JP6170785B2 - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing machine.

  Conventionally, as a washing machine, as disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3704485 (Patent Document 1), a user pays a fee for use. The washing machine includes an outer box having an opening for taking in and out laundry, an opening / closing door attached to the outer box for opening / closing the opening, and a locking mechanism for locking the opening / closing door.

  A numeric keypad button for the user to input a desired password is provided on the surface of the outer box near the opening.

  According to the washing machine configured as described above, after the user pays a fee, the user inputs a desired personal identification number using the numeric keypad button. When the user presses the confirmation button, the locking mechanism locks the open / close door, and the washing or drying operation is started.

  When the operation is completed, the user again inputs the password entered after paying the fee, and unlocks the door.

Japanese Patent No. 3704485

  By the way, in the above conventional washing machine, even if the fee is paid, the washing or drying operation is not started unless the password is input.

  Therefore, the conventional washing machine has a problem in that the user's work efficiency is lowered because the washing or drying operation is not started unless the user knows that the password has to be entered. .

  Then, the subject of this invention is providing the washing machine which can improve a user's working efficiency.

In order to solve the above problems, the washing machine of the present invention is:
A washing machine in which a course for processing laundry is set by a user,
An outer box having an opening for taking in and out the laundry;
An open / close door attached to the outer box to open and close the opening;
A locking mechanism that locks the door;
An input unit for inputting user identification information used for user identification;
A storage unit for storing the user identification information;
A control unit that controls the locking mechanism so that the door is unlocked when the user identification information input by the input unit matches the user identification information stored in the storage unit. And
The control unit
User identification information input determination means for determining whether or not the user identification information is input;
A time elapse determination means for determining whether or not a preset time has elapsed from a specific timing when the user identification information input determination means determines that the user identification information is not input;
And a first driving start means for starting driving of the course when the time elapse determining means determines that the preset time has elapsed.

In one embodiment of the washing machine,
The control unit, when it is determined by the user identification information input determination means that the user identification information is not input, operation determination means for determining whether or not a specific operation has been performed,
And a second driving start unit that starts driving the course when the operation determining unit determines that the specific operation has been performed,
The specific operation is an operation other than an operation for inputting the user identification information.

The washing machine of one embodiment is
A display unit capable of displaying the time elapsed since the course operation ended.

In one embodiment of the washing machine,
The said display part displays the time which passed since the driving | operation of the said course was complete | finished only for the preset time according to specific operation.

  According to the washing machine of the present invention, the control unit inputs the user identification information by the user identification information input determination unit that determines whether the user identification information is input and the user identification information input determination unit. When it is determined that the preset time has elapsed, it is determined that the preset time has passed by the time elapse determining means for determining whether or not the preset time has elapsed from a specific timing. And the first driving start means for starting the course driving, the driving of the course set for the user is automatically performed without knowing that the user inputs the user identification information. Be started. Therefore, the user's work efficiency can be improved.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a commercial laundry dryer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the commercial washing machine. FIG. 3 is an enlarged schematic view of the operation display unit of the commercial washing machine. FIG. 4 is an enlarged schematic view of the operation display section of the commercial washing machine. FIG. 5 is an enlarged schematic view of the operation display unit of the commercial washing machine. FIG. 6 is a control block diagram of the commercial washing machine. FIG. 7A is a flowchart for explaining the control of the control unit of the commercial washing machine. FIG. 7B is a flowchart following FIG. 7A. FIG. 7C is a flowchart following FIG. 7B.

  Hereinafter, a washing machine of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a commercial laundry dryer according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed obliquely from above.

  The business laundry dryer includes an outer box 1 having an outer box opening 2 for putting in and out laundry on the front side, and receives a fee from a user to wash or dry the laundry.

