JPH03193091A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make the sound of a washer into silence when it is operated by changing the output frequency of an inverter device to a low level when the level of a detecting tone exceeds a reference position. CONSTITUTION:A hydrate operation is performed by driving a motor 5 by energizing the inverter device 18, and starting dehydration by rotating a rotary tub. The inverter device 18 outputs a power of prescribed frequency set in advance, and the motor 5 is rotated according to that power. Next, a detection signal from a microphone 14 is read in, and the level of the detection signal is compared with a reference value stored in advance, and when the level of the detection signal exceeds the reference value, such control to lower the output frequency of the inverter device 18 by a prescribed frequency is performed. When the level of the detection signal is less than the reference value, no change control for the frequency of the inverter device 18 is performed. When the operating time of the dehydration ar rives at a preset time, the inverter device 18 is de-energized, and the driving of the motor 5 is stopped. The same operation is performed in a washing operation.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Purpose of the invention] (Industrial application field) The present invention relates to a washing machine that takes measures to reduce noise.

(Prior Art) As is well known, washing machines are conventionally equipped with a motor and perform washing and dewatering operations based on the rotational drive of the motor.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) In recent years, washing machines are increasingly being used at night, and as a result, there has been a demand for quieter operation of washing machines. In view of this point, recent measures have been taken, such as constructing the outer box with a so-called vibration-damping steel plate, but it has not been possible to reduce the noise itself generated in the washing machine. In particular, causes of excessively loud noise include water splashing during washing and unbalanced rotation during spin drying.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine that can reduce noise during operation.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention detects sound during operation and adjusts the level of the detected sound in a washing operation and dehydration operation based on rotational drive of a motor. a sound detection means for outputting a corresponding signal; a motor control device for changing the rotational speed of the motor; and a motor control device for reducing the rotational speed of the motor when the level of sound detected by the sound detection means exceeds a reference value. The present invention is characterized in that a control means for controlling the motor control device is provided.

(Operation) The motor is rotationally driven by a motor control device, and washing operation and dewatering operation are performed based on the rotational drive of the motor. In this case, the sound during driving is detected by the sound detection means, and a signal corresponding to the level of the detected sound is output.

Since the control means controls the motor control device to lower the rotational speed of the motor when the level of the detected sound exceeds the reference value, the rotational speed of the motor decreases.

Does the sound during operation become louder due to water splashing or unbalanced rotation?If the motor rotation speed is lowered, the degree of water splashing and unbalanced rotation will decrease. death,
Excessively loud sounds will no longer be generated. Therefore, as can be seen from the above, the sound can be reduced by means of the present invention, which is configured to control the motor control device so that the rotational speed of the motor is reduced when the level of detected sound exceeds a reference value. Is possible.

(Example) An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, FIG. 3 shows a washing machine with dehydrating and dehydrating functions. A water receiving tank 2 is provided inside the outer box 1, and a rotating tank 3 is provided within this water receiving tank 2. A container-shaped stirring body 4 is arranged inside the rotating tank 3. A motor 5 made of an induction motor is disposed at the outer bottom of the water receiving tank 2, and a mechanism section 6 including a speed reduction mechanism and the like is disposed. This mechanism section 6 decelerates the rotation of the motor 5 and transmits it to the stirring body 4 during washing operation, and transmits the rotation to the rotating tank 3 and stirring body 4 during dehydration. A drain valve 7 is provided in the drainage channel from the water tank 2, and an air trap 8 is formed at the bottom of the water tank 2. Water level sensor 0 is connected. The water level sensor 0 and the water supply valve 11 are disposed at the rear of the upper cover 12, and an operating section 13 is disposed at the front of the upper cover 12.

On the other hand, a microphone 14 as a sound detection means is arranged on the inner surface of a lid 12a provided on the upper cover 12, and this microphone 14 detects sound and outputs a signal according to the level of the detected sound. It is supposed to be done.

Next, in FIG. 1 showing the electrical configuration, a control circuit 15 as a control means includes a microcomputer, and stores a program for controlling the washing operation in an internal memory.

Then, this control circuit 15 according to the program,
Based on the inputs from various switches 15, the water level sensor 10, and the microphone 14, the drain valve 7 and the water supply valve 11 are driven and controlled via the drive circuit 17, and the inverter device 181 serves as a motor control device.
Controls the display 19.

