JP6619943B2 - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a washing machine.

  Electrical components such as a motor are attached to the water tank of the washing machine, and these electrical components are each connected to the power unit via electric wires. These electric wires are covered with an insulating coating such as polyvinyl chloride, and the insulating coating usually has a property of being hard and brittle at a low temperature.

  When unexpected unusual operation is performed and a large vibration is generated in the water tank, a large load is applied to those electric wires. In particular, since the insulation coating of the electric wire may be hard at low temperatures, if such unexpected operation is repeatedly performed in the low temperature region, the electric wire may be damaged and cause a failure.

JP 2006-122239 A

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a washing machine capable of suitably protecting an electric wire from vibration of a water tank according to the temperature characteristics of the insulating coating.

In order to achieve the above object, the washing machine of the embodiment stirs the clothes put in and fixed to the outer tub that is the outer surface of the main body, the water tank elastically held in the outer box, and the water tub. A motor for generating a driving force, an insulating coating, an electric wire for energizing the motor, a temperature detecting means for detecting the ambient temperature, a vibration detecting means for detecting the vibration of the water tank, and the vibration of the water tank And a control unit that performs vibration suppression control that suppresses vibration. Further, the control unit is configured to perform the vibration suppression control based on the detection of the temperature detection unit and the vibration detection unit, and for the two continuous temperature zones, the temperature zone A and the temperature zone B The temperature zone A exists on the lower temperature side than the temperature zone B, the first threshold value is set in the temperature zone A, and the second threshold value is set in the temperature zone B, and the vibration detection The value based on the detection by the means has a positive correlation with the magnitude of the vibration of the aquarium, the first threshold is smaller than the second threshold, and the temperature detection means When the temperature detected by the sensor belongs to the temperature zone A, the control unit determines whether to perform the vibration suppression control by comparing a value based on the detection by the vibration detection unit with the first threshold value. The temperature detected by the temperature detecting means is the temperature When belonging to B, the control unit determines whether to perform the vibration suppression control by comparing the vibration detection means by the value and the second threshold value based on the detection.
The washing machine of the embodiment generates an outer box that is an outer surface of the main body, a water tank elastically held in the outer box, and a driving force that is fixed to the water tank and stirs the thrown-in clothes. A motor, an electric wire provided for energizing the motor, temperature detection means for detecting an ambient temperature, vibration detection means for detecting vibration of the water tank, and vibration suppression for suppressing vibration of the water tank A control unit that performs control, and the control unit is configured to perform the vibration suppression control based on detection by the temperature detection unit and the vibration detection unit, and is a temperature range that is two continuous temperature zones. With respect to A and temperature zone B, the temperature zone A exists on the lower temperature side than the temperature zone B, a first threshold value is set for the temperature zone A, and a second threshold value is set for the temperature zone B. Set and based on detection by the vibration detection means The value has a negative correlation with the magnitude of the vibration of the water tank, the first threshold value is larger than the second threshold value, and the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means is the temperature. When belonging to band A, the control unit determines whether or not to perform the vibration suppression control by comparing a value based on detection by the vibration detection unit and the first threshold, and the temperature detection unit When the temperature detected by the sensor belongs to the temperature zone B, the control unit determines whether to perform the vibration suppression control by comparing a value based on the detection by the vibration detection unit and the second threshold value. To do.

External perspective view from the front side of the washing machine of the first embodiment Partially transparent side view of the washing machine of the first embodiment Functional block diagram showing the control system of the first embodiment The figure which shows the table for determining the threshold value regarding the acceleration in 1st embodiment. The figure which shows the washing course in 1st embodiment The flowchart which shows the control in the washing process or the rinse process in 1st embodiment. The figure which shows the relationship between the rotation speed of a motor and acceleration in 1st embodiment. Schematic longitudinal side view of the washing machine of the second embodiment Functional block diagram showing the control system of the second embodiment The figure which shows the table for determining the threshold value regarding the acceleration in 2nd embodiment. The flowchart which shows the control in the washing process or the rinse process in 2nd embodiment. The figure which shows the relationship between the rotation speed of the motor and acceleration in 2nd embodiment. The figure which shows the table for determining the threshold value regarding the acceleration in 3rd embodiment. The flowchart which shows the control in the washing process or the rinse process in 3rd embodiment. The figure which shows the relationship between the water level in the water tank in 3rd embodiment, the rotation speed of the motor in 2nd embodiment, and acceleration. The figure which shows the process for calculating the fluctuation range of q-axis current in 4th embodiment. The figure which shows the table for determining the threshold value regarding the fluctuation range of the q-axis current in 4th embodiment. The flowchart which shows the control in the washing process or the rinse process in 4th embodiment. The figure which shows the relationship between the rotation speed of the motor in 4th embodiment, and the fluctuation range of q-axis current. The flowchart which shows the control in the washing process or the rinse process in 5th embodiment.

Hereinafter, a plurality of embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, about the substantially same component in several embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted.
<First embodiment>
The first embodiment is a so-called vertical washing machine in which the axes of the water tub and the rotating tub are oriented in the vertical direction. Hereinafter, a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7.

