JPH0639178A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To surelty sense eventual occurrence of any failure in a motor of washing machine and its associate facilities. CONSTITUTION:When a motor 5 of a washing machine is fed with current so that it rotates in both directions intermittently, a Hall IC 14 emits pulses in the number corresponding to the revolving speed. If therein it happens that the motor 5 rotates only in a single direction against specifications to make two-way rotations at the time resulting from failure in the motor itself 5 or in the drive circuit 17, a control circuit 15 judges failure from the data that it is not fed with any pulses in either of the regular rotating period and reverse rotating period specified to the motor 5.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a washing machine having a rotation detecting means for detecting the rotation of a washing machine motor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent washing machines, there is one in which the rotation speed of a washing machine motor is detected in order to detect the amount of laundry and to control the rotation speed during a dehydration operation. In this type of washing machine, for example, a magnet having a plurality of poles is provided as an object to be detected so as to rotate integrally with the rotation shaft of the washing machine motor, and a pulse is output when each pole of the magnet is detected at a stationary portion. A Hall IC is provided as rotation detection means.

In this case, however, the amount of laundry is detected as follows. First, before starting the washing operation, a constant voltage is intermittently applied to the washing machine motor in the forward rotation direction and the reverse rotation direction to rotate the washing machine motor. At this time, the pulses output from the Hall IC are counted for a certain period of time, and the rotation speed of the washing machine motor is detected by the counted number. Whether the amount of laundry is small or large is determined according to the magnitude of this rotation speed.

The rotation speed control during the dehydration operation is performed as follows. A voltage applied to the washing machine motor by applying an initial setting voltage to the washing machine motor, rotating it, detecting its rotation speed in the same manner as above, and comparing this rotation speed with a preset reference rotation speed. Feedback control is performed to change.

[0005]

By the way, in the washing machine, the washing machine motor rotates only in one direction during the washing operation in which the forward and reverse rotation should be performed due to the failure of the washing machine motor itself or the failure of the drive circuit. The problem may occur. In addition, when an overload is applied or an abnormality occurs in the rotation transmission path (for example, belt slip or bearing oil shortage), the washing machine motor rotates in either forward or reverse directions, but rotates only slightly. There is a possibility that it will not be done.

However, in the conventional case, when the pulse from the Hall IC is not output at a predetermined time,
Although there is a method of judging this as an abnormality, in this case, if the rotation of the washing machine motor is completely stopped, it can be detected, but as described above, the washing machine motor If the washing machine motor is not completely stopped, it is not detected as an abnormality and the washing operation is continued in the abnormal state, which may cause the washing machine motor to overheat.

Further, when noise is mixed in the output from the Hall IC, the number of pulses in a certain period of time may be counted more than it actually is, and in this case, control is performed from the proper speed state to the direction of slowing down the rotation speed. Erroneous control occurs. Furthermore, when a part of the magnetic poles of the plurality of magnets is missing, the number of pulses to be counted is reduced, and erroneous control occurs in which the rotational speed is controlled to increase from the proper speed state.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances. The first object of the present invention is not only to detect an abnormality in which the washing machine motor is completely inoperable, but also to reliably detect an abnormality in which the washing machine motor rotates only in one direction when the washing machine motor is normally or reversely rotated. There is a washing machine that can be detected. The purpose of the second invention is to
When the washing machine motor is rotated in the normal and reverse directions, it is possible to detect abnormalities such as rotation in only one direction, and even when it is rotated in both forward and reverse directions, it is possible to detect abnormalities in which the rotation is excessively reduced. Machines are available.
A third object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine capable of detecting noise when the output from the rotation detecting means is mixed in or when a detected object is missing.

[0009]

A first aspect of the present invention provides a washing machine motor which is intermittently energized in a forward rotation direction and a reverse rotation direction during washing, and is provided so as to rotate integrally with a rotation shaft of the washing machine motor. And a rotation detecting means which is provided at a stationary portion and outputs a pulse when the detection object is detected, and a pulse from the rotation detecting means is a forward rotation time range or a reverse rotation time of the washing machine motor. An abnormality determining means for determining an abnormality when no input is made in either one of the ranges (invention of claim 1).

