JPH04105693A - Operation controller for washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce an opportunity of the running away of a sub-microcomputer and to prevent a danger of unpreparedly driving load equipments by resetting the sub-microcomputer during a period in which the driving of the load equipments is not controlled. CONSTITUTION:In a washing operation, the driving of a feed valve 2, a drain valve 3 and a motor 4 of a washing machine is controlled by a sub- microcomputer 13. A host microcomputer 12 decides whether or not it is a period in which respective load equipments 2 to 4 must be controlled by the sub-microcomputer 13. The host microcomputer 12 outputs a control command SHD and an operation command to the sub-microcomputer 13 so that the sub- microcomputer 13 drives the load equipments 2 to 4. When the period in which the load equipments 2 to 4 are driven by the sub-microcomputer 13 passes, the host microcomputer 12 resets the sub-microcomputer 13, so that the run-away of the sub-microcomputer 13 due to noise or the like is reduced.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention comprises a host microcomputer and a sub-microcomputer that operates in accordance with control commands from the host microcomputer. The present invention relates to an operation control device for a washing machine that controls the operation of a load device by controlling its operation.

(Prior Art) A washing machine is equipped with an operation control circuit including a microcomputer, and based on the operation of this microcomputer, various load devices such as a motor are controlled to control the washing operation. . In this case, one microcomputer is usually provided.

By the way, the cost of single-chip microcomputers used in washing machines increases progressively as the number of terminals and memory capacity increases.Recently, cost reductions have been developed that use multiple microcomputers, for example, two microcomputers. Efforts are being made to make this happen. in this case,
The sub-microcomputer controls the load equipment based on control commands from the host microcomputer.

(Problem to be solved by the invention) However, as mentioned above, as the number of microcomputers increases, errors may occur in the control command data sent from the host microcomputer to the sub-microcomputer due to the influence of noise, etc. The probability of program runaway also increases, and there is a risk that the load equipment may operate abnormally. In particular, some load devices may cause dangerous situations.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide an operation control device for a washing machine that is equipped with a plurality of microcomputers and can prevent abnormal operation of load equipment as much as possible. It is in.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problem) In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 includes a host microcomputer and a sub-microcomputer that operates according to control commands from the host microcomputer. and a computer, which drives and controls the load equipment to control operation, further comprising a determining means for determining whether or not it is a period for the sub-microcomputer to drive and control the load equipment, The present invention is characterized in that a reset means is provided for putting the sub-microcomputer into a reset state when it is determined that it is not the period for driving and controlling the load equipment by the sub-microcomputer.

The invention as set forth in claim 2 provides a determination means for determining whether or not a state in which no data is transmitted from the host microcomputer to the sub-microcomputer continues for a certain period of time, and when it is determined that a state in which no data is transmitted from the host microcomputer to the sub-microcomputer continues for a certain period of time, the sub-microcomputer The present invention is characterized in that a stop means is provided for stopping the drive of the load equipment by the microcomputer.

The invention according to claim 3 provides a return means for returning the contents of the control command sent to the sub-microcomputer to the host microcomputer, and the contents of the control command sent back to the host microcomputer are used to control the control command sent to the sub-microcomputer. The present invention is characterized in that it is provided with a determining means for determining whether or not the host microcomputer matches the command, and when it is determined that the host microcomputer matches the command, the host microcomputer outputs an operation command instructing the sub-microcomputer to execute the operation.

(Operation) The host microcomputer gives a control command to the sub-microcomputer to operate the sub-microcomputer.

In this case, according to the means recited in claim 1, since the sub-microcomputer is kept in a reset state at times other than when the sub-microcomputer itself drives and controls the load equipment, the chance of program runaway is reduced, and the load equipment Abnormal operation can be prevented.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, if the host microcomputer continues not to send data to the sub-microcomputer for a certain period of time, the sub-microcomputer stops driving the load equipment. If data is not transmitted from the host microcomputer to the sub-microcomputer for a certain period of time or more, it is considered that the host microcomputer is running out of control. Therefore, if a program runaway occurs in the host microcomputer, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of an abnormal situation in which the load equipment remains driven.

