JPH09775A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To judge the distribution state of laundry inside a tank before a dehydrating process and to effectively prevent the generation of abnormal vibration from the beginning of the dehydrating process. CONSTITUTION: The terminal voltage of the capacitor 6c for rotation of a motor 6 for driving an agitation body for agitating the laundry inside the tank at the time of a washing process or a rinsing process before the dehydrating process 15 detected, the attenuation time of the detected terminal voltage of the capacitor 6c, specifically the total value or average value of the respective change amounts of the attenuation time of the terminal voltage of the capacitor 6c detected for the prescribed number of times, is compared with a reference value and the distribution state of the laundry inside the tank is judged. Also, the terminal voltage of the capacitor 6c is detected near the respective ends of the washing process and the rinsing process.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a washing machine having a function of detecting a distribution state of laundry in a tub.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a washing machine, if the state of distribution of the laundry in the tub is uneven, abnormal vibration occurs during the dehydration process, which may cause a large noise and damage to the equipment. There is. Therefore, when the abnormal vibration occurs, it is detected by a detection lever or the like provided outside the tub, the rotation of the tub is stopped once, and then the laundry in the tub is dispersed by water supply, stirring, etc. The one that restarts the rotation of the tank is generally provided.

[0003]

However, according to the above-mentioned prior art, the operation for dispersing the laundry in the tub is performed under the condition that the abnormal vibration occurs during the dehydration process, and the abnormal vibration It was not possible to prevent the outbreak from the beginning of the dehydration process. Therefore, conventionally, near the end of the washing process before the dehydration process and the end of the rinsing process,
There is also provided one in which the laundry is dispersed in the tub by performing agitation for a few times by reversing the cycle or rotating in the same direction, and then the dehydration step is performed.

However, in this case, since the laundry is dispersed regardless of whether the laundry in the tub is evenly or unevenly distributed, when the laundry is evenly distributed. Moreover, the distributed operation was wasted, resulting in extra time and power consumption.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and therefore an object thereof is to be able to judge the distribution state of the laundry in the tub before the dehydration process and to generate an abnormal vibration from the beginning of the dehydration process. The purpose is to provide a washing machine that is effective in preventing the above and does not waste extra time and power.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the washing machine of the present invention has a dewatering step and a washing step or a rinsing step before the dewatering step. The capacitor terminal voltage detecting means for detecting the terminal voltage of the rotating capacitor of the motor for driving the stirring body for stirring the laundry in the tub during the stroke or rinsing stroke is provided and detected by this capacitor terminal voltage detecting means. It is characterized by further comprising a laundry distribution state judging means for judging the distribution state of the laundry in the tub from the decay time of the terminal voltage of the capacitor.

In this case, the laundry distribution state determination means has a reference decay time, and compares the decay time of the capacitor terminal voltage detected by the capacitor terminal voltage detection means with the reference decay time to determine the laundry load. It is good to judge the distribution state. Also, the laundry distribution state determination means sums up the respective variations of the decay time of the capacitor terminal voltage detected a predetermined number of times by the capacitor terminal voltage detection means, and determines the laundry distribution state in the tub from this total value. It may be one that does.

Further, the laundry distribution state judging means averages each change amount of the decay time of the terminal voltage of the capacitor detected by the capacitor terminal voltage detecting means a predetermined number of times, and the laundry distribution in the tub is calculated from the average value. It may be one that determines the state. The laundry distribution state determining means determines the distribution state of the laundry in the tub from the decay time of the capacitor terminal voltage detected by the capacitor terminal voltage detecting means near the end of the washing process or the end of the rinsing process. It is good that it does.

On the other hand, when the laundry distribution state determination means determines that the laundry distribution state in the tub is not uniform, the laundry distribution state determination means is provided with a control means for controlling the rotation speed of the tub to perform dehydration. Is also good. Further, when the laundry distribution state determination means determines that the laundry distribution state in the tub is not uniform, the laundry distribution state determination means may be provided with a control means for controlling the stirring of the laundry for a predetermined period of time. .

