JP5773802B2 - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a washing machine.

  In a fully automatic washing machine of the vertical axis type, when it is detected that the water tank (outer tank) has shaken greatly during dehydration operation, etc., the water tank contacts the safety lever (mechanical vibration detection means) attached to the upper cover. The large shaking of the water tank was detected by detecting whether or not it was done.

  However, in the fully automatic washing machine having the above-described conventional configuration, when the water tank hits the safety lever strongly, the safety lever rod may break or be distorted. In such a case, there has been a problem that the operation of detecting a large shaking of the water tank becomes unstable.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-43469

  Accordingly, a washing machine is provided that can accurately detect a large shaking of a water tank even if a mechanical vibration detecting means rod breaks or is distorted.

  According to the washing machine of the present embodiment, the housing that forms the outer shell of the washing machine has the rotating tub provided to be rotatable around the vertical axis and the water tub provided to enclose the rotating tub. The water tank is elastically supported via a vibration isolating support device. Electrical vibration detection means for electrically detecting vibration of the water tank is provided on the upper portion of the outer surface of the water tank. Mechanical vibration detecting means for mechanically detecting vibration of the water tank is provided so as to confront the outer surface of the water tank via a predetermined gap. When the level of the detection signal output from the electrical vibration detection means exceeds the level at which the abnormality detection signal can be output from the mechanical vibration detection means, the abnormality detection signal is output from the mechanical vibration detection means. If not, a failure determination means for determining that the mechanical vibration detection means has failed is provided.

Longitudinal side view of a dehydrating combined washing machine showing the first embodiment Flow chart of failure detection control FIG. 2 equivalent view showing the second embodiment The figure which shows the table | surface explaining the example which changes the threshold value of a control program

Hereinafter, washing machines according to a plurality of embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In each embodiment, substantially the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.
(First embodiment)
First, FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a washing machine, in particular, a fully automatic vertical-type dehydrating and washing machine. The washing machine shown in the present embodiment automatically performs, for example, from a washing operation to a drying operation. A hollow box-shaped housing 1 that forms the outer shell of the washing machine includes a box-shaped outer box 2 and a top cover 3 that is attached to cover the upper surface of the outer box 2 as shown in FIG. ing. A rotating tank 4 and a water tank 5 are provided in the housing 1.

  The top cover 3 is formed with a laundry entrance / exit 6 at the center thereof, and for example, a double-folded laundry lid 7 that opens and closes the laundry entrance / exit 6 is rotatably attached. An operation panel 8 is provided on the front outer surface of the top cover 3, and a control device 9 is provided therein. The control device 9 is mainly composed of a microcomputer composed of a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. (not shown), and has a function of controlling the overall operation of the washing machine.

  A mechanism chamber 3a is formed in the rear portion of the top cover 3 to form a greatly raised space, and a water supply means and a safety lever device, which will be described later, are provided therein. The water supply means includes a water supply valve 10 connected to a faucet (not shown), a water supply case 11 that can be set to supply a soft finish or the like (not shown), and a water supply pipe 12. The tip of the water supply pipe 12 is connected in communication with the water tank 5.

  On the other hand, in the outer box 2 constituting the housing 1, the water tank 5 is elastically supported via a suspension bar device. That is, the suspension rods 13 are suspended from the upper portions of the four corners of the outer box 2 so as to be swingable, and coil springs 14 are attached to the lower ends of the suspension rods 13 as elastic members, and the water tanks are interposed via the coil springs 14. The suspension bar device is configured to be elastically supported. Thus, elastically supporting the water tank 5 via the suspension bar device functions as a so-called anti-vibration support device that buffers the vibration of the water tank 5 and suppresses vibration transmission to the outer box 2 side.

Here, the specific configuration of the water tank 5 will be described. The water tank 5 has a bottomed cylindrical shape with an open top surface, and a driving device 15 mainly composed of a motor (not shown) is attached to the outer surface side of the bottom portion. A drain valve 16 and a drain hose 17 for draining from 5 are disposed.
Further, a water tank cover 18 having a disk shape is attached so as to cover the upper surface of the water tank 5.

