JP6289861B2 - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a washing machine.

  Generally, home appliances such as washing machines are provided with an operation panel for performing various settings. Conventionally, a mechanical switch such as a tact switch is often used for the operation part of the operation panel. However, when the mechanical switch is used, a plurality of irregularities due to the mechanical switch are generated on the surface of the operation panel, which causes a complicated impression to the user. Therefore, in recent years, it has been considered to use a touch switch for detecting a user's touch operation instead of a mechanical switch for the operation unit of such an operation panel.

  For example, when a touch switch is used for a refrigerator, an operation unit is provided on the surface of the door. A touch switch and a light source are provided inside the door and on the back side of the operation unit. The front plate of the door has a light shielding property as a whole, but the region of the operation unit is configured to have a light transmitting property. And the area | region of an operation part is displayed on the surface of a door by turning on a light source. According to this, since the periphery of the operation unit can be configured as a flat surface, and further, it is possible to produce an effect as if the operation unit is lifted on the door surface, so that the design can be improved.

  However, in the case of using such a touch switch, it is possible to freely display and hide the operation unit, but if there are too many operation units to be displayed, a complicated feeling is caused. As a result, the designability is lowered. On the other hand, if the number of operation units to be displayed is too small, the current setting contents and operable operation units cannot be determined, and the operability is deteriorated. Further, since the display / non-display of the operation unit is switched by turning on / off the light source, power consumption is increased according to the number of operation units to be displayed.

JP 2012-78086 A

  In view of this, a washing machine that has an operation panel that is operated by a user's touch operation and that can be intuitively operated while improving designability and that can achieve low power consumption is provided. .

Washer embodiment is provided in the washing machine main body, the surface Ri white der, together have a light shielding property as a whole, a decorative panel in which a plurality of characters or graphics permeability is provided , and a plurality of light sources for irradiating white light of the ornament panel the same system from the rear side of the decorative panel, an operation panel for displaying information relating to the operation, by changing the brightness of the light source, the operation Dimming means for adjusting the contrast between the surface of the decorative panel and the letters or figures in the panel .

The perspective view which shows the washing machine by 1st embodiment. Block diagram showing electrical configuration An exploded perspective view of the operation panel Vertical side view of the operation panel Diagram showing the configuration of the operation panel The figure which shows the structure of an operation part and display part in an operation panel The figure which shows the hierarchy of the operation part and the display part conceptually The figure which shows typically arrangement | positioning of the light source with respect to the display part of a dial (A)-(c) is a figure which shows the display of the display part at the time of operating a dial The figure which shows the structure of a display part in an operation panel Diagram showing the operation panel when the power is not turned on The figure which shows the operation panel in the state where the preparation display is displayed The figure which shows the state by which touch operation was performed with respect to the operation panel of FIG. Diagram showing the operation panel with the initial display displayed The figure which shows the state by which touch operation was performed with respect to the operation panel of FIG. Diagram showing the operation panel with the normal display displayed Figure 1 shows the operation procedure of the operation panel The second figure which shows the operation procedure of the operation panel Figure 3 shows the operation procedure of the operation panel Fig. 4 shows the operation procedure of the operation panel Fig. 5 shows the operation procedure of the operation panel Fig. 6 shows the operation procedure of the operation panel. Fig. 7 shows the operating procedure of the operation panel Fig. 8 shows the operation procedure of the operation panel Fig. 9 shows the operation procedure of the operation panel. FIG. 10 shows the operation procedure of the operation panel. FIG. 11 shows the operation procedure of the operation panel. The figure which shows the display content of the dial at the time of the preparation display by other embodiment FIG. 14 equivalent view according to another embodiment The flowchart which shows the flow of the light control of the washing machine by 2nd embodiment.

Hereinafter, washing machines according to a plurality of embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, in each embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the substantially same component, and description is abbreviate | omitted.
(First embodiment)
A washing machine 10 shown in FIG. 1 is a drum-type washing and drying machine having a drying function, and includes a washing machine main body 11, a door 12, a control device 20 as a control means shown in FIG. Yes. In the washing machine 10, the door 12 side is the front side of the washing machine 10, and the opposite side of the door 12 is the rear side of the washing machine 10.

  The washing machine body 11 constitutes the outer shell of the washing machine 10 and is formed in a rectangular box shape whose front surface is smoothly inclined. Moreover, in the case of this embodiment, the washing machine main body 11 is comprised based on white. An opening 111 is provided in the front central portion of the washing machine body 11. The opening 111 communicates with a rotating tub (not shown) provided inside the washing machine main body 11, and the laundry is put into and out of the rotating tub through the opening 111. The door 12 is provided so that the opening 111 can be opened and closed. The door 12 is opened by operating the door button 13. A water supply port 14 is provided on the upper surface of the washing machine body 11. The water supply port 14 is connected to a faucet serving as a water source by a water supply hose (not shown). And the water from the tap of a water supply is supplied into the water tank which is not shown in the figure provided in the washing machine main body 11 through the water supply hose and the water supply port 14. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 20 is connected to a motor 21, a drain valve 22, a water supply valve 23, a compressor 24, a blower 25, and the like. Although detailed explanation is omitted, the motor 21 is for rotating a rotating tub (not shown) provided in the washing machine body 11. The drain valve 22 is for draining water in a water tank (not shown) to the outside of the apparatus. The water supply valve 23 opens and closes communication between the water supply port 14 and the inside of a water tank (not shown), and supplies water into the water tank. The compressor 24 constitutes a heat pump unit for a drying function. The blower 25 is for supplying warm air generated by the heat pump unit into a rotating tank (not shown).

  The control device 20 is connected to input devices such as a temperature sensor 26, a water level sensor 27, a rotation sensor 28, a door switch 29, and an operation panel 30. Although detailed explanation is omitted for each, the temperature sensor 26 detects the temperature in a water tank (not shown). The water level sensor 27 detects the water level in the water tank. The rotation sensor 28 detects a rotation position and a rotation speed of a rotation tank (not shown). The door switch 29 detects opening / closing of the door 12.

