JPH0576686A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable a washing machine to annunciate a message at a sound level suitable for surrounding environment, and to display a message with brightness suitable for the environment. CONSTITUTION:A washing machine is equipped with a noise sensor 103 to detect a surrounding noise, a sound volume selector section 112 to select the volume of an annunciation sound between the first volume and the second volume less than the first volume, and a microcomputer to make the annunciation sound volume as the first volume, when a level detected with the noise sensor 103 is equal to or higher than the predetermined level, and to make the annunciation sound volume as the second volume, when a level detected with the sensor 103 is below the predetermined level.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a washing machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A washing machine is generally equipped with an informing device and a display device as means for informing a user of its operating state.

The notifying device is adapted to notify that a predetermined driving state such as the end of driving and the occurrence of an abnormal driving state is brought about by issuing a predetermined sound. The volume was constant.

Further, the display device is adapted to display information on operation such as various set values related to operation control, a process during operation and occurrence of an abnormal operation state by light emission of an LED or the like. The brightness of the light was constant.

[0005]

However, since the volume of the notification sound is constant in the washing machine provided with the conventional notification device as described above, the notification is issued when the surroundings where the washing machine is installed are noisy. There is a problem in that the sound is hard to hear to the user, and when the surrounding area is quiet, the notification sound is noisy.

Further, in the washing machine equipped with the conventional display device as described above, the brightness of the display light is constant, and the brightness is set so as to make the display easy to see, so that the washing machine is installed. If the surroundings are dark, the display light is too bright and the eyes of the user are tired.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a washing machine capable of notifying the volume according to the surrounding environment and displaying the brightness according to the surrounding environment. The purpose is to provide.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first washing machine of the present invention, wherein, in a washing machine for making a sound notification of various operating states, a noise detecting means for detecting ambient noise and a sound volume of the sound notification are provided. Means for switching between a sound volume of 1 and a second sound volume lower than the first sound volume; and when the detection result of the noise detection means is higher than a predetermined level, the sound volume of the sound notification is the first sound volume, When the detection result of the noise detecting unit is lower than a predetermined level, the sounding notification volume is controlled to the second volume.

A second washing machine of the present invention is a washing machine which displays information on driving by light emission, wherein brightness detection means for detecting ambient brightness and brightness of the light emission display are
And a second brightness lower than the first brightness, and when the detection result of the brightness detection means is brighter than a predetermined level, the brightness of the light emitting display is changed to the first brightness. Further, when the detection result of the brightness detecting means is darker than a predetermined level, it is provided with a means for controlling the brightness of the light emitting display to be the second brightness.

[0010]

In the first washing machine of the present invention, when the ambient noise level is high, the volume of sounding notification becomes the first volume,
When the level of ambient noise is low, the volume of the sound notification is the second volume, which is lower than the first volume.
During daytime driving, when the surroundings are noisy, the sound volume of the sound notification is increased and the sound of the sound notification is easily heard. on the other hand,
When driving at night when the surroundings are quiet, the sound volume of the sound notification becomes low, and the sound of the sound notification becomes inaudible.

In the second washing machine of the present invention, when the surrounding brightness is bright, the brightness of the light emitting display becomes the first brightness, and when the surrounding brightness is dark, the brightness of the light emitting display becomes Since the second brightness is darker than the first brightness, the brightness of the light emission display becomes brighter and the light emission display becomes easier to see, for example, during daytime driving in a bright environment. On the other hand, when driving at night when the surroundings are dark, the brightness of the light-emitting display becomes dark, and even in the dark, the eyes of the user are not tired and it is easy to see.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings showing the embodiments. FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical sectional view of a washing machine according to the present invention.

In the figure, 1 is a box-shaped machine frame, and inside the machine frame 1 is an outer tank 2 which is a water tank formed in the shape of a horizontal shaft drum.
Is suspended from above by springs 4 and 4 and is elastically arranged in a manner such that its lower portion is supported by dampers 5 and 5. Inside the outer tank 2,
A horizontal shaft type drum 3 for accommodating and washing laundry, rinsing and dehydrating the laundry therein is disposed coaxially with the outer tub 2 so as to be rotatable and rotatable. A motor 6 for rotating the drum 3 is arranged below the machine casing 1.

Next, the piping structure centering on the outer tank 2 will be described. FIG. 2 is a piping configuration diagram of the washing machine according to the present invention.

