JPH0824477A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To display the rotating state of a stirrer body or dehydrating tank in a washing machine. CONSTITUTION:According to the rotation of a stirrer or dehydrating tank, first-fourth light emitting diodes 38-41 provided on the reverse side of a control panel 15 successively emit lights in the direction conformed to its rotating direction at a speed according to its rotating speed. The lights emitted by the first-fourth light emitting diodes 38-41 are radiated outward through first-fourth transmitting parts 42-45. Thus, the emitting part of a rotation monitor 37 is shifted in a loop to display the rotating state of the stirrer or dehydrating tank.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a washing machine capable of displaying a rotating state of an agitator or a dehydrating tub.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in a washing machine for combined use of dehydration, a washing operation is performed by sequentially performing steps of washing, rinsing and dehydrating. Then, in order to notify the user of the operating state of the washing machine, the process being executed is displayed on the display unit provided on the operation panel by lighting the light emitting diode or the like.

[0003]

By the way, the washing process starts by pouring water up to the set water level, and after this pouring, the agitator is rotationally driven to perform the washing operation. on the other hand,
When actually washing with a washing machine, it is often the case that you want to add laundry, but it is good when the addition time is water injection, but it is preferable to add laundry after the washing operation has started. Absent. However, in the conventional washing machine, since only the stroke is displayed, it is difficult to determine whether water is being poured or during the washing operation in which the stirring body rotates, and it is difficult to determine whether or not to add additional laundry. .

Further, in the conventional washing machine which only displays the stroke display, the user may open the lid of the laundry entrance / exit without confirming the stroke currently being executed. There is also the risk of opening the lid carelessly and putting your hands in the spinning dewatering tank.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a washing machine capable of displaying the rotating state of a stirring body or a dehydrating tub.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the washing machine of the present invention is arranged such that the rotating state of the stirring body rotated during washing and the dehydration tub rotated during dewatering are changed so that the light emitting portion is looped. It is characterized in that a display unit is provided for displaying by changing. In this case, the display section
A plurality of light-emitting elements that are sequentially turned on and a plurality of light-transmitting portions that transmit light of each light-emitting element and serve as light-emitting portions are provided, and each light-transmitting portion has a shape in which a circle or an ellipse is formed as a whole. It can be configured to be formed.

Further, the speed of transition of the light emitting portion may be a speed corresponding to the rotation speed of the agitator or the dehydration tank,
The changing direction of the light emitting portion may be the same as the rotating direction of the stirring body or the dehydration tank. The light emitting element can emit a plurality of different colors, and the light emitting color can be changed in each step of the washing operation. Also,
While the stirring body or the dehydration tank is stopped, all of the plurality of light emitting elements can be configured to be in a state of lighting, extinguishing, or blinking.

Further, in the washing machine of the present invention, the display section is also used as a water level display section for displaying the washing water level, and when the water level is displayed, the light emitting element according to the washing water level can be turned on. . Further, the display unit may also be used as a remaining time display unit that displays the remaining time of the washing operation, and the light emitting element corresponding to the remaining time may be turned on when a predetermined operation is performed.

[0009]

In the washing machine of the above-mentioned means, the light emitting portion of the display portion changes in a loop shape when the stirring body or the dehydration tub is rotating. The rotation state of the stirring body or the dehydration tank is displayed by the change of the light emitting portion. When the light-transmitting portions are formed in a circular or elliptical shape as a whole, a plurality of light-emitting elements are sequentially turned on so that the light-emitting portion appears to rotate.

In the case where the speed of change of the light-emitting portion corresponds to the rotation speed of the stirring body or the dehydration tank, or the direction of change of the light-emitting portion is set in the same direction as the rotation direction of the stirring body or the dehydration tank. , It can be displayed closer to the rotating state of the stirring body or the dehydration tank.

