JPH10263264A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate the influence of remaining water upon the next process by efficiently draining water for time corresponding to the level of water in a water reception tub, repeating drainage when water can not be completely drained, judging drain abnormality when water is remained even after the repetition and reporting it to a user concerning a washing machine for performing washing, rinsing and dehydrating inside a drum arranged so as to be freely rotated with an almost horizontally provided rotary shaft as a center. SOLUTION: Inside the water reception tub, the drum is arranged so as to be freely rotated, the level of water in the water reception tub is detected by a water level detecting means 23, and water is drained by a drain pump 16. A control means 27 controls the operation of 1st motor 18, 2nd motor 19 and drain pump 16 or the like for driving the drum, the drain pump 16 is operated for the time corresponding to the level of water in the water reception tub at the time of drain start and when the water level before the end of drain is lower than a prescribed water level, the next process is started but when it is higher than the prescribted water level, the drain is repeated again. When the water level is higher than the prescribed water level, even after the drain is repeated 1st prescribed times, 1st drain abnormality is judged and displayed on a display means 30.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a washing machine for washing, rinsing, and dewatering laundry in a drum that is rotatably disposed about a rotating shaft provided in a substantially horizontal direction.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, this type of washing machine has been configured as shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the configuration will be described.

[0003] As shown in the figure, a drum 1 has a large number of water passage holes 2 provided on the entire outer peripheral portion thereof, and is rotatably disposed in a water receiving tank 3. One end of a rotating shaft 4 is fixed to the rotation center of the drum 1, and a drum pulley 5 is fixed to the other end of the rotating shaft 4. The motor 6 is connected to the drum pulley 5 by a belt 7 and drives the drum 1 to rotate. A cover 8 is provided at the opening of the drum 1 so as to be freely opened and closed.

The water receiving tub 3 is provided with a spring body 1 from the washing machine body 9.
The washing machine is suspended at 0, and is supported by an anti-vibration damper 11 so that vibration during dehydration is not transmitted to the main body 9 of the washing machine, and a weight 12 for reducing vibration during dehydration is provided. The heater 13 heats the washing water in the water receiving tub 3. The control device 14 controls operations of the motor 6, the heater 13, and the like, and sequentially controls a series of processes such as washing, rinsing, and dehydration. The water supply valve 15 supplies water in the water receiving tub 3, and the drainage pump 16 is connected to the water receiving tub 3 with a hose 17 to drain the washing water in the water receiving tub 3.

The operation of the above configuration will be described.
Is opened to load laundry into the drum 1, and when the operation is started and the drum 1 is rotated at a low speed by the motor 6, the laundry in the drum 1 is lifted and dropped, and the water supply valve 15 is maintained while continuing this operation. Supply more water. When a predetermined amount of water is supplied, the supply of water is stopped and washing is continued, and the laundry in the drum 1 is lifted and dropped on the water surface. Thus, the washing process proceeds.

After the washing process, the drainage pump 16 is driven to drain the water. If necessary, the drum 1 is rotated at a high speed while the drainage pump 16 is driven to perform intermediate dewatering, and the rinsing process is started. The same operation as the washing process is performed in the rinsing process. In the dehydration process, the drum 1 is driven to rotate at a high speed, and the laundry is centrifugally dehydrated. At this time, when the laundry in the drum 1 is shifted, that is, imbalance occurs, the drum 1
Although the water tub 3 vibrates, the vibration is not attenuated by the vibration damper 11 and transmitted to the washing machine main body 9.

[0007]

In such a conventional structure, when the drainage pump 16 is driven in the drainage stroke, the water in the water receiving tank 3 enters the drainage pump 16 through the hose 17 and is discharged. With the rotation of 16, the water is drained out of the machine through a drain hose (not shown).

At this time, the hose 17 located in the drain passage is
Or drain hose clogged with lint from foreign objects or clothing,
An external drain hose (not shown) externally attached to the washing machine main body 9 is bent to reduce drainage capacity, or the drain pump 16 and a drive circuit (not shown) of the drain pump 16 malfunction and operate. If not, the process proceeds to the next step with water remaining in the water receiving tank 3, and the influence of residual water on the next step,
For example, there has been a problem that rinsing performance is reduced.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and efficiently drains water in a time according to the water level of a water receiving tank. When the drainage is not completed, the drainage is repeated. The purpose is to judge it as abnormal and inform the user so that there is no influence of residual water in the next process.