Water supply from the water supply source 10 is divided into
Water supply valve 12, detergent injection valve 13 and auxiliary agent injection valve 14
It is designed to be diverted to other people. The water supply branched to the water supply valve 12 side is supplied from the water supply passage 15 through the water supply valve 12 into the outer tub 2. The water supply diverted to the detergent injection valve 13 side is supplied to the detergent cup 16 storing the detergent via the detergent injection valve 13 and mixed with the detergent in the detergent cup 16, and the mixed water is discharged from the joint flow path 18. It is designed to be supplied into the tank 2. The water supply diverted to the auxiliary agent input valve 14 side is
It is supplied into the auxiliary agent cup 17 in which auxiliary agents such as softeners are stored via the auxiliary agent injection valve 14 and mixed with the auxiliary agent in the auxiliary agent cup 17, and the mixed water from the joint channel 18 into the outer tank 2. It is being supplied.

The hot water sent from the hot water source 20 is a hot water valve 21.
It is adapted to be supplied into the outer tub 2 from the water supply passage 15 via the hot water passage 22 via the water passage. The steam delivered from the steam source 30 is supplied into the outer tub 2 from the steam passage 32 via the steam valve 31.

A drainage channel 40 is connected to the bottom of the outer tub 2, and the drainage channel 40 branches into an air trap 41 in the middle of the drainage channel 40. The drainage channel 40 is provided downstream of the branch point. The water in the outer tub 3 is drained out of the machine via the drain valve 42 provided.

A pressure hose 43 is attached to the air trap 41.
The water level sensor 44 is connected via
Detects a pressure change in the air trap 41 as a change in the water level in the outer tub 2. In addition, at the bottom of the outer tank 2, the outer tank 2
A water temperature sensor 45 including a thermistor for detecting the water temperature inside is provided.

Further, an overflow channel 50 is connected to an intermediate portion of the outer tub 2 in the vertical direction, and when the water in the outer tub 2 exceeds a predetermined water level, the overflow flows through the overflow channel 50 to the outside of the machine. It is designed to be drained.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the washing machine according to the present invention.

In the figure, 100 is a microcomputer for performing various controls in the washing machine.
To 100, a signal related to the operation control of the washing machine is given from an input key circuit 101 composed of various operation keys related to the operation control of the washing machine, and a time measurement signal is given from a clock section 102 for measuring the time. The water level sensor 44 gives a water level detection signal, the water temperature sensor 45 gives a water temperature detection signal, and the noise sensor 103 detects noise around the washing machine.
A noise detection signal is provided from the illuminance sensor 104, and an illuminance detection signal is provided from an illuminance sensor 104 that detects the illuminance around the washing machine.

Further, the microcomputer 100 includes an inverter drive circuit 105 for driving the motor 6 by an inverter,
A water supply valve drive circuit 106 for driving the water supply valve 12, a hot water valve drive circuit 107 for driving the hot water valve 21, a steam valve drive circuit 108 for driving the steam valve 31, a detergent valve drive circuit 109 for driving the detergent valve 13
, Auxiliary valve drive circuit 110 for driving auxiliary valve 14, drain valve 42
A drain valve drive circuit 111 for driving the is connected. In addition to this, the microcomputer 100 is provided with an informing device 113 for informing a predetermined operating state by a predetermined sound such as termination of operation and occurrence of an abnormal operating state.
It is connected via a volume switching unit 112 that switches the volume of the notification sound in two steps. Also, information about operation such as various set values related to operation control, steps during operation and occurrence of abnormal operation state is displayed on an LED or the like. Display device for displaying by light emission 11
5 is connected via a brightness switching unit 114 that switches the brightness of the display light in two steps.

In the microcomputer 100, as described above, various arithmetic processes are executed based on the signals given from the input key circuit 101, the clock section 102, the water level sensor 44, the water temperature sensor 45, the noise sensor 103 and the illuminance sensor 104. Based on the processing result, the inverter drive circuit 105, the water supply valve drive circuit 106, the hot water valve drive circuit 107, the steam valve drive circuit 108
, The detergent valve drive circuit 109, the auxiliary agent valve drive circuit 110, and the drain valve drive circuit 111 are supplied with control signals for driving the respective devices, and the alarm device 113 is notified of the alarm information via the volume switching unit 112. And display information is given to the display device 115 via the luminance switching unit 114.

