JP7352771B2 - washing machine - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to washing machines.

Patent Document 1 discloses a capacitor input type circuit.

The capacitor input type circuit in Patent Document 1 includes an inrush prevention circuit in which a relay and a resistor are connected in parallel, a diode bridge that is provided downstream of the inrush prevention circuit and performs full-wave rectification of AC input, and a diode bridge that smooths the ripple current. and a power supply smoothing capacitor.

Further, as conventional washing machines, there are known washing machines that can perform optional functions by being equipped with an optional function section such as a sterilization function device, a drying function device, or an automatic liquid dispenser.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 1-152964

A washing machine according to the present disclosure includes a first functional unit that executes a washing operation, a first circuit that includes a first driving unit that drives the first functional unit, and a first circuit that assists the first functional unit. The device includes a second functional unit that executes a function, and a second circuit that includes a second driving unit that drives the second functional unit. The first circuit and the second circuit are capacitor input type circuits, the first circuit is provided with an inrush prevention circuit in which a first relay and a resistor are connected in parallel, and the first circuit is provided with an inrush prevention circuit in which a first relay and a resistor are connected in parallel. The second circuit is connected in parallel to both ends of the inrush prevention circuit across a single-phase commercial power supply, a second relay is provided downstream of the inrush prevention circuit , and the second circuit is connected to the first drive unit. makes the second drive unit close the second relay while the first relay is open, and after the capacitor provided in the second circuit is charged, the first relay is closed. is closed to supply power to the second functional section .

The present disclosure provides a washing machine that can ensure the safety of multiple circuits with one rush prevention circuit and reduce costs.

A washing machine according to the present disclosure includes a first functional unit that executes a washing operation, a first circuit that includes a first driving unit that drives the first functional unit, and a first circuit that assists the first functional unit. The device includes a second functional unit that executes a function, and a second circuit that includes a second driving unit that drives the second functional unit. The first circuit and the second circuit are capacitor input type circuits, the first circuit is provided with an inrush prevention circuit in which a first relay and a resistor are connected in parallel, and the first circuit is provided with an inrush prevention circuit in which a first relay and a resistor are connected in parallel. The second circuit is connected in parallel to both ends of the inrush prevention circuit across the commercial power supply, and a second relay is provided downstream of the inrush prevention circuit.

The washing machine according to the present disclosure can ensure the safety of multiple circuits with one rush prevention circuit and reduce costs.

A perspective view showing the appearance of a drum-type washing machine in Embodiment 1. Schematic vertical cross-sectional view of the drum-type washing machine Circuit diagram of the drum-type washing machine A flowchart showing the sequence of inrush current prevention for the drum-type washing machine.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the accompanying drawings and the following description.

(Embodiment 1)
Embodiment 1 will be described below using FIGS. 1 to 4.

(Basic configuration of washing machine)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a drum-type washing machine according to Embodiment 1, and FIG. 2 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of the drum-type washing machine.

As shown in FIG. 1, the drum-type washing machine according to the present embodiment generally includes a substantially box-shaped main body 21, a door body 23 provided to be openable and closable with respect to the main body part 21, and a door body 23. an operating section 24 disposed above the operating section 24; a display section 25 disposed adjacent to the operating section 24; a power switch 30 disposed adjacent to the operating section 24; A detergent storage container 26 disposed adjacent to the portion 25 is provided.

As shown in FIG. 2, the drum-type washing machine according to the present embodiment includes a water tank 27 that is swingably supported inside the main body 21, a rotating drum 28 that is rotatably included in the water tank 27, and a washing machine. The functional unit 11 includes a motor 22 that rotationally drives a rotating drum 28, a water supply device 31 that supplies water to a water tank 27, a drainage device 29 that drains washing water stored in the water tank 27, and the like.

The door body 23 is disposed to cover the opening of the rotating drum 28 in an openable and closable manner, and the user throws clothes into the rotating drum 28 with the door body 23 open.