  An open / close door 3 that opens and closes the outer box opening 2 is attached to the front surface of the outer box 1 by a hinge so as to be rotatable in the left-right direction. When the door opening button 4 is pressed while the outer box opening 2 is closed by the open / close door 3, the open / close door 3 is slightly opened by a biasing force of a biasing member (not shown). In addition, a detergent / softener charging unit 5 and an operation display unit 6 are provided in the upper part of the front surface of the outer box 1. The outer box opening 2 is an example of an opening.

  A fee collection unit 7 is mounted on the upper surface of the outer box 1. A coin insertion slot 8 and a coin return slot 9 are provided on the front surface of the fee collection unit 7. From the coin return slot 9, coins inserted into the coin insertion slot 8 or coins for change come out.

A security cover 10 is provided below the coin return slot 9. A security code usage setting button 11 is provided on the rear side of the security cover 10. By pressing the security code use setting button 11, a security code described later can be set to be used for user identification, or a security code can be set not to be used for user identification. It has become. In addition, when the password use setting button 11 is pressed, the security cover 10 must be opened, but the security cover 10 is locked. The key for opening the security cover 10 is usually held by the owner (hereinafter simply referred to as the “owner”) of the business-use washer / dryer. The password is an example of user identification information. The password use setting button 11 is an example of a user identification information use setting unit.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a cross section of the commercial laundry dryer cut along a vertical plane.

  The commercial laundry dryer includes a water tank 12 disposed in the outer box 1, a drum 13 that is rotatably disposed in the water tank 12, and stores laundry 16, and a motor 14 that rotationally drives the drum 13. And a heat pump unit 15 disposed in the outer box 1.

  A water tank opening 17 facing the outer box opening 2 is provided on the front surface of the water tank 12. The water tank 12 is kept watertight and airtight by closing the door 3.

The drum 13 has a drum opening 18 facing the water tank opening 17 on the front surface. The drum 13 has a central axis J that is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction so that the front side is higher than the rear side. Further, the circumferential surface and the bottom surface of the drum 13, respectively, and the space between the water tub 12 and the drum 13, (not shown) a plurality of through holes for communicating the space of the drum 1 in 3 are formed. As a result, the high-temperature and low-humidity air blown from the intake port 25 can flow into the drum 13 through the through-hole on the bottom surface of the drum 13 as indicated by an arrow Y. Further, the high temperature and low humidity air hits the laundry 16 in the drum 13 to become low temperature and high humidity air, and then, as indicated by an arrow Z, between the water tank 12 and the drum 13 from the through-hole on the peripheral surface of the drum 13. And flows into the air circulation duct 23 from the exhaust port 22 of the water tank 12 and flows toward the heat pump unit 15. Further, the low-temperature and high-humidity air is changed into high-temperature and low-humidity by the heat pump unit 15 and then flows in the air duct 24 toward the air inlet 25.

  The heat pump unit 15 includes a compressor 151 that compresses the refrigerant to increase the temperature of the refrigerant, a condenser 152 that heats the air by exchanging heat between the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 151 and the air, It has an expansion valve 153 that reduces the pressure of the refrigerant that has exchanged heat with air in the condenser 152, and an evaporator 154 that cools the air by exchanging heat between the reduced refrigerant and air. In order to circulate the refrigerant in the order of the compressor 151, the condenser 152, the expansion valve 153, and the evaporator 154, a refrigerant pipe 155 is connected to the compressor 151, the condenser 152, the expansion valve 153, and the evaporator 154. In addition, a temperature sensor 157 for detecting the temperature of the refrigerant from the compressor 151 toward the condenser 152 is attached to the refrigerant pipe 155.

  The heat pump unit 15 is disposed on the rear side and the lower side in the outer box 1. The upstream portion of the heat pump unit 15 is connected to the exhaust port 22 of the water tank 12 through an air circulation duct 23. The downstream portion of the heat pump unit 15 is connected to the air inlet 25 of the water tank 12 via the blower 19 and the blower duct 24.

  1 is a casing that houses the compressor 151, the condenser 152, the expansion valve 153, the evaporator 154, the refrigerant pipe 155, and the temperature sensor 157.

  FIG. 3 is an enlarged schematic view of the operation display unit 6.

