JPH07124369A - Fully automatic washing machine controller - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] The shake detection characteristics change depending on the amount of water remaining in the washing and dehydration tub, and the shake detection means that is rich in mass productivity detects the shake of the outer tub and (EN) Provided is a control device for a fully automatic washing machine, which executes control for preventing abnormal vibration of an outer tub. [Constitution] When the washing / dehydrating tub 6 has residual water, the outer tub 8 is in a low position due to its weight, and therefore the shake response arm 32 of the detection switch 28 responds with a small shake amount of the detected protrusion 14a. To do. Since the outer tub 8 is elevated during the dehydration process in which the washing / dehydrating tub 6 is drained and water is drained, the shake response arm 32 causes the detected protrusion 14 to move.
It will not respond until the distance between it and a becomes large and the amount of shake becomes large. Therefore, the detection signal output from the detection switch 28 is suitable for vibration prediction in the residual water state,
It is suitable for monitoring abnormal vibration in the dehydration process.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a control device for a fully automatic washing machine, and more particularly to a control device for reducing the vibration generated in the dehydration process due to the deviation of the laundry.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A fully automatic washing machine is provided with a shake detecting means for detecting shake of an outer tub in a dehydration process, and when the shake becomes large, abnormal driving is stopped by stopping driving of the washing and dehydrating tub. I try to prevent it from happening. The shake detecting means also serves as a detection switch that responds to the opening and closing of a lid provided at the laundry inlet formed in the outer frame, and a shake response arm is provided so that the detection switch responds to the shake of the outer tub. It is made up of things.

Furthermore, the applicant of the present patent application, for a short period of time in the washing / dehydrating tank, leaves the washing / rinsing water in the washing / dehydrating tank at the end of the "washing" or "rinsing" process. Rotate and detect the shake of the outer tank at that time,
We proposed a control device that compares the magnitude of the amplitude with a preset reference value to predict the vibration in the dehydration process and determines whether or not to shift to the dehydration process. Then, the shake detection means converts the behavior of the suspension rod that suspends the outer tub into the outer frame via a spring into an electric signal by a detection element such as a strain gauge attached to the outer frame, and the change amount of the outer tub This is a configuration that captures the amount of shake.
This control device is described in the specification and drawings of Japanese Patent Application No. 4-299662.

[0004]

However, in such a conventional controller for a fully automatic washing machine, the shake detection means by the detection switch using the shake response arm changes depending on the amount of water remaining in the washing / dehydrating tub. It cannot respond to the shake characteristic. That is, since the moment of inertia is different between the residual water state in which water remains in the washing / dehydrating tub and the drained drainage state, the deflection amount of the washing / dehydrating tub due to the deviation of the laundry is The state becomes smaller. Therefore, if the facing distance between the outer tub and the shake response arm is set so that excess runout of laundry can be detected by shake in the residual water state, the detection switch is frequently used in the dehydration process where the runout becomes large and the shake becomes large. Therefore, the dehydration process cannot be controlled smoothly.

Further, in the shake detecting means using the detection element attached to the outer frame, the operation of attaching the detection element is troublesome, and the detection error caused by the variation of the attachment position or the attachment operation is corrected. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a correction means to do so, and mass productivity is poor.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to detect the shake of the outer tub by the shake detecting means which is rich in mass production, because the shake detecting characteristic changes according to the amount of water remaining in the washing / dehydrating tub. It is an object of the present invention to provide a control device for a fully automatic washing machine that can execute control for preventing abnormal vibration of the outer tub.

[0007]