[0010]

In the washing process and the rinsing process, the agitator driving motor is repeatedly energized and disconnected. At this time, electric charges are stored in the rotating capacitor of the motor when electricity is applied, and the stored charges are discharged when the power is cut off. During this discharge, the electric charge is consumed while causing LC resonance between the capacitor and the coil of the motor. If the rotor of the motor is rotating at this time, an induced voltage is generated in the coil in the direction opposite to the current flowing from the capacitor, and this induced voltage increases as the rotor speed increases, so the inertia rotation of the motor The longer the time, the longer the decay time of the capacitor terminal voltage.

Further, the rotational speed of the rotor during inertial rotation differs depending on the magnitude of the load. When the load is small, the resistance acting on the rotor is small and the rotational speed becomes high, and the inertial rotation time of the motor becomes long. The decay time of the capacitor terminal voltage becomes longer. On the other hand, when the load is large, the resistance acting on the rotor is large and the rotation speed is low, the inertia rotation time of the motor is short, and the decay time of the terminal voltage of the capacitor is short.

However, if the distribution of the laundry in the tub is uniform, the load is evenly applied to the motor each time during inertial rotation, and the discharge time is stable. On the contrary,
If the distribution of the laundry in the tub is uneven, the motor will be unevenly loaded each time it coasts, and the discharge time will vary.

Therefore, as described above, the terminal voltage of the motor capacitor is detected during the washing process or the rinsing process, and the decay time (discharge time) of the terminal voltage of the capacitor is detected.
The distribution of the laundry in the tub can be determined by measuring Specifically, as described above, it is better to judge by comparing the detected decay time of the terminal voltage of the capacitor with the reference decay time. Then, it is possible to judge from this total value, and it is also possible to average each change amount of the decay time of the terminal voltage of the capacitor detected a predetermined number of times and judge from this average value.

Further, when the terminal voltage of the capacitor is detected near the end of the washing process or near the end of the rinsing process, the judgment can be made in the situation closest to the subsequent dehydration process. Then, when it is determined that the distribution state of the laundry in the tub is not uniform, the rotation speed of the tub is reduced to perform dehydration, thereby preventing abnormal vibration during the dehydration process and performing the dehydration operation. You can Further, when it is judged that the distribution state of the laundry in the tub is uneven, if the laundry is agitated for a predetermined period of time, the operation to disperse the laundry in the tub only in a necessary situation You can

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. First, FIG. 6 shows the overall structure of the washing machine.
A tub 4, which is a washing tub that also serves as a dehydrating tub, is provided in the tub 2 while being supported and provided by (only part of which is shown). Further, an agitator 5 is provided at the bottom of the tank 4, and the agitator 5 is intermittently rotated in the normal and reverse directions during washing (washing and rinsing), and the tank 4 is rotated in one direction at high speed during dehydration. A drive mechanism 7 having a motor 6 as a main body is arranged in an outer lower portion of the trough 2. In addition, a drainage valve 8 and a drainage hose 9 are also provided on the outer lower portion of the tub 2.

The motor 6 is shown in detail in FIG.
It is composed of a main coil 6a, an auxiliary coil 6b, and a rotation (advancing) capacitor 6c, and an AC power supply 12 is applied via a first triac 10 for forward rotation and a second triac 11 for reverse rotation. It is connected to the. or,
A series circuit including resistors 13 and 14 is connected in parallel to the capacitor 6c, and a common connection point of the series circuit is connected to an input terminal 15a of a microcomputer 15 which functions as a laundry distribution state determining means and a controlling means as described later. Then, the capacitor 6c is made to function as the capacitor terminal voltage detecting means 17 for detecting the terminal voltage.