[0010]

According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, a drum is rotatably disposed in a water receiving tank elastically supported in a washing machine body, and a water level detecting means is provided for receiving the water. The water level in the tank is detected, and the water in the water receiving tank is drained by drainage means. A control means for driving the drum;
While controlling the operation of the drainage means, etc., the drainage means is operated for a time corresponding to the water level in the water receiving tank detected by the water level detection means at the start of drainage, and if the water level before the end of drainage is below the predetermined water level, the next step Then, if the water level is higher than the predetermined water level, the drainage is repeated again. If the water level is higher than the predetermined water level even after the first predetermined number of times, it is determined that the first drainage abnormality has occurred, and the display means displays it.

[0011] Thus, drainage is efficiently performed in a time corresponding to the water level in the water receiving tank. When drainage is not completed, drainage is repeated. When there is still residual water, lint or the like is clogged, and an external drainage hose is bent. As a result, it is possible to judge that the drainage is abnormal due to a decrease in drainage capacity, and to notify the user so that there is no influence of residual water in the next step.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a water receiving tank elastically supported in a washing machine body, a drum contained in the water receiving tank and rotatably disposed. Motor for driving the drum, drainage means for draining water in the water receiving tank, water level detecting means for detecting a water level in the water receiving tank, display means for performing a display operation, the motor, drainage means Control means for controlling the operation such as, the control means operates the drainage means for a time according to the water level in the water receiving tank at the start of drainage, if the water level before drainage is below a predetermined water level If the water level is higher than the predetermined water level, draining is repeated again. If the water level is higher than the predetermined water level even after the first predetermined number of times, it is determined that the first water drainage is abnormal, and displayed by the display means. Yes, the drainage means is a water receiving tank at the start of drainage By operating for the time according to the water level, the drainage can be efficiently drained at the optimal time and the process can be shifted to the next process.If the air cannot be drained due to the air entering the drainage means, drain it again by draining it. If the water level is higher than the predetermined water level even after repeating the first predetermined number of times, it can be determined that the first drainage abnormality is caused by a decrease in drainage capacity due to clogging of lint, bending of the external drainage hose, and the like, By displaying the information on the display means to notify the user, it is possible to eliminate the influence of the residual water in the next step.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the control means determines that there is an abnormality if the water level is higher than a predetermined water level even after repeating the first predetermined number of times of drainage. Even if draining is repeated up to a second predetermined number of times greater than the first predetermined number of times, if the water level is higher than the predetermined water level, it is determined that there is a second drainage abnormality, and the display means displays it. The fact that the water cannot be drained below the predetermined water level even after repeated drainage can be determined as a second drainage abnormality due to the failure of the drainage pump and the drive circuit of the drainage pump to operate and the display means displays the user with the display. , It is possible to eliminate the influence of residual water in the next process.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the control means displays the first drainage abnormality and the second drainage abnormality by changing the display contents by the display means. The user can check whether the drainage is abnormal due to clogging of lint, etc. or bending of the external drainage hose, etc., and whether the drainage pump or the drive circuit of the drainage pump is abnormal. It is possible to determine whether the malfunction is due to failure and non-operation.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an informing means for performing an informing operation, and when the control means determines that an abnormality has occurred, the informing means notifies the abnormality by the informing means. Since the user can immediately be notified of the drainage abnormality, the user can check for clogging of the lint or request a repair technician for repair.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The same components as those in the conventional example are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

(Embodiment 1) As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a first motor (motor) 18 rotates the drum 1 at a first rotation speed N1 (for example, 53 rpm) to wash or rinse. The second motor (motor) 19 drives the drum 1 at a second rotation speed N2 (for example,
Spin at 1000 rpm) to dehydrate. The first motor 18 and the second motor 19 are constituted by induction motors, and are connected to driven pulleys 22 via belts 20 and 21, respectively.

The driven pulley 22 has two types of reduction ratios. The first motor 18 is connected via a belt 20 to a driven pulley 22a having a large reduction ratio.
9 through a belt 21 to a driven pulley 2 having a small reduction ratio.
2b, and is fixed to the other end of the rotating shaft 4 having one end fixed to the rotation center of the drum 1.