First, the mechanical configuration of the washing machine of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
As shown in FIG. 1, the outer box 100 forms the outer surface of the washing machine of the present embodiment, and includes a top cover 101, a side wall 111, and a bottom plate 110.

  The top cover 101 is the uppermost surface of the outer box 100, and an operation panel 105, an outer lid 103, and a rear cover 104 are provided on the upper end of a rectangular frame 102. Although not shown, the frame body 102 includes a recess for installing the operation panel 105 on the front side when viewed from the front side of the outer box 100 (right front in FIG. 1, left in FIG. 2), and immediately behind the recess. Is provided with a clothing insertion opening that is opened and closed by an outer lid 103, and an opening that is closed by a rear cover 104 is provided at the back of the clothing insertion opening (the uppermost portion of the outermost surface of the outer box 100). An operation panel 105, an outer lid 103, and a rear cover 104 are installed at these positions.

  Hereinafter, when explaining the positional relationship of each part, unless otherwise specified, the front side of the outer box 100 is “front”, the rear side of the outer box 100 is “back”, the direction is expressed, and similarly “left”, “Right” also represents left and right viewed from the front side of the outer box 100 unless otherwise specified. In addition, “upper” and “lower” represent up and down in the vertical direction.

  The operation panel 105 is formed in a rectangular plate shape that is long in the left-right direction. The operation panel 105 includes an operation unit that receives an operation by the user and a display unit that performs various notifications to the user. The operation panel 105 is connected to a control device 300 (not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2; see FIG. 3) in a power unit 229 provided on the back side thereof.

  Although not shown, the rear end of the outer lid 103 is connected to the frame body 102 by a hinge. When the handle portion 112 provided on the front side of the upper surface of the outer lid 103 is lifted upward, the hinge serves as a fulcrum. The outer lid 103 can be rotated to open and close the clothes slot. In addition, the outer lid 103 is formed by connecting two horizontally long rectangular plates made of synthetic resin to the front and rear through a hinge different from the hinge, and the outer lid 103 uses the another hinge as a fulcrum. It can be turned into a mountain fold.

  The rear cover 104 is formed in a rectangular plate shape that is long in the left-right direction, and is provided with a water supply port 107 and a bath water supply port 108. Although not shown, the water supply port 107 is connected to an external water supply via an external water supply hose so that tap water can be taken into the apparatus. On the other hand, the bath water supply port 108 can take bath water into the machine by using a bath water pump and a bath water hose (not shown).

The side wall 111 is formed in a rectangular cylindrical shape whose upper and lower ends are opened by a steel plate, and forms a side surface portion of the outer box 100. The bottom plate 110 is mainly made of a synthetic resin and forms the bottom of the outer box 100.
As shown in FIG. 2, a water tank 201 is accommodated in the outer box 100 while being elastically supported by a suspension rod 208 and a suspension 209. The water tank 201 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, and its open end faces upward. The hanging rod 208 is provided at a total of four locations on the left and right sides of the front side and the back side, and the upper end is supported by a support portion (not shown) provided near the upper end of the side wall 111, and the lower end is The water tank 201 is supported via the suspension 209. A motor 203 that rotationally drives the rotating tank 200 and the stirring body 202 is provided on the outside of the tank on the bottom surface of the water tank 201. The motor 203 is a brushless DC motor, and the value of the current flowing through the motor 203 can be measured by a current sensor 303 provided in the power unit 229.

  The rotating tank 200 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, and is rotatably accommodated in the water tank 201 with its open end facing upward. A stirring body 202 is rotatably provided on the bottom surface of the rotating tank 200. The agitator 202 is directly connected to the drive shaft of the motor 203, while the rotating tub 200 is connected to the drive shaft of the motor 203 via the clutch mechanism 207. That is, when the clutch mechanism 207 is connected, both the rotating tub 200 and the stirring body 202 are rotationally driven. However, when the connection by the clutch mechanism 207 is disconnected, only the stirring body 202 is rotationally driven. In addition, a large number of holes 206 that allow water flow and ventilation are provided on the side surface of the rotary tank 200.

  Although not shown, a water supply device provided with a water supply valve 204 (see FIG. 3) and a water injection case is provided at the upper portion of the outer box 100, and tap water is supplied to the rotary tank 200 and the water supply valve 204 according to opening and closing of the water supply valve 204. It introduces into the water tank 201.

  A drain port 220 is provided at the bottom of the water tank 201, and a drain valve 205 is provided directly below the drain port 220. One end of an in-machine drain hose 222 is connected to the outlet side of the drain valve 205. The other end of the in-machine drain hose 222 faces the outside of the machine, and is connected to an unillustrated outside drain hose. When the drain valve 205 is opened, the water in the water tank 201 is discharged out of the machine through the drain port 220, the in-machine drain hose 222, and the outside drain hose.