  The operation panel 30 performs various settings related to the operation of the washing machine 10 and is provided on the front side of the upper surface of the washing machine body 11 as shown in FIG. 3 and 4, the operation panel 30 includes a decorative panel 31, a circuit board 32, a light source holder 33, a plurality of transparent electrode films 34, a plurality of press contact members 35, and a plurality of light sources 36. Has been. On the upper front side of the washing machine body 11, a housing portion 112 is formed by recessing the washing machine body 11 into a rectangular shape. In the housing portion 112, a circuit board 32, a light source holder 33, a plurality of transparent electrode films 34, a plurality of press contact members 35, and a plurality of light sources 36 constituting the operation panel 30 are housed. The decorative panel 31 covers the circuit board 32, the light source holder 33, the plurality of transparent electrode films 34, the plurality of press contact members 35, and the plurality of light sources 36.

  The decoration panel 31 constitutes the surface of the operation panel 30. The decorative panel 31 is made of, for example, a resin plate and has a light shielding property as a whole. The decorative panel 31 is not limited to resin, and may be tempered glass. As shown in FIG. 5, the decoration panel 31 is provided with a plurality of characters and figures as a plurality of operation units and a display unit. Among the plurality of characters and figures, the power on button 311 indicated by “ON”, the power OFF button 312 indicated by “OFF”, and the character portion 313 indicated by “POWER (auto power off)”. Is always visible from the outside.

  On the other hand, characters and figures other than the figure of the power buttons 311 and 312 and the character part 313 of “power supply (auto power off)”, that is, letters provided in the switching display area 40 indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. The figure has transparency and is configured to be translucent, for example. The characters and figures provided in the switching display area 40 are displayed on the decorative panel 31 when light is irradiated from the back side of the decorative panel 31. In a state where light is not irradiated from the back side of the decorative panel 31, the characters and figures are not displayed on the decorative panel 31.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the circuit board 32 is configured in a horizontally long rectangular shape. In addition, an electronic component 322, a 7-segment display 323, a plurality of light sources 36, and the like are mounted on the circuit board 32. The electronic component 322 is, for example, a microcomputer and constitutes the detection / display circuit 321 shown in FIG. The 7-segment display 323 and the light source 36 are arranged in the switching display area 40 of the decorative panel 31. The light source 36 is, for example, an LED, and is provided corresponding to a character or a figure provided in the switching display area 40 of the decoration panel 31. The 7-segment display 323 and the light source 36 are connected to the control device 20 via the detection / display circuit 321. The 7-segment display 323, the light source 36, and the detection / display circuit 321 function as display means for switching between display and non-display of the display unit.

  The light source holder 33 is made of a light-shielding member such as a resin and has a certain thickness. The light source holder 33 has a plurality of light shielding portions 331 corresponding to the individual light sources 36. As shown in FIG. 4, the light shielding portion 331 has a hole 332 in a bowl-shaped bottom portion. The light source 36 provided on the circuit board 32 is inserted into the light shielding portion 331 through the hole 332. The light emitted from the light source 36 in a certain light shielding part 331 is prevented from leaking out to other light shielding parts 331.

  Thus, when one of the plurality of light sources 36 emits light, the characters or figures of the decorative panel 31 corresponding to the emitted light source 36 appear on the surface in the switching display area 40 of the decorative panel 31. Is displayed. The light source 36 is configured so that the brightness can be adjusted in three or more stages. Therefore, the brightness of the characters or graphics displayed in the switching display area 40 of the decoration panel 31 can be changed in three or more levels.

  The transparent electrode film 34 is configured by a sheet-like member having translucency. The transparent electrode film 34 has a plurality of detection units 341 as detection electrodes for detecting a change in capacitance. The transparent electrode film 34 is connected to the detection / display circuit 321 of the circuit board 32. That is, each detection unit 341 of the transparent electrode film 34 is connected to the control device 20 via the detection / display circuit 321.

The detection / display circuit 321 detects a change in capacitance between the detection unit 341 of the transparent electrode film 34 and the user's finger, for example, and thereby detects a user's touch operation. That is, the detection unit 341 of the transparent electrode film 34 functions as a touch switch that detects a user's touch operation on the decorative panel 31. The transparent electrode film 34 and the detection / display circuit 321 function as an operation detection unit that detects a touch operation on the operation unit of the operation panel 30. The detection / display circuit 321 is provided at three locations on the circuit board 32 corresponding to the detection units 341 of the three transparent electrode films 34, and outputs the detection results by the detection unit 341 to the control device 20. The detection / display circuit 321 is provided on the back side of the circuit board 32 so as to be close to a connector (not shown) position with the circuit board 32 so that the connection distance to the transparent electrode film 34 is the shortest to prevent noise. The pressure contact member 35 is made of, for example, a transparent resin material having elasticity. Although only a part on the right side is shown in FIG. 3, the pressure contact member 35 is appropriately provided at a position corresponding to the entire area between the transparent electrode film 34 and the light source holder 33. It is pressed against the back side of 31.

Next, details of the operation unit and the display unit of the operation panel 30 will be described.
In the operation panel 30, as shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of characters and graphic parts provided on the decoration panel 31 function as an operation unit or a display unit, respectively. Of the character or graphic portion provided in the switching display area 40 of the decorative panel 31, the operation unit / display unit 50 shown in FIG. 6 is arranged so that the light source 36 and the detection unit 341 of the transparent electrode film 34 overlap each other. A plurality of regions. Each operation unit / display unit 50 also serves as an operation unit for performing various settings related to the operation of the washing machine 10 and a setting display unit which is a display unit for displaying the setting contents by the operation unit.

  The main ones of the operation unit / display unit 50 will be described. A part of each operation unit / display unit 50 has a plurality of hierarchies in accordance with setting contents, purposes, and the like. In this case, as shown in FIG. It is classified into a hierarchy group 53. The first hierarchy group 51 is the highest hierarchy, and the lower hierarchy is the second hierarchy group 52 and the third hierarchy group 53 in this order. Of the operation unit / display unit 50, the operation unit / display unit 50 belonging to any one of the first layer group 51, the second layer group 52, and the third layer group 53 functions as a layer display unit.

  The first hierarchy group 51, which is the highest hierarchy, is for selecting operation details. The first hierarchy group 51 includes, for example, a “dry” button 511 that performs only a dry operation, a “wash and dry” button 512 that performs a wash and dry operation, a “wash” button 513 that performs only a wash operation, and sterilization / deodorization It comprises a “sterilization / deodorization” button 514 for driving. Each button 511 to 514 functions as a first layer display unit belonging to the highest layer.

