconvenient work of taking in and out the laundry from the upper side and getting heavy laundry on the water or pulling it out. Further, in the case where the drum is slanted as shown in FIG. 8, there is a problem that the laundry is easily unbalanced during dehydration and the washing tub 101 vibrates greatly.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the vibration of the washing tub is detected by the vibration sensor 106 attached to the upper portion of the washing tub 105, and the rotational speed control of the motor is performed by the dehydration process control unit based on the detection signal. Only vibration is detected and the number of revolutions is controlled according to the level. Motor control does not actively reduce vibration, and vibration reduction is arranged below the washing tub 105. This is only performed by the damper 108 and has a problem that the vibration of the washing machine cannot be stably reduced.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described conventional problems, and to reduce the vibration and noise during dehydration by detecting the vibration state of a receiving cylinder including a washing tub and controlling the vibration to be reduced. To do.

In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, a washing machine of the present invention includes a control unit that controls driving of a motor that rotationally drives a rotary drum, a support unit that supports a receiving cylinder, a vibration sensor that detects vibration, A vibration control unit that calculates a vibration amount from a vibration output signal detected by the vibration sensor and calculates a control amount of the motor so as to reduce the vibration amount ; Control amount calculation means for calculating a control amount , and the control means adds the output of the control amount calculation means and the output of the vibration control means and outputs the sum to the motor .

  As a result, in the washing and dewatering process, the vibration state of the receiving cylinder including the washing tub can be detected, and the control amount can be feedback-controlled to the motor control current so as to reduce the vibration amount. The vibration can be reduced by controlling the vibration of the cylinder and the vibration of the casing.

  The washing machine of the present invention performs vibration control at the time of dehydration by motor control, and can realize reduction of resonance and unbalance vibration in the dehydration process, reduction of noise associated therewith, improvement of dehydration rotation speed and reduction of dehydration time. .

A first invention is a receiving cylinder supported in a housing, a rotating drum rotatably provided in the receiving cylinder, a motor for rotating the rotating drum, and a control means for controlling the driving of the motor. And a support means for supporting the receiving cylinder, a vibration sensor for detecting vibration, a vibration amount calculated from an output signal of vibration detected by the vibration sensor, and a control amount of the motor so that the vibration amount is reduced. comprising a vibration control means for computing, and a control amount calculating means for calculating a control amount of the motor based on the rotational speed of said motor, said control means, the vibration control and the output of the control amount calculation means By adding the outputs of the means and outputting them to the motor , the vibration sensor detects the vibration state of the receiving tube or the housing, and by controlling the current of the motor according to the vibration detection, the receiving tube and the housing Shake Since it is possible to perform the control, it is possible to achieve reduction and vibrations during the dehydration, reduction in noise caused by it, to shorten the dewatering time.

In the second invention, in particular, the vibration sensor according to the first invention controls the motor so as to reduce the vibration of the upper surface of the housing by detecting the vibration of the upper surface of the housing. Reduction of resonance vibration and unbalance vibration on the upper surface of the body and accompanying noise reduction can be realized.

  In the third aspect of the invention, in particular, the vibration sensor of the first aspect of the invention controls the motor so as to reduce the vibration of the side surface of the housing by detecting the vibration of the side surface of the housing. It is possible to reduce resonance vibration and unbalance vibration on the side of the body, and to reduce noise associated therewith.

  In the fourth aspect of the invention, in particular, the vibration sensor of the first aspect of the invention controls the motor so as to reduce the vibration of the leg of the casing by detecting the vibration of the leg of the casing. The floor vibration due to the vibration of the leg portion and the noise associated therewith can be reduced.

  In the fifth aspect of the invention, in particular, the vibration sensor of the first aspect of the invention controls the motor so as to reduce the vibration of the side surface of the receiving tube by detecting the vibration of the side surface of the receiving tube. Reduction of resonance vibration and unbalance vibration of the cylinder and accompanying noise reduction can be realized.

  In the sixth aspect of the invention, in particular, the vibration sensor of the first aspect of the invention controls the motor so as to reduce the vibration of the bottom surface of the receiving cylinder by detecting the vibration of the bottom surface of the receiving cylinder. Reduction of resonance vibration and unbalance vibration of the cylinder and accompanying noise reduction can be realized.

In the seventh aspect of the invention, in particular, the vibration sensor according to any one of the first to sixth aspects of the invention detects resonance vibration, and the vibration control means is configured to reduce the resonance vibration detected by the vibration sensor . Since the control amount is calculated , the motor is controlled so as to reduce the resonance vibration of the receiving cylinder or the casing, so that it is possible to reduce the resonance vibration during dehydration and the noise associated therewith.