The water level detecting means 23 is connected to the water receiving tank 3, and a magnetic material (both not shown) is fixed to a diaphragm which operates at a pressure corresponding to the water level in the water receiving tank 3.
This magnetic body is movably mounted on the center of a coil (not shown), an oscillation circuit is formed using the coil, and the magnetic body and the coil are moved by the movement of the diaphragm by the pressure corresponding to the water level in the water receiving tank 3. The water level in the water receiving tank 3 is detected by changing the positional relationship with the above, changing the inductance of the coil, and detecting a change in the oscillation frequency of the oscillation circuit.

A water supply valve 15 connects a water supply hose 24 to supply water to the water receiving tank 3, and a drainage pump (drainage means) 16 drains water to the outside through a drainage hose 25.

The control device 26 comprises a first motor 18, a second motor
The motor 19 is controlled as shown in FIG. The control means 27 is composed of a microcomputer, and includes a heater 13 and a water supply valve 1 via a power switching means 28 composed of a bidirectional thyristor or the like.
5. Control the drainage pump 16, the first motor 18, the second motor 19, and the like to sequentially control a series of steps of washing, rinsing, and dehydrating. The heater 13 heats the washing water in the water receiving tub 3.

The input setting means 29 is for inputting a required setting course, operation start, and the like required by the user. The display means 30 displays the contents set by the input setting means 29, the operation state, and the like. The water temperature detecting means 31 detects the temperature of the water in the water receiving tank 3 and inputs it to the control means 27. The rotation speed detection means 32 detects the rotation speed of the drum 1 by detecting the rotation speed of the first motor 18, and inputs the rotation speed to the control means 27. Storage means 33
Stores data necessary for a series of controls. The notifying unit 34 is configured by a buzzer or the like and notifies by a notification sound.
In addition, 35 is a commercial power supply, and 36 is a power switch.

As shown in (Table 1), the control means 27
The drain pump 16 is operated for a time corresponding to the water level in the water receiving tank 3 at the start of drainage, and if the water level before the end of drainage is equal to or lower than a predetermined water level (for example, a water column of 90 mm), the process proceeds to the next step, and if the water level is higher than the predetermined water level. For example, after stopping for a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds), drainage is performed again. Predetermined water level (water column 9
0 mm) is a water level lower than the bottom of the water receiving tank 3.

[0024]

[Table 1]

Then, even if draining is repeated a first predetermined number of times (for example, five times), a predetermined water level (water column 90) is obtained.
If it is higher than (mm), it is determined that the first drainage is abnormal, the display means 30 displays the abnormality, and the notification means 34 notifies the user with a notification sound. The display means 30 has a 7-segment display (not shown), and displays "U10" on the 7-segment display when the first drainage abnormality is determined.

The operation of the above configuration will be described.
To open the laundry in the drum 1, and turn on the power switch 3.
When the operation is started by turning on the start switch (not shown) of the input setting means 29 after turning on the water supply valve 6, the water supply valve 15 is operated and water is supplied at the same time as the first motor 18 is driven. When the predetermined water level is detected, the water supply is stopped. In the washing process, the drum 1 is driven to rotate at a first rotation speed N1 by the first motor 18 while replenishing water because the water soaks into the laundry, and the laundry in the drum 1 is lifted up on the water surface. Is dropped and washed.

At this time, the heater 13 is energized to heat the washing water in the water receiving tub 3 and the water temperature in the water receiving tub 3 is detected by the water temperature detecting means 31 so that the temperature of the washing water is substantially constant. To control. When the washing process is completed, the drain pump 16
Operates to drain the washing water in the water receiving tub 3. afterwards,
In the dewatering process via the rinsing process, the drum 1 is driven to rotate at the second rotation speed N2 by the second motor 19, and the laundry is centrifugally dewatered.

Next, the operation of the drain stroke will be described with reference to FIG. The operation is started in step 40 of FIG. 4, the water level of the water receiving tank 3 is detected by the water level detection means 23 in step 41, and the drainage time is set in (table 1) in step 42 based on the detected water level in step 42. . In step 43, the counter N built in the control means 27 is set to 0. In step 44, a timer built in the control means 27 is started, and in step 45, the drain pump 16 is turned on to start draining.

