JPH0357496A - Display device for washing machine or the like - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily read displayed contents regardless of a setting place and using time, for a washing machine, etc., and to hold the life of a light emitting element, which is used for the display, for a long time by controlling the light emitting luminosity of a light emitting part based on the output of a light receiving part. CONSTITUTION:On a control panel, a photodetector 6 to define a photodiode as a photodetecting element, respective display lamps 7-19 to define a light emitting diode as a light emitting element, timer 20, respective operation buttons 21-32 and display member 33 are arranged. Illuminance near the control panel is detected by a photodetecting element 42 and amplification processing is executed to a detection signal by a linkage processing part 43 for photodetection. Then, the signal is inputted to a control part 47. When the illuminance near the control panel is changed, for example, when it is lowered, the change is detected by a photodetecting part 44 and the control signal of the control part 47 is changed. Then, the luminosity for the light emitting element of a light emitting part 46 is lowered and changed to a state that the displayed contents are clearly transmitted samely as a state before the illuminance is changed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Field of Application) The present invention relates to a display device for a washing machine or the like that is equipped with a plurality of light emitting elements for displaying operating conditions, operating progress, etc.

(Prior art) Conventionally, washing machines have been of two-tank type with a washing tank and a separate dehydration tank, or one-tub type with a washing tank and a dehydration tank combined, and washing, rinsing, and dehydration. There are manual types that set the operating conditions for each process of washing each time each process is executed, and there are also manual types that have a built-in microprocessor that sets the operating conditions for each process before washing and adjusts to the set conditions. There are automatic types that automatically execute each step based on the following information. In such washing machines, light emitting elements such as fluorescent display tubes or light emitting diodes are arranged in the form of letters or numbers in order to display the operating conditions to be set or which process is currently being executed. Display can be performed by placing a light-emitting element on the back side of a translucent display board and emitting light from a predetermined light-emitting element, or by placing a light-emitting element close to the display and emitting light from a predetermined light-emitting element corresponding to the displayed content. It is displayed by doing. Also, in clothes dryers, dishwashers, etc., the operating conditions and operating status are displayed by changing the light emitting pattern of light emitting elements, just as in washing machines. (Problem to be Solved by the Invention) In conventional display devices such as washing machines configured as described above, the corresponding light emitting elements emit light to indicate predetermined display contents. The luminous intensity of the light emitting element is set to a constant value regardless of the surrounding conditions in which the washing machine or the like is used. However, with recent changes in the social environment, the living conditions and lifestyles of users have changed, and the conditions for using washing machines, etc. have also become more diverse. For example, in the past, it was installed indoors and was often used mainly in the early morning or during the day, and even if the luminous intensity when the light emitting element of the display device emitted light was a constant value, there was no problem in reading the displayed contents. Even if they are installed indoors, they are often installed in places where they can be seen easily in daily life, and they are also installed outdoors, and the hours of use are from early morning to late at night. Alternatively, even during the night when people are sleeping, usage conditions are set and automatic operation is performed, which has led to problems in reading the display contents.

In other words, the brightness around the washing machine etc. varies depending on the installation location and usage time of the washing machine etc. For example, when using the washing machine outdoors during the day, the surrounding brightness is bright and the illumination of the display surface of the display device is high, causing light emission. Even if the device emits light, it is not easy to tell whether it is emitting light or not, and if the luminous intensity of the light emitting device is set to high, it is difficult to tell whether it is emitting light or not.On the other hand, if the luminous intensity of the light emitting device is set to high, it is difficult to tell whether it is emitting light or not. In this case, the brightness of the light emitting elements is high, which may irritate the eyes or make it difficult to read the displayed information on the translucent display board, making it impossible to read the information displayed accurately.