  The operation display unit 6 includes a drum cleaning button 61, first to fourth course buttons 62 to 65, a lock release button 66, a password setting unit 67 and a display unit 71.

  The drum washing button 61 is a button for washing the drum 13 before washing or drying the laundry. That is, the user can clean the drum 13 by pressing the drum cleaning button 61 without inserting coins into the coin insertion slot 8. The drum 13 is washed with tap water containing silver ions, for example, for 1 minute.

  The first to fifth course buttons 62 to 65 are buttons for setting a course corresponding to at least one of washing and drying. More specifically, the user can set a course for performing a washing process, a rinsing process, a dehydrating process, and a drying process on a predetermined standard amount of laundry by pressing the first course button 62. It has become. Further, the user can set a course for performing a washing process, a rinsing process, a dehydrating process, and a drying process in a small amount of laundry set in advance by pressing the second course button 63. . The user can set a course for performing a washing process, a rinsing process, and a dehydrating process on the laundry by pressing the third course button 64. Further, the user can set a course for performing a drying process on the laundry by pressing the fourth course button 65.

  The unlock button 66 is a button that is normally used when the door 3 is unlocked after the course operation set by the first to fifth course buttons 62 to 65 is completed.

Start order is started the personal identification number setting unit 67 includes a numeric button group 68 for inputting e.g. 4-digit personal identification number, the operation of the course which is set in the first to fifth course button 62 to 65 It includes a button 69 and a clear button 70 for erasing the password entered by the number button group 68. Also, the four-digit password entered by the user using the numeric button group 68 is determined by pressing the start button 69 and stored in the flash memory 20 (shown in FIG. 6). The number button group 68 is an example of an input unit.

  The display unit 71 displays the total amount of coins inserted into the coin insertion slot 8 and displays the time (remaining time) indicating how many minutes the operation of the course is to be completed. Moreover, the display part 71 will display "End" as shown in FIG. 4, if the driving | operation of the above-mentioned course is complete | finished. At this time, for example, when the owner presses the first course button 62, as shown in FIG. 5, the time elapsed since the operation of the above-described course is ended is displayed on the display unit 71 in advance (for example, It is displayed only for 3 seconds. The pressing of the first course button 62 is an example of a specific operation.

  FIG. 6 is a control block diagram of the commercial laundry dryer.

  The commercial washing and drying machine includes a flash memory 20 that stores a personal identification number, a locking mechanism 21 that locks the door 3, and a control unit 22. The flash memory 20 is an example of a storage unit.

  The locking mechanism 21 is a latch-type locking mechanism that operates when energized when the door 3 is locked or unlocked.

The control unit 22 controls the locking mechanism 21 so that the opening / closing door 3 is unlocked when the password entered by the number button group 68 matches the password stored in the flash memory 20. To do. The control unit 22 includes a microcomputer having a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a timer, and the like, an input / output circuit, and the like. For example, it has a function of measuring the time elapsed since the time when the course driving was completed. In addition, the operation display unit 6, the temperature sensor 157, the heat pump unit 15, the motor 14, the blower 19, the flash memory 20, the locking mechanism 21, and the like are connected to the control unit 22.

Hereinafter, the control performed by the control unit 22 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS . 7A, 7B, and 7C .

  In the above control, first, as shown in FIG. 7A, it is determined in step S1 whether any one of the first to fifth course buttons 62 to 65 is pressed and a course is input. If it is determined in step S1 that the course has not been input, step S1 is performed again. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1 that the course has been input, the process proceeds to the next step S2.

  Next, in step S2, it is determined whether or not a fee corresponding to the course has been received. If it is determined in step S2 that the fee corresponding to the course has not been received, the process returns to step S1. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2 that the fee corresponding to the course has been received, the process proceeds to the next step S3.