The user operates the power switch 30 to turn on the power to the main body section 21, and operates the operation section 24 to select and start various washing courses, drying courses, or washing and drying courses. The display unit 25 displays the selection results of the selected washing course and drying course, time information until completion, progress status of each process, etc. The control unit 7 controls the motor 22, the water supply device 31, the drainage device 29, etc. based on the selection result input through the operation unit 24, and executes a series of washing operations.

(Optional function section)
A drying device (not shown) is provided inside the main body section 21 as an optional function section 12 to be described later. The drying device includes a fan motor (not shown) that generates air by rotational drive, a heating device (not shown) that heats the generated air, and a drying path (not shown) that communicates with the inside of the drying device and the rotating drum. (not shown) is provided. The hot air exchanges heat with the clothes, evaporates the moisture contained in the clothes, and returns to the drying device through the drying path. The drying device dries the clothes through a series of these operations.

(Schematic configuration of control unit)
FIG. 3 is a schematic circuit diagram of the drum-type washing machine according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 3, the control section 7 includes a washing function control circuit 15 disposed on the board and an optional function control circuit 9 disposed on the board, and includes a washing function section 11 and/or an optional function section 12. control.

The washing function control circuit 15 is connected to a commercial power source (AC) and includes an inrush prevention circuit 14 , a diode bridge 3 a as a rectifier, a power supply smoothing capacitor 4 a , and a first load drive section 5 that drives the washing function section 11 . , a microcomputer (not shown), and a storage section (not shown).

The washing function control circuit 15 is a capacitor input type circuit. The AC input from the commercial power supply is full-wave rectified by the diode bridge 3a, the pulsating current is smoothed by the power supply smoothing capacitor 4a, and is input to the first load drive section 5.

An inrush prevention circuit 14 is provided between the commercial power source and the diode bridge 3a. In the rush prevention circuit 14, a resistor 1 and a rush prevention circuit relay 2 are arranged in parallel, and the path through which the current flows is controlled by opening and closing the rush prevention circuit relay 2.

The storage unit (not shown) is, for example, a structure built into a microcomputer, a nonvolatile storage device externally attached, or the like.

The optional function control circuit 9 is disposed on a different board from the washing function control circuit 15, and is electrically connected to the washing function control circuit 15 through connection parts 13, 13a, and 13b. The connecting portions 13, 13a, and 13b are configured by, for example, connectors, lead wires, or the like.

The optional function control circuit 9 includes an optional function section relay 8, a diode bridge 3b serving as a rectifier, a power supply smoothing capacitor 4b, and a second load drive section 10. The optional function section relay 8 is provided downstream of the connection part 13a connected downstream of the inrush prevention circuit 14, and controls the on/off of the current flowing from the inrush prevention circuit 14.

The second load drive section 10 drives the optional function section relay 8 and the optional function section 12 based on instructions from the microcomputer. In order to reduce standby power consumption, the second load drive section 10 opens the optional function section relay 8 when the washing machine is not operating or when the operation is finished, and cuts off the input of AC power to reduce power consumption. .

The operation and effect of the washing machine configured as described above will be explained below.

(Inrush current prevention sequence)
In a capacitor input type rectifier circuit, the input current Ii is a pulse current that flows only for a very short time every half cycle of AC input, and the current peak value is extremely large. Therefore, in order to rectify the input current Ii, a configuration in which a resistor is provided is common.

When a switching power supply is provided for each load in order to reduce standby power, it is necessary to provide a resistor for each switching power supply and rectify the input current. In particular, when an optional function control circuit for controlling the optional function section is provided, it is necessary to provide a resistor for each optional function control circuit, resulting in an increase in cost.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the rush prevention circuit 14 provided in the washing function control circuit 15 is used to supply AC power to the optional function control circuit 9. As a result, the resistor 1 provided in the rush prevention circuit 14 can rectify the input current flowing to the optional function control circuit 9, so there is no need to provide an additional resistor in the optional function control circuit 9.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a sequence of inrush current prevention in the drum type washing machine according to the first embodiment.

The inrush prevention circuit relay 2 and the optional function section relay 8 are in an open state when the power is OFF. When the user operates the power switch 30 to turn on the washing machine (S1), a current from the commercial power source flows through the inrush prevention circuit 14, and the power supply smoothing capacitor 4a is charged.

