JPH09237547A - Cam switch mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accelerate the setting of the desired process of a series of processes by cams and improve operability by rotating the drive source of the cams forward or reversely in the process switching cam mechanism of an automatic control apparatus or the like. SOLUTION: In a cam switch mechanism 1 incorporated in an automatic dish washer or the like, switch cams 3-6 are driven by a reversible stepping motor 2, and the irregular sections of the switch cams 3-6 having prescribed shapes are brought into contact with switch means 21-25 to turn them on or off. The switch cams 3-6 operate the switches 21-25 corresponding to the filling, pump, heater and other operations. The detergent cam 6 is rotated when the motor 2 is reversely rotated, and it controls the insertion timing of a detergent and a rinse via a lever. The drive source is made reversible, the switch means set before the cam rotation angle can be quickly operated without reversely rotating the cam to reverse the cam rotation angle, and the operability of the switches 21-25 is improved.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cam switch mechanism suitable for controlling an automatic dishwasher or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An automatic dishwasher is one in which washing, rinsing, heater and other steps are carried out for a predetermined time according to a selected course to automatically wash dishes and the like. A cam switch mechanism is incorporated in this automatic dishwasher, and the execution of each step is controlled by rotating together a plurality of cams provided corresponding to each step.

That is, in the conventional cam switch mechanism, a plurality of cams provided for each process are integrated as a cam assembly and rotated in one direction at the same time, and the convex portions of the respective cam surfaces that appear sequentially correspond to each other. The switch means is operated to execute each step in order. For example, when seven types of processes A to G are set as processes of the automatic dishwasher, the convex portions corresponding to the respective processes A to G are formed at positions with different cam rotation angles, and the cam assembly is formed. All the steps A to G could be performed while the body made one round. The cam assembly is rotated in one direction by a motor to selectively perform a desired process.

[0004]

However, in the conventional cam switch mechanism, since the cam assembly is always rotated in one direction, for example, when step G is performed after step A, step A is performed. After the corresponding switch means is turned on, the switch means corresponding to the step G cannot be turned on unless the steps B to F are passed. For this reason, the cam switch mechanism is difficult to use and is inferior in operability.

An object of the present invention is to provide a cam switch mechanism having excellent operability.

[0006]

In order to achieve such an object, a cam switch mechanism according to claim 1 comprises a drive source,
The drive source includes a cam driven by the drive source and having a concavo-convex portion, switch means for slidingly contacting the concavo-convex portion of the cam to switch between on and off, and a control unit for controlling the drive source. It has a structure that allows forward and reverse rotation. Therefore, when the control unit reverses the drive source, the cam reversely rotates and returns, and the switch means set on the front side of the rotation angle can be quickly operated without forwarding the cam rotation angle.

A cam switch mechanism according to a second aspect of the present invention has a plurality of cams and switch means, and a plurality of functions are constituted by a combination of ON / OFF states of the plurality of cams and a plurality of switch means, and a control section is used. It is configured to operate the drive source so that it can rotate forward and backward. Therefore, when executing the function on the front side of the cam rotation angle, the control unit reverses the drive source to reversely move the cam back and forward, and the cam rotation angle is advanced without passing through a function that does not need to be executed. Get to the desired function quickly.

Further, in the cam switch mechanism according to the third aspect of the present invention, the control section is constructed such that the switch means is turned on or off at the timing when the switch means comes into sliding contact with a predetermined position of the concave portion or the convex portion of the cam. Therefore, even if the switch means is turned on or off by the cam, there is a time when the switch means is not actually turned on or off, and even if the uneven shape of the cam changes due to wear, etc. The switch means is turned on or off.

Further, in the cam switch mechanism according to the present invention, a drive source, a switch cam and an operating cam which are driven by the drive source and have an uneven portion, and an operating member which causes the operating cam to perform a predetermined operation. It has a switch means for slidingly contacting the concave-convex portion of the switch cam to switch between on and off, and a control portion for controlling the drive source.The switch cam and the operation cam are integrally formed as an integrated cam. This is a configuration in which an operation region in which the operation member operates is formed by the operation cam during one round. Therefore, when only switching by the switch cam is performed and it is not desired to operate the operation member by the operation cam, it is possible to prevent the operation cam from moving to the operation area in which the operation member operates by rotating the drive source forward and backward. It will be possible. Further, the number of component parts is reduced by the amount that the switch cam and the operation cam are integrated.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The configuration of the present invention will be described below in detail based on the best mode shown in the drawings.