  An acceleration sensor 301 is provided in the upper part of the outer side of the water tank 201 so that the diameter direction component of the water tank 201 can be measured out of the acceleration generated in the water tank 201. The acceleration sensor 301 functions as a vibration detection unit that detects the vibration of the water tank 201. A temperature sensor 302 is provided in the lower part on the back side of the outer surface of the water tank 201 and functions as temperature detection means for measuring the ambient temperature. Further, an air trap 227 is provided at the lowermost part of the outer surface of the water tank 201, and this air trap 227 is provided with a water level sensor 304 (shown in FIG. 2) provided at the upper part of the outer box 100 via an air tube 228. Not shown, see FIG. 3). Accordingly, the water level sensor 304 can measure the water level in the water tank 201 through a change in air pressure.

  In the power unit 229 provided on the back side of the operation panel 105, in addition to the control device 300 and the current sensor 303, driving circuits 305a to 305d for applying a driving voltage to each electrical component are housed.

  The washing machine of this embodiment includes a control system shown in FIG. The control device 300 is configured around a microcomputer, and functions as a control unit that performs various controls including vibration suppression control described later. The control device 300 determines control contents based on inputs from the operation unit of the operation panel 105, the acceleration sensor 301, the temperature sensor 302, the current sensor 303, and the water level sensor 304, and displays the display unit of the operation panel 105, the motor 203, and the water supply. Control of the valve 204, the drain valve 205, and the clutch mechanism 207 is performed. The operation panel 105, the acceleration sensor 301, the temperature sensor 302, and the water level sensor 304 are connected to the control device 300 via lead wires 306a to 306d, respectively, and the control device 300 controls the operation based on inputs from these. Do. The motor 203, the water supply valve 204, the drain valve 205, and the clutch mechanism 207 are connected to the control device 300 via lead wires 306e to 306h and drive circuits 305a to 305e, respectively, and are driven according to the control signal by the control device 300. A voltage is applied.

  The lead wire 306 is an electric wire provided with an insulating coating mainly composed of polyvinyl chloride and a plasticizer. Insulating coatings mainly composed of polyvinyl chloride and a plasticizer generally have the property of being harder and more brittle at lower temperatures.

  Here, the mechanism by which the lead wire 306 is damaged will be described. If the clothes are biased in the rotating tub 200, a large vibration is generated in the water tub 201 when the agitator 202 is rotated. At this time, the lead wire (for example, the lead wire 306e) that connects the electrical component (for example, the motor 203) provided in the water tank 201 and the electrical component (for example, the power unit 229) provided on the outer box 100 side is bent and stretched. Receive a heavy load. In a high temperature range where the coating is flexible, the lead wire 306 can withstand a relatively large load. However, if the coating is hard and brittle and the large load is repeatedly applied in a low temperature range, the coating of the lead wire 306 may be broken. In order to prevent breakage of the lead wire 306 due to this mechanism, the washing machine of this embodiment performs vibration suppression control described later.

The control device 300 includes a nonvolatile memory inside and stores a table (FIG. 4) for determining a threshold value related to acceleration. In the table of FIG. 4, the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 302 is in three temperature zones (first temperature zone: less than t ₁ , second temperature zone: t ₁ or more and less than t ₂ , third temperature zone: t ₂ or more). being classified. For these three temperature zones, threshold values a ₁ , a ₂ , and a ₃ relating to measured values by the acceleration sensor 301 are set, respectively, and these threshold values are set to smaller values on the lower temperature side (a ₁ <a ₂ <a ₃ ). The washing machine of this embodiment includes a washing course. As shown in FIG. 5, the washing course is a course in which a weight detection process, a washing operation, a rinsing operation, and a dehydrating operation are sequentially performed. Here, the washing operation is an operation in which the combination of the water supply stroke and the washing stroke is performed three times. There is a drainage process between the washing process and the next water supply process. The rinsing operation is an operation in which a drainage process, a shower water injection process, a dehydration process, a water supply process, and a rinsing process are sequentially performed. The dehydration operation is an operation in which a drainage process and a dehydration process are sequentially performed.

  The weight detection process is performed by stirring the dry garment in the rotating tub 200 and calculating and evaluating the q-axis current value from the measured value by the current sensor 303. This is the process of detecting the weight of clothing. The water supply stroke is a stroke in which the water supply valve 204 is opened to supply water to the predetermined water level in the rotary tank 200 and the water tank 201. The drainage process is a process of opening the drainage valve 205 and discharging the water in the water tank 201 to the outside of the apparatus. The shower water injection process is a process of performing water injection while rotating the rotary tank 200. The dehydration process is a process of releasing water to the wet clothing by rotating the rotating tub 200 at a high speed in one direction. At this time, the drain valve 205 is open, and the water released from the clothing is discharged out of the machine.

  The washing process is a process in which water containing the detergent is stored in the water tank 201 and the clothes 202 are washed by rotating the stirring body 202 in a state where the connection by the clutch mechanism 207 is disconnected. This is a process in which the detergent is extracted from the clothes and removed by rotating the stirrer 202 in a state where the water not contained is stored in the water tank 201 and the connection by the clutch mechanism 207 is disconnected. The rotation of the stirring body 202 in the washing process and the rinsing process alternately performs forward rotation and reverse rotation. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, rotating the stirring body 202 forward or backward is referred to as stirring.

  Control in the washing process and the rinsing process of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the following, when the measured value by the acceleration sensor 301 is “greater than the threshold” or “below the threshold”, these are that the absolute value of the measured value is greater than the threshold, respectively, Indicates that it is below the threshold.

