JPH04224795A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To re-start operation in the same operation mode as that at a power failure, when the current is conducted again after the power failure. CONSTITUTION:An operation mode is set by an operation mode setter 8 through the input from an operation mode selection key. A load controller 6 is driven by an operational means 9 to start operation. When the operation is started, the operation mode is memorized in EEPROM 1 by an operation mode memory 10. After the operation stops due to a power failure, when the current is again conducted, the mode memory in EEPROM 1 is called by a calling means 11. The operational motion is automatically re-started from the operation mode at which the power stopped.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a washing machine that automatically performs a series of washing, rinsing, and dehydrating processes.

0002

[Prior Art] In conventional washing machines controlled by microcomputers, when a power outage occurs during operation, the countermeasures are to prevent damage to the washing machine (including its internal control circuit), runaway of the microcomputer, etc. Measures have been taken to prevent this from happening, but no measures have been taken when the power is turned on again.

0003

[Problem to be solved by the invention] When a power outage occurs during the operation of a washing machine and once the operation stops, even if the power is re-energized and the machine is ready for operation, it remains in the state when the power was turned on (operation standby state) and stops. It remains as it is. Since operation will not resume unless the operation switch is input by the user,
The laundry was not finished as well as it should have been, and in some cases this resulted in dissatisfaction among the users.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine that can automatically restart operation from the operating mode at the time of power outage when the power is turned on again after a power outage.

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems] The means for solving the problems according to the present invention is as shown in Figs. A non-volatile storage device 1 that stores the operating mode set during the power outage, and an operation control device 2 that restarts the operation in the operating mode at the time of the power outage when the power is reenergized after a power outage occurs during operation. 2 includes an operation mode storage means 10 for storing operation mode data in the non-volatile storage device 1 at the time of starting each operation mode, and an operation mode storage means 10 for storing operation mode data in the non-volatile storage device 1 at the time of starting each operation mode, and for storing data on the operation mode at the time of power outage from the non-volatile storage device 1 at the time of re-energization after a power outage. It is equipped with calling means 11 for calling.

[0006]

[Operation] In the above-mentioned means for solving the problem, at the start of each operation mode of washing, rinsing, and dehydration, the operation mode storage means 10 of the operation control device 2 stores each operation mode in the nonvolatile storage device 1. During operation, when power is turned on again after a power outage occurs and the operation is stopped, the operation mode stored in the non-volatile storage device 1 is called up by the calling means 11, and if a power outage occurs during the cleaning operation, If a power outage occurs during washing operation and dehydration operation, the operation is restarted from dehydration operation and so on. That is, there is no possibility that the washing is interrupted midway and the laundry is not finished, and the user is not dissatisfied.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a control block diagram of a washing machine showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a control circuit diagram thereof, and FIGS. 3-A and B
, C are also flowcharts.

The washing machine of this embodiment automatically operates each step of washing, rinsing, and spin-drying in a set operation mode, and includes a nonvolatile storage device 1 that stores the set operation mode; An operation control device 2 is provided that restarts operation in the operating mode at the time of power outage when the power is reenergized after a power outage occurs during operation.

The control circuit of the washing machine, as shown in FIG. 2, includes a rectifier circuit 4 that transforms and rectifies the AC power 3 supplied from the outlet, and a constant voltage circuit 5 that adjusts the voltage to a voltage suitable for the operation control device 2. , the operation control device 2, and a load control section 6 that controls loads of motors, electromagnetic valves, etc. related to a series of washing operations by the operation control device 2.

The nonvolatile memory device 1 is an electrically rewritable nonvolatile memory (EEPROM) whose internal storage contents are not erased even if the power is cut off, and is provided in a control circuit.

The operation control device 2 is composed of a microcomputer, and as shown in FIG. Mode setting means 8
an operating means 9 for driving and controlling the load control section 6 in the operating mode set by the above-mentioned EEPR at the time of starting each operating mode;
an operation mode storage means 10 for storing operation mode data in OM1;
Retrieval means 1 for retrieving operation mode data during power outage from
1.

The operation mode storage means 10 has a function of erasing the data in the EEPROM 1 and waiting for a command for the next operation when a stop command is input at the end of each operation or during each operation. are doing.

In the above configuration, the AC power supply 3 supplied from an outlet in each home is transformed and rectified by the rectifier circuit 4, and then supplied to the constant voltage circuit 5, where the voltage is adjusted to a constant voltage suitable for the operation control device 2. become The operation mode is set by the operation mode setting means 8 of the operation control device 2, and the load control section 6 related to a series of washing operations is controlled and operated in the operation mode set by the operation means 9.

[0014] When the power is turned on, the washing machine completes a series of washing operations in the order of washing, rinsing, and spin-drying, but what happens when a power outage occurs during operation and power is no longer supplied to the washing machine? , A series of operations from washing to dehydration will be explained based on the flowchart of FIG.

[0015] When the power is turned on by the user and each operation mode is set, a cleaning operation is started. At the same time, data on the cleaning operation mode is outputted from the operation mode storage means 10 of the operation control device 2 and stored in the EEPROM 1.