When all the light emitting elements emit light, turn off, or blink during the stop of the stirring body or the dehydration tank, it can be easily recognized that the stirring body or the dehydration tank is stopped. Also,
When the light emitting element is configured so that the emission color changes depending on the stroke of the washing operation, it is possible to recognize the stroke currently being executed and the rotation of the stirring body or the dehydration tub in association with each other.

When the display unit is also used as the water level display unit, it is not necessary to separately provide the water level display unit. Also,
When the display unit is also configured to serve as the remaining time display unit that displays the remaining time of the laundry operation, the remaining time display unit can be recognized in an analog manner.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a washing machine combined with dehydration will be described below with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 4 showing the entire washing machine for both dehydration and use, a plurality of hanging rods 2 (only one is shown) as swinging supporting means are swingably suspended in an outer box 1. 2, a water receiving tank 3 as an outer tank is elastically supported via a compression coil spring 4 as an elastic supporting mechanism. In the water receiving tank 3, a dehydrating tank 5 also serving as a washing tank is rotatably arranged as an inner tank, and an agitator 6 for generating a washing water flow is rotatably arranged at an inner bottom portion of the dehydrating tank 5. ing.

A drain port 3 is provided on the outer peripheral side of the bottom of the water receiving tank 3.
a is formed, and an electric drain valve 7 and drain hose 8 are connected to the drain port 3a. In addition, an air trap 3b that exhibits a pressure according to the water level in the water receiving tank 3 is formed in a portion adjacent to the drainage port 3a, and the water level sensor 9 (see FIG. 5) is operated by the pressure in the air trap 13b. It is configured to detect the water level in the water receiving tank 3.

A motor 10 and a drive mechanism 11 are arranged below the bottom of the water receiving tank 3, and the drive mechanism 10 is provided.
At the time of washing and rinsing, the motor 9 with the dehydration tub 5 kept in a braking state (stationary state) by a brake mechanism (not shown)
Rotation of the motor 9 is transmitted to the agitator 6 to rotate it, and during dehydration, the braking of the dehydration tub 5 by the brake mechanism is released and the motor 9 is rotated.
Is transmitted to both the dehydration tank 5 and the agitator 6 to rotate them integrally. A large number of dehydration holes 5a are formed on the peripheral wall of the inner tub 5, so that water shaken off from the laundry at the time of dehydration is discharged into the outer tub 13 through the dehydration holes 5a.

On the other hand, a top cover 12 is provided on the upper part of the outer box 1, and a lid 13 for opening and closing a laundry entrance is provided on the top cover 12. An electric water absorption valve 14 (see FIG. 5) for pouring water into the dehydration tank 5 (water receiving tank 3) is provided on the rear side of the top cover 12, and the operation panel 15 is provided on the front side of the upper surface portion. Is provided.

The operation panel 15 has a structure shown in detail in FIG. 2, and has various key switches 16 to 26 and various display portions 27.
~ 36 and the like are provided. Among them, the "wash" step selection key switch 20, the "rinse" selection key switch 21, and the "dehydration" selection key switch 22 are for setting the washing time, the number of rinses, and the dehydration time as desired. The set contents are displayed on the “time” display unit 32, the “number of times” display unit 33, and the “time” display unit 34, respectively. In addition, after the washing operation is started, the processes being executed are sequentially displayed on the “process” display units 28 to 30. The water level selected by the "water level" selection key switch 25 is displayed on the "water level" display section 35.

In this washing machine, the "reservation" key switch 2
By the operation of 4, the washing start time can be reserved. The reservation is made depending on how many hours after the present time the laundry operation is started, and the reservation time is displayed on the "time" display section 32. The washing machine is also configured to set a washing time in minutes according to the amount of laundry, as will be described later, and the required washing time is displayed on the "hour" display section 32, and the display time is displayed. Is displayed in a subtracted manner in units of 1 minute as the washing operation progresses.