  Next, in step S3, it is determined whether or not a preset time (for example, 5 minutes) has elapsed since it was determined that the fee corresponding to the course was received. If it is determined in step S3 that the preset time has elapsed, steps S4 and S5 are skipped and the process proceeds to step S6 in FIG. 7B. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3 that the preset time has not elapsed, the process proceeds to step S4 in FIG. 7A. The timing at which it is determined that the fee corresponding to the course has been received is an example of a specific timing.

  Next, in step S4, it is determined whether or not the numeric button group 68 has been pressed and a 4-digit password has been entered. In step S4, it is determined whether or not a 4-digit password has been input. If it is determined in step S4 that a 4-digit password has not been input, the process proceeds to step S21. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S4 that a 4-digit password has been input, the process proceeds to step S5 in FIG. 7B.

When the process proceeds to step S21 in FIG. 7A, it is determined whether or not the start button 69 has been pressed. If it is determined in step S21 that the start button 69 has not been pressed, the process returns to step S3. On the other hand, in step S21, it is determined that the start button 69 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S6 in FIG. 7B skipping steps S 5. Note that pressing the start button 69 is an example of a specific operation.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7B, it is determined in step S5 whether or not the start button 69 has been pressed. If it is determined in step S5 that the start button 69 has not been pressed, the process returns to step S3 in FIG. 7A. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S5 that the start button 69 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S6 in FIG. 7B.

  Next, the door 3 is locked in step S6. At this time, if the process directly proceeds from step S3 or step S21 to step S6, a process of deleting the personal identification number in the flash memory 20 is performed.

  Next, in step S7, the driving of the course set by the user is started. Thereby, rotation control of the drum 13 is performed.

Next, in step S8, it is determined whether or not the course operation has ended.
If it is determined in step S8 that the course operation has not ended, step S8 is performed again. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S8 that the course has ended, the process proceeds to step S9 in FIG. 7C.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7C, in step S9, it is determined whether or not a password is stored in the flash memory 20. If it is determined in step S9 that the password is not stored in the flash memory 20, steps S10 and S11 are skipped and the process proceeds to step S12. On the other hand, if it is determined that the password is stored in the flash memory 20, the process proceeds to the next step S10.

  Next, in step S10, it is determined whether or not the numeric button group 68 has been pressed and a 4-digit password has been entered. If it is determined in step S10 that a 4-digit password has not been input, step S10 is performed again. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S10 that a 4-digit password has been input, the process proceeds to the next step S11.

  Next, in step S <b> 11, it is determined whether or not the personal identification number matches the personal identification number stored in the flash memory 20. If it is determined in step S11 that the personal identification number does not match the personal identification number stored in the flash memory 20, the process returns to step S10. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S11 that the personal identification number matches the personal identification number stored in the flash memory 20, the process proceeds to the next step S12.

  Finally, in step S12, the door 3 is unlocked.

  In this embodiment, step S3 is an example of a time lapse determination unit, step S4 is an example of a user identification information input determination unit, step S7 is an example of first and second driving start units, and step S21 is an operation determination unit. It is an example.

  Thus, if the preset time has elapsed from the timing when it is determined that the fee corresponding to the course has been received when the password has not been entered, the password is set by the user in steps S3 and S7. The course starts automatically. Therefore, even if the user does not know that the password is input, the course set by the user starts automatically. As a result, the waiting time for inputting the personal identification number can be reduced, so that the work efficiency of the user can be improved.

  In addition, since the user does not have to input a password to start driving the course, the operability is good.

  If the start button 69 is pressed when the password is not entered, the course set by the user in steps S21 and S7 can be obtained even if the preset time has not elapsed. Operation can be started. Therefore, the user's work efficiency can be further improved.

  In addition, after the operation of the course is completed, the owner presses the first course button 62 to display the time elapsed since the completion of the operation of the course on the display unit 71 as shown in FIG. Can be made. Therefore, when the laundry is left after the operation of the course is ended, the owner quickly determines whether or not the door 3 should be unlocked based on the time displayed on the display unit 71. can do. As a result, the owner's work efficiency can be improved.