Incidentally, the first and second triacs 1
A trigger signal is applied from the microcomputer 15 to each of 0 and 11 so that they are electrically connected intermittently.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. FIG. 7 shows a standard course of operation of the inventive washing machine.
This is programmed in the microcomputer 15, and the operation is performed in the order of "washing", "dehydration", "rinsing", "dehydration", "rinsing" and "dehydration". Of these, the stirring body 5 is intermittently rotated in the forward and reverse directions during the "wash" stroke and the "rinse" stroke, as described above. For this reason, the motor 6 is driven by the first triac 10 for forward rotation and the reverse rotation. The second triac 11 is alternately energized intermittently. 4A and 5A, the energization of the motor 6 is represented as forward rotation only for convenience.

As described above, when the motor 6 is turned on / off, electric charge is stored in the capacitor 6c of the motor 6 when energized, and the stored electric charge is discharged when the power is turned off. During this discharge, the electric charge is consumed while causing LC resonance between the capacitor 6c and the main coil 6a and the auxiliary coil 6b. At this time, if the rotor of the motor 6 is rotating,
An induced voltage is generated in the main coil 6a and the auxiliary coil 6b in a direction opposite to the current flowing from the capacitor 6c, and the induced voltage increases as the rotational speed of the rotor increases.
The longer the inertia rotation time of the motor 6, the longer the decay time of the terminal voltage of the capacitor 6c.

Further, the rotational speed of the rotor during inertial rotation differs depending on the magnitude of the load. When the load is small, the resistance acting on the rotor is small and the rotational speed becomes high, and the inertial rotation time of the motor 6 becomes long. Therefore, the decay time of the terminal voltage of the capacitor 6c becomes long. On the other hand, when the load is large, the resistance acting on the rotor is large and the rotation speed is low, the inertia rotation time of the motor 6 is short, and the decay time of the terminal voltage of the capacitor 6c is short.

FIG. 2A and FIG. 3A show this, and when the load is 0 [kg], it takes 0.25 [mse] before the terminal voltage of the capacitor 6c is completely attenuated.
[c] was required, but when the load was 5 [kg], the terminal voltage of the capacitor 6c reached 0.
This shows an example in which only 08 [msec] is required. Such a signal is input to the microcomputer 15. Then, the microcomputer 15 rectifies it as shown in FIGS. 2B and 3B, and measures the time T until the rectified terminal voltage of the capacitor 6c is attenuated to, for example, 10 [V]. .

In that case, however, if the distribution of the laundry in the tub 4 is uniform, the motor 6 is evenly loaded each time during inertial rotation, so that the decay time of the terminal voltage of the capacitor 6c is stable. are doing. On the other hand, if the distribution state of the laundry in the tub 4 is not uniform, the motor 6 is unevenly loaded each time the inertia rotation is performed, so that the condenser 6c
The terminal voltage decay time varies.

FIGS. 4 (b) and 5 (b) show this, and FIG. 4 (b) shows the case where the distribution of the laundry in the tub 4 is uniform, and the terminal voltage of the capacitor 6c. The decay times T (1), T (2), T (3), T (4), T (5), ... Of are almost the same. In this case, the total value Ts1 of the respective changes in the decay time is expressed by the following equation (1).

[Equation 1]

Further, the average value Ta1 of each variation is given by the following (2)
It is represented by a formula.

[Equation 2]

On the other hand, FIG. 5B shows the case where the distribution of the laundry in the tub 4 is uneven, and the decay times T (1), T (2), T of the terminal voltage of the capacitor 6c are shown. (3), T (4),
T (5) ... Are not the same. In this case, the total value Ts2 of the respective changes in the decay time is expressed by the following equation (3).

(Equation 3)

Further, the average value Ta2 of each change amount is given by the following (4)
It is represented by a formula.

(Equation 4)

The microcomputer 15 has, for example, the total value Ts1 of the variation amounts of the decay time when the distribution state of the laundry in the tub 4 is uniform as the reference decay time. However, the total value Ts as this reference decay time
1 is not a single number, but a number with some range. With this configuration, the terminal voltage of the capacitor 6c is detected near the end of the "wash" step and near the end of the "rinse" step, and the decay time of the terminal voltage of the capacitor 6c is measured a predetermined number of times. As shown, it is judged whether or not the total value Ts of the respective variations is the same as the reference decay time (total value) Ts1 (step S1).