  The second hierarchy group 52, which is the second hierarchy from the top, is for changing the detailed content of each stroke for each stroke of the operation content selected by the operation of the first hierarchy group 51. The second hierarchy group 52 includes a “wash” button 521, a “rinse” button 522, a “dehydration” button 523, a “dry” button 524, and a “course change / individual menu” button 525. The “wash” button 521, the “rinse” button 522, the “dehydration” button 523, and the “dry” button 524 are used to set the process time and number of times corresponding to the names of the buttons 521 to 524 to the operation of the first layer group 51. In the range of the operation content selected by the above, the content is changed to any content of the user. “Course change / individual menu” button 525 includes combinations of “washing”, “rinsing”, “dehydration”, and “drying” processes within the range of the operation content selected by the operation of first layer group 51. This is for changing the time to a content recommended by the manufacturer as an operation course to be described later. Each button 521 to 525 functions as a second layer display unit belonging to the second layer from the top.

  The third layer group 53, which is the third layer from the top, includes a third layer A group 54, a third layer B group 55, and a third layer C group 59. When the “sterilization / deodorization” button 514 of the first hierarchy group 51 is selected, the third hierarchy A group 54 is used to change to the specific content recommended by the manufacturer for the process related to the sterilization / deodorization. Is. The third layer A group 54 includes, for example, a “mold protect” button 541, a “drum stationary” button 542, and a “drum rotation” button 543. For example, when “mold protection” is selected by operating the “mold protection” button 541, the disinfecting component is supplied into the rotating tub after the washing operation is completed, and the generation of mold is suppressed.

  The third level B group 55 is for changing to the specific content recommended by the manufacturer for each process of the driving course when the “course change / individual menu” button 525 of the second level group 52 is selected. . The third layer B group 55 includes a “standard” button 551, a “memory” button 552, a “subordinate” button 553, and a plurality of other buttons 554 to 561. Each button 551-561 which comprises these 3rd hierarchy B groups 55 functions as a course display part which displays the content regarding the driving | running course.

  The “standard” button 551 is used to change the standard content recommended by the manufacturer for each process of the driving course. The “memory” button 552 is used to change the user's favorite content stored. The “zab zab” button 553 is used to change the content to rub the clothes with more water than “standard”. In addition, about the structure of each hierarchy group 51-53, and the specific content of the driving | operation performed by selection of each button, it is not restricted to the structure mentioned above, It can change suitably.

  The third layer C group 59 is for selecting the contents of additional setting. The additional setting is additionally set for the contents of various operations. Additional settings can be arbitrarily set by the user. Examples of the additional setting include, but are not limited to, the level of washing water, the number of times of rinsing, the operation related to power saving, or the operation using sterilized water. In this case, the third layer C group 59 includes a “water level” button 591, a “floating water” button 592, a “number of times of rinsing” button 593, and the like.

  The “water level” button 591 is for setting the level of the water level for the washing process by the “washing” button 524 of the second layer group 52 and the rinsing process by the “rinsing” button 523. “Frozen water” 592 sets whether or not to use bath water for the washing process by the “washing” button 524 and the rinsing process by the “rinse” button 523 in the second layer group 52. The “number of times of rinsing” button 593 is for setting the number of times of rinsing with respect to the rinsing process by the “rinsing” button 523 of the second hierarchy group 52. Each of the buttons 541 to 543, 551 to 561, and 591 to 593 functions as a third layer display unit belonging to the third layer from the top.

  Among the operation unit / display unit 50, the buttons belonging to each of the hierarchical groups 51 to 53 have the same display form for each of the hierarchical groups 51 to 53. Specifically, each of the buttons 511 to 514 belonging to the first hierarchy group 51 has a circular frame indicating characters indicating the contents of the driving course such as “dry” and “wash dry” as shown in FIGS. It is comprised in the form enclosed by. The buttons 521 to 524 belonging to the second layer group 52 are configured in such a manner that characters indicating the contents of the process such as “wash” and “rinse” are surrounded by a square frame. In this case, one side of the frame of each button 521 to 524 of the second layer group 52 is the same as or smaller than the diameter of each button 511 to 514 of the first layer group 51. Therefore, the buttons 521 to 524 of the second layer group 52 are easily recognized by the user in a shape smaller than the buttons 511 to 514 of the first layer group 51.

  The buttons 541 to 543, 551 to 561, 591 to 593 belonging to the third layer group 53 are configured in a form in which characters indicating course contents such as “mold protection” and “standard” are surrounded by a horizontally long rectangular frame. Yes. In this case, the sides in the short direction of the frames of the buttons 541 to 543, 551 to 561, and 591 to 593 of the third layer group 53 are smaller than one side of the buttons 521 to 524 of the second layer group 52. Therefore, the buttons 541 to 543, 551 to 561, and 591 to 593 of the third layer group 53 are easily recognized by the user in a shape smaller than the buttons 521 to 524 of the second layer group 52.

  Further, the operation panel 30 includes a dial 57 and a “start / pause” button 58 as an operation unit / display unit 50 that does not belong to any of the layers 51 to 53 as shown in FIG. The dial 57 is used for up / down operation of fine settings such as minute setting. The “start / pause” button 58 is used when starting the operation with the set contents, or when pausing the operation during the operation. In this case, the “start / pause” button 58 functions as a start button and a pause button.

  The dial 57 has a display unit 571 and an operation unit 572 configured in a circular shape. The display unit 571 has a circular shape surrounding the “start / pause” button 58. In the display unit 571 portion of the operation panel 30, as shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of, in this case, six light sources 36 are provided along the circumferential direction of the display unit 571. The operation unit 572 is provided in a circular shape on the outer peripheral side of the display unit 571. The operation unit 572 is provided with a plurality of detection units 341 along the circumferential direction of the circular figure. Further, a light source 36 and a detection unit 341 are provided on the back side of the “start / pause” button 58. When the light source 36 corresponding to the “start / pause” button 58 is turned on, the characters “start / pause” are displayed so as to float on the surface of the decorative panel 31.

  When the user's finger 90 touches the operation unit 572 of the dial 57 on the dial 57 as shown in FIGS. 9A to 9C, the control device 20 displays based on the detection of the detection unit 341. The light source 36 corresponding to the part touched by the finger 90 in the part 571 is turned on. Thereby, the part which the finger | toe 90 touched among the display parts 571 is displayed. In FIGS. 9A to 9C, the portion of the display portion 571 that is displayed by turning on the light source 36 is shown in black. When the user traces the operation portion 572 of the dial 57 in the circumferential direction of the operation portion 572, the detection positions by the detection portions 341 arranged in the circumferential direction of the dial 57 are sequentially switched, and thereby the rotation operation on the dial 57 is performed. Detected. The control device 20 switches lighting of the light source 36 in accordance with this rotation operation. Accordingly, the portion of the display unit 571 that is lit and moved is moved so as to follow the rotation operation of the user's finger 90. In this case, the portion touched by the user's finger 90 may be displayed with high brightness, and the portion not touched with the user's finger 90 may be turned off or displayed with low brightness.