The operation panel 15 is provided with a rotation monitor 37 which is a display unit for displaying the rotation states of the dehydration tank 5 and the stirring body 6. This rotation monitor 37
As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of light emitting elements, for example, four light emitting diodes 38 to 41 are provided on the back side of the resin sheet 15a forming the front surface (panel surface) of the operation panel 15, that is, on the substrate 15b hidden by the sheet 15a. It is arranged in a substantially diamond shape. In FIG. 3, 20a, 24
a to 26a are "wash" washing key switch 20, "reservation" key switch 24, "water level" washing key switch 2
5. Tactile switch which is a switch element of the "powder soap" key switch 26, and 32a and 32b are "time"
7-segment light-emitting diode that constitutes the display unit 32,
35a to 35d are light emitting diodes for displaying each water level of the "water level" display unit 35, and 36a is a light emitting diode of the "powder soap" display unit 36.

Then, a portion of the resin sheet 15a to which light from each of the light emitting diodes 38 to 41 is irradiated (see FIG. 1).
In the range from A to D), for example, first to fourth light transmissive portions 42 to 45 composed of a group of transparent or semitransparent linear portions 42a to 45a are formed. The light of the light emitting diodes 38 to 41 is emitted to the outside from each of the light transmitting portions 42 to 45. Here, the array shape of the large number of linear portions 42a to 45a forming each of the translucent portions 42 to 45 is an arc shape, and is configured to be continuous in an elliptical shape as a whole. The elliptical lines E and F are doubly attached to the centers of the first to fourth light transmitting portions 42 to 45.

FIG. 5 shows an electric configuration for controlling the washing machine. The microcomputer 46 as a control means has a lid switch 47 which is turned on / off in association with opening / closing of the water level sensor 9 and the lid 13. , Various key switches 16-2
The signal from the rotation sensor 48 is input in addition to the signal from the signal 6 and the like. Then, the microcomputer 46 controls the motor 10, the drain valve 7 and the water supply valve 14 via the drive circuit 49 based on those input signals and a preset program, and also various display units 27 to 36 and a rotation monitor. Control 37.

Here, the rotation sensor 48 is the motor 1
It is for detecting the rotation of the rotation axis of 0, and is composed of, for example, a rotary encoder. The rotation sensor 48 can detect the rotation direction of the motor 10 and outputs a predetermined number of pulses per rotation.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. When the "ON" key switch 16 of the power source is operated and the desired key switch is operated, and then the "start / pause" key switch 18 is operated, first, the microcomputer 46 is operated.
Detects the amount of cloth (amount of laundry). This cloth amount detection is performed by repeating a predetermined cycle of normal rotation, stop, and reverse rotation of the motor 10 for a predetermined time period, and the rotation sensor 48 is forward rotation, inertial rotation after stop, and reverse rotation. , Outputs a number of pulses according to the rotation speed during inertial rotation after stop. In this case, the greater the amount of cloth, the more the motor 10
The rotation speed does not increase due to the large load on the inertial rotation time. As a result, the larger the amount of cloth, the smaller the number of output pulses from the rotation sensor 48. Therefore, the microcomputer 46 determines the amount of cloth based on the number of output pulses from the rotation sensor 48, and sets the water level based on this determination result. This is displayed on the "water level" display section 35 (when the water level is not manually set), and the time required for washing is displayed on the "time" display section 32.

When the amount of cloth is detected in this way, the microcomputer 46 then starts the washing operation including the steps of washing, rinsing and dehydrating. Since the specific content of this washing operation is well known, the control content of the rotation monitor 37 for displaying the rotation states of the dehydration tub 5 and the stirring body 6 will be described here with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 6 and 7. .

