JP6719195B2 - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more particularly to a technique for improving energy efficiency and reducing vibration.

In recent years, in order to suppress global warming due to greenhouse gases, suppression of fossil fuel consumption, improvement of equipment operation methods, efficiency improvement, etc. have been promoted. Further, even in general households, awareness of energy saving for the purpose of reducing utility costs is improved, and household appliances with higher energy efficiency are often preferred.

BACKGROUND ART A washing machine, for example, a drum type washer/dryer, puts clothes in a washing tub which is substantially horizontal or is inclined with its front (clothing inlet) facing upward, washing, rinsing, dehydrating and drying. At the time of washing, rinsing, and drying, the drum is rotated at a low speed, the clothing accumulated under the drum is lifted, and the tumbling operation is performed to drop it from above the drum. By this tumbling operation, the clothes are washed by applying a mechanical force. At the time of spin-drying, the washing tub is rotated at a high speed, and centrifugal water is pushed out of the clothes by the centrifugal force of the spin.

Rotational imbalance occurs in the washing machine due to uneven clothes. In particular, rotational imbalance due to uneven distribution of clothes containing water during dehydration is a source of vibration and noise, which is a problem. As a countermeasure, a washing machine, especially a drum type washing machine, uses a suspension that combines a spring and a damper to elastically support the washing tub to take measures against vibration.

As a further measure, technology has been developed to control the damping by variably controlling the damping rate of the suspension according to the vibration of the washing tub. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2012-245330 (Patent Document 1) controls a damping force of a damper by inserting a magnetic material into an oil damper and generating a magnetic field from an external coil. Further, it has been shown that it is possible to generate electricity by vibrating the magnetic material in the oil damper. Further, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2011-106571 (Patent Document 2) discloses a technique in which a linear actuator is applied as a motor, and a spring is further combined to actively control vibration of a washing tub. In addition, it has been shown that electric energy can be recovered by generating power from vibration energy using a linear motor depending on the operating conditions.

JP2012-245330 JP 2011-106571

The problems of the washing machine to which the above conventional technique is applied will be described, and the problems to be solved by the present invention will be described.

First, in the case of Patent Document 1, since the fluidity of the magnetic material in the damper changes due to the magnetic field from the external coil, the variable damper is obtained. However, the damping force of the damper is a rough control of two-step switching level by magnetic field on-off and strong, medium and weak level, and it is not sufficient to control the vibration of the washing tub which rotates at high speed in a short time during dehydration. there were. On the other hand, regarding the power generation capacity, since the external coil and the magnetic body are arranged via the cylinder wall, the gap between the electrodes is wide, and only low-efficiency power generation is possible.

Next, in the case of Patent Document 2, a DC power source is generated from a commercial AC power source, and vector control is performed so as to cancel the vibration, thereby actively controlling the linear motor. Specifically, it has a complicated circuit configuration and motor configuration in which a position sensor is installed on an object to be damped, speed and acceleration are calculated by an arithmetic circuit, and the information is fed back to the control of the linear motor. Therefore, the system cost is high and it is not suitable for application to washing machines, which are general durable goods.

Furthermore, all of the conventional techniques enable power generation by vibration, but how to convert the obtained AC current, even though the AC current obtained is electricity with characteristics different from those of the commercial power source (100V, 50Hz or 60Hz). There is no specific disclosure of whether to utilize it in a washing machine.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a low-cost and highly energy-efficient washing machine.

In order to solve the above problems, in the washing machine of the present invention , as an example, a casing, a washing tub for containing clothes in the casing, an outer tub for enclosing the washing tub, and a rotating washing tub A drive mechanism for driving, a main circuit for controlling the drive mechanism, an anti-vibration support mechanism for elastically supporting the outer tub to the housing, and a step-up regenerative circuit connected to the anti-vibration support mechanism. The anti-vibration support mechanism is composed of a spring and a linear generator, the linear generator has a stator having windings and a mover having permanent magnets, and the step-up regenerative circuit has a variable resistance. And rectifying and boosting the alternating current generated in the linear generator by the boost regeneration circuit and energizing the main circuit to change the magnetic flux of the linear generator due to the rotation of the washing tub. a configuration in which the regeneration by controlling the variable resistor in accordance with the.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a low-cost and highly energy-efficient washing machine.