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a washing machine motor is intermittently energized in a forward rotation direction and a reverse rotation direction during washing, and an object to be detected is provided so as to rotate integrally with a rotation shaft of the washing machine motor. Rotation detecting means provided in a stationary portion for outputting a pulse when detecting the detected object, and abnormality determining means for determining an abnormality when no pulse is input from the detecting means when the washing machine motor is powered off It is constituted by including (the invention of claim 2).

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a washing machine motor, an object to be detected which is provided so as to rotate integrally with a rotary shaft of the washing machine motor, and a pulse which is provided at a stationary portion when the object to be detected is detected. The rotation detecting means for outputting the pulse width, the time width detecting means for detecting the pulse output from the detecting means and the time width between the pulses, and the ratio of the time width of the pulse to the time width between the pulses are the reference time ratios. And an abnormality determining means for determining an abnormality when it is out of the range (invention of claim 3).

[0012]

In the first aspect of the present invention, when the washing machine motor is intermittently energized in the forward and reverse rotation directions, the rotation detecting means outputs the number of pulses corresponding to the rotation speed. At this time, if there is a case where the washing machine motor rotates only in one direction when the washing machine motor should perform forward / reverse rotation due to a failure of the washing machine motor itself or a drive circuit failure, the forward rotation of the washing machine motor Since the pulse from the rotation detecting means is not input to the abnormality determining means in either the time range or the reverse rotation time range, the abnormality determining means determines that this is abnormal.
Even if the washing machine motor is completely inoperable, it is determined to be abnormal.

In the second aspect of the invention, when the washing machine motor is intermittently energized in the forward and reverse rotation directions, the rotation detecting means outputs a number of pulses corresponding to the rotation speed. At this time, if an overload is applied to the washing machine motor or an abnormality occurs in the rotation transmission path (for example, belt slip or bearing oil shortage), the washing machine motor rotates in either forward or reverse directions. However, there is a problem that it rotates only slightly. In such a case, the pulse is not input when the washing machine motor is cut off. In other words, at the time of this power failure, inertial rotation is observed to some extent in the case of normal rotation, but this inertial rotation is suppressed in the case of the above-described abnormality. The abnormality determining means determines that there is an abnormality when no pulse is input from the detecting means when the washing machine motor is cut off. When is extremely slow, the abnormality can be reliably detected.

According to the third aspect of the invention, when the washing machine motor is energized, the rotation detecting means outputs a number of pulses corresponding to the number of rotations. At this time, if noise is mixed in the output from the rotation detecting means or if the object to be detected is missing, the time width of the pulses output from the rotation detecting means and the time width between the pulses change. Then, the time width detecting means detects the time width of the pulse and the time width between each pulse, and the abnormality determining means causes the ratio of the time width of the pulse and the time width between the pulses to deviate from the reference time ratio. Is judged to be abnormal. Therefore, when the rotation speed of the washing machine motor is feedback-controlled, there is no erroneous control from the proper speed state toward the slower rotation speed, or there is erroneous control from the proper speed state toward the faster rotation speed. Nothing.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. First, FIG. 2 shows a vertical cross-sectional structure of a washing machine for combined use of dehydration. In the figure, a water receiving tank 2 is provided inside the outer box 1, and a rotating tank 3 which also serves as a washing tank and a dehydrating tank is provided inside the water receiving tank 2. An agitator 4 is provided in the lower part inside the rotary tank 3.

A mechanism portion 6 having a washing machine motor 5 as a main component is provided below the water receiving tub 2. Further, a drain valve 7 is provided in the drain passage at the bottom of the water receiving tank 2. The washing machine motor 5 also serves as a washing motor and a dehydrating motor. Also, the top cover 8 on the top of the outer box 1
A water supply valve 9 and a water level sensor 10 are provided at the rear inside of the engine, and a control unit 11 is provided at the inside of the front.

As shown in FIG. 3, a magnet 12 having a plurality of magnetic poles (for example, 8 poles) as an object to be detected is attached to a rotating shaft 5a of the washing machine motor 5 so as to rotate integrally with the rotating shaft 5a. Has been. Then, a cover 13 made of a non-magnetic material is attached to the motor frame 5b so as to cover the magnet 12, and the recess 13a outside the cover 13 which is a stationary portion is rotated so as to face the magnet 12. A Hall IC 14 as a detecting means is attached. This Hall IC 14 is a magnet 12
The passage of each magnetic pole is detected and a pulse is output.

FIG. 1 shows an electrical configuration. The control circuit 15 includes a microcomputer and an A / D converter, and the control circuit 15 includes various switches 16 such as a start switch and a course switch.
Switch input from the water level sensor 1
An output signal from 0 and an output pulse from the Hall IC 14 are provided. The control circuit 15 controls the washing machine motor 5, the drain valve 7, and the water supply valve 9 via the drive circuit 17 according to the control program for controlling the washing operation and the dehydration operation, and the display unit 1
8 and the buzzer 19, and further performs abnormality determination control based on the output pulse of the Hall IC 14 according to the abnormality determination program, that is, functions as abnormality determination means.

Now, the control content for the abnormality determination of the control circuit 15 will be described with reference to FIG. This abnormality determination control routine is incorporated so as to be executed at an appropriate time in the main program. First, the washing machine motor 5 is energized in the forward rotation direction (step S1). Next, reading of the pulse from the Hall IC 14 is started (step S2). Then, when the predetermined energization time expires (determined in step S3), the washing machine motor 5
Is cut off (step S4), and thereafter, when this disconnection time expires (determined in step S5), pulse reading is stopped (step S6).

Up to this point, when the washing machine motor 5 is normally driven, as shown in FIG. 5B, the Hall IC 14 outputs a pulse. That is, when the washing machine motor 5 is energized, the pulse is output at a high frequency by being forcibly driven to rotate, and when the power is cut off, the pulse is output although the output frequency of the pulse is reduced by inertial rotation. . As described above, in the normal state, a pulse is output from the Hall IC 14 during the energization in the positive direction and during the subsequent power interruption, that is, in the normal rotation time range.

Then, in step S7, it is determined whether or not there is a pulse input from the Hall IC 14, and if there is a pulse input, the washing machine motor 5 and its related configuration are abnormal in this forward rotation time range. If not, the process proceeds to step S8. In step S8, the washing machine motor 5 is energized in the reverse rotation direction. Next, Hall IC1
Reading of the pulse from 4 is started (step S9).
Then, when the predetermined energization time expires (determined in step S10), the washing machine motor 5 is deenergized (step S11), and when this interruption time expires (step S1).
2), pulse reading is stopped (step S1)
3).

In this case, the time range during energization in the reverse direction and the subsequent disconnection is referred to as the reverse rotation time range. When a pulse is input from the Hall IC 14 in this reverse rotation time region (determined in step S14), it is determined that there is no abnormality and the process proceeds to the next step.

Here, in the reverse rotation time range, when the washing machine motor 5 and its related configuration have an abnormality and the washing machine motor 5 is not rotated in the reverse rotation direction (the pulse output situation in that case is shown in FIG. 5). (Shown in (c)), Hall I
No pulse is output from C14. This situation of no pulse output is detected in step S14, and the process proceeds to step S15 to determine that there is an abnormality. And
The washing machine motor 5 is turned off, the abnormality is displayed on the display unit 18, and the buzzer 19 notifies the abnormality (step S16). When no pulse input is detected in the forward rotation time range in step S7, steps S15 and S16 described above are executed.

As described above, according to this embodiment, when the washing machine motor 5 itself fails or the drive circuit 17 fails, the washing machine motor 5 rotates only in one direction when the forward and reverse rotations should be performed. In this case, since the pulse from the Hall IC 14 is not input to the control circuit 15 in either the forward rotation time range or the reverse rotation time range of the washing machine motor 5, the control circuit 15 determines that there is an abnormality. To do. Therefore, it is possible to detect not only an abnormality in which the washing machine motor is completely inoperable, but also an abnormality in which the washing machine motor rotates only in one direction during forward and reverse rotation.

Next, FIGS. 6 to 8 show a second embodiment of the present invention. In this second embodiment, the function of the control circuit 21 shown in FIG. This is different from the case of the first embodiment. The control content for the abnormality determination of the control circuit 21 will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the washing machine motor 5 is energized in the forward rotation direction (step P1). Then, when the predetermined energization time expires (determined in step P2), the washing machine motor 5 is turned off (step P3), and then the hall IC 14
The reading of the pulse from is started (step P4). When this disconnection time expires (determined in step P5), pulse reading is stopped (step P6).