  In the operation panel 30, the character portion shown in FIG. 10 functions as the display unit 60. The display unit 60 is a plurality of areas in which the character or graphic part and the light source 36 are overlapped in the switching display area 40 of the decoration panel 31. The display unit 60 further includes a setting display unit 61 that displays the setting content by the operation unit and display unit 50, a state display unit 63 that displays information on the current state of the washing machine 10, and a warning for the user. The display is classified into a caution display section 64 that performs display and an auxiliary display section 65 that displays auxiliary content.

  Among the setting display units 61, the setting display units 611 to 620 belong to any of the buttons 522 to 514 of the second hierarchy group 52, respectively, and display details of the operation contents indicated by the buttons 522 to 514. . For example, among the setting display units 61, a 7-segment display display unit 611, an “automatic drying” display unit 612, an “urgent” display unit 613, an “iron” display unit 614, a “sterilization drying” display unit 615, The “high quality dry” display unit 616 belongs to the “dry” button 524 of the second layer group 52. The display unit 617 for 7 segment display and the “automatic dehydration” display unit 618 belong to the “dehydration” button 523 of the second layer group 52. The display unit 619 for 7-segment display belongs to the “rinse” button 522, and the display unit 620 for 7-segment display belongs to the “wash” button 521.

  Among the setting display units 61, the setting display units 621 and 622 function as an additional setting display unit that displays the contents of the additional setting. The additional setting display unit 621 belongs to the “water level” button 591 of the third layer C group 59. When the “water level” button 591 is touched, the additional setting display unit 621 is switched in order of “automatic”, “low”, “medium”, and “high”. The additional setting display unit 622 belongs to the “floating water” button 592 of the third layer C group 59. The additional setting display unit 622 sequentially switches the combination of “wash”, “rinse 1”, “rinse 2”, and “rinse 3” when “bath water” 592 is touched.

  The status display unit 63 displays the current time, the remaining time until the end of operation, and the like on the 7-segment display 323 and the like. The attention display unit 64 includes, for example, an “over capacity” display unit 641, a “with water in tank” display unit 642, a “clothing offset” display unit 643, a “filter cleaning” display unit 644, and the like. By displaying the caution display unit 64, the user is notified of an abnormality that has occurred in the washing machine 10. In this case, the operation unit / display unit 50, the setting display unit 61, and the status display unit 63 are displayed in white color. On the other hand, the caution display unit 64 is displayed in a warm color such as red or orange. Thereby, the caution display part 64 is displayed so that the display content is more conspicuous. The auxiliary display unit 65 displays auxiliary contents that do not directly affect driving, such as “eco” and “Ag antibacterial water”. In this case, “eco” or “Ag antibacterial water” in the auxiliary display unit 65 may be displayed in a different color from other display units such as the operation unit / display unit 50 and the caution display unit 64 such as green. Good.

  Next, details of the operation procedure by the operation panel 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. The light source 36 is configured to be able to emit light at three levels of brightness so as to increase in brightness in the order of the first brightness, the second brightness, and the third brightness. That is, the light source 36 has the darkest first brightness and the brightest third brightness in these three stages. Further, the usage mode of the operation panel 30 is configured so that a normal mode and a demo mode can be selected. The normal mode is a mode that is set when the washing machine 10 is actually used, and the demo mode is a mode that is set when the washing machine 10 is displayed at a store or the like. In this demonstration mode, characters and graphics on the operation panel 30 are displayed brighter than in the normal mode.

  In the normal mode, each operation unit / display unit 50 and each display unit 60 as a display unit are displayed in two types of modes of first luminance or second luminance. That is, the control device 20 displays, for each operation unit / display unit 50 and each display unit 60, a setting content that is not currently selected but is selectable and is displayed with the first luminance, and the currently selected setting. A content display is displayed at the second luminance. As a result, the control device 20 indicates the first display indicating the setting contents that are not currently selected but can be selected, and the setting contents that are currently selected, for each operation unit and display unit 50 and each display unit 60. The display is distinguished from the second display.

  Specifically, when the power is turned on, the control device 20 switches the display on the operation panel 30 in the order of preparation display, initial display, and normal display. And the control apparatus 20 guides a user so that a user may operate in order of the 1st hierarchy group 51, the 2nd hierarchy group 52, and the 3rd hierarchy group 53, when a user sets the content of driving | operation. This guidance is performed by causing the necessary operation unit and display unit 50 and the display unit 60 to display appropriately in each operation stage. That is, first, when the washing machine 10 is not turned on, only the power on button 311 and the power off button 312 are visible on the surface of the decorative panel 31, as shown in FIG. Nothing is displayed in 40.

  When the user operates the power on button 311, the washing machine 10 is powered on. Then, as illustrated in FIG. 12, the control device 20 displays, as a preparation display, a hierarchy display unit corresponding to the currently selected setting content among the buttons 511 to 514 belonging to the first hierarchy group 51 that is the highest hierarchy. Is displayed with the first luminance, and the display portion 571 of the dial 57 and the “start / pause” button 58 are displayed with the first luminance. In this embodiment, since the washing / drying operation is selected immediately after the power is turned on, the “wash / dry” button 512, the display unit 571 of the dial 57, and the “start / pause” button 58 are displayed with the first luminance. Is done. At this time, correction of the detection value of each detection unit 341, that is, calibration is performed in order to match the surrounding humidity environment and the like. At this time, the detection unit 341 does not detect the touch operation.

  After displaying the preparation display and performing calibration, the control device 20 starts detecting touch operations by all the detection units 341. When a predetermined condition is satisfied in the preparation display, the control device 20 increases the brightness with respect to the preparation display and displays an initial display. In this case, the control device 20 performs a touch operation with the user's finger 90 on either the operation unit / display unit 50, for example, when a predetermined time elapses after the power is turned on or as shown in FIG. If it is determined that the condition for displaying the initial display is satisfied, the initial display is performed. The control device 20 does not display as a preparation display after turning on the power, performs calibration without displaying the display unit, and then displays an initial display when the above-described predetermined condition is satisfied. It is good also as composition to do.

