JPH08103592A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To detect the weight average in a tub before a dangerous vibration is generated in a washing machine by measuring the force applied to a suspension, and calculating the maximum value and the minimum value from the measurement result to decide the weight disproportion amount. CONSTITUTION: Before a spinning process is started, a process control part 12 rotates a basket 1 in 360-degrees slowly at a fixed speed with such farce not to vibrate an outer tub 2 by a rotating means 5. At this time, if weight disproportion is caused in the basket 1, the disproportion is detected by a detecting means 9 and input to an extreme value arithmetic part 10. The extreme value arithmetic part 10 calculates the maximum value and the minimum value from the output characteristics output by the detecting means 9. A weight disproportion detecting part 11 obtains a difference between the maximum value and the minimum value, compares the difference with a designated value to decide whether the weight disproportion in the basket 1 generates dangerous vibration or not, and on deciding that the weight disproportion is large, informs the process control part 12 of the decision. The process control part 12 pours a designated quantity of water in the basket 1, rotates a pulsator 4 to remove weight disproportion, and then again detects weight disproportion.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a non-uniform weight and vibration detection function of a washing machine for washing, rinsing and dehydrating dirty cloth.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a washing machine, an abnormal vibration may occur in the tub and the outer tub during dehydration due to uneven weight of laundry in the tub. A method has been used in which the outer tank comes into contact with a mechanical switch when the vibration caused in the outer surface becomes larger than a predetermined value.

[0003]

However, when abnormal vibration is detected using a mechanical switch as described above,
Detection cannot be performed unless the outer tank hits the switch. Therefore, even if dangerous vibration such as the outer frame moving due to the outer tank hitting the outer frame occurs, it cannot be detected without moving it, or even if abnormal vibration occurs it can be detected unless it physically touches the switch. There was a problem that I could not do it.

Further, in order to operate without malfunction, it is necessary to optimally design the physical distance between the outer tank and the switch. However, since the mechanical switch is usually installed in the outer frame of the washing machine, the optimum distance varies depending on the size of the outer tub and the casing such as the tub or the outer frame. Therefore, when it is desired to change the housing, there is a problem that it takes much time and effort to design this distance.

Further, with the mechanical switch as described above, there is a problem that abnormal vibration in the horizontal direction can be detected, but abnormal vibration in the vertical direction cannot be detected because it does not hit the switch.

The present invention provides a washing machine for solving the above problems. A first object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine having a function of detecting uneven weight in a tub before dangerous vibration occurs.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine which requires less mechanical design and has a function of detecting a collision with the outer frame of the outer tub by algorithm processing.

A third object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine having a function of detecting abnormal vibration in the vertical direction.

[0009]

The first means for achieving the first object of the present invention is to provide an outer frame of a washing machine and an outer frame through a suspension which contains a washing and a tub for dewatering. The vibration-supported outer tank, the stirring blade for stirring the inside of the tank, the rotating means for rotating the tank and the stirring blade, the detecting means for measuring the force applied to the suspension, and the data from this detecting means are processed. Equipped with a process control unit that controls each process of washing, rinsing, and dehydration of a washing machine, the tub is rotated at a lower rotation speed than normal rotation, and the maximum and minimum values observed by the detection means at this time are extreme values. When the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value obtained from the extreme value calculation unit calculated by the calculation unit is larger than a predetermined value, it is determined that the weights in the tank are uneven, and the process for canceling the unevenness is performed, and the predetermined value is set. If it is smaller than the value, it is necessary to control the dehydration process. That.

A second aspect for achieving the second object of the present invention.
The means for detecting that the outer tank has collided with the outer frame during the dehydration step when the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value obtained from the extreme value calculation unit and the time interval between these values are larger than a predetermined value. It is configured to include a collision detection unit.