According to the means described in claim 3, the contents of the control command sent to the sub-microcomputer and the contents of the control command actually sent to the sub-microcomputer are compared, and when the contents match, the sub-microcomputer Since the operation is started, the load equipment can be driven and controlled according to the contents of the control command without error.

(Example) Hereinafter, a first example of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

FIG. 1 shows the electrical configuration of a washing machine with dehydrating function. Between one terminal 1a and lb of a power plug 1 connected to a commercial AC power source, an electromagnetically driven water supply valve 2, a drain valve 3, and a washing machine motor 4 as load devices are connected, and triacs 5 to 5 as switching elements are connected to each other. 8 and a switch 9 functioning as a power switch.

Note that the triacs 7 and 8 are used for forward and reverse rotation of the washing machine motor 4, respectively. Each time the switch 9 is operated, it repeats an action of being locked in the on state and an action of releasing the lock and returning to the off state. Further, the switch 9 has a coil 9a, and is configured to be forcibly unlocked and returned to the off state when the coil 9a is energized.

Further, a rectifying and smoothing circuit 10 is connected between both terminals 1a and lb of the power plug 1, and a constant voltage circuit 11 is connected to the output side of this rectifying and smoothing circuit 10.

A host microcomputer 12 and a sub-microcomputer 13 are connected to the output side of the constant voltage circuit 11. Furthermore, reset circuits 14 and 15 are connected to the output side of the rectifying and smoothing circuit 10, respectively, and the outputs of these reset circuits 14 and 15 are the reset input terminal RI of the host microcomputer 12 and the reset input terminal RI of the sub-microcomputer 13, respectively. The signal is applied to the input terminal R1. In addition, the reset input terminal R1 of the sub-microcomputer 13 has
Reset output terminal P of host microcomputer 12
The output of O is also given. It should be noted that each of the reset circuits 14, 15 outputs a low level until each microcomputer 12, 13 receives an operating voltage from the constant voltage circuit 11 when the power is turned on, and then outputs a high level. Each microcomputer 1213 is in a reset state when its reset input terminal R1 is low, and is in a reset release state when it switches to high. Note that the reset state refers to an operating state in which the device is constantly returned to its initial state, and the reset release refers to a state in which it can accept control commands from the host microcomputer 12 and operate in accordance with the control commands. .

Now, the host microcomputer 12 is configured to receive a switch signal from the switch input circuit 16 and output a control signal to the display circuit 17. Further, the host microcomputer 12 operates for a certain period of time, for example, 10 minutes after the end of the washing operation, as described later.
After a minute has elapsed, the coil 9a of the switch 9 is energized to automatically return the switch 9 to the OFF state. Furthermore, the host microcomputer 12
A control command is given to the sub-microcomputer 13 by the clock signal SCK% serial signal SHD, and the sub-microcomputer 13
A status signal SSD indicating whether or not the sub-microcomputer 13 is in a reset state is supplied to the host microcomputer 12 from the sub-microcomputer 13. The sub-microcomputer 14 also controls the water supply valve 2, which is a load device.
The triacs 5 to 8 are turned on and off to control the drain valve 3 and the washing machine motor 4.

On the other hand, one output line of the constant voltage circuit 11 is connected to the power plug 1
It is also connected to one terminal 1a of the power plug 1 via two resistors 18 and 19, a diode 20 with the polarity shown, and the switch 9. Further, a capacitor 21 is connected in parallel with the resistor 18.

A signal at the common connection point of both resistors 18 and 19 is applied to the input terminal PI of the host microcomputer 12. Therefore, a low level signal and a high level signal are manually input to the input terminal PI of the host microcomputer 12 according to whether the switch 9 is turned on or off.