According to the present invention, there is provided a washing / dehydrating tub having a rotary wing at the bottom, an outer tub containing the washing / dehydrating tub, and a supporting device for vibration-proof supporting the outer tub on an outer frame. A drive device for rotating the rotary vane and the washing / dehydrating tub, a detecting means for detecting a shake of the outer tub, a water supply valve and a drain valve, and a predetermined control program with reference to a detection signal of the detecting means. In the fully automatic washing machine equipped with a controller for controlling the water supply valve, the drain valve, and the drive device according to the above, the detecting means is a runout in which the facing interval changes due to a change in the height position of a predetermined member to be detected in the outer tub. More specifically, the shake response arm is provided with a response arm that is positioned when the washing / dehydrating tub is rotated with the washing water and the rinse water left in the washing / dehydrating tub. Opposed area facing the detection member The facing interval is small, and the facing interval of the facing area facing the member to be detected located during the dehydration step is large, and the control device causes water to reach a predetermined height in the washing / dehydrating tub. Obtained when the washing / dehydrating tub is rotated in the dewatering step by performing vibration prediction processing with reference to the detection signal obtained from the detection means when the washing / dehydrating tub is rotated in the remaining state. It is characterized in that the dehydration vibration monitoring process is executed with reference to the detection signal.

[0008]

[Function] When there is residual water in the washing / dehydrating tub, the outer tub is at a low position due to its weight, so the shake response arm responds with a small amount of shake of the detected member, and Since the position of the outer tank becomes high in the dehydration process in which the water is removed and the water is discharged, the shake response arm does not respond until the distance between the detected member and the detected member becomes large and the shake amount becomes large.

Therefore, the detection signal output from the detection means is suitable for vibration prediction in the residual water state and suitable for abnormal vibration monitoring in the dehydration process.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional side view showing a fully automatic washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional side view showing an enlarged detection switch portion thereof, and a positional relationship between an outer tub shake response arm and an outer tub. 3 is a cross-sectional side view showing the detection switch unit in an enlarged manner. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electric circuit of the control device of the fully automatic washing machine, and FIG. 5 is a flow chart of control processing of the control device for controlling steps up to dehydration. FIG. 6 is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between the runout amount when the residual water is activated when there is water in the washing / dehydrating tank and the runout amount when the dehydration is activated when there is no water in the drainage state. is there.

In FIG. 1, a control unit 2 is provided on the upper rear side of an outer frame 1 having bottom legs 1a and 1b.
The control unit 2 is mainly composed of a microcomputer including a timer, and controls execution of each process of the washing machine with reference to detection signals from the push button switch group 2a and various detection means. A lid 4 provided to cover the laundry input port 3 formed at the center of the upper portion of the outer frame 1 is attached to the outer frame 1 by a support shaft 5 so as to rotate the laundry input port 3 to open and close. To be The outer tub 8 in which the washing / dehydrating tub 6 is rotatably housed by the hollow drive shaft 7 is provided with a vibration-proof spring 9
The suspension frame 10 is suspended from the outer frame 1 by suspension rods 10a and 10b which engage with each other via a and 9b. The anti-vibration springs 9a and 9b intervene in a compressed state and act to lift the outer tub 8.

A large number of dewatering holes 6a are formed on the wall surface of the washing / dehydrating tub 6, a balance ring 11 is provided at the upper end, and a central drive shaft 12 penetrating the hollow drive shaft 7 is provided inside the bottom part. A rotary blade 13 driven by is provided.

A cover 14 is provided on the upper end of the outer tub 8 to prevent the laundry from falling between the outer tub 8 and the washing / dehydrating tub 6.
Is provided.

The hollow drive shaft 7 is provided outside the bottom of the outer tank 8.
And a transmission mechanism section 15 having a reduction gear, a clutch and a brake for transmitting driving force and braking force to the central drive shaft 12
Is provided, and similarly from the drive motor 16 provided outside the bottom, the drive pulley 17, the belt 18, and the driven pulley 19 are provided.
The washing / dehydrating tub 6 and the rotary vanes 13 are rotated by the driving force transmitted via the hollow drive shaft 7 and the central drive shaft 12. In the "washing" and "rinsing" steps, the transmission mechanism section 15 rotates the rotary blades 13 at a low speed with the washing / dehydrating tank 6 stopped, and in the "dewatering" step, the washing / dewatering tank 6 and the rotating blades 13 are rotated. It has a switching function to rotate together. Reference numeral 20 is a cooling fan for cooling the drive motor 16.

On the upper part of the outer frame 1 is provided a water guiding pipe 21 which opens toward the washing / dehydrating tub 6 and the outer tub 8, and a water supply pipe 22.
The water supplied by opening the water supply valve 23 connected to is supplied to the washing / dehydrating tank 6 and the outer tank 8. Further, a drain hole 24 is opened at the bottom of the outer tub 8, and the water in the outer tub 8 is drained to the outside through a drain hose 26 by opening the drain valve 25.