1 to 5 show an embodiment of a cam switch mechanism according to the present invention. The cam switch mechanism 1 is incorporated in, for example, an automatic dishwasher,
A motor 2 as a drive source, and driven by the motor 2,
The motor has a cam having an uneven portion (cam surface) of a predetermined shape, a switch means for slidingly contacting the uneven portion of the cam to switch between on and off, and a control portion for controlling the motor 2. The driving time, the driving time, or the driving speed of No. 2 is changed so that the ON time and the OFF time of the switch means can be set freely. The motor 2 is, for example, a stepping motor. Therefore, the rotation speed of each cam is variable and can be reversed.

The automatic dishwasher has the following operations: FILL operation, pump (PUMP) operation, drain (DRAIN) operation, heater (HEATE) operation.
R) operation, and the cam switch mechanism 1 executes these operations individually or in combination.

As the cam, for example, three switch cams 3
.About.5, one detergent cam (motion cam) 6 and two home cams 7, 8. The first switch cam 3 corresponds to the filling operation and the draining operation of the automatic washing machine. The second switch cam 4 corresponds to the pump operation. The third switch cam 5 corresponds to the heater operation. The three switch cams 3 to 5 and the first home cam 7 are integrally molded and integrally rotated. The first home cam 7 detects the home position of each switch cam 3-5. Also, Detergent Cam 6
Controls the detergent loading timing and the rinse loading timing of the automatic dishwasher. Second home cam 8
Detects the home position of the detergent cam 6.

The cams 3 to 8 are rotated by the stepping motor 2. The rotation of the stepping motor 2 is as follows: first gear 11 → second gear 12 → third gear 13 → fourth gear
The first clutch 9 and the second clutch 10 via the gear 14.
Is transmitted to Each of the clutches 9 and 10 has a claw portion that transmits a rotational force only in a fixed direction. Therefore, the clutches 9 and 10 and the fourth gear 14 constitute a double ratchet mechanism, and when the stepping motor 2 rotates in the normal direction, this rotational force is transmitted to the first clutch 9 while the stepping motor 2 rotates in the reverse direction. If so, this rotational force is transmitted to the second clutch 10.

The rotation of the first clutch 9 is transmitted to the switch cams 3 to 5 via the gear 15 and the gear 16. On the other hand, the rotation of the second clutch 10 depends on the gear 17 and the gear 18.
Is transmitted to the second home cam 8 via. The second home cam 8 and the detergent cam 6 are integrated by screws.

That is, the cam switch mechanism 1 according to the present invention.
Is each switch cam 3-5 and detergent cam 6
Has a double ratchet mechanism as a transmission switching means between the motor 2 and the motor 2, separates the switch cams 3 to 6 from the detergent cam 6, and one of the double ratchet mechanisms to the switch cams 3 to 6, The other is interlocked with each of the detergent cams 6 to rotate each of the switch cams 3 to 5 when the motor 2 is normally rotated, while rotating the detergent cam 6 when the motor 2 is reversely rotated.

In other words, between the switch cams 3 to 5 as the first cam and the detergent cam 6 as the second cam and the motor 2, the switch cams 3 to 5 when the motor 2 normally rotates. Transmission switching means is formed to rotate 5 and rotate the detergent cam 6 when it is reversed.

The second gear 12, the third gear 13, the first gear
The clutch 9 and the gear 15, and the second clutch 10 and the gear 17 are integrally molded.

The concavo-convex portions on the cam surface of each of the cams 3 to 8 are formed in a predetermined shape so as to correspond to each function described later in detail. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the corresponding functions (home (0 degree) to heater (310 degrees)) are assigned to the respective cams 3 to 5 using the entire circumference (360 degrees) of the cam surface. There is.

Each of the switch means 21 to 25 is a leaf switch which is turned on by elastically deforming a plate, for example. Each of the switch means 21 to 25 is turned on by slidingly contacting either one of the concave portions and the convex portions of the cam surfaces of the switch cams 3 to 5 and the home cams 7 and 8 and the other one. It is turned off by sliding on.

On the other hand, the detergent cam 6 is shown in FIG.
As shown in, the detergent feeding timing and the rinse feeding timing are controlled via the stop lever 19 and the detergent lever 20 which are operating members.