Then, when the host microcomputer 12 looks at the signal at the input terminal P2 and determines that the switch 9 is off, it sets the reset output terminal Po to a low level. Furthermore, when driving any one of the water supply valve 2, drain valve 3, and washing motor 4, the host microcomputer 13 sets the reset output terminal PO to a high level. The reset input terminal PI of the sub-microcomputer 13 is connected to the reset output terminal PO of the host microcomputer 12.
When the level is low, the reset circuit 15
Even if a high level signal is output from the sub microcomputer 13, it is maintained at a low level state, and the sub microcomputer 13 is maintained in a reset state.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described.

Now, when the power plug 1 is connected to a commercial power source, the constant voltage circuit 11 applies an operating voltage to each microcomputer 12.13, and then the reset circuit 14.15 outputs a high level signal. At this time, since the switch 9 is in the off state, the reset output terminal PO is at a low level.

As a result, the host microcomputer 12 enters the reset state, but the sub microcomputer 13 remains in the reset state.

Now, when the operation switch is operated to perform washing, the host microcomputer 12 controls the switch input circuit 15.
The program selects the course of the washing operation program based on the switch signal from the controller, controls the display circuit 17 according to the selected course, and issues control commands to the sub-microcomputer 12 to sequentially execute the steps shown in FIG. 2, for example. Output.

In this case, the host microcomputer 12 has a function as a determining means and a reset means, and these will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 3. In addition, in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the host microcomputer and the sub-microcomputer are abbreviated as a host microcomputer and a sub-microcomputer.

In the washing operation, the water supply valve 2 and the drain valve 3 are driven in the water supply process and the drain process, the washing machine motor 4 is intermittently driven in the soaking process, and the washing machine motor 4 is driven in the main washing process, dewatering process, and rinsing process. Drive continuously. The driving of the water supply valve 2, drain valve 3, and washing machine motor 4 is controlled by a sub-microcomputer 13. Then, the host microcomputer 12 determines whether or not it is the period during which the second sub-microcomputer 12 should control each of the load devices 2 to 4 (step Sl). When the host microcomputer 12 determines that the sub-microcomputer 13 has entered a period in which any of the load devices 2 to 4 should be driven (rYEsJ in step S1), the host microcomputer 13 then receives the command from the sub-microcomputer 13 in step S2. Status signal 5 sent
50 is at a low level. Then, when it is determined that the status signal SSD is at a low level, that is, it is determined that the sub-microcomputer 13 is in the reset release state (rYESJ is determined in step S2).
), the host microcomputer 12 sets the reset output terminal PO to a high level (step S3), and puts the sub-microcomputer 13 into a reset release state. Note that when the reset is released, the status signal SSO from the sub-microcomputer 13 becomes high level.

Next, the host microcomputer 12 outputs a control command SOD to the sub-microcomputer 13 (step S4) and outputs an operation command (step S4).
5). This causes the sub-microcomputer 13 to operate and drive the load devices 2 to 4 in accordance with the control command.

Then, the load devices 2 to 4 are connected to the sub microcomputer 1.
3, when the driving period elapses (in step S6
YESJ), the host microcomputer 12 lowers the reset output terminal PO to low level (step 37).
. Therefore, the sub-microcomputer 13 enters a reset state, and the status signal SSD sent to the host microcomputer 12 is switched to low level.

Such an operation is performed every period when the load devices 2 to 4 are driven. Then, when the washing operation is finished and 10 minutes have passed, the host microcomputer 1
2 outputs an auto power-off signal to the coil 9a of the switch 9, so that even if the switch 9 is not turned off, the switch 9 is automatically turned off.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the sub-microcomputer 13 is maintained in the reset state during periods other than the period in which the sub-microcomputer 13 drives the load devices 2 to 4, thereby preventing the sub-microcomputer 13 from running out of control due to noise or the like. Reduces the risk of inadvertently loading equipment 2
-4 is safe and will not be driven. Further, in this embodiment, after confirming that the sub microcomputer 13 is in the reset state, the host microcomputer 1
Since the control command is sent from 2, it is safer.