A third aspect for achieving the third object of the present invention
Means rotates the tank at a lower rotation speed than normal rotation, calculates the maximum / minimum values of the observed values of the detection means at this time by the extreme value calculation unit, and obtains the maximum value obtained from this extreme value calculation unit. When the difference between the minimum values and the time interval at which those values occur are larger than a predetermined value, it is determined that the vertical vibration of the tank is occurring.

[0012]

According to the first means, the maximum value and the minimum value are calculated from the observed values obtained by the detecting means for measuring the force applied to the suspension, and the weight unevenness detecting portion determines the weight unevenness amount in the tank. By making a judgment, it is possible to detect the non-uniform amount of weight in the tank without causing dangerous vibration.

According to the second means, the maximum value and the minimum value are calculated from the observed values obtained by the detecting means for measuring the force applied to the suspension, and the collision detecting section judges the collision with the outer frame of the outer tank. By doing so, it is possible to perform collision detection with less labor for mechanical design such as a mechanical switch.

According to the third means, the maximum value and the minimum value are calculated from the observed values obtained by the detecting means for measuring the force applied to the suspension, and the vertical vibration detecting section judges the abnormal vibration in the vertical direction. Thus, dangerous vertical abnormal vibration detection can be performed.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, the overall operation will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 1, 1 is a dehydration tank for storing laundry or water used for washing, 2 is an outer tank for enclosing the dehydration tank 1 and storing water, 3 is a water supply means for supplying water to the dehydration tank 1 and the outer tank 2, 4 is a stirring blade for washing, 5 is a rotating means for rotating the tub 1 and the stirring blade 4, 6 is a draining means for discharging the water in the tub 1 and the outer tub 2, and 7 is for suspending the outer tub 2. , 8 is an outer frame that supports the outer tank 2 via the suspension 7, 9 is a detection means for measuring the force applied to the suspension, and 10 is an extreme value for calculating the maximum / minimum values of the observed values of the detection means. An arithmetic unit, 11 is a weight non-uniformity detection unit that detects the weight non-uniform amount in the tank based on the data obtained from the extreme value arithmetic unit, and 12 is the water supply means 3, the rotation means 5, and the drainage means 6 And the detection means 9, the extreme value calculation unit 10, and the weight unevenness A process control unit for performing the steps of controlling the knowledge unit 11 washing and rinsing and dehydration. Note that the water supply means 3 and the drainage means 6 are electromagnetic valves, the rotating means 5 is a motor provided with a power transmission mechanism to the tank 1 and the stirring blades 4, the extreme value calculation unit 10, the weight imbalance detection unit 11, and the process control. This structure can be easily realized by using a microcomputer for the unit 12.

In the washing machine having the above structure, when the laundry is loaded and the washing process is started according to the user's instruction,
The process control unit 12 opens the water supply means 3 and supplies water to the tank 1 and the outer tank 2 until a predetermined amount of water is reached. When the water supply is completed, the process control unit 12 causes the rotating means 5 to rotate the stirring blade 4 to wash for a predetermined time. When the washing process is over,
The process control unit 12 performs the dehydration process by rotating the tank 1 by the rotating unit 5 after draining the water by the draining unit 6. When the dehydration process is completed, the process control unit 1 performs the rinsing process with the same operation as the washing process, and then performs the dehydration process again to complete the laundry.

Next, the non-uniform weight detection performed in the dehydration step will be described. First, the configuration of the detection means 9 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the detection means 9. In FIG. 2, 7 is a suspension that supports the outer tub 2, 21 is a spring that expands and contracts due to the force applied to the suspension 7, 22 is a spring holder that holds the spring 21 and is supported by the support portion of the outer frame, and 23 is the suspension 7 Spring presser for transmitting the force applied to the spring 21 to the spring 21, 24 is a fastener for fixing the spring presser 23 to the suspension 7, 25 is fixed to the spring presser 24 and emits infrared light horizontally to the suspension 7. Light emitting element, 26
Is a light receiving element fixed by a spring receiver 22 at a position directly below the light emitting element 25.