The detection switch 28 is provided so as to generate a detection signal in response to the opening / closing of the lid 4 and the shake of the outer tub 8. As shown in FIG. 2, this detection switch 28 has a contact piece 2 having contacts 29a and 30a at its tip.
9b and 30b are operated by the lid opening / closing response arm 31 and the outer tank deflection response arm 32 to open / close the contacts 29a and 30a.

An operating portion 4a, which is supported by a support shaft 5 so as to be openable and closable and protrudes from the rear end of the lid 4, causes the lid opening / closing responsive arm 31 to rotate about a support shaft 33 as a fulcrum. The lid opening / closing responsive arm 31 is given a turning force in the clockwise direction with the support shaft 33 as a fulcrum by a compression spring 34. The turning position of the lid opening / closing responsive arm 31 by the turning force is that of the lid 4. It is regulated by the position of the operation unit 4a associated with opening and closing. In the illustrated state, the lid 4 closes the laundry inlet 3 and rotates the lid opening / closing response arm 31 in the counterclockwise direction, and the protrusion 31 a formed on the lid opening / closing response arm 31.
Pushes the contact piece 29b up against the elasticity.

On the other hand, the outer tank deflection response arm 32 is rotatably supported by a support shaft 35, and the compression spring 34
Counterclockwise turning force is applied by the stopper 36.
Is abutted against. In this state, the protrusion 32a formed on the outer-tub shake response arm 32 allows the contact piece 30b to descend due to the elastic force, so that the contacts 29a and 30a are closed.

The projection 14a to be detected, which is provided on the outer periphery of the cover 14 of the outer tub 8 so as to face the outer tub shake response arm 32, is a water-removing state in which there is water in the washing / dehydrating tub 6. The weight of the outer tub 8 compresses the vibration-proof springs 9a and 9b to a close contact state, so the outer tub 8 descends to a lower position as shown by the broken line, and the water in the washing / dehydrating tub 6 is drained and becomes lighter in vibration-proof. Since the springs 9a and 9b extend, the springs 9a and 9b rise to a high position as shown by the solid line. In order to obtain a response characteristic in accordance with a vertical position change of the detected protrusion 14a due to such a change in the amount of water, the outer tub shake response arm 32 has the detected protrusion 14a located when the amount of water is large. Area 3 facing
2b has a small facing distance G1, and a region 32c facing the detected protrusion 14a located when the amount of water is small is formed so that the facing distance G2 becomes large. The detected protrusion 14 a may be provided separately from the cover 14 or may be provided in the outer tank 8.

The shake detection of the outer tub 8 is for vibration prediction and abnormal vibration prevention. One detection switch 28 generates a detection signal suitable for predicting vibration in the dehydration process by rotating the washing / dehydration tub 6 in a residual water state, and dehydration is performed in order to prevent abnormal vibration in the dehydration process. In order to generate a detection signal suitable for stopping, the detection switch 28 similarly detects a small shake amount in the residual water state at the time of vibration prediction and a large shake amount in the drainage state to prevent abnormal vibration. It is desirable to detect and generate a detection signal.

FIGS. 6A to 6C show the relationship between the amount of runout when the laundry is started in the residual water state and the amount of runout when the laundry is drained when the residual water amount is The measured values are shown differently. The amount of runout in the residual water state is about half the amount of runout in the drained state. The sizes of the facing gaps G1 and G2 between the two regions of the outer tub shake response arm 32 are set in accordance with the respective shake amounts. When the vibration is predicted in the residual water state, the area 32b is the detected protrusion 1
4a, and the region 32c faces the detected protrusion 14a when the abnormal vibration is prevented in the drainage state.

Regarding the shake amount in the residual water state, the smaller the residual water amount, the closer to the shake amount in the drained state, the more the detection accuracy is improved. When a detection signal is generated in the vibration prediction in the residual water state, the rotary blades 13 are rotated to loosen the cloth, so a certain amount of residual water is required. Considering the damage to the cloth when loosening the cloth, the water level during the residual water rotation for vibration prediction is preferably about 220 mm to 250 mm from the bottom of the washing / dehydrating tank 6.