1 is a perspective view showing a washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a right side sectional view showing a washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a vibration isolation support mechanism of the washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram showing a linear generator of a washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a wiring diagram of a washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a graph showing the rotation speed and vibration of the washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a wiring diagram of a washing machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a wiring diagram (No. 1) of the washing machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a wiring diagram (No. 2) of the washing machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, an example of a mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each figure, common components are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

(Example 1)
1 is a perspective view showing a washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a right side sectional view showing the washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment, an example applied to a drum type washer/dryer as a washing machine will be described.

The casing 1 that constitutes the outer casing of the washing machine is mounted on the base 1a, and is composed of left and right side plates 1b, a front cover 1c, a rear cover (not shown), a top cover 1d, and a lower front cover 1e. ，It has a box shape.

The door 2 closes an entrance provided at a substantially central portion of the front cover 1c for putting in and taking out clothes.

The operation/display panel 3 provided in the center of the upper part of the housing 1 includes an electric switch 4, an operation switch 5, and an indicator 6.

The washing tub 7 shown in FIG. 2 is rotatably supported, has a large number of through holes for water and ventilation in its outer peripheral wall and bottom wall, and has an opening for taking clothes in and out at the front end. A part 7a is provided. A plurality of lifters 7b extending in the axial direction are provided inside the washing tub 7. When the washing tub 7 is rotated during washing and drying, the clothes are lifted along the outer peripheral wall by the centrifugal force with the lifter 7b and fall by gravity. Repeats such movements. The central axis of rotation of the washing tub 7 is inclined horizontally or so that the opening 7a side becomes higher.

The cylindrical outer tank 8 is composed of a water tank 8a and a tank cover 8b. The outer tub 8 contains the washing tub 7 coaxially, and the drive mechanism 9 (motor) is attached to the outer center of the rear end face. The rotating shaft of the drive mechanism 9 penetrates the outer tub 8 and is connected to the washing tub 7.

A drain port 8c is provided at the bottom of the bottom of the outer tub 8, and a drain hose 10 is connected to the drain port 8c. A drain valve (not shown) is provided in the middle of the drain hose 10, and the drain valve is closed to supply water to the outer tub 8, and the drain valve is opened to remove the water in the outer tub 8 from the outside of the machine. To discharge. A vibration detector 8d is provided below the outer tank 8 to measure the vibration of the outer tank 8. The measured vibration is compared with a preset threshold value, and when the amplitude is large, the rotation of the washing tub 7 is stopped and safe operation is performed.

The blower unit 11 is arranged in the upper part of the housing 1, and has a blower fan and a heater (neither shown) incorporated therein. Air is blown by a fan to the heater that has generated heat, and hot air is blown to the washing tub 7 for drying.

The lower portion of the outer tub 8 is supported by a pair of left and right anti-vibration support mechanisms 12 fixed to the base 1a. FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of the vibration isolation support mechanism 12. The vibration isolation support mechanism 12 is composed of a spring 13 and a linear generator 14. Here, the elastic part is not limited to the spring, and a mechanism using rubber or hydraulic pressure may be applied as long as it has elasticity.

FIG. 4 shows an enlarged view of the linear generator 14. The linear generator 14 is composed of a stator 15 and a mover 16. The stator 15 is provided with a winding 18 on a core 17 (a laminated body of electromagnetic steel plates) and becomes an electromagnet when energized. The mover 16 has a permanent magnet 20 attached to or fitted to a metal plate 19. One end of the mover 16 is fixed to the outer tank 8 and the other end is fixed to the spring 13. As a result, the mover 16 reciprocates due to the vibration of the outer tub 8, and the linear generator 14 generates electricity.

FIG. 5 shows a connection diagram in the first embodiment. The linear generator 14 is connected to the step-up regenerative circuit 21, and is further connected to the main circuit 22 that controls the drive mechanism 9. The boost regeneration circuit 21 includes a rectifier circuit 23, a boost circuit 24, and a resistance circuit 25. Since the mover 16 of the linear generator 14 passively reciprocates due to the vibration of the outer tub 8, neither a position sensor nor an inverter required for general motor control is connected. Further, the boost regeneration circuit 21 is a combination of inexpensive elements, and can be manufactured at low cost. Generally, the drive mechanism 9 is driven by 200-300V, which is a higher voltage than the commercial power supply (100V). Therefore, in order to energize the main circuit 22, the step-up regenerative circuit 21 rectifies the electric power generated by the linear generator and further boosts the voltage to 200-300 V for regeneration.