  The content of the initial display is based on the operation content predetermined in the product manufacturing stage. In this case, in the initial display, the control device 20 displays at least the hierarchy display section corresponding to the currently selected setting contents and the “start / pause” button 58 among the hierarchy display sections belonging to the highest hierarchy. In this case, as shown in FIG. 14, the control device 20 includes the washing / drying button 512 and the dial 57 corresponding to the currently selected setting contents in the hierarchy display section belonging to the first hierarchy group 51 which is the highest hierarchy. The display unit 571 and the “start / pause” button 58 are displayed with the second luminance.

  In addition, the control device 20 displays the “standard” button 551 indicating the content of the course relating to the currently selected washing / drying operation in the second brightness in the third hierarchy B group 55 which is a hierarchy other than the highest hierarchy. Let Further, the control device 20 is a hierarchical display unit that is not currently selected but is operable among the hierarchical display units belonging to the first hierarchical group 51 that is the highest hierarchical level. In this case, the drying button 511, the washing button 513 and the sterilization / deodorizing button 514 are displayed with the first luminance which is lower than that of the dry button 512.

  As described above, the decoration panel 31 displays the first display showing the setting contents that are not currently selected but can be selected, and the second display showing the currently selected setting contents. That is, the currently selected setting and the selection candidate are displayed on the decoration panel 31 separately. In this case, in the initial display, the control device 20 displays the display units other than the buttons 511 to 514 belonging to the first layer group 51 which is the highest layer, the display unit 571 of the dial 57, and the “start / pause” button 58. Is not displayed.

  When the initial display shown in FIG. 14 is displayed, the control device 20 has already completed preparations for starting operation. In this initial display, when the control device 20 first detects that the “start / pause” button 58 has been touched after displaying the initial display, the operation content currently displayed, in this case, washing and drying. Start driving as it is. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 15, when the control device 20 detects that a button other than the “start / pause” button 58 is first touched after the initial display is displayed, the control device 20 changes the setting content. The normal display shown in FIG. 16 is displayed. In the normal display, the control device 20 also displays the first hierarchy group 51 and the course display section related to the currently selected operation, in this case, the display section other than the “standard” button 551, and the currently selected operation. The display section regarding the details of the contents and the currently selected operation contents is displayed. As a result, the user can confirm the details of the currently set contents and can change the set contents.

  When the normal display is displayed, when the “course change / individual menu” button 525 is touch-operated by the user's finger 90 as shown in FIG. 18, a selectable button among the third layer B group 55 belonging to the “course change / individual menu” button 525 of the selected second layer group 52, in this case, the currently selected “standard” "Button 551 is displayed at the second luminance as the second display, and the other" memory "button 552," sub-zab "button 553, and the other buttons 554 to 558 are displayed at the first luminance as the first display. After that, when the user touches and selects the “Zab Zab” button 553 as shown in FIG. 19, for example, the control device 20 determines the “Zab Zab” course, and as shown in FIG. 20, the “Zab Zab” button The display is changed to the second luminance so that 553 is the second display, and other candidates such as the “standard” button 551 and the “memory” button 552 are displayed at the first luminance so as to be the first display.

  Thereafter, the user performs a touch operation on the “Dry” button 524 in the second layer group 52 as shown in FIG. 21 in order to make more detailed settings in the selected “Zab-Zab” course. Then, as shown in FIG. 22, the control device 20 can select a display unit that can be selected in the “dry” operation of the “Zab Zab” course in the setting display unit 61, in this case, an “automatic drying” display unit 612, an “iron” display Display unit 614, “sterilization drying” display unit 615, and “quality drying” display unit 616. Here, the control device 20 first displays the “automatic drying” display unit 612 selected at the time of operating the “drying” button 524 as the second display with the second luminance. On the other hand, the control device 20 does not select the “iron” display unit 614, the “sterilization dry” display unit 615, and the “quality dry” display unit 616 that were not selected at the time of operating the “dry” button 524. The display is made with the first luminance.

  Thereafter, when the user repeatedly touches the “dry” button 524 a plurality of times, as shown in FIGS. 23, 24, and 25, the details of the currently selected operation contents are sequentially switched. Then, the display units 614, 615, and 616 displayed at the second luminance as the second display are also switched. Thereafter, for example, as shown in FIG. 26, the “quality dry” display unit 616 is displayed as the second display at the second luminance, and the other non-selected display units are displayed as the first display at the first luminance. When the user touches the “start / pause” button 58 in the state, the control device 20 determines all the operation details. Then, as shown in FIG. 27, the control device 20 turns off the rest of the entire operation panel 30 except for the display portion displayed at the second luminance, and starts the set washing / drying operation.

  While the washing machine 10 is in operation, the “change course / individual menu” button 525 is not displayed as shown in FIG. On the other hand, when the user touches the “start / pause” button 58 while the washing machine 10 is in operation, the operation is temporarily stopped. Then, as shown in FIG. 26, a “course change / individual menu” button 525 is displayed as the second display with the second luminance, and the setting of the operation content can be changed.

The control device 20 places the operation panel 30 in a standby state when a state in which the user does not operate continues for a predetermined period after the operation is started. In this standby state, the control device 20 turns off the light source 36 and hides the operation unit / display unit 50 and the display unit 60. Thereby, when the possibility that the user operates is low, the standby power of the operation panel 30 can be reduced.
In this standby state, the control device 20 detects the approach of the user using the detection unit 341. When the control device 20 detects the approach of the user in the standby state, it operates the detection / display circuit 321 to turn on the light source 36 again, thereby performing the necessary display and operating the operation panel 30. Make it possible.

  That is, when the operation panel 30 is not in a standby state and is normally used, the control device 20 detects individual touch operations on the plurality of detection units 341. On the other hand, when the operation panel 30 is in the standby state, the control device 20 regards the plurality of detection units 341 as a single sensor and averages and detects the change in capacitance of the plurality of detection units 341. . Thereby, the detection sensitivity of the detection unit 341 is improved, and the control device 20 can detect the presence of the user at a position away from the operation panel 30 to some extent. In this case, when the user approaches the operation panel 30 or holds his hand, the control device 20 detects the presence of the user. Then, when detecting the approach of the user, the control device 20 cancels the standby state of the operation panel 30 and enables normal operation on the operation panel 30.