The light emitting element 25 and the light receiving element 26 are shown in FIG.
The output voltage V is changed by forming a circuit as shown in FIG. 9A and expanding and contracting the spring 21 by the force applied to the suspension 7. Force applied to suspension 7 and output voltage V
The relationship is shown in FIG. In this way, the detection means 9 can detect the force applied to the suspension 7 as the output voltage V.

Next, the non-uniform weight detection will be specifically described. Before starting the dehydration process, the process control unit 12 uses the rotating means 5 to slowly rotate the tank 1 at a constant speed by 360 ° with a strength such that the outer tank 2 does not shake. At this time, if there is a large weight imbalance in the tank 1, the spring 21 greatly contracts and the output of the detection means 9 becomes large when passing through the vicinity where the detection means 9 is installed. Therefore, the characteristics as shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C are obtained due to the non-uniform weight in the tank 1. The extreme value calculator 10 calculates the maximum value and the minimum value from such output characteristics (FIG. 5). The weight unevenness detection unit 11 calculates the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value obtained here, and compares it with a predetermined value stored in ROM in advance, so that the weight unevenness in the tank 1 causes dangerous vibration. If it is determined that the weight unevenness is greater than a predetermined value, the process control unit 12 is notified. The predetermined value here is "when there is a large weight imbalance, one spring of the suspension 7 on the diagonal line contracts greatly and one spring expands greatly. When the weight imbalance rotates, the expansion / contraction position of the spring also rotates. Therefore, the spring of the suspension 7 repeatedly expands and contracts as the weight is rotated unevenly. The outer tank 21 will cause a dangerous vibration, and its peak size is proportional to the weight unevenness in the tank 1, which is the cause of the occurrence. It is a value determined from the characteristics it possesses. Therefore, if the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value is less than or equal to the predetermined value, the dehydration process is started, and if the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value is greater than the predetermined value, the process control unit 12 The means 3 is opened, a predetermined amount of water is put into the tank 1, the stirring blade 4 is rotated by the rotating means 5 to loosen the weight unevenness, and then the weight unevenness is detected again.

The operation of the extreme value calculator 10 shown in FIG. 5 will be described. When the extreme value calculation is started, first, the rising flag indicating whether the output of the detecting means 9 is rising is set to 1, the maximum value fixing flag and the minimum value fixing flag are set to 0, and the comparison value (obtained from the detecting means 9 is obtained. The observed value one sample before for comparison with the observed value), the maximum value counter, the maximum value observation time, the minimum value counter and the minimum value observation time are initialized to 0 (STEP 1). Next, when the sampling time has elapsed, the output voltage of the detection means 9 is acquired (STEP2), and the maximum value detection or the minimum value detection is performed based on the rising flag (ST).
EP3). In the case of the maximum value detection, when the observed value is larger than the comparison value (STEP4), the output of the detection means 9 is still increasing, so the comparison value is updated (STEP5) and the observation value is acquired again. When the observed value becomes smaller than the comparison value in STEP4, the maximum value, the maximum value counter and the time at that time are updated (STEP6) and each flag is updated (STEP7). Also, in the case of the minimum value detection, the same operation as the maximum value detection is performed (STEP8 to STEP11). When both the maximum value determination flag and the minimum value determination flag are set to 1, the extreme value detection ends (STEP 12). When the extreme value detection is performed many times, the extreme value detection is started from STEP2. At this time, the maximum value counter can refer to the number of times of acquisition of the extreme value and the time at that time.

By the above-mentioned operation, before starting the dehydration process, the tank is rotated at a constant speed to detect the unevenness in weight in the tank, so that the uneven weight in the tank is not generated without causing dangerous vibration. It is possible to provide a washing machine having a function of detecting the.