  A water supply pipe connection port (not shown) communicating between the inside and the outside is provided at the rear portion of the water tank cover 18, and the water supply pipe 12 is connected to the connection port. On the back side of the water supply pipe connection port, a water supply guide member 20 is integrally provided at a position facing the water supply pipe connection port. For example, the water supply can be supplied in a shower-like manner toward the inside of the tank. In addition, an opening 18a for putting in and out the laundry is provided on the center side of the water tank cover 18, and an inner lid 21 for opening and closing the opening 18a is rotatably provided. Therefore, when the inner lid 21 is in the state of closing the opening 18a, the water tank 5 forms a substantially closed space.

  Next, a specific configuration of the rotating tank 4 will be described. The rotating tank 4 is rotatably provided inside the water tank 5, and has a bottomed cylindrical shape like the water tank 5, and has a large number of through holes 4 a and convex portions 4 b on the peripheral wall. The liquid balancer 22 is fixedly attached. A hollow cylindrical dewatering shaft 23 extending from the driving device 15 and projecting through the bottom of the water tank 5 is connected to the center of the bottom of the rotary tank 4. A washing shaft 24 is inserted into the hollow portion of the dewatering shaft 23, and an upper end portion thereof is connected and fixed to a stirring body 25 disposed on the inner bottom portion of the rotating tub 4.

  By the way, the drive device 15 is provided with a clutch mechanism (not shown) for switching the rotation transmission in the washing operation and the dehydrating operation. During the washing operation, the control device 9 switches the clutch (not shown) of the clutch mechanism so as to be positioned on the washing side (that is, a state in which the rotation of the rotating tub 4 is prevented), and drives the washing shaft 24 to stir 25 Rotate forward and reverse. Further, during the dehydrating operation, the clutch of the clutch mechanism is switched to be positioned on the dehydrating side (that is, the state in which the rotation of the rotating tub 4 is allowed), and the rotational driving of the dewatering shaft 23 is validated so Rotate.

  The safety lever device 26 provided in the mechanism chamber 3a of the top cover 3 is provided with a safety lever (mechanical vibration detecting means) 27 that hangs down in the outer case 2 although a detailed description is omitted. The safety lever 27 hangs down to a position where it wraps in the vertical direction with the outer surface of the water tank 5, and is provided so as to be able to face and oscillate through a predetermined gap in the radial direction. Accordingly, the predetermined position of the safety lever 27 is determined so that the outer surface of the water tank 5 comes into contact with the safety lever 27 when the water tank 5 is shaken outwardly beyond the predetermined gap due to vibration. Yes. In the case of contact, the switch function (not shown) provided in the safety lever device 26 responds in response to the operation displacement of the safety lever 27, that is, functions as vibration detection means. It is configured to be input to the control device 9.

  Thus, for example, the acceleration sensor 28 is attached to the outer surface of the water tank 5 as an electric vibration detection means for electrically detecting the vibration of the water tank 5 with respect to the mechanical vibration detection means based on the mechanical displacement of the safety lever 27. It is fixed. The acceleration sensor 28 is, for example, an up / down / left / right biaxial acceleration sensor, and is formed of, for example, a semiconductor device. The mounting position of the acceleration sensor 28 is the outer surface of the upper part of the water tank 5 where the vibration amplitude of the water tank 5 appears remarkably.

  A hot air supply device 31 is provided in the mechanism chamber 3 a of the top cover 3 adjacent to the water supply means such as the water supply valve 10 and the water supply case 11. Although not described in detail, the hot air supply device 31 includes a blower (not shown) for sucking outside air from the intake passage 32 on the back side, and a heater (not shown) for heating the air discharged from the blower. It is comprised. The blower heats dry air heated by a heater into a water tank 5 (in the rotating tank 4) via a supply pipe (not shown) and a supply pipe connection port (not shown) connecting the supply pipe. Can be supplied.