Furthermore, when a washing machine or the like is automatically operated at night, there is a problem in that the light-emitting elements of the display device emit light at unnecessary brightness all the time, unnecessarily shortening the life of the light-emitting elements. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to make it easy to read the display contents regardless of the installation location of the washing machine or the usage time, and to extend the life of the light emitting elements used for display. It is an object of the present invention to provide a display device for a washing machine or the like that can be maintained for a long time.

[Structure of the invention]

(Means for Solving the Problems) A display device for a washing machine or the like according to the present invention includes a display section provided on the outer surface of the main body of the washing machine or the like and displaying display contents, and a light emitting element that displays predetermined contents of the display section. A light emitting part that emits light, and a control part that controls the light emitting state of this light emitting part. The apparatus is characterized in that it includes a light receiving section that detects illuminance on the outer surface of the main body using a light receiving element, and is configured to control the luminous intensity of the light emitting section based on the output of the light receiving section. (Function) The display section showing the operating conditions and operating status of the washing machine, etc. is provided on the outer surface of the main unit so that the user can easily read the displayed contents, and the operating conditions can be set using the operating section of the main unit of the washing machine, etc. When set, the light-emitting element of the corresponding light-emitting section emits light according to the setting input from the operation panel, clearly indicating the display content. After setting the operating conditions and starting operation, as each process is executed, the operating status and the light-emitting elements of the light-emitting part corresponding to the executed process are displayed by emitting light. At times like this,
The illuminance on the outer surface of the main body of a washing machine, etc. is detected by the light receiving element of the light receiving section, and the output of the light receiving section corresponding to the detected illuminance is applied as an input to the control section that controls the light emission of the light emitting section. The luminous intensity of the light emitting element is controlled by the control unit so that the luminous intensity reaches the set luminous intensity. In this way, the luminous intensity of the light-emitting part changes depending on the illuminance on the outer surface of the main body of the washing machine, etc., and the display makes a difference between what is displayed on the display and what is unnecessary, allowing the user to read it accurately. It can be displayed as follows.

In addition, when using the machine at night, the surrounding lights are turned on.For example, when loading laundry and detergent into the washing machine and setting operating conditions, the light emitting part emits light at a high intensity, and when the machine starts operating and the lights are turned on. When turned off, the light-receiving unit detects changes in ambient brightness and reduces the luminous intensity of the light-emitting unit, eliminating unnecessary high-intensity light emission from the light-emitting element and extending the life of the light-emitting element. .

(Example) An actual example of the present invention will be explained below with reference to the drawings. 1st
In Fig. 2, 1 is a fully automatic washing machine, and 2 is its main body. A wash M3 is provided inside the main body 2. An upper cover 4 is attached to the upper part of the main body 2, and an operation panel 5 is formed on the front side of the upper cover 4. This operation panel 5 includes a light receiver 6 having a photodiode as a light receiving element, each display lamp 7 to 19 having a light emitting diode as a light emitting element, a clock 20, each operation panel 21 to 32,
A display member 33 is arranged, and each of the display lamps 7 to 15 . Display contents are printed near 17 to 19, forming a display section 33a. Further, a power switch 34 is attached to the rear side of the upper cover 4, and an opening is formed in the center of the upper cover 4 so that laundry can be put into the washing tub 3. is configured to be closed with a lid 35.