The positional relationship between the stop lever 19 and the detergent lever 20 will now be described. In the present embodiment, the stop lever 19 and the detergent lever 20 are arranged at different heights (positions in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing). And stop lever 1
The engaging piece 21 of 9 is projected to the detergent lever 20 side, and the engaging piece 2 of the detergent lever 20
2 and 25 per degree are projected to the stop lever 19 side. That is, although the stop lever 19 and the detergent lever 20 are arranged offset in the vertical direction, the engaging pieces 21, 22 and the contact 25 are arranged at the same height position. When the detergent lever 20 rotates in the direction of the arrow CCW in the figure, the engagement piece 21 and the engagement piece 22 or the contact 25 are engaged. On the other hand, when the detergent lever 20 is rotated in the reverse direction, the stopper lever 19 is in the position of the solid line, and since 25 per degree passes through the outside of the engagement piece 21, they are not engaged. Then, when the engagement piece 22 is further rotated in the reverse direction, the front portion in the rotation direction of the engagement piece 22 has a gentle slope shape, and the portion of the engagement piece 21 facing the slope portion has a smooth curved surface. Therefore, the engaging piece 22 can ride over the engaging piece 21, and then the engaging pieces 21 and 22 engage with each other in the direction of the arrow CCW.

The stop lever 19 and the detergent lever 20 having such a structure operate as follows.

That is, when the detergent cam 6 rotates from the detergent standby state shown by the solid line in FIG. 10 and the arm 19a of the stop lever 19 falls to the depressed position of the cam 6, the engagement piece 21 of the stop lever 19 is released. The detergent lever 20 is disengaged from the engagement piece 22, and the detergent lever 20 rotates in the CCW direction so that the arm 20a of the detergent lever 20 engages with the engagement piece 21 and enters the rinse-waiting state.

At this time, a detergent (not shown) is introduced. The mechanism for putting the detergent into the detergent will be described with reference to FIG. 11. The rotating shaft 26 of the detergent lever 20 and the detergent putting lid 27 are engaged with each other. Then, when the detergent lever 20 reaches the position shown by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 10, the rotation of the rotating shaft 26 causes the detergent loading lid 27 to slide and open, and the detergent 28 is dispensed.

When the detergent cam 6 is further rotated in the CCW direction and the arm 19a of the stop lever 19 is lowered to the rinse drop position of the cam 6, the engaging piece 21 of the stop lever 19 and the detergent lever 20 are rotated by 25 degrees. Disengaged with the detergent lever 2
0 rotates in the CCW direction, and the detergent lever 20
Arm 20b presses the rinse lever 23 against the lever 24 to perform rinsing.

After rinsing, the detergent cam 6 is further rotated in the CCW direction and stopped at the home position.

FIG. 6 shows the timing at which the switches 3 to 8 are turned on by rotating the cams 3 to 8 and the timing at which the detergent and the rinse are put in. Home indicates a home position. Water is stored in the Fill. Fill + Pump (Pu
In mp), water is sprayed while collecting water. The pump sprays water. A heater + pump sprays water while heating. Drain
n) + pump sprays water while draining the water. The heater performs heating.

The control section (not shown) is composed of, for example, a microcomputer and controls the rotation of the motor 2. That is, the control unit drives, stops, or changes the drive (rotation) speed of the motor 2 to change each of the switch units 21 to 21.
The time of turning on and the time of turning off of 25 are freely settable. This control unit also serves as the control unit of the automatic washing machine.

Next, the operation when the cam switch mechanism 1 is incorporated in an automatic dishwasher will be described with reference to FIGS.

For example, five types of cleaning courses are programmed in the control unit of the automatic cleaning machine, that is, the control unit of the cam switch mechanism. The user selects a cleaning course according to the purpose of use. For example, if you select pot scrubber,
Pre-wash process → Wash process → Rinse process →
The heater process is performed in this order. All these steps are 107
Finish in minutes.

The pre-wash process is 4 minutes,
There are 3 cycles of 4 minutes and 5 minutes. In each cycle of the pre-wash process, as shown in the left side column A of FIG. 8, the stepping motor 2 is normally rotated to perform the function of →→→→. FIG. 9 shows each function. For example, the function is a home function, and the first home cam 7 turns on the switch means 24. The function of is the fill + pump function, and the first switch cam 3
Turns on the switch means 21, and the second switch cam 4 turns on the switch means 22. The control unit controls the rotation of the motor 2, that is, stops and restarts the rotation of the motor 2 or changes its rotation speed, and performs each function for a preset time.
The description of other functions is omitted.

On the other hand, the wash process is performed once in 43 minutes. In the washing process, as shown in the left side column A of FIG. 8, the stepping motor 2 is normally rotated →→→→
And perform stepping motor 2
Reverse to rotate the detergent cam and perform D function. In D function, add detergent.

The automatic dishwasher carries out other steps in the same manner and ends the washing program. The automatic dishwashing machine automatically performs dishwashing and the like by executing the respective steps corresponding to the selected washing course in a predetermined order.