If a power outage occurs during this washing operation and the washing machine no longer functions as a washing machine, that is, if power is no longer supplied to the operation control device 2 that performs the main control, the washing machine will no longer function. all of them will stop, making it impossible to perform cleaning operations. After that, when the power is turned on again and operation becomes possible, that is, when power is supplied to the operation control device 2 and commands related to operation can be issued,
The operation mode data stored in EEPROM1 remains stored even if power is not supplied.
The operation mode when a power outage occurs is set to EE by the calling means 11.
Call from PROM1 and start cleaning operation.

[0017] In this way, even if a power outage occurs, operation is automatically resumed, and the washing machine that has completed the washing operation then shifts to the rinsing operation.

Similarly, in the rinsing operation, the data of the rinsing operation mode is output from the operation mode storage means 10 and stored in the EEPROM 1 at the same time as the start of the rinsing operation. At this time, the cleaning operation mode data stored in the EEPROM 1 is rewritten from the cleaning operation mode data to the rinsing operation mode data at the same time as the rinsing operation mode data is input. If a power outage occurs during the rinsing operation, the power supply to the operation control device 2 is cut off, as in the case of a power outage in the washing operation mode, and when the power is re-energized and the operation is possible, the rinsing operation is started from the EEPROM 1 by the calling means 11. Recalls the mode data and resumes rinsing operation.

[0019] In this way, even if a power outage occurs, the washing machine automatically resumes operation, and after completing the rinsing operation, the washing machine shifts to the spin-drying operation.

In the dehydration operation, the dehydration operation mode data is sent from the operation mode storage means 10 to the EEPROM 1 at the same time as the start of the dehydration operation, and in the EEPROM 1, the data of the dehydration operation mode is rewritten from the rinse operation mode to the dehydration operation mode data. Similarly to the cleaning and rinsing operation modes, when the power is re-energized and the operation is possible, the calling means 11 will switch to EEP.
Recall the dehydration operation mode data from ROM1 and restart the dehydration operation.

[0021] In this way, when the spin-driving operation is completed, the series of washing operations is completed, and the data indicating the end of the spin-driving operation is sent from the operation mode storage means 10 to the EEPROM 1, the data of the spin-driving operation mode is erased, and the EEPROM 1 is put on standby. state. Further, since no data is input into the memory of the EEPROM 1, a power outage occurs when the EEPROM 1 is not operating in the energized state, and even if the EEPROM 1 is reenergized, no operation is performed. This is the same even when the power is turned on, and is the same as when the operation has already finished, and the EEPROM1
Since no data has been input into the memory, the operation control device 2 does not determine that there is a power outage. Therefore, the washing machine waits for the user's input to start operation.

Furthermore, even if the user inputs a stop command to the operation control device 2 during a series of operations from cleaning to dehydration, the data in the memory of the EEPROM 1 is erased from the operation mode storage means 10. It is cleared by a command, and the state waits for a command for the next washing operation.

[0023] Therefore, when compared with conventional washing machines,
In order to deal with a power outage that occurs during operation in each operation mode, we not only prevent problems such as damage to the washing machine or malfunction of the control system, but also use a non-volatile memory device (EEPROM)1. By using this, when a power outage occurs during operation, the washing machine will stop in one of the washing, rinsing, and spin-driving modes, but the operating mode data in the nonvolatile storage device 1 will remain stored. When the power is restored and the power is restored, the machine can be restarted from the power outage mode and the washing can be completed, so there is no dissatisfaction for the user. There is no need to wash the clothes from the beginning again.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and it goes without saying that many modifications and changes can be made to the above embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

[0025]

Effects of the Invention As is clear from the above explanation, according to the present invention, a non-volatile memory device that memorizes the set operation mode and a non-volatile memory device that stores the set operation mode, and a non-volatile memory device that stores the set operation mode, The device is equipped with an operation control device that restarts the operation in the specified mode, and when starting each operation mode, the data of the operation mode is stored in the non-volatile storage device, and when a power outage occurs during operation, cleaning, rinsing, and dehydration can be performed. Although the washing machine stops in that operating mode, the operating mode data in the non-volatile storage device remains stored without being erased, and when the power is turned on again, the data of the operating mode is saved from the non-volatile storage device. By calling the data of the operating mode at the time of power outage, it is possible to restart the operation from the operating mode at the time of power outage and finish washing.

[0026] Therefore, the user will not be dissatisfied, and there is an excellent effect that there is no need to wash the clothes from the beginning again.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a control block diagram of a washing machine showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is also a control circuit diagram thereof.

FIG. 3-A is a flow chart as well.

FIG. 3-B is a flow chart as well.

FIG. 3-C is a flow chart as well.

[Explanation of symbols]

1. Non-volatile storage device 2 Operation control device 10 Operation mode storage means 11 Calling means

Claims (1)

[Claims] Claim 1: A washing machine that automatically operates each step of washing, rinsing, and spin-drying in a set operating mode, which includes a non-volatile memory device that stores the set operating mode, and a washing machine that automatically operates each step of washing, rinsing, and spin-drying in a set operating mode. After that, an operation control device is provided which restarts the operation in the operation mode at the time of power outage when the power is re-energized, and the operation control device stores the data of the operation mode in the non-volatile storage device at the time of starting each operation mode. 1. A washing machine comprising: a mode storage means; and a calling means for calling data of the operating mode at the time of power outage from the nonvolatile storage device when power is turned on again after a power outage.