Next, the relationship between the damping rate control of the anti-vibration support mechanism 12 and the resistance control of the boost regeneration circuit 21 will be described. Here, it is assumed that (linear generator) = (oil damper). In the case of the anti-vibration support mechanism including the spring and the oil damper, the damping coefficient can be varied by varying the viscosity coefficient C of the oil damper. The equation of motion of the oil damper is equation (1). Next, the equation of motion for the thrust of the linear generator is given by equation (2). To apply the linear generator to the step-up regenerative circuit 21, (1) and (2) are equivalent and formula (3) is obtained. In other words, the damping factor can be varied by controlling the resistance R according to the change in the magnetic flux of the linear generator. Specifically, the damping rate can be changed by controlling the resistance circuit 25 of the step-up regenerative circuit 21 according to the movement of the mover 16 in the linear generator 14 due to the vibration of the outer tub 8.

……（1）

ここに，F_D：ダンパの力（N），C：粘性係数（Ns/ｍ）。

……(1)

Where F _D : Damper force (N), C: Viscosity coefficient (Ns/m).

……（2）

ここに，F_L:リニア発電機の受ける力（N），Ke：モータ定数（N/A），I：電流（A），
V：電圧（V），R(抵抗)，φ：リニア発電機の磁束（T）。

……(2)

Here, F _L: Power received by the linear generator (N), Ke: motor constant (N / A), I: current (A),
V: Voltage (V), R (resistance), φ: Linear generator magnetic flux (T).

……（3）

……(3)

Next, the effect of damping control when the viscosity coefficient is changed is described. FIG. 6 shows an example of the rotation speed and vibration (displacement) of the outer tub 8 when unbalanced at 1 kg. The conventional product has a spring + oil damper configuration and the viscosity of the oil damper is constant at C=400. The maximum amplitude width is about 20 mm, and vibration vibrates in multiple modes with respect to rotation. Although it started shaking immediately after the start and decreased once at about 50 rotations, it suddenly changed around 100 rotations and reached the maximum amplitude, then decreased again and increased over 150 to 200 rotations, and after about 10mm vibration up to 400 rotations, 500 rotations. Above, it vibrates about 5 mm. It is clear that variable control can be achieved by controlling the viscous resistance C according to the number of revolutions. Furthermore, it is important to change the viscosity coefficient C more than once or to change it as needed to control vibration accurately.

In the present embodiment, the electric power generated by the reciprocating motion of the linear generator 14 is rectified by the step-up regenerative circuit 21, boosted, and regenerated to the main circuit 22. Thereby, for example, even when a commercial power source (100V, 50Hz or 60Hz) is used, it is possible to regenerate the electric power generated by the reciprocating motion of the linear generator 14 having different electric characteristics. Further, the linear generator 14 can be produced at low cost because it is not a motor control (control in which the mover extends) that actively suppresses vibration.

Further, in this embodiment, a variable resistor is arranged in the boost regeneration circuit 21 so that the viscosity value C of the linear generator 14 is reduced to 2000 to 0 (Ns/m) according to the rotation speed, and the resistance value is changed. Changed. The rotation speed of the outer tub 8 can be detected by using the signal detected by the main circuit 22 that controls the drive mechanism 9, and can be easily controlled at low cost without increasing the number of sensors. As a result of controlling the resistance value of the boost regenerative circuit 21, the shape of the waveform has changed. In particular, the maximum amplitude per 100 times was reduced to about 10 mm, and the amplitude could be controlled to 1 mm at 500 rotations or more. It was confirmed that the damping control was effective. Although the rotation speed is used for the damping control here, the signal of the vibration detection device 8d may be used. The change of the resistance value is not limited to the variable resistor and may be any element having the same effect.

(Example 2)
Example 2 will be described with reference to FIG. The difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment lies in the energization destination of the step-up regenerative circuit 21. In the second embodiment, the step-up regenerative circuit 21 is connected to the operation display panel 3 to energize it. As mentioned above, in order to energize the main circuit 22, the voltage must be boosted to 200 V or higher. On the other hand, if the resistance value of the step-up regenerative circuit 21 is controlled for the purpose of damping effect, only low-voltage power generation may be possible in some cases. System efficiency is low for boosting low voltage up to over 200V. Therefore, the operation panel 3 (in particular, the display 6) that is driven at a relatively low voltage in the washing machine is energized. The display 6 is for turning on a liquid crystal panel or a lamp, and its element is a light bulb or an LED. Therefore, energy can be effectively regenerated even with power generation energy of several V. In some cases, the booster circuit 23 can be omitted. Although the operation panel 3 is energized here, the washing machine has a system that drives at various voltage values such as a blower unit 11, a water supply system, an alarm, and a timer. Just energize. Furthermore, there is no problem if the electricity storage system such as a capacitor or a small battery is charged and then discharged according to the operation mode of the washing machine, rather than being energized in real time during power generation.

