JPH02144097A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make it possible to forecast a weather change with a washing machine itself when it is used and to prevent the increase of the number of the whole parts of this machine in spite of providing the composition for this forecast by providing a weather change-forecasting device a water level-detecting device and an operation-controlling device for controlling a washing operation on the basis of the result detected by the water level-detecting device. CONSTITUTION:Since a pressure sensor 13 is led to an atmosphere, it can detect its pressure. Under the result detected by this pressure sensor 13, a water level- detecting device detects a water level in a vessel 3, and under the result thereof, an operation-controlling device controls a washing operation. Since the atmospheric pressure is detected under the value detected by the pressure sensor 13 and then a weather change is forecast under the result of the detection of the atmospheric pressure, a user can naturally find the weather change when the user operates a washing machine. Since the user can, therefore, forecast the weather change independent of that by a television or newspaper, it is possible to make very convenient when the user operates this machine.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [“1st feature” of the invention] (Industrial application field) The present invention relates to a washing machine equipped with a weather change prediction function.

(Prior Art) Generally, when using a washing machine, users predict the weather in advance or watch the TV.

It is used to recognize weather forecasts from newspapers, etc.

In other words, when using a washing machine, if you start washing when the weather is bad, you will not be able to dry the laundry, so you will be forced to leave the laundry in the dehydration basket after it has been completely dehydrated. As a result, wrinkles appear on the laundry.If you want to prevent this situation,
Predict weather changes in advance and decide whether to start washing based on the prediction.

(Problem to be solved by the invention) However, as mentioned above, when a user wants to know about weather changes, he/she tries to find out about it through TV or newspapers, but it is troublesome to do this every time. So, as a daily habit, I usually just use the washing machine without checking the weather. In this case, as mentioned above,
Laundry is left unattended after washing, causing wrinkles.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances.
``The aim is to create a washing machine that can predict weather changes by itself when it is used, and that can suppress an increase in the overall number of parts even though it is equipped with a configuration for this prediction. is to provide.

[Structure of the invention] (Means for solving the problem) The present invention converts the water level in a tank into air pressure, and includes a pressure guiding means that communicates with the atmosphere when there is no water in the tank, and this guiding pressure. A pressure sensor that detects pressure by a means, an atmospheric pressure detection means that detects atmospheric pressure based on the detection result of this pressure sensor, and a weather forecast that predicts changes in weather based on the detection result from this atmospheric pressure detection means. A change prediction means, a water level detection means for detecting the water level in the tank based on the detection result of the pressure sensor, and an operation control means for controlling the washing operation based on the detection result from the water level detection means. It is what it is.

(Function) When there is no water in the tank, the pressure guiding means communicates with the atmosphere, so atmospheric pressure is guided to the pressure sensor. Therefore, the pressure sensor will detect atmospheric pressure. The atmospheric pressure detection means detects the atmospheric pressure based on the detection result of the pressure sensor. The weather change prediction means predicts weather recovery, weather recovery, etc. based on the detection result and the degree of change in atmospheric pressure.
Predict weather deterioration, continuation of current weather conditions, etc.

When water is in the tank, the pressure guiding means guides not atmospheric pressure but air pressure corresponding to the water level, that is, water pressure, to the pressure sensor. Therefore, the pressure sensor detects air pressure. The water level detection means detects the water level in the tank based on the detection result of this pressure sensor. The operation control means controls the washing operation based on the water level detection result.

Although the pressure sensor is used to predict weather changes and to detect the water level in the tank, it contributes to suppressing the increase in the number of parts.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, FIG. 2 shows a dehydrating and washing machine.

1 is an outer box, 2 is a water tank, 3 is a rotating tank for pre-washing water, 4
Reference numeral 5 indicates a container-shaped stirring body, 5 a washing machine motor, and 6 a mechanical unit including a speed reduction mechanism. The washing machine motor 5 is rotated forward and backward during the washing process and the rinsing process, and drives the agitator 4 through the mechanism section 6 to rotate forward and backward. Further, the washing machine motor 5 is rotated in one direction during the spin-drying process to rotationally drive the rotating tub 3 via the mechanism section 6. On the other hand, 7 is an electromagnetically driven water supply valve that supplies water into the rotary tank 3, and 8 is an electromagnetically driven drain valve that discharges water from the rotary tank 3.