Subsequently, the user operates the operation unit 24 to select operating conditions. The first load drive section 5 reads the operating conditions and determines whether the selected operating conditions require the optional function section 12 (S2).

If the optional function section 12 is required (S2, YES), the inrush prevention circuit relay 2 remains open, and the second load drive section 10 drives the optional function section relay 8 to close it. state (S3). In this case, the optional function control circuit 9 performs a rectifying operation via the resistor 1 provided in the rush prevention circuit 14.

Subsequently, the second load drive unit 10 checks the DC voltage (S4) and determines whether the power supply smoothing capacitor 4b is charged. If it is determined that the power supply smoothing capacitor 4b is charged, the inrush prevention circuit relay 2 is closed (S5) and commercial power is supplied to the optional function section 12. After the inrush prevention circuit relay 2 is closed, a driving course based on the selected driving conditions is started.

Note that if the optional function section 12 is not required (S2, NO), the inrush prevention circuit relay 2 is closed (S5) and commercial power is supplied to the optional function section 12. After the inrush prevention circuit relay 2 is closed, a driving course based on the selected driving conditions is started.

(effect, etc.)
The washing machine according to the present disclosure includes a washing function section 11 that performs a washing operation, a washing function control circuit 15 including a first load drive section 5 that drives the washing function section 11, and a drying operation that is an optional function. The optional function control circuit 9 includes an optional function section 12 and a second load drive section 10 that drives the optional function section 12. The washing function control circuit 15 and the optional function control circuit 9 are capacitor input type circuits, and the washing function control circuit 15 includes an inrush prevention circuit 14 in which an inrush prevention circuit relay 2 and a resistor 1 are connected in parallel. The optional function control circuit 9 is connected in parallel to both ends of the inrush prevention circuit 14 across the commercial power supply, and the optional function section relay 8 is provided downstream of the inrush prevention circuit 14.

Thereby, in a washing machine equipped with a plurality of circuits, it is possible to suppress inrush current from flowing through the plurality of circuits due to one resistor. Therefore, the safety of a plurality of circuits can be ensured with one inrush prevention circuit, thereby reducing costs.

As in the present embodiment, the first load drive section 5 causes the second load drive section 10 to close the optional function section relay 8 while the inrush prevention circuit relay 2 is open, thereby controlling the optional function. After the power supply smoothing capacitor 4b provided in the circuit 9 is charged, the inrush prevention circuit relay 2 may be closed to supply power to the optional function section 12.

As a result, the second load driving section 10 supplies power to the optional function section 12 in a state where the power supply smoothing capacitor 4b provided in the optional function control circuit 9 is charged and no rush current flows through the optional function control circuit 9. Can be supplied. Therefore, the safety of a plurality of circuits can be ensured with one inrush prevention circuit, thereby reducing costs.

As in the present embodiment, the operation unit 24 may be provided that allows selection of a course related to washing operation or a course including drying operation as an optional function. When a course including a drying operation which is an optional function is selected by operating the operation unit 24, the first load drive unit 5 controls the optional function with the inrush prevention circuit relay 2 open. After the circuit 9 closes the optional function section relay 8 and the power supply smoothing capacitor 4b provided in the optional function control circuit 9 is charged, the inrush prevention circuit relay 2 is closed and the optional function control circuit 9 closes the optional function section relay 8. A drying operation may be performed.

As a result, before the second functional section is used, the capacitor provided in the second circuit is charged, so that no inrush current flows through the second circuit. Therefore, the safety of multiple circuits can be ensured with a simple configuration, and costs can be reduced.

As in this embodiment, the washing function control circuit 15 and the optional function control circuit 9 are arranged on separate boards, and the optional function control circuit 9 is connected to the washing function through the connection part 13a and the connection part 13b. It may be connected in parallel with the control circuit 15.

Thereby, at least one optional function control circuit 9 can be connected to the washing function control circuit 15 to expand the functions of the washing machine. Therefore, when developing washing machines with different optional function sections, the parts of the washing function control circuit 15 can be made common, and costs can be reduced.