  Therefore, the above-described dry air can be sufficiently supplied also into the rotating tub 4 by being supplied into the water tank 5 which is closed by the inner lid 21 and forms a substantially closed space as described above. ing. In this case, for example, by supplying the drying air while rotating the rotating tub 4 at a low speed, the stored laundry is effectively dried.

  The drying air that has finished the drying action flows into the exhaust duct 34 provided on the back side of the water tank 5 from the communication port 33 at the bottom of the water tank 5 and rises. The upper end of the exhaust duct 34 extends to the upper surface of the water tank cover 18 and is exhausted upward in the housing 1 through an exhaust filter (not shown) detachably provided at the exhaust port (not shown) leading to the front of the tub. It is configured to do. The drying air is discharged to the outside of the machine through a gap around the laundry lid 7 with the laundry entrance 6 closed, or through a small exhaust hole provided in the laundry lid 7 if necessary. It has become. The exhaust filter is provided at a position where it can be seen with the washing lid 7 open and can be attached and detached, thereby facilitating maintenance and inspection.

  In this way, the so-called dry air is configured such that the hot air supply device 31 and the dry air warmed by the hot air supply device 31 are supplied into the water tank 5 and discharged to the outside of the water tank 5 through the exhaust duct 34. The structure provided with the duct constitutes a function of drying the laundry (drying function).

  And the exhaust duct 34 which comprises a dry-air duct is the form protruded outward from the outer surface of the water tank 5 to the back. The lid 35 is configured to bulge outward (rearly) so that the protruding portion does not collide with the lid 35 forming the back surface of the outer case 2 due to vibration of the water tank 5. The lid 35 is a member that detachably closes the maintenance inspection opening 29 formed on the back side of the outer box 2 with a screw or the like. The acceleration sensor 28 is disposed at a position where the acceleration sensor 28 attached to the water tank 5 can be directly viewed from the opening 29, and maintenance inspection work can be performed through the opening 29.

  Here, the exhaust duct 34 is configured such that the protruding portion protrudes outward from the vicinity of the acceleration sensor 28, and the protruding amount is larger than the protruding amount of the acceleration sensor 28. For this reason, the exhaust duct 34 acts so that the acceleration sensor 28 does not directly collide with the outer case 2 constituting the back side of the housing 1 even when the water tank 5 is greatly shaken. It has a function to protect.

  In addition, the gap between the water tank 5 and the housing 1 (in this case, the outer box 2) is configured to be as small as possible for compactness. For example, in this embodiment, the minimum gap is formed on the side of the housing 1. Is as narrow as about 26 mm, for example. The predetermined gap between the safety lever 27 and the outer surface of the water tank 5 is set to be smaller than the minimum gap between the outer surface of the water tank 5 and the inner surface of the outer box 2.

Next, the operation of the washing machine configured as described above will be described.
Usually, in this type of combined dehydration washing machine, a desired operation mode and the like are set by operating the operation panel 8, and the control device 9 receives the operation signal based on a control program stored in advance, and rinses, rinses, Each process (operation) of dehydration and drying is automatically executed. The control device 9 has a function as failure determination means.

  The failure determination control for determining a failure of the safety lever 27 or the acceleration sensor 28 based on the detection result by the safety lever 27 and the detection result by the acceleration sensor 28 in each of the above steps will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in step S10 of FIG. 2, that is, during any one of the steps of washing, rinsing, dehydration, and drying, the process proceeds to step S20, and the safety lever 27 detects an abnormality in the vibration of the water tank 5. Judge whether or not. Here, when the safety lever 27 has not detected an abnormality, the process proceeds to “YES” in step S20, and then proceeds to step S30. In this step S30, it is determined whether or not the detection result of the vibration of the water tank 5 by the acceleration sensor 28 is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value.