9 is an air trap provided at the bottom of the water receiving tank 2;
One end of the impulse pipe 10 is connected to the upper part of this,
This air trap 9 and the pressure guiding pipe 10 constitute a pressure guiding means 11. When there is water in the rotary tank 3, the internal air pressure of the pressure guiding means 11 changes according to the water level at that time, and when there is no water, it communicates with atmospheric pressure.

Reference numeral 12 designates a detection section of a pressure sensor 13 (see FIG. 3), which will be described later, and is connected to the other end of the pressure impulse pipe 0 at the upper part of the washing machine. In this case, the inside of the pressure guiding means 11 is brought into an air pressure state or an atmospheric pressure state corresponding to the water level depending on the presence or absence of water in the rotating tank 3.
2 can detect water level (water pressure) and atmospheric pressure.

As shown in FIG. 3, the pressure sensor 13 includes the above-described detection section 12, an amplifier 14, and an A/D converter 15. As shown in FIG. 4, the detection unit 12 is a silicon diaphragm type, and outputs an electrical signal (voltage value) according to the pressure it receives.The electrical signal is amplified by the amplifier circuit 14, and the amplified electrical signal is is digitized by the A/D converter 15 and output as a pressure detection value. This pressure detection value is given to the microcomputer 16 shown in FIG.

The microcomputer 16 is supplied with a switch signal from a switch input section 17 as an input, and is also supplied with a detected value (detection result) from the pressure sensor 13. By executing various internally stored programs, it can detect atmospheric pressure, predict weather changes, and detect water levels.

It functions as an operation control means. According to each of these means, the washing motor 5. When the water supply valve 7 and the drain valve 8 are controlled via the drive circuit 18, J% becomes 0 (by controlling the display 19).

Now, the control function of the microcomputer 16 will be described. The control block shown in FIG. 5 is incorporated as a subroutine in the main program. first,
As shown in Step P1, it is determined whether or not the washing operation is being executed. If the washing operation is not being executed, the process moves to Step P2 and the pressure detection value is determined. The water level data is selected from the water level data and atmospheric pressure data held in advance. And Ste.
In the knob P3, the pressure detection value from the pressure sensor 13 and the water level data are compared to detect the water level in the rotation VjB, and in the next step P4, this water level detection result force (preset water level It is judged whether or not the value is less than the value (the value that is considered to be absent in the rotating tank 3), and if it exceeds the 1 noset value, it returns, and if it is less than the reset value, it goes to step P5. , select atmospheric pressure data,
Thereafter, the process moves to subroutine P6. The contents of this subroutine 6 are shown in FIG.

In FIG. 6, first, in step S1, a pressure detection value is read every 8 minutes, and this is compared with atmospheric pressure data to detect atmospheric pressure. Then, in the next step S2, the atmospheric pressure detected 8 minutes ago is subtracted (calculated) from the atmospheric pressure detected at this point, thereby calculating the degree of change in atmospheric pressure over 8 minutes. Next, in step S3,
It is determined whether the calculation result is greater than or equal to +1 [mb]. If it is not more than +1 [mb], Ste Tsubu S
4, it is determined whether the above calculation result is -1 [mb] or less.

Here, if the above-mentioned calculation result is +1 [mb] or more, that is, if the atmospheric pressure increases by 1 [mb] or more in 8 minutes, the process moves to step S5 and "weather recovery" is displayed on the C1 display 9. let Also, when the calculation result is less than -1 [mb1], that is, the atmospheric pressure is 1 [mb1] in 8 minutes.
], the process moves to step S6 and the display 19 displays "weather deterioration". Then, the calculation result is -1
When it is between [mb] and +1 [mb'], that is, if the atmospheric pressure has not fluctuated much in 8 minutes, the process moves to step S7 and the display 19 displays "weather maintenance". "Weather recovery" and "weather maintenance" mentioned above.

"Weather deterioration" means that the weather will "recover,""maintain," or "deteriorate" eight hours from now compared to the current time.

By the way, the purpose of predicting the weather based on the degree of change in atmospheric pressure is as follows. Changes in weather can be predicted based on the degree of change in atmospheric pressure. If the atmospheric pressure changes by more than a certain degree, it is predicted that the weather will worsen. Furthermore, if the atmospheric pressure changes by a certain degree or more in the direction of increase, it is predicted that the weather will improve. And unless there is a significant change in atmospheric pressure, the current weather is expected to persist. In this case, if the atmospheric pressure changes by more than or less than 1 [mb] in 8 minutes, we know that the weather will change after 8 hours.