In the washing machine having the above-mentioned structure, the notification device 113 is adapted to notify by a predetermined sound that a predetermined operating state such as the end of the operation and the occurrence of an abnormal operating state has been reached. The volume of the notification sound can be switched between two levels by the volume switching unit 112 according to the noise around the washing machine. In addition, the display device 115
Information related to operation, such as various set values related to operation control, processes during operation, occurrence of abnormal operation status, etc., is displayed by light emission from LEDs, etc. The brightness switching unit 114 can switch between two levels depending on the brightness. The switching of the volume of the notification sound and the switching of the brightness of the display light are controlled by the microcomputer 100.

Next, the volume switching control of the notification sound of the notification device 113 will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the notification sound volume switching routine.

First, it is determined whether or not the content to be informed is an abnormal operation state notification (hereinafter referred to as an abnormality notification) (step S1). If it is determined to be an abnormality notification,
Return to the main routine of operation control. As a result, in the case of the abnormality notification, the volume of the notification sound is not switched and becomes the standard volume (large volume).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1 that it is not an abnormality notification, the detection value of the noise sensor 103 is read (step S2), and the read detection value is based on a predetermined reference value of noise around the washing machine. Is also small (step S3).

If it is determined in step S3 that the noise detection value is not smaller than the reference value, the process returns to the main routine of operation control. Thereby, when it is determined that the noise detection value is not smaller than the reference value, the volume of the notification sound is not switched and becomes the standard volume.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3 that the noise detection value is smaller than the reference value, the volume switching unit
112 is operated, the volume of the notification sound is switched to a predetermined low volume (step S4), and the process returns to the main routine of the operation control. That is, the volume of the notification sound is reduced below the standard volume.

In the volume control of the notification sound as described above, when the noise around the washing machine is higher than a predetermined level, the volume of the notification sound becomes the standard volume (large volume), while
When the noise around the washing machine is lower than a predetermined level, the volume of the notification sound is reduced to a volume lower than the standard volume, so that the notification sound according to the environment (noise) around the washing machine can be realized.

Next, the display brightness switching control of the display device 115 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the display brightness switching routine.

First, it is determined whether or not the content to be notified is an abnormality notification (step S11). When it is determined that the abnormality is notified, the process returns to the main routine of the operation control. Thereby, in the case of the abnormality notification, the display brightness is not switched and becomes the standard brightness.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S11 that it is not an abnormality notification, the detection value of the illuminance sensor 104 is read (step S12), and the read detection value is based on a predetermined reference value of illuminance around the washing machine. Is also small (step S13).

If it is determined in step S13 that the illuminance detection value is not smaller than the illuminance reference value, the process returns to the main routine of operation control. Accordingly, when it is determined that the detected illuminance value is not smaller than the illuminance reference value, the display brightness is not switched and becomes the reference brightness.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S13 that the illuminance detection value is smaller than the illuminance reference value, the brightness switching unit 114 is operated to switch the display brightness to a predetermined low brightness (step S14), Return to the main routine of operation control. That is, the display brightness is reduced below the reference brightness.

In the display brightness switching control as described above,
When the illuminance around the washing machine is higher than a predetermined level, the display brightness is standard luminance, while when the illuminance around the washing machine is lower than the predetermined level, the display brightness is reduced below the standard luminance. So the environment around the washing machine (brightness)
It is possible to realize a display brightness corresponding to.

Further, in the volume switching control of the notification sound as described above, the control based on the noise around the washing machine was performed. The volume switching control according to the environment around the washing machine will be described below. Control based on such time is conceivable.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a notification volume switching routine based on time.

First, it is determined whether or not the content to be notified is an abnormality notification (step S21). When it is determined that the abnormality is notified, the process returns to the main routine of the operation control. As a result, in the case of the abnormality notification, the volume of the notification sound is not switched and becomes the standard volume (large volume).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S21 that it is not an abnormality notification, the current time data is read from the clock unit 102 (step S22), and the read current time is the set time zone (9:00 am to 4:00 pm). It is determined whether the time is within (step S23).

If it is determined in step S23 that the current time is within the set time zone (9 am to 4 pm), the process returns to the main routine of operation control. As a result, the current time is within the set time zone (9:00 am to 4 pm
When it is determined that the time is within the time), the volume of the notification sound is not switched and becomes the standard volume.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S23 that the current time is not within the set time zone (9:00 am to 4:00 pm), the volume switching unit 112 is operated to set the volume of the notification sound in advance. To the specified low volume (step S24),
Return to the main routine of operation control. That is, the volume of the notification sound is reduced below the standard volume.