Here, if it is judged that the total value Ts of the decay time of the terminal voltage of the capacitor 6c is the same as the reference decay time Ts1, the usual dehydration process, for example, 850
The tank 4 is rotated at a speed of [rpm] to execute the dehydration operation (step S2). If it is determined that they are not the same, the tank 4 is moved at a speed lower than usual, for example, 750 [rpm] during the "dehydration" step. The spin-drying operation is performed by rotating (step S3).

Note that, unlike the above, the microcomputer 15 has the average value Ta1 of each variation amount of the decay time when the distribution state of the laundry in the tub 4 is uniform (this is also the reference decay time). In step S1, the capacitor 6c detected near the end of the "wash" stroke and near the end of the "rinse" stroke in step S1.
It is judged whether or not the average value Ta of the variations of the terminal voltage decay time is the same as the reference decay time (average value) Ta1. If they are the same, the process proceeds to step S2. Alternatively, if it is determined that they are not the same, the process may proceed to step S3.

As described above, with this structure, the distribution state of the laundry can be judged by detecting the terminal voltage of the capacitor 6c of the motor 6 in the tub 4 before the "dehydration" step, which is the conventional "dehydration" process. Unlike the conventional one that detects abnormal vibration when it enters the process, it is possible to judge the distribution state of the laundry in the tub 4 without waiting for the occurrence of abnormal vibration. It is effective in preventing the occurrence of abnormal vibration from the.

In particular, when it is judged that the distribution of the laundry in the tub 4 is uneven, the rotation speed of the tub 4 is lowered to perform the dehydration, thereby suppressing the occurrence of vibration. The dehydration operation can be performed, and abnormal vibrations can be more reliably prevented. Also, during the "washing" and "rinsing" strokes, the condenser 6c of the motor 6 near the end of each stroke.
By determining the distribution state of the laundry by detecting the terminal voltage of, it is possible to make a determination in the situation closest to the subsequent "dehydration" process, and also to more reliably prevent the occurrence of abnormal vibration. it can.

In contrast to the above, FIG. 9 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In this case, the microcomputer 15
When it is determined in step S1 that the total value Ts of the variations of the decay time of the terminal voltage of the capacitor 6c is not the same as the reference decay time Ts1, the laundry is continuously stirred (step S101), Predetermined time, eg 1 [minute]
Is determined (step S102), and the process returns to step S1 while it is determined not to have elapsed.

Then, while it is determined in step S1 that the total value Ts of the variations of the decay time of the terminal voltage of the capacitor 6c is not the same as the reference decay time Ts1, 1 [minute] has elapsed in step S102. If it is determined, the operation is stopped (step S103) and the abnormality is notified (step S104).

When it is determined that the distribution state of the laundry in the tub 4 is not uniform in this manner, the agitation of the laundry is extended for a predetermined time (in this case, 1 [minute]) Four
Since the operation to disperse the laundry inside can be performed only when necessary, the operation to disperse the laundry is performed regardless of whether the state of distribution of the laundry in the conventional tub is equal or not. Unlike the conventional method, the laundry is not unnecessarily distributed, and it is possible to avoid spending extra time and power.

In this case, if the laundry is not evenly distributed in the tub 4 even if the laundry is agitated for a predetermined period of time, the operation is stopped and the abnormality is informed. It is possible to avoid continuing the agitation of the laundry while the distribution state of is not even, and it is possible to further reduce wasteful consumption of time and electric power.