  Further, in response to the pressing of the first course button 62, the display unit 71 displays “End” after displaying the time elapsed since the course operation ended for a preset time. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the user will misunderstand that the driving of the course is continued by looking at the time elapsed since the driving of the course was completed.

  When the password use setting button 11 is turned on, the input of the password is accepted. On the other hand, when the password use setting button 11 is turned off, the input of the password is not accepted. Therefore, the range of use of the commercial laundry dryer is wide.

  In the above embodiment, the fee collection unit 7 receives the fee only with coins, but it may be received with a bill, a prepaid card, an electronic money card or the like.

  In the above embodiment, the commercial laundry dryer does not start the course set by the user unless it receives a fee, but the course run set by the user is not received even if the fee is not received. May be started.

  In the above embodiment, the password is used as an example of the user identification information. However, an alphabet or a symbol may be used as an example of the user identification information, and biological information such as a fingerprint, an iris, and a voiceprint may be used as the user identification. You may use as an example of information.

  In the above embodiment, it is determined whether or not a preset time has elapsed from the timing when it is determined in step S3 that the fee corresponding to the course has been received. For example, it is determined that the course has been input. It may be determined whether a preset time has elapsed from the timing.

  In the above embodiment, the operation display unit 6 may be provided with, for example, a button on which characters of “password not required” are written. When the button is pressed, the course set by the user starts even if the preset time has not elapsed since the time when it was determined that the fee corresponding to the course was received. It may be.

  In the embodiment described above, the time elapsed since the course operation ended is displayed on the display unit 71 when the first course button 62 is pressed. For example, the time is displayed when the second course button 62 is pressed. You may make it display on the part 71. FIG. Alternatively, the time elapsed since the course operation ended by the simultaneous pressing of the first and second course buttons 62 and 63 or the long pressing of the second course button 63 is displayed on the display unit 71. Also good.

  In the above embodiment, the code number is stored in the flash memory 20 which is an example of the nonvolatile memory. However, the code number may be stored in the dynamic random access memory which is an example of the volatile memory.

  Although specific embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been described, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention. For example, what combined suitably the content of the said embodiment and modification is good also as one Embodiment of this invention. Further, the present invention can be applied not only to a drum-type laundry dryer, but also to, for example, a vertical laundry dryer having a drying function, a drum-type washing machine having no drying function, and a vertical laundry machine.

  As a summary, a specific embodiment of the present invention is referred to as a first embodiment, and other embodiments of the present invention according to modifications and other forms are summarized as follows.

(First embodiment)
The washing machine of the present invention is
A washing machine in which a course for processing laundry is set by a user,
An outer box 1 having an opening 2 for taking in and out the laundry 16,
An opening / closing door 3 attached to the outer box 1 to open and close the opening 2;
A locking mechanism 21 for locking the door 3;
An input unit 68 for inputting user identification information used for user identification;
A storage unit 20 for storing the user identification information;
When the user identification information input by the input unit 68 matches the user identification information stored in the storage unit 20, the locking mechanism 21 is set so that the door 3 is unlocked. A control unit 22 for controlling,
The control unit 22
User identification information input determination means S4 for determining whether or not the user identification information is input;
When the user identification information input determination means S4 determines that the user identification information has not been input, the time passage determination means S3 determines whether a preset time has elapsed from a specific timing. When,
When the time elapse determination means S3 determines that the preset time has elapsed, it has first operation start means S7 for starting the course operation.

  According to the said structure, the said user identification information input determination means S4 determines whether user identification information was input. When the user identification information input determination unit S4 determines that the user identification information has not been input, the time elapse determination unit S3 determines whether a preset time has elapsed from a specific timing. Determine. When the time elapse determination means S3 determines that a preset time has elapsed, the first operation start means S7 starts the operation of the course set for the user of the washing machine. Thereby, even if the user does not know that the user identification information is input, the driving of the course set for the user is automatically started. Therefore, the user's work efficiency can be improved.