In the volume switching control of the notification sound as described above, the current time is within the set time zone (9 am to 4 pm), which is a time zone in which the noise around the washing machine is generally large. In some cases, the volume of the notification sound is the standard volume (loud volume), while the current time is a set time zone (9:00 am to 4 pm), which is a time zone when the noise around the washing machine is generally low.
When the time is other than (hour), the volume of the notification sound is reduced below the standard volume, so that the notification sound according to the environment (noise) around the washing machine can be realized.

Further, in the display brightness switching control as described above, the control is performed based on the illuminance around the washing machine.
As the display brightness switching control according to the surrounding environment of the washing machine, control based on the following time can be considered.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a display brightness switching routine based on time.

First, it is determined whether or not the content to be notified is an abnormality notification (step S31). When it is determined that the abnormality is notified, the process returns to the main routine of the operation control. Thereby, in the case of the abnormality notification, the display brightness is not switched and becomes the standard brightness.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S31 that it is not an abnormality notification, the current time data is read from the clock unit 102 (step S32), and the read current time is the set time zone (8:00 am to 4:00 pm). It is determined whether the time is within (step S33).

If it is determined in step S33 that the current time is within the set time zone (8:00 am to 4:00 pm), the process returns to the main routine for operation control. As a result, the current time is in the set time zone (8:00 am to 4 pm
When it is determined that the time is within the hour), the display brightness is not switched and becomes the reference brightness.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S33 that the current time is not within the set time zone (8 am to 4 pm), the brightness switching section 114 is operated to set the display brightness to a predetermined value. The brightness is switched to low brightness (step S34), and the process returns to the main routine of operation control. That is, the display brightness is reduced below the reference brightness.

In the display brightness switching control as described above,
If the current time is within the set time zone (8 am to 4 pm), which is generally a bright time zone around the washing machine, the display brightness is standard brightness, while the current time is However, when the illuminance around the washing machine is outside the set time zone (8:00 am to 4:00 pm), which is generally a dark time zone, the display brightness can be reduced below the standard brightness. The display brightness according to the environment (brightness) around the machine can be realized.

[0049]

As described in detail above, in the first washing machine of the present invention, the volume of the notification sound is switched according to the level of the ambient noise, but when the surroundings are noisy, for example, during daytime operation, The volume of the informative sound becomes louder, and the informative sound becomes easier to hear. On the other hand, when driving in a quiet environment, for example, at night, the volume of the informative sound becomes so small that the informative sound cannot be heard loudly. The volume can be notified according to.

In the second washing machine of the present invention, the brightness of the light emitting display is switched according to the brightness of the surroundings. However, when the surroundings are bright, for example, during daytime driving, the brightness of the light emitting display becomes brighter. On the other hand, the light emitting display is easy to see, while the brightness of the light emitting display becomes dark when driving in the dark, for example, at night, and the user's eyes are easy to see even in the dark. Can be displayed.

As described above, the present invention has excellent effects.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical sectional view of a washing machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a piping configuration diagram of the washing machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of the washing machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a notification sound volume switching routine.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a display brightness switching routine.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a notification volume switching routine based on time.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a display brightness switching routine based on time.

[Explanation of symbols]

 100 Microcomputer 103 Noise sensor 104 Illuminance sensor 112 Volume switching unit 113 Notification device 114 Brightness switching unit 115 Display device

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A washing machine for sounding and alerting various driving states, comprising: noise detecting means for sensing ambient noise; and sound volume of the sounding alert, a first sound volume and a second sound volume lower than the first sound volume. When the detection result of the noise detecting means is higher than a predetermined level, the sound output notification volume is set to the first volume, and the detection result of the noise detecting means is lower than the predetermined level. A means for controlling the volume of the sound notification to be the second volume, the washing machine. 2. A washing machine that displays information about driving by light emission, wherein brightness detection means for detecting ambient brightness, and brightness of the light emission display are first brightness and darker than the first brightness. When the detection result of the means for switching to the second brightness and the brightness detection means is brighter than a predetermined level, the brightness of the light emitting display is set to the first brightness, and the detection result of the brightness detection means is predetermined. And a control unit for controlling the brightness of the light emission display to be the second brightness when it is darker than the level.