  When the washing process or the rinsing process is started (S1), detection by the temperature sensor 302 is first performed (S2), and a threshold value related to the measurement value by the acceleration sensor 301 is set according to the temperature zone to which the measured temperature belongs. (S3).

  Subsequently, stirring is performed while detecting by the acceleration sensor 301 (S4). If the predetermined number of times of stirring is completed by this stirring (YES in S5), the washing process or the rinsing process is finished (S8), and the process proceeds to the next process. If the predetermined number of times of stirring has not been completed (NO in S5), the measured value by the acceleration sensor 301 is compared with the threshold value (S6). When the measured value by the acceleration sensor 301 is always equal to or less than the threshold value during stirring (YES in S6), stirring is performed without changing the rotation speed of the motor 203 (S4). On the other hand, when the time measured by the acceleration sensor 301 is greater than the threshold (NO in S6), as shown in FIG. 7, the rotation of the motor 203 is reduced (S7) and stirring is performed (S4).

  According to the control in the washing process and the rinsing process, when the magnitude of vibration is detected by the acceleration sensor 301 and the measured value by the acceleration sensor 301 is larger than the threshold value (that is, the vibration is large), the rotation of the motor 203 is performed. The vibration is suppressed by decreasing the number and weakening the stirring force for stirring the clothes. That is, the acceleration sensor 301 functions as vibration detection means, and the vibration suppression control is realized by the control device 300 performing control to reduce the rotation speed of the motor 203.

  According to this embodiment, since the threshold value of the acceleration sensor 301 is smaller as the temperature is lower, the lead wire can be effectively protected from the vibration of the water tank 201 in a low temperature region where the insulation of the lead wire is likely to be damaged.

  Note that, as in the washing machine described in Patent Document 1, a threshold value is provided for a value obtained by correcting the measured value obtained by the acceleration sensor 301 with the number of revolutions of the motor 203 instead of the measured value obtained by the acceleration sensor 301. May be detected. Further, vibration of the water tank 201 may be detected based on acceleration in a plurality of directions. In that case, a threshold value may be provided for each direction, or a threshold value may be provided for a value obtained by combining components in each direction.

  In the present embodiment, the stirring force is weakened by performing control to reduce the rotation speed of the motor 203, but instead of lowering the rotation speed of the motor 203, the driving time of the motor 203 (τ in FIG. 7). The stirring force may be weakened by shortening.

<Second Embodiment>
The washing machine of the second embodiment is a so-called drum-type washing machine in which the shafts of the rotating tub and the water tub are facing slightly upward as viewed from the front of the outer box. Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described with a focus on differences from the first embodiment, mainly with reference to FIGS. 8 to 12.

First, the mechanical configuration of the washing machine of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
The outer box 100 has a box shape that forms the outer surface of the washing machine, and a clothing input port 109 is formed on the front surface (left side in FIG. 8), and a door 106 that opens and closes the clothing input port 109 is provided. ing. In addition, an operation panel 105 that accepts an operation by the user and displays it to the user is provided at the upper front of the outer box 100. The bottom of the outer box 100 is constituted by a hard bottom plate 110 and supports the power unit 229 and the vibration-proof suspension 210.

  Hereinafter, when describing the positional relationship of each part, unless otherwise specified, the front side of the outer box 100 is “front”, the rear side of the outer box 1 is “back”, the direction is expressed, and similarly “left”, “Right” also represents left and right viewed from the front side of the outer box 100 unless otherwise specified. In addition, “upper” and “lower” represent up and down in the vertical direction.

  Inside the outer box 100, a water tank 201 formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape is provided with its opening 213 facing slightly upward, and the opening 213 is connected by a clothing input port 109 and a bellows 217. Yes. The water tank 201 is elastically supported in the outer box 100 by a spring (not shown), in addition to the two anti-vibration suspensions 210 arranged on the left and right.

  Although not shown, the vibration-proof suspension 210 is configured around a spring that supports the water tank 201 and absorbs an impact, and a damper that attenuates the vibration of the spring. This damper includes an MR fluid and a solenoid inside, and the damping force can be increased by energizing the solenoid and applying a magnetic field to the MR fluid.

  Inside the water tank 201, a rotating tank 200 formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape is accommodated. Similar to the water tank 201, the rotation tank 200 has its opening 214 facing slightly upward, and the rotation tank 200 passes through the clothing insertion port 109, the opening 213 of the water tank 201, and the opening 214 of the rotation tank 200. Clothes can be taken in and out from the inside. The rotary tank 200 is connected to a drive shaft of a motor 203 provided on the bottom surface of the water tank 201 and is rotated by the motor 203. The motor 203 is a brushless DC motor, and a current value flowing through the motor 203 can be measured by a current sensor 303. Baffles 215 are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on the inner surface of the rotating tub 200, and the clothes in the rotating tub 200 are stirred up by the baffles 215 when the rotating tub 200 rotates. In addition, a large number of holes 206 that allow water flow and ventilation are provided on the side circumferential surface of the rotating tub 200.