In the washing process and the Suzuki process, the water supply valve 1
Water is supplied to the water receiving tank 3 (dehydration tank 5) to a set water level by opening 4 and after this water supply, a washing operation is performed in which the motor 10 rotates in the normal and reverse directions to rotate the stirring body 6 in the normal and reverse directions. Then, the light emitting diodes 38 to 41 of the rotation monitor 37 are all turned off until the washing operation is performed, that is, while the stirring body 6 is stopped, and when the washing operation is started,
The microcomputer 46 is sequentially turned on according to the control contents of the rotation monitor control routine shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 to display the rotation state of the stirring body 6. Where motor 1
When 0 rotates in the forward direction, the stirring body 6 rotates in the clockwise direction.

When the rotation monitor control routine shown in FIG. 6 is started, the microcomputer 46 first reads the output pulse of the rotation sensor 48 and counts up the sensor counter for each pulse input. Repeat until the value becomes 36 (repeat execution of steps S1 to S3). When the count value of the sensor counter reaches "36", the microcomputer 46 determines "YES" in step S3, clears the sensor counter (step S4), and counts up the display counter (step S5).

Then, the microcomputer 46 proceeds to step S6 for judging whether the rotation direction of the motor 10 is forward or reverse by the output of the rotation sensor 48, and when it is determined to be the forward rotation, proceeds to step S7. If it is determined that the rotation is in the reverse direction, the process proceeds to step S15.

Now, assuming that the motor 10 is in the forward rotation period, it is first determined in step S7 whether or not the count value of the display counter is "1". Here, if the count value of the display counter is "1", "YES" is determined in the step S7, and only the first light emitting diode 38 is turned on in the next step S8, and the process returns.

Then, thereafter, each time the rotation state display control routine shown in the drawing is executed, when the count value of the sensor counter becomes "36"("YES" in step S3),
Since the count value of the display counter is incremented by "1", only the second light emitting diode 39 is turned on ("NO" in step S7 → "YES" in step S9 → step S10), only the third light emitting diode 40 is illuminated. Illumination (“NO” in step S7 → “NO” in step S9 → step S11 “YES” → step S12), only the fourth light emitting diode 41 is illuminated (“NO” in step S7 → “NO” in step S9 → step In S11, the light-emitting diodes that are turned on as “NO” → step S13) are shifted in the clockwise direction.

After execution of step S13 of turning on the fourth light emitting diode 41, the microcomputer 46 clears the display counter, so that the display counter thereafter increases the count value from "1" again. When the motor 10 is in the forward rotation period, the first to fourth light emitting diodes 38 to 41 are sequentially turned on in the clockwise direction which is the same rotation direction as the stirring body 6.

On the other hand, when the motor 10 is rotating in the reverse direction, the microcomputer 46 proceeds from step S6 to step S15, and first the first light emitting diode 3
Only 8 is turned on (“YES” in step S15 → step S16), and the process returns. And after this, FIG.
Since the count value of the display counter is incremented by "1" each time the rotation sensor control routine is executed, only the fourth light emitting diode 41 is turned on (step S1).
5, “NO” → “YES” in step S17 → “step S18”, only the third light emitting diode 40 is turned on (“NO” in step S15 → “NO” in step S17 → “YES” → step S20), Only the second light emitting diode 39 is turned on (“NO” in step S15 →
"NO" in step S17 → "NO" in step S19
→ The light-emitting diodes that are turned on as in step S21) are shifted in the counterclockwise direction.

After the execution of step S21 for turning on the second light emitting diode 39, the microcomputer 4
Since 6 clears the display counter (step S22), the display counter thereafter increases the count value from "1" again, and eventually, when the motor 10 is in the reverse rotation period, the first to fourth Light emitting diode 38
Up to 41 are sequentially turned on in the counterclockwise direction which is the same rotation direction as the stirring body 6.

Further, since the light emitting diode is in a lighting period when the sensor counter counts "36",
The faster the rotation speed of the motor 10, the shorter it becomes. Therefore, the transition of lighting of the light emitting diodes 28 to 41 becomes a speed corresponding to the rotation speed of the motor 10 and thus the stirring body 6.