Up to this point, when the washing machine motor 5 is normally driven, as shown in FIG. 8B, the Hall IC 14 outputs a pulse. In this case, as in the case of the first embodiment, the pulse is output at a high frequency by being forcibly driven to rotate when the washing machine motor 5 is energized, and the pulse is output by inertial rotation when the power is cut off. The output frequency decreases, but the pulse is output. As described above, in the normal state, the Hall IC 14 outputs a pulse even when the power is cut off following the energization in the positive direction.

In step P7, it is determined whether or not there is a pulse input from the Hall IC 14, and if there is a pulse input, the washing machine motor 5 and its related configuration are abnormal in this forward rotation time range. If no pulse is input, it is determined that there is an abnormality (step P8). Now, FIG. 8 (c) shows a pulse output situation in an abnormal situation. In this case, an overload acts on the washing machine motor 5 or an abnormality occurs in the rotation transmission path (for example, belt slip or bearing In the case of (lubricant oil shortage), the washing machine motor 5 rotates in both forward and reverse directions, but only slightly rotates.

After step P8 described above, step P
9, the washing machine motor 5 is turned off, the abnormality is displayed on the display unit 18, and the abnormality is notified by the buzzer 19.

If there is a pulse input in step P7 (in the case of FIG. 8B), step P10
Or, the process proceeds to step P16, the washing machine motor 5 is energized in the reverse rotation direction and the power is cut off, and the presence or absence of the pulse input is judged when this power is cut off. To do. If there is a pulse input, there is no abnormality and the process proceeds to the next step.

According to the second embodiment, there is a possibility that an overload is applied to the washing machine motor 5 or an abnormality occurs in the rotation transmission path (for example, a belt slip or a bearing oil shortage). In addition, even when the washing machine motor 5 rotates in either forward or reverse directions, even when an abnormality occurs such that the rotation is extremely slow, this can be reliably detected.

FIGS. 9 to 11 show a third embodiment of the present invention. In this third embodiment, the function of the control circuit 31 shown in FIG. 6 as the abnormality determining means is the first. Different from the cases of the embodiment and the second embodiment, the control circuit 31 also functions as a time width detecting means. The control content of the abnormality determination of the control circuit 31 will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the parameter n is set to "0", and the washing machine motor 5 is continuously energized so as to rotate in one direction (step G1). This causes the washing machine motor 5 to rotate, and the Hall IC 14 outputs a pulse in accordance with the rotation.

If normal at this time, the washing machine motor 5 rotates at a constant speed, and the output from the Hall IC 14 is:
As shown in FIG. 11A, a pulse P having a duty ratio of 1/2 appears.

When there is an abnormality such that a part of the magnetic poles of the magnet 12 is missing, a waveform in which one pulse P is missing is output from the Hall IC 14 as shown in FIG. . Further, in the case of an abnormality such as insufficient magnetization of the magnet 12, the time width of the pulse P becomes short as shown in FIG. Furthermore, in the case of an abnormality in which noise is mixed in the output from the Hall IC 14, the time width of the pulse P and the time width between the pulses P fluctuate as shown in FIG.

Therefore, after the step G1, it is determined in step G2 whether or not the pulse P has risen. When the pulse P rises, the parameter n is incremented (it becomes "1" at this point),
Start counting for time tn (step G
3). When the pulse P falls (step G4)
Then, the counting for the time tn is stopped (step G5). That is, the time width of the first pulse P (indicated by t1 in FIG. 11) is detected in steps G3 to G5.

Next, the parameter n is incremented and counting is started for the time tn (step G
6) When the pulse P has risen (determined in step G7), counting for this time tn is stopped (step G8). That is, in steps G6 to G8, the time width (indicated by t2 in FIG. 11) between the first pulse P and the next pulse P is detected.