(Example 3)
FIG. 8 shows a wiring diagram of the washing machine according to the third embodiment. As shown in, the washing machine supports the outer tub 8 with a plurality of anti-vibration support mechanisms 12. In the third embodiment, the number of the vibration isolation support mechanism 12 and the number of the step-up regenerative circuits 21 are different. Specifically, two boosting support mechanisms 12 were controlled by one boost regeneration circuit 21. That is, two linear generators 14 are connected to one boosting regenerative circuit 21. As a result, the boost regenerative circuit 21 can be omitted, and the cost of the system can be reduced.

FIG. 9 shows a wiring diagram (No. 2) of the washing machine according to the third embodiment. When the voltages of the two linear generators are significantly different, it is possible to control them by appropriately rearranging the elements in the boost regeneration circuit 21. It should be noted that the circuit diagram shown here is an example and not a limitation.

(Example 4)
In the fourth embodiment, the damping ratio of the anti-vibration support mechanism 12 (viscosity coefficient of the linear generator 14) is different between the left and right. For example, in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, when the washing tub 7 rotates counterclockwise, vibration is reduced by increasing the damping rate of the left vibration isolation support mechanism 12. Since the number of the linear generators 14 and the number of the step-up regenerative circuits 21 of the vibration isolation support mechanism 12 described in the first and second embodiments are the same, the resistance values of the left and right step-up regenerative circuits 21 may be controlled. When a plurality of linear generators 14 are controlled by one step-up regenerative circuit 21 as in the third embodiment, the number of windings of the windings 18 in the linear generator 14 is made different, and different magnetic characteristics (residual magnetic flux density) are obtained. It can be controlled by applying the permanent magnet 20. This is to change the viscosity coefficient C of the left and right linear generators 14 with the same resistance value R by making the change dφ of the magnetic flux in equation (3) different between the left and right.

1 case
1a base
1b Left and right side plates
1c front cover
1d top cover
1e Lower front cover
2 doors
3 Operation/display panel
4 electrical switch
5 Operation switch
6 Indicator
7 washing tub
7a opening
7b lifter
8 outer tank
8a water tank
8b tank cover
8c drain
8d vibration detector
9 Drive mechanism
10 drain hose
11 Blower unit
12 Anti-vibration support mechanism
13 spring
14 linear generator
15 Stator
16 mover
17 core
18 windings
19 metal plate
20 permanent magnet
21 Step-up regenerative circuit
22 Main circuit
22-3 Operation display panel circuit
23 Rectifier circuit
24 Step-up circuit
25 resistor circuit

Claims (7)

A housing,
A washing tub for containing clothes in the housing,
An outer tub containing the washing tub,
A drive mechanism for rotationally driving the washing tub,
A main circuit for controlling the drive mechanism,
An anti-vibration support mechanism that elastically supports the outer tank on the housing,
A step-up regenerative circuit connected to the anti-vibration support mechanism,
The anti-vibration support mechanism is composed of a spring and a linear generator,
The linear generator has a stator including windings and a mover including permanent magnets,
The boost regenerative circuit has a variable resistance,
By rectifying and boosting the alternating current generated in the linear generator by the step-up regenerative circuit, and energizing the main circuit, the change in the magnetic flux of the linear generator due to the rotation of the washing tub is performed according to the change. A washing machine characterized by controlling a variable resistance for regeneration. The washing machine according to claim 1,
By controlling the resistance in response to vibration of the prior SL tub, a washing machine, characterized in that for varying the attenuation factor of the vibration isolating support mechanism. The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2,
The washing machine characterized in that the number of the booster regenerative circuits is smaller than the number of linear generators. The washing machine according to claim 3,
A washing machine in which the number of coil turns of each of the linear generators is different. The washing machine according to claim 3 or 4,
A washing machine in which the types of magnets of the respective linear generators are different. The washing machine according to claim 2,
A vibration detection unit for detecting the vibration of the outer tank,
The vibration of the washing tub uses a signal detected by the vibration detection unit. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A washing machine comprising a power storage device for storing electric power generated by the linear generator.

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