In this embodiment, the light emitting / receiving element is used to measure the force received from the suspension, but it goes without saying that the inductance change generated by inserting the magnetic body into the coil may be used. Yes.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. The same parts as those in the first invention are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. In FIG. 6, 61 is the outer tank 2 based on the data obtained from the extreme value calculation unit 10.
A collision detection unit for detecting that the vehicle has collided with the outer frame 8,
2 is the water supply means 3, the rotation means 5 and the drainage means 6
It is a process control unit that controls the detection unit 9, the extreme value calculation unit 10, the weight nonuniformity detection unit 11, and the collision detection unit 62 to perform the washing, rinsing, and dehydrating processes. In addition, the process control unit 62 is the same as the process control unit 12 except for the part to be described.
It is assumed to have the same behavior as. The collision detection unit 6
1. This process can be easily realized by using a microcomputer for the process control unit 62.

In the dehydration process, the process control unit 62 is the first
By the same operation as in the above embodiment, the non-uniform weight in the tank 1 is detected before the start of the dehydration process. However, before the dewatering process is started, even if there is no uneven weight, depending on the distribution state of the cloth in the tank 1, after the tank 1 starts high-speed dewatering rotation, the cloth moves due to centrifugal force and the weight becomes unbalanced. May cause equality. Due to the non-uniform weight generated at this time, the outer tub 2 has an outer frame 8
The output of the detection means 9 when the vehicle collides with is shown in FIG. This characteristic occurs because the outer tub 2 swings while rotating due to a collision. The collision detection unit 61 monitors the output of the extreme value calculation unit 10 and calculates the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value and the time interval at which the extreme value occurs (the interval between the maximum value determination time and the minimum value determination time),
Collision detection is performed by comparing with a predetermined value stored in the ROM so as to prevent erroneous detection due to noise or the like. Here, even if the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value is large, if the time interval of the extreme values is smaller than a predetermined value, it is regarded as noise and detection is not performed, and the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value and the extreme value are detected. Collision detection is performed when all of the time intervals are larger than a predetermined value. It should be noted that the predetermined value for performing the collision detection may be set by acquiring the data when the outer tank 2 collides with the outer frame 8. Therefore, the outer tank 2 should not detect when a light collision occurs, which occurs when designing a mechanical switch.
It is possible to provide a washing machine having a function of detecting a collision with the outer frame of the outer tub by algorithm processing, with less trouble of designing by trial and error that occurs when setting the distance between the switch and the switch.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. The same parts as those in the first invention are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. In FIG. 8, reference numeral 81 indicates the outer tank 2 based on the data obtained from the extreme value calculation unit 10.
Vertical vibration detection unit for detecting that vertical vibration has occurred, 82
Controls the water supply unit 3, the rotation unit 5, the drainage unit 6, the detection unit 9, the extreme value calculation unit 10, the weight unevenness detection unit 11, and the vertical vibration detection unit 81 to wash, rinse, and dehydrate. It is a process control unit that performs each process. The process control unit 82 is the same as the process control unit 12 except for the part to be described.
It is assumed to have the same behavior as. The vertical vibration detector 8
1. This structure can be easily realized by using a microcomputer for the process control unit 82.

In the dehydration process, the process control unit 82 has the first
By the same operation as in the above embodiment, the non-uniform weight in the tank 1 is detected before the start of the dehydration process. At this time, as shown in FIG. 9, when a cloth such as a towelette has one side in the vertical direction and there is a lump of cloth on the opposite side, the weight unevenness does not exist in the tank 1 and the weight unevenness is not present. It cannot be detected. However, when dehydration is performed in such a situation, resonance occurs with the casing, and the towelette is closer to the vertical side, so that the center of gravity (Fig. 9) that is at a high position is centered in the direction indicated by the arrow. May cause dangerous vertical vibration of.