4 and 5 show a second embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the water supply valve 2 and the drain valve 3 are controlled by a host microcomputer 22, and the washing machine motor 4 is controlled by a sub-microcomputer 23. Then, the sub-microcomputer 23 detects a disconnection of the signal line between the host microcomputer 22 and the sub-microcomputer 23.
It detects runaway of the host microcomputer 22 and stops driving the washing machine motor 4.

This detection routine is shown in FIG.

That is, when the sub-microcomputer 23 starts executing this detection routine, it first determines in step S1 whether or not the control command SHD has been sent from the host microcomputer 22. In this step S1, rNOJ
If it is determined, time counting is started in a second step S2. Then, in a third step S3, it is determined whether or not the clock signal SCK has been sent from the host microcomputer 22 (determination means). Now the clock signal S
Assuming that the date has been set, the operation of clearing the time count to zero in the next fourth step S4 is repeated. In this case, the control signal from the host microcomputer 22 is accepted assuming that there is no disconnection of the signal line and no runaway of the host microcomputer 22, and the washing machine motor 4 is driven based on the control signal. do.

However, if the signal line is disconnected or the host microcomputer 22 goes out of control, the sub microcomputer 23 will receive the clock signal SCK accurately.
will no longer be entered. When this happens, the third step S3 returns "NO", and this state remains for a certain period of time, for example, 1
If 0w5ec continues (rYESJ in step S5)
, if the washing machine motor 4 is being driven, the sub-microcomputer 23 stops the washing machine motor 4, and if the washing machine motor 4 is stopped, the sub-microcomputer 23 thereafter controls the clock signal SC.
The stopping state is maintained until X is sent normally (step S6; stopping means).

According to this embodiment, if the signal (clock signal SCK) is not sent from the host microcomputer 12 to the sub-microcomputer 13 for a certain period of time, the transmission line may be disconnected or the host microcomputer 2
2 is running out of control, and the operation is stopped, so that the washing machine motor 4 continues to be operated, or the washing machine motor 4 is started according to the drive command sent from the host microcomputer 22 last time. Malfunctions can be prevented.

6 and 7 show a third embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the water supply valve 2 and the drain valve 3 are controlled by a host microcomputer 24, and the washing machine motor 4 is controlled by a sub-microcomputer 25. There is. Then, it is confirmed that the control command has been accurately sent from the host microcomputer 24 to the sub-microcomputer 25,
Thereafter, the sub-microcomputer 25 executes an operation for controlling the drive of the washing machine motor 4.

That is, as shown in FIG. 6, between the host microcomputer 24 and the sub-microcomputer 25, there is a signal line 26 that sends a timing signal from the host microcomputer 24, and a signal line 26 that sends a timing signal from the host microcomputer 24 in synchronization with this timing signal. A signal line 27 that sends data (control commands) one bit at a time; a signal line 28 that sends data identical to the data sent to the sub-microcomputer 25 one bit at a time to the host microcomputer 24; A signal line 29 that sends a return timing signal from the host microcomputer 12 to instruct the microcomputer 24 when to send data back, and a signal line 29 that sends a return timing signal from the host microcomputer 24 to cause the sub-microcomputer 25 to start an operation according to the control command. A signal line 30 for sending commands is provided.

As shown in FIG. 7, first, control command data is sent from the host microcomputer 24 to the sub-microcomputer 25 (step S2) in a state where no operation command is output (step S1'). Then, the sub-microcomputer 25 sends data having the same content as the sent control command data to the host microcomputer 2.
4, and the host microcomputer 24 receives it (step S3). Therefore, the sub-microcomputer 25 functions as a return means.

Next, the host microcomputer 24 determines whether the content of the control command data sent to the sub-microcomputer 25 matches the data returned from the sub-microcomputer 25 (step S4. determining means). If they match (rY in step S4)
EsJ), the host microcomputer 24 outputs an operation command, and the sub-microcomputer 25 receives and receives this operation command, thereby driving and controlling the washing machine motor 4 based on the contents of the control command.