In the eighth invention, in particular, the vibration sensor according to any one of the first to sixth inventions detects unbalance vibration, and the vibration control means reduces the unbalance vibration detected by the vibration sensor. By calculating the control amount of the motor, the motor is controlled so as to reduce the vibration of the receiving cylinder or the casing caused by the unbalance. Reduction can be realized.

  In the ninth aspect of the invention, in particular, the vibration sensor of the first aspect of the invention detects in three directions orthogonal to the casing or the receiving cylinder, so that three directions orthogonal to the vibration of the receiving cylinder or the casing are provided. Since the motor is controlled so as to reduce the vibration, the vibration during dehydration and the accompanying noise can be reduced in three orthogonal directions.

  In the tenth aspect of the invention, in particular, the vibration sensor of the ninth aspect of the invention detects the acceleration of the casing or the casing in three directions orthogonal to each other by detecting the acceleration of the casing or the casing. Thus, since the motor is controlled so as to reduce the vibration of the receiving tube or the casing in three directions orthogonal to each other, it is possible to reduce the vibration during dehydration and the noise accompanying the three directions orthogonal to each other.

  In the eleventh aspect of the invention, in particular, the vibration sensor of the first aspect of the invention, particularly the ninth aspect, detects angular velocities, thereby detecting angular velocities of the receiving cylinder or the housing in three orthogonal directions. Therefore, since the motor is controlled so as to reduce the inclination and vibration of the receiving cylinder or the housing in three directions orthogonal to each other, the vibration during dehydration and the noise accompanying the three directions orthogonal to each other are reduced. Can do.

  In the twelfth invention, in particular, the vibration sensor of the first invention is a microelectromechanical systems device, so that the light or small device detects the vibration of the receiving cylinder or the housing without affecting the mass of the vibration sensor. Since the motor is controlled so as to reduce the vibration, it is possible to reduce the vibration during dehydration and the noise associated therewith.

  In the thirteenth aspect of the invention, in particular, the vibration control means of the first invention has sensor selection means for selecting a sensor signal used for vibration control in accordance with the rotational speed of the motor, thereby resonating in accordance with the motor rotational speed. By selecting the sensor signal of the place where the noise occurs and controlling the vibration based on that signal, the motor is controlled so that the resonance vibration is reduced. Can be realized.

  In a fourteenth aspect of the invention, in particular, the vibration control means of the first aspect of the invention has vibration detection direction selection means for selecting the direction of a sensor signal used for vibration control in accordance with the rotation speed of the motor. The vibration is reduced during dehydration by selecting the detection direction of the sensor signal at the place where the resonance occurs according to the frequency and controlling the vibration based on that signal to control the motor so that the resonance vibration is reduced. And the noise reduction accompanying it can be realized.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the present embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a vibration control device for a washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 10 is a washing machine mechanism, 11 is a rotating drum as a washing tub for storing and rotating laundry, and 12 is a motor that rotates the rotating drum 11 while controlling the speed, and is constituted by a brushless motor. 13 is a receiving cylinder in which a rotating drum 11 is provided and laundry and water enter, 18 is a laundry inlet, 17 is a housing having the receiving cylinder 13 and the laundry inlet 18, and 14 is a receptacle 13 and the laundry. Seal packing for connecting the casing 17 with the insertion port 18 without a gap, 15 is a support spring as a support means for supporting the receiving tube 13 so as to keep it in a predetermined posture, and 16 is for washing (motor rotation) A damper mechanism composed of a spring element and a damper element for reducing vibrations generated to the housing 17 and the floor, and 19 is an anti-vibration rubber for installing the washing machine on the floor. Is a vibration sensor for detecting the vibration state of the receiving cylinder 13, and is constituted by a three-axis acceleration sensor.

  21 is a control means for the motor 12, 23 is a speed detection means for the Hall IC that detects the rotational speed of the motor, and 24 is an error calculation with respect to the target rotational speed based on the motor rotational speed output from the speed detection means 23. The control amount calculation means 26 of the control microcomputer for calculating the control amount and the drive circuit 26 of the inverter circuit for applying the drive current to the motor 12.

  Reference numeral 22 denotes a vibration control means for calculating the amount of vibration (displacement) from the output of the triaxial acceleration sensor 20 to calculate a control amount so that the vibration amount becomes zero, and 25 denotes the output of the control amount calculation means 24 and vibration control. An adding means for adding the outputs of the means 22 and outputting them to the driving means 26.