  An acceleration sensor 301 is provided on the outer surface of the water tank 201. The acceleration sensor 301 is provided on the upper front side of the outer surface of the water tank 201, and can measure a diameter direction component of the water tank 201 among accelerations generated in the water tank 201.

  A water supply valve 204 and a water injection case 212 are provided at the top of the outer box 100, and the water supply valve 204 and the water injection case 212 are connected by a connection pipe 218. Although not shown, the water supply valve 204 is connected to an external water supply via a water supply port 107 and an external water supply hose. The water injection case 212 is provided with a detergent storage part (not shown), and the water injection case 212 is connected to the water tank 201 by an in-machine water supply hose 219. When the water supply valve 204 is opened, external water is taken into the water tank 201 through the external water supply hose, the water supply port 107, the water supply valve 204, the connection pipe 218, the water injection case 212, and the internal water supply hose 219. A water supply device 211 is configured by the water supply valve 204, the connection pipe 218, the water injection case 212, and the in-machine water supply hose 219.

  A drain outlet 220 is formed at the bottom on the back side of the water tank 201. A filter case 221 provided with a lint filter is provided at the bottom on the front side of the outer box 100, and the drain port 220 and the filter case 221 are connected to each other by an in-machine drain hose 222. The lint filter in the filter case 221 has a function of filtering out dust such as lint in the water. A drain valve 205 is provided at the bottom of the filter case 221, and one end of a drain pipe 223 is connected to the outlet side of the drain valve 205. The other end of the drain pipe 223 faces the outside of the machine and is connected to an unshown drain hose not shown. When the drain valve 205 is opened, the water in the water tank 201 is discharged to the outside through the drain port 220, the in-machine drain hose 222, the filter case 221, the drain valve 205, and the drain pipe 223.

  A circulation pump 224 is connected to the back side of the filter case 221. One end of a water supply hose 225 is connected to the upper part of the circulation pump 224, and the other end of the water supply hose 225 is connected to a water discharge nozzle 226 that faces the inside of the rotary tank 200 in the vicinity of the upper end of the opening 213 of the water tank 201. Yes. When the circulation pump 224 is driven, the water in the water tank 201 is sent to the water discharge nozzle 226 through the in-machine drain hose 222, the filter case 221, the circulation pump 224, and the water supply hose 225, and from the water discharge nozzle 226 to the clothing in the rotary tank 200. It is injected towards.

  An air trap 227 is provided on the upper front side of the filter case 221, and a water level sensor 304 is provided on the uppermost back side of the outer box 100. The air trap 227 and the water level sensor 304 are connected by an air tube 228, whereby the water level sensor 304 can measure the water level in the water tank 201 through a change in air pressure.

A temperature sensor 302 is provided at the lower part of the inner surface of the outer box 100. The temperature sensor 302 functions as a temperature detection unit that detects the ambient temperature.
Although not shown in FIG. 8, in addition to the control device 300 and the current sensor 303, the power unit 229 provided on the bottom plate 110 houses drive circuits 305a, 305b, 305c, and 305e that apply a drive voltage to each electrical component. It has been.

  The washing machine of this embodiment includes a control system shown in FIG. The control system of this embodiment has substantially the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, but is different in that it does not have the clutch mechanism 207 and has the circulation pump 224. The circulation pump 224 is connected to the control device 300 via a lead wire 306i and a drive circuit 305e, and the drive circuit 305e applies a drive voltage to the circulation pump 224 in accordance with a control signal from the control device 300.

In the present embodiment, the control device 300 includes a nonvolatile memory therein and stores a table (FIG. 10) for determining a threshold value related to acceleration. In the table of FIG. 10, the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 302 has four temperature zones (first temperature zone: less than t ₁ , second temperature zone: t _{1 to} less than t ₂ , third temperature zone: t _{2 to} t ₃ below, the fourth temperature range: fall into t ₃ or higher). Among these four temperature zones, for the three temperature zones on the low temperature side (from the first temperature zone to the third temperature zone), threshold values b ₁ and b ₂ relating to the measured values by the acceleration sensor 301 are sequentially provided from the low temperature side. , B ₃ are set, and these threshold values are set to smaller values on the lower temperature side (b ₁ <b ₂ <b ₃ ). On the other hand, no threshold is set for the fourth temperature zone on the highest temperature side.

  The laundry course of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. However, in this embodiment, the clothes are stirred and washed by the rotation of the rotating tub 200 rather than the rotation of the stirring body 202. The rotation of the rotary tub 200 in the washing process and the rinsing process alternately performs forward rotation and reverse rotation. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, rotating the rotating tank 200 forward or backward for a predetermined time is referred to as stirring.

Control in the washing process and the rinsing process of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
When the washing process or the rinsing process is started (S1), detection by the temperature sensor 302 is first performed (S2), and a threshold value related to the measurement value by the acceleration sensor 301 is set according to the temperature zone to which the measured temperature belongs. (S3).