Some washing machines do not have a "dehydration" step after the "washing" step (before the first "rinsing" step). "
It is not necessary to detect the terminal voltage of the capacitor 6c of the motor 6 in the process. In addition, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above and shown in the drawings, and can be implemented with appropriate modifications without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0037]

As is clear from the above description, the washing machine of the present invention is for rotating a motor for driving a stirring body that stirs the laundry in the tub during the washing process or the rinsing process before the dehydration process. The terminal voltage of the capacitor is detected, and the distribution state of the laundry in the tub is determined from the decay time of the detected terminal voltage of the capacitor (Claim 1). The distribution time of the laundry is judged by comparing the decay time with the reference decay time (claim 2), and more specifically, the respective variations of the decay time of the terminal voltage of the capacitor detected a predetermined number of times are summed up. , The distribution state of the laundry in the tub is judged from this total value (claim 3), or each change amount of the decay time of the terminal voltage of the capacitor detected a predetermined number of times is averaged, and the inside of the tub is calculated from this average value. To determine the distribution of laundry in 4.) are those, these by, because it is the determination of distribution of laundry intracisternal before dehydration step, an effect on the prevention of the abnormal vibration occurrence from initial dehydration step.

In the washing machine of the present invention, the terminal voltage of the capacitor is detected near the end of each of the washing process and the rinsing process to judge the distribution state of the laundry (claim 5). As a result, it is possible to make a determination in the situation closest to the subsequent dehydration process, so that the occurrence of abnormal vibration can be prevented more reliably. Furthermore, the washing machine of the present invention,
It is possible to perform the dehydration operation in which the occurrence of vibration that determines that the distribution state of the laundry in the tub is uneven is suppressed, and it is possible to more reliably prevent the occurrence of abnormal vibration.

The laundry washing machine of the present invention extends the stirring of the laundry for a predetermined period of time when it is determined that the distribution of the laundry in the tub is uneven (claim 7). As a result, the operation of dispersing the laundry in the tub can be performed only in a necessary situation, so that it is possible to avoid spending extra time and electric power without wastefully performing the operation of dispersing the laundry.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an electric circuit diagram of a main part showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing changes in the terminal voltage of a motor capacitor when there is no load.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a change in terminal voltage of a motor capacitor when a load is applied.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing changes in the terminal voltage of the motor / capacitor when the laundry is evenly distributed.

FIG. 5: Motors when laundry is unevenly distributed
Diagram showing changes in capacitor terminal voltage

FIG. 6 is an overall broken side view

[Figure 7] Itinerary diagram of standard driving course

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation.

FIG. 9 is a view corresponding to FIG. 8 showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

4 is a tank, 5 is an agitator, 6 is a motor, 6c is a condenser,
Reference numeral 15 is a microcomputer (laundry distribution state determination means, control means), and 17 is a capacitor terminal voltage detection means.

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A motor having a dewatering process and a washing or rinsing process before the dewatering process, the motor driving a stirring body for stirring laundry in a tub during the washing or rinsing process. Laundry including a capacitor terminal voltage detecting means for detecting the terminal voltage of the rotating capacitor, and judging the distribution state of the laundry in the tub from the decay time of the terminal voltage of the capacitor detected by the capacitor terminal voltage detecting means. A washing machine having a distribution state determining means. 2. The laundry distribution state determination means has a reference decay time, and compares the decay time of the capacitor terminal voltage detected by the capacitor terminal voltage detection means with the reference decay time to determine the laundry distribution state. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein 3. The laundry distribution state determining means sums up the respective variations of the decay time of the terminal voltage of the capacitor detected by the capacitor terminal voltage detecting means a predetermined number of times, and the laundry distribution in the tub is calculated from this total value. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the state is determined. 4. The laundry distribution state determination means averages each variation of the decay time of the terminal voltage of the capacitor detected by the capacitor terminal voltage detection means a predetermined number of times, and the laundry distribution in the tub is calculated from this average value. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the state is determined. 5. The distribution of laundry in the tub from the decay time of the terminal voltage of the capacitor detected by the capacitor terminal voltage detecting means by the laundry distribution state determining means near the end of the washing process or near the end of the rinsing process. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the state is determined. 6. The washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising a control means for controlling the rotation speed of the tub to perform dewatering when the laundry distribution state deciding means decides that the liquor distribution state in the tub is not uniform. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein: 7. A control means for controlling the laundry to be agitated for a predetermined period of time when the laundry distribution condition determining means determines that the laundry distribution in the tub is uneven. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein: