JP7092701B2 - Washing machine and washing machine system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a washing machine and a washing machine system for washing clothes and the like.

Conventionally, in a washing / drying machine, water leakage may occur due to damage due to deterioration of the water supply hose and draining hose over time, loosening of the connection part, and a malfunction inside the washing / drying machine body. However, not only the vicinity of the washing and drying machine installation, but also the rooms and facilities downstairs were affected, and the damage may spread.

On the other hand, Patent Document 1 discloses a means for preventing the spread of damage caused by a water leak by providing a water leak detecting means in the washer / dryer, immediately stopping the operation when the water leak is detected, and performing an abnormality notification. There is.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2010-1505015

However, in Patent Document 1, when a person is absent near the washer / dryer during reservation, remote operation standby, or operation, even if an abnormality notification is issued from the washing machine main body, the occurrence of the abnormality notification is not noticed and the response is delayed. There was a possibility that the damage would spread.

An object of the present invention is to minimize the spread of damage even if an abnormality occurs in the washing machine when there is no one in the vicinity of the washing machine body while the washing machine is operating, such as by operating the washing machine remotely. Is to provide a washing machine capable of.

In order to solve the above problems, the washing machine of the present invention has an outer frame, an inner tub provided in the outer frame, a water leakage detection unit for detecting water leakage, and communication for transmitting and receiving signals to and from a plurality of external devices. It has a unit and an operation control unit for washing control, and the operation control unit is set to perform remote operation from a first external device via a communication unit .
If a leak is detected by the leak detection unit during remote operation, the remote operation is stopped and a notification signal for notifying the first external device and the second external device of the occurrence of water leakage via the communication unit. Is output,
If a leak is detected by the leak detection unit before remote control, a notification signal for notifying the occurrence of a water leak is output to the first external device and the second external device via the communication unit.
The notification signal output to the second external device is configured to include information that identifies the user of the first external device.

Further, the washing machine system of the present invention includes an outer frame, an inner tub provided in the outer frame, a water leakage detection unit for detecting water leakage, a communication unit for transmitting and receiving signals to and from an external device, and an operation for washing control. It has a washing machine having a control unit, a mobile terminal of a user who uses the washing machine which is an external device, and an administrator terminal which manages the washing machine which is an external device, and has an operation control unit of the washing machine. Is in the setting state where remote operation is performed from the mobile terminal via the communication unit.
If a leak is detected by the leak detection unit during remote operation, the remote operation is stopped and a notification signal for notifying the occurrence of water leakage is output to the mobile terminal and the administrator terminal via the communication unit.
If a leak is detected by the leak detection unit before remote control, a notification signal for notifying the occurrence of a water leak is output to the mobile terminal and the administrator terminal via the communication unit.
The notification signal output to the administrator terminal is configured to include information that identifies the user of the mobile terminal.

According to the present invention, it is possible to minimize the spread of damage even if an abnormality occurs in the washing machine when there is no one in the vicinity of the washing machine body while the washing machine is operating, such as by operating the washing machine remotely. Can provide a washing machine capable of.

It is a figure which shows the control block of the remote control system of the washer-dryer which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the vertical cross section of the washer-dryer which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the screen example of the mobile terminal of the user of the remote control system of this invention, and the manager terminal of an apartment house. It is a figure which shows the control flow chart of the washer-dryer which concerns on this invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of a washer / dryer showing an embodiment of the present invention. In the vertical cross-sectional view of the washer / dryer shown in FIG. 2, the washer / dryer is placed on the washer / dryer outer frame 16, the outer frame base 17 that supports the washer / dryer outer frame 16 from below, and the washer / dryer outer frame 16. The top cover 18 and the top cover 18 are provided with a lid 19 that can be opened and closed. During operations such as washing, rinsing, and dehydration, the lid 19 is locked and cannot be opened or closed. The outer tub 20 is vibration-proof supported by a suspension rod 21 hanging from a corner support portion 29 provided inside the upper side of the washer-dryer outer frame 16 via a vibration-proof spring 30. The washing / dehydrating / drying tub 23, which is an inner tub provided in the washer / dryer outer frame 16, is rotatably placed in the outer tub 20. An inner lid 26 that can be opened and closed is provided on the upper part of the washing / dehydrating / drying tub 23. The main motor 8 is provided on the bottom surface of the outer tank 20. The main motor 8 is attached to the outer tank 20 by using the flange 22. The rotating spindle 27 of the main motor 8 is fixed to the bottom flange 22 of the washing / dehydrating / drying tub 23 and supports the washing / dehydrating / drying tub 23.

At the center of the rotating spindle 27, there is an inner rotating shaft (not shown) that rotates the washing blades 24 rotatably placed in the washing / dehydrating / drying tub 23 in the forward and reverse directions. The main motor 8 can switch the rotational operation of the washing / dehydrating / drying tub 23 and the washing blade 24 by a switching means (not shown) by a clutch. In washing the laundry 34, the main motor 8 rotates forward and reverse, and the washing blade 24 also rotates forward and reverse to stir the laundry 34. In the dehydration of the laundry 34, the main motor 8 rotates at high speed, the washing / dehydrating / drying tub 23 also rotates at high speed, and centrifugal dehydration is performed from the dehydration hole 25 provided in the body of the washing / dehydrating / drying tub 23. In the drying of the laundry 34, the air warmed by the drying heater fan 9 is blown into the washing / dehydrating / drying tub 23.

The water level of the washing water stored in the outer tub 20 is detected by the water level sensor 36 due to the change in water pressure, and the water level information is provided to the control board 28 to control water supply and drainage.

The drainage solenoid valve 7 is provided in a drainage hose 31 communicating with a drainage port provided at the bottom of the outer tank 20. The water used for washing and rinsing is drained to the outside of the machine through the drain hose 31 by opening the drain solenoid valve 7. The dehydration operation in which dehydration is performed is performed with the drainage solenoid valve 7 open.

The opening / closing of the drainage solenoid valve 7, the operation / stop of the main motor 8, and the speed adjustment are controlled by the control board 28. Further, the control board 28 has a sounding function such as a buzzer for notifying the user of the washer / dryer of the end of the washing operation.

An outer frame base 17 in which water leakage collects in order to detect that water leakage has occurred from the water supply electromagnetic valve 6, the water supply hose and its connection portion, the drainage electromagnetic valve 7 and the drain hose 31 and its connection portion, and the vicinity of the washing / dehydrating / drying function portion. A leak detection sensor 10 which is a leak detection unit is provided at the lower part.

In this embodiment, the control board 28 is provided on the rear side of the top cover 18. The power switch 33 is provided on the front side of the top cover 18. The user of the washer / dryer turns on the power switch 33 and operates various input switches provided on the display board 32 to set the operation of the washer / dryer. The display board 32 includes means for displaying the selected operation course, the current operation status, the user's attention to the washer / dryer, and the like. A communication board 37 that transmits / receives radio waves and controls communication for communicating with a device such as a home gateway installed in the house is provided on the front side of the top cover 18. The control board 28, the display board 32, and the communication board 37 may be attached to different positions in the washer / dryer outer frame 16, respectively.

FIG. 1 is a control block diagram of a washer / dryer and a remote operation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The washing / drying machine 1 has a washing / dehydrating / drying function unit 2 including a main motor 8, a drying heater / fan 9, a water supply electromagnetic valve 6, and a drainage electromagnetic valve 7, and the washing / dehydrating / drying function unit 2 has at least washing control. The washing, dehydrating and drying operation is performed under the control of the operation control unit 3. The operation control unit 3 is mounted on the control board 28. The setting operation unit 4 communicates with the operation control unit 3 to accept the operation of the user of the washer / dryer 1 and notify the washing / dehydrating / drying operation state. The setting operation unit 4 is mounted on the display board 32. The communication control unit 5 is a communication unit that transmits / receives signals to / from an external device, communicates with the operation control unit 3 and the in-house gateway 11, receives operations from the user of the washer / dryer 1 via the in-house gateway, and is used for washing and dehydrating. Notifies the dry operation status. The communication control unit 5 is mounted on the communication board 37. The in-home gateway 11 manages operation information from the user's mobile terminal 14 of the washer / dryer 1 and management of the user's mobile terminal 14 of the washer / dryer 1 and the housing complex via the network 12 and the out-of-home server 13. The broadcast information to the personal terminal 15 is transmitted and received to and from the communication control unit 5. The communication control unit 5 can notify different information depending on the state of the washer / dryer 1 on the mobile terminal 14 of the user of the washer / dryer 1 and the manager terminal 15 of the apartment house.

FIG. 3 shows the mobile terminal 14 of the user of the washer / dryer 1 in order to notify the user of the washer / dryer 1 that a water leak has occurred by communication from the communication control unit 5 in the embodiment of the present invention. The water leak occurrence notification screen 38 is displayed on the screen, and the water leakage occurrence notification screen 39 is displayed on the manager terminal 15 of the housing complex to notify the manager of the housing complex. The operation control unit 3 outputs a notification signal (message) corresponding to each of the mobile terminal 14 and the administrator terminal 15, which are external devices. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, for example, the user's mobile terminal 14 may have a water leak. For safety, stop the operation and turn off the power. A message (water leak occurrence notification screen 38) was sent to the administrator terminal 15 of the apartment complex, "There is a possibility that a water leak has occurred in Room XX. Please check immediately for safety." Message (water leak occurrence notification screen 39) is sent. In this way, the notification signal includes the content of water leakage, the content centered on remote control, the content of turning off the power, the content of prompting inspection, etc., and may differ depending on the terminal of the other party to be transmitted. You may also send the same message.

Next, the explanation of the control operation in this embodiment will be described with reference to the control block diagram of FIG. 1, the water leakage notification screen of FIG. 3, and the control flowchart of FIG.

First, the washer / dryer 1 that is in a remote control capable state is in a remote control standby state in the S1 step.

Here, the operation control unit 3 becomes the S2 step of confirming whether or not the water leakage detection sensor 10 has detected the water leakage, and confirms the occurrence of the water leakage.

If no water leakage is detected in this S2 step, the process proceeds to the S3 step of determining whether the remote operation start is instructed.

Further, if the remote operation start is not instructed in the S3 step, the process proceeds to the S2 step again, and the confirmation of the occurrence of water leakage is continued.

Here, when water leakage is detected in the S2 step, a water leakage occurrence notification screen 38 is displayed on the mobile terminal 14 of the user of the washing machine 1 and a water leakage occurrence notification screen 39 is displayed on the manager terminal 15 of the apartment complex. The process shifts to the S4 step of notifying the user of the washing / drying machine 1 and the manager of the apartment house that a water leak has occurred. After that, the operation control unit 3 shifts to the S5 step of turning off the power of the washer / dryer 1 for safety, and ends the process.

On the other hand, when it is determined in the S3 step that the remote operation start is instructed, the operation control unit 3 shifts to the S6 step to start the operation of the washer / dryer 1. After that, the operation control unit 3 becomes the S7 step of confirming whether the leak detection sensor 10 has detected the leak, and confirms the occurrence of the leak.

If no water leakage is detected in this S7 step, the process proceeds to the S9 step of determining whether the operation has been completed.

Further, if the operation is not completed in the S9 step, the process proceeds to the S7 step again, and the confirmation of the occurrence of water leakage is continued.