  In addition, the washing machine 10 may be configured to be communicably connected to other home appliances such as the Internet, a personal computer, a refrigerator, an air conditioner, and a television to construct a home network. In this case, the display unit 571 of the dial 57 can be used to display the connection state of the network. For example, when the washing machine 10 is not connected to the network, the display on the display unit 571 is not displayed. In addition, when the washing machine 10 is trying to connect to the network, the portion of the display unit 571 that is lit and displayed is displayed so as to rotate and move in the circumferential direction as described above. When the connection of the washing machine 10 to the network is established, the entire display unit 571 is displayed.

Further, the network connection state of the washing machine 10 may be displayed by combining the change in color tone or blinking of the display unit 571. For example, when the washing machine 10 is not connected to the network, the display unit 571 is displayed in red, and when trying to connect to the network, the display unit 571 flashes in green, and the connection to the network is established. In that case, the display unit 571 may be displayed in green.
Next, the demo mode will be described. In this demonstration mode, each operation unit and display unit 50 and each display unit 60 as a display unit are displayed in two types of modes of second luminance or third luminance. That is, the control device 20 displays, for each operation unit / display unit 50 and each display unit 60, a setting content that is not currently selected but that can be selected is displayed with the second luminance, and is currently selected. The content is displayed with the third brightness. Therefore, in the demonstration mode, the display of each operation unit and display unit 50 and each display unit 60 is brighter than in the normal mode.

  According to this, in the initial display in which the operation can be started, the display unit that belongs to the highest hierarchy among the display units that display the operation content that is currently selected, and the display unit that is currently selected And a “start / pause” button 58 is displayed. In this case, since there are few displays that can be seen by the user, it is difficult for the user to feel complicated, and thus the initial display of the operation panel 30 can be highly designed. Also, since the amount of information that can be seen by the user in the initial display is small, the user can determine at a glance which driving content is currently selected. Since the number of operable buttons displayed is small, the user can recognize the “start / pause” button 58 at a glance. As a result, the operation panel 30 can be operated intuitively and operability is improved.

  In the initial display, the control device 20 displays a course display unit that indicates the content related to the currently selected driving among the plurality of course display units 551 to 561 that display the content related to the driving course. That is, when the standard course is selected in the washing / drying operation, the control device 20 shows the content of the currently selected course among the plurality of buttons 551 to 561 belonging to the third layer B group 55 in the initial display. A “standard” button 551 is displayed. According to this, the user can grasp the contents of the driving course at a glance without receiving a complicated impression. In this way, by causing the operation panel 30 to display the minimum display necessary for starting operation, an intuitive operation can be performed while improving the design, and the operability can be further improved.

The control device 20 can select the operation unit / display unit 50 and the display unit 60 of the operation panel 30 that are not currently selected in the initial display or the normal display in which the operation panel 30 can be operated. A first display showing a certain setting content and a second display showing the currently selected setting content are displayed separately. Therefore, since the user can determine at a glance which setting is currently set on the operation panel 30 and which button is operable, an intuitive operation is possible. It becomes.
In this case, the control device 20 displays the second display with higher brightness than the first display. Therefore, the user can more clearly distinguish and determine what setting is currently made on the operation panel 30 and which button is currently operable.

  Moreover, about the button mainly used for the change of driving | running | working setting among each operation part and display part 50 as a display part, according to the setting content, in several layers, in this case, 1st hierarchy group 51, 2nd They are classified into three layers, a layer group 52 and a third layer group 53. And each button which belongs to each hierarchy group 51-53 has the display form arranged for every hierarchy group 51-53. And each button which belongs to each hierarchy group 51-53 is comprised so that the shape may become small gradually in order of the 1st hierarchy group 51 which becomes operation order, the 2nd hierarchy group 52, and the 3rd hierarchy group 53. For this reason, when the user performs settings related to driving, it is only necessary to sequentially operate from a large button to a small button, and thus a more intuitive operation is possible.

  In general, the capacitance type detection unit 341 calibrates each detection unit 341 every time the washing machine 10 is powered on in order to match the surrounding humidity environment and the like. During the calibration, the control device 20 cannot detect a touch operation on the operation panel 30 even though the power is turned on. Therefore, immediately after the washing machine 10 is turned on, the control device 20 causes the operation panel 30 to display a predetermined display unit with the first luminance as a preparation display, and then performs a user's touch operation by the detection unit 341. Make detection possible. Then, the control device 20 calibrates the detection unit 341 while displaying the preparation display.

According to this, since the state displayed with the first luminance as the preparation display is clearly different from the normal use state, the user feels uncomfortable that the operation panel 30 cannot be operated even when the power is turned on. The calibration of the detection unit 341 can be performed without giving.
When the control device 20 detects a touch operation on the operation unit / display unit 50 while the initial display is being displayed, the control device 20 selects the operation unit / display unit 50 corresponding to the setting content currently selected as the normal display. Hierarchy display units 52 and 53 belonging to layers other than the upper layer are also displayed. According to this, when the user wants to confirm the currently set content, the details of the currently selected set content can be easily confirmed.

The control device 20 displays the display unit and the “start / pause” button 58 as a preparatory display after the power is turned on until the initial display is displayed, with non-display or lower brightness than the initial display. Let According to this, the user can recognize at a glance that the operation panel cannot be operated while the preparation display is displayed. Therefore, the operability of the operation panel 30 can be improved.
In addition, when the state that is not operated by the user continues for a predetermined period, the control device 20 turns off the light source 36 and puts the operation panel 30 in a standby state. When the control device 20 detects the approach of the user in the standby state, the control device 20 operates the detection / display circuit 321 to turn on the light source 36 again to perform a necessary display, and operates the operation panel 30. Make it possible. According to this, the power consumption of the operation panel 30 can be reduced.

And the control apparatus 20 detects a user's approach using the detection part 341 for detecting operation with respect to the operation panel 30. FIG. According to this, it is not necessary to separately provide a sensor or the like for detecting the approach of the user.
The washing machine 10 is set for the operation panel 30 when the washing machine 10 is displayed at a store or the like in addition to the normal mode set when the washing machine 10 is actually used. It has a demo mode. In the store, the lighting is bright so that the product can be seen better than in a general household where the washing machine is actually used, so the demo mode displays the display units 50 and 60 with higher brightness than the normal mode. It is supposed to let you. According to this, for example, even when the washing machine 10 is displayed at a storefront, the display units 50 and 60 of the operation panel 30 can be clearly displayed even in a bright environment.