When the drain pump 16 is turned on to drain water, if air does not enter the drain pump 16 simultaneously with water from the hose 17, a predetermined water level (water column 90
mm) or less, and when the drainage time set by (Table 1) elapses in step 47, the drainage pump 1
6 is turned off, the timer is reset in step 49, and the process proceeds to the next step in step 50.

When the drain pump 16 is turned on to perform drainage, if air enters the drain pump 16 simultaneously with water from the hose 17, the drainage performance of the drain pump 16 is extremely reduced, and drainage can be performed. First, before the water level falls below the predetermined water level (water column 90 mm) in step 46, the drainage time set in (Table 1) elapses in step 51. At this time, the drain pump 16 is turned off in step 52 to release air from the drain pump 16, and after a predetermined time (3 seconds) elapses in step 53, the drain pump 16 is driven again in step 54 to drain water.

When the water level falls below a predetermined water level (water column 90 mm) in step 55 and the drainage time set in (Table 1) elapses in step 56, the drainage pump 16 is turned off in step 57 and the timer is reset in step 58. In step 59, the process proceeds to the next step. When the drainage time set in (Table 1) in step 56 elapses, step 5
7, but in step 56,
It may be a fixed time shorter than the drainage time set according to (Table 1).

If the drainage time set in (Table 1) elapses in step 60 before the water level falls below the predetermined water level (water column 90 mm) in step 55, the counter N is incremented in step 61 (for example, N = 1). If the value of the counter N is less than 4 at 62, the process is repeated from the step 52, where the drain pump 16 is turned off.

If the counter N is 4 or more, step 63
The drain pump 16 is turned off, and the timer is reset at step 64. At step 65, it is determined that the drainage path is clogged by lint or the drainage hose externally attached to the washing machine body is bent and the drainage capacity is reduced. Then, the first drainage abnormality display “U10” is displayed by the display means 30.
Is displayed and notified by the notifying unit 34. Step 62
The value 4 of the counter N is an experimental value obtained by previously clogging the drainage path with lint or the like.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the drain pump 16 is operated for a time corresponding to the water level in the water receiving tank 3 at the start of drainage. If the water level is higher than the predetermined level, drain the water again.
If the water level does not become lower than the predetermined value even after repeating the predetermined number of times, the drainage capacity is reduced due to clogging of the lint, etc., and the residual water is affected in the next process.
The display means 30 and the notifying means 34 can notify the user of the drainage abnormality of the user.

(Embodiment 2) The control means 27 in FIG. 1 determines that an abnormality occurs if the water level is higher than a predetermined water level even after repeating the first predetermined number of times (five times), and further, the first predetermined number of times (5
Even if the drainage is repeated a second predetermined number of times (e.g., seven times), the second drainage abnormality is determined as being higher than the predetermined water level, and "F3" is displayed on the seven-segment display of the display means 30.
"0" is displayed, and the notification means 34 notifies the user with a notification sound. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

The operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. The operation from step 40 to step 61 is the same as the operation of the first embodiment, and the description is omitted.

If the value of the counter N is less than 4 at step 62, the process is repeated from the time when the drain pump 16 is turned off at step 52. When the counter N is 4 or more, a first drainage abnormality display is performed in step 70 because the drainage path is blocked by lint or the like. If the counter N is equal to or greater than 4 and less than 6 in step 71, the process is repeated from step 51 after the drain pump 16 is turned off. At this time, the first drainage abnormality "U10" is still displayed on the display means 30.

The drainage capacity is reduced due to clogging of the lint or the like, but the drainage can be drained even a little. In this case, the on / off operation of the drainage pump 16 is repeated, and if the water level becomes higher than a predetermined level, the process proceeds to the next step. (Steps 51 to 59).

When the counter N is 6 or more in step 71, it is determined that the drainage path can hardly be drained due to clogging of the lint, or that the drainage pump 16 has failed or the drive circuit of the drainage pump 16 has failed. Is turned off, the timer is reset in step 73, and the second drainage abnormality "F30" is displayed on the display means 30 in step 74, and the notification means 34 gives a notification sound. The value 6 of the counter N in step 71 is set in advance to a value that does not cause the second drainage abnormality when the drainage capacity is reduced due to clogging of a normal lint or the like.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, if the water level does not become lower than the predetermined value even after the second predetermined number of times of drainage is repeated more than the first predetermined number of times, it is determined that the drainage pump 16 or the like has failed. The second drainage abnormality can be displayed on the display means 30, and can be notified to the user by the notification means 34.