In the cam switch mechanism 1 of this embodiment, the switch cams 3 to 5 and the detergent cam 6 are separate bodies, and each cam is engaged with one cam of the double ratchet. Therefore, for example, when the motor 2 rotates CW, only the detergent cam 6 rotates, and when the motor 2 rotates CCW, only the switch cams 3 to 5 rotate. With this configuration, the switch cam 3
Since it is possible to rotate only the detergent cam without returning .about.5, it is possible to prevent the starting noise of the pump generated when the switch cams 3 to 5 are rotated in the reverse direction. That is,
Since it is not necessary to return the switch cams 3 to 5, the starting noise of the pump does not occur.

Further, the switch means 21 to 25 on each cam surface
The motor 2 can be stopped in a portion that does not affect ON / OFF of the motor, in other words, in a portion that does not switch the switch state (ON / OFF state) of the switch means 21 to 25. In addition, the detergent cam 6 is charged with detergent (14
It is set only for the 0 degree position) and the rinsing (200 degree position). As shown in FIG. 6, in reality, the detergent and the rinse are supplied when the switch means is (fill + pump).

The above-described embodiment is an example of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

For example, in the above description, the stepping motor 2 is used as the drive source, but the drive source is not limited to the stepping motor, and may be a DC motor, for example. Further, in the case of only the switch operation, an AC motor may be used.

Further, the structure for transmitting the rotation of the stepping motor 2 to each cam is not limited to that described above. For example, the cam switch mechanism 3 shown in FIGS.
As in 0, the rotation of the stepping motor 2 may be transmitted to each of the cams 35 to 39 via the first gear 31, the second gear 32, the third gear 33, and the fourth gear 34.

In this case, the switch cams 35 to 37 and the home cam 38 are integrally formed, and the cams 35 to 38 and the detergent cam 39 are integrated by screws. That is, in the present embodiment, since all the cams 35 to 39 rotate integrally, one home cam is sufficient. It should be noted that all the cams 35 to 39 may be integrally molded to form an integrated cam. When the integrated cam is used, the number of parts can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

The first switch cam 35 corresponds to the fill operation and drain operation of the automatic dishwasher. The second switch cam 36 corresponds to the pump operation. The third switch cam 37 corresponds to the heater operation. The home cam 38 detects the home position of these cams. Further, the detergent cam 39 controls the detergent feeding timing and the rinse feeding timing.

Each of the cams 35 to 38 turns on / off the corresponding switch means 40 to 43 at the timing shown in FIG. Therefore, even with such a structure, the tableware can be automatically washed according to the selected washing course shown in FIG. 7, as in the cam switch mechanism 1 described above. The contents of the process when the cam switch mechanism 30 is used are shown in the column B of FIG. Again, in this case,
By rotating the stepping motor 2 in the reverse direction, it is possible to repeatedly perform the function that has already been performed, or to pass without executing an unnecessary function.

That is, the switch cams 35 to 37 have 0 degrees to 1 degrees.
The area of each function is assigned to the area of 22.5 degrees. Also, the detergent cam 39 rotates integrally with the switch cams 35 to 37,
The detergent is put in at 185 degrees of 9 and the rinse is put in at 225 degrees. That is, while the cams 35 to 38 as the integrated cam make one round, the detergent cam 3
9 forms an operation region in which the stop lever 19 and the detergent lever 20 which are operation members are operated. Since the stepping motor 2 can be rotated in the normal and reverse directions, if any of the switch means 40 to 43 has to be operated but the operating member is not desired to be operated, the stepping motor 2 can be rotated in the normal direction or the reverse direction so as to operate the detergent cam. It is possible to operate the switch means 40 to 43 by the switch cams 35 to 37 without entering the operation area of 39. That is, the switch means 40 to 43 can be operated without operating the operation member.

Further, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, each switch means is turned on and off by the concave and convex shape of each cam, and the time when each cam turns on the switch means and the switch means is actually turned on. Although the times are the same, these times may be different. That is, the time during which each switch means is in the on or off state may be different from the time during which the switch means is in sliding contact with the convex portion or the concave portion of each cam for the on operation or the off operation.

For example, each switch means may be controllable by the control unit. In this case, even if each cam turns on the switch means, if the controller does not turn on the switch means, each cam rotates at a high speed to pass without executing an unnecessary function or each cam reversely rotates. In this case, it can be prevented that the switch means is turned on and each function is executed. Further, even when the cam surface is worn and the shape of the uneven portion is changed, the switch means can be turned on or off at a certain time.