  Here, if the detection result of the acceleration sensor 28 is equal to or less than the threshold value, in this case, the safety lever 27 has not detected an abnormality, and the detection result of the acceleration sensor 28 is equal to or less than the threshold value. Since it can be determined that it has not been performed, the process proceeds to “YES” in step S30, and then proceeds to step S40. In this step S40, it is determined whether or not the process being executed has been completed. If the process is not completed, the process proceeds to “NO” in step S40, returns to step S10, continues the process, and repeats the above-described processes. In step S40, if the process being executed is completed, the process proceeds to “YES”, the process proceeds to step S100, and the process proceeds to the next process.

  When the safety lever 27 detects an abnormality in step S20, the process proceeds to “NO” in step S20 and proceeds to step S50. In this step S50, whether the vibration detection result (detection signal level) by the acceleration sensor 28 exceeds a threshold at which the safety lever 27 can operate (that is, a threshold (level) at which the safety lever 27 can detect an abnormality). Judge whether or not.

  Here, if the detection result of the acceleration sensor 28 exceeds the threshold at which the safety lever 27 can operate, it can be determined that both the safety lever 27 and the acceleration sensor 28 are operating normally. The process proceeds to “YES”, and the process proceeds to step S90. In step S90, the operation control of the process (operation) being executed is changed to a well-known operation control that takes measures to prevent abnormal vibrations from occurring as much as possible. For example, when an abnormal vibration occurs in the dehydration process, when the drive device 15 is restarted after temporarily stopping the dehydration operation by the rotation of the rotary tank 4, the rotational speed of the rotary tank 4 is intermittently changed. The operation is controlled so as to gradually increase, and dehydration is gradually performed according to the centrifugal action. This change in the dehydrating operation control is an effective operation control for avoiding the occurrence of abnormal vibrations (occurrence of an unbalanced state). Therefore, after restarting, the water tank 5 and the safety lever 27 do not come into contact with each other and are normal. The probability that a proper dehydration operation is performed can be increased. Thereafter, the process returns to step S10 and the above-described processing is repeated.

  On the other hand, if the detection result of the acceleration sensor 28 does not exceed the threshold at which the safety lever 27 can operate in step S50, the safety lever 27 is operating normally, but the operation of the acceleration sensor 28 is abnormal (failure). ), The process proceeds to “NO” in step S50, and proceeds to step S60. In this step S60, the abnormality (failure) of the acceleration sensor 28 is detected and notified to the user, for example, an error code corresponding to the acceleration sensor abnormality is displayed on the display device. The abnormality notification is preferably executed at the time of abnormality detection and at the end of the washing operation. In this case, since the safety lever 27 is normal, the washing operation and the dehydrating operation can be continued, and the process proceeds to step S80.

  In step S80, the control program is changed so that operation (operation) can be performed while ignoring the detection signal from one of the sensors in which the abnormality is detected, in this case, the acceleration sensor 28. Then, it progresses to step S40, it is judged whether the process currently performed is complete | finished and the process mentioned above is repeated hereafter.

  In step S30, if the detection result of the acceleration sensor 28 is not less than or equal to the threshold value, the acceleration sensor 28 is operating normally, but it can be determined that the operation of the safety lever 27 is abnormal (failure). It progresses to "NO" in S30, and progresses to step S70. In this step S70, the abnormality of the safety lever 27 is detected and notified to the user. For example, an error code corresponding to the safety lever abnormality is displayed on the display device. The abnormality notification is preferably executed at the time of abnormality detection and at the end of the washing operation. In this case, since the acceleration sensor 28 is normal, the washing operation can be continued, and the process proceeds to step S80.

  In step S80, the control program is changed so that operation (operation) can be performed while ignoring the detection signal from one of the sensors in which an abnormality has been detected, in this case, the safety lever 27. Then, it progresses to step S40, it is judged whether the process currently performed is complete | finished and the process mentioned above is repeated hereafter.

  According to this embodiment having such a configuration, when the safety lever 27 detects an abnormality, if the detection result of the acceleration sensor 28 does not exceed a threshold at which the safety lever 27 can operate, the safety lever 27 is normal. It can be determined that the operation of the acceleration sensor 28 is abnormal (failure). In the present embodiment, the abnormality (failure) of the acceleration sensor 28 is detected and notified to the user, so that the user can request maintenance such as repair of the acceleration sensor 28. In the present embodiment, since the control program is changed so that one sensor in which an abnormality is detected, in this case, the detection signal from the acceleration sensor 28 is ignored (operation), normal safety can be achieved. Based on the lever 27, it is possible to continue the washing operation and the dehydrating operation.

  In the above embodiment, when the safety lever 27 has not detected an abnormality and the detection result of the acceleration sensor 28 is not less than or equal to the threshold value, the acceleration sensor 28 is operating normally. Can be determined to be abnormal (failure). In this embodiment, the abnormality (failure) of the safety lever 27 is detected and notified to the user, so that the user can request maintenance such as repair of the safety lever 27. In the present embodiment, since the control program is changed so that one sensor in which an abnormality is detected, in this case, the detection signal from the safety lever 27 is ignored (operation) can be operated, normal acceleration It is possible to continue the washing operation and the dehydration operation based on the sensor 28.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the exhaust duct 34 projecting outward from the outer surface of the water tank 5 is provided, and in the vicinity of the projecting base of the projecting portion of the exhaust duct 34, the acceleration sensor 28 is disposed on the outer surface of the water tank 5. And the projection amount of the exhaust duct 34 is made larger than the projection amount of the acceleration sensor 28 outward. For this reason, it can avoid that the acceleration sensor 28 collides directly with the outer case 2 side by the protrusion part which protruded outward from the water tank 5 outer side surface of the exhaust duct 34, and can protect the acceleration sensor 28. .

(Second Embodiment)
3 and 4 show a second embodiment. In addition, the same step code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same step as 1st Embodiment. In the second embodiment, in step S180 instead of step S80 of the first embodiment, the detection signal from one sensor (safety lever 27 or acceleration sensor 28) in which an abnormality is detected can be ignored (operated). In this way, the control program is changed and the threshold value of the control program is changed to the safe side.

  Specifically, first, when both the safety lever 27 and the acceleration sensor 28 are normal, the threshold value of the acceleration sensor 28 is set to a normal value as shown in FIG. 3 times.

  On the other hand, when the acceleration sensor 28 is abnormal, as shown in FIG. 4B, the acceleration sensor 28 is set to be undetectable because it is broken. And the detection frequency of the safety lever 27 is reduced from 3 times to 2 times (that is, it is easy to detect abnormal vibration detection). Furthermore, for example, motor control may be changed as another change in the control program. Specifically, the rising value of the starting rotational speed of the dehydrating operation is slowed, and the maximum value of the rotational speed of the dehydrating operation is lowered. For example, the rising value of the rising rotation speed of the dehydration operation is changed from 10 rotations UP per second to 6 rotations UP per second, and the maximum value of the rotation speed of the dehydration operation is changed from 900 rpm to 750 rpm.

  Further, when the safety lever 27 is abnormal, as shown in FIG. 4C, the safety lever 27 is set to be undetectable because it is broken. Then, the threshold value for detection of the acceleration sensor 28 is lowered by one rank (that is, detection of abnormal vibration is easily detected). Furthermore, for example, motor control may be changed as another change in the control program. Specifically, the increase value of the rising rotation speed in the dehydration operation is delayed. For example, the rising value of the rising speed of the dehydration operation is changed from 10 rotations per second to 6 rotations per second.

  The configuration of the second embodiment other than that described above is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment. Therefore, in the second embodiment, substantially the same operational effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained. In particular, according to the second embodiment, when one of the safety lever 27 or the acceleration sensor 28 becomes abnormal, the detection signal from the one sensor in which the abnormality is detected can be ignored (operated). Since the control program is changed and the threshold value of the control program is changed to the safe side, the occurrence of abnormal vibration can be suppressed as much as possible.