  The operation unit / display unit 50, the setting display unit 61, and the status display unit 63 are displayed in a white color, while the caution display unit 64 is displayed in a warm color such as red or orange. The According to this, the display content of the caution display unit 64 can be made more conspicuous, and as a result, the user's attention can be drawn more effectively.

(Second embodiment)
Hereinafter, the washing machine according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, since the structure of a washing machine is substantially the same as 1st embodiment, the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted also referring FIGS.
In the present embodiment, the operation panel 30 (see FIG. 1) of the washing machine 10 is provided with a decorative panel 31 on the surface side. As described in the first embodiment, the decorative panel 31 has a light shielding property as a whole, and has a light transmitting property at a portion corresponding to a setting character or the like. The surface of the decorative panel 31, that is, the surface of the decorative panel 31 is painted with the same white paint as that of the washing machine body 11. Further, the surface of the operation panel 30 is formed in a substantially flat shape with no irregularities (however, a curved shape matching the shape of the upper side of the washing machine 10).

  A light source 36 (see FIG. 4, corresponding to a white light source) is provided on the back side of the decorative panel. This light source is composed of a white LED and emits white light. That is, the washing machine 10 of the present embodiment includes an operation unit / display unit 50 (see FIG. 6, which corresponds to a white display unit) that displays setting items and the like with white characters on the white operation panel 30. Yes. Note that the decorative panel 31 may have a surface with a design such as a hairline.

  By providing such a configuration, the washing machine 10 of the present embodiment can configure the periphery of the operation panel 30 to be a flat surface, and at the time of setting, it is possible to produce an effect that characters appear on the surface. . As a result, white characters (operation unit / display unit 50) come to a fantastic appearance in the white background (the surface of the operation panel 30), and the design can be further improved.

  By the way, since the operation unit / display unit 50 is for notifying the user of the operation content, it is desirable to display the operation content in an easy-to-see manner. However, when displaying white characters and symbols on the white operation panel 30, the contrast between the background and the characters is low, and it is required to increase the luminance of the light source 36 in order to display the characters and the like easily. . On the other hand, increasing the luminance of the light source 36 increases the power consumption. In particular, in the case where the operation is abundantly set like the washing machine 10 of the embodiment, in other words, when the number of the light sources 36 is large, the power consumption tends to increase.

Therefore, in the washing machine 10 of the present embodiment, low power consumption is achieved as follows.
As shown in FIG. 30, when the washing machine 10 is turned on (S1), the display unit is turned on (S2). More specifically, in the operation unit / display unit 50, the light source 36 corresponding to the start / pause button 58, the dial 57, the display unit 571, and the first layer group 51 (see FIG. 7) which is the highest layer. Lights up. As in the first embodiment, the brightness of the washing / drying button 512 corresponding to the selected operation (that is, the setting content at the previous operation) is turned on higher than other buttons, or the second hierarchy group 52 (see FIG. 7), the third layer group 53 (see FIG. 7), and the like may also be lit. Moreover, you may make it light the button corresponding to the process included in the selected driving | operation.

Subsequently, the washing machine 10 determines whether the start / pause button 58 has been operated (S3) and whether any setting button (button other than the start / pause button 58) has been operated (S6). Note that step S6 includes touching the switching display area 40 as shown in FIG. 15 of the first embodiment.
When any setting button is operated (S6: YES), the washing machine 10 updates the corresponding setting. When the start / pause button 58 is operated (S3: YES), the washing machine 10 turns off the display unit (S4) and starts the selected operation (S5).

  As described above, the washing machine 10 turns off the light source 36 after the set operation start operation is performed. This is because the user is considered to move away from the washing machine 10 when the operation is started, and thus it is considered that the necessity of displaying is low. As a result, it is possible to clearly see characters and the like at the time of setting, and after the operation is started, dimming is performed to turn off the light source 36 to reduce power consumption. Therefore, the power consumption of the washing machine 10 can be reduced.

According to the washing machine 10 of the present embodiment described above, a plurality of white display units that display the setting content related to driving in white with light from a white light source, and an operation in which the surface side corresponding to the white display unit is a white system And a panel, so that white characters appear fantastically in a white background, and the design can be further improved.
In addition, since the light source 36 is turned off for a predetermined period (in the present embodiment, the predetermined period is set to 0 seconds) after the operation start operation is performed, low power consumption can be achieved.
Further, since there is almost no unevenness on the surface of the operation panel 30 as in the prior art, cleaning can be easily performed in the washing machine 10 that is likely to be exposed to water, detergent, or the like.

Instead of turning off the light source 36, the luminance may be lowered as compared with when the setting operation is performed. Thereby, the power consumption of white LED can be reduced and reduction in power consumption can be achieved.
Furthermore, after a predetermined period has elapsed since the start / pause button 58 was operated, dimming such as turning off or reducing the brightness may be performed. The predetermined period may be set to a time (for example, several tens of seconds) that allows the user to confirm the setting contents after the start of driving. In addition, after the start / pause button 58 is operated and the display of the amount of detergent such as weight sensing is completed, the light is turned off at the same time or after the start of water supply (that is, after the actual washing operation is started). The luminance may be reduced.

In this case, it is conceivable to dimm at least a part of the light sources 36. For example, only the light source 36 corresponding to the item included in the selected operation is turned on, and if another light source 36 (for example, “washing and drying” operation is selected, “dry” button 512, “washing”). The power consumption may be reduced by turning off the light source 36 corresponding to the button 513, the “sterilization / deodorization” button 514, and the like.
At the time of setting, the light source 36 included in the process (for example, “wash” button 521, “rinse” button 522, “dehydration” button 523, and “dry” button 524 shown in FIG. 16) is displayed to start the operation. Later, the “wash” button 521 is displayed with higher brightness than other buttons (but lower brightness than when set), and the button that displays high brightness is changed according to the progress of the process, or the process ends. The light source 36 may be turned off for the button that has been selected. As a result, it is possible to notify the user while reducing power consumption.