The outer tank deflection response arm 32 according to the present invention
Makes it possible to realize the detection switch 28 having such a detection characteristic that responds to the shake characteristic of the outer tub 8 with a simple configuration having high mass productivity.

When the lid 4 is opened, the operation portion 4a is supported by the support shaft 5
Since it rotates in the counterclockwise direction with respect to, the rotation restriction of the lid opening / closing response arm 31 is released, and the lid opening / closing response arm 3 is rotated.
1 is rotated clockwise about the support shaft 33 by the extension force of the compression spring 34. When the lid opening / closing responsive arm 31 rotates clockwise, the protrusion 31a descends to release the pushing up of the contact piece 29b, so that the contact piece 29b descends elastically to open the contact 29a. Therefore, the detection switch 2
8 generates a detection signal.

Further, when the protrusion 14a to be detected provided on the outer periphery of the cover 14 presses the outer tank shake response arm 32 due to the shake of the outer tank 8, the outer tank shake response arm 32 opposes the extension force of the compression spring 34. And rotates clockwise around the support shaft 35. When the outer tank shake response arm 32 rotates clockwise, the protrusion 32a rises and pushes up the contact piece 30b against the elastic force to open the contact 30a. Therefore, the detection switch 28 generates a detection signal.

Then, by closing the lid 4, the lid opening / closing responsive arm 31 returns, or when the vibration of the outer tub 8 stops and the outer tub vibration responsive arm 32 returns, the contact 3
0a and 30b are closed and the detection signal disappears.

Next, a control device including the control unit 2 will be described with reference to FIG. The control device is mainly composed of a microcomputer 41 composed of a CPU, a storage device and an input / output circuit, and control programs for "washing", "rinsing" and "dehydrating" steps are stored in the storage device. It

Then, the microcomputer 41 inputs signals from the push button switch group 2a, the detection switch 28, the water level sensor 42, etc., and the transmission mechanism via the drive circuit 43 according to the control program stored in the storage device. “Washing”, which is connected to drive and control the portion 15, the drive motor 20, the water supply valve 23, and the drain valve 25.
Perform control of the "rinse" and "dewatering" steps. The drive circuit 43 is composed of a power transistor, a bidirectional semiconductor switching element, etc., and is controlled by a control signal from the microcomputer 41 to be transmitted by the transmission mechanism unit 1.
5. Power supply to the drive motor 20, the water supply valve 23, and the drain valve 25 is turned on and off.

When the lid 4 of the laundry loading port 3 is opened to load the laundry 51 into the washing / dehydrating tub 6, the detection switch 2
8 responds to this and generates a detection signal. In response to the detection signal, the microcomputer 41 controls the drive motor 16 so that the drive motor 16 is stopped and the brake of the transmission mechanism unit 15 is activated to stop the rotation of the washing / dehydrating tub 6.

When the outer tub 8 swings to cause the detected protrusion 14a to rotate the outer tub shake response arm 32 in the clockwise direction, the detection switch 28 generates a detection signal. The microcomputer 41 responds to this detection signal by
If there is residual water, the transition to the dehydration process is stopped, and in the dehydration process the drive motor 16 is stopped and the transmission mechanism 1
The brakes 5 are operated to control the washing / dehydrating tub 6 so as to stop the rotation thereof.

Next, the washing operation of the fully automatic washing machine controlled by such a control device will be described.

When the laundry 51 and the detergent are put into the washing / dehydrating tub 6 from the laundry inlet 3 and the lid 4 is closed and the start button of the push button switch group 2a is pressed, the water supply valve 23 is opened to supply water. Water is supplied from the pipe 22 into the washing / dehydrating tank 6 and the outer tank 8. When the water level 52 reaches a predetermined height, the drive motor 16 is started, and its rotational power is transmitted to the rotary vanes 14 via the drive pulley 17, the belt 18, the driven pulley 19 and the transmission mechanism section 15, and this rotation is performed. Rotate the wings 13 and "wash"
Execute the process. When the "washing" step is completed, the "rinsing" step is executed.