The output characteristic of the detecting means 9 at this time is shown in FIG. The vertical vibration detection unit 81 monitors the output of the extreme value calculation unit 10 and calculates the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value and the time interval at which the extreme value occurs (the interval between the maximum value determination time and the minimum value determination time). The vertical vibration is detected by comparing with a predetermined value stored in the ROM so as to prevent erroneous detection due to noise or the like. Here, even if the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value is large, if the time interval of the extreme values is smaller than a predetermined value, it is regarded as noise and detection is not performed, and the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value and the extreme value are detected. If both time intervals are larger than a predetermined value, vertical vibration detection is performed. The predetermined value for detecting the vertical vibration is determined from the output value indicated by the detection means 9 when the abnormal vibration in the vertical direction is artificially caused under the conditions shown in FIG. Easy to set.

By the above operation, it is possible to provide a washing machine having a function of detecting abnormal vibration in the vertical direction which cannot be detected by the conventional mechanical switch.

[0030]

The effects of the invention described above will be described below.

According to the first means of the present invention, the maximum value and the minimum value are calculated from the observed values obtained by the detecting means for measuring the force applied to the suspension, and the weight non-uniformity detecting section detects the weight in the tank. By determining the equal amount, it is possible to detect the non-uniform weight in the tank without causing dangerous vibration.

According to the second means of the present invention, the maximum value and the minimum value are calculated from the observation values obtained by the detection means for measuring the force applied to the suspension, and the collision detection portion detects the maximum value and the minimum value. By judging the collision, it is possible to detect the collision with less labor for mechanical design such as a mechanical switch.

According to the third means of the present invention, the maximum value and the minimum value are calculated from the observation values obtained by the detecting means for measuring the force applied to the suspension, and the vertical vibration detecting section detects the abnormal vibration in the vertical direction. By making a determination, dangerous abnormal vibration in the vertical direction can be detected.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a washing machine showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a detection unit showing an embodiment of the washing machine.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating characteristics of the detection unit.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an output characteristic of the detection means.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the extreme value detection unit of the detection means.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a washing machine showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an output characteristic of the detection means.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a washing machine showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state of the cloth in the washing machine.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an output characteristic of the detection means in the washing machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Tank 2 Outer Tank 3 Water Supply Means 4 Stirring Blade 5 Rotating Means 6 Draining Means 7 Suspension 8 Outer Frame 9 Detecting Means 10 Extreme Value Calculating Unit 11 Weight Unevenness Detecting Unit 12 Process Control Unit 21 Spring 22 Spring Bearing 23 Spring Retainer 24 Fastening Tool 25 Light emitting element 26 Light receiving element 61 Collision detection section 62 Process control section 81 Vertical vibration detection section 82 Process control section

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Shinji Kondo 1006 Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Naoaki Ishimaru, 1006 Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. 72) Inventor Naofumi Nakatani 1006 Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An outer frame of a washing machine, an outer tub that contains a tub for washing and dehydrating and is vibration-isolated and supported by the outer frame through a suspension, a stirring blade for stirring the tub, a tub and a stirring It is equipped with a rotating means for rotating the wing, a detecting means for measuring the force applied to the suspension, and a process control section for processing the data from this detecting means and controlling each of the washing, rinsing and dehydrating steps of the washing machine. Rotate the tank at a lower rotation speed than rotation,
The maximum value / minimum value of the observed value of the detection means at this time is calculated by the extreme value calculation unit, and when the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value obtained from this extreme value calculation unit is larger than a predetermined value, the weight in the tank If the weight is uneven, the weight unevenness detection unit determines that the unevenness is removed, and if it is smaller than a predetermined value, the washing machine performs control to directly enter the dehydration step. 2. During the dehydration step, if the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value obtained from the extreme value calculation unit and the time interval between these values are larger than a predetermined value, it is detected that the outer tank has collided with the outer frame. The washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising a collision detection unit that operates. 3. The tank is rotated at a lower rotation speed than the normal rotation, the maximum value / minimum value of the observed value of the detection means at this time is calculated by the extreme value calculation unit, and the maximum value obtained from this extreme value calculation unit. 2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein when the difference between the minimum value and the minimum value and the time interval at which these values occur are larger than a predetermined value, it is determined that longitudinal vibration of the tub is occurring.