When the second drainage abnormality is detected,
By displaying "F30" on the display means 30 and performing a display different from the first drainage abnormality display "U10", the user can determine whether to clean the lint or the like or whether repair is necessary. Can be distinguished.

[0042]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a water receiving tank elastically supported in the main body of the washing machine, and the water receiving tank is rotatably provided in the water receiving tank. The drum, a motor that drives the drum, a drainage unit that drains water in the water receiving tank, a water level detecting unit that detects a water level in the water receiving tank, a display unit that performs a display operation, Control means for controlling the operation of a motor, a drainage means, etc., wherein the control means operates the drainage means for a time corresponding to the water level in the water receiving tank at the start of drainage, and the water level before the end of the drainage is predetermined. If the water level is lower than the water level, the process proceeds to the next step. If the water level is higher than the predetermined water level, the drainage is repeated again.
Since it is displayed by the display means, by operating the drainage means for a time according to the water level in the water receiving tank at the start of drainage, it is possible to efficiently drain the water at the optimal time and to shift to the next step, If the drainage is higher than the predetermined water level even if the drainage is repeated the first predetermined number of times, it can be determined that the first drainage abnormality is caused by a decrease in drainage capacity due to clogging of a lint or bending of an external drainage hose, and the display means. By displaying and notifying the user, it is possible to eliminate the influence of residual water in the next process.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the control means determines that an abnormality is present if the water level is higher than the predetermined water level even after repeating the first predetermined number of times of drainage. Even if the drainage is repeated up to the second predetermined number of times, if the water level is higher than the predetermined water level, it is determined that the second drainage is abnormal, and the display means is displayed. That can not be drained to
The drainage pump and the drive circuit of the drainage pump can be determined to be the second drainage abnormality due to failure and not operating, and the display means displays the information to inform the user that there is no influence of residual water in the next process. You can do so.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the control means displays the first drainage abnormality and the second drainage abnormality by changing the display contents by the display means, the user can display the information. Whether the drainage is abnormal due to a decrease in drainage capacity due to clogging of lint, bending of the external drainage hose, etc., depending on the contents displayed by the means, or due to malfunction of the drainage pump or the drive circuit of the drainage pump, which does not operate due to failure Can be determined.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a notifying means for performing a notifying operation, and when the control means determines that there is an abnormality, the notifying means notifies the abnormality. Since the abnormality can be notified to the user, the user can check for clogging of the lint or the like, or request a repair technician for repair.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block circuit diagram of a washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the washing machine.

FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the washing machine.

FIG. 4 is an operation flowchart of a main part of the washing machine.

FIG. 5 is an operation flowchart of a main part of the washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a conventional washing machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 drum 3 water receiving tank 9 washing machine main body 16 drain pump (drain means) 18 first motor (motor) 19 second motor (motor) 23 water level detecting means 27 control means 30 display means

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hisashi Hagiwara 1006 Kazuma Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A water receiving tank elastically supported in a washing machine main body, a drum included in the water receiving tank and rotatably disposed, a motor for driving the drum, A drainage unit for draining water, a water level detection unit for detecting a water level in the water receiving tank, a display unit for performing a display operation, and a control unit for controlling operations of the motor, the drainage unit, and the like, the control unit comprising: The means operates the drainage means for a time corresponding to the water level in the water receiving tank at the start of drainage, and shifts to the next step if the water level before the end of drainage is equal to or lower than a predetermined water level, and drains again if the water level is higher than the predetermined water level. Is repeated, and if it is higher than the predetermined water level even after the first predetermined number of times, it is determined that the first drainage is abnormal,
A washing machine configured to be displayed by the display means. 2. The control means determines that if the water level is higher than the predetermined water level even after repeating the first predetermined number of times of drainage, the control means repeats the drainage further to a second predetermined number of times greater than the first predetermined number of times. 2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein if the water level is higher than the predetermined water level, it is determined that the second drainage abnormality has occurred, and the display means displays the abnormality. 3. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the control means displays the first drainage abnormality and the second drainage abnormality by changing display contents by the display means. 4. The washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising: a notifying unit that performs a notifying operation, wherein the control unit notifies the notifying unit of the abnormality when the control unit determines that the unit is abnormal.