  Subsequently, stirring is performed while detecting by the acceleration sensor 301 (S4). If the predetermined number of times of stirring is completed by this stirring (YES in S5), the washing process or the rinsing process is finished (S8), and the process proceeds to the next process. If the predetermined number of times of stirring has not been completed (NO in S5), the measured value by the acceleration sensor 301 is compared with the threshold value (S6). When the measured value by the acceleration sensor 301 is always equal to or less than the threshold value during stirring (YES in S6), stirring is performed without changing the rotation speed of the motor 203 (S4). On the other hand, when the time measured by the acceleration sensor 301 is greater than the threshold (NO in S6), as shown in FIG. 12, the rotation speed of the motor 203 is decreased (S7) and stirring is performed (S4).

  According to the control in the washing process and the rinsing process, the magnitude of the vibration is detected by the acceleration sensor 301. The vibration is suppressed by decreasing the number and weakening the stirring force for stirring the clothes. That is, the acceleration sensor 301 functions as a vibration detection unit, and the vibration suppression control is realized by the control device 300 performing control to reduce the rotation speed of the motor 203.

  According to this embodiment, the cleaning performance can be improved by allowing the water tank 201 to vibrate without providing a threshold value in a high temperature range where the covering of the lead wire 306 has sufficient flexibility and the risk of breakage is small. it can.

  In this embodiment, even after the measured value by the acceleration sensor 301 exceeds the threshold value, the stirring is continued while maintaining the rotation speed of the motor 203 until a predetermined time elapses, but the time point when the measured value exceeds the threshold value. Thus, the rotational speed of the motor 203 may be reduced or the stirring may be interrupted.

<Third embodiment>
The third embodiment will be described mainly with respect to parts different from the first embodiment with reference to FIGS. 13 to 15.

  In the present embodiment, when the value measured by the acceleration sensor 301 exceeds a threshold set for each temperature zone, vibration suppression is performed by supplying water. When the water level is raised by supplying water, the buoyancy is exerted on the clothing, so that the state where the clothing is biased at the bottom of the rotating tub is eliminated, and the imbalance that causes vibration can be eliminated.

In the present embodiment, the control device 300 includes a nonvolatile memory inside and stores a table (FIG. 13) for determining a threshold value related to acceleration. In the table of FIG. 13, the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 302 is classified into two temperature zones (first temperature zone: less than t ₁ , second temperature zone: t ₁ or more). Of these two temperature zones, the threshold c ₁ is set in the low temperature zone (first temperature zone: less than t ₁ ), but the high temperature side temperature zone (second temperature zone: t ₁ or more). ), No threshold is set.

Hereinafter, control in the washing process and the rinsing process of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
When the washing process or the rinsing process is started (S1), detection by the temperature sensor 302 is first performed (S2), and a threshold value related to the measurement value by the acceleration sensor 301 is set according to the temperature zone to which the measured temperature belongs. (S3).

  Subsequently, stirring is performed while detecting by the acceleration sensor 301 (S4). If the predetermined number of times of stirring is completed by this stirring (YES in S5), the washing process or the rinsing process is finished (S8), and the process proceeds to the next process. If the predetermined number of times of stirring has not been completed (NO in S5), the measured value by the acceleration sensor 301 is compared with the threshold value (S6). When the measured value by the acceleration sensor 301 is always equal to or less than the threshold value during stirring (YES in S6), stirring is performed without changing the water level (S4). On the other hand, when there is a time when the measured value by the acceleration sensor 301 is larger than the threshold (NO in S6), as shown in FIG. 15, the water level is raised to raise the water level (S9) and then the agitation is performed (S4). .

  According to the control in the washing process and the rinsing process, the magnitude of vibration is detected by the acceleration sensor 301. If the measured value by the acceleration sensor 301 is larger than the threshold value (that is, the vibration is large), water is supplied. Vibration is suppressed by raising the water level. That is, the vibration suppression control is realized by the control device 300 performing the control of supplying water.

According to this embodiment, since vibration suppression is performed by supplying water, the cleaning power can be kept high as compared with the case of limiting performance such as reducing the number of rotations of the motor 203.
In addition, this embodiment has an effect similarly also in what is called a drum type washing machine.

<Fourth embodiment>
The fourth embodiment will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. 16 to 19 with a focus on differences from the second embodiment.

  This embodiment does not have an acceleration sensor, and the fluctuation range of the q-axis current calculated from the measured value by the current sensor 303 is a threshold value set for each temperature zone according to the clothing weight detected in the weight detection process. Is exceeded, the vibration is suppressed by lowering the rotation speed of the motor 203. Although detailed description is omitted, the q-axis current is a component proportional to the load of the motor 203 in the current flowing through the motor 203. If there is uneven clothing in the rotary tub 200, the load applied to the motor 203 varies depending on the position of the uneven clothing, so the variation range of the q-axis current value increases. That is, the vibration of the water tank 201 can be indirectly detected by measuring the fluctuation range of the q-axis current value of the motor 203.

A method for evaluating the fluctuation range of the q-axis current value will be briefly described. FIG. 16A shows a waveform obtained by cutting a DC component from a q-axis current by a high-pass filter (I _q ^(AC)) . When this is squared ((I _q ^(AC) ) ² ), a waveform as shown in FIG. 16 (b) is obtained, and when the high frequency component is cut through a low-pass filter, the fluctuation range shown in FIG. 16 (c) is obtained. A waveform of H is obtained.