The configuration of the buttons and the like shown in the present embodiment is an example, and is not limited to this. For example, a power button composed of a mechanical switch may be provided, and each button described above may be displayed (that is, the light source 36 is turned on) after the power button is operated. Thereby, the standby power when the washing machine 10 is not used can be made zero, and further power saving can be achieved.
The light control processing shown in FIG. 30 may be applied to the washing machine 10 of the first embodiment. For example, the first luminance at the time of setting and the third luminance that is lower than the second luminance are set, and after the operation is started, for example, the third luminance is displayed or the process executed until the operation is completed Of these, it is conceivable to display the current stroke with the third luminance and display the other strokes with the lower luminance of the fourth luminance. Further, when the setting is updated in step S7, power consumption is reduced by setting the selected button to a relatively high brightness and setting the non-selected button to a relatively low brightness (or turning off). Can be achieved.

(Other embodiments)
In the above embodiment, the control device 20 displays the display unit 571 of the dial 57 and the “start / pause” button 58 at the first luminance during the preparation display, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in FIGS. 28A to 28C, the light source 36 corresponding to the display unit 571 of the dial 57 is sequentially switched on to display the display unit 571 of the dial 57 as if rotating. You may let them.

  In the above embodiment, the content of the initial display is based on the operation content predetermined in the product manufacturing stage, but is not limited thereto. For example, the “Good night” course of “Wash and dry” operation was executed in the previous operation, and the water level setting was set to “Medium” and the presence or absence of bath water was set as “Rinse 1” and “Wash” for the additional settings. In this case, as shown in FIG. 29, the control device 20 may store the operation content set in the previous operation and the content of the additional setting and display it as an initial display. This eliminates the need for the user to perform additional settings each time the vehicle is driven, thereby reducing the number of users and, as a result, improving the operability of the operation panel 30.

  In the above embodiment, the display of each display unit 50, 60 is displayed so that the first display and the second display can be distinguished by changing the luminance of the light source 36. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The first display and the second display may be distinguished and displayed by changing the color tone. In this case, for example, when displaying with the first display, the light source 36 emits white as the first color tone, and when displaying with the second display, the light source 36 is displayed with a color other than white, for example, green, as the second color tone. What is necessary is just to make it light-emit. That is, in the above embodiment, the first luminance can be read as the first color tone and the second luminance can be read as the second color tone.

Moreover, the washing machine 10 may not have a drying function, and may be a vertical washing machine. Further, the detection unit 341 is not limited to a capacitance type, and may be, for example, a piezoelectric type, and may be an infrared method, an ultrasonic method, or the like.
Moreover, in the said embodiment, it is set as the button which uses the 3rd hierarchy group 53 as an operation part and display part, and a user touches each button of the 3rd hierarchy group 53 so that a driving course may be selected directly. However, it is not limited to this. For example, not only can the third hierarchy group 53 be directly selected as described above, but also the contents selected from the display units of the third hierarchy group 53 by the user touching a button other than the third hierarchy group 53. The one display unit indicated by is displayed as the second display with the second luminance. Thereby, you may enable it to select the arbitrary driving course shown on the one display part from the driving courses shown on each display part of the 3rd hierarchy 53. FIG.

  In this case, for example, the display of the second luminance portion on the display unit 571 of the dial 57 is moved by a rotary touch operation of the dial 57, and each of the third layer groups 53 is linked to the movement of the display of the second luminance portion. Among the display units, one display unit that displays at the second luminance as the second display is sequentially switched. Thereby, the user can select a desired driving course from the third hierarchy group 53 by the rotary touch operation of the dial 57. Similarly, each time the “Course change / individual menu” button 525 is touched, one of the display units of the third layer group 53 is sequentially switched to one display unit that displays at the second luminance that is the second display. Accordingly, the user can select a desired driving course from the third hierarchy group 53 by repeatedly touching the “course change / individual menu” button 525 a plurality of times. In this way, the user has more variations in the operation of changing the driving course, and the driving course can be selected by an operation method that suits him / her, making it easier to use. Needless to say, the above-described operation variations may be independent or in combination.

  Further, the operation panel 30 has been released from the standby state because the light source 36 is turned on again by detecting the approach of the user in the standby state in which the light source 36 is turned off, but the operation panel 30 is not limited to this. For example, a “home button” dedicated to relighting may be provided, and the “home button” may be touched to release the standby state of the operation panel 30 and the light source 36 may be relighted. In this case, the “home button” may be, for example, one that is lit and displayed when the operation panel 30 is in a standby state or one that is printed on the decorative panel 31 and is always displayed.

  Furthermore, when performing a special operation that is not normally performed, such as time adjustment of a clock displayed on the status display unit 63, the washing machine 10 while pressing a specific switch is used in a conventional configuration including a mechanical switch. By turning on the power, it was possible to shift to a special mode such as the time adjustment mode. However, in the above embodiment, the operation panel 30 does not have a button that can be operated before the washing machine 10 is turned on. Therefore, in the above embodiment, a plurality of buttons that can be operated after power-on, for example, among the buttons of the first layer group 51, the second layer group 52, and the third layer group 53, specific buttons are arranged in a predetermined order. It is possible to cope with the transition to the special mode described above by operating, pressing and holding a specific button, or performing an operation combining them.

  As described above, in the washing machine according to the embodiment, the control unit is currently selected from among the hierarchy display units belonging to at least the highest hierarchy as the initial display after the power is turned on until the touch operation on the operation unit is detected. The hierarchy display section and start button corresponding to the set contents are displayed. According to this, the user can judge at a glance which driving content is currently selected, and can recognize the start button at a glance, and as a result, intuitive operation is possible. Thus, the operability is improved.

  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 equivalents thereof.

  In the drawing, 10 is a washing machine, 11 is a washing machine body, 20 is a control device (control means, dimming means), 30 is an operation panel, 321 is a detection / display circuit (dimming means), and 323 is a 7 segment display ( White display unit), 50 is an operation unit / display unit (white display unit), 51 is a first layer group (white display unit), 52 is a second layer group (white display unit), and 53 is a third layer A group ( White display portion), 55 is a third layer B group (white display portion), 59 is a third layer C group (white display portion), and 58 is a start / pause button (white display portion).

Claims (2)

Provided in the washing machine main body, the surface Ri white der, together have a light shielding property as a whole, a decorative panel in which a plurality of characters or graphics permeability is provided, the decoration panel and the same type A plurality of light sources that irradiate white light from the back side of the decorative panel, and an operation panel that displays information about driving ;
Dimming means for changing the brightness of the light source and adjusting the contrast between the surface of the decorative panel and the character or figure in the operation panel ;
A washing machine comprising: The dimming means lowers the brightness of at least a part of the light source after the set operation start operation is performed, or lowers at least a part of the light source. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the washing machine is turned off.

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