Here, in step P1 of FIG. 5, if the washing operation is being executed, step P7 is entered f times to select water level data, and then the process moves to subroutine P8. In this subroutine P8, control regarding the washing operation is performed. The content of this control is shown in FIG. 7. In step T1, it is determined whether the water supply valve 7 is in the energized open state, that is, whether it is in the water supply operation state. If it is in the water supply operation state, the process proceeds to step T2. The pressure detection value is read from the pressure sensor 13 and compared with the water level data to detect the water level. Then, in the next step T3, it is determined whether or not this detected water level has reached the set water level. If it has not reached the set water level, the process returns to step T2, and if it has reached the set water level, the process returns to step T4.
Then, the water supply valve 7 is shut off and the water supply operation is stopped.

According to this embodiment, the atmospheric pressure is detected based on the detected value of the pressure sensor 13, and changes in weather are predicted based on the atmospheric pressure detection result, so the user can use the washing machine with ease. It is possible to know about weather changes.

Therefore, the user can predict weather changes without relying on television or newspapers, making it extremely convenient to use. In this case, the rotation V! A pressure guiding means 11 is provided to convert the water level in the rotary tank 3 into air pressure, and communicates with the atmosphere when there is no water in the rotating tank 3, and the pressure by this pressure guiding means 11 is detected by a pressure sensor 13. Therefore, one pressure sensor 13 can detect the atmospheric pressure and the water pressure in the rotating tank 3, thereby suppressing the increase in the number of parts while having the function of predicting weather changes. Can reduce costs.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the pressure guiding means 11 consisting of the air trap 9 and the pressure guiding pipe 10 was illustrated as the pressure guiding means.
The pressure guiding means is not limited to this configuration;
For example, a relatively large diameter tube may be inserted into the tank at 111. In addition, the target to be controlled based on the water level detection result may be not the water supply operation in the above embodiment but the drainage operation, etc. In other words, the washing operation can be controlled by m
All you have to do is to control lJ.

In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and can be modified in various ways without departing from the scope of the invention.

[Effects of the Invention] The present invention includes a pressure guiding means that converts the water level in the tank into air pressure and communicates with the atmosphere when there is no water in the tank, and a pressure sensor that detects the pressure by this pressure guiding means. , an atmospheric pressure detection means for detecting atmospheric pressure based on the detection result of the pressure sensor; a weather thinning prediction means for predicting a change in weather based on the detection result from the atmospheric pressure detection means; It is equipped with a water level detection means for detecting the water level in the tank based on the detection result, and an operation control means for controlling the washing operation based on the detection result from the water level detection means. When using the washing machine, the washing machine itself can be used to predict weather changes, and even with the configuration for this child n1, the overall number of parts can be suppressed from increasing, which is an excellent effect. play.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show one embodiment of the present invention, in which Fig. 1 is a block diagram of the electrical configuration, Fig. 2 is a longitudinal side view of the washing machine, Fig. 3 is an electrical configuration diagram of the pressure sensor, and Fig. 4 is a pressure sensor. FIGS. 5 to 7 are a vertical side view showing a schematic configuration of the detection section of the sensor, and flowcharts showing control details. In the figure, 9 is an air trap, 10 is a pressure impulse pipe, 11 is a pressure guiding means, 12 is a detection unit, 13 is a pressure sensor, 16 is a microcomputer (atmospheric pressure detection means, weather change prediction means, water level detection means, (operation control means). Applicant Toshiba Corporation Toshiba Audio/Video Engineering Co., Ltd. Figure 1 Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A pressure guiding means that converts the water level in the tank into air pressure and communicates with the atmosphere when there is no water in the tank, a pressure sensor that detects the pressure by this pressure guiding means, and the detection result of this pressure sensor. atmospheric pressure detection means for detecting atmospheric pressure based on the atmospheric pressure; weather change prediction means for predicting weather changes based on the detection results from the atmospheric pressure detection means; A washing machine comprising a water level detection means for detecting a water level and an operation control means for controlling a washing operation based on a detection result from the water level detection means.