In the present embodiment, the control device 300 includes a non-volatile memory therein and stores a table (FIG. 17) for determining a threshold value related to the fluctuation range H. In the table of FIG. 17, clothing weights are classified into four weight ranks (rank 1: less than 1 kg, rank 2: 1 kg or more and less than 3 kg, rank 3: 3 kg or more and less than 5 kg, rank 4: 5 kg or more). The temperature detected by the temperature sensor 302 is classified into two temperature zones (first temperature zone: less than t ₁ , second temperature zone: t ₁ or more). A threshold is set for each set of weight rank and temperature zone (when the measured temperature belongs to the i-th temperature zone and the measured weight belongs to the weight rank j, the threshold d _ij is set). For each weight rank, the threshold of the first temperature zone is set smaller than the threshold of the second temperature zone (d _1j <d _2j ). For each temperature zone, a larger threshold is set as the weight increases (d _i1 <d _i2 <d _i3 <d _i4 ). As a result, when the clothing weight is large, the fluctuation range H becomes large even with a small imbalance. Therefore, when the clothing weight is large, the threshold value is also set to a large value to offset the effect of the clothing weight.

Hereinafter, control in the washing process and the rinsing process of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
When the washing process or the rinsing process is started (S1), detection is first performed by the temperature sensor 302 (S2), and the threshold value of the current sensor 303 is set according to the weight rank and the temperature range to which the measured temperature belongs. (S11).

  Subsequently, stirring is performed while detecting with the current sensor 303 (S12). If the predetermined number of times of stirring is completed by this stirring (YES in S5), the washing process or the rinsing process is finished (S8), and the process proceeds to the next process. If the predetermined number of times of stirring has not been completed (NO in S5), the measured value by the current sensor 303 is compared with the threshold value (S13). If the measured value by the current sensor 303 is always equal to or less than the threshold value during stirring (YES in S13), stirring is performed without changing the rotation speed of the motor 203 (S12). On the other hand, when the time measured by the current sensor 303 is larger than the threshold value (NO in S6), as shown in FIG. 19, the number of rotations of the motor 203 is reduced (S7) and stirring is performed (S12).

  According to the control in the washing process and the rinsing process, the magnitude of vibration is detected from the fluctuation range of the q-axis current calculated from the measurement value by the current sensor 303, and the fluctuation range of the q-axis current is larger than the threshold value ( In other words, when the vibration is large), the number of rotations of the motor 203 is decreased to suppress the vibration by weakening the stirring force for stirring the clothes. In other words, the vibration suppression control is realized by the current sensor 303 functioning as a vibration detection unit and the control device 300 performing control to reduce the rotation speed of the motor 203.

  According to this embodiment, since vibration of the water tank 201 is detected by the current sensor 303, vibration suppression can be performed without attaching an acceleration sensor. That is, in a washing machine having a general configuration, it can be realized simply by attaching the temperature sensor 302 and changing the control of the number of revolutions of the motor 203, so that it is easy to adopt in design.

In the so-called vertical washing machine, if there is uneven clothing in the rotary tub 200, the resistance when rotating the agitator increases, so the q-axis current value increases. Accordingly, vibration can be detected by the current sensor even in the vertical washing machine, and this embodiment can be applied to the vertical washing machine.
Further, the current value used in the present embodiment may not be the q-axis current, and for example, the load on the motor 203 can be estimated from the total energization amount to the motor 203.

<Fifth embodiment>
The fifth embodiment will be described with a focus on differences from the first embodiment.
The washing machine of this embodiment does not have the acceleration sensor 301 and does not detect the vibration of the water tank 201. Instead, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 302 is less than t ₁ decreases the rotational speed of the motor 203 in the wash step and for rinsing cycle in washing course. Control in the washing process and the rinsing process of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the washing process or the rinsing process is started (S1), detection by the temperature sensor 302 is first performed (S2), and it is determined whether or not the detected temperature is t ₁ or more (S14).
When the detected temperature is equal to or higher than t ₁ (YES in S14), stirring is performed by rotating the motor 302 at a normal rotational speed (S15), and when the predetermined number of times of stirring is completed, the process is terminated (S8).

On the other hand, when the detected temperature is less than t ₁ (NO in S14), the motor 302 is rotated at a lower rotational speed than the normal rotational speed to perform stirring (S16), and when the predetermined number of stirrings are completed. The process is terminated (S8).

In the washing process and the rinsing process, the vibration suppression control is realized by the control device 300 performing control to reduce the rotation speed of the motor 203.
According to this embodiment, since the acceleration sensor 302 and the current sensor 303 are not required, vibration suppression can be performed at low cost in accordance with the temperature characteristics of the lead wire coating.

<Other embodiments>
In the first to fifth embodiments, vibration suppression control is performed in the washing process and the rinsing process, but it can also be applied to processes other than the washing process and the rinsing process (for example, the dehydration process and the drying process). It is.