Here, when water leakage is detected in step S7, the process proceeds to step S8 in which the operation of the washer / dryer 1 is stopped, and then the water leakage occurrence notification screen 38 and the water leakage occurrence notification screen 38 are displayed on the mobile terminal 14 of the user of the washer / dryer 1. The water leak occurrence notification screen 39 is displayed on the manager terminal 15 of the apartment house, and the process proceeds to the S4 step of notifying the user of the washer / dryer 1 that a water leak has occurred. After that, the operation control unit 3 shifts to the S5 step of turning off the power of the washer / dryer 1 for safety, and ends the process.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the operation is completed in the S9 step, the operation control unit 3 shifts to the S10 step of notifying the mobile terminal 14 of the user of the washer / dryer 1 that the operation is completed, and then the operation is performed. The process proceeds to the S5 step in which the power of the washer / dryer 1 is turned off, and the process is completed.

According to the above embodiment, the water leakage detection unit is a water leakage detection unit in a setting state in which remote operation is performed from an external device such as a mobile terminal 14 or an administrator terminal 15 via a communication control unit 5 which is a communication unit. When a water leak is detected by the detection sensor 10, a notification signal for notifying the occurrence of a water leak can be output to an external device via the communication unit. Even if the water leak is absent, the user of the washing / drying machine 1 and the manager of the apartment house can immediately recognize the occurrence of the water leak, and it is possible to prevent the spread of the damage of the water leak to the minimum.

In addition, as long as it is a washing / drying machine having such a configuration, it may be a vertical washing / drying machine in which the washing blade 22 is installed at the bottom of the washing / dehydrating / drying tub 21 or a drum type washing / drying machine. ..

1 Washer / Dryer 2 Washing / Drying / Drying Unit 3 Operation Control Unit 4 Setting Operation Unit 5 Communication Control Unit 10 Water Leakage Detection Sensor 14 Mobile Terminal 15 Administrator Terminal 16 Washing / Drying Machine Outer Frame 17 Outer Frame Base 18 Top Cover 19 Lid 20 Outer Tank 23 Washing / dehydrating / drying tank 28 Control board 32 Display board 33 Power switch 37 Communication board 38 Water leak occurrence notification screen 39 Water leakage occurrence notification screen

Claims (3)

With the outer frame
The inner tank provided in the outer frame and
A leak detector that detects water leaks and
A communication unit that sends and receives signals to and from multiple external devices,
It has an operation control unit that controls washing,
The operation control unit is in a setting state in which remote operation is performed from the first external device via the communication unit .
If a leak is detected by the leak detection unit during remote operation, the remote operation is stopped and the occurrence of water leakage is notified to the first external device and the second external device via the communication unit. Output a notification signal and
If a leak is detected by the leak detection unit before remote control, a notification signal for notifying the occurrence of a water leak is output to the first external device and the second external device via the communication unit.
A washing machine characterized in that the notification signal output to the second external device includes information identifying a user of the first external device. A washing machine having an outer frame, an inner tub provided in the outer frame, a water leakage detection unit for detecting water leakage, a communication unit for transmitting and receiving signals to and from an external device, and an operation control unit for controlling a washing process. Machine and
The mobile terminal of the user who uses the washing machine, which is the external device, and
It has an administrator terminal that manages the washing machine, which is the external device, and has.
In a setting state in which the operation control unit of the washing machine is remotely controlled from the mobile terminal via the communication unit, the operation control unit is in a setting state.
If water leakage is detected by the water leakage detection unit during remote operation, the remote operation is stopped and a notification signal for notifying the occurrence of water leakage to the mobile terminal and the administrator terminal is output via the communication unit. death,
If a leak is detected by the leak detection unit before remote control, a notification signal for notifying the occurrence of a water leak is output to the mobile terminal and the administrator terminal via the communication unit.
A washing machine system, wherein the notification signal output to the administrator terminal includes information for identifying a user of the mobile terminal. The washing machine system according to claim 2.
The operation control unit of the washing machine sends the notification signal of the content of stopping the remote operation to the mobile terminal set in the washing machine during remote operation, and the notification of the content prompting the administrator terminal to inspect. A washing machine system that outputs signals.

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