Note that 36 indicates a drainage hose. Next, each display lamp 7 to 19 and a clock 20. Each operation button 2l ~
The relationship between the operation of 32 and the light emitting display will be explained. Starting from the left side when viewed from the front side of the main body 2, if you press the operation button 21 to cancel the activation of the end buzzer sound when washing is completed, the indicator lamp 7 will light up to indicate that the buzzer has been turned off, and the washing tub will be turned off. When cleaning the inside of 3, cleaning is selected by pressing the operation button 22, the indicator lamp 8 lights up to indicate that the clean course has been selected, and the operation button 23 is used to select the water flow. dirty laundry,
Each time the operation button 23 is pressed, the water flow is switched depending on the type, and the display lamps 9a, 9b, 9c, . 9d
are sequentially illuminated and displayed, and the operation button 24 is pressed when adding laundry during pre-wash operation to cause the display lamp 10 to emit light, indicating that the operation will be temporarily stopped after pre-wash operation, and the operation button 25, 26 and 27 are for selecting washing, rinsing, and spin-drying steps that are different from the washing course stored in the built-in microprocessor for automatic operation, and each time the operation buttons 25, 26, and 27 are pressed, the washing steps are sequentially selected. The washing time selection, rinsing method selection, and dehydration time selection are switched, and the status of each is displayed on the display lamp lla. llb,
1. lc, 12a, 12b, 12c. 13a, 13b
．． It is displayed by switching the light emission of 13c. Operation button 28
Each time the button is pressed, the display lamp 14a. 14b, 14c.
14d lights up when switched to display the water level selection status, and operation buttons 29a to 29f are used to select washing courses stored in the microprocessor in advance, and when pressed, one of the display lamps 15a to 15f is activated. lights up to indicate that one of the multiple washing courses has been selected. Furthermore, an indicator lamp 16a. 16b, 16c, 16d
Displays the operating status. Select the washing course, press the operation button 32 to start the operation, and as each washing process progresses, the indicator lamp that emits light changes, and during operation, the indicator lamp flashes and emits light. Displays the driving progress. These indicator lamps 16a to 16d display the display contents on a translucent display board, and a light emitting element is arranged on the back side of the display board, and the display content on the display board is displayed by emitting light from the light emitting element. It is designed to make it clear. The clock 20 displays the time using a built-in clock circuit and also uses a timer function. Operation buttons 30a, 30
When setting the time using the timer b and 30c and reserving the washing start time using the timer, press the operation button 3l to make the display lamp 18 blink and emit light to indicate that the time has been reserved, and press the operation button 30b. At step 30c, the reservation time is set while looking at the display on the clock 20, and the operation button 32 is pressed to complete the reservation.Completion is indicated by switching the blinking light emission of the display lamp 18 to continuous light emission. FIG. 3 is a connection diagram of each device constituting the washing machine according to the present invention, and 37 is a power supply device connected to an AC power source, which operates the stirring blades provided at the inner bottom of the washing tub 3. An electric motor, various valve mechanisms, relays, etc. constitute a source of movement for the heel movement device 38, and this heel movement device 38 is controlled by a control device 39 containing a microprocessor. Reference numeral 40 denotes an input device which processes operation signals from the operation buttons 21 to 30 that make up this device, or signals from a water level sensor, a rinsing level sensor, a safety switch for abnormal vibrations, etc. The processing result is output to the control device 39 as one of the control signals. Reference numeral 41 denotes a display device, which connects a display member 33 and display contents printed on the display member 33 to a certain display section 33a, a light receiving element 42, and a light receiving connection process for operating the light receiving element 42 and amplifying the detection signal. a light receiving section 44 composed of a section 43; a light emitting section 46 composed of an indicator lamp connection processing section 45 that operates a predetermined one of the indicator lamps 7 to 19; A control section 47 processes signals from the light receiving connection processing section 43 and signals applied from the input device 40 through the control device 39 to control the light emitting states of the indicator lamps 7 to 19 of the light emitting section 46. Ru. Next, the operations of the light receiving section 44 and the light emitting section 46 will be explained. The light receiving element 42 detects the illuminance near the operation panel 5, and the light receiving connection processing section 43
The detection signal is amplified and inputted to the control section 47. On the other hand, a control signal is generated by processing a signal from the input device 40 that is applied from the control device 39 to the control section 47 of the display device 41, and is formed by processing a signal that is shaped according to the progress status of the stroke, the driving situation, etc. Accordingly, the connection processing section 4 for the indicator lamp