On the other hand, in the initial stage of the rinsing process (also in the initial stage of the second rinsing when the rinsing is performed twice) and in the dehydration process, the motor 10 is discharged after the water in the water receiving tank 3 is discharged.
Is rotated in the forward direction, and the rotation causes the dehydration tank 5 to rotate in the clockwise direction to perform the dehydration operation. The first to fourth light emitting diodes 38 to 41 of the rotation monitor 37 are all turned off when the dehydration tank 5 is stopped, and when the dehydration operation is started, the microcomputer 46 causes the flowchart of FIG. In the rotation monitor control routine shown in, the lights are sequentially turned on to display the rotation state of the dehydration tub 5. In addition,
At this time, the motor 10 rotates in the forward direction and the dehydration tank 5 rotates in the clockwise direction.

When the rotation state display control routine of FIG. 7 is started, the microcomputer 46 first reads the output pulse of the rotation sensor 48 and counts up the sensor counter for each pulse input. Repeat until the count value becomes "24" (repeat execution of steps Sa to Sc). When the count value of the sensor counter reaches "24", the microcomputer 46 determines "YES" in step C, clears the sensor counter (step Sd), and counts up the display counter (step Se).

Then, the microcomputer 46 determines in step Sf whether or not the count value of the display counter is "1". Here, if the count value of the display counter is "1", "YES" is determined in step F and only the first light emitting diode 38 is turned on in the next step Sg, and the process returns.

After that, every time the rotation monitor control routine of FIG. 7 is executed, when the count value of the sensor counter becomes "24"("YES" in step Sc),
Since the count value of the display counter is incremented by "1", only the second light emitting diode 39 is turned on ("NO" in step Sf → "YES" in step Sh → step Si), only the third light emitting diode 40. Illumination (“NO” in step Sf → “NO” in step Sh → “YES” in step Sj → step Sk), only the fourth light emitting diode 41 is illuminated (“NO” in step Sf → “NO” in step Sh → In step Sj, the lights are sequentially turned on, such as “NO” → step Sl).

After step Sl for turning on the fourth light emitting diode 41 is executed, the microcomputer 46 clears the display counter in step Sm and returns, so that the display counter thereafter increases the count value from "1". After all, the first to
The fourth light emitting diodes 38 to 41 are sequentially turned on in the clockwise direction which is the same rotation direction as the dehydration tub 5.

The lighting period of each of the light emitting diodes 38 to 41 is the time when the sensor counter counts "24", so that even if the rotation speed of the motor 10 is the same during the washing operation and the dehydration operation. The transition of lighting of the first to fourth light emitting diodes 38 to 41 is faster during the dehydration operation. This means that during dewatering, the reduction ratio is made lower than that during washing, and the rotation of the motor 10 is transmitted to the dewatering tank 5.
This corresponds to the fact that the rotation speed of the motor 10 rotated at a speed higher than the rotation speed of the stirring body 6 during the washing operation is high, and the rotation state of the dehydration tank 5 during the dehydration operation can be more accurately determined by This will be represented by a transition of lighting of the fourth light emitting diodes 38 to 41.

As described above, during the washing operation and the dehydration operation, the first to fourth light emitting diodes 38 to 41 are sequentially turned on as described above. The light emitted from each of the light emitting diodes 38 to 41 is transmitted to each of the light transmitting portions 42 to 45.
After passing through the linear portions 42a to 45a, the light is emitted to the outside. Therefore, when the dehydration tank 5 or the stirring body 6 rotates, the light-transmitting light-transmitting portion (light-emitting portion) of each of the light-transmitting portions 42 to 45 shifts in a loop shape.

As described above, according to this embodiment, since all the first to fourth light emitting diodes 38 to 41 are turned off while the dehydration tank 5 or the stirring body 6 is stopped, it is easy to stop them. Can judge. In this case, when the dehydration tub 5 or the agitator 6 is stopped, any one of the light emitting diodes 38 to 41 is turned off and the rest is turned on or blinking. There is a possibility that it will give the user a suspicion that
In this embodiment, since all the light emitting diodes 38 to 41 are turned off, there is no possibility of giving such a doubt.