Then, the time width tn between the pulses P at this time point (t2 in FIG. 11) and the time width t of the pulse P before this time tn.
It is determined whether or not the ratio of (n-1) (t1 in FIG. 11) deviates from the reference time ratio. That is, the time width tn is “(1/2) × t (n−1)” or more and “2 × t (n
−1) ”It is determined whether or not it is within the range of the reference time ratio below (step G9, step G10), and if it is within the range of this reference time ratio (“ N ”of step G10), the parameter n is If the predetermined number of times has not been reached (step G
(Determined in step 11), the process returns to step G2, and if reached, the process proceeds to the next step.

Here, the time width tn is “(1/2) × t
If it is outside the range of the reference time ratio of (n−1) ”or more and“ 2 × t (n−1) ”or less (“ Y ”in step G9 or“ Y ”in step G10), it is determined that there is an abnormality. The determination is made (step G12), the washing machine motor 5 is turned off, the abnormality is displayed on the display unit 18, and the buzzer 19 is displayed.
To notify the abnormality (step G13).

According to the third embodiment as described above, when there is an abnormality such that a part of the magnetic poles of the magnet 12 is missing, or when the magnet 12 is insufficiently magnetized. In addition, in the case of abnormality such that noise is mixed in the output from the Hall IC 14, the pulse P
The abnormality can be detected by the change in the ratio of the time width of the pulse width and the time width between the pulses P. Therefore,
When the rotation speed of the washing machine motor 5 is feedback-controlled, it may not be erroneously controlled from the proper speed state to slow the rotation speed, or may be erroneously controlled from the proper speed state to increase the rotation speed. Nor.

In each of the above embodiments, the magnet 12 is illustrated as the object to be detected, and the hall I is used as the rotation detecting means.
Although C14 is exemplified, the rotation detecting means may be a rotary encoder having a slit plate as the detected object and a photo interrupter as the rotation detecting means. In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0042]

As is apparent from the above description, the present invention can obtain the following effects.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the abnormality can be detected even when the washing machine motor is completely inoperable, and the washing machine motor rotates only in one direction in the forward and reverse rotation. Abnormalities can be reliably detected.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to detect an abnormality such as rotation in only one direction, and it is also possible to detect an abnormality in which the rotation is excessively reduced even when rotating in both the forward and reverse directions.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to detect an abnormality such that noise is mixed in the output from the rotation detecting means or an abnormality such that a part of the object to be detected is missing.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electrical configuration showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

[Figure 2] Vertical side view of the washing machine

FIG. 3 is a side view showing a magnet and a Hall IC portion.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the control contents of abnormality determination.

FIG. 5 is a time chart showing a washing machine motor disconnection state and a Hall IC output state.

FIG. 6 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 showing a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a view corresponding to FIG.

FIG. 8 is a view corresponding to FIG.

FIG. 9 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 showing a third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a view corresponding to FIG.

FIG. 11 is a view corresponding to FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

5 is a washing machine motor, 12 is a magnet (object to be detected), 1
4 is a Hall IC (rotation detecting means), 15 is a control circuit (abnormality determining means), 21 is a control circuit (abnormality determining means), 31
Indicates a control circuit (abnormality determination means, time width detection means).

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A washing machine motor which is intermittently energized in a forward rotation direction and a reverse rotation direction at the time of washing, and a detected body provided so as to rotate integrally with a rotation shaft of the washing machine motor.
A rotation detecting means which is provided in a stationary portion and outputs a pulse when detecting the object to be detected, and a pulse is inputted from the rotation detecting means in either the forward rotation time range or the reverse rotation time range of the washing machine motor. A washing machine comprising abnormality determining means for determining abnormality when not performed. 2. A washing machine motor that is intermittently energized in a forward rotation direction and a reverse rotation direction during washing, and a detected body provided so as to rotate integrally with a rotation shaft of the washing machine motor,
Rotation detecting means which is provided in a stationary portion and outputs a pulse when detecting the object to be detected, and abnormality determining means which determines an abnormality when no pulse is input from the detecting means when the washing machine motor is turned off. A washing machine comprising. 3. A washing machine motor, a detected body provided so as to rotate integrally with a rotary shaft of the washing machine motor, and a rotation which is provided in a stationary portion and outputs a pulse when the detected body is detected. When the detection means, the time width detection means for detecting the pulse output from the detection means and the time width between each pulse, and the ratio of the time width of the pulse and the time width between the pulses deviates from the reference time ratio. A washing machine comprising: an abnormality determining means for determining abnormality.