In the case of rNOJ in step S4 (the transmitted data and the reply data do not match), the host microcomputer 24
transmits the data again, and outputs an operation command to the sub-microcomputer 25 when all the transmitted data matches the returned data.

As described above, according to this embodiment, after confirming that the content of the control command sent from the host microcomputer 24 to the sub-microcomputer 25 is accurate, the sub-microcomputer 25 is given control to drive the washing machine motor 4. Since the sub-microcomputer 25 is configured to start the operation based on the contents of the wrong control command due to the influence of noise, it is safe.

[Effects of the Invention] According to the present invention described above, the following effects can be obtained.

In the washing machine operation control device according to claim 1, the sub-microcomputer is configured to be in a reset state when the sub-microcomputer is not in a period for driving and controlling the load equipment, thereby reducing the chance of the sub-microcomputer running out of control. It is possible to prevent the risk of the load equipment being driven carelessly.

In the washing machine operation control device according to claim 2, the communication line If a wire breaks or the host microcomputer goes out of control, it is possible to stop the load equipment from being driven.

In the washing machine operation control device according to claim 3, the content of the control command sent to the sub-microcomputer is sent back to the host microcomputer, and the content of the returned control command or the content of the control command sent to the sub-microcomputer is By configuring the configuration to output an operation command to the sub-microcomputer when the contents match, the load equipment can be driven and controlled according to the error-free contents of the control command even if noise is introduced.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 3 show a first embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1 is an electrical configuration diagram, FIG. 2 is a time chart showing an example of a washing operation, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing control details. FIG. Further, FIGS. 4 and 5 are views corresponding to FIGS. 1 and 3 showing a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 6 and 7 are views corresponding to FIGS. 1 and 3 showing a third embodiment of the present invention. 3 and a diagram corresponding to FIG. 3. In the drawing, 2 is a water supply valve (load device), 3 is a drain valve (load device), 4 is a washing machine motor (load device), ] 2 is a host microcomputer, and 13 is a sub-microcomputer (judgment means, reset execution means) ) 14.15 is a reset circuit, 22 is a host microcomputer, 23 is a sub-microcomputer (judgment means, stopping means), 2
Reference numeral 4 indicates a host microcomputer (determination means), and reference numeral 25 indicates a sub-microcomputer (return means). Agent Patent Attorney Tsuyoshi Sato s11

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A host microcomputer and a sub-microcomputer that operates according to control commands from the host microcomputer, which drive and control load equipment to control operation. , providing a determining means for determining whether or not it is a period for drive control of the load equipment by the sub-microcomputer;
An operation control device for a washing machine, comprising a reset means for setting the sub-microcomputer to a reset state when the sub-microcomputer determines that it is not a period for driving and controlling the load equipment. 2. It is equipped with a host microcomputer and a sub-microcomputer that operates according to control commands from the host microcomputer, and controls the operation of load equipment by controlling them, and the host microcomputer controls the operation of the load equipment. A determination means is provided for determining whether or not a state in which no data is sent to the sub-microcomputer continues for a certain period of time, and a stop is made to stop driving the load equipment by the sub-microcomputer when it is determined that a state in which no data is sent to the sub-microcomputer continues for a certain period of time. An operation control device for a washing machine, characterized in that a means is provided. 3. It is equipped with a host microcomputer and a sub-microcomputer that operates according to control commands from the host microcomputer, and drives and controls load equipment by these, and the sub-microcomputer A return means for returning the contents of the sent control command to the host microcomputer, and determining whether the contents of the control command sent back to the host microcomputer match the control command sent to the sub-microcomputer and determining that they match. 1. A washing machine operation control device comprising: determination means for causing a host microcomputer to output an operation command instructing a sub-microcomputer to execute an operation when the host microcomputer performs an operation.