When the washing operation and the dehydration operation are started, the first to fourth light emitting diodes 38 to 41 are sequentially turned on,
Since the light emitting portion of the rotation monitor 37 changes into a loop shape, the user can easily visually judge whether the dehydration tank 5 or the stirring body 6 is rotating. At this time, the first to fourth light emitting diodes 38
The transition speed of lighting of ~ 41, and thus the transition speed of the translucent portion that emits light, is faster when the dehydration tank 5 is rotating than when the stirring body 6 is rotating. Whether 5 is rotating or stirring member 6 is rotating,
This can be known from the transition speed of the translucent portion that emits light.

In addition, when the dehydration tank 5 or the stirring body 6 is rotated, the light-transmitting light-transmissive portion changes, so that the user's attention is naturally directed to the moving light. Therefore,
It is very rare to overlook that either the dehydration tank 5 or the agitator 6 is rotating. Therefore, in the case where laundry is added after the washing operation is started, it is possible to easily and appropriately determine whether or not the laundry is to be added after the washing operation is not preferable. Further, it is possible to prevent the dangerous situation that the lid 13 is inadvertently opened during the dehydration operation as much as possible.

Further, since the shapes of the linear portions 42a to 45a of the first to fourth light transmitting portions 42 to 45 are formed to be elliptical as a whole, the light transmitting light emitting portions may change. As a result, the light emitting portion appears to the user to rotate. Therefore, the fact that the dehydration tank 5 or the stirring body 6 is rotating is displayed in a straightforward manner, and it becomes easy to intuitively determine that they are rotating.

Further, the speed of change of the light-transmitting transparent portion corresponds to the rotation speed of the dehydration tank 5 or the stirring body 6, and the direction of change also matches the rotation direction of the dehydration tank 5 or the stirring body 6. Therefore, the rotation speed and the rotation direction of the dehydration tank 5 or the stirring body 6 hidden by the lid 13 can be properly grasped, and the monitorability is high.

Since the rotation monitor 37 is constructed by forming four light emitting diodes 38 to 41 and the first to fourth light transmitting portions 42 to 45 on the resin sheet 15a,
It has a relatively simple structure and can be manufactured at low cost.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the first to fourth light emitting diodes 38 to
As 41, a two-color light emitting diode capable of emitting a plurality of colors, for example, two colors of green and red, is used. As shown in FIG. 8, each of the light emitting diodes 38 to 41 has a light emitting diode R that emits a red color and a light emitting diode G that emits a green color. When both the light emitting diodes R and G emit light, both colors are mixed and become orange. Become.

Then, the microcomputer 46, when the stirring body 6 or the dehydration tank 5 rotates during the washing process,
When the light emitting diodes G of the first to fourth light emitting diodes 38 to 41 are sequentially turned on and the stirring body 6 or the dehydration tank 5 rotates in the rinsing process, the first to fourth light emitting diodes 3
Both the light emitting diodes R and G of Nos. 8 to 41 are turned on, and the light emitting diode R is turned on when the dehydration tank 5 rotates in the dehydration process.

Therefore, the first to fourth light transmitting portions 42 to 45 are formed.
In the washing process, green light is emitted and the light emission site is changed, in the rinse process, orange light is emitted and the light emission site is changed, and in the dehydration process, red light is emitted and the light emission site is changed. become. Therefore,
The rotation monitor 37 allows the user to know the process being executed without looking at the "process" display sections 28 to 30.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 9 in which the same parts as those in FIG. The difference of this embodiment from the first embodiment is that, firstly, a graphic H designing the stirring body 6 is displayed in the center of the rotary monitor 37 and the outside thereof is surrounded by an elliptical line L. is there. As a result, the dehydration tank 5 is represented by the elliptical line L, and the stirring body 6 is represented by the figure H inside the elliptical line L, which is a portion for displaying the rotation state of the dehydration tank 5 or the stirring body 6. It is easy to understand.