  The temperature sensor 302 may be provided other than the positions shown in the first to fifth embodiments (the circumferential surface on the water tank 201 side and the inner side surface of the outer box 100). For example, it may be provided on the back surface of the operation panel 105, or may be provided so that the sensor part comes out on the outer surface of the outer box 100. If the temperature sensor 302 is provided so that the sensor unit faces the inside of the outer box 100, the temperature at which the lead wire 306 is placed can be measured more accurately. On the other hand, when the temperature sensor 302 is provided so that the sensor unit faces the outside of the outer box 100, it is possible to prevent erroneous detection when the temperature only in the vicinity of the temperature sensor 302 is increased due to heat radiation from the electrical components.

  The power unit 229 may be provided at a position other than the positions shown in the first to fifth embodiments (on the back side of the operation panel 105 and the bottom plate 110), and a part or all of the control device 300 is provided outside the power unit 229. May be provided.

  The covering of the lead wire 306 may not be made of a polyvinyl chloride material, and the same effect can be obtained with an alternative material such as a polyethylene material. In addition, the same effect can be obtained by replacing the lead wire 306 with various electric wires other than the lead wire and having an insulating coating.

  The vibration detecting means can be realized in various forms other than those described in the first to fifth embodiments. For example, a mechanical switch is provided in the outer box 100 and the switch is pushed by the water tank 201, or a proximity sensor is provided in the outer box 100 to detect that the water tank 201 approaches the proximity sensor. Vibration can also be detected by providing piezoelectric elements on the support rods 208 at the four corners of the vertical washing machine and the left and right anti-vibration suspensions 210 of the drum type washing machine and measuring the load change.

  In the first to fifth embodiments, the value based on the detection by the vibration detection unit has a positive correlation with the magnitude of vibration (vibration amplitude) of the water tank 201, but the value based on the detection by the vibration detection unit May have a negative correlation with the vibration amplitude of the water tank 201 (for example, the reciprocal of the fluctuation width H of the fluctuation width H of the q-axis current value in the fourth embodiment is detected by the vibration detection means. Based on). In this case, if the threshold for the value based on the detection by the vibration detection means is set to a larger value as the temperature is lower, the lead wire is effectively removed from the vibration of the water tank 201 in the low temperature region where the insulation of the lead wire is likely to be damaged. Can be protected.

  According to at least one embodiment described above, since vibration suppression control is performed based on detection by the temperature detection means, the electric wire can be suitably protected from the vibration of the water tank in accordance with the temperature characteristics of the insulating coating.

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

  In the drawings, 100 is an outer box, 200 is a rotating tank, 201 is a water tank, 202 is a stirring body, 203 is a motor, 211 is a water supply device, 300 is a control device (control unit, vibration detection means), 301 is an acceleration sensor (vibration) Detection means), 302 is a temperature sensor (temperature detection means), 303 is a current sensor (vibration detection means), 305a to 305e are drive circuits, and 306a to 306i are lead wires (electric wires).

Claims (2)

An outer box which is the outer surface of the main body,
A water tank elastically held in the outer box;
A motor that is fixed to the aquarium and generates a driving force for stirring the charged clothes;
An electric wire provided with an insulation coating and used for energizing the motor;
Temperature detection means for detecting the ambient temperature;
Vibration detecting means for detecting vibration of the water tank;
A control unit for performing vibration suppression control for suppressing vibration of the water tank;
With
The control unit is configured to perform the vibration suppression control based on detection of the temperature detection unit and the vibration detection unit,
For temperature zone A and temperature zone B, which are two consecutive temperature zones, temperature zone A exists on the lower temperature side than temperature zone B,
A first threshold value is set for the temperature zone A, and a second threshold value is set for the temperature zone B,
The value based on the detection by the vibration detection means has a positive correlation with the magnitude of the vibration of the water tank,
The first threshold is smaller than the second threshold,
When the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit belongs to the temperature zone A, the control unit performs the vibration suppression control by comparing a value based on the detection by the vibration detection unit with the first threshold value. Decide whether or not
When the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit belongs to the temperature zone B, the control unit performs the vibration suppression control by comparing a value based on the detection by the vibration detection unit with the second threshold value. A washing machine that decides whether or not. An outer box which is the outer surface of the main body,
A water tank elastically held in the outer box;
A motor that is fixed to the aquarium and generates a driving force for stirring the charged clothes;
An electric wire provided with an insulation coating and used for energizing the motor;
Temperature detection means for detecting the ambient temperature;
Vibration detecting means for detecting vibration of the water tank;
A control unit for performing vibration suppression control for suppressing vibration of the water tank;
With
The control unit is configured to perform the vibration suppression control based on detection of the temperature detection unit and the vibration detection unit,
For temperature zone A and temperature zone B, which are two consecutive temperature zones, temperature zone A exists on the lower temperature side than temperature zone B,
A first threshold value is set for the temperature zone A, and a second threshold value is set for the temperature zone B,
The value based on the detection by the vibration detecting means has a negative correlation with the magnitude of the vibration of the aquarium,
The first threshold is greater than the second threshold,
When the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit belongs to the temperature zone A, the control unit performs the vibration suppression control by comparing a value based on the detection by the vibration detection unit with the first threshold value. Decide whether or not
When the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit belongs to the temperature zone B, the control unit performs the vibration suppression control by comparing a value based on the detection by the vibration detection unit with the second threshold value. A washing machine that decides whether or not.

Images