The control process executed when shifting from the "washing" step to the "rinsing" step or when shifting from the "rinsing" step to the "dehydration" step will be described with reference to FIG.

In process 501, the control of repeating normal rotation and reverse rotation of the rotary blade 13 is performed for the purpose of "washing". And
When this "washing" step is completed, the process moves to step 502, in which the normal and reverse rotation times of the rotary blades 13 are made shorter for the purpose of loosening the cloth than in the "washing" step to generate a weaker water flow and to drain water to a predetermined water level. Then, the residual water rotation is performed for a short time to rotate the washing / dehydrating tub 6 in a state where water is stored in the washing / dehydrating tub outer tub 6 and the outer tub 8. At this time, a whirling force is generated in the washing / dehydrating tub 6 due to the deviation of the laundry in the tub, and the outer tub 8 shakes in accordance with the amount of deviation of the laundry.

In process 503, the detection signal of the detection switch 28 is monitored to detect the shake amount at this time. In this residual water rotation state, the outer tank 8 is weighted by the residual water, and the vibration-proof spring 9a,
9b is largely compressed and is at a lower position, and the detection protrusion 14
The area a faces the area 32b of the outer tank deflection response arm 32. Since the facing interval G1 in this area is small, the detection switch 28 generates a detection signal with a small shake amount.

When the detection switch 28 operates and a detection signal is generated, the process proceeds to step 504, and the rotary blades 13 are immediately operated at the water level without draining to perform a cloth loosening operation for generating a water stream for a predetermined time. . In process 505,
This cloth unraveling operation is similarly repeated up to twice.

When the shake in the residual water rotation state is small and the detection switch 28 does not operate, the process moves to step 506 to execute drainage, and in step 507 control for rotating the washing / dehydrating tank 8 in the drainage state for dehydration. And execute the “dehydration” step. Then, the process proceeds to step 508 and the detection switch 28
The shake amount of the outer tub 8 is monitored with reference to the detection signal from.
In this state, since the outer tub 8 is in a drainage state, the weight is reduced and the outer tub 8 rises to a higher position, and the detected protrusion 14a faces the region 32c of the outer tub shake response arm 32.
Since the facing gap G2 in this area is large, the detection switch 28
Does not generate a detection signal until the abnormal vibration prevention limit value of large shake amount is reached.

When the detection switch 28 does not operate, the drainage is continued and the process 509 for the "dehydration" step is continued.

In process 508, when it is detected that the detection switch 28 operates and a detection signal is generated, process 510 is performed.
Go to and check if it is the final dehydration. If it is the final dehydration, the return cycle is entered in process 511, and if it is not the final dehydration, the “rinsing” step is entered in process 512.

By repeating these operations, dehydration is performed when the laundry 51 is slightly offset or after the offset is reduced, the outer tub 8 including the washing / dehydrating tub 6 during the spin-drying rotation. Vibration is reduced, quiet operation is possible, and the outer tub 8 does not hit the outer frame 1 so that start-up failure does not occur. In addition, since vibration due to a bias of laundry in the residual water state is predicted, the process of "dehydration" to "rinse" due to a poor start-up is reduced, which saves time and saves water.

[0041]

According to the present invention, the vertical position of the facing interval of the outer tub shake response arm for operating the detecting means in opposition to the detected member which responds to the shake of the outer tub is changed depending on the amount of water in the washing / dehydrating tub. Since the detection means is changed according to the position of the detected member, the shake detection characteristic of the detection means changes according to the amount of water remaining in the washing / dehydrating tub, and the mass production is possible. It is possible to detect the shake of the outer tub and execute the control for preventing the occurrence of abnormal vibration of the outer tub.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional side view showing an enlarged detection switch portion in a control device for a fully automatic washing machine according to the present invention, showing a positional relationship between an outer tub shake response arm and an outer tub.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view showing an enlarged detection switch unit in the control device for a fully automatic washing machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electric circuit of a control device for a fully automatic washing machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a control process flowchart of a part of the washing process executed by the control device for the fully automatic washing machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a vibration characteristic diagram showing the relationship between the residual water activation amplitude and the dehydration activation amplitude of the outer tub of the fully automatic washing machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 outer frame 2 control part 3 laundry entry port 4 lid 6 washing and dehydrating tub 8 outer tub 13 rotors 9a, 9b vibration-proof springs 10a, 10b suspension rod 14a detected protrusion 28 detection switch 32 outer tub shake response arm