Secondly, in this embodiment, the "water level" display portion 35 of the first embodiment is omitted, and the water level display portion is also used as the rotation monitor 37. That is, in the rotation monitor 37, "high", "medium", and "1 kg" for displaying the water level are provided outside the linear portions 42a to 45a forming the first to fourth light transmitting portions 42 to 45. , "Low" is displayed. And when the set water level is "high",
The first light emitting diode 38 is turned on, the second light emitting diode 39 is turned on when "medium", the fourth light emitting diode 41 is turned on when "low", and "1 Kg".
At the time of, the third light emitting diode 40 is configured to be turned on. In addition, "1 Kg" indicates a water amount of 16 liters. With this configuration,
Since it is not necessary to separately provide the "water level" display section, cost reduction can be achieved.

10 showing the same parts as those in FIG. 2 shows the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment is that the rotation monitor 37 is shown.
Is also used for the remaining time display of the washing operation. Therefore, in this embodiment, "40 minutes left", "30 minutes left", and "20 minutes left" are provided outside the linear portions 42a to 45a forming the first to fourth light transmitting portions 42 to 45.
Minutes "," 10 minutes left "and the remaining time are displayed in units of 10 minutes. Further, the operation panel 15 is provided with a “remaining time” display key switch 50.

When the "remaining time" display key switch 50 is operated, among the first to fourth light emitting diodes 38 to 41 of the rotation monitor 37, the diode corresponding to the remaining time is turned on and the "remaining time" is again displayed. When the display key switch 50 is operated once, the rotation monitor 37 turns the dehydration tank 5
Alternatively, the rotation state of the stirring body 6 is displayed.

According to the present embodiment constructed as described above, since the remaining time displayed on the rotation monitor 37 is emitted by any of the elliptical first to fourth light transmitting portions 42 to 45, It is convenient because you can feel the remaining time in an analog way.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings, but the following modifications and extensions are possible. The linear portions 42a to 45a of the first to fourth light transmissive portions 42 to 45 may be formed so as to face a circle (a perfect circle), and the light transmissive portions 42 to 45 are composed of arcuate bands. May be. Further, the first to fourth light transmitting portions 42 to 4
The shape of 5 is not limited to a circle or an ellipse, and may be a quadrangle. Further, depending on the number of light emitting diodes, the shape of the light transmitting portion may be a triangle or a polygon, as long as the light emitting portion can be changed into a loop shape.

The light emitting element is not limited to the light emitting diode but may be a lamp. The combination of the microcomputer 46 which is the control means and the rotation sensor 48 which is the rotation detection means functions as a cloth amount detecting means for detecting the cloth amount, and also as a washing time setting means for setting the required washing time from the judged cloth amount. However, the cloth amount detecting means may be replaced with a structure that detects the phase difference between the voltage and current of the motor 10 and judges the magnitude of the load applied to the motor 10 based on the phase difference to judge the cloth amount. .

Further, all the first to fourth light emitting diodes 38 to 41 may be turned on or blinked while the rotation of the dehydration tank 5 or the stirring body 6 is stopped. Elastic sheet 1
Although 5a constitutes the surface portion of the operation panel 15, it may be made of another material. The rotation monitor 37 may be used as both the water level display section and the remaining time display section. The rotation monitor 37 may be dedicated to the dehydration tank 5,
It may be dedicated to the stirring body 6. Further, two rotation monitors 37 may be provided, and they may be dedicated to the dehydration tank 5 and the stirring body 6, respectively. Further, the present invention may be applied to a two-tub type washing machine. In this case, since the stirring body and the dehydration tub may rotate simultaneously, two rotation monitors 37 may be provided.