(Other embodiments)
As mentioned above, Embodiment 1 has been described as an example of the technology disclosed in this application. However, the technology in this disclosure is not limited to this.

Therefore, other embodiments will be illustrated below.

In the first embodiment, a drum-type washing machine has been described as an example of a washing machine. The washing machine may be one that can be equipped with an optional function section. Therefore, the washing machine is not limited to a drum type washing machine, but may be a vertical type washing machine or a two-tub type washing machine.

In the first embodiment, the optional function section 12, which is a drying device, has been described as an example of the second function section that performs a function to assist the first function section. The second functional section is not limited to the optional functional section 12, which is a drying device, because it only needs to perform a function that assists the first functional section. For example, the second functional unit may include an electrostatic atomizer that generates charged particulate water and releases it into the washing tub, an ozone generator that generates ozone, a communication module that communicates with the outside, and a voice that outputs audio. It may also include a module, etc. Furthermore, a driving course that is executed only by the second functional unit may be provided as a course that includes a function that assists the first functional unit. This is because even if the operation course is executed only by the second functional section, it can be considered as one function of the washing machine and a function that assists the washing function. Furthermore, a plurality of second functional units and second circuits may be provided. In that case, the inrush current prevention sequence is executed in each second circuit in turn. Thereby, even if a plurality of second circuits are provided, inrush current can be suppressed using one inrush prevention circuit.

In the first embodiment, the second load drive unit 10 is driven by the first load drive unit 5. The second load drive section 10 does not need to be driven by the first load drive section 5 as long as it can drive the optional function section relay 8 to open and close.

The present disclosure is applicable to washing machines equipped with optional functions. Specifically, the present disclosure is applicable to vertical washing machines, drum washing machines, two-tub washing machines, and the like.

1 Resistor 2 Inrush prevention circuit relay (first relay)
3a Diode bridge 3b Diode bridge 4a Power supply smoothing capacitor (capacitor)
4b Power supply smoothing capacitor (capacitor)
5 First load drive section (first drive section)
7 Control unit 8 Relay for optional function unit (second relay)
9 Option function control circuit (second circuit)
10 Second load drive unit (second drive unit)
11 Washing function section (first function section)
12 Optional function section (second function section)
13 Connection part 13a Connection part 13b Connection part 14 Rush prevention circuit 15 Washing function control circuit (first circuit)
21 Main body part 22 Motor 23 Door body 24 Operation part 25 Display part 26 Detergent storage container 27 Water tank 28 Rotating drum 29 Drainage device

Claims (3)

a first functional unit that executes a washing operation;
a first circuit including a first driving section that drives the first functional section;
a second functional unit that performs a function that assists the first functional unit;
a second circuit including a second driving section that drives the second functional section;
Equipped with
The first circuit and the second circuit are capacitor input type circuits,
The first circuit is provided with an inrush prevention circuit in which a first relay and a resistor are connected in parallel,
The second circuit is connected in parallel to both ends of the inrush prevention circuit across a single-phase commercial power supply,
A second relay is provided downstream of the inrush prevention circuit ,
The first drive unit causes the second drive unit to close the second relay while the first relay is open, and after the capacitor provided in the second circuit is charged. , closing the first relay and supplying power to the second functional unit;
washing machine. comprising an operation section that allows selection of a course related to washing operation or a course that includes a function to assist the first functional section,
When a course including a function that assists the first functional section is selected by operating the operating section, the first driving section is configured to operate the first driving section with the first relay open. The second drive unit closes the second relay, and after a capacitor provided in the second circuit is charged, closes the first relay, and causes the second drive unit to close the first relay. perform functions that assist the functional parts of
A washing machine according to claim 1 . The first circuit and the second circuit are arranged on separate boards,
The inrush prevention circuit is provided on a board on which the first circuit is arranged,
A second relay is provided on the board on which the second circuit is arranged downstream of the inrush prevention circuit;
A washing machine according to claim 1 or 2 .

Images