[0046]

As described above, in the cam switch mechanism according to the first aspect of the present invention, the drive source, the cam driven by the drive source and having the concavo-convex part, and the concavo-convex part of the cam are slidably contacted and turned on and off. It has a switch means for switching between and, and a control unit for controlling the drive source, and since the drive source can be rotated in the forward and reverse directions by the control unit, the control unit reverses the drive source and the cam reverses and returns. It is possible to quickly operate the switch means set on the front side of the rotation angle without forwarding the cam rotation angle. Therefore, the cam switch mechanism is easy to use and the switch operability is improved.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cam switch mechanism having a plurality of cams and switch means, wherein a plurality of functions are constituted by a combination of ON / OFF states of the plurality of cams and a plurality of switch means, and a control section is used. Since the drive source is operated so that it can be rotated in the forward and reverse directions, the desired function can be performed quickly.

Further, in the cam switch mechanism according to a third aspect of the present invention, the control section turns on or off the switch means at the timing when the switch means comes into sliding contact with a predetermined position of the concave portion or the convex portion of the cam. It is possible that the switch means is not actually turned on or off even if the means is turned on or off. For this reason,
Even if the uneven shape of the cam changes due to wear, etc., the switch means can be turned on or off at a fixed time, and skipped without performing the desired switch operation, or the same switch operation can be performed by rotating the cam in the reverse direction. It is possible to prevent the switch means from turning on or off when repeating the above procedure.

Further, in the cam switch mechanism according to the present invention, a drive source, a switch cam and an operating cam which are driven by the drive source and have an uneven portion, and an operating member which causes the operating cam to perform a predetermined operation. It has a switch means for slidingly contacting the concave-convex portion of the switch cam to switch between on and off, and a control portion for controlling the drive source.The switch cam and the operation cam are integrally formed as an integrated cam. Since the operation area where the operation member operates is formed by the operation cam during one round, it is possible to perform switching by the switch cam without bringing the operation cam to the operation area by rotating the drive source forward and backward. Become. In addition, the number of constituent parts is reduced by the amount that the switch cam and the operation cam are integrated, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an example of an embodiment of a cam switch mechanism according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the cam switch mechanism of FIG.

3 is a bottom view of the cam switch mechanism of FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an arrangement of gears of the cam switch mechanism of FIG.

5 is a cross-sectional view of the cam switch mechanism of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a timing at which each cam of the cam switch mechanism of FIG. 1 turns on each switch means.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the contents of each mode of an automatic dishwasher incorporating the cam switch mechanism of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an operation sequence of sequence switches when the cam switch mechanism of FIG. 1 is incorporated in an automatic dishwasher.

9 is a diagram showing the load timing of the sequence switch when the cam switch mechanism of FIG. 1 is incorporated in an automatic dishwasher.

10 is a plan view showing a stop lever and a detergent lever of an automatic dishwasher incorporating the cam switch mechanism of FIG.

11 is a cross-sectional view showing a detergent loading mechanism of an automatic dishwasher incorporating the cam switch mechanism of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of the cam switch mechanism according to the present invention.

13 is a cross-sectional view showing each cam of the cam switch mechanism of FIG.

14 is a plan view of the cam switch mechanism of FIG.

FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the cam switch mechanism of FIG.

16 is a diagram showing an arrangement of gears of the cam switch mechanism of FIG.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a timing at which each cam of the cam switch mechanism of FIG. 1 turns on each switch means.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1,30 Cam switch mechanism 2 Stepping motor 3-5, 35-37 Switch cam 6,39 Detergent cam (operating cam) 7,8,38 Home cam 19 Stop lever (operating member) 20 Detergent lever (operating member) 21-25, 40-43 switch means

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A drive source, a cam driven by the drive source and having an uneven portion, switch means for slidingly contacting the uneven portion of the cam to switch between on and off, and a control portion for controlling the drive source. And a cam switch mechanism characterized in that the drive source can be rotated forward and backward by the controller. 2. A plurality of the cams and the switch means are provided, and a plurality of functions are configured by a combination of the on / off states of the plurality of cams and the plurality of switch means, and the drive source can be rotated normally and reversely by the controller. The cam switch mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the cam switch mechanism is operated to. 3. The control unit turns on or off the switch means at a timing when the switch means comes into sliding contact with a predetermined position of a concave portion or a convex portion of the cam. The cam switch mechanism described in any one. 4. A drive source, a switch cam and an operating cam that are driven by the drive source and have an uneven portion, an operation member that causes the operation cam to perform a predetermined operation, and a sliding contact with the uneven portion of the switch cam. A switch means for switching between on and off; and a control part for controlling the drive source, wherein the switch cam and the operation cam are integrally formed into an integrated cam, and the integrated cam makes one round, A cam switch mechanism, wherein an operation region in which the operation member operates is formed by the operation cam.