[0058]

As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. According to the washing machine of claim 1, when the stirring body or the dehydration tub rotates, the light-emitting portion of the display unit changes into a loop shape, so that the user can easily recognize that the stirring body or the dehydration tub is rotating. it can. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the wrong timing when adding laundry and the opening of the lid while the dehydration tub is rotating.

According to the washing machine of the second aspect, since the display section can be composed of a plurality of light emitting elements and a plurality of light transmitting sections, the structure is relatively simple and can be manufactured at low cost. Further, since the shape of the light transmitting portion is circular or elliptical, the light emitting portion has a circular movement similar to that of the stirring body or the dehydration tank, which is suitable for displaying the rotation.

According to the washing machine of claims 3 and 4, the changing speed of the light emitting portion corresponds to the rotation speed of the stirring body or the dehydration tub, and the changing direction thereof is the stirring body or the removing direction. Since it matches the rotation direction of the water tank, it has high monitorability. According to the washing machine of claim 5, since the color of the light emitting portion is different in each step of the washing operation,
You can easily know the process being executed. According to the washing machine of claim 6, when the stirring body or the dehydration tub is stopped, all of the plurality of light emitting elements are turned off, turned on or blinking, so that it can be easily recognized that the washing machine is stopped. There is no risk of erroneous recognition as a failure of the light emitting element.

According to the washing machine of the seventh aspect, since the display section also serves as the water level display section, it is not necessary to separately provide the water level display section. According to the washing machine of the eighth aspect, since the display section is also used as the remaining time display section, the remaining time can be recognized in an analog manner.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an enlarged view of a rotation monitor portion showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the operation panel.

FIG. 3 is a layout view of a light emitting diode shown with an elastic sheet removed.

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional side view of the washing machine for combined use of dehydration.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the rotation monitor in the washing process and the rinsing process.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the rotation monitor in the dehydration process.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a light emitting diode showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a partial plan view of an operation panel showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a view corresponding to FIG. 9 showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

5 is a dehydration tank, 6 is a stirrer, 10 is a motor, 15 is an operation panel, 15a is an elastic sheet, 37 is a rotation monitor (display unit), 38 to 41 are first to fourth light emitting diodes (light emitting elements), 42 to 45 are first to fourth light transmitting portions, and 48 is a rotation sensor.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Kiyoshi Okazaki 991, Anada Town, Seto City, Aichi Prefecture Toshiba Aichi Plant Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Takayuki Hirano At 991, Aida, Aichi Prefecture, Seto City, Ata Plant, Toshiba Aichi Co., Ltd.

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A display unit comprising a stirring body rotated during washing and a dehydration tub rotated during dehydration, wherein the rotating state of the stirring body or the dehydration tub is displayed by changing the light emitting portion in a loop shape. A washing machine characterized by having a. 2. The display unit includes a plurality of light-emitting elements that are sequentially turned on and a plurality of light-transmitting portions that transmit light of the light-emitting elements and serve as light-emitting portions, and each light-transmitting portion has a circular shape as a whole or The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the washing machine is formed in an oval shape. 3. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the changing speed of the light emitting portion is a speed corresponding to the rotation speed of the stirring body or the dehydration tank. 4. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the changing direction of the light emitting portion is the same as the rotating direction of the stirring body or the dehydration tub. 5. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the light emitting element is capable of emitting a plurality of different colors and is configured so that the emission color changes in each step of the washing operation. 6. The plurality of light emitting elements are configured so as to be in any one of a lighting state, a lighting state, and a blinking state while the stirring body or the dehydration tank is stopped. The washing machine according to any one of 1. 7. The display unit is also used as a water level display unit for displaying the washing water level, and when the water level is displayed, the light emitting element corresponding to the washing water level is turned on. The washing machine according to any one of 1 to 6. 8. The display unit is also used as a remaining time display unit for displaying the remaining time of the washing operation, and when a predetermined operation is performed, a light emitting element corresponding to the remaining time is turned on. The washing machine according to any one of claims 2 to 7.