  First, motor control will be described. The control means 21 receives a washing mode signal from a washing machine controller (not shown), detects washing, dehydration and drying operation modes, and sets the motor rotation speed corresponding to the operation mode as the target rotation speed. Here, the motor 12 is an 8-pole 12-slot DC brushless motor with a built-in Hall element. The speed detection means 23 detects the rotational speed of the motor 12 based on the Hall IC signal. Then, the control amount calculation means 24 calculates an error between the target rotational speed and the detected rotational speed of the motor 12, and calculates the control amount so that the error becomes zero.

  Next, the vibration control means 22 receives the washing mode signal from the washing machine controller, detects the washing, dehydration, and drying operation modes, and outputs a control band corresponding to the operation mode to the vibration control means 22 as a command. Yes. In the case of the washing step, the rotational speed is 40 r / min to 120 r / min, and the control band is set to 2 Hz or more.

  In the case of the dehydration step, the control band is set to 30 Hz or higher in order to increase the rotational speed to 1800 r / min. Similarly, in the drying process, the control band is adjusted according to the number of rotations of the rotary drum 11.

  The vibration control system detects the vibration based on the acceleration signal of the triaxial acceleration sensor 20, calculates the control amount so that the vibration becomes zero, and performs feedback control. In particular, in this embodiment, the feedback control amount is added to the control amount of the motor rotation speed control system by the adding means 25 to drive the motor 12. That is, the motor 12 is controlled and driven so that the vibration becomes zero by feeding back the amount of vibration in the motor vibration system to the motor control amount.

  As described above, a 3-axis acceleration sensor is installed in the washing machine, and vibration of the receiving cylinder is detected and vibration control and motor speed control are performed, thereby realizing vibration control of the receiving cylinder by the motor, and washing of the washing machine. It is possible to reduce and prevent the resonance vibration of the support mechanism at the start-up in the dehydration and drying processes, the vibration of the support mechanism due to the resonance vibration of the receiving cylinder during steady rotation, and the noise caused thereby.

  In the first embodiment, the vibration sensor is arranged on the upper side surface of the receiving cylinder, but the same effect can be obtained by arranging it on the upper surface of the housing as shown in FIG.

  In the first embodiment, the vibration sensor is arranged on the upper side surface of the receiving cylinder. However, the same effect can be obtained by arranging the vibration sensor on the side surface of the housing as shown in FIG.

  In the first embodiment, the vibration sensor is arranged on the upper side surface of the receiving cylinder. However, the same effect can be obtained by arranging the vibration sensor on the leg portion on the bottom surface of the housing as shown in FIG.

  In the first embodiment, the vibration sensor is arranged on the upper side surface of the receiving cylinder. However, the same effect can be obtained by arranging the vibration sensor on the bottom surface of the receiving cylinder as shown in FIG.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a vibration control device for a washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Since the basic configuration of the vibration control device is the same as that of the first embodiment, the basic description is omitted here. Further, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG.

  1 is different from FIG. 1 in that a plurality of three-axis acceleration sensors are arranged in the receiving cylinder 13 and the housing 17, and has a sensor selection means 31 for selecting a vibration sensor to be used for vibration control according to the rotational speed. I am doing it.

  In the dehydration step, the rotational speed increases from the initial 80 r / min to 900 r / min or more. In the region where the rotational speed is 200 r / min to 300 r / min, resonance of the support spring 15 occurs and the receiving tube 13 vibrates. Therefore, the sensor selection means 31 performs vibration control by selecting the sensor signal of the vibration sensor 20a or the vibration sensor 20b.

Further, since the resonance of the housing 17 occurs in the region of the rotational speed 600 r / min to 700 r / min, the sensor selection unit 31 performs vibration control by selecting the sensor signal of the vibration sensor 20 d or the vibration sensor 20 e.

  Furthermore, at a rotational speed of 900 r / min or higher, resonance occurs on the bottom surface of the receiving cylinder 13, so that the sensor selection means 31 selects the vibration sensor 20c and performs vibration control.

  As described above, a plurality of three-axis acceleration sensors are mounted on the washing machine, sense vibrations of the casing and the casing, select vibration sensors to be used according to the number of rotations, and perform vibration control and motor speed control. By doing so, the vibration control of the receiving cylinder and the case by the motor is realized, and the resonance vibration of the supporting spring at the start-up in the washing, dehydrating and drying processes of the washing machine and the supporting spring by the resonance vibration of the receiving cylinder at the steady rotation Vibration and noise caused thereby can be reduced or prevented.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a vibration control device for a washing machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Since the basic configuration of the vibration control device is the same as that of the first embodiment, the basic description is omitted here. Further, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG.

  1 differs from FIG. 1 in that it has vibration detection direction selection means 32 for selecting a sensor signal in a direction used for vibration control from sensor signals in three directions of the three-axis acceleration sensor.