(Other embodiments)
In addition to the plurality of embodiments described above, the following configuration may be added.
For example, the above-described failure diagnosis of the safety lever 27 and the acceleration sensor 28 may be executed only during the dehydration stroke (operation). In this case, whether or not the dehydration process is being performed is determined by detecting the position of the clutch that switches between a state in which the rotation of the rotating tub is prevented and a state in which the rotation is permitted. It is preferable to do.

  In the above-described drying function, a so-called exhaust type configuration in which dry air (exhaust air) that always inhales outside air and contributes to drying is described to be out of the apparatus is not limited to this, but the dry air is circulated. The present invention can also be applied to a configuration having a type of circulation duct. Therefore, the dry air duct is not limited to the exhaust duct described above.

  In addition to the first and second embodiments described above, for example, the embodiments may be appropriately combined, and the acceleration sensor 28 is not limited to two axes but includes, for example, a three-axis type including a vibration direction. Various modifications can be made, such as an increase in detection accuracy. Further, although the acceleration sensor 28 is used as the electrical vibration detection means, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a displacement detection type vibration sensor or a speed detection type vibration sensor may be used. Further, the safety lever 27 is used as the mechanical vibration detection means, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a micro switch provided at a portion where the outer periphery of the water tank 5 collides when the water tank 5 vibrates is used. Alternatively, an electrode switch including an electrode plate provided on the outer peripheral portion of the water tank 5 and an electrode plate provided on a portion where the outer peripheral portion of the water tank 5 collides when the water tank 5 vibrates may be used.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  In the drawings, 1 is a housing, 4 is a rotating tank, 5 is a water tank, 8 is an operation panel, 9 is a control device (failure judging means), 15 is a drive device, 16 is a drain valve, 17 is a drain hose, and 23 is dehydrated. A shaft, 24 a washing shaft, 25 a stirring body, 26 a safety lever device, 27 a safety lever (mechanical vibration detecting means), 28 an acceleration sensor (electric vibration detecting means), 31 a hot air supply device, 34 Denotes an exhaust duct, and 35 denotes a lid.

Claims (6)

In a casing forming the outer shell of the washing machine, a rotating tub provided to be rotatable around a vertical axis, and a water tub provided to enclose the rotating tub, the water tub is provided with a vibration-proof support device. In a washing machine elastically supported through
An electrical vibration detecting means provided on an upper portion of the outer surface of the water tank to electrically detect vibration of the water tank;
Mechanical vibration detection means provided so as to confront the outer surface of the water tank via a predetermined gap, and mechanically detect vibration of the water tank;
When the level of the detection signal output from the electrical vibration detection means exceeds the level at which the abnormality detection signal can be output from the mechanical vibration detection means, the abnormality detection signal is output from the mechanical vibration detection means. A washing machine comprising: failure determination means for determining that the mechanical vibration detection means has failed when not.   When the abnormality detection signal is output from the mechanical vibration detection unit, the failure determination unit is configured such that the level of the detection signal output from the electrical vibration detection unit is the abnormality detection signal from the mechanical vibration detection unit. 2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein when it does not exceed a level that can be output, it is determined that the electrical vibration detecting means is out of order.   3. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein when one of the electrical vibration detection means and the mechanical vibration detection means is determined to have failed, the user is notified that the one has failed. .   3. The laundry according to claim 2, wherein when it is determined that one of the electrical vibration detection means or the mechanical vibration detection means has failed, the threshold value for controlling the motor is changed to a safe side. Machine.   When it is determined that one of the electrical vibration detection means or the mechanical vibration detection means has failed, the operation control is changed so that the operation can be continued only with the other one. Item 2. A washing machine according to Item 2.   The failure determination means is configured to detect the electrical state when the rotation of the rotating tub is allowed based on detecting the position of a clutch that switches between a state of preventing rotation of the rotating tub and a state of allowing rotation. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a failure determination process of the vibration detection means or the mechanical vibration detection means is executed.

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