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Shigeharu Nakano 1-1-1, Higashitaga-cho, Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture Living Company Division, Hitachi, Ltd. (72) Inventor Isao Hiyama 1-chome, Higashitaga-cho, Ibaraki No. 1 No. 1 Living Company Division, Hitachi, Ltd.

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A washing and dehydrating tub having a rotary blade at the bottom,
An outer tub containing the washing / dehydrating tub, a support device for vibration-proofing the outer tub on an outer frame, a drive device for rotating the rotary vanes and the washing / dehydrating tub, and a shake of the outer tub is detected. In a fully automatic washing machine equipped with a detection device, a water supply valve and a drain valve, and a control device that controls the water supply valve, the drain valve, and a drive device according to a predetermined control program while referring to the detection signal of the detection device, The control device for a fully automatic washing machine, wherein the detection means includes a shake response arm whose facing distance changes according to a change in height position of a predetermined member to be detected in the outer tub. 2. The support device according to claim 1, wherein the support device supports the outer tub so that the vertical position of the member to be detected changes according to the amount of water in the washing / dehydrating tub. Control device for automatic washing machine. 3. The washing / dehydrating tub according to claim 1, wherein the shake response arm rotates the washing / dehydrating tub with washing water and rinsing water left in the washing / dehydrating tub after the “washing” or “rinsing” step. The fully-automatic washing machine is characterized in that the facing area of the facing area that faces the detected member located when the water is made is small, and the facing area of the facing area that faces the detected member located during the dehydration step is large. Control device. 4. The control device according to claim 2, wherein the control device refers to a detection signal obtained from the detection means when the washing / dehydrating tub is rotated with water left in the washing / dehydrating tub. A controller for a fully automatic washing machine, characterized in that the vibration predicting process is executed, and the dehydration vibration monitoring process is executed with reference to a detection signal obtained when the washing / dehydrating tub is rotated in the dehydrating step. 5. The detection device according to claim 2, wherein the controller rotates the washing / dehydrating tub with water left at a height of 220 mm to 250 mm from the bottom in the washing / dehydrating tub. A control device for a fully automatic washing machine, which executes a vibration prediction process with reference to a detection signal obtained from the means. 6. The lid according to claim 1, wherein the outer frame includes a lid that opens and closes a laundry inlet, and the detection unit includes a lid opening / closing responsive arm that responds to opening / closing of the lid to generate the detection signal. A fully automatic washing machine controller. 7. A washing and dehydrating tub having a rotary blade at the bottom,
An outer tub containing the washing / dehydrating tub, a support device for supporting the outer tub on an outer frame so that the height changes according to the amount of water remaining in the washing / dehydrating tub, the rotor and the washing A drive device for rotating the dewatering tank, a detecting means for detecting the shake of the outer tank, a water supply valve and a drainage valve, and the water supply valve and the drainage valve according to a predetermined control program while referring to the detection signal of the detecting means. In the fully automatic washing machine including a control device for controlling the drive device and the drive device, the detection means includes a shake response arm whose facing distance changes according to a change in height position of a predetermined member to be detected in the outer tub, The device is 220 from the bottom in the washing and dewatering tub.
The vibration prediction process is executed with reference to the detection signal obtained from the detection means when the washing / dehydrating tub is rotated with water left at a height of mm-250 mm, and the washing / dewatering is performed in the dewatering step. A controller for a fully automatic washing machine, which performs a dehydration vibration monitoring process with reference to a detection signal obtained when a water tub is rotated. 8. The lid according to claim 7, wherein the outer frame includes a lid that opens and closes a laundry inlet, and the detection unit includes a lid opening / closing response arm that responds to opening / closing of the lid to generate the detection signal. A fully automatic washing machine controller.