  When the motor rotation speed is increased in the dehydration process, the resonance of the support spring 15 occurs in the region of 200 r / min to 300 r / min when the laundry unbalance is below the rotary drum 11. A large vibration in the front-rear direction X occurs, and then a vibration in the left-right direction Y and a vibration in the vertical direction Z occur.

  In such a case, the vibration detection direction selection means 32 selects the sensor signal X first depending on the magnitude of vibration, and then selects the sensor signal Z to perform vibration control. When the laundry unbalance is on the front side, the vibration direction that resonates greatly is different, so the vibration detection direction selection means 32 selects the sensor signal according to the situation.

  As described above, the 3-axis acceleration sensor is mounted on the washing machine, senses the vibration of the receiving cylinder and the housing, selects the vibration direction of the vibration sensor to be used according to the vibration amount and the rotational speed, and controls the vibration and the motor. By controlling the speed of the drum, the vibration control of the receiving cylinder and the case by the motor is realized, and the resonance vibration of the support spring at the start-up in the washing, dewatering and drying processes of the washing machine and the resonance of the receiving cylinder at the steady rotation It is possible to reduce and prevent the support spring vibration caused by the vibration and the noise caused thereby.

  In this embodiment, the acceleration signal detected by the vibration sensor is directly input to the control means. However, the observer is configured by using the acceleration signal and the motor current and the vibration is controlled by inputting the state quantity. May be.

  In the present embodiment, the acceleration sensor is used as the vibration sensor, but the same effect can be obtained even if a gyro sensor that is an angular velocity sensor is used.

  As described above, the washing machine according to the present invention can reduce the vibration of the casing and the casing by the motor control by sensing the acceleration of the casing and the casing and controlling the vibration. Since the vibration of the support mechanism due to the resonance vibration of the support mechanism at startup and the resonance vibration of the washing tub during steady rotation and the resulting noise can be reduced and prevented, the vibration and noise at the time of dehydration startup in the washing machine can be reduced. Useful for.

The block diagram of the vibration control apparatus of the washing machine in the 1st Embodiment of this invention Block diagram of another example of the vibration control device of the washing machine Block diagram of another example of the vibration control device of the washing machine Block diagram of another example of the vibration control device of the washing machine Block diagram of another example of the vibration control device of the washing machine The block diagram of the vibration control apparatus of the washing machine in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention The block diagram of the vibration control apparatus of the washing machine in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention Configuration diagram of a conventional drum-type washing machine Configuration diagram of another conventional drum-type washing machine

11 Rotating drum 12 Motor 13 Cylinder 15 Support spring (support means)
16 Damper mechanism 17 Housing 20 3-axis acceleration sensor (vibration sensor)
21 Control means 22 Vibration control means 23 Speed detection means 24 Control amount calculation means 25 Addition means 26 Drive means

Claims (14)

A receiving cylinder supported in a housing; a rotating drum rotatably provided in the receiving cylinder; a motor that rotationally drives the rotating drum; a control unit that controls driving of the motor; and the receiving cylinder A supporting means for supporting, a vibration sensor for detecting vibration, and a vibration control means for calculating a control amount of the motor so that the vibration amount is calculated from an output signal of the vibration detected by the vibration sensor and the vibration amount is reduced. And a control amount calculation means for calculating a control amount of the motor based on the rotational speed of the motor, and the control means adds the output of the control amount calculation means and the output of the vibration control means. Washing machine that outputs to the motor . The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the vibration sensor detects vibration of the upper surface of the housing. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the vibration sensor detects vibration of a side surface of the housing. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the vibration sensor detects vibration of a leg portion of the housing. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the vibration sensor detects vibration of a side surface of the receiving tube. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the vibration sensor detects vibration of a bottom surface of the receiving cylinder. The vibration sensor detects resonance vibration, and the vibration control means calculates the control amount of the motor so that the resonance vibration detected by the vibration sensor becomes small. Washing machine. The vibration sensor detects unbalance vibration, and the vibration control means calculates a control amount of the motor so as to reduce the unbalance vibration detected by the vibration sensor. The washing machine as described in. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the vibration sensor detects vibrations in three directions perpendicular to the housing or the receiving tube. The washing machine according to claim 9, wherein the vibration sensor detects an acceleration of the housing or the receiving cylinder. The washing machine according to claim 9, wherein the vibration sensor detects an angular velocity of the housing or the receiving cylinder. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the vibration sensor is a microelectromechanical systems device. 2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the vibration control means includes sensor selection means for selecting a sensor signal used for vibration control in accordance with the rotational speed of the motor. 2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the vibration control means includes vibration detection direction selection means for selecting a direction of a sensor signal used for vibration control according to the number of rotations of the motor.