5, corresponding predetermined light emitting elements of the display lamps 7 to I9 emit light. At this time, the luminous intensity of the predetermined light emitting element is maintained at a preset luminous intensity according to the illuminance detected by the light receiving section 44, and is displayed on the display member 33 attached to the operation panel 5 or the display board of the display lamps 16a to 16d. clearly communicate the displayed content to the user. Further, when the illuminance near the operation panel 5 changes and becomes lower, for example, the light receiving section 44 detects the change and changes the control signal of the control section 47 to lower the luminous intensity of the light emitting element of the light emitting section 46, thereby changing the illuminance. The display changes to a state where the displayed content is clearly communicated as before. The luminous intensity of the light emitting element may be changed continuously in response to continuous changes in illuminance, or the luminous intensity may be changed in stages based on the user's visual sensitivity correction ability. Further daytime・
It is also possible to switch in conjunction with the built-in clock function that shows the range of changes in luminous intensity at night. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, changes in the luminous intensity of the light emitting element, that is, the light emitting diode, are determined by the detected illuminance of the light receiving element, that is, the photodiode. Make it higher. In the figure, between time tE and time t2, the illuminance is low, so the photodiode current is small (■1), and the pulse current that is controlled by this photodiode current value and applied to the light emitting diode has a low frequency peak value of IS. ,
The luminous intensity of the light emitting diode remains low. Also time t
2, the illuminance detected by the photodiode increases, and after that the photodiode current increases to I2, which changes the control state of the light emitting diode, and the applied pulse current has a peak value of Is and a pulse waveform of the same high frequency. , the luminous intensity of the light emitting diode is high,
Maintain this state. Although a photodiode was used as the light-receiving element in the above embodiment, it goes without saying that a photodiode or a conductive cell may be used, and the light-emitting element is not limited to a light-emitting diode. Furthermore, although a fully automatic washing machine has been illustrated, the present invention is not limited to the type of washing machine, and it is clear that the present invention can also be applied to clothes dryers, dishwashers, etc. [Effects of the Invention] As is clear from the above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. In other words, a light receiving section is provided, and the luminous intensity of the light emitting section such as the indicator lamp provided in the display section can be changed depending on the illuminance near the washing machine etc. detected by the light receiving section, so the illuminance can be changed. When the temperature is high, the luminous intensity is also high;
When the illuminance is low, the luminous intensity will also be low, so whether the washing machine etc. is installed indoors or outdoors, or whether it is used during the day or late at night, the display content by the light emitting part itself will be different. Of course, the indications written on display members and the indications written on translucent display boards can be clearly read according to the specified display contents by the light emission of the indicator lamp, and the brightness can be adjusted by the user during operation. It has the effect of eliminating excessive stimulation of the eyes and eliminating erroneous operations due to misreading.Furthermore, it brightens the surrounding area to prepare for the start of driving, and after the start of driving, darkens the surrounding area and automatically drives. Even in such a case, it is possible to avoid emitting light at an excessively high luminous intensity, and this has the effect of reducing the decrease in the life of the light emitting element.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment equipped with the present invention, Fig. 2 is a plan view showing the main parts of the operation panel, Fig. 3 is a connection diagram showing the connections of each device constituting the embodiment, Fig. 4 The figure is a characteristic diagram showing the operating state of a photodiode, and Figure 5 is a characteristic diagram showing the operating state of a light emitting diode. 1: washing machine, 5: operation panel, 6: light receiver, 2l-32: operation button, 39: control device, 41: display device, 46 two light-emitting parts, 7-19: display lamp, 33a: display part, 40 : input device, 44: light receiving section, 47: control section.

Claims (1)

[Claims] A display section provided on the outer surface of the main body, a light emitting section that clearly displays predetermined display contents of the display section by emitting light, a control section that controls the light emitting state of the light emitting section, and a control section that controls the illuminance on the outer surface of the main body. 1. A display device for a washing machine or the like, comprising: a light receiving section for sensing, and configured to control the luminous intensity of the light emitting section based on the output of the light receiving section.