The inverter device 18 has a built-in converter section (not shown) that converts a commercial AC power source into a DC power source, and converts the DC output into power of an arbitrary frequency to be sent to the motor 5. This inverter device 18 is capable of changing its output frequency, and the output frequency is set based on a control signal from a control circuit 15, and this control circuit 5 controls whether the inverter device 18 is turned on or off. is also controlled. The control circuit 15 functions as an inverter device control means, which will be described later, depending on its software configuration.

Now, the operation of the above configuration will be explained together with the control function of the control circuit 15, with reference also to FIG.

FIG. 2(a) shows a control flowchart of the control circuit 15 during the washing operation. First, a predetermined amount of water is supplied into the rotating tank 3 (step S1), and then the inverter device 18 is energized and driven. Step S2) Rotate the motor 5.

With this, the stirring body 4 is rotated. In this case, the inverter 18 outputs power at a preset frequency, and the motor 5 rotates accordingly. Next, microphone 14
reads the detection signal from (step S3), compares the level of this detection signal with a reference value stored in advance in the control circuit 5 (step S4), and if the level of the detection signal exceeds the reference value, The output frequency of the inverter device] 8 is controlled to be lower by a predetermined frequency (step S5). When the level of the detection signal becomes less than the reference value, the frequency change control for the inverter device 18 is not performed. When the washing operation time reaches the set time (step S6), the inverter device 18 is cut off to stop driving the motor 5 (step S7).

Next, FIG. 2(b) shows a control flowchart 1 of the control circuit 15 in the dehydration operation, in which first the inverter device 18 is energized and the motor 5 is rotationally driven in step PI). With this, the rotating tank 3 is rotated and dehydration is started.

In this case, the inverter device 18 outputs power at a preset frequency, and the motor 5 rotates accordingly. Next, the detection signal from the microphone [4] is read (step P2), and the level of this detection signal is compared with a reference value stored in advance in the control circuit [5] (step P3), and the level of the detection signal is determined to be the reference value. If it exceeds, the inverter device]
Control the output frequency of 8 to be lower by a predetermined frequency (
Step P4). When the level of the detection signal becomes less than the reference value, the frequency change control for the inverter device 18 is not performed.

When the dehydration operation time reaches the set time (step P
5) Cut off the power to the inverter device 18 and stop driving the motor 5.

Here, the sound during operation becomes louder due to the occurrence of water splashing or unbalanced rotation of the rotating tank 3.If the rotational speed of the motor 5 is lowered, the degree of water splashing and unbalanced rotation can be reduced. The degree of balance rotation is reduced and the sound is also reduced.

However, according to this embodiment, as can be seen from the above, the output frequency of the inverter device 18 is changed to a lower value when the level of the detected sound exceeds the reference value, so that the degree of water splashing and unbalanced rotation can be reduced. The level of noise can be reduced, eliminating excessively loud noises, thereby making it possible to achieve a sufficiently quiet operation of the washing machine.

In the above embodiment, the inverter device 18 is used as an example of the motor control device, but the inverter device 18 may be configured to change the number of poles of the motor.

[Effects of the Invention] As is clear from the above description, the present invention detects sound during operation and detects the level of the detected sound in a washing operation and a dehydration operation based on the rotational drive of a motor. a motor control device that changes the rotational speed of the motor; and a motor control device that lowers the rotational speed of the motor when the level of the sound detected by the sound detection means exceeds a reference value. The washing machine is characterized in that it is provided with a control means for controlling the motor control device as shown in FIG. It has excellent effects.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings show one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the electrical configuration, FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the control circuit, and FIG. 3 is a longitudinal side view of the washing machine. In the figure, 3 is a rotating tank, 4 is a stirrer, 5 is a motor, 14 is a microphone (sound detection means), 15 is a control circuit (control means), ] 8 is an inverter device (motor control device).

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A washing operation and a dehydration operation based on the rotational drive of a motor, comprising: a sound detection means for detecting sound during operation and outputting a signal according to the level of the detected sound; and a rotational speed of the motor. and a control means for controlling the motor control device to reduce the rotational speed of the motor when the level of sound detected by the sound detection means exceeds a reference value. A washing machine with special features.