(Second Embodiment)
In the washing machine according to the second embodiment,
The control unit 22 described in the first embodiment determines whether or not a specific operation has been performed when the user identification information input determination unit S4 determines that the user identification information is not input. Operation determination means S21 for determining whether or not
When it is determined by the operation determination means S21 that the specific operation has been performed, the operation determination means S21 has a second operation start means S7 for starting the operation of the course,
The specific operation is an operation other than an operation for inputting the user identification information.

  According to the second embodiment, when the user identification information input determining unit S4 determines that the user identification information is not input, the operation determining unit S21 is for inputting the user identification information. It is determined whether or not a specific operation other than the operation has been performed. And when it determines with the said operation determination means S21 having performed specific operation, the 2nd driving | running start means S7 starts the driving | running | working of the course set by the user. Thereby, when the user does not know that the user identification information is input, the driving of the course set by the user can be started even if the preset time has not elapsed. Therefore, the user's work efficiency can be further improved.

(Third embodiment)
The configuration of the third embodiment will be described below. The washing machine of this third embodiment is
A driving course such as washing in the first embodiment is set, and a display unit 71 capable of displaying the time elapsed since the driving of this course is completed is provided.

  According to the third embodiment, the display unit 71 can display the time that has elapsed since the course operation ended. As a result, when the laundry 16 is left after the course operation is completed, the time elapsed since the course operation can be displayed on the display unit 71. Therefore, the owner of the washing machine can quickly determine whether or not the door 3 should be unlocked based on the time displayed on the display unit 71. As a result, the work efficiency of the owner of the washing machine can be improved.

(Fourth embodiment)
This fourth embodiment shows a modification of the third embodiment and is characterized by a display form.

That is, in the washing machine of the fourth embodiment,
The display unit 71 displays the time that has elapsed since the course operation ended for a preset time according to a specific operation.

  According to the fourth embodiment, the time that has elapsed since the driving of the course has been completed is displayed on the display unit 71 for a preset time in accordance with a specific operation. It is possible to reduce the risk of misunderstanding that the driving of the course is continued by looking at the time elapsed since the driving of the course was completed.

(Fifth embodiment)
The fifth embodiment relates to another mode in which a user inputs user identification information via an input unit in the washing machine of the first embodiment described above.

The washing machine of the fifth embodiment is
A user identification information use setting unit 11 for setting the user identification information to be used for user identification or setting the user identification information not to be used for user identification. Prepare.

  According to the fifth embodiment, the user identification information use setting unit 11 sets the user identification information to be used for user identification, or the user identification information is used for user identification. It can be set not to be used. Therefore, the use range of the washing machine can be expanded.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Outer box 2 Outer box opening part 3 Opening / closing door 6 Operation display part 11 PIN code use setting button 16 Laundry 20 Flash memory 21 Locking mechanism 22 Control part 71 Display part

Claims (4)

A washing machine in which a course for processing laundry is set by a user,
An outer box having an opening for taking in and out the laundry;
An open / close door attached to the outer box to open and close the opening;
A locking mechanism that locks the door;
An input unit for inputting user identification information used for user identification;
A storage unit for storing the user identification information;
A control unit that controls the locking mechanism so that the door is unlocked when the user identification information input by the input unit matches the user identification information stored in the storage unit. And
The control unit
User identification information input determination means for determining whether or not the user identification information is input;
A time elapse determination means for determining whether or not a preset time has elapsed from a specific timing when the user identification information input determination means determines that the user identification information is not input;
A washing machine comprising: first driving start means for starting driving of the course when it is determined by the time lapse determining means that the preset time has elapsed. The washing machine according to claim 1,
A user identification information use setting unit is provided for setting the user identification information to be used for user identification or setting the user identification information not to be used for user identification. A washing machine characterized by that. The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2,
A washing machine comprising: a display unit that displays a time elapsed since the course operation ended. The washing machine according to claim 3 ,
The said display part displays the time which passed since the driving | operation of the said course was complete | finished only for the preset time according to specific operation, The washing machine characterized by the above-mentioned.

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